{"sf1_id":1939407,"sf2_id":"ynZJ2wnY","title":"Surrender My Heart","author":"Squirrel","words":4942,"posted_at":"2023-01-01T05:10:00.000Z","tags":["Character Development","Doggystyle","Hotel","Kissing","M/F","Otter","Outdoors","Passion","Plot Development","Pool","Rabbit","Romance","Sex","Vaginal"],"url":"https://fse.anthro.fr/stories/1939407-surrender-my-heart","original_url":"https://sofurry.com/s/ynZJ2wnY","image_url":"https://cdn.sofurryfiles.com/submissions/thumbnails/6b/75/6b75c01a-a4a7-429b-90ad-9089b7437869","description":"\"Kyler and Astrid, an otter and lop-eared rabbit, meet again a full year after having a passionate fling at the Winter Olympics. Can they pick up where they left off, or have time and distance changed the equation?\"\nA follow up to my story 'Top to Bottom.'\nI love this couple (and that story) and really wanted to see them again, so here they are! They have a palpable chemistry, I think. The first story was from Kyler's POV, and this one is from Astrid's. A lot of achingly romantic yearning in this one.","content":"\"Astrid!\"\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe lop-eared rabbit looked up from her phone.\n\nHer name, called in an American accent, cut through the room's Norwegian chatter. She also heard French. German, too. Her long, hanging lobes rotated ever-so-slightly (which was about all they could manage).\n\nIt was ski season. There were a lot of tourists in town, and this restaurant was attached to a popular resort.\n\n_Where is he?_\n\nShe surveyed the dining area, keeping a specific eye out for--\n\nKyler.\n\nThe athletic male otter, having secured a table, was waving her over with a distinctly webbed paw.\n\nAstrid acknowledged him with a nod, pocketing her phone and walking his way, hips swaying as she dodged tables and chairs. \u0026nbsp;\n\nHandsome as ever, a big, eager smile was plastered on Kyler's milk chocolate muzzle. The otter's dense, soft pelt (the softest of _any_ species, he'd once claimed) was a contrasting lighter brown on his neck and frontside. And those hazel eyes? Green or brown depending on how the light hit them.\n\n_They look more brown, tonight._\n\nThe lop, her own fur a piebald patchwork of warm, decadent caramel and cream, had convinced herself Kyler wouldn't come. Even though they'd set this up weeks ago.\n\nShe remembered getting his message, with its (amusingly predictable) bad grammar:\n\n_hey bunny, gonna be in your neighborhood soon!!! meet up?? \\\u003c3 \\\u003c3_\n\nShe'd laughed at his syntax, but the mirth soon gave way to anxiety.\n\n_How do I respond?_\n\nHe'd included a heart emoji.\n\n_Two_heart emojis.\n\nWhat did that mean?\n\nShould she reciprocate?\n\nShe'd spent nearly a day deciding how to reply, writing and deleting many potential responses (with emojis _and_ without) before simply sending back:\n\n_Yes, okay._\n\nThey'd also exchanged messages this morning.\n\n**KYLER** : _7 sound good??? for dinner I mean, the restaurant at the hotel_\n\n**ASTRID** : _In the morning? I won't be in town until late afternoon. You mean 1900, right?_\n\n**KYLER** : _oh yeah heh heh!!_\n\n**ASTRID** : _24-hour clock!_\n\n**KYLER** : _I know I know_\n\nBut, still, her insecurities lingered.\n\n_I drive others away, don't I? Doubting, questioning their feelings. They get offended, or at least exhausted trying to convince me otherwise. Being with me becomes 'work.'_\n\nShe twitched.\n\n_Don't be so hard on yourself!_ _\u0026nbsp;_\n\n_There are other factors._\n\n_You travel for a living. You're rarely home more than a few weeks at a time. That makes any relationship difficult to maintain. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;_\n\nAstrid arrived at the table.\n\nKyler, bright and full of energy, seemed (again, she noted) _very_ happy to see her. He stood up to greet her, practically beaming. \u0026nbsp;\n\nFlattered by the reaction, she found herself tongue-tied.