Day four of their journey through Europe continues as the previous three days; an almost overabundance of visual, textural, cultural and erotic explosion of the senses. Mike and Sarah have traveled by train from Amsterdam, through Brussels and are now traversing the Rhineland of Germany. Being the peak of fall, the colors of the changing foliage paints a palette of colors outside of the picture window of their sleeper car. The air outside is cool but the day is bright. The sun streams through the window, casting both shadows and vivid streaks of light in a staccato yet chaotic rhythm as the train soars along the tracks. The Rhine River below reflects the sunlight and the changing leaves; throwing life back at the long dead castles dispersed along the shore and on islands within the river.
Mike is reading while Sarah impassively stares outside of their car at the scenery below. Their car is warm; not uncomfortably warm yet enough so that the cabin length sliding door has been left open to provide some air circulation. The couple opposite has obviously felt the same need for air and openness as there is now a direct view between the two temporary homes. They are either French or are doing a fine portrayal of the culture and the language. The woman, raven haired with porcelain skin and a seemingly fragile waif like figure, is speaking to her companion. Although neither Mike nor Sarah have a firm grasp of the French language, the tone and body language perceived peripherally indicates a conversation of boredom.
“Voulez-vous jouer des cartes?” the woman asks.
“Non.” Her dark haired and complected companion replies.
“Pouvons-nous faire quelque chose seulement assied autrement qu'et boit ici le vin?” Asks the woman, her tone showing early signs of impatience.
Mike chuckles quietly, prompting Sarah to ask what is so funny. Mike tells Sarah that he doesn’t know exactly what the conversation opposite is about but it has something to do with her wanting to play cards or something other than just sitting around drinking wine. Sarah laughs, saying that at least they have a head start with the wine. With that, Mike stands up and retrieves a bottle of Zinfandel, uncorking and pouring a glass for each of them. The late afternoon sun continues to dance through the window, now having deep burgundy liquid to filter through with their glasses on the console next to the view outside. Mike looks up from his book, remarking to Sarah that the light reflected on her yellow cotton shirtdress look like rubies flickering on her breasts.
Mike continues reading until he notices some unusual movement above the pages. He looks up and sees that Sarah is unbuttoning her shirtdress from the top down, slowly. Mike continues to watch as Sarah releases the button just above her navel and slides the fabric across her chest, exposing her beautiful breasts. Now the light through the wine alights on her nipples, making them appear to be the actual jewels that Mike imagines them to be when they’re in his mouth.
Sarah, not looking at Mike, begins to softly trace circles around her breasts with both hands; sliding her fingertips along the underside of her breasts, in long arcs up to the top and then back down again; moving in a slow spiral until she reaches her nipples. She lightly traces her nipples, then pulls each between her thumb and index finger, feeling them harden beneath her touch.
Mike watches wordlessly, feeling his own parts hardening in response to the sensual display before him. Sarah continues to caress her breasts, leaning back now with her eyes closed, alternately lightly touching with her fingertips then cupping fully with her hands, tugging on her nipples as her palms pull tension into her breasts. Mike puts the book down next to him. Sarah bends her head down and pulls her breast to her mouth, running her tongue around her nipple.
From across the aisle, voices are heard.
“Regardez-vous ceci?” (Are you watching this?) the raven haired woman opposite asks her companion.
“Oui elle est stupéfiante.” (Yes, she’s breathtaking) he replies.
