He buried his face against her neck, felt his hot tears against her skin. He shuddered one last time and then finally went limp against her. When he could see and think straight again, he was aware of being sprawled across her soft body and of her stroking his back with her hands, her cheek resting atop his head.

When he would have moved so his weight wasn’t crushing her, she protested and held on.

“No, I like you there,” she murmured. “Stay.”

And so he stayed.

Long after the last sighs and sounds of pleasure, they lay entwined, two lovers who’d been separated far too long. Two lovers who’d finally found their way back to one another and experienced the sweetest homecoming one could ever ask for.

Perhaps she thought he was asleep or maybe she intended him to hear. Zack couldn’t be certain. But as she stroked her fingers through his hair, her soft whisper fell on his ears.

“I’ll never let you go again.”

He smiled as her solemn vow found its way to his very soul.