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In Another Life

Summary:

Yeah hi I'm back on my bullshit, only this time, it's a beach episode!
Can we have an AU of an AU? Basically this is an alternate universe of the alternate universe I've been living in in my longform fic.
No vampires, no AA meetings, no pregnancy, no clairtangency. Paul Hill is genuinely a fortysomething priest who's been assigned to Crockett Island following the death of John Pruitt. Kate Owens is a mid-thirtysomething from Texas who has inherited a cabin on the spur of the west side, and is taking a few weeks in early summer to recover from a rough winter. Erin and Riley are together, Riley isn't quite so emotionally constipated.
You remember when TV shows had long seasons and filler episodes? This is that.

Notes:

Notes on the light dom/sub tag: Paul is the dominant here, helping Kate by giving her exactly what she needs and then some. Kate's more submissive than I tend to write my women but hey.

Don't get your kink ethics from fanfic, especially not /my/ fanfic. Kbai

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“I think I just need to get laid,” she sighed and stretched out on the blanket.

Erin snorted, and then outright laughed, apologizing when Kate glared at her from over her sunglasses. The waves splashing on the shore sparkled under the bright sun, and the bugs in the beach grass behind them droned lazily. It was early summer, and all of Crockett island hummed with life. 

“I'm sorry! I just don’t think that will fix your problem.” Erin said with another laugh.

“Well it wouldn’t hurt for me to get railed within an inch of my life,” she said as she settled back on to the other blanket, “actually, it would hurt if they did it right.”

Erin giggled, rolling her eyes.

“C’mon, you know how it is. It’s like there’s a block in my sacral chakra. I need someone to knock it loose.”

Erin said her name softly, but she continued on, eyes fixed on the wispy clouds overhead. “I think an earth shattering orgasm would fix me, y’know? I just need to be plowed into the bed. Or the table. Whatever surface—ow! Why’re you pinching me for, woman?”

“Good afternoon, Father.” Erin said with her bright smile as Kate sat up, feeling mortified as she realized Father Paul had been walking toward them the entire time, and judging by his smile had gotten quite the earful. Kate knew him a little, but had never had a significant conversation with him, as she wasn’t a parishioner.

“Afternoon,” the priest beamed, “beautiful day, isn’t it?”

“Yes sir, water’s fair and the sun's going to be out all day.” Erin said when her friend wasn’t able to muster a response. 

He was out of uniform, and it made her brain short circuit to see him in such a state. He was still dressed modestly, but the maroon and black rash guard he wore was skin tight. Kate was glad for the black, heart shaped sunglasses she wore that hid her eyes traveling along the swooping pattern of his suit.

“I hope you don’t mind, but this little cove is the perfect spot, can I set up near you two?”

“Of course,” she responded, surprising Erin as she sat up, “the more the merrier, Padre.”

He smiled and thanked them, setting down his own bag and blanket, weighing the latter down with a book and a bottle of water before jogging to the shore. Both Erin and her companion watched as he waded in, seemingly unbothered by the icy chill of the water. Once he was up to his waist he dove headfirst into the surf, disappearing under the swell.

Kate’s mouth curled into a smirk as she watched him pop up out of the surf, shaking his head and pulling a hand through his hair. “Well this day just keeps gettin’ better. What time is it?”

When Erin said that it was after noon she sat up and, opening the cooler, pulled out a can of beer and opened it. 

“It’s early–”

“Erin, darlin’,” she put a hand on her friend's knee, “it’s Saturday. The sun is out, we’re both off work all weekend, and there’s a ridiculously handsome man swimming right in front of us. Let your hair down and just enjoy it, yeah?”

“Where?” Father Paul asked.

Kate almost choked on her drink, pulling a wry smile from Erin. “Wh-where what?”

“You said there’s a man, where is he?”

The smirk at the corner of his mouth pulled the smart remark from her lips before she could help herself. “Well he was in the water, now he’s dripping all over my Coleman.”

He laughed. “I bet he’d like the company, if the sand gets too warm for you.” Having found the snorkel and goggles he was searching for in his bag he took off again for the water.

Kate was going to ask Erin if she thought that was a flirtation when Erin’s phone rang. It was Riley, asking where exactly they were. “Right behind Kate’s. Yeah, alright.” She stood and slipped her shoes back on. “I’ll meet you.”

“You’re leavin’ me?” Kate whined. “But–”

“I’ll be back. Riley wants help with the cooler.” Erin said.

