COTTER

They exchanged passionate moans for what Cotter perceived as a very long time. She climaxed two or maybe three times before he could hold back no longer. They both finished in a simultaneous convulsive verbal and physical union. Cotter kept his position until both their breathing resumed to normalcy and then slowly withdrew from her.

They lay side-by-side, smelling the burnt pine air. Cotter reached over and wiped the sweat from above Skyler’s upper lip. He moved over and grabbed her left shoulder pulling her to face him sideways. They kissed again.

“Oh Jacob, that was most wonderful.  It’s been a long time for me.”

“Yes Pamela, too long for us. I was foolish to push aside our personal time.”

After they made love again, Cotter felt a wave of fatigue enveloping him. His eyelids became heavy and he fell asleep.

Cotter awoke with a start and sat up in bed causing the down comforter to fall from his shoulders. Skyler was already awake.

“Relax Jacob. You’re not dreaming. You really are here with me.”

“What time is it?”

“The clock chimed two in the morning about a half-hour ago.”

“I have to go home.” He began to sit up and throw his legs over the side of the mattress.

“Why. It’s Tuesday, remember, and tomorrow’s your day off. Wait until after breakfast.”

Cotter fell back to his pillow. He looked at Skyler. Her dark hair was splayed behind her head. She smiled. He didn’t know how to interpret his feelings. He felt fluttery in his belly, almost like the feeling he had when an important school examination was about to take place. No, this was different. I need to define my feelings–and hers. She could still be the enemy. No, that was a stupid thought. He kissed her and pulled the covers up over them.

“Okay. I’ll stay until breakfast.”