Lara and Simon first met at a conference in the late 1990s, when Simon was starting out as an assistant professor and Lara was finishing her PhD. Twenty years later, they were still good friends and saw each other often. They lived in different cities but had stayed in the same field of research. They often ran into each other at conferences and worked together on several boards and international committees.
In the last couple of years, the rise of AirBnB had reduced the costs of conference travel for everybody. Groups of professors would get together and rent an apartment for which they'd then share the costs.
On this particular trip, Lara had arranged the AirBnB for a group of researchers: Lara, Simon, Marco, and Brigitta. Simon didn't really know Marco or Brigitta well, beyond to say hi to. In fact, he hadn't even realised that Marco was Marco, to begin with. He was the last to arrive at the house and when the door opened he was momentarily confused. The man standing opposite him was the researcher he thought was called Matteo.
On trips like this, the residents generally make their own way back and forth to the apartment each day. People keep very different conference schedules, and there's usually no point trying to coordinate comings and goings. As it turned out, however, Lara and Simon had a lot of sessions in common and found themselves often walking together over to the university, or alone together in the evening while the others were at a reception or taking in an evening lecture.
"I know of a great restaurant near here," Lara said one day, when she found herself alone with Simon in the early evening. "My brother knows the chef, and I'm sure we can get a table."
Simon agreed and they set off for the restaurant, a fantastic fusion place that mixed Japanese and French cooking in a way that sounded impossible but was just perfect when you tried it.
Lara was a foodie and did all the ordering. They started with some sake, then some white wine and oysters. A couple of rounds of sushi with beer. And some brandy with desert. By the end of the evening Simon, who fancied himself a decent drinker, couldn't take another sip.
"Letsh... Let's go home," he said around one a.m. "I couldn't drink another take-I mean take another drink!"
The two walked home and let themselves into the apartment quietly. The doors to Brigitta's and Marco's rooms were closed and Lara could hear Marco snoring quietly.
There was a half-finished bottle of Chardonnay on the counter in the kitchen.
"Let's have a nightcap before we got to bed," Lara proposed.
When they'd left the restaurant, Simon had been worried that he might not make it home without throwing up. But by the time they made it back to the apartment, he was feeling less on the edge. The night had been so fine, he thought he could risk one drink.
"I don't think I could finish," he said thickly. "But I bet I could start one!"
Lara got some glasses from above the sink and Simon poured two glasses of wine. They sat on the couch in front of the kitchen counter.
The night went on and they finished the bottle after all. The conversation was deep, with both revealing things about themselves that they rarely if ever spoke out loud. Despite himself, Simon started flirting. Lara went to the washroom. When she came back she sat a little closer to him.
Around three, Simon stood up to go to bed. He was ridiculously drunk and would have a hard time getting up tomorrow. Lara stood up as well.
"Thank you so much for a wonderful evening," Simon said, standing awkwardly. He didn't make a move to go.
"I'm so glad to have had this chance to talk," Lara said to Simon, standing up as well.
She put her hand on his arm. "I was touched by what you felt able to tell me." She also made no move to leave.
Simon felt dizzy suddenly. A heat rose to his cheeks. He wondered if he dared.
"I have something terrible to ask," he suddenly said.
"What's that," Lara asked. She was hoping she knew but wanted to hear it from him.
"Would you mind very much if I kissed you?"
Lara nodded and reached out to him with her other hand. "I'd like that very much," she said.
Simon leaned in and they kissed. They were hesitant at first. Their lips soft against each other. Lara felt a prickle from Simon's five o'clock shadow. She opened her mouth. Their tongues touched.
Desire took over. Lara sat back down, pulling Simon with her. She leaned back and Simon rolled to her side, caressed her with his left hand. Through her dress he could feel the underwire of Lara's bra, the weight of her breast, roughness of the lace trim. Her nipple pushed against the fabric making a small mound in the thick material. He ran his thumb over it, pushing down with the side of his knuckle. It gave way under his pressure and pushed back up as he passed. Lara drew her breath strongly. Their tongues pressed together, mouths open.
Lara arched her back, pushing with her breasts against Simon's hands. Her left hand moved instinctively downwards. With an open palm, she cupped the bulge in Simon's jeans. She sighed slightly, squeezing gently with her hand. She could feel the outline of the stiffening shaft against the base of her palm and thumb, contrasting against the lack of resistance at her fingertips as she pushed softly against the scrotum and testicles. His glans pulsed.
Simon pulled his head back slightly, breaking the kiss. "That's so nice," he whispered.
