They did speak of other things, small talk designed so they would not appear too eager, too desperate. They would not admit to themselves or each other how dependant they had grown on these calls, seemingly the only warmth in their cold sea of loneliness. They never quite knew how to end their conversations, so they played a game with each other, created to perpetuate the illusion of caring. They would each share one small and insignificant fact about themselves before hanging up the phone, but they never probed, never delved any deeper.

Most of the time the calls were direct and to the point, no finesse, no tact--just raw lust and the need to escape in each other. They did not speak of hope, only desire. His voice caressed her skillfully, bringing her to quick, deep orgasms that flooded her and left her gasping for breath. She knew how much her voice aroused him, so she spoke softly and slowly, allowing it to stroke him to his own release. Afterward, they would lie in companionable silence for a few moments, continuing the illusion of contact they shared through the tenuous connection of the telephone line.

She didn't think about the calls too much, accepting them for what they were, only occasionally feeling a nagging doubt. Something in her heart troubled her--as she could not detach herself as completely as he--but she pushed it aside after only a cursory glance, afraid to scrutinize it too deeply. She knew he didn't love her--she wasn't sure she wanted him to. The only thing she was sure of was that the calls replaced the darkness and allowed her to feel something--if only physically--for a few moments a week. At times she wanted to ask him to say the words in an attempt to reach her heart, but she suppressed this desire, not wanting to appear pathetic or too needy in his eyes.

He did not seem to analyze, as most men don't--at least not with her. His acceptance of her and her presence was complete, taking what she offered and asking nothing more. He never spoke of his heart to her, never let her get too close. He used their intimacy almost as a weapon, attempting to simultaneously attract and repel her. He encouraged her to express her darkest fantasies with him, as if to cement the bond of secrecy they shared. He didn't want her intruding into his soul; he wanted her merely as an outlet for his own aloneness.

And yet the calls continued...