"Will we still be able to make a pizza and watch a movie like tonight when we're on a break?" Mario was trying to understand how they would manage things. He still couldn't believe he was giving all this up.
"Well, maybe not. At least not now. We really have to try to commit and give each other space. Otherwise, it won't be any use at all. Maybe later, we'll see." Lara seemed to have things figured out--or at least clearer than he did about the space she wanted.
"But how long will this go on for? Do we have a deadline?"
"Love, I don't know, I really don't. Let's not set deadlines or timelines. Let's take as much time as we need to figure things out. You know, we've talked about this already. Please, let's not bring this up every time. If it's a break, it's a break. We discussed it today and made the decision. From tomorrow, let's stick to it and see where it leads us." Lara was starting to show signs of fatigue. She hugged Mario, who remained silent. It wasn't easy for him to understand all of this, but he knew there were no alternatives right now. Either they let everything fall apart or they tried it this way. Even though he had never believed in breaks.
"Alright, my love. We'll get through this, you'll see." Mario tried to summon some conviction and kissed her forehead.
"Look, I know it's hard, but maybe starting tomorrow, we should also stop calling each other 'love.' We're just roommates. Let's think of it like a role-playing game. It's not easy for me either," she said, looking at him with her green eyes, slightly damp.
Every word was a blow to Mario. It was like pieces of him were being taken away one by one. You can't do this anymore, or that, or anything else. He thought of her body. Not being able to see it, touch it, smell it. He felt himself sinking.
"Can roommates do this?" he asked, reaching out to touch her breasts. Lara playfully slapped his hand, letting out a soft laugh.
"I'd say no, wouldn't you? We won't be friends with benefits if that's what you mean. Come on, be serious, this is important. Really." Lara looked at him with a mixture of a smile and a plea that melted Mario's heart. How would he get through the nights without holding her?
"But we're on a break starting tomorrow, right?" Mario asked.
"What do you mean?" She looked at him with a questioning expression, beginning to suspect where he was going.
"So, if I kiss your neck like this..." He brushed her blonde hair aside and kissed her neck lightly. Lara shivered. "Or if I touch your cheeks like this..." he said, taking her face in his hands. Lara let out a soft sigh. How would she manage without those hands? "Or if I let my hand slide down your back like this... after all, I'm still your boyfriend for today." His hand slipped under her shirt, his fingers caressing her bare back.
Mario was trying to lighten the tension, but at the same time, he was overwhelmed by a powerful desire for her. The fear of losing her had taken over. Lara surrendered to those caresses, those hands. Maybe it wasn't the right thing to do, but if everything was going to end or be put on hold the next day, she couldn't bear not to feel them one more time.
They kissed with a mix of tenderness, passion, and sadness. They both knew it might be the last time. Mario took Lara's hand, and without a word, led her upstairs to their bedroom--the room that had become Lara's room. They quickly undressed, and under the sheets, resumed kissing passionately.
Lara spread her legs and let Mario's fingers caress her. He was always good with his fingers; she grew wet instantly. Her breaths became faster, soft moans of pleasure escaping her lips. Mario kissed his way down her belly until his face was between her legs. With the tip of his tongue, he traced small circles, then slid along the folds of her lips. Lara shuddered and let out a louder moan as Mario alternated between his tongue and fingers. She grabbed his hair, pulling him up to kiss her, her lips wet with her arousal.
