Volcanos

He glanced over at the bed. She was still there, curled up tightly. He didn’t really know what to make of it all. They had been “seeing” each other for almost six months. In an uncertain world, she was his only certainty. And, yet…and yet, he knew it was time to let her go. He had things to do, things to take care of-things that didn’t, couldn’t, include her. He knew her well. In those six months, he had studied her. He knew everything he needed to know. He also knew something he didn’t want to know. She was in love with him. He didn’t think it, he knew it. That he might love her wasn’t even a question. It wasn’t a possibility. Then she stirred and all rational thought left him.

He climbed onto the bed and lay next to her. She opened her eyes and smiled at him. Before she could say a word he rolled on top of her and kissed her, kissed her like it was the only thing in the world that mattered-like she was the only thing that mattered. He paused for air and held her face in his hands. He studied her. He studied the long, wild red hair. He studied her chocolate colored, sweet, curious, loving eyes. He studied the curve of her mouth. He studied her beautiful lips with their reddish tint. He studied every freckle that sprinkled her face. He studied her cheeks, flushed with desire. He always wanted to remember her like this. He was leaving soon. One day she’d meet someone else, have her fairy tale, and live happily ever after. Until then, she was here and she was his. He stroked, caressed, and memorized every inch of her body. He kissed her again and again and again.

She lay there, pliant in his arms, content, for the moment to let him do as he wished. His deft fingers were sending her body into an unyielding inferno. How she loved this boy no, how she loved this man. He was no longer a boy. She reached around to stroke his back. How she loved the fine, toned muscles of his body.

But, something was off, something wasn’t right. He was too intense, too desperate. She gasped as he entered her hard and fast. She stared into is steel-like eyes. He looked almost…lost. Inexplicable feelings rose within her. What was going on? Something was off, not right. Suddenly, she felt as desperate as he looked. Suddenly, she felt as desperate as he looked. She began returning his kisses with an intense ardor, feeling the need to give as good as she got - to give better. She was afraid, and she didn’t want to let him go. She didn’t ever want to let him go. She felt him-in and out-moving unsteadily. He was so involved in what he was doing that he couldn’t focus on anything else. His gaze remained locked on her face. His hands didn’t roam, but rather just gripped her tightly. She could feel her crisis coming on fast, which was good. The way he looked and was moving, she didn’t think he could wait much longer.

“I…” he gasped. What you fool? You, what? he thought to himself. He didn’t know how to finish so he kissed her again-hard. She bucked up against him, her body tensing in climax. As she finished, he couldn’t hold off any longer and let go. He moaned hard into her mouth and collapsed on top of her.

After a while, he pulled out and turned away from her. She lay still, afraid to move. Eventually, she sat up and reached over to touch him. He shrugged off her touch and climbed out of the bed. She just looked at him, saying nothing. When he finally had enough control over himself, he looked up at her. Tears were rolling down her face, but she didn’t make a sound. They both knew this couldn’t last forever. Apparently, he had decided it wouldn’t even last until tomorrow.

He walked over to her. Kneeling at the edge of the bed he took her hands in his. “I’m leaving tomorrow,” he whispered softly. Voice uncharacteristically shaky, he continued, “You…you are…everything.” He quickly stood up, and then bent to kiss her hard. “Be happy,” he said.

The door shut with a soft click as she finally broke down, heart-wrenching sobs leaving her gasping for breath.