Page 14

     She releases her hands and François reaches around to embrace her in an instinctual movement. His pulse starts to race again, and as he feels her warm skin against his he closes his eyes and breathes deeply. After a moment he feels her pushing away, breaking the hold and sending a pang of worry into his chest.
      "You're making me jealous with those," she says, motioning with her eyes to his chest and the heavily padded bra he is wearing. He is silent - stunned - until her widening eyes and mock seriousness send a burst of laughter gushing forth from his paralysed lungs.
      "Let me help you," offers Angelisa. She reaches behind his back, snaps the clasp open with skill and precision and flings the bra out of the way. Taking a step back she looks him up and down.
      "Almost ready," she says quietly to herself and pointing at the paper in his hand, commands, "look at the picture again."
      He studies it for a second and then glances back to Angelisa. She retains an unmoveable expression; straight face with probing eyes, and with one hand on her hip sends a defiant message to François. He scrunches the paper up and throws it on the fire then removes his underwear, kicking them away with a flourish. Placing a hand on his hip he mimics Angelisa's pose, shooting back his own message of defiance and fearlessness. She smiles at him with readiness and scans down his lean body; his well-defined chest, his flat stomach punctuated with the tight oval of his belly button. A crescent of small hairs line the base of the hole, leading her eyes downward to a thickening mass and his sex, fully aroused. She reaches out for his hand and draws him slowly in front of the fire. He steps cautiously, all the while looking into her eyes that fortify his trust and concentrate his thoughts on this moment. A soft pull brings him to his knees and he settles on the rug with Angelisa beside him. She motions to him and he lies down, stretching out his legs that are trembling with nervous excitement. She takes his hand, holding it with gentle care and caresses.
      "Ready?" she asks leaning closer. He whispers agreement, swallowing forcefully and poking his tongue through to wet his dry lips. She lets his hand drop and straddles him, placing her hands on his chest, palms at first, then pressing down slightly with her fingertips. Breathing heavily, he is transfixed by the hold of her consistent, trusting stare. Sensations spread beneath his chest as her hands move delicately across his sweating skin. He shivers for a second, feeling her legs grip him at the hips and sensing the need to hold on, he places his hands on her thighs, seeking her security and to connect with her through his touch. A nervous thought twitches his head and he blurts out in surprise
      "Who's gonna take this picture?" Her hands slide up to his shoulders and she leans closer to him, smiling flirtatiously. Her fingers curl to grip him, and he is pinned to the floor by the strength of her arms and his own submission. His hands drift along her skin, upward to her hips where they rest, caressing her in loving, circular strokes. The warm weight of her body settles on him sending waves of pleasure racing from his loins to his every extremity and back again. Angelisa dips lower and touches her lips tenderly to his, holding them there, increasing pressure until, after a blissful eternity she recoils and whispers,
      "No more false memories."