The room was quiet except for the echo of their soft breathing and the rhythmic ticking of the clock. Time was always moving, even if the world inside their safe cocoon seemed to have slowed.
His pajamas and her nightgown lay forgotten on the floor as Ruediger lay beside Lariette on the bed, one arm draping over her waist. The time had just struck ten, still early for city dwellers.
His bare chest rose and fell steadily as he breathed her in. The blanket was tangled around their legs as the warm haze of afterglow wrapped around them.
"Aren't you cold? Wait for a sec."
Ruediger reached for the blanket, pulling the fabric to cover them. Then, he tilted his head to kiss Lariette's round shoulder, eliciting chuckles from her.
"That tickles," Lariette giggled, her voice still dazed with warmth.
