ght streamed through the window, tracing the

pered softly against his ear. But before she could say another word, her l

n gasps fill

oth fierce and gentle, a tendern

ressed against her, his touch moved along her skin, and she felt as though

is was the first time they ha

h.

ain made

, eyes closed, letting herself sink

om, then slowly faded, giving

over the soft curves of the room. The faint scent of wine had disappeared,

ened he

e for the steady rhythm

d, and th

his breathing deep and slow. The sharp bridge of his nose, the curve of his

stopped fo

it, without the cold, formal distance. Just a man, asleep beside her, his warmth brushing

ightly, afrai

drawing soft lines across his body, st

asn't only the wine. For one fleeting night, she had t

e blanket around her, a

ld floor, but warmth sti

t once, she wanted them to share a mornin

n a robe and

. In the kitchen, she boiled water. The aroma of cof

, delicate smile, bu

sual coffee, b

to the cup. She had never imagined something so

round, the sound of foot

cup shaking fain

s standi

ling a glimpse of sun-bronzed skin. His hair was tousled, his eyes st

s cool agai

eart crumpled, like pa

id softly. "I was just

was quie

flicked to the cup in her h

nigh

itant, as if he were sear

was a mist

in the kitch

nly the frantic beating

what did

led, small, lik

ubbing his forehe

. I thought you w

through her

lips trembling, bu

sor

barely audible,

hter from moments ago, the laughter of a fooli

one

ly seen her, even when she had a

the cup until her knuckles turned white. The heat fr

derst

less, but her eyes shimmered with

ook at her, or pe

night never happen

itter laugh. Not out o

t. Let's

the table and turne

bly heavy, not with ra

he paused and

ll, cold figure, motionless, almo

lining him in brilliance, bur

oment on, there would be

st loud enough fo

s in your arms, I

continu

lookin

f coffee lingered, but its b

g time, staring at the empt

and let out a slow,

again, all that re

had risen high, spillin

able, the untouched cup of coffee, bearing si

ingered, fragile and fleeting, like the last tra