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Hey, beautiful,\" he said warmly. Standing a few inches taller, he reached for her paw.\n\n\"Hi,\" she whispered, giving it to him. \u0026nbsp;\n\nHe lifted it to his muzzle and kissed the back of it. A supremely romantic gesture which made her heart flutter. _Ever the charmer._ She smiled back at him. How could she not? \u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Heh. There it is.\" Lowering her paw, he gave it a few gentle squeezes before their fingers slipped away. \"You check into our room yet?\"\n\n_Our_room.\n\nA blunt reminder that neither of them were here for a benign weekend of chaste, academic conversation, or to sip cocoa and play board games while wearing matching sweaters.\n\n_We're here to have sex._\n\nIt was really the whole point.\n\nHow did one dance around that?\n\n_Does one have to?_\n\n_We're both adults._\n\n\"Um, yes. I, uh, saw your bag on the ... on the bed.\" Astrid rubbed at her neck. The same bed they'd be sleeping in. Together. All weekend. \"When ... when did you arrive?\"\n\n\"Sometime this morning.\" Still standing with her, he reached for her paw again.\n\n\"Hey ... \"\n\n\"Yes?\" Her blue eyes met his.\n\n\"Don't be nervous.\"\n\n\"Is it that obvious?\" she asked lightly.\n\nThere was that smile, again. Smooth and easy. Warm and toothy. He could probably win over the waves with a smile like that.\n\n\"It's okay,\" he whispered privately.\n\nShe dipped her chin. \"I just ... \"\n\nHe waited.\n\n\"I just worry that maybe I built up what we did? Maybe ... into something it wasn't.\" She shrugged and looked around. Then back to him. \"That maybe you were just meeting with me out of obligation.\"\n\n\"Maybe a hug will help,\" he cooed, giving her a big, impromptu embrace. In front of the whole room. He pressed his nose to her neck, breathing of her.\n\nAstrid's knees almost buckled, a hot shiver racing down her spine, making her tail flick about like a furry flame.\n\nShe hugged him back. Tightly. Oh, his warmth? His scent? That flexing strength beneath his impossibly soft pelt?\n\n_How I've missed it._\n\n_Missed him._\n\nHer self-consciousness returned, and she began to blush beneath her fur. She cleared her throat and pulled her arms back.\n\n_The only person judging you is_ you_._\n\nAstrid ignored herself.\n\nKyler released her.\n\nIn a haze, the rabbit swallowed and brushed her ears back.\n\n\"Sit down,\" he urged, pulling out a chair for her._\u0026nbsp;_ \u0026nbsp;\n\nAstrid lowered herself into the given seat, prim and proper, her bobtail flicking. \"Thank you.\"\n\nHe sat opposite her, bursting with things to talk about. \"Can't believe it's been a whole year, y'know? It's so good to see you! How have you been? I mean, I know we've exchanged texts and messages, but it's not the same as ... well, like, actually _being_ together.\"\n\n\"Yes, tomorrow is actually the one-year--\" Astrid almost said 'anniversary' but stopped herself.\n\n_That sounds so serious, like we're in something ... well ... committed. Lasting. \u0026nbsp;_\n\nAnd they weren't.\n\n_Then why do you remember the exact date?_\n\nIt didn't matter.\n\nShe was one hundred percent certain Kyler had been with people (_many_ people) since they'd last met. He was a fun-loving, semi-famous athlete in peak physical condition, and they lived thousands of miles apart. It was _doubtful_he'd remained celibate.\n\nShe wouldn't have expected him to.\n\nIt wouldn't have been fair.\n\n_I certainly haven't been._\n\nAstrid had shuffled through a couple of semi-stable boyfriends (and a few independent flings) in the past year.\n\nNone of them had lit her fire, though. Not really. Not like--\n\n\"One year?\" Kyler echoed. \"Oh, since the Games? Really? Hah, I guess so!\"\n\nAstrid nodded. \u0026nbsp;\n\nThey'd met at the Winter Olympics in China, exactly a year ago.\n\nKyler, a river otter (with some sea otter mixed in), was an American athlete. From Washington. (The state, not the city.) He was a sledder. Skeleton, specifically. The dangerous one where you went down the track head-first.