First Kiss 54

As he sat on the edge of his bed, before turning out the bedside lamp for the night, Bill thought about the funny little twists of fate and how things in life always seem to happen with your best interests in mind. Today had been very much one of those days. A day that, for months, seemed like it would never happen.

You see, there was this girl. Bill smiled to himself as he thought about that. Doesn't it always seem to be about a girl? However, Bill had dated some post-divorce, as he liked to categorize this segment of his life, but no one girl had really held his interest for any period of time. Recently, Bill had become comfortable with the notion that he would likely spend the rest of his life as a bachelor. He had actually come to think he could like the freedom to come and go as he pleased, or maybe that's just what he told himself to get by.

Anyway...there was this girl. Like a lot of transplanted singles Bill's age, he had dabbled with online dating sites. Mostly, he had just found them to be scary! I mean, it didn't take long to see why most of these people were single. Issues! They all had issues! Not that Bill was totally free of his own baggage, but, by comparison, he thought he'd made it to this point of life relatively free of that sort of thing. The thing was, over some four months since first contacting this girl, today was only the second time he'd ever been out with her. The economy had been especially tough on Bill's career post-divorce. Add to that, a fierce independence, which was the direct product of several years of being basically a self-employed entrepreneur.

Of all the girls living within a 20-mile radius, Bill mused how and why he was still texting and messaging this particular girl who lives 60 miles away. He had repeatedly told himself, and her, that the distance was too great to even consider dating. But yet, they were still talking. Similar interests seemed to keep them talking, but money was really tight. The price of gasoline, as well as most everything else, had spiraled out of control, to a point that dating was almost unaffordable for Bill. But today, they had both felt caged up and had decided to meet at a point of equal distance between each other. No real plans. There was a quiet little park. A lake with a few scattered benches, and a walkway that wandered along the lakeshore and through shaded flower gardens.

This would be the setting for what Bill and Karen would each look back on as a day to remember.

A morning shower had passed, leaving the flowers looking especially vibrant. Their fragrance was intoxicating, and the green plants were left just a bit greener by the rain. Or, was that just the way Bill would remember it? The air was cool and fresh when they arrived and stepped from their cars.

Any reservations Bill might have had about meeting today were put aside by Karen's easy smile and the electricity that ran from his fingertips to his toes, as they lightly brushed cheeks with a modest greeting hug. Although he wasn't sure if Karen noticed, he was from that moment, lost for the day. She had him under that hypnotic spell only a woman of interest can unknowingly cast over a man smitten. It's at times like these, that it's apparent that man is very much the weaker sex.

Karen was light and breezy, and Bill floated along beside her, after creating the illusion he was in control of the afternoon's agenda. Her smile was framed by an irresistible pair of cute little dimples., and accented by her auburn hair that Bill could only imagine his fingers running through. Talk came surprisingly free and easy between them. Recent outings had generally found Bill searching for things to talk about. But, Karen was different. He easily forgot about the distance and any other reasons he had used to convince himself to not risk getting involved with this lady. Today was a day they had decided they both needed. Work had been draining, and an afternoon of leisure with unpressured company, the company of the opposite sex, seemed to be the perfect antidote.

Knowing that Karen enjoyed wine and fresh fruit, Bill had packed a basket with a red and white checkered tablecloth to spread out on the ground under a tree that overlooked the lake. The tree was on a hillside that Bill thought would be quiet while allowing for a perfect spot to watch the sun drop over the horizon. The afternoon passed quickly as the two shared stories and laughter which likely would have been lost on others. They just seemed to clique.

As the sun lowered, its light illuminated the sparkle Bill had already noticed in Karen's eyes. Seeing it was a bit bright for her comfort, Bill touched her cheek gently, turning it so the sun would not be uncomfortable for her. Taking the cue, Karen leaned into Bill's touch, and he pulled her to his chest. If he hadn't already known, the soft fragrance of Karen's hair only served to attest to the fact that Bill was lost for the remainder of the day. He couldn't help but plant one soft kiss on the top of her forehead, as he buried his nose in her hair, addicted to the feel of its texture against his skin, as well as to the way she welcomed his face being there.

Talk soon wasn't the focus, and Bill was no longer sure what he had said most of the afternoon. His arm instinctively dropped to Karen's waist, as he drew her close. There they continued, without further words, silently holding each other in the late afternoon sun. Not that either of them really noticed the sun at that point.

After a time, Karen got up and walked a few feet to the old rock wall where the hillside overlooked the lake. Bill admired how the sun made her hair shine as he watched her from his place by the basket. Without speaking, he rose and walked over to Karen from behind her, slipping his arms around her waist. Somehow, he knew her thoughts were of that distance he had often begrudged, which so limited the chances of them spending any real time together. But, he wasn't going to let that come between them today. After all, they had chosen to spend this afternoon together. They had chosen each other's company as a diversion from their busy schedules.

Bill turned Karen to face him and again drew her body close to his. Her warmth and soft skin were a reminder of what he had missed for some time, and he chose to hold her close. No words need be spoken. Their bodies did the talking. Karen looked up at Bill, feeling the same contentment. Having watched Karen's lips form words all afternoon, he now gently touched them for the first time with his fingertips. As her lips slightly parted, he ever so lightly traced their curve as she offered no resistance. His forefinger slowly followed her lower lip as it became her chin, and then lifted her face softly until their eyes met.

Bill saw in Karen's eyes an endearing warmth, and they were dark, as if in a darkened room. A breeze just then caused a tendril of hair to fall to her face. Taking it as the romance god's way of telling him that now was the moment, he gently brushed it from her face. As he did, his fingers slowly caressed her cheek, causing her to smile. He playfully touched the resulting dimple. But quickly, they both made it obvious that "playful" wasn't what they were thinking. Bill's fingertips slowly traced every inch of Karen's face. He paid special attention to her eyebrows, as well as her hairline across her forehead. He slowly and softly traced it to her temples, and then behind her left earlobe. His other hand rose and slipped through her auburn hair until it found the nape of her neck. Looking deeply into her eyes, his hands cupped her face.

The soft warmth had become hot, and Bill drew his face close to Karen's. His lips grazed against her forehead, then teased her eyebrows, before brushing against her cheek. Slowly and seductively, Bill's lips breezed across her ear and then discovered her neck. The first taste of Karen's neck was from an ever-so-soft flick of his tongue. His breath quickened just a bit, as her taste reached his senses. Again their eyes locked onto each other's. At this moment, they each knew where their lips wanted to be. Bill's first taste of Karen's lips was from a soft and lingering kiss as if cupping her lower lip between his until he let it slip free. Her eyes again met his as he held her face between his hands. The next couple of hours were something that Bill would rewind, and play again in his mind over time. First kisses, when they kindle sparks, are never forgotten.

As the bedside light went out and Bill's bedroom turned to darkness, his lips still felt Karen's presence. Her fragrance lingered, as he fell into peaceful sleep, doubtlessly with dreams of the day, with its waves of kisses and caresses. Memories of the looks between the two split through the darkness, and caressed the contented man to his sleep.