He grasped the back fo her neck and lifted, pulling her up from the bare mattress until she was balancing on her hip bones, legs locked securely over his back. They hadn't bothered to make the bed; it really didn't matter to either of them. The sheets still lay on the floor in the other room, cooling from the dryer, and the blankets were in a crumpled heap crammed at the base of the bed.

It was much to hot for blankets. They were much too hot for blankets.

He bent to kiss her shoulder wetly, one hand supporting her neck and head, the other pressed flat against her back.

She lifted a hand and touched his hair, lightly brushing fingertips across his cheek. She was so fond of him, so happy...He let out a perfectly contented sigh and pressed his face into her neck; she could feel the heat of his breathing washing down her back.

It was too dark to see, but she knew he smiled as he pulled back, lowering her onto her back. One hand pressed her cheek as he stooped to hovering fractions of an inch above her face, the tips of their lips barely brushing.

Now, now would be perfect...so perfect, so...

But he didn't say it, he didn't tell her he loved her, and she was grateful. She slipped a hand behind his neck and pulled, sealing the kiss.

It is darker now, and they lay side by side, too hot to pull together. Their hands entwine between them as they lay on their backs, sleeping or awake, it's hard to tell.

It would happen again. Maybe not quite like this, but there were other nights.

It wasn't the end of the world.

Not yet.

Not so long as they were there.

Before&After