\n\nHe'd won the gold medal, a rather notable upset given the pedigree of his competitors and his lack of international podiums.\n\nAstrid, a reporter, had been at the Games with Norwegian television. Norway was the all-time leader in Winter medals, and local interest was always high, so the station she worked for had gone all-in on coverage.\n\nWhile assigned to the sledding venue, she'd interviewed Kyler right after a gnarly crash. She'd been impressed by his bravado, his ability to bounce back, and his masculine ... well, um, energy.\n\nWhen he'd brazenly asked her out (after the cameras left), she'd declined. Of course! Like any respectable woman. After all, she didn't know him, and she was there on business.\n\nBut when he'd come back minutes later and asked _again_?\n\nHer libido got the best of her.\n\nShe_was_ a rabbit, after all.\n\n(Lops were just as 'viable' as their uppity-eared cousins, lest anyone think otherwise.) \u0026nbsp;\n\nThey'd mated like feral beasts, raw and passionate, in the otter's room in the Olympic Village.\n\nAnd that was _before_ he'd won gold.\n\nShe'd lost count of how many times they'd done it after, with her actually _wearing_his medal (and nothing else).\n\nShe still had selfies in her phone of her and that medal. And him. And him _and_ her. Most of them decidedly 'not safe for work.' She couldn't bring herself to delete them. Occasionally, she'd look at them to provide 'inspiration' for her wandering paws.\n\nAstrid had hidden the whole affair from her employer, of course. Reporters fraternizing with athletes, or anyone they were covering, was strictly forbidden. 'Conflict of interest.' She would've been reprimanded had they known, perhaps even fired. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\nWhen the Games were over, she'd gone back to Europe. He'd returned to America. He'd insisted they would meet again, but she didn't want to invest in a daydream. So, she'd dismissed it ever happening.\n\n'See you again' was just something people said to be nice.\n\nReality didn't work like that. \u0026nbsp;\n\n_Yet here we are. \u0026nbsp;_\n\n\"Well, then it's extra cause for celebration! I got us some wine,\" Kyler said, grabbing a bottle and pouring it out. One glass for her, one for him. He raised his glass. \"Shall we toast? To one year!\"\n\n\"Toast?\" Astrid giggled, quirking a brow. \"What? With _wine_?\"\n\nHe looked at it. It was red. \"Hmm. Is it supposed to be white?\"\n\n\"Are you serious? Yes. It's also supposed to be _champagne_,\" she said.\n\n\"Really?\" The otter grinned.\n\n\"The bubbly stuff.\"\n\n\"Oh!\" He chuckled. \"Well. It's all grapes in the end, isn't it?\"\n\n\"Technically. But it can't be called a proper toast without champagne.\"\n\n\"Says who?\"\n\n\"I don't make the rules,\" she insisted with a playful shrug.\n\n\"You only follow them,\" he said lightly.\n\nThis caused the rabbit's cheeks to flush. \"I ... I guess.\"\n\n_Don't stammer!_\n\n\"Well.\" He smirked, tilting his glass toward her. A playful wink. \"I won't tell if you don't.\"\n\nUnable to resist, Astrid obliged, clinking her wine glass to his. \"If we are questioned by the 'faux pas police,' I will proclaim innocence.\" She sipped her drink. It was quite good, actually. But alcohol tended to hit her fast, so she set her glass back down.\n\nThere was a momentary silence between them, filled with background noise. Countless overlapping conversations, laughter, silverware clinking on plates.\n\n\"I'm, uh--\"\n\n\"It's_really_ good to see you,\" Kyler repeated.\n\n_I feel like he's said that three or four times now?_\n\nAfter a second, Astrid finally realized he wanted to hear it back.\n\n_Oh._\n\n\"Likewise. It is good to ... to catch up with you, too,\" she mumbled, reaching for some breadsticks. In a fancy basket. The thin, crunchy kind. She daintily nibbled at the end of one. \"Really. I've been--\"\n\n\"Been what?