He paused to catch his breath, wipe the sweat from his forehead once again and to watch her shapely lowers legs stride out in front of him. With each step he saw the tensing of her calf muscles describing a perfect definition. She walked confidently and quickly, matching his pace up the mountain path with ease. He took comfort from the fact that she was younger than him and not carrying the same sort of weight in her pack.
The sun had steadily taken hold through the day and by mid-afternoon it was strong and hot. The breeze had subsided to an occasional gust and temperatures were rising. They were now half way into the corrie and for the first time today he allowed himself an indulgent moment of reflection.
4 years it had taken him to get her here. 4 years! How had he missed the signs? He normally prided himself on his perception and intuition in relationships but he'd misread this one from the start. Sure, both of them had been in other relationships when they'd first started working together but neither was strong and flirtation was immediate. She was gorgeous and maybe this had been his downfall. Why would she look twice at someone like him? All his male colleagues fancied her and she was the favourite topic of male conversation both inside and outside of the staffroom. If only she knew what a stir she could cause on a daily basis with her choice of dresses, skirts and tops.
2 years ago she made a real effort to sit next to him at a Christmas do and he'd still missed it. He'd chatted with her all evening, shared meaningful looks, comments and confidences and he'd been single at the time! He should have made a move then but didn't because he failed to spot her interest in him, which was as plain to him now as the looming mountains around them.
6 weeks ago he'd kissed her on a staff trip. It had taken a fair bit of alcohol and some sickly colleagues to leave them alone but as soon as the lights were out and they were close enough together the unavoidable attraction took hold. In fact he'd done more than kiss her but the amateurish and rushed groping had simply shown him how badly he wanted her. How badly he needed her.
"What's up? Too old to keep up?" 10 metres ahead she had stopped, realising she was alone she had turned to laugh at him. Her soft smile made him ache inside and her pert round breasts pushed hard against her tight fitting base layer, accentuated by her rucksack straps. He strode forward to plant a firm kiss on her gentle lips. Moments like this were still rare and slightly awkward. They had been able to spend so little quality time together recently and had communicated more via the internet than face to face. Even here there had been excitement but he had been determined to take her somewhere private, special and theirs.
With their mutual love of the outdoors the location had been an easy decision for him. The Scottish Highlands were his other passion and love. Ever since his first visit he had returned regularly, often to share their beauty with someone who could wonder with him. Few did but she had been awed from the moment they'd arrived and he loved her for that too. He could chunter on about this environment for hours and she would listen intently. Now they were experiencing it together and the outside world was falling behind them with each step into the hills.
The track petered out at some concrete construction built to divert the burn for hydro-electric power. From here they crossed the stream and followed a much less distinct path higher into the corrie. They had seen no one since leaving the road 3 hours ago and there was little prospect of meeting anyone now. The path led only to the lochan in the corrie or as a route of retreat from the ridge high above. Once again, he let her walk in front. It gave a really nice view of her round arse in her tight, three-quarter length walking trousers. So far he'd only imagined what it would feel like to grab it.
A pair of enormous dragon flies chased each other up and down the path in front of them the victor eventually settling on some heather by the edge of a peat hag. Immediately she unslung her sack and removed an impressive digital SLR. Without disturbing the green insect she took half a dozen shots before it returned to its aerial patrol. They didn't speak about it. They simply exchanged smiles and another kiss before moving forward once more.
They continued to climb northwards, deeper into the corrie, with the walls rising higher around them. The sun continued to pour down its heat and the world continued to retreat from this place, leaving the walkers with each other. The only noise now came from the burn to their left which descended from the lochan in an energetic fashion. It chattered and gushed as it washed the granite boulders on its way down the mountain and more photographs were taken.
Eventually, the path levelled off and joined the source of the burn at the lochan. Here there was a small patch of level grass, cropped close by the deer and a short stretch of sandy shoreline. They immediately off-loaded their packs and stretched. They took in the view, the peace and the possibilities. Within 10 minutes he had pitched the tent and produced a bottle of champagne from his rucksack.