“Mhm,” Kate hummed skeptically, “he’s tryin’ to get into your ice box, alright.”

Erin threw her a wink and a wave. “I’ll be back with food. Stay out of trouble, kiddo.”

“No promises.” Kate mused, her attention back on the priest, who seemed to be hunting for something in the surf. After a few moments she got up and disappeared through her back gate.

Paul looked up just in time to see Kate finish her beer and tuck the can into a bag, pulling the clip from her hair and letting the auburn curls loose. He didn’t mean to stare, but the tattoos that covered her body were beautiful in the bright sun, and he reasoned that she’d paid good money for them to look as good as they did. The bathing suit didn’t help either; a red and white halter top affair, she looked like a 1950’s pinup, especially with her hair being tossed around in the breeze. He was glad for the icy water and returned his attention to the bay when she straightened. Today was a day for taking in the beauty of all of God’s creations, but he tried to remind himself that there were limits.

“Oh God, it’s cold!” Kate shrieked as she waded into the water. Paul turned, surprised. “Hey,” she beamed, “still want that company?”

“The more the merrier.” He grinned. “It is a little cold, though.”

“I’m still used to gulfwaters. Oh, fuck.” She groaned as she dropped so that she was up to her neck in the water.

“Oh that’s right, Erin said you’re from the South… Florida?”

Kate made a face, “Texas.”

“Oh, sorry–”

She shook her head and, with a hopping run, dove headfirst into a wave. Paul waited for her to resurface and was just growing concerned when she reappeared at his hip. Instinctively he moved back, a knot in his chest as he watched the water cascade down her body. 

“Ooh, better.” She smiled and pulled her hair over her shoulder. It was twice as long now that it was wet, and came down to brush the top of her backside. Not that he noticed, or wondered if it felt as soft as it looked. “Wanna show me what you were lookin’ for?” She asked, pulling her own goggles and snorkel from her wrist.

They spent the better part of an hour in the water treasure hunting. Paul explained that he had a knack for finding lost jewelry, and Kate kept pace with him easily. Occasionally a wave would bump them into one another, and before long they both moved in sync, easily catching one another on the shoulder or side to prevent an all-out crash. Kate looked for the natural treasures that lurked under the water and came back to shore with a handful of scallop and snail shells, sea glass, and a hag stone. “Shit,” Kate panted, squinting at the houses beyond the sea grass, “where are we?”

“Good question,” Paul said as he caught his breath. He’d found a watch, two wedding bands, and a garnet earring, “uh…”

They both turned their heads upon hearing Kate’s name being called, and Kate waved. “There’s Erin! Wow, we’re further than I thought. C’mon, I’m starvin’.”

As they walked back Paul asked Kate about herself, intrigued by someone who had traveled so far from home. Kate told him about the cabin she had inherited, and that she was taking a break after a rough winter. “Seemed like a good place to recalibrate.” She smiled. “I’ve got an ecology degree and Crockett’s got a lot of interesting stuff goin’ on in that department.” She looked at him out of the corner of her eye. “The people are interesting, too. I like it here.”

“Crockett’s one of my favorite places,” he nodded, “I used to come here in the summer with my family. I’m blessed to have the assignment.”

“Oh, right.” Kate giggled, and gestured when Paul gave her a quizzical look. “Forgot you were a padre, Padre.”

“Well the collar is plastic, but it would be a trick to get it to stay on in the water.” He beamed when Kate threw her head back in laughter. Talking to her was easy, and when they’d been in the water he’d forgotten about his priestly duties for a time. He hoped God understood that even His most devout were only human as he reached over and pulled a pearl of kelp from her hair.

They ate lunch on the beach with Riley and Erin, with Kate pulling out a camp grill from a small shed behind her house. The sun dried them quickly, and after the meal they lay on their blankets underneath the beach umbrella. They talked and dozed through the afternoon, swapping stories and drinks, with Kate disappearing inside and reemerging with a pitcher of iced tea after their nap. Kate and Paul went back into the water one more time, taking the opposite direction and ending up even further up the beach than before. Kate took this walk back to ask Paul about himself, and was almost certain she was in trouble by the time they made it back to the umbrellas. He was handsome, and funny, with a sweetness to him she’d rarely seen in men. The sun was almost completely down when Riley finally announced that he needed to go inside; the wind had picked up a chill and he was cold.