\" Kyler took a breadstick, too, outright chomping into it, crumbs flicking off his whiskers. And, oh, what whiskers! A face full of them.\n\n_I want to strum them with my fingers._\n\n_I want to nuzzle mine against his._\n\n\"Astrid?\"\n\n\"I've been anticipating this. This, uh, weekend.\" She reached for a small glass of water. \"Worrying, if I'm to be honest.\"\n\n\"I thought we settled that?\"\n\n\"Did we?\" She paused, clearly not over it. \"I believed something might go wrong, or ... something would keep you. Or me. Or ... \" She shrugged, then shook her head. \"I'm too practical, you see?\"\n\n\"I never have been. You can't win a gold medal by being practical! You gotta dream big, take huge swings,\" the otter decreed.\n\n\"I've been there when you've taken some,\" she reminded. That's what made him so attractive. It wasn't just his body. His personality was so--\n\n_He's everything I'm not._\n\n_Confident and comfortable. Daring and decisive. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;_\n\nHe was smiling at her again.\n\nAstrid returned to the wine. \"Are you enjoying Lillehammer?\"\n\nKyler casually leaned back. \"Yeah! Still getting situated, so I haven't taken any tours, but it looks _gorgeous_ so far.\" His head tilted. \"I thought it would be a lot bigger.\"\n\n\"It_is_ rather quaint. But so pretty. Especially in the wintertime.\"\n\n\"Yeah, love a snowy, mountainous landscape. The way the flakes cling to the evergreens. Was it still snowing when you came in?\"\n\nAstrid nodded. \"They're saying it might last all night.\" \u0026nbsp;\n\nThe otter was in town for the IBSF (International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation) World Championships, which were being held this winter at the Lillehammer Olympic Bobsleigh and Luge Track. The competitions began next Wednesday. Qualification stages. It was Friday evening, now.\n\nThey had their hotel room booked 'til Monday morning, whereupon he had to get to training and practicing. And she had to go back to Oslo for some network stuff. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Are you going to be covering me? I mean ... heh, the competitions?\" Kyler wondered.\n\n\"No, not this time. They got someone in town to do it. Someone local.\"\n\n\"Guess we don't have to sneak around, then, huh?\" He winked at her.\n\nShe blushed. \"Guess not.\"\n\n\"You're still covering sports, though, right?\"\n\n\"Yes.\" She resumed nibbling on her breadstick. \"There's going to be a Norwegian in Formula One next year.\" Took another sip of wine, too. Realizing she was getting hungry, she looked around for a waiter. \u0026nbsp;\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"That's ... auto racing, right?\"\n\n\"Mm-hmm.\"\n\n\"Is that rare?\" he asked, leaning forward, placing his elbows on the table.\n\n\"The Swedes and Fins normally beat us out in motorsport endeavors. So, sorta, yes? I've been offered the job to follow the circuit, be part of the Norwegian-language broadcast. There are twenty-odd races. The season lasts from March to early December.\"\n\n\"Wow. That's so cool! It'll take you all over the globe. Congratulations.\"\n\n\"Thank you,\" she said, smiling at him. It _was_ a great opportunity. But, as she'd rued earlier, globe-hopping made it very difficult to be in a lasting relationship.\n\n_True._\n\n_But do you_ want _to be in one?_\n\n_Or do you just like the idea of it?_\n\nShe changed the subject, asking, \"Do you think ... I mean, how are you feeling about your chances next week?\"\n\n\"Well, you know me,\" Kyler said smoothly. \"I don't go into anything half-measure.\"\n\n_Is that an innuendo?_\n\nShe distinctly recalled him at 'full measure.'\n\nHe continued, \"I'll give it my all. But it's so hard to dominate in a sport like this. Winter sports. So many variables. The exact temperature of the ice, the density of the air. Travel time, time zones, and the mental lag that comes with. Each track is different, too. If you go in expecting to get gold every time, you'll be disappointed.