Sometimes it's a long way up from the floor. I have to lean back and pull hard on your arm to get you up off the tatami. โI've been sitting in the position too longโ you say with a chuckle. โYeah, right! Thatโs it, Terry!โ I tease. We have both been sitting cross-legged for over an hour eating too much food and drinking too much sake to be able to stand with anything less than great care, and you take your time. The dinner was traditional, as all things are at this inn, with many tender delicacies and an unstoppable flow of the clear rice wine that seems to spread warmth through your entire body.
Finally on your feet, we follow the kimono-clad attendant to the bathhouse. I am disappointed when we are led to separate changing rooms, but still hold out hope that we will share a bath. Guided by the attendant, I take off my clothes and place them in a basket, taking a towel that is not quite adequate covering from the attendant, and walk through the bathing area to the outdoor hot spring. As I slide back the door, I gasp and offer a nervous laugh as the cold takes me by surprise. It's October in the Japanese Alps, and at this time of night the air is frosty.
The hot spring is large and nearly empty, framed in natural stone and ringed by a forest dressed in fall foliage. The steam rises off the water steadily and a light breeze off the trees makes it swirl and dance. I hear another door slide open and can sense that you are near. I walk closer to the water in total awe of my surroundings. I see you in my peripheral sight but am mesmerized by the romance of the evening. Peering out around the doorframe you can see me standing at the edge of the pool. The inn is even more less kind to in giving its male guests smaller towels, and you have only a small washcloth, which you hold in front with one hand to cover your genitals as you step out to meet me. Still in a trance, I whisper a slow, quiet "wow" as I look out over the spring. I turn and gaze up into your eyes. My eyes filled with awe and wonder is deep pools of blue shiny with a touch of tears. Smiling you take my hand and lead me to the water's edge.
Suddenly aware again of my surroundings, I shiver from the chill of the frostiness around us. The cool night air has begun to press against us and drive us both forward. With the first step into the pool, the water temperature doesn't seem to register, and it takes two more until we are in up to our thighs. Then the heat takes hold. The water is extraordinarily hot. We are both frozen on unsteady feet, still holding hands, our breath taken away by the thought of being boiled pink. It feels like moving even a fraction will cause pain; as if our legs are acclimated only to the water molecules they touch directly. It takes several minutes, and the chilliness of the air, before we can begin to move in further. Bit by bit, we ease into the steamy ripples sharing smiles and gasps as the heat travels up over our bodies.
Eventually, we are in up to our necks, but still can hardly move, fearful that any movement might restrict our lungs' ability to suck in a steamy breath through tightly pursed lips. It's an uneasily comical moment. The fear of movement makes us speak in short gasps and whispers, and we try very hard to keep from laughing. The sexual intensity that usually lies so heavy between us has faded and been replaced by our survival instinct. It's not until several minutes later, after our bodies have finally grown accustomed to the water, that I can even turn to look at you.
The rising steam makes your hair glisten and sparkle in the reflected moonlight. I am aware that mine is curling softly about my ears and probably makes me look very mischievous. I notice that youโre eyes have discovered my towel is draped over the rocks beside you, and pretend not to see you looking at my breasts through the water. You bend forward to kiss me, and I respond. Closing my eyes and opening my lips to your more firm ones. Your lips feel even warmer than the water that surrounds us. My mouth gives way, soft and pliant, and we both seem to melt a little further away.