Blooming

CHAPTER SEVEN: BLOSSOMING

I left the office early on Friday after a week of, as Olider advised, keeping my head down and my chin up. Frankly, I'd been spending most of my time daydreaming and planning out my weekend with Blythe, anyway. For the upcoming issue, I'd been given a couple of dinky little pieces on local music and business, which was the sort of work they had me doing when I first started, so I wasn't giving it as much effort as I would've back then. Instead, I was thinking about evenings, when Blythe would call me on the phone and talk my ear off while I drove home. Going up to hers wasn't practical on a daily basis, so we spent hours and hours on the phone together.

When I pulled up outside of Blythe's, she was waiting for me in the driveway, wearing a simple white tank top and jeans, holding a black duffel bag. Blythe was one of those people who could make the simplest outfit so sexy and classy. I'd only seen her in sweaters and suits, so this was a charming change of pace. Her toned arms were gorgeous on full display. She wrapped me up in them when I got out of the car and practically skipped toward her. Like we were in some teen romcom, she lifted me slightly off the ground, spun me around, and kissed me passionately.

"It feels so good to just kiss you," Blythe said, her whole face glowing. Then she actually got a look at me and took a step back. I'd worn a powder blue sundress, but it admittedly would fit in better at the club than a Sunday morning service. The shirred bust held up and outlined my large breasts and I knew they looked good. It was the exact right length to be flirty, my ass visible if I bent over, and it was flowy enough to risk that actually happening if a breeze picked up just right. I rolled my eyes as she dramatically looked me up and down, gestured for me to do a spin, and said, "Holy shit, you look hot."

"I don't get to dress cute very often; I figured this was a good occasion."

"Let's create lots more 'occasions' so I can see every single cute outfit you have."

I laughed and gave her one more quick kiss.

She shouldered her bag as we walked back to the car to start on our journey.

"Meanwhile, I'm absolutely freezing."

"You won't be once we're there." I laughed as I put her duffel into the trunk and we got settled in the car. "I know you've been up in the mountains for a hell of a long time, but to the rest of the world, it's the end of Spring and once we go south a little ways, you'll wish we were wearing even less."

She gave me a wink. "I always wish you were wearing even less."

The journey from the cold, mountainous terrain to the warm, blossoming valleys below was like traveling between seasons. As we descended, the air grew warmer, and the landscape transformed before our eyes. Gone were the patches of lingering snow, replaced instead by vibrant greenery and bursts of colorful flowers in full bloom.

Rolling down the windows, we let the fresh, fragrant air fill the car, carrying with it the sweet scent of spring. The sun beat down on us, warming our skin and lifting our spirits as we left the chill of the mountains behind. Soon, the temperature rose to the point where we shed our jackets, reveling in the newfound warmth as we drove on.

As we approached our destination, the scenery became even more enchanting. The road wound its way through lush valleys and alongside babbling brooks, leading us to a secluded lake surrounded by rows of pink cherry trees and white willows in full bloom. Even though I'd spent most of Wednesday scouring Google images for the perfect spot, I was still thrilled to find that it was in full bloom like I'd hoped.

I parked the car nearby and turned to Blythe. "We have to do a little bit of a walk first, but I packed us a picnic."

Blythe laughed gently. "Really? A picnic? Damn, you really are cute."

"I try."

"No, no you don't."

I grabbed the picnic basket from the trunk, which I'd hidden away behind my other bags for the weekend so she wouldn't notice. And we made our way down to the water's edge, the soft grass beneath our feet mingling with the gentle rustle of leaves overhead. Finding a secluded spot beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms felt like stumbling upon a hidden oasis. The delicate pink petals danced in the gentle breeze, creating a magical atmosphere that enveloped us as we spread out a soft, floral-patterned blanket on the lush grass below. The dappled sunlight filtered through the branches above, freckling our faces and bodies.

Blythe opened up the basket of food and, once again, chuckled at me, affectionate but teasing. "You really went all out here, huh?"

"This is our first real meal together and our first real date."

