Almost Gone.
By Heather Smyth.
The dappled sunlight crept slowly across the room eventually reaching the bed, then, as if gathering itself, made the effort to rise from the floor, up the side of the bed and onto the face of the beautiful woman who had been watching it so intently. Gently, not wishing to disturb the man who slept beside her, she reached up and brushed aside a ringlet of stunning red hair. The urge to stretch, something she had been wanting to do for some time now, became too much to bear. Slowly, languidly, she raised her arms, arched her back and stretched her legs to the very toes with a delightful cat-like sensuousness that brought a growl of appreciation from her bedmate. “I love it when you do that.” As he spoke, his arms encircled her and he began to nuzzle her neck. Sighing with pleasure, she turned in his embrace and looked lovingly into his eyes. “Jean-Luc...is there anything I do that you don’t love?” The Captain lifted his head from where it had been; placing small kisses along Beverly’s neck to her collarbone. “Let me think...no, my love. I delight in anything...everything you do.” Beverly allowed him to ease her onto her back. “You know, if I were very unscrupulous, I could make you pay for that sentiment.” Raising himself on his elbows, Jean-Luc scowled down at Beverly in mock seriousness. “You wouldn’t dare...” Beverly reached up and took the Captain’s face in her hands. With a wry chuckle she said, “You ought to know better than to dare me Captain...who knows what I might do.” A wicked grin alighted on Jean-Luc’s handsome face. “I can think of one or two things to keep you out of mischief...like this...and this...” As Beverly’s eyes drifted shut, she gave herself to her attentive lover as he began the foreplay she knew would culminate in joyful, satisfying bonelessness.
Some time later the couple were seated on the balcony of their room, enjoying a late breakfast. “This is wonderful Jean-Luc. Look over there, on the lake; those birds are diving for food. Watch how high they dive.” Jean-Luc glanced briefly over to the birds, but took the opportunity to watch the woman he loved so dearly. Without looking at him Beverly said, “Jean-Luc...you’re supposed to be looking at the birds.” Not taking his eyes from her, Jean-Luc smiled. “Hmmm. I think I found something eminently more interesting...and beautiful.” “You’re incorrigible!” Reaching for her hand, the Captain lifted it and kissed her fingers. “Terminally.” Laughing, Beverly shook her head. “So, tell me...who told you about this planet?” Sitting up straight and only just curtailing the urge to tug his shirt into place, the Captain lifted his chin. “That would be breaking a confidence.” 1