He held her through every second. His arms stayed locked around her, one hand flat against her sternum, feeling her heart pound beneath his palm. He said nothing. Just held her, waiting for the trembling to subside.
When it did, he turned them over. She sank into the mattress and he was above her, settling between her thighs, and he pushed the damp hair back from her face.
He saw the wet brightness at the corners of her eyes. The corner of his mouth pulled up. "There is no way...it was that good, babe."
She laughed and turned her face slightly away. He brought it back.
"Hey." His thumb traced her cheekbone.
"Come back to me. Whatever you do. Whatever war you fight for us—" her fingers found his jaw, holding his face, making him stay with her, "—please. Come back to me."
Always. He'd said it before without thinking, reflexive as breathing. She would have believed it. Part of her needed to.
