Chapter 12: The Question

She woke me before dawn by climbing on top of me.

The window was grey, and the house was cold.

She was warm and naked and moving over me before I was awake.

"Iris," I said, thick with sleep.

"Shh."

"What time is it?"

"Early. The cows can wait."

She kissed my chest and my throat.

She kissed my jaw, where the stubble was rough, and she smiled against my skin.

"I couldn't sleep," she said. "I wanted to do this slowly."

"Slowly."

"The way you taught me."

She took my hands and pressed them to her breasts.

I held them, heavy and soft, and rolled her nipples between my fingers until she shivered.

Then I turned us over.

I laid her down in the grey light with her hair spread over my pillow and her legs open around my hips.

I did not rush.

I kissed her mouth for a long time.

I kissed the hollow beneath her ear, the inside of her elbow, and the soft skin under her breast.

I went down the length of her and took my time over each place I knew.

She twisted on the sheet and begged in a whisper.

When I finally moved up, she took me in her hand and guided me in.

I went slowly.

I went all the way in, and I held there, deep, with my forehead against hers.

"Open your eyes," I said.

She opened them.

They were blue, and wide and wet, and they did not leave mine.

I began to move.

It was the gentlest we had ever been.

I rocked into her in long, deep strokes, and every one made her breath catch.

Her hands slid up my back and held my shoulders.

Her legs wrapped around me and drew me down.

"I love you," she said.

My rhythm broke for a moment.

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