He stepped nervously back and forth in the lobby of the airport.  The noise and chaos of a Friday afternoon arrival.  From someone that he knew so well, but had never physically seen or touched.  There was a flush across his cheeks, and he licked his lips nervously, stopping to check the arrival board for the 50th time.  His eye was caught by an older gentleman, standing off to the side, looking like he was going to jump out of his skin.  He appreciated the distraction, and he was full of excited energy.  From around the corner, a sweet older woman was being escorted around the corner, directly towards the older gentleman.  ‘My  Bride!’ he exclaimed, and they were throwing their arms around each other.  He swallowed hard to keep his emotions in check.  Smoothing his hand over his thighs, he shoved them into his pants pockets to keep them under control.

And then he saw her.  He actually heard her light laughter first, and his heart jumped in his chest.  His lower jaw opened slightly, and his hands crept out of his pockets.  The smile that landed on her face when she found him in the bustling and noisy crowd gave him hope and faith in humankind.  He froze as she turned and started toward him, legs clad in dark jeans and a top that flowed over her curves.  Her heels clicked louder as she approached.  She mouthed the name ‘Cameron?’.  His breath stopped, and he nodded slowly, finally creating some semblance of acceptance of what was about to happen…and what it would do to the rest of his life.

They had met innocently enough through a study group at the university.  He was studying for his medical degree, and she was studying public health.  They both wanted to work with veterans; he because he was one, and she because she had a family full of effective warriors.  In their Intro to Sexuality class, which had been filled with virtual teenagers, she had found a similar soul in him and trusted him immediately.  The way he spoke about women and his appreciation of them is something only an older person can feel.  The younger students couldn’t understand.

He readied himself for anything from a kiss to a slap; he opened his arms just in time for her to jump into them.  It had been a long six months; illness, divorce, death…And as he wrapped his arms around her frame, catching her against his firm chest.  The past six months floated away for both of them.  He buried his face into her hair, taking a deep breath and smiling to himself as she smelled exactly as he had thought, fresh, clean, and sensual.  Her face was buried in the softness of his neck, reveling in his scent.  She breathed his name again, and we repeated in kind.  After crushing themselves together for a time, they both arched their backs and pulled back to search each other's eyes.  There was physical touch, sharing each other's breath, and an understanding that for the next 10 days, the world revolved around them.

He set her back down to earth and turned toward the baggage claim.  He lifted an inquisitive eyebrow at her to mean that she should follow him.  This was his town, and though she probably wouldn’t see much of it, she was totally OK with that.  She tucked her arm in his, and they were off, walking with the force of a hurricane.  They had to get out of here, get to their Airbnb, and begin a period of exploration.  They deserved it for everything that they had done to prevent this from moving forward and hurting other people.  But even though they tried, they failed.  It seemed they had a litany of people behind them wishing them nothing but the worst.  This was the first act in telling that group of people to politely fuck off.

They made it to the baggage claim as it came to life.  Bags filing past.  He watched her as she approached, realizing that there was a wake of people watching her, waiting to be the first to help her heave her bag off the dangerous belt.  She created this type of reaction wherever she went and had learned to live with it.  She bent down, collected her bag, and glided back towards him.  He couldn’t wait.  He took her hand in his and lifted it to his mouth, lightly placing his lips on the back.  She was a little more forward, pulling him towards her and capturing his mouth with hers.  He was taken aback, but would expect nothing less.  This angel did what she wanted when she wanted, without hesitation or concern for those around her.

They separated again, him grabbing her wrist and pulling her out into the Tennessee spring sun.  They moved between rows of cars and trucks before they made it to his BMW.  He opened the door and guided her into the passenger seat.  She reached across the front seat and opened the door for him.  He gracefully slid into the driver's seat and pulled the back of her head to his to return his own passionate kiss, his hands gripping the back of her hair.  She moaned softly into the recesses of his mouth, and it was like she was talking to his soul.  Electricity ripped through her body, goose flesh raising on the small of her back.  When they pulled apart, he quickly started the car, roaring to life, and they were on the highway before she knew what was happening.  They were on their way to their cabin, the one they had described to each other and decided on.

The next night….

(If I should continue, please let me know).