I like this time of year. Winter had pulled back her white cloak revealing a wondrous costume of fresh greenery. The first flowers of Spring jutted out of the Earth, thrusting their bright blooms toward the newly blue sky.
I hiked up the well-worn path, taking my time, enjoying the early morning sunshine. It was quiet still. Only the occasional rustle of a small forest creature—squirrel, chipmunk, rabbit—disturbed the silence. A light breeze kicked up every other minute, making my journey a little easier, cooling the back of my neck.
The path continued to wind lazily through the wood. I took my time, savoring each step, leaving my microwaved-e-mailed-cell-phoned-hurried 21st century life behind for a glimpse of a younger year seen by this globe only a few short breaths ago.
It was yet cool enough to keep me from breaking into a true sweat. I paused, leaning my hand against the rough bark of an ancient oak tree. I pushed a chestnut-colored curl over my ear and took in the view. It was truly a beautiful day. The fresh scents of awakening plants, clean soil, and damp moss filled my nostrils and I breathed in the new life. Mornings like this made you feel like a welcome part of nature.
As much as I was enjoying my little excursion into the woods, I had another purpose besides filling my lungs with fresh air. Today I was meeting David.
I had known David for 3 years, only professionally. We butted heads more often than we agreed, but there seemed to exist a mutual respect. Once in a great while our conversations would move past the limits of his office and we'd discuss greater ambitions, concerns, the community—his impending mid-life crisis. But for the most part, it was strictly professional.
Still, I had always admired him, not just for his brilliant mind or his natural confidence, but also for more superficial qualities—his large hands, the former athlete's body hidden underneath that 40ish physique hinting at days of Autumn afternoons playing football with the guys on a blustery New England day. There was just something special about him. In his large blue eyes I could see a smoldering passion lost somewhere in years of hard work and forgotten dreams. Between my bouts of frustration with his occasional arrogance, I longed to help him recapture a few of those aspirations. I don't know why. Maybe I thought if he rediscovered those visions, in some way, he would help me find mine.
No matter my reasons, I found myself on a wet and rainy afternoon in his office, in high spirits, joking about the next project I was anticipating. I admit, subconsciously I must have decided to approach him about exploring new possibilities: I often found myself leaning forward, my hand falling on his knee for emphasis. In retrospect, I have to note he did not discourage me. Our flirting had become quite suggestive as of late. I enjoyed it. I think David did too.
"There was one more thing that I wanted to discuss with you, Mr. Thomas," I said that day, standing and shutting the door to his office. He gave me a puzzled smile. I cleared my throat. "Off the record: I just wanted to let you know if you were ever interested in pursuing something outside of the office, I would be open to it." I held my breath, honestly expecting him to demur, to suck back all the casual flirting we had been practicing.
David blinked several times before he answered. "I think a little fun is in order, Ms. Anderson." He grinned.
"Oh," I paused, surprised that he had so readily accepted my suggestion. "Well, good. I thought you might be open to exploring some new ground." Damn, he had caught me off guard.
"Actually, I really need to take a break from life. This would give me a nice vacation from reality." He continued to blink at me, the little smile never leaving his face.
"Obviously this is something we do not need to share with the whole office," I told him.
"I agree."
"And I have three rules," I added.
His eyebrows shot up. "And they are?"
"One, discretion. Two, that we respect one another, and three, the only thing I am looking for is 'a little fun'. I'm not looking for a new relationship or a commitment, just for some 'strange', understand?" My former lovers always understood, in fact, they loved rule number three. David was no exception.
"I can live with that." He leaned forward and studied me with an intensity that I suddenly found uncomfortable. David continued. "The weather is starting to get nicer. You're a 'nature girl'," he threw in a small smirk, "why don't we plan on getting together when the flowers start to come up, go for a nice hike in the woods. It would be very erotic."
It was partially true. I am somewhat of a 'nature girl', for lack of a better word. I do have a fascination for Mother Nature's wild side. But beyond all that, I just wanted to satisfy some growing desires, not to mentioned some of my curiosity. Frankly, I wanted to see David naked and discover just what kind of lover he would be. If he wanted to fuck against the background of the great outdoors, so be it. I wasn't averse to getting a few twigs in my hair. Besides, living as rural as I did, it wouldn't be the first time I played with a lover in the forest.
"I don't see any problem with that," I answered. We looked at one another for a few minutes. My heart had started to race by then and I felt a nervous pit forming in my stomach. Worse, when reaching for my pen, I realized my hand was trembling slightly. I quickly pulled it back into my lap. My anxiety was relieved somewhat when David reached for his coffee mug and I noticed that his hand was shaking too.
"I suppose I should go," I finally said, placing my paperwork back into the overstuffed date book sitting on the floor beside me. When I sat back, David held out his hand. I placed mine in his and he held it, gently rubbing my fingers, watching me. I swallowed, again feeling a little shy and wondering why. I pulled my hand from his and stood up, turning around to reach for my jacket.
It was then David really surprised me. Upon leaning forward, I felt his hand grab the waistband of my jeans and suddenly, he pulled me back against his body. His hand slipped around and brushed over my right breast as his lips grazed my ear. He murmured softly into my hair and released me as quickly as he had seized me. Caught off guard, I stammered a quick good-bye, waving my hand, and never glancing back.
That was a little over five weeks ago.
Since then we had passed one another every few days, making references to the weather and mentioning the sudden appearance of Spring flowers. It was the casual flirting that kept the fire smoldering and my imagination racing.
Two days ago I made my next move. I decided to surprise him, and popped into his office before he returned from lunch. I plopped down in a chair and flipped through a book I had carried with me so as I would have something to do with my hands while I waited. Five minutes later, David's 6'5" frame appeared.
He stopped short when he saw me, then smiled pleasantly.
"Good afternoon, Ms. Anderson," he said, grinning slyly.
"Hello Mr. Thomas," I answered back. "I just thought it was such a lovely Spring day and why not stop in and see just how you were celebrating the nice weather." I set my book aside and leaned back in my chair, crossing my legs.
