A valley stretched into gray-blue mist shrouding a dry stony riverbed far below the switchbacks they had just hiked up. They were high enough now that they could see the mountain range marching into the distance in a deepening purple splendor. It had been a long hike but her whole body was pulsing with energy.
When she turned to look back at him she caught the moony expression on his face as he gazed at the view through the towering spruces. When he caught her glance he smiled a small affectionate turning up of the corners of his mouth. The dimple on his cheek and the look on his face made her mouth go dry. The fresh mountain air and the smell of him blended into a powerful aphrodisiac. She was suddenly heady with wanting him.
He could read her desire the instant it flared through her body as if his body was tuned into the same frequency as hers. His look was serious and moving in closer he leaned in and kissed her. His lips were cool from the exercise, but his tongue flicking against hers was warm and she invited it into her and breathed in the good, clean taste of him. They were both reluctant to separate, the kiss deepening with passion and longing. Finally she pulled away breathless and grinning and registered the world around her.
The woods were quiet in the early afternoon warmth, as if all eyes were watching them, waiting, anticipating. โCome on,โ he smiled at her and took her hand leading her off the path. โWe made good time, letโs take a break.โ
โHey โ you got something more than a granola bar on your mind?โ She teased him gently. He arched an eyebrow at her. โGot a lot on my mindโฆ how about you?โ She smiled in reply and followed him.
They wandered from the path across the soft pineneedle-clad ground till they came to an area sheltered from the path by a shield of enormous boulders. The sun was warm and golden, filtered through a regal pine. They took off their packs. His walking shirt hung open and she watched his taut stomach muscles moving under the light caramel of his tanned skin as he bent and retrieved the water bladder from his pack and took a long drink. He offered it to her next and she drank after him. Before sheโd finished he was there, right near her, staring at her intently.
โBaby, letโs get naked!โ โYes, please,โ she responded and slid her hands across the smooth planes of his chest and pulled him closer to her. He stepped in and pushed her up against the sun-warmed boulder as she took off his sweaty shirt and ran her fingers along the firm, lean flesh of his shoulders and arms.