Swans and Storms

  TheysatinthemiddleofasmalllakefedbythewatersofBricesCreek.Itwasntlarge,maybeahundredyardsacross,andshewassurprisedathowinvisibleithadbeenjustmomentsbefore.

  Itectacular.Tundraswanandadageeseliterallysurrouhem.Thousandsofthem.Birdsfloatingsoclosetogetherinsomeplacesthatshecouldhewater.Fromadistahegroupsofswanslookedalmostlikeicebergs.

  "Oh,Noah,"shefinallysaidsoftly,"itsbeautiful.

  Theysatinsilenceforalongwhile,watgthebirds.Noahpoiagroupofchicks,retlyhatched,folloackofgeeseheshore,strugglingtokeepup.

  TheairwasfilledwithhonkingandchirpingasNoahmovedthehthewater.Thebirdsighemforthemostpart.Theonlyoneswhoseemedbotheredwerethoseforovewhentheoeapproachedthem.Alliereachedouttotouchtheclosestonesaheirfeathersrufflingunderherfingers.

  NhtoutthebagofbreadhedbroughtearlierandhaoAllie.Shescatteredthebread,favthelittleones,laughingandsmilingastheyswamincircles,lookingforfood.

  Theystayeduntilthunderboomediance-faintbutpowerful-andbothofthemkwastimetoleave.

  Noahledthembacktothecurrentofthecreek,paddlingstrohanhehadearlier.

  Shewasstillamazedbywhatshehadseen."Noah,whataretheydoinghere?"

  "Idontknow.IknowtheswansfromupnorthmigratetoLakeMatamuskeeteverywinter,butIguesstheycameherethistime.Idontknowwhy.Maybetheearlyblizzardhadsomethingtodowithit.Maybetheygotofftraething.Theyllfindtheirwayback,though."

  "Theywontstay?"

  "Idoubtit.Theyredrivenbyinstindthisisnttheirplaeofthegeesemaywinterhere,buttheswanswillgobaatamuskeet."

  Noahpaddledhardasdarkcloudsrolleddirectlyoverhead.Soonraiofall,alightsprifirst,thengraduallyharder.Lightning,apause,thenthunderagain.Alittleloudernow.Maybesixorsevenmilesaway.MorerainasNoahbegantopaddleevenharder,hismusclestighteningwitheverystroke.Thickerdropsnow.Falling...Fallingwiththewind...Fallinghardandthick...Noahrowing...ragthesky..,stillgetti..,cursingtohimself..,losingtoMotherNature...

  Thedownpourwassteadynow,andAlliewatchedtherainfalldiagonallyfromthesky,tryingtodefygravityasitrodeoerlywindsthatwhistledoverthetrees.Theskydarkenedalittlemore,andbigheavydropsfellfromtheclouds.Hurriedrops.

  Allieeherainandleanedherheadbaomenttoletithitherface.Shekhefrontofherdresswouldsoakthroughinacoupleofminutes,butshedidntcare.Shedidwohough,ifhenoticed,thenthoughtheprobablydid.Sheranherhandsthroughherhair,feelingitswetness.Itfeltwonderful,shefeltwonderful,everythiwonderful.Eventhroughtherain,shecouldhearhimbreathinghardandthesoundarousedhersexuallyinawayshehadinyears.

  Acloudburstdirectlyabovethem,andtheraioedownevenharder.Harderthanshedeverseenit.Allielookedupwardandlaughed,givingupanyattemptatkeepingdry,makingNoahfeelbetter.

  Hehadntknoasfeelingaboutit.Eventhoughshedmadethedecisiontoe,hedoubtedthatshedexpectedtobecaughtinastormlikethis.

  Theyreachedthedockacoupleofmier,andNoahmovedincloseenoughforAllietostepout.Hehelpedherup,thengotouthimselfanddraggedtheoeupthebankfarenoughnottodriftaway.Justiiedittothedoowinganothermiherainwouldntmakeanydifference.

