When his lips find mine again, it’s a catalyst. Our fingers move deftly toward the hem of each other’s shirts. He pulls mine off in one quick motion. I quickly do the same with his. I never even feel him fumble with the clasp of my bra before it’s falling from my arms. The sensation of his chest against mine is enough to make me gasp in anticipation. It’s like that moment in the tattoo shop all over again. This human contact I’ve deprived myself of this past year is now heightened, and Murph’s body is like an overdose.

He carries me over to the bed and lays me down, a little more gently than this frantic, desperate moment would expect. But then he’s on the button of my jeans, pulling them down so fast, I let out a gasp. His are off the next moment, along with his boxers because I feel the smooth, rock hard erection against my thigh as he leans down to run his lips and tongue over the skin of my breasts.

Feeling him so close to where I want him has me feeling crazy with lust. I thrust my hips up toward him, hoping he’ll hurry and remove the last piece of clothing between us.

A distant warning in my brain tries to tell me this is moving too fast, but I don’t care. I can’t listen to that right now because I know he feels the same. There is no grief in this space. No loneliness or fear of what’s to come. There is only his fingers on my skin, moving slowly down to the hem of my underwear and my writhing body waiting for him to own me.

I’m lost in a haze of desire when I hear him rustle the side table drawer and unwrap the condom, and it feels like only a moment later before his weight covers my body, enveloping me in a way that says comfort and safety. His lips are on mine again, and another loud moan escapes my lips as he dives deep between my legs, latching our bodies together.

He growls, sinking in so deep I can barely breathe, and he pulls back, sending his weight back down on me, hard. My head spins with pleasure. This sense of fulfillment has my skin erupting in goosebumps. I want more of him. All of him.

I swear my heart is about to beat itself out of my chest.

We are lost in a fury of hot breath, deep thrusts, and toe-curling moans. When I wrap my legs around Murph’s broad hips, I try to ease him in faster, deeper. I can feel him letting up, but I don’t want him holding back. I want it all.

“Fuck, I’m gonna come,” he groans into my mouth.