Elemental Changes

SOFT WATER
He is only a pair of dark glittering eyes in the dimly lit bar.
The lights are flickering for the last call, and my ankles are wobbly from too much wine. I stumble my way off the stool, and his hand is suddenly there, holding me steady. He smells like rain on fall leaves, and I agree to share a cab.
The doorman nods us in with a smile.
I stand in his doorway, suddenly cold, shivering with need and fear. He draws me in and fills the bath for me, the temperature perfect, the water soft with oil. He begins with a sponge, then places his hand everywhere, fitting each contour. There is no greed in his touch; it is slow and full of care. The towel blankets me when he helps me step out. His kindness undoes me, and I cry with big hurting sobs.
“Little girl,” he says, “you are so far from your home.”
He picks me up in his arms and settles me in his bed. I try to slide over, but he presses his finger pads hard, straight down on my head. He shoves, pushing into my hairline with his hand slowly flattening and stretching open. A starfish of pleasure blossoms inside me. The loneliness knotted behind my eyes melts, spreads like hot honey from my head to my limbs
Is this love? Is this what love feels like?
I take a deep breath and my eyes flutter closed.
The small sounds of his cufflinks hitting the dresser, the rustle of clothing sliding off skin, a soft shush on the carpet and he returns to the bed. He lies with his back against me, his flesh cool as crisp linen, where it rests against mine.
Who are you? How did you find me?
I feel safe and fall asleep.