“Just don’t drop me,” Flora said with a giggle as Kiran carried her down the hall of the hotel.

Kiran kissed her lips. “I wouldn’t dream of it.” They were staying on the first floor about halfway down the hall to the right of the lobby. During the off-season the rates in Tillamook were reasonable, rooms plentiful, and privacy from their families assured. “Here we are. Would you do the honors?”

Flora unlocked the door. As a true gentleman, his words, Kiran carried his new wife across the threshold. Three steps in, he set her down.

The hotel room had a short hallway from the door to the main room. Their room had a King-sized bed, a cabinet for the TV, dresser, and a nightstand on either side of the bed. The bathroom was to the left of the door. Golden tile flooring met the carpet at the doorway. Instead of one shower and bathtub combination, they had a shower with two shower heads.

“This is really nice,” Flora said. She opened the blinds to let the afternoon sun into the room. “I never knew Tillamook had nice hotels.”

“I know. It surprised me, too.” Kiran wrapped his arms around Flora’s shoulders, taking in the view of one of the many rivers with her. It was so peaceful here. Every time life stressed them out, they would come home and it would all just melt away.

Flora turned around. “Thank you, honey.” She held him tight so she could hear his heartbeat in his chest. “When did you plan all this? Aren’t weddings supposed to take a lot of planning? And money?”

Kiran chuckled. “Mom helped a lot since I wasn’t here. She knew the Pastor, she talked to your parents about the bouquet, and even called the Parks Department to see if we really needed a permit for a ten-minute wedding. I told Heinrick about a week ago and Bridget found out yesterday since she can’t keep secrets long. I booked the hotel a few weeks ago, too. Did you like it?”

“Of course I did!”

Kiran brushed the back of his hand along her cheek letting his eyes trace the lines of her face. Flora liked when he looked at her like that. Her heart skipped a beat. It had been two long years since she even considered letting Kiran rouse her hormones. But when he gazed down at her with such tenderness, it was hard to resist; she didn’t want to resist anymore.

Flora rose on the tips of her toes, pressing her lips to his, holding him close. Kiran’s hands slid around her body as her hands explored him. When his hands glided along the small of her back, she pulled away to arms’ length staring at his chest. Kiran didn’t press; he never did.

“I’m sorry,” Flora murmured. “I’m so sorry.”

“It’s not your fault.”

“But…I don’t want to be afraid anymore. But I also can’t help it.”

Two years could heal a lot of wounds. These wounds would be there for a long time. In the space of one year, Kiran and Flora lost three children to miscarriage. It was too painful. Flora didn’t want to go through it all over again; she avoided intimacy. Kiran was as supportive as he could be. There were a lot of frustrating nights, but they managed. It had been two long years since Flora had even seen her new husband—her partner of sixteen years—without a shirt, let alone naked.

“Maybe you just need more time?” Kiran asked. He always tried to keep lust out of his eyes, but he failed.

Flora shook her head as she pressed her body to his. “No. I think I’ve had enough time.” A sly smile came to her lips. “Perhaps some exposure therapy would help?”

Kiran smiled and kissed her again.

It had been too long since Flora undressed him. Her hands fumbled with the buttons on his shirt. But she wasn’t alone. Kiran struggled for a moment with the clasp of her bra until muscle memory took over.

“Are you sure it’s okay?” Kiran muttered between hungry kisses. “It’s safe?”

“I think so.” Flora cupped his face in her hands, staring into his eyes with fervent passion. “I love you, Kiran.”

“I love you, too.”

For the first time in two years—and as husband and wife—Kiran took his wife to bed, diving into her with as much grace as he had in high school. Fear robbed Flora of staying in the moment, but as the wave of pleasure washed over her, she could feel herself healing just a little more.

It’s a small step in the right direction, she thought as her hand caressed Kiran’s chest. She sighed, letting her heavy eyes close for a nap.