Chapter 2: More than Just Friends
The limousine turned off the main road and moved between the old stone pillars that secured the open ornate iron gate. The car made its way though the heavily wooded grounds towards the large and impressive 200-plus year old stone manor house. It was all very imposing yet welcoming.
The driver opened the car door and I began to step out. Even I was reasonably sure that I had regained my mental and physical composure after my delightful spontaneous tryst with myself, I wasn’t completely sure that what I had done was completely undetectable. I certainly had the lingering scent of sex with me but the driver gave no indication either way.
Linda must have been watching for my arrival. I was barely out of the car and still trying to evaluate my driver’s demeanor when the front door of the house burst open and Linda came rushing out at me. She practically took us both the ground with a crushing bear hug. We were wrapped in each other’s arms, crushing our bodies together, sobbing with deep emotions, telling each other how much we missed and loved each other, our voices muffled by crying and our smothering embraces.
It took a while but we eventually calmed down and moved into the house. Linda gave me a tour of their lovely home. We walked through the manor hand in hand. The tour ended in front a beautiful upstairs bedroom. My suitcases had already been placed beside the bed. While Linda and I hugged again, she said, “I’m sure you would like to relax after your trip. How about a sauna? I’ll be right back with some wine. There is a robe in the closet if you need one.”
I did have a robe but took advantage of the oversized plush white one that was provided. I wrapped it around my naked body and instantly I felt warm and secure. Linda returned in an identical robe carrying two fine crystal glasses containing the most exquisite Chardonnay. We talked and sipped down the long hallway and entered the sauna anteroom. Large towels hung on finely carved wooden hooks. A full bottle of the same Chardonnay sat cooling in an ice bucket. I followed Linda’s lead and removed my robe and wrapped myself in the towel. Linda went from robe, through nakedness, to towel with amazing ease. I deliberately took advantage of the opportunity to see Linda’s naked form. It was perfectly lovely. Linda watched and smiled at me while I made that same transition.
Linda pulled her long auburn hair back in a ponytail, grabbed the wine bottle and opened the door to sauna. I felt the hot air on my face, arms and legs. We sat together on the long center bench. We reminisced, drank wine, giggled, hugged and enjoyed each other’s company.
It didn’t take long before the combination of our emotions, the hot steamy air, and the Chardonnay made up both lightheaded. The tone of our conversation turned. We became a bit more somber and wistful, not a giddy as before. We missed each other so very much. We sat together on the bench, she leaning back against me, my arms wrapped around her. She turned her head and looked up at me. I returned her gaze. Our faces, dotted with tiny pears of sweat, moved closer. Our lips touched gently but with the heat of a thousand saunas. Our eyes closed, my arms tightened around my Linda. Our lips pressed together just a bit harder. Our breaths were deep and filled with emotion. We stayed in that first kiss until it was just natural to end it. We looked into each other’s eyes and we knew this was right. We could kiss again. We should kiss again. We did kiss again.