Deneve had finished packing for the morning. Barhan was having the rest of her luggage sent by caravan To Valencia City. Tonight was her last night in Sand Grain, and their month of cohabitation was over. Barhan would be staying in Sand Grain for a while longer to help Bareeds.

Bareeds and Sirare came to enjoy one last dinner before they headed back to Altinova in the morning. As she stood outside the yurt she shared with Barhan, Deneve mulled over the conversation she had with Sirare. “You don’t need to feel guilty. Sometimes you just need to take care of yourself,” is what he had told her. “We will be here when you return.”
It didn’t matter if she went or not. Bareeds, Sirare, and Barhan weren’t going to quit caring about her because she had to do something else besides helping them. The realization of this made her feel better.

For the first time, since Deneve had realized she had to do this, she felt at peace with her decision. She smiled as she headed back into the yurt.
That night once again, Deneve found herself plagued with sleep terror. Barhan was right there trying to comfort her as her own wails woke her up. Once she felt somewhat normal, he loosened his hold on her. “You know I am going to miss this.” He teased lightly. As usual, he had pulled her into his lap as he sat cross-legged, both her legs hanging off one of his.

Deneve chuckled weakly, “You’ve got to be kidding. There have to be better things to do than comfort me. Not to mention I keep waking you up.”
“Nope, not kidding,” He replied half-seriously. “I’m going to miss this.”

Deneve nodded, sinking into his chest as she had done before when these incidents happened, but this time it felt different. She was suddenly very aware of his masculine chest and his proximity.

She blushed at the realization. Why did she not notice before? Deneve couldn’t even answer the question. Or even more importantly, had she taken a lover before? Deneve couldn’t remember anyone, but she had the feeling that the answer was yes.

“You okay?” Barhan asked, utterly unaware of her internal turmoil.

Not wanting to leave his embrace, she answered, “Yes, but can we stay like this a bit longer?”

“Sure, I’d like that too.” He replied, adjusting his arms more comfortably around her.

Deneve snuggled into his neck, sighing. Closing her eyes, she realized Barhan smelled terrific. Warmth pooled within her making her stomach flip. Curious, she gently placed her lips against the side of his neck, slipping her tongue between them to taste him, the nutty flavor of moringa oil, with a touch of musky sandalwood and salt.

His arms tightened around her as he gave a surprised huff. Emboldened by his reaction, she traced a line across the crook of his neck, traveling up toward his ear.

“Deneve?” Barhan whispered questioningly.

“Just for tonight?” Deneve asked huskily before she even realized what she was saying. Her face flushed with shame that the words slipped out.

Barhan paused for a moment considering before he replied, “Whatever you want.”

Deneve understood what he meant. He would leave it to her if she wanted to continue and for how far. Reaching up, she circled a hand around the back of his neck, gently pulling his face toward hers. Gently she touched her lips to his. Deneve traced her tongue along his bottom lip for a moment before gently biting his plush bottom lip.

Barhan repeated the gesture. His movements mirrored hers. As he softly nibbled on her bottom lip, Deneve felt heat surge through her. She was…hungry. Deneve didn’t remember ever doing this before, but she remembered the feeling. Cupping his face with both of her hands, Deneve kissed him again, running her tongue across the seam of his lips.

Answering her unspoken request, he opened his mouth slightly. Her tongue slid into his mouth and twined around his. He matched her hunger with one of his own, never pushing beyond the boundaries she was setting.

Her fingers found their way under his shirt and traced the outlines of his chest. Buttons were released and forgotten. Barhan’s deft fingers had her tunic unbuttoned and pushed to the side. She shivered. Whether it was the cooler air or the tantalizing paths his fingers were making that caused it, she couldn’t be sure.

Shifting her body, she faced him, completely draping her legs over his and around his back. One thing she was sure of was that she needed to be closer to him. The sudden feeling of her body pressed to him made him groan softly before he placed his hands on her bottom, pulling her even closer.

The sensation of his arousal pressed to her sent a molten wave through her. She felt as though the butterflies in her stomach had turned to jelly.
She wanted no…needed him.

Pushing him down on the bed, her impatience got the better of her. Slender fingers worked the laces of his linen trousers, sliding them hastily down his legs. He obliged by kicking them to the side as she divested herself of her small clothes while shrugging out of the tunic.

Placing a hand on his chest, she leaned forward to kiss his neck. Working her way to his lips, she kissed him deeply as her body shifted over his. Refusing to wait any longer with a flick of her hips, they were aligned as she pulled away to catch her breath before capturing his lips in another searing kiss.

Dropping her hips down, she let out a wanton moan, so deliciously full. She was past the point of caring who heard.

Barhan twitched inside of her at the sound. His hands shook as he gently grasped her hips. His promise to go at her pace was obviously becoming more difficult.

Despite her impatience, Deneve set a painfully slow pace. Not having any memory of doing such things, She was going purely off of instinct.
Barhan followed dutifully as she knowingly teased and taunted him. Something was missing, and Deneve could not figure out what it was.
As she leaned back for a moment to take pressure off her arms, Barhan made his move. His one hand moved from her hip to brush the bundle of nerves between her legs. She fell forward with a moan moving at a faster pace.

Barhan was relentless as he stroked her, his hand on her hip assisting her movements as he thrust upward. A litany of words poured from her lips, turning into soundless gasps for more, please, yes, there.

Deneve shuddered with a cry of pleasure as he captured her lips. The waves of her climax sent him to his own release as he buried his face into her neck with a moan.

Deneve shifted to lie on Barhan’s chest as he wrapped his arms around her. She nuzzled into the crook of his neck with a sigh.
Nothing needed to be said. Tomorrow they would go their separate ways.