Rowena holds the amber liquid up to the moonlight and twirls the stem of the wine glass between her thumb and forefinger. The light fragments on the cut crystal and bursts into golden brilliant stars. The light catches in Rowena's eyes. She has a mysterious air about her tonight but I know better than to question it. So I watch silently as she draws the glass to her lips. Holding it there, she closes her eyes and breathes in deeply. I can see the pleasure warm her face as the sweet scent of the maple sugar wine reaches her nose.
There is a gentle autumn breeze but the night is warm. An autumn-scented breath brushes leaves loose and they cascade down around us, a sprinkling of deep auburns, burnt oranges and rather vibrant yellows. The colours, however, are nothing in comparison to that amber liquid Rowena has yet to take a sip of.
Her eyes remain closed, a slight smile plays on her lips. I want to taste the sweetness of her smile but I don't dare cross that line. Instead, I remain sitting with my legs outreached and watch her.
I shouldn't be here. But I really can't be anywhere but here. The current that runs between us draws me in. Like there is an elastic band pulled taut between us, I move in closer to her for some measure of relief. I find some moral relief by reminding myself that we are simply friends sharing a drink (or two).
Rowena opens her eyes and again swirls the wine gently and watches the liquid dancing in the glass. What is it that she hopes to see in there? And why has she only poured one glass? Her brown eyes rise to mine and there is a question there. Mine have an answer that betrays everything I thought I stood for. There is a conversation here, more true and of more depth than any we have had before. I am exposed but I still feel safe.
Reaching out, Rowena plucks a maple leaf from the ground by my hand. Ever so slowly, she draws the very tip of its papery skin across my hand. Electricity surges through me and my breath catches in my throat. She waits half a beat and it is all the time I would need to clear my throat, shift position or break eye contact, any of which would draw the line at a much safer distance. Instead, I slowly reach over and take the wine glass from her other hand. As I bring the glass to my lips, she continues to trail the maple leaf ever so slightly up my arm. My skin is completely alive, aware of every minute touch. The scent of sweet maple reaches my nostrils just as Rowena delicately extracts the glass from my hands. Her eyes hold mine as she brings the glass to her own lips, opening them ever so slightly to sip the sugary nectar. My body is on complete alert - I want this so desperately. Leaning forward, she brings her lips to mine. Warm and soft and so very, very gentle, she nudges mine. I feel the very tip of her tongue teasing me. I open my mouth enough to close around hers. Oh, the magical sweetness that is found there!