Chapter 3
Eve pulls a kiss from between Villanelle's teeth as Villanelle licks the roof of Eve's mouth.
When Eve opens her eyes, she traces the left side of Villanelle's rib cage with her fingers and grins, mouth still hovering above Villanelle's.
"You're holding back. Are you feeling shy?," Eve asks, heart beating over Villanelle's.
"Yes."
"But we've done this before."
"It always feels like the first time with you."
Villanelle sneaks in another kiss before Eve lies back down, snaking her arm around Villanelle's waist.
"Can I tell you something?," Eve asks hesitantly.
"Uh huh."
"You still make me nervous."
"After all this time?"
"Yes."
"I like that I can still make you nervous. Do you know how nervous I was when I walked into your classroom earlier? I thought I was going to collapse."
"I could tell how nervous you were. You were covering your eyes."
"I wanted to see you before you could see me."
"Why did you ask me about other lovers? I haven't been with anybody since you left."
"I didn't ask you to wait for me."
"I know you didn't."
"Was it worth it?"
"Yes."
"Would you do anything differently if we could go back?"
"Spend more years together."
"We have all the time in the world now. Let's make up for it. You can retire and we can have sex all day."
Eve laughs and throws her arm over her eyes. "Your libido remains unchanged. I don't know if I can keep up, once you recover."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm old now, V."
Villanelle scoffs and is about to say something sarcastic until she notices the change in Eve's breathing from the rise and fall of her chest.
"Hey."
Pause.
"Eve," Villanelle leans in and presses a kiss to the corner of Eve's mouth. "Why are you hiding from me?"
Eve removes the arm from her face and lets Villanelle kiss the tears in the corners of her eyes.
"You're older now, yes, but who was just taking care of who downstairs?," Villanelle states matter-of-factly, brushing Eve's hair away from her forehead.
"I worry about time. How much of it has gone by. I used to stay awake at night, after you left, thinking that the headlights of each car that drove by could belong to the Firebird."
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry," Villanelle mumbles, kissing Eve on her forehead and then on each cheek.
"I'm not blaming you, V, for any of it. I just wish we could go back in time and do it all over again."
"Even the part where you sexily stabbed me?"
Eve laughs and shoots a faux pointed look in Villanelle's direction.
"That was the best part."
"So naughty."
"Do you still think I'm beautiful? You haven't seen me with gray hair before."
"You don't know how lovely you are. And I like your hair. You will look like a silver fox once your entire head turns gray. A few streaks here and there only gives off sexy professor vibes."
Eve bursts out laughing and lets Villanelle kiss her again, this time, on the lips.
"Do you regret not having children?," Eve asks once Villanelle is lying down again.
"Don't let Marmalade or Peaches hear you say that," Villanelle replies solemnly.
"You know what I mean."
"I think we did the most with what we had. And the only thing that matters now is that we have each other."
"You've become more wise."
"It's sexy, isn't it?" Villanelle winks at Eve and Eve flushes.
"Undeniably sexy."
"So tell me about these students of yours. Anybody you want me to take care of for you?"
Eve giggles and kisses Villanelle below her left earlobe before resting her head on her chest and telling her about her students. She's halfway through her first story when she hears Villanelle snoring.
Marmalade chooses that point in time to jump onto the bed, Peaches following earnestly behind as she scrambles up the small staircase purchased especially for her. Both cats turn around in the space between Villanelle's ankles and plop down, making Eve laugh quietly.
"Hey. Don't you dare wake her up, okay? She needs to rest," Eve whispers, sitting up to give both cats forehead pets.
"Goodnight, baby," Eve says to Villanelle before pressing a kiss to her forehead and falling asleep next to her.