Rowena holds the amber liquid up to the moonlight and twirls the stem of the wine glass between her thumb and forefinger. The light fragments on the cut crystal and bursts into golden brilliant stars. The light catches in Rowena's eyes. She has a mysterious air about her tonight but I know better than to question it. So I watch silently as she draws the glass to her lips. Holding it there, she closes her eyes and breathes in deeply. I can see the pleasure warm her face as the sweet scent of the maple sugar wine reaches her nose.
There is a gentle autumn breeze but the night is warm. An autumn-scented breath brushes leaves loose and they cascade down around us, a sprinkling of deep auburns, burnt oranges and rather vibrant yellows. The colours, however, are nothing in comparison to that amber liquid Rowena has yet to take a sip of.
Her eyes remain closed, a slight smile plays on her lips. I want to taste the sweetness of her smile but I don't dare cross that line. Instead, I remain sitting with my legs outreached and watch her.
I shouldn't be here. But I really can't be anywhere but here. The current that runs between us draws me in. Like there is an elastic band pulled taut between us, I move in closer to her for some measure of relief. I find some moral relief by reminding myself that we are simply friends sharing a drink (or two).
Rowena opens her eyes and again swirls the wine gently and watches the liquid dancing in the glass. What is it that she hopes to see in there? And why has she only poured one glass? Her brown eyes rise to mine and there is a question there. Mine have an answer that betrays everything I thought I stood for. There is a conversation here, more true and of more depth than any we have had before. I am exposed but I still feel safe.
Reaching out, Rowena plucks a maple leaf from the ground by my hand. Ever so slowly, she draws the very tip of its papery skin across my hand. Electricity surges through me and my breath catches in my throat. She waits half a beat and it is all the time I would need to clear my throat, shift position or break eye contact, any of which would draw the line at a much safer distance. Instead, I slowly reach over and take the wine glass from her other hand. As I bring the glass to my lips, she continues to trail the maple leaf ever so slightly up my arm. My skin is completely alive, aware of every minute touch. The scent of sweet maple reaches my nostrils just as Rowena delicately extracts the glass from my hands. Her eyes hold mine as she brings the glass to her own lips, opening them ever so slightly to sip the sugary nectar. My body is on complete alert - I want this so desperately. Leaning forward, she brings her lips to mine. Warm and soft and so very, very gentle, she nudges mine. I feel the very tip of her tongue teasing me. I open my mouth enough to close around hers. Oh, the magical sweetness that is found there!
There is nothing like the first kiss. Moreover, there is nothing like a forbidden first kiss.
She tastes like sugared maple candy and I can't help but gently suck her bottom lip. I want more. The exquisite passion that blossoms, unfurls its velvet petals, pulls me in and I topple over into a pool of heightened sensation. I want nothing more than to peel back the layers that separate us and give in to her seduction. I take control of the kiss, pushing my fingers into her hair and pulling her in to me. The kiss is a mΓ©lange of tender passion, equal understanding and aching, raw desire.
Pulling back slightly, Rowena sets the wine aside. Her fingers find the buttons on my shirt and she watches the longing in my eyes as she slowly undoes me one button at a time. Slipping her hands under the collar, she eases the fabric from my chest and down my arms. I extract my arms and toss the shirt aside.
My hands sneak between the bottom hem of her shirt and I gently hold her hips in place as I lean forward to catch another taste of sweet bliss from her lips. I feel her breath warm on my cheek as she groans ever so slightly. Running my hands up her soft sides, I draw her shirt up and over her head. Loose chocolate ringlets cascade down her back and she blinks, watching my expression carefully as I cast her shirt aside. I lean into her and begin tracing a line of light kisses from that tender place on her neck down over the swell of her breasts. Reaching around her, I swiftly release the clasps of her bra and her breasts drop free.