\" He shrugged. \"Just aim for the podium and hope for some luck.\"\n\n\"Oh? That sounds like a much more mellow philosophy than I remember from you,\" the lop noted.\n\n\"Hey, I still want to win! I _intend_ to win. I have an insatiable appetite,\" he promised, eyes sparkling.\n\n_Now,_ that _was an innuendo._\n\n\"But,\" he added, \"now that I've reached the 'mountaintop,' as they say, the pressure has lessened _just_ a bit.\" He shrugged, picking up his silverware and played with it. \"I've been enjoying the fruits of my labor more.\" \u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Oh, I'm aware.\" She paused and tossed it out there with a grin: \"Sledding With the Stars? _Really_?\"\n\n\"What?\" Kyler chuckled. \"Ha! How'd you find out about that?\"\n\n\"Not from you, obviously,\" she teased.\n\n\"Not because I'm embarrassed!\" he insisted.\n\n\"Of_course_ not!\"\n\n\"Hey, it pays well. And it keeps my name out there. An otter needs to eat!\"\n\n\"I'm sure that's earning you a full bucket of fish.\"\n\n\"_Two_buckets.\"\n\n\"I stand corrected.\" Astrid giggled, reaching for a folded menu. She opened it. The salad list drew her attention. The soups, as well. A good combination.\n\nKyler laughed and opened a menu himself, eyes looking at the seafood options. \"But, yeah. Sledding is a part-time gig, as you know.\" Winter was only a three-month season, after all. \"Since my gold, I've been elevated to an Olympic ambassador of sorts. Get paid to do appearances, give speeches, recruit trainees for the program. I earn enough to get by, but ...\n\n\"When I was approached to be on TV?\" he continued. \"I couldn't say no! Thought it might help jump-start a media career.\" He tilted his head and lifted a paw. \"Though, for legal purposes, the stars aren't on skeleton sleds. Too risky. They're in bobsleds.\"\n\n\"Ah.\"\n\n\"And the tracks are trainee-level.\" He waved the paw and turned the menu over. \"But, whatever. I started out in bobsled way back when. I can still do it. It's more about being good on camera for a reality show.\"\n\n\"I've seen you in front a camera,\" she reminded. \"You _are_ good.\"\n\n\"Don't I know it,\" he said flirtatiously.\n\n\"How do fit a huge tail like yours into a bobsled?\"\n\n\"Carefully,\" he replied with a wink.\n\nAstrid giggled.\n\n\"Anyway, I'm one of the coaches. We filmed the whole thing already, back in November and December. It's just now airing. But! On the strength of _that_, I've been asked to help host part of the Winter X Games in a few weeks. In between all the media, I still train and compete. I plan on qualifying for the next Olympics. Going to defend my title.\"\n\n\"Sounds like it's _you_ who should be getting the congratulations,\" Astrid said. \"Everyone clamoring for your services.\"\n\n\"Everyone?\" he echoed.\n\nShe didn't have to reply. Her eyes answered for her.\n\n\"That calls for another blasphemous non-champagne toast!\" he insisted, refilling both their glasses.\n\nThey clinked them together.\n\nWhen she noticed Kyler staring at her, she reflexively asked, \"What?\"\n\n\"Nothing.\"\n\nThe rabbit raised a brow.\n\n\"Well ... alright, _something._\"\n\n\"Yes?\"\n\n\"You really want to know?\"\n\n\"I do.\"\n\n\"You're so damn beautiful,\" he said, voice taking on a husky tone.\n\nTongue-tied, Astrid couldn't get out a reply before the waiter finally arrived for their orders.\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\n\u0026nbsp;\n\nAfter their meal, they had Norwegian cream cake.\n\nA deliciously light, layered spongecake with drifts of rich cream and berry-like fruits, including something called 'cloudberries,' which Kyler couldn't believe were real. Astrid, giggling, tried to convince him otherwise. She even looked it up on her phone as proof. \u0026nbsp;\n\nBy the time they left (Kyler had insisted on paying the bill), Astrid felt buzzed and buoyant.\n\nWas it the wine?