Сумерки

           MylipspartedasIbreathedinhisheadyscent.

           ImmediatelyIfelthimturntounresponsivestonebeneathmylips.Hishandsgently,butwithirresistibleforce,pushedmyfaceback.Iopenedmyeyesandsawhisguardedexpression.

           "Oops,"Ibreathed.

           "That’sanunderstatement."

           Hiseyeswerewild,hisjawclenchedinacuterestraint,yethedidn’tlapsefromhisperfectarticulation.Heheldmyfacejustinchesfromhis.Hedazzledmyeyes.

           "ShouldI...?"Itriedtodisengagemyself,togivehimsomeroom.

           Hishandsrefusedtoletmemovesomuchasaninch.

           "No,it’stolerable.Waitforamoment,please."Hisvoicewaspolite,controlled.

           Ikeptmyeyesonhis,watchedastheexcitementinthemfadedandgentled.

           Thenhesmiledasurprisinglyimpishgrin.

           "There,"hesaid,obviouslypleasedwithhimself.

           "Tolerable?"Iasked.

           Helaughedaloud."I’mstrongerthanIthought.It’snicetoknow."

           "IwishIcouldsaythesame.I’msorry."

           "Youareonlyhuman,afterall."

           "Thankssomuch,"Isaid,myvoiceacerbic.

           Hewasonhisfeetinoneofhislithe,almostinvisiblyquickmovements.Heheldouthishandtome,anunexpectedgesture.Iwassousedtoourstandardofcarefulnon-contact.Itookhisicyhand,needingthesupportmorethanIthought.Mybalancehadnotyetreturned.

           "Areyoustillfaintfromtherun?Orwasitmykissingexpertise?"Howlighthearted,howhumanheseemedashelaughednow,hisseraphicfaceuntroubled.HewasadifferentEdwardthantheoneIhadknown.AndIfeltallthemorebesottedbyhim.