Reunion

Chapter nine

When he came back to awareness he realised he was gripping her wrists tight and crushing her beneath him. Her eyes were closed and he could see a few streaks of tears on her temples and cheeks. He let go of her wrists and propped himself up on his forearms. She blinked her eyes open and they were sated and drowsy with pleasure. She smiled up at him, a smug smirk that he answered with a sheepish grin. "Well, that worked even better than I thought it would."

He laughed as he withdrew carefully from her body. "Glad to exceed expectations. I wouldn't wish to be completely predictable."

She smirked. "Well, that was pretty much exactly what I predicted, only at the end of the evening rather than the beginning."

He tied a knot in the condom and rose from the sofa, pulling her up along with himself. "You shouldn't underestimate your powers of seduction like that, baby."

She laughed outright at his words, then laughed more when she realised he was still wearing his socks and she still had her boots on. She followed him into the bathroom and sat down on the counter in front of the mirror. She propped one foot over her knee and began unzipping the boot, still laughing at the absurdity of it all. 

He began to laugh along with her. "What's so funny?" he asked between guffaws.

She shook her head, helpless with laughter at the sight of his still sock-clad feet. She pointed at them and he looked, confused but charmed by her obvious amusement. "Socks," she gasped in between peals of laughter. She didn't know why but it was hilarious to imagine that the entire time they'd been lost in passion on the sofa, he'd had his socks on. 

He bent down and pulled the offending socks off, laughing because she was laughing. He stood in front of her and she threw her arms around his neck, tears of mirth streaming down her face. One part of his mind simply basked in her happiness while the rest of him laughed with her. She was so beautiful like this. His laughter changed into a soft smile as he watched her. Slowly, her laughter subsided, too, and she leaned her head against his shoulder. He stepped into the space between her parted thighs and pulled her close. For long moments they held each other, revelling anew in the fact that they were together. At length she raised her head. 

"Do we have to go to this concert?" He brushed her hair back behind her ear as he asked the question.

She smiled as she took her jewellery off. "It would be a shame to come all the way to Berlin and not go. Besides, Alia and the others will wonder what's wrong."

He sighed and buried his head in her neck. She stroked her fingers through his hair and he kissed her skin. "I guess we should get ready, then," he mumbled. 

She pulled his head up and kissed his cheek. "Come on, let's shower and get dressed. We've missed the party as it is, let's not miss the concert as well."

He helped her off the counter and into the shower. She turned on the hot water. He hissed as he stepped under the spray. She turned to him, concerned. He smiled at her. "My girlfriend's a wildcat."

She stepped around him. "I'm sorry," she whispered, kissing his back. It was covered in red scratches. She traced them with gentle fingers, trying to soothe the pain.

He turned and caught her hands in his. He kissed her fingertips and smiled at her. "Don't be sorry. I loved every second of it. I love when you leave your mark on me."

She smiled back at him. "Let me at least wash your back."

He nodded. "But only if you'll let me return the favour."

She smiled and agreed, then motioned for him to turn. She soaped her hands and stroked them over his back, being extra careful where the skin was tender. When she was done, she continued soaping his legs until she knelt by his feet. "Turn please," she requested. He obeyed her and she washed the front of his body as well, rising slowly until they were face to face again. He stepped back under the water and she kissed him under the warm spray, lingering until all the soap had been washed away.