She was right, though. I'd gone a little wild at the local market. Freshly baked baguettes, an assortment of artisanal cheeses and cured meats, plump strawberries, juicy slices of watermelon, and perfectly ripe grapes. Underneath, a bottle of pale pink rose, close to the blossoms overhead. I poured one for each of us into plastic champagne flutes

Blythe held her cup to mine. "A toast to doing something wrong because it feels right."

I tapped my cup to hers and sipped. The crisp, refreshing taste was the perfect complement to the warm late afternoon. While we ate, time and pressure and deadlines and rules faded into the background. Instead, only this moment existed. The way her lips wrapped around a strawberry before biting, the juice glistening on her lips. The way she fed me grapes like I was Demeter and then kissed me like Aphrodite. The way we were learning to finish each other's sentences, to laugh at each other's jokes, to know exactly how to touch.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow across the lake, we settled in to watch the sunset together. The sky exploded in a riot of colors, painting the clouds with hues of pink, orange, and purple as the day faded into night. And as we sat there, side by side, hand in hand, I couldn't help but feel a sense of peace and contentment wash over me, knowing that I was exactly where I was meant to be. Her head leaned on top of mine and her thumb traced small circles on the back of my hand and everything was in its place.

The sun finished its descent below the horizon, replaced by a sky of clear, deep blue twilight. The crescent moon was bright but outshined by an umbrella of stars. We weren't quite far enough from civilization to see the Milky Way, but I could make out all of the constellations I knew, their brightest stars calling my attention.

I turned, pressed my lips to Blythe's ear, and asked, "Want to go for a swim?"

She shook her head. "It's definitely not warm enough for that, baby."

I looked at her and grinned at the first use of a pet name in our relationship. After a quick kiss, I stood up, took her hands in mine, and pulled her up. Feeling playful and a little tipsy, I replied in a sing-songy voice, "I bet I could convince you."

"I don't doubt that, but-"

With a mischievous grin, I stepped back, kicked off my shoes, tugged the thin straps off my dress over my shoulders, and let the dress itself fall around my feet. I was naked underneath, my pale breasts reflecting the moonlight, and Blythe's eyes devoured me, surprised to see my entire body exposed to the elements. "Yeah, that's pretty convincing."

Blythe moved to close the gap between us to kiss me. Before she could reach me, I ran gleefully toward the water, throwing a pointed look over my shoulder, challenging her to chase me down. I imagined her rolling her eyes, but I heard her footsteps behind me as I reached the shore. Before I could lose my nerve, I plunged into the cool, refreshing embrace of the lake. The water was cold enough to send a shiver down my spine as it hit every inch of my bare skin, but it was more invigorating than chilling.

As she stripped her clothes off, Blythe called out into the night, "You're crazy, Daisy!"

My laugh rose like church bells over the water. "That's what they call me!"

Then Blythe was naked, too, and she was wading into the lake. She shrieked as the cold water grazed her belly button. I swam closer to her and splashed her, feeling mischievous and ridiculous. She cut me a look like 'you're in for it, now' and rushed me, plunging us both under the water. As we surfaced, laughing and gasping for breath, the thrill of the moment ignited the spark that was always smoldering between us, moments from setting everything ablaze.

We settled, fresh water dripping off our hair, further down the lake. The water was up just above our breasts. Blythe grabbed me by the hips and pulled me upward. Instinctively, I wrapped my legs around her waist so that she was holding me up, the water lifting us both on the borderline of weightlessness. Our lips met, both of us holding back smiles, and I felt our breasts touching, our stomachs touching, our bodies woven into one. She held me like that, humming softly, for what felt like hours but still wasn't long enough, like a dream you don't want to forget when you wake up. She only put me down because we needed to swim to warm up again.

If that wasn't the case, I think she would've held me forever.

As we floated side by side, lazily swimming on our backs, the moonlight casting a soft glow upon the water, our laughter echoed across the lake, mingling with the gentle lapping of the breeze on the surface. I felt truly alive for maybe the first time in my life. It was me and Blythe and the world was ours to commune with. This? This was more important than office politics and feature stories. Our heartbeats synchronized with the wings of hummingbirds and with each other. If I could bottle this feeling, I'd never have to drink again.

When we left the water, pruney and cold but vibrant as we always were together, Blythe wrapped us both up in the picnic blanket to dry off. Then, she braided my wet hair back and tied it off a piece of ribbon from the picnic basket. We helped each other get dressed again and went back to the car.