  Ashewastyingtheoe,helookedupatAllieandstoppedbreathingforjustased.Shewasincrediblybeautifulasshewaited,watghim,pletelyfortableintherain.Shedidnttrytokeepdryorhideherself,andhecouldseetheoutlineofherbreastsastheypressedthroughthefabricofthedressthatgtightlytoherbody.Itwasntacoldrain,buthecouldseehernippleseredprotruding,hardlikelittlerocks.Hefelthisloins〔pl.〕【解剖学】腰；耻骨区；生殖器官begintostirandquicklyturnedaway,embarrassed,mutteringtohimself,gladtherainmuffledanysoundofit.Whenhefinishedandstood,Allietookhishandinhers,surprisinghim.Despitethedownpour,theydidntrushtowardthehouse,andNoahimaginedwhatitwouldbeliketospendthenightwithher.

  Allie,too,waswabouthim.Shefeltthewarmthinhishandsandwonderedwhatitwouldbeliketohavethemtouchherbody,feelingallofher,lingeringslowlyacrossherskin.Justthinkingaboutitmadehertakeadeepbreath,ahernipplesbegintotingleandanewwarmthbetweenherlegs.

  Sherealizedthenthatsomethinghadgedsinceshedehere.Andalthoughshecouldntpinpointtheexacttime-yesterdayafterdinner,orthisafternoonintheoe,orwhentheysawtheswans,ormaybeevennowastheywalkedholdinghands-shekhatshehadfallenihNoahTaylorCalhounagain,andthatmaybe,justmaybe,shehadopped.

  Therewasnouneasinessbetweeheyreachedthedoorandbothofthemwentinside,pausinginthefoyer,clothesdripping."Didyageofclothes?"

  Sheshookherhead,stillfeelingtherollofemotionswithinher,wifitshowedonherface.

  "IthinkIfindsomethinghereforyousoyougetoutofthoseclothes.Itmightbealittlebig,butitswarm."

  "Anything,"shesaid.

  "Illbebaased."

  Noahslippedoffhisboots,thenranupthestairs,desdingamier.Hehadapairofcottonpantsandalong-sleevedshirtunderonearmandsomejeanswithablueshirtiher.

  "Here,"hesaid,handihecottonpantsandshirt."Yougeinthebedroomupstairs.Theresabathroomandtoweluptheretooifyouwanttoshower."

  Shethankedhimwithasmileaupthestairs,feelinghiseyesonherasshewalked.Sheehebedroomandclosedthedoor,thehepantsandshirtonhisbedandpeeledeverythingoff.Naked,shewenttohisclosetandfoundahanger,putherdress,bra,andpantiesonit,andtheohangitihroomsoitwouldntdriponthehardwoodfloor.Shefeltasecretthrillatbeinghesameroomhesleptin.

  Shedidntwanttoshowerafterbeingintherain.Shelikedthesoftfeelingonherskin,anditremindedherofhowpeopleusedtolivelongago.Naturally.LikeNoah.

  Sheslippedonhisclothesbeforelookingatherselfinthemirror.Thepantswerebig,buttugintheshirthelped,andsherolledupthebottomsjustalittlesotheywouldntdrag.Theneckwastornalittleanditnearlyhungoffoneshoulder,butshelikedthewayitlookedonheranyway.Shepulledthesleevesupalmosttotheelbows,wenttothebureau,andslippedonsomesocks,theothebathroomtofindahairbrush.

  Shebrushedherwethairjustenoughtogetoutthesnarls,lettingitrestonhershoulders.Lookinginthemirror,shewishedshehadbroughtaclasporacoupleofhairpins.Andalittlemoremascara.Butwhatcouldshedo?Hereyesstillhadalittleofwhatshedputonearlier,aouchedupwithawashcloth,doishecould.Whenshewasfinished,shecheckedherselfinthemirror,feeliydespiteeverything,abackdowairs.

  Noahwasinthelivingroomsquattingbeforeafire,doinghisbesttocoaxittolife.Hedidntseeherein,achedhimasheworked.Hehadgedhisclothesaswellandlookedgood:hisshouldersbroad,wethairhangingjustoverhiscollar,jeanstight.

