Stars

Ariana adjusted the eyepiece, bringing the fuzzy stars into focus and again gazed through the telescope. She glanced briefly down at her notebook, which glowed faintly in the dim red light that she had brought with her, to quickly jot down a bit of information and returned to her observation of the Orion Nebula. She had always found it fascinating how nebula could form, how they were each unique and absolutely breathtaking.

Ariana jumped, disturbing the telescopes angle when she felt a pair of lips on her neck.

"David," she said in exasperation.

"What," he asked innocently.

"Can't you wait until I'm done?" she asked as she kissed him briefly.

"Only if you let me see too," he countered as he pressed another kiss just under her ear.

"Okay," she said and began to readjust the telescope. After a moment or two she said, "you know, I really can't concentrate when you do that." She licked her lips as David continued to drop feather light kisses all along her neck and shoulder. She could feel him smiling against her tingling skin.

"That's sort of the idea," he laughed.

Ariana playfully pushed him away, "back up, I really need to finish this and then we can play."

"But,"

"No buts David. Now back up," she said.

David grinned, "yes ma'am." He scooted far enough away that he couldn't kiss her easily, but he could still reach her.

Ariana jotted down a few more notes and then looked up at David. "Okay, now you can look," she said.

David's smile broadened as he scooted closer and peered through the telescope, bringing the nebula into focus.

"Isn't it beautiful?" Ariana asked.

David looked up at her, "not as beautiful as you," he said.

Ariana blushed and ducked her head. She felt David finger under her chin and brought up her head.

"I mean that," David said as he leaned in, brushing a gentle kiss over her lips. He was slightly surprised when Ariana responded by wrapping her arms around him and drawing him closer. All thoughts of the stars were forgotten at that point.