He comes undone a piece at a time, like a taut rope that's cut through strand by strand until he snaps all at once.

She meets her peak and it takes one, two strokes more and then he joins her, a groan rumbling low in his chest while the air sucks from his lungs. He clutches her tight, riding the wave of bliss with her.

When his breath finally comes again its in deep gasps taken against her skin while his heart drums hard enough against his chest that he's certain she must feel it as he feels hers.

"Jesus, Karen... " It's all he can manage to say.