Joshua returns, and things loosen up

A few minutes later, Joshua returned with topped off drinks for everyone, as well as a row of shot glasses.

"What's this for?" asked Donnie.

"Let's just loosen up a bit, have a good time," said Joshua. The six of them threw back their shots -- tequila -- and settled into their seats again.

Henry spoke up. "The way it actually works, if you're still interested --"

"I am," said Olivia quietly.

"-- is more about verbalizing how I see the world. I can look at a sunset or a tree or a woman and write something that captures their sensual beauty."

"Do me," said Olivia, her gaze intent on Henry.

"Huh?" he replied, confused.

"Do me. Describe me."

Henry looked at her. At first, he wasn't going to go through with it, but before he even said anything, he changed his mind. He looked at her closely, her arms, her feet, her hair, her eyes.

Olivia smiled. "Do I need to do anything?"

"No way, Liv. You're amazing." Henry paused and threw back the rest of his beer. "Olivia. A white canvas, ripe for creation. The cascade of silk that pulls night from the sky, the glistening, glimmering, shine of the stars in your eyes. The music of your love language lingers, longing left for me to breathe in. In. Inhale. In time. In your soul, beneath that unrealized canvas, your heart, your breath, your sex, the gentle burden of your lips, the natural aura glowing from within, filling your world with light."

The fire crackled. Everyone was silent. Olivia realized her mouth was open a bit, and her breath had gotten heavier. She licked her lips, which had gone dry. She gazed at Henry.

"What did you do, Henry?" she asked. "My heart is racing, my mouth is dry."

Henry smiled a little.

Joshua said, "that was amazing. It was like you captured everything I see in Olivia."

"Me too," said Isaiah. Ben and Donnie nodded.

It was silent again.

"Fuck, I'm gonna be honest, I'm a little chubbed from that, dude." Ben had to break the tension with a joke.

"Was it the poem or were you just looking at me?" asked Olivia.

"Little of this, little of that."

Olivia took in a deep breath. She stood, and looked at Henry, who also stood up. They had a new, strange, surprising, and powerful connection. She walked up to him, leaned in, and placed her mouth on his. He wrapped his arms around her, and pulled her close to him. She slid her tongue into his mouth, and kissed him deeply, and hotly. One of his hands moved slightly down to the beginning of the curve of her ass, but didn't go further. He felt her body pressing against his. He reciprocated the kiss with his tongue, feeling the edge of her teeth and the warmth of her mouth. She could feel his dick hardening against her stomach. She pressed in one more time with the kiss, and then released it. She licked her lips, sat down, and smiled.