The heavy stillness in the room was only disturbed by Lavanya’s rapid, shallow breathing. Her skin flaming and moist, she was yet sprawled across my thighs. I could sense her heart against my chest pounding; gradually it went back to a usual rhythm. I stopped her motion. Just staring at her in the mirror, I kept my arms wrapped tightly around her waist and my chin on her shoulder.

I whispered in her ear, “you’re not going anywhere still”. Still wet with her from the edging, my hand started to meander once more. Rather than going for her core, I began following her rib lines, stomach, and soft skin of her inner thighs. Marking the perimeter of her body before I reclaimed it, I wanted her to feel the ghost of my touch everywhere.