Play on the patio

The patio lies empty. Nancy stretches out under the sun, her skin warming, her legs long and golden beneath her. She shifts to the shade and checks the tan along each inch of them, sliding her palms down. The quiet house lets her linger. Her hand drifts higher. Fingers trace soft circles, then press more firmly. Her breath catches as she finds a steady rhythm. The light catches on the curve of her feet, her toes curling, then stretching again. She keeps her eyes half-closed, letting the slow build take over, her body answering each lazy stroke with a sharper twitch. When the tension finally breaks she stays still for a moment, breathing the warm air, legs still glowing in the sun.