Thaw


I believe I'll never be warm again.

He is perfectly polite to me on duty.  Off duty, I avoid everywhere he might be.

Decon.

Perfect hell.

I apply the gel to his smooth back in three careful strokes, don't
allow my hand or eyes to linger.

Turning my back, I take a deep breath. 

One long sweep from my left shoulder to my waist.

Right shoulder to waist.  Slower.

Don't lean into his palm.

Down my spine, slow enough for his to fingers count my vertebrae.

Breathe.

Right down to my coccyx.

Teasing me?

I think I hear him sigh.