I lifted my skirt.
He lifted my left leg again and settled between my thighs. The dress was bunched between us, shielding us from seeing each other. Only feel.
The drums were beating.
The tip of his penis pressed against my sex, and I nodded slightly. With great care, he slowly entered me. My eyelids lowered closed. He filled me. My heart expanded. He made a sound that sounded like a small cry. When he was fully inside me, pressed flush against me, he said, “Open your eyes.”
I opened them. His golden eyes were kind, and loving, and almost laughing. He slid out and then back in, grinding and circling against me. I tried to keep my eyes open. The drums beat. Sliding out. In again. The drums beat. Firelight flickered. His eyes glowed gold. Drums. In. Faster. I thrust against him. He put his lips to mine again and thrust. The drums. The beat. Everything pulsed between us. My heart expanded with inexplicable emotion, while my sex clenched around him. The drums beat, faster, and faster, pushing towards the solstice. We panted. Our hot breaths making a fog in the cold air around us.
Faster and faster the drums beat, until every nerve in me tightened and exploded. He tensed and came with me. My toes tingled. My body tingled. Then I fell limp, weak with pleasure. I sighed, falling into him. Calm and peace and pleasure surrounded me in a blissful cocoon of relaxation. Brett held me up against the tree, supporting me, as my breathing returned to normal.
The drums silenced. The energy of the winter solstice settled.
Silence.
Everyone was silent.
The only sound, the murmur of a parent telling their child to, “Shhhh.”
Time shifted.
We stayed quietly together, not making a sound.
We waited until we heard the mayor shout, “We are now past the longest and shortest day of the year. Go now, rest and reflect.”
We tried not to laugh.
He pulled out of me, stepped back and tried his best to clean himself up. He stayed in the shadow of the tree in case anyone could see us.
I tried to straighten my crown.
“You look beautiful.” He adjusted himself and buttoned up his jeans.
“Thank you.”
We both stood looking at each other in awe.
“I’ll follow you home.” He jerked his chin towards the bonfire and the party. “I’ll wait for you in the parking lot.”
I nodded.
Making my way back to the crowds, I was careful not to draw too much attention to where I came from. I skirted around and came out by the makeshift bar.
“Hey! There you are!” Thomas called. “I was looking for you. Want a special solstice drink?”
I stood uncomfortably next to him. I didn’t know if my dress was back in all the correct places. “No. I would love to, but I’m on patrol tomorrow and I have a few work things to finish in the morning.”
“That’s right.” He slapped his forehead with his palm. “You closed the clinic?”
Out of the corner of my eye, Brett walked towards the parking lot, hunched into his jacket, head down. Keeping my focus on Thomas, I responded, “yes. Until the twenty-sixth. The emergency room is open though. You know, for all those crazy holiday skiers.” I tried to joke.
“Speaking of crazy skiers,” he started, and I cut him off.
“You know, Thomas, I’m really kind of tired. Can we chat tomorrow?” I put my hand on his arm.
He looked disappointed, but immediately covered it with a smile. “Sure. I’ll walk you to your car.”
I put my hand on his chest. “I’m good.” He looked down at my hand, startled. With a softer tone, I added, “I’m good. I’ll be fine.”