I start to panic but quickly pull myself together as my eyes adjust to the dim light streaming in the window. The moonlight casts shadows on Owen's face and tries to make him look mysterious and scary, but it isn't working. I know him now. I don't know everything about him, but I know enough to trust him more than anyone else in the world. I know him enough to love him.

He finds me in the dark, wraps his arms gently around me, and pulls me close. I snuggle up against his warm chest, safe from the cold night air, and the wonderful mist begins to float up in my mind. I can't imagine being with anyone but him. I don't want to imagine it!

I don't care if the last day of college is looming on the horizon. We're still going to be together the morning after. I've never been more certain of anything in my life.

I press my lips to his and kiss him again. Maybe my lips can tell him the words I'm not brave enough to say. Our lips part and his tongue dances with mine. It still feels as strange and beautifully intimate as the first time and I can't get enough of it. My heart races in excitement as, one b.u.t.ton after the next, I take off his shirt. He doesn't like his scars, but I think they're beautiful. The nightmares that created them are part of what made him the man I love and trust, and I wouldn't have him any other way.

His shirt drops to the bed behind him, and then his lips crash into mine in a strong, pa.s.sionate kiss that takes my breath away. I can hardly think straight as I run my hands down his bare chest. I want him so much!

My body burns with desire and my skin is so hot as I finally break free of the heavenly kiss-gasping for air-that I don't even notice the freezing cold night anymore. I slowly lay back on the bed, pulling him down with me.

He dives in for another kiss, caressing my face with his good hand, and I moan in delight as a shiver runs through me. He drags his teeth gently and slowly along my lower lip before releasing me.

My body trembles uncontrollably as desire nearly overwhelms me. One look into my eyes is all Owen needs to know I'm ready. I don't need to guide him tonight-he knows I feel safe with him now.

I close my eyes and moan happily as Owen's kisses run slowly and softly down my neck, and then I shiver as his lips move down my chest to the fold of my bathrobe. His fingers run delicately over my body, brushing against my b.r.e.a.s.t.s through the thick terry fabric of my bathrobe, and then fumble with the knot around my waist. I suck in a deep breath and try not to shake as jumbled feelings bounce around inside my head. I'm scared and excited, happy and terrified, and all at the same time.

The knot comes loose, and my heart skips a beat as Owen's lips continue their torturously wonderful journey down my body. A delighted groan escapes me as he kisses between my b.r.e.a.s.t.s and then a little lower, and the bathrobe opens a little further with each kiss. By the time he reaches my waist, it's fully open and I lay bare before him.

I'm suddenly irrationally terrified. What if he doesn't think I'm pretty? What if I'm not his type, or if, now that he's seen me, the magic is gone for him? Self-consciousness bubbles up inside me. I'm at my most vulnerable, and I've opened myself up to him in a way I never dreamed I could. I'm scared that he's going to judge me now.

The look of sheer adoration on his face reminds me of when he first saw me in my swing dress, and my fears melt away. He doesn't need to say anything now; his eyes said it all for him.

He thinks I'm beautiful and now I feel it myself.

The bathrobe slides slowly down my shoulders and then off completely. I gasp in delight as he lies beside me and kisses me on the neck. His hand sends electricity arcing through my body as he traces a path down my burning skin, lower and lower, and finally down in between my legs.

"Are you okay?" he whispers in my ear, and I nod in reply. I can't catch my breath for long enough to answer him, but I'm more than okay. My mind is lost in a fog of ecstasy and my body begs for his touch.

His fingers are inside me again and I feel as if I'm rising up inside myself. My body takes over and pushes my mind off into the glorious haze of pleasures. My eyes flutter shut and my lips quiver as they slowly part. It feels like there's a ball of fire lodged in my chest, glowing brighter and brighter as my hips roll instinctively and match the rhythm of his fingers. I want to scream in pleasure, but all I can get out is a whimper of delight as I clutch frantically at the blankets.

I need more. I need so much more, "Owen," I gasp, shivering as his fingers slowly slip into me again, "I want you."

He takes in a shallow, quick breath at my words, and his fingers stop dead in their tracks.

"Maria, are you sure?" he whispers. "I want you too, but I don't want to..."

