Chapter 39a. Interlude II

Jake sat in the dark next to Victoria's bed in the low security medical care facility. He stared at her motionless body. Watched her breathing - in, then out. It was quiet. The kind of silence
that almost makes the ears ache from desertion. And he felt something, like a small rage boiling in his throat as he studied each scratch, every bruise and lump.

"Still," he thought, "she's beautiful."

The heat kicked on, a low humming noise filling the silence, and a breeze from the vent blew over her hospital gown, causing it to open just a crack. Light streaming in from the high window reflected on the pale flesh of her smooth stomach. Gently, he lifted the gown to cover her, and waited a moment, holding his breath, before slipping his hand underneath.

As he stroked her stomach, warm and soft, she stirred, and moaned. Leaning toward her, he whispered in her ear, "Victoria..." then stayed there to inhale the scent of lavender emanating from her hair. She shivered as he slid his hand down, and along her bare hip. "Victoria," he
said again. His lips barely touching her neck, he listened to his own tender kisses working their way up to her ear.

She stirred again, and spoke almost incoherently, "light, but I cannot see..."

"Shhh," he whispered, "It's okay, I'm here."

"There is warmth but I cannot feel..." she mumbled.

"Victoria."

She was barely audible. "Jake, I feel you... your hand, so warm."

Her eyes were still closed as he slid his fingers between her thighs. She arched her back and opened her mouth to take in air. As her head tipped back, he slid his tongue along her collarbone, up the nape of her neck.

"Jake," she whispered, as he kissed her jawline, "I feel you."

His cheek barely skimmed hers. He could hear her breath in his ear, and feel its heat. She moaned again as he ran his fingers along her smooth bikini line, through her soft and downy hair, between her legs. He felt her soften, grow warm and wet. He lifted his head to look at her, and watched her eyes open.

They gazed at each other a moment before he moved toward her, and pressed his lips to hers, strong and slow. Her hips moved as his touch began to awaken her fully, and she began kissing him back, opening her mouth and sliding her tongue around his. The heat turned off, the humming ceased and it was quiet again, but for their breathing.

Victoria reached her hand around to the back of Jake's neck. He climbed up next to her and her hands glided down his back, firmly pulling him closer. He felt himself melt. He felt her melt... they melted into each other as their sighs and whispers filled the new silence, kisses and movements in synch, startling the darkness.

Chapter 18A. Interlude 1

Victoria untied the loin cloth that draped Jake's hips. It dropped to the floor. Slowly, firmly, she edged her fingertips underneath the elastic of his navy thong and began stroking his flesh. He took hold of her head, combing his fingers through her hair. Their breathing began to quicken as
she started to pull the thong down... R-I-I-NG... "Hello, Jake here... Yeah, wassup?"...

Moments later, Jake slammed down the phone. "Damn wrong numbers," he growled. Now, where were we?" Victoria chuckled, her polished fingernails still entwined in the spaghetti strap encircling his waist, and planted a series of tiny kisses progressing from his navel southward. Opening her palm, she slid her well-oiled hands against the soft black curls escaping the tiny triangular patch of red silky material facing her. He could feel her hot breath tickling the individual hairs, her lips nuzzling the elastic along his groin, holding his excitement in a well-packaged bulge. A tiny drop of wetness escaped through the material near the top as his involuntary reaction to her touch stretched the thong's waistband away from his skin.

She slid her fingers under and inwards, finding his flesh hot and firm. He moaned and arched his back in anticipation; she exhaled audibly, held her face against him, her lips tasting the isolated spot of moisture. He ran his fingers through her silky black hair as his thong slid down his rigid
legs to the floor.

"If you'd like to make a call, please hang up and dial again," came the tinny institutional voice over the buzzing receiver, sitting at an awkward angle in the phone's cradle. Startled, Victoria pulled away slightly, looked up into Jake's revering gaze. "Do you want to make a call?" she
asked coyly, holding her ear to his excited manhood. "Nooo," he groaned, kneeling next to her, planting a kiss on her open mouth. "But I do enjoy making this connection." Laughing, she pulled his naked, sweating body on top of her, not caring how much face paint they spilled on the burgundy carpet.