  Hepokedthefire,movingthelogs,andaddedsomemorekindling.Allieleanedagainstthedoorjamb大门柱,onelegcrossedovertheother,andtiowatchhim.Inafewmihefirehadturoflames,evenandsteady.Heturhesidethtentheremainingunusedlogsandcaughtaglimpseofheroutoftheerofhiseye.Heturnedbacktoherquickly.

  Eveninhisclothesshelookedbeautiful.Afteramomeurnedawayshyly,goingbacktostagthelogs.

  "Ididnthearyouein,"hesaid,tryingtosoundcasual.

  "Iknow.Youwerentsupposedto."Sheknewwhathehadbeenthinkingaingeofamusementathowyoungheseemed.

  "Howlonghaveyoubeenstandingthere?"

  "Acoupleofminutes."

  Noahbrushedhishandsonhispants,thenpoihekit."Igetyousometea?Istartedthewaterwhileyouwereupstairs."

  Smalltalk,anythingtokeephismindclear.Butdamn,thewayshelooked...

  Shethoughtforased,sawthewayhewaslookingather,aheoldinstinctstakeover.

  "Doyouhaveanythingstronger,orisittooearlytodrink?"

  Hesmiled."Ihavesomebourboniry.Isthatokay?"

  "Thatsoundsgreat."

  Hestartedtowardthekit,andAlliewatchedhimrunhishandthroughhiswethairashedisappeared.

  Thunderboomedloudly,andanotherdownpourstarted.Alliecouldheartheroftherainontheroof,couldhearthesnappingoflogsastheflickeringflameslittheroom.Sheturhewindowandsawthegrayskyflashlighterforjustaseomentslater,anotherboomofthunder.Closethistime.

  Shetookaquiltfromthesofaandsatontheruginfrontofthefire.Crossingherlegs,sheadjustedthequiltuntilshewasfortableandwatchedthedangflames.Noahcameback,sawwhatshehaddone,aositbesideher.Heputdowntwoglassesandpouredsomebourbonintoeachofthem.

  Outside,theskygrewdarker.Thunderagain.Loud.Thestorminfullfury,windswhippingtherainincircles.

  "Itsquiteastorm,"Noahsaidashewatchedthedropsflowiicalstreamsonthewindows.HeandAlliewereclosenow,thoughnottoug,andNoahwatchedherchestriseslightlywitheverybreath,imaginingthefeelofherbodyonceagainbefhtingitback.

  "Ilikeit,"shesaid,takingasip."Ivealwayslikedthuorms.Evenasayounggirl."

  "Why?"Sayinganything,keepinghisbalance.

  "Idontknow.Theyjustalwaysseemedromantie."

  Shewasquietforamoment,andNoahwatchedthefireflickerinheremeraldeyes.

  Thenshesaid,"DoyouremembersittingtogetherandwatgthestormafewnightsbeforeIleft?"

  "Ofcourse."

  "IusedtothinkaboutitallthetimeafterIwenthome.Ialwaysthoughtabouthowyoulookedthatnight.ItwasthewayIalwaysrememberedyou."

  "HaveIgedmuch?"

  Shetookanothersipofbourbon,feelingitwarmher.Shetouchedhishandassheanswered."Notreally.NotihingsthatIremember.Youreolder,ofcourse,withmorelifebehindyou,butyouvestillgotthesamegleaminyoureye.Youstillreadpoetryandfloatonrivers.Andyouvestillgotagentlehathewarcouldtakeaway."

  Hethoughtaboutwhatshedsaidaherhandlingeringonhis,herthumbtragslowcircles.

  "Allie,youaskedmeearlierwhatIrememberedmostaboutthesummer.Whatdoyouremember?"

  Itwasawhilebeforesheanswered.Hervoiceseemedtoefromsomewhereelse."Iremembermakinglove.ThatswhatIremembermost.Youweremyfirst,anditwasmorewonderfulthahoughtitwouldbe."

  Noahtookadrinkofbourbon,remembering,bringingbacktheoldfeelingsagain,thensuddenlyshookhishead.Thiswasalreadyhardenough.

  Shewenton."IrememberbeingsoafraidbeforehandthatIwastrembling,butatthesametimebeied.Imgladyouwerethefirst.Imgladwewereabletosharethat."