“‘S go in and watch a movie,” Kate grunted as she stood, “y’all’n change and get comfy.”

Paul stood and began to gather his things, feeling the weight of responsibilities return to his shoulders as he straightened.

“You like horror movies?” Kate asked.

“Ah, sometimes, old ones.” he said, “but I’m afraid I’ll need to be getting back soon. I need to go over my notes for Mass tomorrow morning.”

“Mm, well if you change your mind the back door’s unlocked, we were thinking Creature from the Black Lagoon. Pizza for dinner.” She smiled when she saw the yearning to be included on his face. “C’mon, Paul, God’ll understand you playin’ hooky for one night.”

None of them made it to the end of the movie. Riley nudged Erin partway through, and pointed to the couch where Kate and Paul were sound asleep at opposite ends. They themselves had taken the recliner, Erin curling up in Riley’s lap happily. “Should we wake him?” Erin asked as she got up.

“Nah, let ‘em sleep.” Riley muttered as he followed her to the door.

“‘Bye, y’all.” Kate called, having stirred just enough to realize the couple was leaving. They called goodnight and left through the front door, and Kate drifted off again.

She awoke with the end of the credits blaring and turned the TV off. A small snort caused her to turn her head and see the priest, mouth agape with his head tilted back on the couch. He’d changed into a blue t-shirt and jeans after rinsing off in the guest bathroom, and Kate let herself study him. He looked peaceful and beautiful, even with his mouth open and snoring, and Kate felt the fire in her core spark as he shifted in his sleep, tongue briefly licking over his bottom lip before he crossed his arms over his chest, his head nodding forward and eyes blinking blearily. “Mm, dozed off.”

“Go back to sleep, sugar, you’n sleep here.” She whispered. He attempted to fight it for a moment but quickly nodded off again, his chin on his chest. Kate got up and fetched a blanket and pillow from the linen closet, leaving them on the end of the couch before disappearing into the back of the house to shower and climb into bed, her muscles sore from the exertion of the day.

Paul woke up about an hour later, coming to with a gasp and blinking confusedly. It took him a moment to remember where he was, and he worried that he had overstayed his welcome, but relaxed when he saw the pillow and blanket Kate had left. He felt stiff and achy as he stood, and stretched lazily.

It was when he got up to use the bathroom that he first heard it. He paused at the door of the bathroom, unable to place the sound. When it didn’t happen again he shrugged it off. It wasn’t until he was coming back out that he heard it again, a soft sound, though longer, followed by his name. His eyebrow arched and he moved toward the door, which was open a crack, allowing him to peer in.

“...fuck.” Kate panted. Her fingers just weren’t long enough, and she couldn’t bend to get the angle right. She had packed up almost everything she needed when she came to Crockett, but had forgotten what was coming to be the most important thing: any sort of sex toy. More often than not she was fine with only using her hand, most of her pleasure coming from clitoral stimulation anyways, but there were times, like now, when she just felt empty and needed something to come around

She huffed and tossed the covers back from her naked body as she closed her eyes and tried to relax, to find that heat that hadn’t left since she’d left the couch. “C’mon,” she whimpered, pulling a leg up as her fingers resumed circling her clit, “c’mon, just one… there…” a small gasp left as she felt the fire spark as her mind wandered again to the priest. She whispered a curse and brought her other hand to her breast, teasing a nipple as she wondered if his lips were as soft as they looked. He wouldn’t have a problem reaching her g-spot, not with those long, deft fingers… “mm, Father…”

The creak of a floorboard snapped her eyes open and she gasped; the bedroom door was ever so slightly ajar and in the low light she could just make out his face. “Paul?!”

“I thought you were having a nightmare.” He said, and she saw him lean out of the doorway, though she didn’t hear him leave.

Kate huffed a laugh. She wasn’t ignorant, and had seen the glances he’d been stealing at her all night. She was reminded now of how he’d blushed, slow to avert his gaze from her rear when she had straightened from pulling the pizza from the oven. “Something like that. You alright? I left you a blanket and a pillow–”

“Yeah, I’m– I’m fine, just…” he lost his breath when she pulled the door open. She had pulled on a thin tank top and a pair of boyshorts. Her hair was loose and mussed, falling over her shoulders in messy curls, and he felt his mouth dry up.

“Just…” she tilted her head as she looked him up and down, “just watchin’?” She really wasn’t one to try and seduce men of the cloth, but she had an itch that needed scratching, and by the looks of him he was willing to help.