\n\nOr was it a sugar high from the cake?\n\n_Likely both._\n\nOn the plus side, her self-consciousness had conveniently drifted away. Rather than being guarded and cautious, she wanted nothing more than to bare herself to the otter. Surrender to him, body and soul.\n\n_Control yourself!_\n\n_At least until we get back to our room._\n\nPaw in paw, they walked there. Out of the restaurant. Into the connecting hotel lobby, down a hall. Turn. Another hall. Turn again. \u0026nbsp;\n\n_This is taking an eternity!_\n\nThey rounded the final corner.\n\nHer heart raced.\n\n_Hurry, hurry up._\n\nThey arrived.\n\nRoom 145.\n\nAstrid, fidgeting, blew out a breath and hugged herself. \u0026nbsp;\n\nKyler, little, rounded ears perking, used a key card to open the door. \u0026nbsp;\n\nThey entered.\n\nSomeone (_was it me?_) clumsily flipped the door's status sign to 'do not disturb.' \u0026nbsp;\n\nHe, meanwhile, kicked it shut.\n\nThe lights were off and remained so.\n\nThey came together like magnets.\n\nWrestling passionately, trading breathless, lip-smacking kisses. Impatiently bumping into walls and nearly tripping over the couch in an attempt to get naked.\n\nShirts flew.\n\nPants dropped.\n\nUndergarments were pulled and shed.\n\nOnce 'in the fur,' they swayed in a slow circle while they made out. He was taller, and she stood on her tiptoes for him, both arms around his neck. He grabbed her rump and pulled at her.\n\nSomehow, they ended up outside, segueing to a surprisingly spacious personal hot tub that came with their ground-level suite. With lights installed on its smooth floor, beaming upward, it made the water glow an ethereal golden-green. Steam visibly rose from the surface.\n\nThey splashed into the hot water, groping, bumping noses.\n\n\"Thought that ... ah, Norway had _natural_ hot springs,\" Kyler mumbled, those wonderfully webbed paws running up and down her back, her hips, her rump. If the rabbit had a curve? His claws followed it.\n\n\"Nah.\" Astrid shook her head, unable to keep the tips of her limp, hanging ears from getting wet. She grabbed at his sides. \"That requires ... ah, volcanic activity. We actually don't, ah!\" His touches were beginning to stray lower, under the water. \"Have much of it.\"\n\n\"Really?\" Kyler pressed his figure to hers.\n\n\"Mmhmm.\" He was so sleek and fit. So muscular. She wanted to touch every bit of him. So she did.\n\nHe kissed her neck, sucking on it.\n\nHer chin tilted upward. She reached beneath the water and fondled his fuzzy balls. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Mmf. No volcanic activity,\" he echoed, paws going for her breasts. \"Mm. You sure about that?\" He tweaked her nipples. \"Cause I feel like ... mmh, something's bound to erupt tonight.\"\n\n\"Yeah?\"\n\n\"Very soon, in fact,\" he promised.\u0026nbsp;\n\nThe rabbit sighed. \"Kyler ... \"\n\n\"Astrid.\" He kissed her. \"God, I've missed you,\" he blurted, kissing her again. Again. Muzzles locking in a tilting, twisting fashion, hungry with passion.\n\n\"Mmh.\" Lips parted, and she huffed, \"I've missed you, too.\"\n\n\"I need you,\" he said desperately, his erection poking at her lower belly. \"I can't wait anymore ... \"\n\n\"Then don't.\"\n\n_Someone on the higher levels will look out their window and see this._\n\n_You know that, right?_\n\nAstrid impulsively grabbed for her lover's cock.\n\n_They'll get over it._\n\nKyler chuffed, water spraying across his whiskers.\n\nThe rabbit squeezed him, stroked him. Just _knowing_ the most intimate part of him was in her grasp? That, right now, it belonged to her and _only_ her? That raw, pulsing virility?\n\nEven if she wasn't in the water, she'd _still_ be soaking wet.\n\n\"Mmh!\"\n\nNibbling on her neck, humping at her paw, Kyler spoke directly into her ear. There was a hint of a feral growl in his tone. \"Turn around.\"\n\nReleasing his shaft, Astrid obeyed. Trembling. weak at the knees, she did a 180. The water splashed as she stood and extended her arms over the side of the pool, onto the wooden deck planks, bending over and raising her pretty teardrop tail.