Page 52 of The Replay

"You know I hate that pet name." I run a hand down his chest, then up to his shoulder. "I can touch the swells of your muscles."

"Sure, go right ahead." He snorts. "Feel me up. Limited time offer. And I still contend that Mariana and Mi Reina are close enough that you should love it."

If you say it a hundred times, fast, they blend together. Come on, try it with me.

He said that to me once, and the memory floats to me all this time later, despite how different everything is. My heart wrinkles.

I follow his shape down his arm. "I can feel the way you're tensing up. Why?"

"I'm making an exception to comfort you. Not to… do… anything else."

"Was that a possibility?"

I stare up at him again. He doesn't say anything.

"One thing I can see," I say. "How impassive you're trying to look."

"Mariana."

"One thing I can hear. The way you say my name."

I bring my hands to his sides, and run them up in the way he used to love. Up his ribcage and around his back.

"You're evil." His voice barely makes it above a whisper.

"What do you think I should touch?" I whisper.

"Depends. Are you still playing that grounding game?"

"Of course." I chew on my bottom lip. "You said I could use you."

"Then touch anything you want. Just this once. Choose wisely."

"Stay still."

I end with my hands behind his neck. I savor his short hair on my palms. I bring down his head.

"I always loved kissing you," I say.

"Good choice," he mutters…

And it's him who puts his lips on mine.

The kiss is slow. Exploring. It's soothing, bringing a deep calm to my insides. Like I can forget all my worries, and let them melt into the darkness, if I hold on to this one bright spot full of light. Of life. Sparks.

Our movements are gentle, but he pushes me against the elevator wall. He kisses my neck. His erection presses against my belly. I arch a thumb down his neck, until I can feel the strong pulse there.

"What I choose is to touch you," I breathe. "All of you."

"Fuck, Mariana."

"Yes. That."

Make me forget. Make me feel. Make me say to hell with everything, and take, take, take.

A burst of air fans my cheek. He stares at me, right here in the dim light. The details on his face hide in the shadows, but I don't need the sun on him to remember every single line.

I used to want to stare at him for hours. The view got sketched directly onto my memory.