Lola stood there, completely exposed and naked. There was an electric thrill that sizzled through her entire body as she did. She wasn’t sure why she decided to pick now to make her move. All she knew was that she wanted Russel. Wanted him in a way she had never experienced with anyone before.

If not now, then when?

So she shed her clothes, put on one of the robes hanging from a hook, and drew the bath. She stuck a hand inside and its heat felt exactly perfect. Hot but not so hot that it would melt the skin right off their bodies. Then she went outside and let the robe fall from her in front of Russel. She knew he wanted her, and had seen desire burning in his eyes too.

As soon as she told him he could use a bath too, his eyes widened a bit. He was surprised at first but then that desire overwhelmed him. She could see it in his eyes as brightly as the flames of the candles lighting up the room. He moved off the bed and toward her, his body seeming to glide effortlessly across the space between them. When he got to her, he slid one hand into her hair and the other just under her ass. He pressed himself into her and brought his lips down to hers. She pushed into him as well, and they kissed deeply. Passionately. She felt the hardness of him press up against her belly and couldn’t hold herself back anymore.

She scooted backward toward the bath, tearing his clothes off at the same time. Their bodies moved flawlessly together. His hands slid over her breasts. Hers slid down to grab that hardness. His lips drifted over toward her neck and his tongue flicked lightly over her skin. Her fingernails dug into his back.

They found their way into the bath and Lola climbed on top. She guided him into her, arching her back as she did, and writhed up and down. She was slow at first, wanting to feel every bit of him as he entered her. Then her grinding picked up speed. They moved in time with each other, so naturally, it felt like they were reading each other’s minds. The sex was intense and intoxicatingly powerful.

Their bodies tightened and their moans of pleasure became louder and more urgent. Then both of them shuddered at almost the same time, their orgasms sending a release of built-up pressure into them.

Lola dropped down onto Russel, kissing him as tingles of pleasure still rippled through her.

“You’re incredible,” Russel whispered to her, kissing her.

They stayed in the bath for a while longer and then finally got out. They made their way over to the bed and fell asleep in each other’s arms. For the first time since Gloucester burned, she actually felt comfortable and safe.

***

The next morning, Lola woke up feeling better than she had in the last few weeks. The horrible pain of watching her family and friends being killed was still there, always lingering inside her head, but the night she shared with Russel eased it just a little bit. His arms were still wrapped around her and their strength was a comfort. She burrowed herself even closer to him, wanting to feel the warmth of his skin more and smell the faint woodsy scent coming off him. He moved a little and his eyes flickered open.

“Good morning,” she whispered, looking up at him.

He smiled broadly and kissed the top of her head.

“I would say waking up to you laying on me is a great morning,” he told her.

She laughed at that.

“What?” he asked.