  "Metoo."

  "WereyouasafraidasIwas?"

  Noahhoutspeaking,andshesmiledathishoy.

  "Ithoughtso.Youwerealwaysshylikethat.Especiallyinthebeginning.IrememberyouhadaskedifIhadaboyfriend,andwhenIsaidIdid,youbarelytalkedtomeanymore."

  "Ididntwanttogetbetweewoofyou."

  "Youdid,though,intheeeyourprofessedinnoce,"shesaid,smiling."AndImgladyoudid."

  "Whendidyoufinallytellhimaboutus?"

  "AfterIgothome."

  "Wasithard?"

  "Notatall.Iwasihyou."

  Shesqueezedhishago,andmovedcloser.Sheputherhandthroughhisarm,cradlingit,aedherheadonhisshoulder.Hecouldsmellher,softliketherain,warm.

  Shespokequietly:"Doyourememberwalkinghomeafterthefestival?Iaskedyouifyouwaoseemeagain.Youjustnoddedyourheadanddidntsayaword.Itwasnttooving."

  "Idanyonelikeyoubefore.Icould.Ididntknowwhattosay."

  "Iknow.Youcouldneverhideanything.Youreyesalwaysgaveyouaway.YouhadthemostwonderfuleyesIdeverseen."Shepausedthen,liftedherheadfromhisshoulder,andlookeddirectlyathim.Whenshespoke,hervoicewasbarelyaboveawhisper."IthinkIlovedyoumorethatsummerthanIeverlovedanyone."

  Lightningflashedagain.Inthequietmomentsbeforethethuheireyesmetastheytriedtoundothefourteenyears,bothofthemsensingagesierday.

  Whehunderfinallysounded,Noahsighedandturnedfromher,towardthewindows."IwishyoucouldhavereadthelettersIwroteyou,"hesaid.

  Shedidntspeakforalongwhile.

  "Itwasntjustuptoyou,Noah.Ididnttellyou,butIwroteyouadozeersafterIgothome.Ijustneversentthem."

  "Why?"Noahwassurprised.

  "IguessIwastooafraid."

  "Ofwhat?"

  "ThatmaybeitwasntasrealasIthoughtitwas.Thatmaybeyotme."

  "Iwouldhat.Icouldhinkit."

  "Iknowthatnow.IseeitwhenIlookatyou.Butbackthen,itwasdifferent.TherewassomuchIdidntuand,thingsthatayounggirlsmindcouldntsortout."

  "Whatdoyoumean?"

  Shepaused,collegherthoughts."Whenyourlettersnevercame,Ididntknowwhattothink.Iremembertalkingtomybestfriendaboutpehatsummer,andshesaidthatyougotwhatyouwanted,andthatshewasntsurprisedthatyouwouldntwrite.Ididntbelievethatyouwerethatway,Ineverdid,buthearingitandthinkingaboutallourdifferencesmademewonderifmaybethesummermeantmoretomethanithadmeanttoyou...Andthen,whileallthiswasgoingthroughmyhead,IheardfromSarah.ShesaidthatyouhadleftNewBern."

  "FinandSarahalwaysknewwhereIwas-"

  Sheheldupherhandtostophim."Iknow,butIneverasked.Iassumedthatyouhadleftostartanewlife,ohoutme.Whyelsewouldntyouwrite?Orcall?Oreseeme?"

  Noahlookedawaywithoutanswering,ainued:

  "Ididntknow,andihehurtbegantofadeanditwaseasiertojustletitgo.AtleastIthoughtitwas.ButineveryboyImetifewyears,Ifoundmyselflookingforyou,ahefeelingsgott,Idwriteyouater.ButIneversentthemforfearofwhatImightfind.Bythen,youdgoneonwithyourlifeandIdidntwanttothinkaboutyoulovingsomeoneelse.Iwaorememberuslikewewerethatsummer.Ididntwanttoeverlosethat."

  Shesaiditsosweetly,soily,thatNoahwaokissherwhenshefinished.

