The Yearning.

"Thank you."

They had just finished pumping and setting the bed. The air mattress lay beside the wall, swollen with air.

"You're welcome," Clea said and blew him a kiss. "Phew. A bed we can both lie in knowing for sure we won't be pressed together," she said and giggled. Then she added, "Not that being pressed up against you was awful."

Tarik smiled. "Not that it was awful."

There was suddenly an uncomfortable silence as the two of them stood there, staring at each other.

"Wanna... do that again?"

"What?" Clea said, her voice almost a whisper.

There was a seductive twinkle in Tarik's eyes as he spoke. "Be pressed up against each other."

Clea tried to curl her toes, then remember she couldn't do that comfortably since they were in boots. "I don't wanna put you in trouble."

"I don't mind trouble if that's what it takes to be with you."

"Tarik!" Clea said and chuckled.

"What?" He held out a hand. She placed her hand in it and he pulled her closer. He slid an arm around her waist and