In His Arms

The door burst open, and I jolted off the bed, clenching my fists.It was Usman, walk rapid and a crazed sort of burning panic in his eyes. "Usman, I--" I began.He threw his arms around me, holding me close. He pulled away, cupped my face, stared at me as though to be sure I wasn't injured, placed a kiss on my lips.I pulled away, said, "Usman?"He looked me over, a rugged, furious sort of protectiveness all over his face. I realized then that I had never seen Usman angry before. He was normally calm, joking, so utterly, easily, perfect. And now, all that was gone, and he looked terrified."Where the hell were you?" he almost growled, voice dropping a few octaves.