Fucking darkness. Exertion burns in the flesh of my back and it’s on. I’m running. Breathless. Unseen branches and thorns tear at the skin of my arms and thighs. Blood. Guttural exhalations from my lower register like a growl. Madness. It’s behind me now. Legs are heavy. Feet sink in mud and catch on dead falls. I stumble. On all fours I’m fighting for purchase to keep momentum moving me forward. Then I stop and turn. Come on. COME ON! Fucker. Is this it? I’m all about this, motherfucker! I’m all about this. Come on! BRING IT!
Her hand is on the side of my face.
“Motherfucker!”
“Shh! It’s okay! I’m here. I’m here!”
Light. Her face is in front of me.
“It’s okay, baby! You’re just having a dream. It’s just a dream.”
She kisses my forehead.
“You have to get out of here. It’s coming. It’s coming….”
“No, baby. You’re just having a dream.”
She’s looks into my eyes, then glances at my forehead to brush the hair from my brow with her hand. Softly, she kisses me then begins to pulls away, but I gently stop her retreat with a hand below her ear and around the nape of her neck. I pull her face back towards mine and kiss her lips three times. Softly. Urgently.
“I love you so much. I’d stick my hand into a fire for you.”
She rolls until her back is turned towards me and she presses herself against my chest. I pull her body into mine. She smells like gardenias. Her hair brushes against my face as I kiss her shoulder and the back of her neck. Her ass is cradled between my thighs and stomach and I’m pressed hard against her.
“I know that you do. I love you too, baby.”
The doors and windows in the bedroom are closed tightly, but a cold breeze drifts across my back, making the hair on my arms and neck stand up. I press my face against her shoulder to feel the warmth of her skin against my cheek and lips.
“I won’t let anything come between us. I would die for you.”
“I know. I love you, too.”