Paul turned toward the control panel and made some computations and some settings on the dials.
Nora pouted.
"Why the cloud-up-and-rain?" he asked.
Nora chuckled. "Trigonometry," she said.
"First things first," Paul replied. The floor surged upward, causing Nora to lose her balance. Paul caught her neatly.
"We're on our way," he said.
Nora looked up in his eyes. Silently. There was no point in saying anything. The Z-wave, proved-in months ago on Neoterra, newly-proved to Paul and Nora, was a sort of landmark that did not require any further amplification. That was finished and done.
There had been restraint. Now it seemed childish like a youngster who saves the fanciest chocolate for the last and best. This was the last and best and both of them knew it.
Her lips were softer, warmer. More eager. In all of their previous lovemaking there had been a strident vigor and an avid clutching for one another, a sort of regret that fulfillment was yet to come, but not yet here. Now this frantic reaching seemed gone. Paul knew the free relaxation of Nora's softness against him, he felt the sweet lassitude soften her. His hands caressed her and Nora moved to relish the caress.
"Paul—I love you."