Our drive down was charged with excitement, and with all the anxiety of a young relationship. In our borrowed car we crept through west London, over the flyovers of Notting Hill and out into the countryside. A hot early summer's afternoon and an adventure. You taking me to a place where you had been as a child, been with others, a place with real significance and memory for you, and of unknowns for me.
Would we have enough to talk about on the journey? For the weekend? Would it be the same as you remembered, as I imagined, when we arrived? Would I live up to your expectations and would I respond as you hoped to the place that you were taking such a leap in sharing with such a new lover?
The holidays and experiences of youth filled our conversations that afternoon. I told you about places with similar significance to me, both connecting with you and aware that our lack of shared experience made our relationship brittle and risky. Old relationships were skirted around and sensitive details avoided on both sides. How did I feel, knowing you had brought previous boyfriends to the same place, yet wasn't able to ask about them - because of my own nerves as well as your selective retelling?
We did not run out of things to say, but the hours went on, and the landscape opened up more than the conversation. Over rolling hills we both exchanged carefully chosen anecdotes and stories, a well-rehearsed exercise that was both affirming and lacking in depth. Our nerves were clear to see on both sides.
Although we had only known one another a short time, I was completely besotted with you. Whilst I tend to fall for people quickly, this felt different and the stakes felt high. I had thought that there was no hope that you would ever look at me twice, let alone take me to this place so important to you. I was initially attracted by your humour, the way you put people at ease, and your striking appearance. Your hair the colour of fire, your face astonishingly pretty, with strong features and dancing eyes, and your whole body was perfect. I felt so lucky in that moment to have arrived with you, it was unbelievable. My heart raced at the thought of the weekend here with you, with the chance to get to know one another in a new way and to enjoy each other.
Eventually the mighty arches of a ruined priory appeared in the distance. It was as spectacular as you had described and more romantic than I had imagined. A dilapidated pile nestling below the heather-strewn lick of a hill. The last of the evening sunshine, low and orange, cast long shadows across a treeless landscape and between roman arches.
As we walked in to the old fashioned pub that also served as the hotel reception, we were met by a slightly miserable woman in her 50s. She told us about the strict rules and timings for meals, and handed you the key to our room. An old man, a hiker with a dog, watched us over the rim of a heavy mug of tea, picking at the crumbs of his slice of cake.
We climbed up a creaky spiral staircase, grasping the thick sisal rope which wound steeply up the central column of the stone stairs. The key turned easily in the heavy wooden door and light flooded into the landing as you pushed it open. Our eyes adjusted and we found ourselves in a large bright room. Ancient floorboards and dusty rugs led towards a slit window through which the evening sun was streaming in.
The only furniture apart from a small chest of drawers was a dark four poster bed, its mahogany frame and columns almost reaching the simply plastered ceiling. We flung our bags down and turned to one another with a non-verbal exchange of relief to have arrived. You kissed me with a real passion. Your body pressed against mine, your lips opening, allowing my tongue to play with yours. I pulled you closer still, enjoying the feeling of you against my chest. I lowered my hands to the waistband of your grey jeans, and you put your hands on my hips, slightly pulling my leg between yours. You broke off our kiss despite my best efforts to sustain it. "Let's have a drink and think about dinner"
Downstairs, the old fashioned dining room attached to the pub was almost empty but for a middle-aged American couple talking loudly about their Welsh heritage. Dinner was filling and cheap, but disappointing - like the 1950s never ended. Meat stews, mashed potato, bread. The beer was good though, and we chatted about our plans for tomorrow - a walk up on the ridge, a picnic, waterproofs because of the forecast rain.
Returning to our room at closing time we laughed about how bad dinner was, more than a little inebriated from the ale. As you locked the door behind us, I held you around the waist, hugging you from behind and around your belly. I kissed the nape of your neck and felt you relax into me as my kisses crept to the side of your neck. I placed my hands on your shoulders and gently massaged them. You took your hairband out and I ran fingers through your beautiful red curls, gently releasing them over your shoulders. You turned your neck to kiss me on my lips. Yours were already warm and I was filled with excitement. As you turned your body round to face me, you leant back on the door, allowing me to push up against you.
Our mouths opened and your tongue explored me. Our teeth briefly touched and I think we both realised how filled with energy we felt. As we kissed, I slowly moved my hand up your side, stopping as I felt the bottom of your bra beneath your clothes. Your warm breast fitted perfectly in my hand, and your increased breathing told me to continue. Using my thumb, I felt your nipple becoming erect to my touch under your shirt. I gently pinched it between my thumb and forefinger.
You lifted your shirt up, revealing a silvery bra and freckled, perfect, iridescent skin. I pulled my T-shirt over my head and your hands explored my back and shoulders. I reached around to your back and unclipped your bra carefully. As I pulled it forwards and down your arms, I held your naked breasts with both hands, their softness filling me with desire and yearning for us both to be naked. I could see your pink nipples, slightly puckered and surrounded by large areolas and I felt your enjoyment as my mouth reached for your left breast. Licking around your nipple at first, the circular motion was clearly turning you on. I was already half erect and desperate to have my thirst quenched by you. Pressing my groin against yours, you were gently pushing back in a slow and very sensual way. Feeling my growing erection, you unbuttoned my trousers, just enough to allow my penis to be comfortable, but no more. At this, I took your nipple into my mouth for the first time, cupping your breast lightly and feeling its weight in my hand. You moaned, pushing your hands down inside my boxer shorts and holding my bottom.
I kissed your breast for some minutes, sucking gently on the increasingly dark nipple, before licking across your chest and finding your other, just as hard. By now I was so excited I could barely contain myself and I was worried I might cum then and there. I focused on breathing and on getting the rhythm right for you, judging my success by your moans, increasing now in number and in volume.
You took your hands from the back of my trousers and undid the remaining buttons, pulling them down as you did so. I was stood in this ancient room, half naked with the most beautiful woman I had ever met, and I felt it could not get any better than this.
I returned the favour, undoing the top button and unzipping your jeans. You slid them down your hips, wiggling slightly to help them down, and I saw you wearing nothing but your sheer blue knickers. I felt more horny than I had ever felt in my life.
You took me by the hand and led me to the four poster bed in the middle of the room. You faced me and sat down on the bed, your legs slightly apart and me between them, still standing up. I could clearly see the mound between your legs, the rounded triangular space within your pants that I knew marked your most intimate space. I placed my hands once more on your beautifully freckly, strong shoulders, and used my weight to push you backwards onto your back. My body followed and I lay on top of you. I felt your firm breasts against my chest once more, but this time your top half was naked and your warm areolas against my own chest only made me harder.
My erection now pressed against your barely covered crotch, and I began moving against you, your legs lifted slightly at your knees. I could feel how hot you had become and was desperate to enjoy your nakedness at last. My length moved the soft cleft between your legs, and you slightly adjusted the angle of your hips, ensuring I rubbed against your clitoris beneath your pants. You pulled my boxer shorts down, finally releasing me, and you lifted your hips from the bed, signalling that I should do the same for you. I pulled your pants down, enjoying a first glimpse at your naked vulva as I edged them down your legs and over your feet.
Your auburn hair was closely cropped and I could just make out the outline of your outer labia as I removed your knickers. Two perfectly thin strips of very pale pink skin raised slightly at the top, the only clue to indicate the hood of your clitoris, your outer lips perfectly closed. I ran a hand up your leg, over your slim hips and back to your breasts, kissing you deeply as I did so. Your hands made their way to my groin, and I felt you hold my erect penis for the first time.