I just finished pounding the last stake into the ground and hurried to lay out the sleeping bags and pillows into the tent as I looked around to survey my surroundings. Everything looked perfect! The wood was stacked for our campfire, the cooler was set out packed with all the food we needed. My guitar was propped up next to the lawn chairs I had brought. Yes, everything was perfect.
I sat down and began to daydream about how amazing this little getaway would be. My boyfriend, Alex, had been working such long hours and we needed this time away. The school year would be starting again soon which meant our time together would be even more eaten up with work. I tried to plan each detail carefully to make this trip memorable for both of us.
I glanced at my phone, he would be here soon I imagined. I refrained from telling him what we would be doing and just insisted that it would be a surprise. Alex is the one of us who always has the surprises up his sleeve and now it was my chance to turn the tables and plan something for him. I plugged the address into his GPS on his phone that morning and told him to call me if he needed further directions. I could not wait to see him and hoped he would have as much fun as I hoped he would.
Suddenly I heard tires on the gravel path and turned my head to see his jeep coming into view. My lips curved into a slow grin. He was right on time and I stood to greet him as he pulled up to my van.
He opened his door and hopped out to bound over to me, "What in the world were you thinking not telling me what you had planned? I'm clearly not dressed for camping." His mouth was set into a broad smile with no hint of exasperation, merely surprise.
I looked slowly up his body taking in how handsome he was dressed in his work attire. I noticed the way his dress pants sat low on his hips with his white, crisp shirt tucked neatly in the waistband and how the bright white contrasted with this summer's tan. The fabric fitted nicely over his broad shoulders and toned biceps. The single unfastened button at his throat made me desire to go over and unbutton the rest.
Smoothing the cotton material over his chest, I rose up on my toes to meet his lips in a single kiss. His lips felt entirely too enticing and I wanted to linger but I had an agenda planned in my head. I pulled my lips away and looked up into his gleaming blue eyes, "Well hello to you too, mister." My mouth turned up at the corners into a bright smile. "Don't you worry your handsome head about anything. I completely have you taken care of."
I turned to reach into my vehicle and pulled out a pair of jeans and a flannel shirt for him to put on. I laid a pair of sneakers on top as I handed the pile to him, "There you go, darling. Go ahead and change and I'll meet you over by the fire. Oh, and I'll try not to peek." Reaching up I laid a soft kiss on his cheek before turning to walk away.
I just finished starting the fire and waited for the embers to grow warmer as the cool air fanned it. Soon it would be blazing and warm and it would absolutely look brilliant after the sun set. I sat down on a log and looked around just as Alex approached me. Just as I suspected, he looked just as handsome, maybe more so, in his rugged attire.
"I hope you don't mind, I grabbed one of your flannels to wear too. I was afraid it would get chilly tonight."
His eyes moved over my clothing and his lips broke out into a teasing grin. "I don't think my shirt ever looked as good on me as it does on you." He sat down, wrapping an arm around my waist and leaned over before whispering in my ear, "Do you really think I'd let you get too cold?"
His slipped under the hem of my shirt to stroke my side. I instantly felt my body warming from the inside out. I turned to press against him and slip my arms around his neck. Pulling his lips to mine as I whispered, "That is such a stupid question."
The second I felt his lips on mine, I felt his hand moving up my side letting his thumb stroke over the lacy material of my bra. I tilted my head and my fingers tangled into his hair. My lips parted allowing my tongue to search for his. They found one another instantly and began to dance and glide along one another. I felt Alex's hand cupping my entire breast and began kneading my flesh softly. Slipping the cup down with his thumb, he caressed my nipple with his index finger.
My body did not want to stop but my head made my lips pull away from his. His eyes met mine in a questioning manner. "Honey, I want this night to be perfect. I have planned everything and I just...well, I want..." I heaved an exasperated sigh when the words refused to come out.
Alex chuckled and tipped my chin up to have my eyes meet his, "Baby, it doesn't matter what we do, you and I both know, it will be perfect. I understand though."
He smoothed my bra back into place and, reluctantly, pulled his hands away from my body. Running the pad of his thumb over my lower lip, he sat back and smiled reassuringly, "So, tell me what you have planned."
I glanced into his captivating eyes as I began to explain what our evening would entail, "Something I loved as a kid were those "choose your own adventure" books. Do you remember those?"
