24. Der Abschied
24
Der Abschied
The Goodbye
Bridget
T he hotel room door falls into the lock behind us and Omar presses me against it the moment it’s closed
He kisses me and I’m lost. It’s just us; the world could end right now and I wouldn’t care as long as he keeps kissing me like this.
I wrap my arms around his neck, pulling him closer to me. He cups my face with one hand, the other sliding down to grab at my hip. Our bodies are pressed together so tightly that there’s no space between us for air to get through, but I don’t need it anyway; he’s keeping me alive with just his touch.
And then somehow we’re on the bed, our clothes coming off in a frantic rush of hands and lips and desperate need. Every inch of me burns for him like a fire raging out of control that only he can put it out.
His mouth finds mine again and I let him devour me. He moves down my body, taking his time with every inch of skin he touches until I’m arching up off the bed begging for more.
He looks up at me from between my legs and smirks before leaning in to taste me again.
I moan loudly, not caring who hears us anymore as he brings me closer and closer to the edge over and over until finally, mercifully, I lose control completely beneath his touch.
When I come back down from heaven there’s a moment where everything is still; time has stopped or maybe it just doesn’t exist anymore. And then he’s inside me, filling me up in a way that no one else ever has or ever will again. I can feel myself getting lost in him and in the way he makes me feel, and I never want it to end.
I’m so close, so fucking close, and then he’s tugging at my hair, pulling my head back to expose my neck. He bites down gently and it’s too much.
I come apart around him, shouting his name over and over as he follows me over the edge.
As I lie there in Omar's arms a sense of contentment washes over me. This was exactly where I wanted to be, in this moment with him. Our time together may be coming to an end but I know that this night will stay with me forever.
I turn my head slightly and look up at Omar, taking in every detail—the way his dark hair is tousled from our lovemak—our shag, the sheen of sweat on his brow, the peaceful expression on his face. In that moment, he’s more than just a holiday romance; he’s my soulmate.
"I'm going to miss you," I whisper, my voice filled with emotion.
Omar's gaze meets mine and I can see the same sentiment reflected in his eyes. "I'm going to miss you too," he says softly. "More than you'll ever know."
We both knew that this was just a temporary escape from reality and when this trip is over we’ll part ways and return to our separate lives. But for now, in this moment, we can forget about all of that and just be together.
The small airport is buzzing, mainly with people arriving rather than leaving. Salzburg airport isn't very big, but during ski season it feels too small for all these passengers. Time is ticking. I have half an hour until boarding, but I only need to make my way through security so I can wait a little longer and I want to stay here in Omar’s arms as long as I can. We haven't said anything; neither of us wants to talk. I've got my ear pressed against his chest and can hear his heartbeat. It's fast and I wonder if he's as anxious as I am. Every so often he presses his lips against my head and pulls me closer. Neither of us wants to let go.
Turns out the Beast is no more. Rest in peace, Beast. Fixing it would cost too much to be worth it but there are a few things that need to be sorted with the car before Omar can leave. He's speaking to a scrap dealer on Monday to get rid of the car. And then he's gonna fly home in a few days.
Tonight’s flight was the only one I could get short notice that would get me home in time for Christopher’s wedding party. And whether we say goodbye today or tomorrow doesn’t change the fact that we have to part. Remember, you don’t believe in happily-ever-afters. But that thought doesn’t make it any easier to say goodbye to Omar.
This past month has been the best of my life, not just because I was in Italy but because he was with me. He made me feel special, like I mattered, and I haven’t felt that way in such a long time. My eyes drift back to the screen where the word “boarding” is now flashing next to my flight.
“I have to go,” I whisper, my voice catching in my throat. Omar pulls me close one last time, like he doesn’t want to let go. He cups my face in his hands and looks into my eyes.
“Thank you,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “Thank you for an amazing time. Thank you for being here. And thank you for making this the best trip of my life.”
His words break my heart and fill it with warmth at the same time. We kiss, a lingering goodbye that says everything words can’t. As I pull away I know I’ll carry this moment with me forever.
I walk towards security and scan my boarding pass. As the barrier opens to let me through I turn one more time. There's pain on Omar’s face and he waves, trying to give me a smile. I wave back and then walk toward security. I'm fighting my tears but I eventually manage to get a hold of myself. Look at it for what it was. It was the best time of your life. Be grateful for that. Be grateful.