“Didn’t mean to.” He said, though his eyes glimmered. “What, uhm, what do you mean by something like a nightmare?”

She smiled and ducked her head, embarrassed. “Just having a hard time with it, that’s all.”

“You mentioned having a sacral block?” He smirked when she looked surprised. “Something about… needing to be knocked loose, I think?”

“You heard that?”

He leaned against the door jamb, free hand coming up to straighten the strap on her tank top that was twisted on her shoulder. Her skin radiated heat, and he realized she must have gotten a sunburn. “You weren’t exactly whispering.” He said in a low voice that reverberated in Kate’s chest.

“I’m… Yeah, I have a creative block.” She said, trying to look innocent. “I told you, I’m an artist, and I’ve… been struggling to complete a project.”

He hummed and nodded. “That could be serious. Want to talk about it?”

Kate didn’t know if he leaned in or if she backed up first, but he was in the room now, and looming over her. He pushed the door shut, the snick of the latch overly loud in the tense quiet.

“Is it a painting, a sculpture?” He asked innocently. “You mentioned you were a multimedia artist.”

“Something like that…” she whispered, suddenly feeling nervous. His gaze was ravenous now that they had all but given up the act, and she shivered lightly. “I’ve been trying to meditate and clear my head and it– well–”

“Meditation can only get you so far,” he rumbled, “sometimes it’s not about emptying your mind, but more about getting into your body.”

Kate’s eyes glittered mischievously. “How do you mean, Father?”

“May I touch you?” He murmured. She nodded. “I need to hear it.”

“Yes, touch me,” she whispered, pleading.

“You’re too much up here.” He said, the tips of his index and middle fingers coming to rest on her temples and slowly slid down, hands caressing her face and neck as his lips hovered centimeters from her skin. “You need to be here,” his hands moved to her shoulders, rubbing gently as he trailed his nose along her hairline and down to her neck. He smiled softly when she swallowed and nodded. “I can show you, if you’d like…”

“Yes,” she whispered, nodding as he chuckled and straightened, “I’d like that.”

His hands found her waist and guided her back to the bed where he arranged them so that she sat between his legs, adjusting so that her backside didn’t quite touch his crotch, and instructing her to sit straight so that her back wasn’t quite touching his chest.

The proximity made her dizzy, and she struggled to follow his directions as he instructed her to close her eyes, to breathe, and relax. He pulled her hair back, his fingers trailing through her scalp the only thing touching her, and Kate shuddered.

“You’re far too tense, lamb.” He rumbled, hands coming to rest on her shoulders as his thumbs rubbed over her shoulder blades. “Just relax. Let the tension flow out of your shoulders and down, like this.” His hands slid down her arms. “Good, lay back… mhm…” Now he let her back come to rest on his chest. His hands moved to her knees and slid up the outside of her thighs as he spoke softly to her. “Now, take my hand, show me what you were working on.”

Kate’s breath quickened as his fingers brushed over the crotch of her shorts. His hand cupped her mound, and he hummed as he pulled her flush against him. His cock already hard, his hips rolled into her backside and she moaned softly. Pushing on his hand she rolled her own hips, trying to get any friction on her clit.

“Mm, too fast, you need to slow down. Savor it.” He chided, chuckling when she huffed. “Let me show you. We’ll get there, lamb.” He nuzzled into her neck, inhaling her scent deeply as his fingers became more focused in their pressure, building a rhythm as he continued to rub her over the thin underwear. His other hand cupped her breast, fingers lightly teasing her nipples through the thin tank top, and his cock twitched as she moaned. It wasn’t long before she was a whimpering mess, aching for him to actually touch her, and he acquiesced, his hand disappearing easily beneath the elastic waistband. He praised her softly as she keened.

“Paul, uh–” she started as the hand playing with her breast wrapped around her throat, sternly pulling her attention from her pleasure and turning her so that she looked up at him.

“Father will do while I’m instructing you, lamb.”

She felt herself grow wetter and blushed, nodding. “F-Father, please… Please, I need your fingers in me.”

Paul chuckled and continued to hold her chin, watching her face as he slipped a finger past the tight ring of tissue at her core. “Oh, that’s what you need?” His thumb dragged over her bottom lip and she opened her mouth, looking up at him with hazy eyes as the pad of his thumb pressed to her tongue. He smiled when she nodded, a small sound escaping her as his finger moved in and out. “I can give you what you need, sweetheart. Take off these pajamas.”

