Twelve Months

August

Sara listened to the soft thumping of Michael's heart in his chest, her face pressed against his inky skin while he held her to him protectively. Like two entwined souls they laid together, naked and exposed to each other except for the modest white cotton sheet that had been thrown over them post coitus. Sara's tangled hair spilled over Michael's chest as she listened to him breathing, and her nimble fingers casually traced the outlines of his tattoo in front of her face.

"Michael?" She prodded on a whisper, unsure if he was awake or not. A low rumble of noise escaped Michael's chest and his eyes remained closed. Sara lifted her head from his skin and rested it to her palm, her elbow sinking in the mattress as she watched Michael doze.

"Michael," Sara repeated pulling the white sheet so it slid slightly with a rustle from Michael's still form and covered her breasts. Another low groan escaped Michael as he exited deep sleep, his eyebrows twitching and pulling together in a sleepy frown. He swallowed and then wet his lips slowly, taking his time to peel his eyes open and blink a few times.

"I was thinking about your birthday," Sara began, resting a flat palm to Michael's warm chest. Michael rolled his head sideways to face her, a quick smile playing across his lips as he lifted a heavy hand and dropped in on top of hers. His eyes fluttered closed once more and stayed that way for a few seconds, before he prised them open once more.

"What about it?" He croaked before a tiny cough deepened his voice a little. Michael shuffled his head against the pillow, rearranging his line of sight so that his bluey gaze bore into Sara's hazel orbs. His breathing was silent and shallow, only the rise and fall of his chest giving it away in the night.

"I feel bad for missing it for a stupid medical conference," Sara pouted. "So I was thinking," she interjected before Michael could reply with fake words of reassurance. "Why don't we have it early," Sara asked him, the side of her mouth turning up into a grin. Michael smiled and a hearty chuckle ripple from his body as he grabbed for the sheet, pulling it to his waist and twisting sideways in the bed so they were facing each other.

Sara all but melted when Michael reached out and rested a large hand to her hip, tightening his grip on the smooth skin and pulling her body to his effortlessly. Sara's head fell from her hand and planted itself on Michael's pillow. Her cheek brushed his bicep as she snuggled closer, his heated body radiating hers. Michael looked down at Sara, her fragile beauty delicately leaning into his body and warming his heart.

"What did you have in mind?" Michael breathed unable to hide the smile that stretched across his face in the dimly lit bedroom. It was early morning, and the dawn peeked over the horizon untimely in the fall daybreak. The room was illuminated in a soft orange glow, the drapes keeping out most of the light except the strong rays of the sun that easily penetrated the fabric.

Sara returned his smile and interlocked her finger with Michael's after plucking his hand from her hip. "A few things," Sara confessed with sly smile.

"Oh really? Will I like these things?" Michael said flirtatiously, the anticipation of not knowing driving him crazy with lust. Sara's lips parted as she went to speak but her filthy thoughts of Michael helpless to her touch halted her words. She laughed to herself, a teasing giggle racking her body as Michael frowned at her response.

"I..." Sara paused, more visions obliterating her words and invading her mind. Michael moved his sculptured skull downwards so that his mouth was almost touching Sara's and repositioned himself so he was leant over her tiny frame. Sara felt his breath on her lips; his hot flesh on hers and her eyes flickered between his smile and his darkened ocean deep eyes.

"So I will?" Michael whispered, a question he already knew the answer too. He left Sara's hand on her abdomen, untangling his fingers from hers and brushing a soft wisp of her auburn locks from her face and tucking it behind her ear, finally resting his palm to her cheek. Sara grinned up at Michael, her body reacting instantly to his tender touch. Her nipples peaked to attention under the sheet and strained against the indigo schematics on Michael's chest.