\n\n\"That's my bunny,\" the otter murred approvingly, groping her ass and standing up behind her.\n\nAstrid looked over her shoulder.\n\nThey locked eyes.\n\nHe gave her a look of animal passion that could've melted steel.\n\nAstrid lost her breath and looked back ahead. \"Oh, God ... oh ... \"\n\n_This is happening!_\n\nKyler's thick, six-inch dick grazed her lower back. He used a paw to push her over even more, to pin her over the side of the pool, her breasts squishing on the sturdy, treated wood.\n\nThe water splashed a bit as he adjusted his stance, spreading his legs to lower his loins, leveling his sex to hers.\n\nFinally, he stuck a paw down into the hot water, grabbing himself and guiding his ultra-sensitive glans to her pouting pussy, where he aimed it between her petals.\n\nIt touched her.\n\nKissed her.\n\nAnd then penetrated her body like it belonged there. \u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Fuuuck,\" Kyler muttered as he wound up balls-deep in the lop.\n\nAstrid whined, wriggling her hips. \"Is ... am I as good as you r-remember?\" she asked, a hint of that insecurity coming back.\n\n\"Ooh, no ... you're even better,\" Kyler swore.\n\nHe gave her rump a wet smack, pulling back and grinding forward. Thrusting. Once, twice, quickly. Up to speed in no time, dispensing with gentility. They'd waited too long. No holding back.\n\nSoon, the otter was rutting the rabbit.\n\nIt was the only appropriate term for what was happening.\n\nAstrid helplessly clawed at wood as she was rocked, slammed into, the otter's powerful hips showing off their prowess.\n\n\"Oh, yes ... yes,\" he panted, picking up the frantic pace. Upping it to 'frenzied.' His face scrunched up in pleasure, tilting skyward. Brown muzzle hung open, showing teeth. He was already getting close. \"Ah, ahh ... ah ... \"\n\nAstrid's eyes fluttered shut.\n\nHuffing, puffing, grunting.\n\nMews and chirps.\n\n_More._\n\n_More!_\n\nThe only reason his balls weren't audibly slapping at her is because they were underwater. But she felt them. Oh, felt how close and deep he was getting before pulling back to do it all over again. Non-stop movement, drilling her, desperate.\n\nAstrid was hanging by a thread, teetering on the edge of ecstasy's abyss.\n\nThe lop desperately pushed a paw under her body, past her belly, her hips, fingers finding her clit.\n\nAfter a few rubs, her world finally exploded.\n\n_Oh!_\n\nThe rabbit mewed.\n\n_My!_\n\nHer vagina clenched, wracked in spasms.\n\n_God!_\n\nA paralyzing full-body pleasure made her see stars through the overcast, snow-heavy clouds, as she craned her neck skyward and moaned. \"Oh, oh, ohh ... ahh!\"\n\n\"OOF!\" the otter slammed home, burying himself inside her. For good, this time. His wire tripped, and he gasped, rigid cock jerking and spurting. Filling her. Giving her everything. He pawed at her back, head hanging, maw open in shock. \"Ah ... ah, h-holy fuuuck,\" he whimpered. After a moment of silence, he asked, \"Y-you sure you're not in heat?\"\n\n\"I promise. It's ... not for t-two weeks.\"\n\n\"That was _so_ intense, though! You're incredible. Damn.\"\n\nAfter another minute, he pulled out of her and hoisted himself out of the pool, sitting on the edge. Shins and foot-paws in the water, the rest of him was exposed to the cold, winter air, which his fur securely insulated him from. Snowflakes melted as soon as they landed on his body.\n\nThe otter helped Astrid sit up, too. Once beside him, she leaned her head on his shoulder. Their hot, wet bodies gave off a copious amount of steam. Compared to earlier, the cold air felt wonderful.\n\n\"Kyler ... \" Her fingers found his, feeling the webs between his fingers.\n\n\"Yes, bunny?\"\n\n\"I'm really thirsty.\" Having sex in a hot pool of water was incredibly dehydrating. She felt like she was going to pass out.