Once she had stripped off her clothes he pulled her back into the bed and laid her down. She sighed and pushed her fingers through his hair as his fingers pushed into her again, easing her open with one finger, and after several pushes adding a second. His breath fanned hot over her chest and she pushed his head down, moaning in approval as his mouth found a nipple and began to suck. His teeth grazed the nub and she shivered as his thumb swiped her clit. Kate groaned as she felt her orgasm finally growing near, and he curled his fingers and found her g-spot. Kate’s hand fisted in his hair, yeses and pleases spilling from her lips as he increased both how hard and how quickly he moved. “I’m– I’m—”

His mouth was at her ear, teeth nipping the lobe as he encouraged her. “Give it to me, lamb. I want you to come all over my hand.” She had a slightly worried look on her face, and he kissed her cheek. “Don’t you want to come?” He huffed a laugh when she nodded. “What do you need? Tell me, sweetheart.”

“More,” she gasped, tilting her head back, “m-more. Stuff me, God, please–” she moaned as he added a third finger, eyes rolling back. “Bite.”

“Bite? Oh, you’re dirty, huh? Want me to leave a mark on you, hm?”

“Fa-ther… please…”

“Naughty girl.” He muttered and kissed the space between her ear and jaw, tilting her head to the side as he continued to finger her roughly. He thumbed her clit as he bit her neck, sucking on the sweet flesh and humming as he felt her body go taut. She clenched around his fingers, coming undone as his canines marked the soft skin. He praised her softly and continued rubbing her clit and pressing his fingers gently against her sore entrance as she came down from her high. 

When she shuddered and pushed at his hand he brought it to his face, licking his fingers and palm clean as she lay panting next to him. Her eyes fluttered and he knew he didn’t have long to hold her attention. “Now, that was a good start, but we’ve got more work to do.” Kate hummed in question, feeling as though the fire in her belly had been banked. 

Paul slipped from the bed and stood, divesting himself of his clothes. “I don’t think that’s what you meant when you said ‘knocked loose’.”

Kate sat up as he turned around, eyes hungrily taking in his body now that it was bare before her. He didn’t have much chest hair, but a stripe of dark hair ran down from his navel, joining with the dark curls around his groin. His cock was bigger and longer than she’d thought, and she hummed absently as he came to stand at the edge of the bed. He snapped his fingers once and tilted his head, and Kate realized she hadn’t been listening. “Sorry, what?”

“I asked if you like being manhandled.”

“Oh, um, yeah, sure.”

“Good,” he reached forward and grabbed her by her ankles, “because I need you,” he flipped her onto her belly, “face down for this.”

Kate gasped, giggling as he guided her knees up. “Face down, ass up, is that the way you like to fuck, Father?”

He hummed and swatted her backside, hand grabbing the cheek firmly as he guided the tip of his cock to her folds. “Normally, no. I like to see your face as I fill you up.” He hissed as he slid himself along her dripping cunt. “But I know what you need, lamb. And we’ll have time to try other positions later.”

“L-later.” Kate echoed, feeling her mind go fuzzy as the priest continued to grind against her pussy.

“Mm, maybe later tonight if you’re good for me. Now be a good girl and take a deep breath in,” he pushed the wide head of his cock against her entrance, “and out. Oh, fuck…” his eyes rolled up as he slid in in one long thrust. 

Kate rocked back against the feeling of him stretching her and groaned. It was too much all at once, but it was perfect, and she grasped the sheets as he started to roll his hips into her. He set a pace and force that had her leaning down into the mattress for leverage, though it wasn’t the rough fucking she had anticipated. Quickly she realized he was acclimating himself, small gasps and half finished prayers floating down to her as he continued. She whined softly and moved, trying to match his pace, which earned her a slap on the ass that made her hiss at the sting.

“Harder, huh?” He asked, hands sliding to grasp her waist as he thrust harder. He smiled when she cried out and nodded in approval. “You’re the type that wants to be split open, aren’t you? Dirty, dirty girl. You want to be handled roughly.”

Kate nodded again. “Like it. Hard…. Hard as you can.” She whined as he slowed, and looked back over her shoulder to see him thinking.

“Get up.” He said, suddenly pulling out and stepping back.

Confused, Kate did as requested. “What’s wrong?”

“I need a better angle, something firmer to lay you over.” He said as he looked around the room. His eyes landed on a large wingback reading chair and he looked from her to it, sizing it up. “That’ll work.”

