Out of Time 01 - Out of Time

rasped, and rolled to the side, quickly shedding the rest of his clothes.
    He smoothed his body against hers, the first unfettered touch. He closed his eyes and fought for control. Just the feeling of her was enough to push him over the edge. But he needed her so much more than that. It wasn’t her body giving him pleasure. It was fire to a cold a heart, life to an empty soul.
    He moved his body over hers, until he was resting just above her. Any fears he had were allayed in her kiss. She pulled him to her and with one smooth motion he slipped inside her.
    The feeling was such unimaginable bliss, he had to stop. He savored the feel of her surrounding him, body and soul. Burying his forehead in the crook of her neck, he tried to slow his breathing. God, she was perfection. A fleeting sense of sadness swept over him. He knew he’d never feel this whole, this complete again.
    Her hands ran down his back, and he lifted his head. Her eyes were soulful and so achingly beautiful. The words came out as naturally as their bodies fit together.
    “I love you,” he whispered and then took her mouth in a tender kiss.
    She shifted her hips, and he pulled out slightly before thrusting back slowly. Each movement drew them both closer to the brink. He wanted it to last, for this moment to last forever, but each time he pulled away, her body drew him back deeper, until he was drowning inside her soul. He felt her begin to pulse around him and with one final thrust he lost himself.
    After a long moment, the world slowly coalesced and he nuzzled her cheek.
    “Elizabeth,” he whispered.
    “I love you, Simon,” she said, still breathless from their lovemaking.
    He kissed her tenderly, humbled by her words. He was sure he wasn’t worthy, but he’d spend the rest of his life trying to be.
    Gently, he eased off to the side and pulled her into his arms. She rested her hand above his heart. Such a small hand held everything he was.
    The bright hues of dawn’s first light filtered through the window. He held her as she drifted off to sleep and prayed when he woke, that it all wasn’t a dream.

Chapter Seventeen
    E lizabeth awoke to the feel of warm skin, hard muscle and a distinctly male scent. Simon. He’d been so tender, so unsure. She could remember the moment the shutters of his eyes opened. How hard it must have been for him to lay bare everything he’d kept so carefully hidden. The way he’d looked at her, waiting for the rejection, and the surprise when she touched him.
    She could feel his arm around her, strong and loving, and nuzzled her cheek into the crook of his shoulder. The lump on her forehead reminded her of last night’s other activities, but any pain was lost in the feeling of being in his arms. The thin sheet was pooled around his waist, and her hand rested against the bare skin of his chest. A soft sprinkling of hair tickled her palm, and she slid her hand across the muscles to the dark coppery skin of his nipple.
    Simon cleared his throat. “Good morning.”
    Elizabeth smiled at the formality in his voice. Even with a naked woman in his arms, he was still Professor Cross. She knew Simon was in there somewhere, he just needed a little coaxing. Her fingers drifted down his ribs to his abdomen. He sighed, almost sadly, and she pushed herself up onto one elbow. He was watching her carefully, bemused but apprehensive.
    “Good morning yourself,” she said and dropped a kiss onto his chest.
    His hand touched her shoulder tentatively and his eyes fell away from hers. “How do you feel?”
    Nervous as hell. “Wonderful.”
    He smiled, but still his eyes didn’t meet hers. She gently eased his face back to hers and kissed him reassuringly. When she pulled away, his expression was still troubled. He pushed a lock of hair behind her ear, and his eyes fell on the bruise on her forehead. He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment. When he looked at her again, his brow creased and she could see it was difficult for him not to look away again. “About last night...”
    Her body tensed and he quickly shook his head. “Not that.”
    “If you’re worried about birth control, I’ve got that covered.”
    “Dear Lord. I hadn’t even thought of that,” he said, clearly appalled at his lack of foresight.
    “We did have a lot on our minds.”
    He relaxed a little and nodded. “I just wanted to...” he said and then shook his head again. “Thank you.”
    Elizabeth laughed in relief. “If I remember correctly, I