The Tickle of Relief

As the last echoes of her massive sneeze faded away, Courtney let out a contented sigh, feeling a temporary reprieve from the congestion that had been plaguing her. But her relief was short-lived, as she soon felt a familiar tickle beginning to build up inside her nose. She glanced up at Mark, her eyes wide with a mixture of panic and pleading. Mark's expression softened, and he leaned in closer, his fingers brushing against the bridge of her nose. "Looks like we've got another one brewing," he whispered, his voice low and soothing. Courtney nodded, feeling a flutter in her chest as Mark's fingers began to dance across her nose. His touch was gentle, yet firm, and it sent shivers down her spine. She closed her eyes, letting out a tiny gasp as his fingers traced the curves of her nostrils. "Ah, yeah," she whispered, her nose scrunching up in response to the tickle. "It's coming back." Mark's eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled. "Let's see if we can't help it along," he said, his fingers pressing gently against the tip of her nose. Courtney's eyes flew open, and she met Mark's gaze, her own sparkling with amusement. "You're enjoying this, aren't you?" she accused, her voice barely above a whisper. Mark's smile grew wider. "Maybe a little," he admitted, his fingers continuing their gentle prodding. As he touched her nose, Courtney felt the tickle growing, spreading through her sinuses like a slow-burning fire. She let out a soft gasp, her nose scrunching up again as she tried to hold back the impending sneeze. Mark's fingers moved in time with her breathing, coaxing and teasing the sneeze out. His touch was intimate, almost sensual, and Courtney felt her heart racing in response. She was acutely aware of his hands on her face, of the gentle pressure of his fingers, and the soft whisper of his breath against her skin. As the tickle grew stronger, Courtney's gasps became more frequent, her nose scrunching up in a bid to hold back the sneeze. But Mark was relentless, his fingers dancing across her nose with a gentle, insistent touch. "Achoo..." a tiny sound escaped, barely audible, but Mark's eyes lit up with encouragement. "Almost there," he whispered, his fingers pressing a little harder. Courtney's eyes locked onto his, her own shining with excitement and anticipation. She felt the sneeze building, swelling, and pressing against her sinuses, desperate to be released. And then, in a burst of pent-up pressure, it happened. "AH-CHOOO!" the sneeze exploded out of her, a mighty, satisfying sound that left her feeling drained and exhilarated. As she collapsed back onto the pillow, Courtney felt Mark's arms wrap around her, pulling her close. She buried her face in his chest, laughing and gasping for breath. "You're a genius," she whispered, her voice muffled against his shirt. Mark's arms tightened around her, holding her close. "I think you're just a little ticklish," he whispered back, his voice low and husky.