Reciprocity

Maya pushed herself off the bed, and made her way to Dakran, wrapping her arms around his waist, with the flat of her hands on his abdomen. Under her touch Dakran stiffened and closed his eyes, trying to get a hold of himself. He had lived through a lot of unspeakable things, but somehow her touch was worse than torture.

Maya pressed her cheek against his back " You do things to me too, you know. I want you even though you smell like a horse. We don't have to wait." Maya shyly said as her fingers mindlessly caressed his abdomen.

Dakran shoulder slumped, softly chuckled and turned in her arms, placed his finger under her chin tilted her head back and kissed her lips.

" I want to give you, give us a beautiful memory to look back onto. Wash away all the ugliness of these times. The mark of a new beginning. And as much as I would like to take and lose myself in you that's not how I want to start a life together. " Dakran smiled his eyes crinkling, while Maya half-heartedly nodded and sighed.

" Alright. If that's what you want, then will do it your way." Maya closed the distance resting her head on his chest and let out a heavy sigh.

" Good. It's settled then" Dakran kissed her hair and folded his arms around her shoulders.

" You should get dressed and I need to wash the stench of the horse off me. I can't stand it anymore" Dakran amusedly said as Maya pulled away from his embrace.

" I won't peek and yes you do smell worse than the horse," Maya said as she walked away towards the bed " I tend to keep my promises. " she grinned over her shoulder, amusement dancing in her eyes, letting the towel drop on the floor.

Dakran closed his eyes, turned around and gripped the tub" Gods, woman you're really trying me." Dakran grumbled with his head down.

Maya giggled and picked up the nightgown that Dakran had brought for her and slipped into it. Dakran undid his trousers letting them fall on the floor as Maya rummaged through the drawer of the nightstand, and pulled out a book from it to keep herself occupied while Dakran slipped into the water.

The splash of water and sighs of contentment coming from behind her was a sign that she could finally turn around.

" It's time to return the favour" Maya picked up the towel off the floor and walked to the tub, and sat on the same chair that Dakran had used when he washed her hair.

Dakran looked up and nodded, splashing water on his hair with a satisfied smile on his lips. Despite the crackling air around them that was filled with tension, having Maya in his life had brought a sense of peace that he lacked before that.

As Maya gently massaged his hair, he let himself go and rested his head against the tub, eyes closed while Maya twiddled with his hair, playing with the foam rather than washing his hair as he took pleasure in being cared for by her, and the comfortable silence that stretched between them.

Exhausted from countless days that he had gone without sleep Dakran embraced the welcomed arms of sleep. When Maya realised that she had managed to put Dakran to sleep, she softly kissed his forehead.

" I love you, Dakran. " she spoke against his forehead " More than you will ever know." Maya sighed and looked at the mountain of a man curled in the tub that was far too small for a man his size.

Dakran moaned in his sleep and smiled. She wasn't sure if he'd heard her but it was time for him to wake so they could go to bed. Maya scooped a handful of water and poured it on his head rising out the rich foam.

" Time to go to bed," Maya whispered in his ear as she rubbed water on his arms and over his sturdy chest.

Dakran lazily opened his eyes and reached for her face " You're the most beautiful woman I've ever been blessed to lay my eyes on." Dakran grumbled in a sleepy daze brushing her bruised cheek with the back of his fingers.

" You can tell me more about that woman after you've had some rest." Maya giggled as Dakran lowered his hand letting out a smothered chuckle.

Groggily he pushed himself out of the tub and kissed her cheek " I'll take it from here. It's time for bed." Dakran glanced over to the dying fire as Maya stood up; the wet nightgown stuck to her skin revealing her lovely perky breasts and flat tummy and Dakran had to take another cleansing breath. He has been taking a lot of those lately.

" I'll put some wood on the fire while you finish your bath," Maya said unaware of what the sight of her curves did to him as she sashayed her way to the fire.

Dakran splashed some water on his face in an attempt to wash away the image from his head, but to no avail. He wasn't sure how much longer he could hold onto his frayed will.

As Maya threw a few more logs on the fire Dakran stepped out of the bath to dry himself while Maya caressed little Dak to keep herself occupied while he slipped into a fresh change of clothes.

Dakran walked to the table where the lamp lay and blew it out while Maya turned to him sensing his presence, and stood up.

" Time for bed, little red." Dakran reached his hand for her to take.

Maya threw one last glance at little Dak and took his hand and they both walked towards the bed. While angst and relief quickly crept into her heart. The reciprocity that they shared was something she thought she would never experience with a man. As they both climbed into bed Dakran folded her onto his arms and kissed her forehead while Maya buried her face in the crook of his neck letting herself enveloped in his warmth and loving embrace.

Even though his body burned for her, Dakran found that sleeping alongside Maya was just as gratifying as making love to her or at least that's what he thought.