A warm breeze full of the summer heat followed me as I entered the bookshop. It was cool inside and I was hoping to find a novel or two that I could curl up with tonight. It wasn't a large place but there was a good selection of books to choose from, it even had a second-hand section. I chose two books, one romance, one crime, and made my way to the till.
"Hello again," a warm male voice came from behind the counter. I didn't need to look up to know where I remembered that voice from. My cheeks glowed red involuntarily remembering our first meeting. When I finally looked up I could see a little heat in his cheeks as well.
He looked every inch the village bookshop owner, smartly dressed in a patterned short sleeve shirt open at the neck. A little older than me but still that kind, honest face I remember discovering me in my moment of passion. My heart raced a little seeing him again, I wondered if he had been watching me all the time I had been browsing in the shop.
"Hello to you too," I found it easy to meet his gaze despite our first encounter. There were not that many people I knew well enough to chat to in the village and he was the only one to know me so intimately.
"I haven't seen you out walking recently," he commented as he scanned my books. Although I doubt he remembered me for my walking. I wondered if he had shared my secret with anyone else in the village but I had the feeling that he had kept the memory of me just for himself.
"No, I've been visiting different places and getting to know my way around," I replied as I looked up into his deep brown eyes.
"So you live in the village?" He asked with an edge of surprise and happiness. Suddenly he stopped as a thought occurred to him.
"Wait, there I have a book I think you might enjoy," and with a glance to make sure I wasn't leaving he disappeared between the shelves. I stood there for a moment awkwardly and then began to wonder what he might have in store for me.
He strode back into view holding a book with a rich red cover; 'A Court of Thorns and Roses'. He smiled at me as he handed it over. "Have you read it? I think you'll like it."
"No, I've not," I replied a little wary of this book's subject matter. "How much is it?"
"This one is on me," he said with a smile. I reached for my purse and a smile of recognition crossed his face.
"Your bag," he observed. Of course, the bag that he had returned to me all those weeks ago. I paused remembering the anxious moment when I realised I had left it behind.
"Yes, thank you, I would have been lost without it," I admitted.
"Well, it was a pleasure to help out a lady in distress. And it was a very pretty dress."
"Thank you," and then I looked at him for a moment and with a half smile "That was all that I was wearing that day." It was his turn for his cheeks to flush as a moment of silence passed between us.
We smiled at each other and for a moment we were both locked in a private recollection of our encounter on the coastal path. There may have been other people around us but at that moment all we could focus on was each other. A brief tingle ran over the bare skin on my arms and down my back settling into the warm glow between my legs. At least this time I was wearing underwear. I broke away from his gaze breathing a little heavier now.
"Thank you for the book I'm sure I will enjoy it." I'd also enjoyed seeing him again, perhaps a little too much. Even better, I knew where he worked, I could find him when I wanted him. Perhaps after reading this book, I could come back and...
I heard his warm voice as I walked away, "Lovely to see you again."
I opened the door and stepped into the street feeling the warmth again and the scent of the sea. In that moment I made a decision. I pushed the door shut and walked back to the counter. I could see that his gaze had not left me although he had to raise his eyes to my face.
"I was thinking of going for a walk this Saturday," I offered. His eyes wide in surprise and delight.
"Oh, that sounds, where, erm, could I," He paused and composed himself "Would you like some company?" Always the gentleman.
"Yes, I would like that very much."
The shop door swung shut behind me as I made my way up the street. I embraced the books to my chest and walked home with a broad smile on my face.
.....
I had been waiting for her for about fifteen minutes, trying to stay out of the sun, before I saw her walking towards me. This time wearing a long dark green dress that finished a little below the knee. Still cut low enough to reveal the curves of her chest, her long wavy hair was tied back but still tussled by the wind, the sun shining on her face. She looked just as beautiful as I remembered.
"I hope I didn't keep you waiting long," she said.
"Not long at all," I had been looking forward to this meeting for days, "Although I was worried you might have changed your mind." she looked a little taken aback by this response.
"I wouldn't leave you standing here all on your own," she reassured me.
We walked the path together, chatting about mundane things and getting to know each other better. Previous jobs, travels, pets and what had eventually brought us both to this village, all the time her hand swinging so close to mine. She glanced up at my face and into my eyes and I was hopelessly distracted by her radiant breasts.
Perhaps the small talk was so easy perhaps because of our shared secret.
Soon we were getting close to the spot where I had first discovered her and our conversation quietened as our thoughts wandered.
"So have you thought about me much?" she asked.
"Sometimes, occasionally when I'm out walking," I lied.
"Oh," she sounded disappointed. I paused and decided to be more honest with her.
"Most days, I remember how you looked and how you sounded." I found I couldn't look at her as I told her the truth. She stopped and turned to look me straight in the eyes, a pleased look on her face.
