The aroma of lavender incense filled the room, while tall, pillar candles cast soft shadows on the walls. To add to the high school cliché, a slow romantic ballad played in the background. Dahlia is going to be here soon, Jonah thought to himself. He wiped a bead of sweat off his forehead. He’d never been so nervous in his life. He followed Dahlia’s list, right to the letter. I must be so desperate…I mean, I bought incense for Christ sakes! He turned to make sure the ambience was just right just as the doorbell rang. He hesitated as he walked down stairs, murmuring encouragements and pick up lines. This was going to be the night, the night in every guy’s life when it would happen.

Jonah opened the door to a distraught girl, make-up running down to her chin, hair in knots and eyes sparkling like the night sky. In a sad way, she looked beautiful. Dahlia immediately melted into his arms, he didn’t want to let go. It was small moments like this that Jonah wished could last forever. He looked down into her deep violet eyes, her saddening gaze was enough to bring him to tears, but no, he would be strong for her. Beckoning her over to the living room, he sat her down on the couch and ran to the kitchen.

“Okay, crying girlfriend…drink. She needs a drink.” He opened the refrigerator, empty. This always happened when his parents were out of town the fridge was never restocked. Jonah grabbed a bottle of water and returned to the living room, “What happened?” The question only brought her to tears again. He pulled her into his chest where she cried for the next half hour.

-

Dahlia’s father was in a car accident and she had been at the hospital all night. She sat beside the bed of her weak father and stared at his wounds. What will happen to us dad? What of me? she thought. Since she was twelve it had always been just her and her father, since her mother died only five short years ago. Dahlia sat solemnly by her father’s side, not wanting to lose another person in her life.

She looked down at her watch, counting the seconds she has left with her father, tick, tick, tick, shit. It was nearly ten and she had promised to stay with Jonah for the night, the night they’d been planning for months. It was a big deal to her that everything was done right…but now, who knows what would happen?

Five short minutes later, a bell chimed signifying the end of visiting hours and Dahlia had no choice but to leave. She was comforted by the fact that she had someone who loved her waiting though, so she proceeded to her car with a bounce in her step. It wasn’t until she locked herself into her 1994 black Honda that she broke down. Head on the steering wheel, and straight brown hair creating a curtain of security, she wept.

-

“Jonah, I can’t do this…not tonight”, Dahlia had still barely recovered the tragedy that was her father.

“I completely understand…. but will you stay?”

“I don’t want to be alone…”

“You can stay”, he kissed her softly, warming her cool lips. It was as if all life was drained from her, but in that one moment he was able to restore it all.

She pulled him closer, kissing him deeper. Dahlia was surprised at the comfort his kiss had brought her. Laying her head down on his pillow, she breathed in his familiar scent, which was made more real at the appearance of his face. She gazed into the oceans that were his eyes, they told her tales of love and devotion, hate and regret. So much was bottled up inside the sweet man that was Jonah.

“I want to kiss you,” he breathed a heavy sigh and shut his eyes. He looked so peaceful but there was a longing in his words. He spoke softly, “I want your body.”

His words were strategic, she knew this, but she wanted to give in. Never before had his presence been such a comfort. She kissed him, without realizing what she had started. She kissed him hard and he kissed her back. His touch was magnetic and she gave into temptation. Jonah, she though, I love you. Was it right to say this so soon? She didn’t know, but she could not deny the feelings that were in her heart.

-

Jonah slipped his arm around her; she fit perfectly, like she belonged there. He held her close as the kissed each other passionately. Her taste was intoxicating, as was the sweet scent of her skin. Her ivory skin was flawless, and felt like silk. Her lusted for her in this moment, love was a different emotion, which he had felt for her long before. He signaled her naked body to move beneath his. It obeyed. He moved to kiss her neck and chest and at once she gasped. Their breathing became heavy and a simultaneous moan was produced at the moment. The moment his presence was known. Jonah held his breathe, the pleasure was too intense, while he wanted it to last forever, he worried more for how Dahlia felt. Her moans and gasps were satisfactory. He was convinced she was enjoying it was much as he was. Her grip tightened around his upper arms and she whispered, “quickly…” Jonah was astonished, was he doing something wrong, nonetheless he obeyed and thrusted his penis into her warm body.

Their hot bodies rubbed together in the heat of lustful and pleasurable moment. Heavy breathing, moaning, gasping, it was more then likely they could be heard from the street. The moments their bodies spent as one seemed to speed by. Everything rushing to the final outcome. Their bodies trembled and for one final minute they were one soul, one heart.

Jonah’s exhausted body collapsed, crushed by the unsustainable bliss he was in. He looked longingly into the eyes of his lover, and she gazed back, with those intense jewels of hers. She kissed him long and hard, lovingly though. Rolling over to face her, he whispered softly in her ear, “I love you,” and kissed her forehead before closing his eyes to end the best night of his life.

-

Dahlia sighed, sleeping Jonah next to her. She loved him dearly, and he loved her. She knew she had not sold herself to the wrong holder, and with the thought snuggled deeper into his arms.