between branches

she wants her fingertips to numb underneath the icewater,then she can ease it down her neck, letting the water dripacross her skin like she hopes his breath will trace her spine.suddenly he returned like the first fall breeze melted intosummer heat. Their shadows pressed together as he heldher back to his chest, teasing and cupping her hungry flesh.the tree roots had deepened—spread and learned howto embrace the dirt without shivering. She caressed hisbranching fingers like moonlight finally landing.her frozen fingers found heat.   image via *