As we drove to the charming bed & breakfast I had reserved in the nearby town, the coziness of the day and excitement for the upcoming weekend still lingered in the air between us. The quaint streets and cozy storefronts passed by in a blur of light and inviting charm, the perfect backdrop to an evening that already felt dreamy. Pulling up to the bed & breakfast, we were greeted by the soft glow of lanterns and the welcoming warmth of the old white inn's facade.

Hand in hand, not needing to say a word, we made our way inside, where the innkeeper welcomed us with a friendly smile and the promise of a peaceful night's rest. Our room was cozy and inviting, with delicate floral wallpaper and antique wooden furniture. It was rustic and classic, the bed made with pastel linens and plump downy pillows. There was an unspoken agreement that we were too tired for anything more than sleep tonight, which I was thankful for. Not having to come up with an excuse because I felt totally comfortable with someone was a novel but welcome concept.

We showered together, kissing and touching without any goals as we washed each other's hair and bodies. Blythe put on a cream silk slip, which was so her, and I shrugged on an oversized tee and skimpy underwear. There was something so simple and intimate about brushing our teeth, doing our skincare, and preparing for bed together. It felt natural, as comfortable as unhooking my bra after work. After freshening up, we slipped into the bed and each other's arms. Blyth spooned me, softly kissing my shoulder every once in a while and gently caressing up and down my side underneath my shirt. I fell asleep.

CHAPTER EIGHT: GETAWAY

I woke up to Blythe running her hand lazily over my hips, just tracing shapes lightly on my skin. She noticed me stirring and said, "Good morning, gorgeous."

I flipped over, my leg over hers so I could hold her as close as possible. Nothing felt better than our faces being an inch apart, eyes sleepy, bodies pressed together. "How'd you sleep?"

Blythe kissed my forehead. "Better than I have in a long time, actually. You?"

"Honestly? Same. It's good to be away from everything."

"Agreed." Her fingers ran through my hair. "Away from everything but you."

She kissed me again, her lips firm on mine, and I kissed her back. Without saying anything, we were already falling into each other. Our bodies fit together like pieces of a puzzle, each curve and contour aligning. When we were together, I could see the bigger picture that only made sense when our pieces fit into place. The intimacy and intricacy of our kiss felt like we were old friends tending a long-awaited flame instead of the new lovers we really were.

Our breath mingled, creating a heady atmosphere of shared desire that enveloped us entirely. Wrapped in the gentle cocoons of each other's arms, our breaths began to speed up in tandem. My hips rocked forward, grinding my barely-clothed clit against her thigh, and her hand went to my ass, edging me on. The sleepiness began to evaporate from both of us, replaced by an easygoing, comfortable desire for each other.

Blythe slowly undressed me, each piece of fabric getting mixed up in the blankets and sheets that held us. Her hands went to my breasts. She kneaded them for a moment, her hands warming me up until my chest was flush with the heat of desire. Her thumbs gently rubbed symmetrically over my nipples and left me breathless as I gripped the silk that separated her body from mine.

I hiked her slip up around her waist. She didn't wear anything underneath, so my hand ran over her sloping hip and along her thighs. Memorizing her was everything to me. From the way her stomach moved with her breaths to the indent of her waist, Blythe was mine to explore and take. With no underwear in my way, I reached between her legs easily. She spread apart for me and shifted onto her back to give me better access.

Before I could start fingering her in earnest, Blythe stopped me and said, "Get on your knees so I can touch you, too."

I didn't need to be told twice. On my knees next to her on the bed, I reached down between her legs. Her pussy was wet. There was a special kind of pride that came from knowing such a gorgeous, elegant, reserved woman got so turned on at just the thought of me touching her, taking her, having her. My eyes fluttered closed as my fingers glided between her folds, coated in her smooth wetness.

As a soft moan trailed from her lips, two of Blythe's fingers found my clit with effortless ease like she'd done it a million times before and would do it a million times more -- which I hoped, fervently, that she would. The moment her fingers were on me, I groaned. We matched pace with one another, both of us listening to each other's bodies. She circled my clit over and over, two fingers working in tandem, as I did the same for her.