"You won't hurt me," I interrupt, leaning over my shoulder and kissing him pa.s.sionately. I want him, and I want to share myself with him.

"I'll be okay," I whisper. "I know it."

He nods to me and pulls away. I lay on the bed with my eyes closed, gasping and panting as I try to catch my breath. My mind starts to drift down from its incredible high, but the sound of his jeans slipping down his legs sends a jolt of excitement through my body again, and my heart pounds even handsome! His clothes come off, a condom goes on, and he's back in bed with his arms around me.

Owen's lips kiss mine softly, almost comfortingly, as he leans into me. I'm in love with him, and the past is dead. I'm new and whole again, and this is my first time. I'm scared and excited, and all I can do is listen to my body as it tells me what to do.

My legs wrap themselves around his hips, both inviting and slowly pulling him in. I can barely breathe from antic.i.p.ation. I'm scared to death but happier than my mind can comprehend. My body is on fire, and I can feel my hair clinging to my forehead from sweat. He cautiously inches into me, and I grit my teeth against the pain.

He caresses my face as I slowly relax and let him in-inch by inch, minute by minute, until he's completely inside me. I kiss him on the lips and run my hands through his hair as my mind soars.

Every nerve in my body ignites in a fire of incomprehensible sensations as he moves inside me. It's so intense at first that it almost hurts, but with each stroke, my mind adjusts to the feelings a little more. The pain transitions to nearly unbearable pleasure as I roll my hips in rhythm with him and pull him deep into me with my legs. I can feel a scream building up inside me, and I can't stop shaking. My head leans back on the pillow, and I close my eyes and cry out in ecstasy. I feel the darkness shrivel and die inside me as the nightmares crumble to dust.

This night is ours, and my body is finally mine.

In the middle of the night...

Maria.

I lay in the dark with Owen's arms wrapped comfortingly around me. My body wants to melt into him and join him in sleep, but my mind is wide-awake and scared.

After tasting Heaven tonight, I'm terrified of what's coming in May. When we graduate, what will happen to us? I can't bear the idea of not having him in my life, and he needs someone he can trust to hold him through his nightmares.

"Owen?" I whisper. "Are you awake?"

"Yes," he answers. "You can't sleep either?"

"No," I answer, snuggling up next to him. "I need to talk."

His chest presses into my back as he takes a deep breath, and he hugs me tightly.

"I'm listening. Talk to me."

"I... well, I asked my research advisor if he'll let me stay on for my doctorate next year."

"You did?" blurts out Owen excitedly, all pretense of sleepiness gone. "When did that happen?"

"While you were out getting wine. I sent him an e-mail and asked."

"Oh G.o.d, I hope you get accepted!" he gushes. "That'd be amazing!"

"But... what if I don't get in? What if you don't, or what if you get a great job offer or something and we get separated?"

I swallow hard as a lump forms in my throat.

"I'm not ready to go," I whimper, feeling tears rising inside me. "I need you with me."

He holds me close while I calm myself down.

"It'll be okay, Maria," he whispers back to me.

I roll over in his arms to face him and plant a loving kiss on his lips.

"How do you know?"

"Because I'm yours, no matter what happens," he answers, hugging me tightly. "I need you, and I'm not going to lose you like that."

I cuddle up close to him and lay my head on his chest. A smile creeps across my face as I take in his words, and I kiss him softly on the cheek.

"We'll find each other somehow. We're not lost anymore," I whisper to him.

My eyes flutter shut, and the last thing I see before I fall asleep in his arms is the forgotten pomegranate sitting on the bedside table, still beautiful and perfect on the inside.

Nadia Simonenko is a Ukranian-American scientist and author currently living in Indianapolis with her husband, two cats and a dog. When she isn't writing, she develops new oncolytic compounds for chemotherapy and dreams about someday getting to take a vacation.

Maria and Owen have a long way to go.

Are you the type of reader who listens to music while you read?

Here's what I listened to while writing Lost!

"This Kind of Life Keeps Breaking Your Heart" by Hammock.

"Runaway Train" by Soul Asylum.

"Brave" by Josh Groban.

"Ethereal" by Amethystium.

"We are the Others" by Delain.

"Before the Dawn" by Evanescence.

"Leaving Tonight" by The Birthday Ma.s.sacre.