Eyes Closed

"Let's eat all three meals together for the rest of our lives."

Hunched over a bowl of noodles, Shancai was slurping in a mouthful when Daoming Si pronounced these words. She choked and started coughing, spitting some of the food out.

"I won't give you any reason to refuse," he added, in anticipation of all the possible reactions he knew she could have.

And refuse she did not.

⁂

Shancai felt herself wake up but, still tired, kept her eyes closed. She stirred and got into a more comfortable position, seeking the warm spot in the king size bed. The window was open and she could hear the sound of waves on the shore. She dozed off again.

∞

Her mother stands still and looks at her, admiring her daughter with a smile and tears in her eyes. She affectionately embraces Shancai before letting go and retrieving something from her pocket. It's a bracelet that has belonged to her grandmother and is now being passed down a third generation to be worn by a new bride. Her mother holds out the bracelet made of silver and moonstone. Shancai lifts her wrist to receive this symbol of approval.

∞

Her father approaches and kisses her forehead tenderly. He gives her his arm to place her hand on it, looks at her to make sure she is ready, and starts guiding her toward the only other man who loves her as much as he does.

∞

She reaches the end of the aisle and stops in front of Daoming Si. His hands lightly brush her arms as he lifts her veil, and she instantly feels a tingling sensation run through her body. Their eyes meet for the first time since they have bid each other good night less than a day ago. He takes her breath away. She could let herself drown in the love his dark eyes exude. After what seems an eternity as much as the fraction of a second, she hears the officiant call her. She remembers to breathe and finally collects herself.

∞

She forgets about the many people present as he grabs her and kisses her as if he had waited his entire life to taste her lips and his life depended on it. The tingles rush back immediately. They are torn from their bliss by the sound of people clapping, cheering and whistling.

∞

He can't keep his hands off her, and she doesn't want him to. All along the reception, despite their attention being requested by the many guests, their eyes can't help but search for the other one and rest there for as long as politeness allows them to. As soon as they stand within touching distance, their hands find each other and their fingers entwine. Every time, the tingling sensation storms through her body and paralyzes her.

∞

The elevator dings as it reaches the last floor and the doors open to reveal a penthouse suite. As Shancai turns around to leave the elevator, Ah Si puts his hands on her waist and gently guides her out. His hold on her is like a branding iron: through her dress, she knows exactly where every single one of his fingers is. She's burning.

∞

With a smug smile, she reaches for his tie and pulls him down before closing the gap between them. Their lips meet for the first time since the ceremony ended. They're hungry for each other.

∞

As she slowly removes his tie, her fingers graze his neck and he sighs—a sound that's new to her ears. She's curious, she wants more of it. Her hands become more adventurous.

∞

After each button he opens, she feels him place one kiss on her back—slowly, very slowly, a bit lower with every button. She hears herself moan for the first time. More, she thinks. She wants more.

∞

In the dark, she lets him roam every mound and every valley of her body. She starts exploring too—tentatively at first, before her hands and mouth grow bolder.

∞

Nothing matters anymore, except him and her together in the here and now. Skin against skin. Sigh against sigh. Choiring moans. Quickening breaths. Panting in unison. Stronger, faster, louder.

∞

Spread out on the bed, hands entwined. Breathing slowing down. Silence. Eyes in eyes.

⁂

Shancai woke up fully when she felt her husband stroke her naked back. She smiled at the thought of being able to wake up like this every morning for the rest of their lives. She opened her eyes to meet his and saw him mouth the words, "My life is you."