He thought for a moment and nodded but all he could utter was, "Uh-huh." I could tell he was pondering where this might be going.
"Okay, think of this date as a choose your own adventure." Grinning up at him, I added, "I hope you don't mind hotdogs...don't worry I brought ketchup." I winked up at him as I handed him a stick.
He smiled widely enough so the corners of his eyes crinkled a bit, "Sounds wonderful... fire, some hot dogs. Wait, I have to cook my own?" He chuckled knowing my kitchen skills leave a lot to be desired.
"Fine fine...give me your stick", I muttered while biting back a laugh. I watched his eyes as I chewed my lower lip. I sensually wrapped my hand around his stick holding it firmly. He gulped a bit then shook his head. I raised my eyebrows, speared two hot dogs, and held them to rest over the flames.
I scooted my body closer to him, close enough to catch his masculine scent. I whispered seductively, "And while I do this, your first choice...coffee or hot chocolate?"
He chuckled once more, "Your stick handling caused my heart to flutter a little. I'll go with hot chocolate. Your date is fun...so far." He threw me a glance that made my face instantly warm into a reddened blush. He grabbed my knee and gave it a soft squeeze.
After propping up the stick between two rocks to let them cook for themselves, I turned to touch his cheek and nudged his lips to meet mine is the softest of kisses. I love how easily things were between him and me. There has always been such a calm, playful aura that makes being with him comfortable.
"Okay, I'm going to get our drinks but I'm not getting up twice. So for dessert...s'mores? Or campfire chocolate bananas?"
He took my kiss and returned it eagerly, "Hmm... that's too bad... I like watching you get up.
I laughed heartily while my eyes gleamed, "So what'll it be?"
As I turned to walk away, he grabbed my ass giving it a little pinch that caused me to jump. "S'mores, I love 'em. I'll watch the hot dogs."
I whirled around to meet his eyes and stole one more kiss before I moved away to rustle through our things. I grabbed a thermos, two buns topped with our individual condiments, graham crackers, chocolate bars, marshmallows, my acoustic guitar, and a blanket.
Juggling everything, I gingerly walked back to our spot. Planting myself beside him, I handed him his bun and placed everything else beside me."
"Your hand was on my bun... I like that," he chuckled as he watched my eyebrows rise up.
"Oh really, well my hands are going to be on more than just your bun tonight, baby," I winked and it was his turn to have his eyebrows rise.
He coughed slightly and changed the subject, "A guitar? Do you play? I know you sing."
"I play enough to get by. I practice a song over and over until I know it well enough," I explained as I picked up the stick to turn it over finishing our hot dogs. I turned to him and tapped his off the stick into his bun trying not to burn my fingers. I then pressed my body against his arm to kiss his lips slowly. I slid my hand over his chest, slipped my fingers inside his shirt between the buttons, and quickly pulled away. "Okay enjoy your hot dog," I grinned teasingly up at him.
I watched him shiver from the brief contact. "Your kiss leave me gasping and wanting more but I suspect I'll need my strength, so I better eat," he spoke softly then leaned over to whisper, "By the way, you feel good, April. I like how you touch me...and feed me."
I opened the thermos to pour cocoa into the lid and set it on the other side of him. I wrapped the blanket around our shoulders making only the briefest contact, picked up my guitar, and started to strum softly. I met his eyes, letting him see all the emotion they could speak, "Just listen to the words...they are perfect for us."
His eyes never left mine, as my voice began to hum softly. My eyes closed as I sang out words of comfort, of love, of being more secure in his arms than I have ever felt. My heart beat more quickly as I felt his eyes still on me.
As the song came to an end, I knew he understood. He smiled and applauded, "That was sweet April."
I blushed softly and set the guitar back down beside me.
"Okay...enough singing." I leaned closer to whisper in his ear, "While I make the s'mores, you decide the next part...hiking...swimming...or night fishing?"
As I unwrapped everything I needed, he pondered aloud, "Hiking? Well not at night. Swimming? I guess it would be some skinny dipping. Fishing? Tempting, very tempting but I don't want worm guts on my fingers and then touch you... or vice versa."
I countered back, "One, I brought flashlights. Two, yes it would be skinny dipping. Three, I brought hand-sanitizer. So, all options are available."