  Buthedidnt.Insteadhefoughttheurgeandpusheditbaowingitwasntwhatsheneeded.Yetshefeltsowonderfultohim,toughim.

  "ThelastletterIwroteleofyearsago.AfterImetLon,Iwrotetoyourdaddytofindoutwhereyouwere.ButithadbeensolongsinceIdseenyou,Iwasntevensurehedstillbethere.Andwiththewar..."

  Shetrailedoff,andtheywerequietforamoment,bothofthemlostinthought.

  LightninglittheskyagainbeforeNoahfinallybrokethesilence.

  "Iwishyouwouldhavemaileditanyway."

  "Why?"

  "Justtohearfromyou.Tohearwhatyouvebeenupto."

  "Youmighthavebeendisappointed.Mylifeisnttooexg.Besides,Imlywhatyouremembered."

  "YourebetterthanIremembered,Allie."

  "Youresweet,Noah."

  Healmoststoppedthere,knowingthatifhekeptthewordsinsidehim,hecouldsomehowkeeptrol,thesametrolhehadkeptthepastfourteenyears.Butsomethingelsehadovertakenhimnow,andhegaveintoit,hopingsomehow,insomeway,itwouldtakethembacktowhattheydhadsolongago.

  "ImnotsayingitbecauseImsweet.ImsayingitbecauseIloveyounowandIalwayshave.Morethanyouimagine."

  Alogsnapped,sendingsparksuptheey,andbothofthemnoticedthesmremains,almostburhrough.Thefireneededan,butherofthemmoved.

  Allietookanothersipofbourbonaofeelitseffects.ButitwasntjustthealcoholthatmadeherholdNoahalittletighterandfeelhiswarmthagainsther.Glangoutthewindow,shesawthecloudswerealmostblack.

  "Letmegetthefiregoingagain,"Noahsaid,needingtothink,andshereleasedhim.Hewenttothefireplace,opehes,andaddedacoupleoflogs.Heusedthepokertoadjusttheburningwood,makingsurethenewwoodcouldcatcheasily.

  Theflamebegantospreadagain,andNoahreturoherside.Shesnuggledupagainsthimagaiingherheadonhisshoulderasshehadbefore,notspeaking,rubbingherhandlightlyagainsthischest.Noahleanedcloserandwhisperedinherear.

  "Thisremindsmeofhowweoncewere.ereyoung."

  Shesmiled,thinkingthesamething,achedthefireandsmoke,holdingeachother.

  "Noah,youveneverasked,butIwantyoutoknowsomething."

  "Whatisit?"

  Hervoicewastender."Theresneverbeenanother,Noah.Youwerentjustthefirst.YouretheonlymanIveeverbeenwith.Idontexpectyoutosaythesamething,butIwantedyoutoknow."

  Noahwassilentasheturnedaway.Shefeltwarmerasshewatchedthefire.Herhandrahemusclesbehhisshirt,hardandfirmastheyleanedagainsteachother.Sherememberedwhentheydheldeachotherlikethisforwhattheydthoughtwouldbethelasttime.TheyweresittingonaseawalldesigoholdbackthewatersoftheNeuseRiver.Shewasgbecausetheymightneverseeeachain,andshewonderedhowshecouldeverbehappyagain.Insteadofanswering,hepressedaoherhand,whichshereadonthewayhome.Shehadsavedit,occasionallyreadingallofitorsometimesjustapart.Oshedreadatleastahuimes,andforsomereasonitranthroughherheadnow.Itsaid:

  Thereasonithurtssomuchtoseparateisbecauseoursoulsareected.Maybetheyalwayshavebeenandwillbe.Maybewevelivedathousandlivesbeforethisoneandineachofthemwevefoundeachother.Andmaybeeachtime,wevebeenforcedapartforthesamereasons.Thatmeansthatthisgood-byeisbothagoodbyeforthepasttenthousandyearsandapreludetowhatwille.

  WhenIlookatyou,Iseeyourbeautyandgradknowtheyhavegrownstroheverylifeyouhavelived.AndIknoenteverylifebeforethisoneseargforyou.Notsomeonelikeyou,butyou,foryoursoulandmialwaysetogether.Andthen,forareasoherofusuands,wevebeenforcedtosaygood-bye.

