Bloom

4. Inferno

"I'm just so honored that the universe chose me to be the spark that has set off a raging inferno."

~Cindy Sheehan~

•••

"So, this is going to be a first for both of us?" I ask softly. "I'm not imagining things? This is really happening?"

Seb smiles sweetly as we snuggle close under the covers, just us and our bare skin between the sheets. It's difficult for me to keep my hands off of him, and I'm close to abandoning self-control, but I'm enjoying the moment.

     We decided that, tonight, we're going to take our time with each other and set the pace for our relationship.

There's a history here, not a romantic or a sexual history, but there's already so much more to us than romance and sex. The fact that we haven't gone much farther than kissing is proof enough for me. Then again, I'm not the best at relationships, I'm an absolute disaster, so what the hell do I know?

He gently presses his hand to my face, pulling me from my thoughts as he says, "You're nervous. I'm nervous. Neither of us have done this before, but its okay. We'll do this together. I'll take care of you, I promise."

      I relax into his touch, placing my hand over his. He traces my cheekbone with the pad of his thumb. His touch calms me, cuts right through the anxiety. Cool air enters my lungs as I take in a breath.

     I can't help but look at him in awe, wishing that I could find the words to say.

     "You're beautiful," he says softly, shooting stars lost in his ocean eyes.

      Instead of words, I find motion, and I kiss him quick. He moves his hands to my neck, his cool fingers sending chills through me as we open up and invite each other in, lips melting together as the flames between us flare brighter, stronger.

     White-hot desire surges through me as a breathy moan dances past his lips in between open-mouthed kisses. The sound is unexpected, but it's not enough. I ache for more from him, my hands searching for his as I move over top of him.

     Our lips part momentarily, so that we can lace our hands together.

     His cheeks, neck, and chest are flushed sunset pink. His ocean eyes are near-black.

     I'm knocked breathless by how stunning he is, the way the moonlight from the windows plays across his skin.

    He squeezes my hands.

    "You're stunning, Seb," I say softly, trying to breathe and ground myself to the moment while I'm at it. "I don't think I've ever told you just how stunning you really are."

     He smiles, cheeks darkening.

     After a second, he grins and says, "You know, I don't think anyone's ever called me 'stunning' while trying to bed me down before."

     I laugh, completely thrown by the ridiculous image in my head. He just smiles warmly, watching me.

     "We're stalling," I say after a moment.

     "Because it doesn't feel real," he says. "You're nervous, I'm terribly shy for once. Neither of us really know what the hell to do, but I gotta admit, you're insanely sexy like this. How the hell are you mine, babe?"

     I blush crimson, cheeks burning hot.

Yours.

Mine.