Kate raised an eyebrow and smiled, breathing still heavy as she watched him think. “Where the hell did you come from?”

Paul smirked and pulled her to him, brushing her hair back and kissing her forehead. “Lay over the armrest for me and hold on tight, lamb.”

Kate stood on tiptoe and kissed his lips chastely, unable to resist the way she had all night. He softened for a moment, cupping her face and returning the kiss as though they’d just begun. His tongue swiped her lips and a small sound left him as she let him in, and he guided her back to the chair.

“Ready?” He asked when she came up for air.

“Yes, Father.” She smiled, batting her eyelashes as she turned.

“There’s my good girl. Mmh, just like that.”

The angle was perfect, and Paul set a far more brutal pace, able to use the back of the chair as leverage. Kate hung on to the other arm, feeling her mind slowly go blank as his hips rammed into her again and again, his cock spearing her g-spot mercilessly and she felt her second orgasm building as one of his hands returned to her clit, fingers swirling over the sensitive nerves. He didn’t even give her a chance to recover, pulling the climax from her with a satisfied growl as she shook. She felt his other hand slide up her back and into the root of her hair, twisting and pulling her up. She cried out, eyes fluttering open to see their reflection in the mirrored closet door. The hand that had been at her clit came to rest on her lower belly, and he squeezed, feeling her tighten as his cock drove deeper still.

“See how well you take me, lamb? You’re so beautiful, cockdrunk and vulnerable like this.” He murmured, smirking as her eyes rolled up. Her lips were parted as she held the arm of the chair, her frame rocking with each thrust. He lowered his mouth to her ear, holding her hair as he moaned. “I wanted to grab you up right out of the waves today and take you in the surf. You’re a siren, aren’t you? Sent from the depths to ruin me. Huh?” His voice increased in pitch as she clenched around him again, and he moaned low as her pussy clenched, almost pushing him out. He thrust in and held as she came, humming in approval as he felt her walls starting to milk his cock.

 “Fuck you feel so good. You’re gorgeous, looking like a pinup in that bathing suit, I barely remembered I’m not supposed to be doing this, I needed you so. Very. Badly. Look at this, look at me.” He nodded when Kate’s eyes hazily met his in the reflection. “You ruined me with one look, I knew I had to. I had to, lamb. See how perfectly we fit together? Feel how, uhn, perfectly you stretch to take me?”

Kate babbled in agreement, feeling completely out of control and yet totally where she wanted to be. She had the presence of mind to hold her body up as he continued to pound into her, just aware enough to feel his body shuddering as he got close. “In me, Father… fuck, I need… please, Paul…”

“Such a good lamb,” he breathed and petted her hair, “oh, Kate…” His hands slid down her body to pull her hips flush against him, and he groaned loudly as he came, releasing deep inside her.

He took a moment to recover, and then leaned down, placing a soft kiss to her nape. “Stay there, sweetheart, while I get a washcloth.” Kate nodded, panting and tingling. He returned quickly and Kate heard him sigh as he took in the sight of her. She felt the floor vibrate as he dropped to his knees, and winced at the feeling of his tongue, soft and prodding, on her vulva. 

“Nn–Paul, please…” She whined. Her nerves felt frayed and her left leg shook as he licked and sucked.

“More?”

“No, I–I can’t, I’m spent.” She panted.

He hummed and licked a wide stripe along her sore cunt. If he could have it his way he’d have her come at least twice more, but it was getting late, and he needed at least a little time to hold her. So he finished cleaning her up with the warm washcloth, cleaned himself, and then helped to pull her upright, holding her as the blood rushed back down from her head.

Back in the bed he wrapped himself around her, placing soft kisses onto her shoulder and interlacing his fingers with hers. He murmured soft words, pieces of poetry and psalms into her skin as she kissed the knuckles of his hand. “Did that help? With the blockage?” He asked softly after a long silence.

“Mhm,” she nodded and turned, kissing him gently. “You’re… perfect. ‘S like we’d done this before. Like I knew you in another life. Was I… was it…”

He kissed her deeply, squeezing her to himself. “Perfect, absolutely perfect, sweetheart.”

Kate smiled sleepily. “C’n we do it again?”

“Of course, lamb. But after we rest, hm?”

“You’ll stay, please?”

“I’ll stay,” he sighed happily, already drifting off as he tucked his nose into the nape of her neck.

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