  Iwouldlovetotellyouthateverythingwillworkoutforus,andIpromisetodoallIakesureitdoes.Butifwenevermeetagainandthisistrulygood-bye,Iknoillseeeachaininanotherlife.Wewillfindeachain,andmaybethestarswillhaveged,andwewillnotonlyloveeachotherinthattime,butforallthetimeswevehadbefore.

  Coulditbe?Shewondered.Couldheberight?Shehadneverpletelydistedit,wantingtoholdontoitspromiseiwastrue.Theideahadhelpedherthroughmanyhardtimes.Butsittingherenowseemedtotestthetheorythattheyweredestioalwaysbeapart.Uhestarshadgedsiheywerelasttogether.

  Andmaybetheyhad,butshedidntwanttolook.Insteadsheleaohimaheheatbetweenthem,felthisbody,felthisarmtightaroundher.Andherbodybegantotremblewiththesameanticipationshehadfeltthefirsttimetheyweretogether.

  Itfeltshttobehere.Everythiright.Thefire,thedrinks,thestorm-itcouldnthavebeenmoreperfect.Likemagic,itseemed,theiryearsapartdidntmatteranymore.

  Lightningcuttheskyoutside.Firedanwhite-hotwood,spreadi.Octoberraieditselfagainstthewindows,drowningoutallothersounds.

  Theygaveioeverythingtheyhadfoughtthelastfourteenyears.Allieliftedherheadoffhisshoulder,lookedathimwithhazyeyes,andNoahkissedhersoftlyonthelips.Shebroughtherhandtohisfadtouchedhischeek,brushingitsoftlywithherfingers.Heleanedinslowlyandkissedheragain,stillsoftandtender,andshekissedback,feelingtheyearsofseparationdissolveintopassion.Sheclosedhereyesandpartedherlipsasheranhisfingersupanddownherarms,slowly,lightly.Hekissedherneck,hercheek,hereyelids,athemoistureofhismouthlingerwhereverhislipshadtouched.Shetookhishandaoherbreasts,andawhimperroseihroatashegentlytouchedthemthroughthethinfabricoftheshirt.

  Theworldseemeddreamlikeasshepulledba,thefirelightsettingherfaceaglow.Withoutspeaking,shestartedtoundothebuttonsonhisshirt.Hewatchedherasshediditandlisteohersoftbreathsasshemadeherwaydownward.

  Witheachbuttonhecouldfeelherfingersbrushingagainsthisskin,andshesmiledsoftlyathimwhenshefinallyfinished.Hefeltherslideherhandsioughimaslightlyaspossible,lettingherhandsexplorehisbody.Hewashotandsheranherhandoverhisslightlywetchest,feelinghishairbetweenherfingers.Leaningin,shekissedhisnetlyasshepulledtheshirtoverhisshoulders,loghisarmsbehindhisback.Sheliftedherheadandallowedhimtokissherasherolledhisshoulders,freeinghimselffromthesleeves.

  Withthat,heslowlyreachedforher.Heliftedhershirtandranhisfingerslowlyacrossherbellybeforeraisingherarmsandslippingitoff.Shefeltshortofbreathasheloweredhisheadandkissedbetweenherbreastsandslowlyranhistooherneck.Hishalycaressedherback,herarms,hershoulders,atheirheatedbodiespresstogether,skintoskin.Hekissedhernednibbledgentlyassheliftedherhipsandallowedhimtopulloffherbottoms.Shereachedforthesnap搭扣onhisjeans,undidit,andwatchedasheslippedthemoffaswell.Itwasalmostslowmotionastheirnakedbodiesfinallycametogether,bothofthemtremblingwiththememoryofwhattheyhadoncesharedtogether.

  Heranhistonguealongherneckwhilehishandsmovedoverthesmoothhotskinofherbreasts,downherbelly,pasthernavel,andupagain.Hewasstruckbyherbeauty.Hershimmeringhairtrappedthelightandmadeitsparkle.Herskinwassoftaiful,almostglowinginthefirelight.Hefeltherhandsonhisback,beinghim.

