Page 44 of Sway

Breathe, baby.

Room 715 . . . 717 . . . 719 . . . I look to the next door and see Genya, wearing Calvin Klein pajama bottoms and a white T-shirt, wedged in the doorway, waiting for me.

I nearly bolt back to the elevator.

But before I can do or say anything, he seizes me, pulling me into the brightly lit room, and starts kissing my neck.

“I’ve been waiting for this since the day you left me.” He clasps my hands in his. I melt. He seems stronger now than when we were just kids.

“Dimka. Wait.” I separate from him and move toward the door.

“What is it?” He runs his hands through his hair, the same old nervous gesture from forever ago. “Sal, where are you going?”

“Here.” I stop short of the door and turn off the light. Now he won’t see my speckled skin. Or my big ass. He’s used to Iza’s tight curves, flat belly, and perky breasts. I can’t possibly turn him on. I hear his loud sigh. Maybe I’m not the only one who’s scared.

I make out his face in the darkness. “Dimka . . . can you just hold me?”

“Come here.” The covers rustle as he gets into the bed. I lie down and cuddle up on his chest. “No rush,” he whispers, “we’re gonna be together forever. This time, I’m not letting you go.”

That’s all I need to hear. I roll on top of him. Our bodies remember each other. He slowly undresses me, taking his time exploring my body. He lifts off his shirt. Man, has he filled out. We kiss for what seems like forever, just like when we were fifteen years old.

“You’re even sweeter than I remember,” he whispers.

Another star for Palmer’s Cocoa Butter.