TWENTY-TWO
Oliver struggled to awaken as a ray of sunshine pierced a narrow opening in the Venetian blinds. He squinted his eyes to blunt the impact of the ray upon his face. A sigh next to him signaled that Cyllvia began to awaken. The sunlight illuminated her smooth back. Oliver snuggled into her warmth.
The smooth skin on her back invited his fingertips to slowly caress her shoulder. He traced her name upon her back. Cyllvia moved her body closer to his. Soon they fell into an amorous exploration of each other that culminated in temporary exhaustion. They wrapped themselves in the sheets, and stared into each other’s face.
“Why do you love me?” asked Cyllvia.
“What?”
“You heard me, Ollie. Why do you love me?”
Oliver caressed her cheek tenderly. “You accept me, flaws and