The more turned on I got, the weaker my shaking thighs got. When I leaned over to get a better balance, my breasts dangled over her face, and she greedily took one of my nipples into her mouth. The moan that left me was loud enough to be heard through the hotel's walls, I was sure of it, but I let it out anyway. The sound encouraged Blythe forward. Her fingers sped up, insistent, never rushing me but always pushing the pace to maximize pleasure.

When she looked up at me, her eyes smoldering, I came hard and fast, unable to control my body's reaction to the intensity of connecting with her. My cunt spasmed as it coated her fingers with wetness. She didn't let up on my clit until my hips were bucking and begging to ease up on the contact. Blythe lifted up her fingers to her mouth and sucked my taste off. The way her lips wrapped around anything was so fucking hot.

Still breathing heavily from my own orgasm, I pushed Blythe back on the bed, spread her knees apart, and dived between her legs as she gasped. I knew she was already getting close from my fingers, so it wouldn't take long with my mouth. Still, I savored every second of tasting her, even as I went to town on her clit.

The tart taste of her pussy was the perfect way to wake up my tongue, which flicked over her clit constantly. She was already wet and warmed up, so I thrust two of my fingers inside of her and curled them back toward myself. Going down on her was effortless; she responded with not only conscious moans but unconscious twitches and clenches that I could read more easily than one of her books. I found the rhythm that connected every part of her to each other.

When Blythe came on my fingers, it was the richest sensation in the world. Her pussy tasted so sweet as she flooded me and her cunt was strong as it gripped my fingers hard. She groaned, almost animalistic, and her thighs became earmuffs around my head. I relished every single second of her grinding against my face like I was just a toy for her to use. Experiencing someone in that raw, almost primal state of arousal had always been hugely satisfying for me.

In a few moments, we were both gasping for air as we collapsed next to each other, on the brink of both laughter and love and lust. As the sun filtered through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room, we lingered in the comfort of each other's arms, reluctant to leave the cocoon of our shared intimacy. Eventually, the gentle rhythm of our breathing began to slow, signaling the end of our quiet reverie. With soft murmurs and whispered promises, we untangled ourselves from the sheets and rose from the bed, limbs still shaky and light. Entwined fingers and lingering touches spoke volumes as we made our way to the bathroom, where the sound of running water filled the air, mingling with the soft strains of our laughter. Together, we showered, the steamy warmth enveloping us in a comforting embrace, washing away the remnants of sleep and leaving us refreshed and invigorated for the day ahead. As we dressed, exchanging playful glances and tender kisses, anticipation hummed in the air, a silent promise of more adventures to come.

The rest of the day was a dreamy sequence of shared moments. We started our late morning with breakfast at a local café, savoring fluffy crisp croissants and steaming cups of coffee as we planned our day ahead. Then we embarked on a leisurely, casual sightseeing tour of the town, hand in hand. We strolled along cobbled streets lined with quaint shops and colorful flower stalls, pausing to admire historic landmarks and picturesque views. It wasn't necessarily a unique place or tourist destination -- I'd chosen somewhere a bit more out-of-the-way on purpose -- but, with each new discovery, it felt more and more special to us.

In the afternoon, we stumbled on a couples' cooking class featuring freshly harvested produce and decided to scrap our previous dinner plans for an experience. Surrounded by the tantalizing aromas of fresh herbs and spices, we worked together to create a delicious meal using farm-fresh ingredients. There were stolen glances, hands guiding each other, and taste tests off of fingers, all among other couples equally rapt with each other.

As night fell, we ventured outside again to gaze at the stars, finding solace in the vastness of the night sky. With nothing but the sound of crickets chirping and the gentle rustle of leaves overhead, we lost ourselves in the wonder of the cosmos, finding peace and contentment in each other's presence, no matter how cheesy it felt or sounded.

By the time I was dropping her off back at home the next afternoon, it felt like I'd been rejuvenated. I hadn't even realized how lonely I was until Blythe overflowed into my life.

Breathing in her now-familiar scent as we hugged goodbye, I nestled into her neck and groaned, "I don't want to go home yet."

"Then don't," she replied simply. Her voice was unwavering and uncomplicated.