\u0026nbsp;\n\n\"Yeah? Oh, man, you look it. Here.\" He stood up, extending a paw. \"Let's go back inside.\"\n\nAstrid, pulled to her foot-paws, wobbled.\n\n\"Whoa, there!\" He steadied her. \"You okay?\"\n\nShe nodded weakly. They went through the sliding door. He was dry as a bone already, his magical fur wicking all the moisture away from his body. She, meanwhile, was still soaked, dripping. Nonetheless, the otter placed her on the couch, going to the mini fridge to get some water bottles.\n\nWhile waiting, Astrid felt her emotions bubbling up.\n\nShe tried to push it back down.\n\nShe couldn't.\n\n_There's more than one volcano between us._\n\nReturning and sitting beside her, opening her bottle for her, Kyler gently advised, \"Drink slowly.\" He brought a bottle to her lips and tipped it upward. She gulped. Drank half of it. \"I'll give you the rest in a minute,\" he said.\n\nAstrid nodded, a lump in her throat. She started to shake.\n\n\"What's wrong? Did I overdo it? I got carried away ... \"\n\n\"N-no. No, you ... \" She grabbed at him, fingers curling in his thick chest fur. \"You were amazing. It's not that.\" She tried to catch her breath. \"I ... I love you.\" Her voice shook as she surrendered her heart. Finally. Once and for all. \u0026nbsp;Releasing him, she turned away, hiding her face in her paws. \"I'm sorry.\" Her shoulders shook. \"It just hit me after ... after what we just did, and I ... but I know t-this ... it's only temporary.\" She coughed and sniffled. \"Y-you don't h-have to say it ba--\"\n\nHe cradled her. \"I love you, too.\"\n\nAstrid lowered her paws, eyes red. \"You don't have to say that to make me feel better. I can take it.\"\n\n\"Bunny,\" he said, putting a paw on her cheek. \"You make me giddy inside. I've been looking forward to this for weeks! You _know_ that. You saw how excited I was when you arrived tonight. None of it was fake. I _wanted_ to spend time with you. I _wanted_ to be intimate. And it's been even better than I imagined.\" He leaned in, nose-to-nose. \"You're worth a hundred gold medals.\" Muzzle tilting, he repeated against her cheek, \"I love you, too.\"\n\nShe hugged him, sniffling some more.\n\n\"It's okay, bunny,\" he soothed, rubbing her back. \"I'm here ... \"\n\nThey kissed.\n\nSoft, tender. Her lips tasting of salt.\n\nThe lop let go of him. She rubbed at her eyes and then reached for her water bottle.\n\n_Half full._\n\n_I can see that, now._\n\nDrinking the rest of it, she had to ask, \"What are we going to do? Not ... not right at this _moment_, but--\"\n\n\"I know.\" Kyler sprawled back on the couch, taking a deep breath. His rudder-tail curled over and across her lap.\n\nAstrid petted it.\n\n\"Well. There are no easy answers. I'll be honest,\" the otter said. \"You've just committed to a year-long job that involves a _ton_ of travel. I'm still an Olympic athlete. Media, training, events. We're citizens of different countries on different continents.\" He paused. \"There's just no time _anytime_ soon, at least for the next few years, that we'd be able to realistically be together.\"\n\nThe rabbit nodded, brushing her ears back. \"You're right.\" Her eyes darted. \"And I would never ask you to be permanently celibate on my account. Especially for that long.\"\n\n\"I wouldn't want you to be, either.\" A pause. \"But that doesn't mean we should give each other up.\"\n\nShe looked hopefully into his eyes.\n\n\"There's always ... you know, doing stuff on camera, or some kind of open relationship? We'd have to define the rules for that, but ... hell, we've got options. Right?\" He paused, adding gently, \"Trust me. We'll figure something out.\" \u0026nbsp;\n\nAstrid reached for a webbed paw.\n\nHe gave it.\n\nShe squeezed it.\n\n_I do trust him._\n\n_Completely._\u0026nbsp;\n\nThey smiled at each other, nuzzling close.\n\nTheir holiday (and maybe the rest of their lives) had just begun. \u0026nbsp;\n\nThere was no going back, now.\n\n_Full steam ahead.\u0026nbsp;_\n\n  \n  \n\n"}