When he is calm again, he moves quickly, applying a salve to the wound and rebinding it with a clean bandage. Taking the cloth again, he wipes my face, his eyes following the path it takes, still refusing to meet my eyes. I can’t take mine away from him. I feel heady with his nearness; the longing of too many days apart wreaks havoc with my senses.
Finally, when I can’t stand it any longer, I reach up and hold his face still, forcing him to look at me. His eyes are black and intense with his feelings. The force of his emotion hits me, and I close my eyes, moving to kiss him without thought. I put every feeling, every desire, and regret and promise into my kiss. I may not be able to say the words yet, but I can show him how I feel. The need to be close to him is too strong. I hold him as
