Page 68 of Backstroke

“Can you blame me?” I challenge, my fingertips brushing lightly against her side. She sends an electric shiver through me, the subtle touch igniting flames that burn brightly between us. No matter how many times we come together, it’s like the first time every. single. time.

I lean in, our lips just a breath apart, our bodies flush against each other.

“Let’s go inside,” I breathe, nodding toward the building just a few paces away. The lust in her eyes says she’s thinking the same thing. That she too is caught in this whirlwind we can’t escape. My fingers curl tighter around her hand as I pull her along, barely containing the excitement that races through me, knowing this night is special, crafted with intention to ease the burden we faced earlier.

The moment we enter, I let go of her hand just long enough to reach for the dimmer control switch—a few flicks brings to life a canopy of twinkling lights that resembles stars scattered across the ceiling. They drip softly down from the walls, each bulb casting an ethereal glow over the backdrop of historical astronomical wonders, curating an illusion that the universe has come to hold us close tonight. Beneath this serene shimmer, I can feel a wave of relief wash over her as the beauty of the setting takes center stage. In the middle are soft blankets and pillows covering the floor so we can look up at the observatory’s star show.

She gasps in delighted astonishment, her eyes sparkling with the reflected light in a way that steals my breath.

“You did this?” she asks in awe as she turns to me with an expression that mixes joy and surprise, her lips curling into a tender smile that melts my heart.

“For you—always for you,” I answer, stepping closer. Her smile widens, making her look intoxicatingly radiant. She takes a moment, letting the atmosphere sink into her bones before pulling me down onto the plush blankets, a quiet intimacy that sends a thrill through me. As we settle in, the soft material cradles us, offering unexpected comfort under the encompassing brilliance of the stars above. I’m captivated by the way her laughter rings like music, an elation spilling forth as she punches my shoulder playfully, urging me to look up.

“Look at them! They’re beautiful!”

I tilt my head back, allowing the vast stretch of space above to wash over me, vibrant constellations twinkling with stories long forgotten and dreams just beginning. We breathe as one, the whisper of our shared silence entirely filled with the halo of magic surrounding us. Yet, it’s in her presence that I find solace, and I steal side glances at her, each second my heart fumbles a little more for her.

She nudges me gently, pulling my attention back to her. “What made you think of this?”

“I used to come here a lot, especially at night when no one else was around. I guess it’s always brought me comfort. A place to go when things get too much.” Fallon knows about my father and the perfection I’ve always tried to live up to. We both share scars from our parents, even if mine aren’t physical like hers. “And I wanted to share it with you. This can be our special place.”

She beams at me, laying back on the array of blankets, her laugh bubbling up like champagne. And in the glow of our own shared pocket of the universe, time becomes irrelevant, and all that matters is this moment—two souls intertwined, unburdened and free to simply be.

“I want to show you something.” Her voice is a teasing purr that dances around the air between us. She blushes, biting her bottom lip as she looks up at me.

“Okay?” I reply, my curiosity intensifying as I watch her take a deep breath, her frame tightening with a mixture of anticipation and shyness. The way she always seems nervous yet excited to reveal parts of herself feels like an inviting mystery—one I am eager to explore.

Slowly, almost lovingly, she inches up the hem of her shirt, revealing a sliver of smooth skin that catches the fading light. I gasp softly, my breath halting as the fabric lifts higher, until I can hardly believe what unfolds in front of my eyes.

Black ink sprawls across her stomach, a constellation of stars that mirror the night sky, each point shining with its own unique brilliance. It is a tattoo, intricate and striking, and it feels like the universe itself threaded its magic onto her skin.

I try to find words but stumble as I look back up at her, bewildered yet ravished by the beauty that lay before me. “When did you—“ my voice trails off, swallowed by awe.

“Earlier, while you were out,” she whispers, her eyes dancing as she recounts her day. “I had taken a picture after you drew on me with that marker. I saved it on my phone. When it washed off, I felt this rush of sadness… like everything that was special was slipping away. And this way, they can always be with me.”

I raise my fingers delicately, tracing the smooth ink of the stars I had once crafted in innocent fun. I am mesmerized; it feels like each stroke comes to life beneath my fingertips. She has immortalized my fleeting moment of creativity, my playful desire to leave my mark on her, now preserved in the permanence of ink.

“It’s beautiful…” I manage to express, grappling with the weight of her choices.

“Maybe I’ll become a Swiftie too,” she teases, lighting a fire inside me that I can no longer contain. I crash my lips down on hers, suddenly ravenous. The moment our mouths meet is electrifying, a fire igniting in the air that consumes everything else around us. She moans softly into my mouth, which only fuels the insatiable hunger threatening to engulf me.

Our tongues entwine, dancing in a rhythm that feels both new and thrillingly familiar. I tug her body on top of mine, feeling the soft heat of her skin against me, igniting my every sense. The fabric of her shirt slides effortlessly underneath my fingers as I slowly lift it, savoring each moment, each inch of her skin revealed under the dim lights. As our kiss deepens, I finally have to pull away, breathless and fueled by desire, to yank thefabric from her body. The shirt slips over her shoulders like water, pooling beside us, revealing more than just skin. In the dim light, her body shines ethereally, curves accentuated in an alluring silhouette. Then my mouth is back on her, trailing along her neck as my fingers pop the clasps from her bra allowing it to fall to the floor.

“Fuck, you’re stunning,” I murmur, completely captivated. My hands roam over her silky skin as I ghost my mouth over her body. I can feel her pulse quicken beneath my lips, a rhythm that matches the erratic beats of my heart. Goosebumps explode over her skin at my touch.

She giggles, her body trembling above me. “You’re not so bad yourself.”

I growl, flipping us over so that I’m on top. I grind my hips against hers, feeling her heat through my pants. I rip my shirt over my head as she simultaneously unbuttons my pants to push them down. Our movements are erratic and frantic, I need to feel her skin against mine as much as I need my next breath. I tear her jeans from her body, making her squeal in delight. My body molds against hers, like the perfect pieces of a puzzle.

I lean over her, pausing to admire her for just a moment; the sight of her—my Fallon—stirs something primal within me.

“Remy,” she gasps, her nails digging into my back. “You can’t rip everything I own. I won’t have anything to wear.”

I lean down and take one of her nipples into my mouth, sucking and biting gently. She arches off the blankets, her body begging for more.

“I’ll buy you anything you need, just know it will probably end up shredded like the rest,” I smirk down at her.

“You’re incorrigible,” she murmurs as her cheeks redden.My little fox likes it rough. She was made for me.

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