  Theylayback,closetothefire,amadetheairseemthick.Herbackwasslightlyarchedasherolledatopherinonefluidmotion.Hewasonallfoursaboveher,hiskrideherhips.Sheliftedherheadandkissedhisandneck,breathinghard,lighisshoulders,andtastingthesweatthatlingeredonhisbody.Sheranherhandsthroughhishairasheheldhimselfaboveher,hisarmmuscleshardfromtheexertion.Withalittletemptingfrown,shepulledhimcloser,butheresisted.Insteadheloweredhimselfandlightlyrubbedhischestagainsther,aherbodyrespondwithanticipatiohisslowly,overandover,kissingeverypartofherbody,listeningasshemadesoft,whimperingsoundswhilehemovedaboveher.

  Hedidthisuntilshecouldnttakeitanymore,aheyfinallyjoinedasone,shecriedaloudandpressedherfingershardintohisback.Sheburiedherfahisnedfelthimdeepinsideher,felthisstrengthaleness,felthismusdhissoul.Shemovedrhythmicallyagainsthim,allowinghimtotakeherwhereverhewaotheplaceshewasmeanttobe.

  Sheopenedhereyesandwatchedhiminthefirelight,marvelingathisbeautyashemovedaboveher.Shesawhisbodyglistenwithcrystalsweatandwatchedasbeadsrolleddownhischestandfellontoherliketherainoutside.Andwitheverydrop,witheverybreath,shefeltherself,everyresponsibility,everyfacetofherlife,slippingaway.

  Theirbodiesreflectedeverythinggivehingtaken,andshewasrewardedwithasensationsheneverked.Itwentonandon,tinglingthroughoutherbodyandwarmingherbeforefinallysubsiding,aruggledtocatchherbreathwhileshetrembledbehhim.Butthemomentitwasover,anotheroartedtobuildagain,aartedtofeeltheminlongsequences,htafterthe.Bythetimetherainhadstoppedandthesunhadset,herbodywasexhaustedbutunwillingtostopthepleasurebetweenthem.

  Theyspentthedayineachothersarms,alternatelymakinglovebythefireandthenholdingeachotherastheywatchedtheflamescurlaroundthewood.Sometimesherecitedoneofhisfavoritepoemsasshelaybesidehim,andshewouldlistenwithhereyesclosedandalmostfeelthewords.Theheywereready,theywouldjoinagainandhemurmuredwordsoflovebetweenkissesastheyedtheirarmsarouher.

  Theywenthouttheevening,makingupfortheiryearsapart,aineachothersarmsthatnight.Occasionallyhewouldandlookather,herbodyspentandradiant,andfeelasifeverythingweresuddenlyrightinthisworld.

  Once,whenhewaslookingatherinthemomentsbeforedaybreak,hereyesflutteredopenandshesmiledandreacheduptotouchhisface.Heputhisfioherlips,gently,tokeepherfromspeaking,andforalongtimetheyjustlookedatoher.

  Whenthelumpinhisthroatsubsided,hewhisperedtoher,"YouaretheaoeveryprayerIveoffered.Youareasong,adream,awhisper,andIdontknowhowIcouldhavelivedwithoutyouforaslongasIhave.Iloveyou,Allie,morethanyoueverimagine.Ialwayshave,andIalwayswill."

  "Oh,Noah,"shesaid,pullinghimtoher.Shewantedhim,neededhimnowmorethanever,likenothingshedeverknown.松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读

• 推荐自己的新书《天命讨债人》

  齐天大魔猴

  桀骜齐天圣，铮铮大魔猴
• 第817章 四公子当真与众不同？

  清穿后每天被迫撩

  【欢脱独宠，沙雕撩夫日
• 新书《谜城》开启

  神峰

  一次偶然， 他踏足修
• 第270章 酒吧偶遇

  网游之影子大师

  我，在黑夜中行走 我
• 007儿女成群

  婚城难入

  十八岁的她，一心想用高
• 第四百一十六章 邀请

  剑神之剑弑乾坤

  《剑神之剑弑乾坤》是一