I loved this time of year, late summer made for the perfect hiking weather. The forest was picturesque with the leaves just starting to show signs of the changing colors of fall. This year we were especially fortunate to be having an unusually dry, warm weather stretch in Southern Ontario.
I was out on a new 10-kilometre trail an hour from the city where I lived. I liked to try and explore new trails at least twice a month. Usually, my "Hiking Divas," ladies' group comes with me, but I was solo today breaking my own rule, no hiking alone on unfamiliar trails. I'm a little directionally challenged on a normal road let alone in a forest! It would be the first of many of my personal rules I broke that day as it were.
Maybe less than two kilometres into the trail, I'd paused to take it all in and to have a sip of water. It was always a better experience when the trails were quiet, the wildlife were out and around. The chipmunks were by far my favorites, they always look like they're on a fun cocaine high.
Not that I'd noticed until I felt a presence, but someone was approaching. A rugged-looking man was coming up behind me, he looked like he spent a lot of time outdoors based on his dark complexion, and his gear implied he was an experienced hiker. He had on black cargo shorts, and an olive-green sweat-resistant t-shirt, that fit his 5-foot 10-inch frame quite well. He had dark-brown eyes and short black hair. This specimen of a fit man's wrists had bandanas wrapped around each of them, Salomon trail runners and the newest hydro water pack strapped to his broad back.
"Hey," he said, are you ok?
I said, "Oh thanks for asking, ya I'm fine, just taking a pause to admire the scenery, I haven't been here before."
"Seriously? Oh, it's beautiful! Are you a regular hiker?"
"Yeah, I am, but I live east of here, so this is new terrain for me, I hope it's not too high of an elevation." He quickly launched into an excited utterance about the trail and its hidden gems.
"Oh wow, I'm looking forward to it then, I'm Nylah by the way."
"Kendrick, nice to meet you."
A few minutes later he was offering to escort me along the path. I'm always up for a little adventure; so how could I resist? I set off behind him, keeping up with his pace.
We were about 5 kilometres deep into the trail based on the GPS reverse trail tracker function on my new Samsung titanium watch. He was a great guide, telling me the history of the forest and pointing out all the buried treasures nature's beauty held. The tree formed like a horse, and the seasonal berries with such vibrant colours, I was all in.
Walking side by side, the sun was warming our faces when it found its way through the canopy of leaves, and the fresh air was intoxicating. I felt light and free.
We stopped for some water, parched from the brisk walk, I was leaning against a tree, my new guide in front of me, using his right and very toned arm for support over my head. His smile was infectious, and his triceps were flexing quite nicely.
We chatted a bit about different trails we'd been on and basic personal stuff. He'd grown up nearby and started hiking the trails in his 1st year at university. He admitted it was not for the love of nature, but it was a good, secluded place to get wasted with friends on cheap beer. Mind you, he still looked relatively young to me; I would guess he couldn't have been more than 32.
Jostling a handful of berries, he picked off the tree in his free hand he said, "Open your mouth." I have no idea what was making me so obedient to this stranger, but I opened wide and four red berries landed on my tongue; they were smooth and cold. Before I even had a chance to start chewing, he leaned in and kissed me.
His tongue found its way into my mouth, twirling around until he found the berries. We kissed simultaneously chewing the berries, they crunched and squirted their tart juices on the inside of my cheeks. His kiss was deep and hard enough that I felt my hair getting caught up in the bark of the tree he was pushing me up against.
He broke off the kiss to my displeasure and pulled away cocking his head to one side asking, "Do you trust me? I want to show you something special Nylah."
He was so disarming I wanted to say
'Yes, of course, I trust you,'
but that would be crazy given I'd only met him an hour ago. Instead, I relied on my street smarts. I looked around, it was a public place, still light out, okay a little secluded but my gut, or perhaps my loins overrode my common sense and I said, "Yes," with only the slightest hesitation.
"The trail is nice, but there are some older less used paths. Not too many people know about it or walk them anymore". He saw the look of disbelief in my eyes and tried to put me at ease.
"I'm not going to hurt you, I promise. Follow me." Famous last words of a serial killer I thought, but still, I accepted his hand and let him lead me off the beaten path.
He led me on some overgrown path, its thick prickly shrubs and brush a deterrent I'm sure to most. I counted the added obstacles as part of the adventure. It was adjacent to the newer one that was neatly coiffed by boots and shoes trampling it down. Instead, we were walking in the knee-high brush. We walked for a bit until we came to this huge tree with a thick canopy of leaves.
"This Is my favourite tree in this forest," Kendrick said walking around its huge trunk and tracing his hand along it. It's the only tree left of its kind still alive in here anymore. It's special, just like you."
I smirked, well there's a line if I'd ever heard one! I held back from rolling my eyes, and instead retorted coyly, "Oh really, what makes me so special?"
"Where should I start?" he replied, backing me up against the massive tree, leaning in with his pelvis so I could feel his bulge.
"Your eyes have the prettiest twinkle in them with this light" so naturally I fluttered my lashes.
"Your legs and arms are lean and toned, and your ass is phenomenal."
"Is it now?"
"Yeah, I've been trying to sneak a peak all day, can I get a closer look?"
Again, I obeyed. Turning around I flicked up my skirt, allowing him only a quick glimpse of my smooth round milk chocolate skin.
"Awe c'mon that was such a tease!"