I watched the drop of sweat slowly roll down your back, leaving a wet trail between your shoulders blades as you sat in front of me, rowing us forward. It disappeared into your white tanktop, joining countless others that had drifted over your smooth, rippling back on that warm afternoon. Indian summer was upon us and we took our chances, deciding to enjoy the last clear, hot days of the year.
I dipped my oar into the water and turned us slightly toward the shore. The canoe slid through the water and we moved gracefully down the river. Green leaves with a twinge of gold moved past us, their limbs hanging over the river's edge. I found myself watching you much more than the landscape, though. Your sun-lightened hair was damp and pasted to the back of your neck; your round, bare shoulders rolled as you rowed at an even pace. The best moments were when you'd peek over your shoulder and I'd see those mirrored sunglasses and that lovely, dimpled smile.
Grinning to myself, I slapped my oar down on the water and sent a spray of water at your back. You gasped and turned quickly, rocking the canoe from side to side.
"Be careful there, Mister," you frowned back at me. "You don't want to make an enemy of me."
"You're right. I don't want that." I deferred and put my head down in mock shame. A few seconds later, after I lifted my face back up, your oar must have slipped, because I caught a spray of water right in the chest. I think I heard you laughing, too.
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"There it is." I pointed toward an island in the river. It was small, but there was a stand of shady trees, a grassy area, and a sandy beach on the downstream side. We picked up the pace of our rowing, moving toward the beach. The current was stronger here, so we had to pull harder on our oars. We slid down parallel to the island and as we reached the sandy tip, I dug my oar in hard and turned us straight toward the beach. Both of us leaned forward and rowed harder until the bow of the canoe dug into the riverbed. You tossed your oar onto the beach and jumped out into the foot-deep water, grabbing the prow of the canoe. I stepped carefully over our bag and cooler and jumped out on the opposite side. We shared a silent smile as we both grabbed the prow and pulled the canoe halfway up onto the shore together.
You arched your back and stretched, working out the strain of the exertion. I reached over and gave you a pat on your ass. "Nice job."
"Thanks," you smiled and reached over to give my ass a slap of its own. "You, too."
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An hour of exploring the island and a few bottles of water later, we spread a blanket out in the shade of the trees and relaxed. You tugged your shoes off and flopped down on your back, covering your eyes with your forearm. I watched you lounge for a moment, your chest rising with your breath. I turned and started to rustle through the bag, pulling out our snacks and some plastics cups.
Opening the cooler, I lifted the chilled bottle of Pinot and rummaged through the bag for our bottle opener. Finding it, I carefully popped out the cork and set it aside to breath. In the meantime, I spread some crabdip on crackers and sliced up an apple and a pear. The Dutch Gouda was soft and I cut small chunks into a pile next to the fruit. Feeling decadent, I even put a few pieces of chocolate on the tray.
I had thought you were napping, but when I glanced over at you, I saw you laying on your side, your head propped up on your hand, your blue eyes sparkling and your lips curled into a grin.
"What are you grinning at," I chuckled, smiling back at you.
"You look so serious," you said, idly pointing a finger at me.
"Well, I just wanted everything to be perfect," I replied, reaching over and pouring some wine into two plastic cups. In my head it occurred to me that nothing could be perfect if wine was being poured into plastic cups, but passed it off as a flaw in the painting that makes it a true masterpiece. Lifting up the two cups, I looked at you and said, "Now, would you like some perfect lunch?"
You rolled up onto your knees and sat back on your feet. Slowly, you ran your hands up your sides over your chest and brushed your hair back off your face. I forgot all time and space and memory when your eyes met mine and you looked at me with a different kind of hunger and said, "Later. Right now, I want the perfect kiss."
I put the cups down on top of the cooler and turned to you with as much debonair confidence as I could muster. Walking to you on my knees, I stopped just a foot in front of you and smiling, looking into your eyes. I lifted my right hand and lightly ran two fingertips down your left cheek. It slid down and cupped your face, tilting your head slightly as I moved closer to you. My arm curved around your waist and pulled our bodies together and there, in the shade by the clear, cool river, our lips met.
Our eyes closed and I felt tingles through my entire body. I think you sighed as your arms went around my neck. My hands gently caressed you as my lips slid against yours. The kiss started sweet and tender, but grew more passionate with each second. My tongue darted between your lips and met yours. Our mouths pressed together tightly as I drew you closer into my embrace. Your breasts pressed against my chest as we crushed our lips together. Our arms started to bump into each other's as they shifted, trying to explore and feel the other's body. Twisting and turning, you leaned against me and we flopped down to the ground.
Grinning and chuckling, I rolled you onto your back and laid half on top of you. You pulled me down to kiss you again and this time it was softer and playful. I stroked your neck and face. You hooked a leg over my hip and pulled me down closer to you. I don't know how much time we spent like that. Kissing your sweet, pink lips and tasting your skin was an exercise in romance. The smell of your lingering shampoo and the natural scent of your body drew me closer and compelled me to breath you in. The sounds of the river babbling, the birds chirping, and the breeze moving through the fall leaves melded with your soft breathing and wanting sighs. My every sense enjoyed every moment and only wanted more.
I kissed from your lips across your face. Reaching up with tender fingertips, I brushed a strand of your sweat-dampened hair aside so I could trail my lips over your cheek towards your ear. Leaning over you, I placed a soft kiss against your ear and breathed out against your sensitive skin. You moaned slightly and turned your head to give me better access. I grinned and licked along the curve of your ear and then tugged your earlobe between my lips. I sucked it gently and kissed where your ear and neck meet. My hands began to wander over your body as I nuzzled your ear and neck. My fingers dragged down your neck and rubbed your shoulders. Sliding down farther, they moved over your tanktop and softly massaged your breasts. You moaned and arched your back, pushing your body up against my hands and I began to kiss your neck with more passion. I spent several minutes tilting my head around your face, kissing and licking up one side of your neck and down the other.
As I moved my hands down your sides and slid them back up your ribs under your shirt, you looked up at me with those incredible eyes and smiled at me. I forgot what I was doing for a moment, just gazing down at you. You smiled again and reached up, pulling my lips down to yours. We kissed long and deep and sweet. Our tongues slid against each other and I lightly tugged on your bottom lip. After several minutes of delicious kissing my hands finally remembered their mission and moved up your sides, pushing your shirt up, baring your smooth belly and sports bra. I carefully lifted the tight top over your breasts, exposing them to the warm air and sun. You moaned into my mouth when my hands closed over your bare breasts, gently massaging them.