Katie glanced over frequently, inspecting my progress from her kitchen stool, and arranged strategically to observe a delicate operation on her cooking hob. I'd laid out all the ingredients, seasoned the meat to perfection, and began a ritualistic frying of perfect French fries an hour earlier, removing them from hot oil to cool each time before their next immersion.
She expertly tore the corkscrew from our bottle while screwing her face in disapproval.
"Are you pan-frying that steak in butter and garlic?"
"Is there any other way to treat the most precious beef cut?"
"What about kissing later on, Andrew? Our breath will smell."
"Since we're both eating garlic, it won't be noticeable."
Katie snorted her laughter and shook her head comically. I couldn't help but feel excited by learning her mannerisms and those fascinating quirks that define us all to those with whom we reveal our inner selves.
"You don't know what it's like to be a girl on her first date with a menu in hand, that's for sure, Andrew."
"This is a first date, Katie. How do you feel?"
"Hungry for that steak and the delicious prime beef in your pants as dessert."
"That's too much red meat."
"If I must forgo one for the other, I'll take your porterhouse over that rib-eye."
I chuckled while spooning sizzling caramelized butter over the meat, knowing it would seal my place in Katie's heart as the most valuable boyfriend ever.
She looked doubtful while pouring us each a glass of Malbec from a bottle of red wine pressed lovingly in the Pedernal Valley, San Juan, Argentina. Katie tilted her oversized glass to the light, swirling while admiring the dark red hue that transformed into a lighter, ruddy bronze where the liquid was at its shallowest.
When she peered back at me, I saw the relaxed countenance of a woman about to enjoy a meal prepared by her lover.
I stopped spooning garlic-laced butter onto a medium rare rib-eye and tapped my glass to hers.
"To us, Andrew."
"I love you, Katie."
As I sipped, never averting my eyes from hers, a beautiful expression told me I was loved, but a faint worrying look shimmered slightly in her cheeks, eyes, and trembling lips. I was a hooker, a man for hire by those willing and able to pay. It was an undeniable life choice that would not ordinarily make me boyfriend material.
It will take time, but I'll prove this relationship can work.
I grinned confidently, albeit more minded thus about the steak than our long-term prospects. Thoughts of Ella and her forthcoming blowjob lesson suddenly invaded my mind, and a mild panic rose when considering how to fuck her with no emotional connection.
"Do you train with free weights a great deal, Andrew?"
"Ordinarily, yes. A full week off from working out won't be a problem, although I'll have a few sore muscles the first couple of days back into a routine."
"Would you like a workout tomorrow?"
I shot Katie a lewd glance, which she caught and erupted into a fit of giggles, covering her mouth with the back of a hand and placing the wineglass down lest it spill.
"I didn't mean that sort of workout, Andrew. There is a nice hiking trail with a waterfall and natural pool we could visit tomorrow. It's about five miles away, which is a three-hour hike each way on simple trails but with lots of nice views."
"Will anything eat us on the way there or while swimming?"
"Not with two villagers guiding and caring for us."
"Then I'd love to workout with you, Katie. We should stretch off this evening to be safe.
"Oh, Andrew, I thought we should start flexing straight after dinner."
"We'll need to bring the wine for hydration."
"Isn't that what nightstands are for?"
We descended into another fit of laughter while I removed both steaks, setting them on a wooden chopping board to rest. The thrice-fried french fries were beautifully browned without being burned, and a red wine reduction bubbled nicely in the rib-eye steak skillet pan.
I turned to face Katie and stepped in between her wide-open legs. My hands wrapped around her waist, reaching as far down as the wooden stool would allow. Love radiated through my body when I kissed her, and I hoped she could feel that.
"I've never been happier, Katie."
"Honestly, I felt something clicked between us at the airport when we met. I hoped this might happen, and now it has, I feel happy."
"Are you sure it wasn't just a sense of feeling extra horny at the airport?"
"It was definitely that too. I mean... a girl who hadn't been fucked in months catches sight of you."
"What? What does that mean?"
"Well, Andrew. I shouldn't have to draw you a picture, but she will need a change of panties pretty soon after meeting."
"Did you?"
"I'm not sure I should reveal my deepest, naughtiest secrets."
"I had an erection."
"It was very unmistakable, sweetheart. I saw your huge solid cock soon after we met."
"Were you embarrassed by me?"
"Of course not, Andrew. I loved that you wanted me. It's just that public arousal is different for a girl. I leaked into my panties, barely able to contain the flow of cream, and I had no spare underwear."
"Ahh, that makes sense then."
"What does?"
"The crazy driving all the way here."
She smirked and pulled me closer. We kissed as familiar lovers would. I can't remember the number of times we'd made love since my arrival, but my tongue had explored every inch of Katie's body, and my cock had only one place left to go. Every time our lips collided, I felt the same rushing excitement surge within my body, spreading like concentric ripples on a lake formed by a rock launched into its peaceful waters.
I spun back around, lifting the french fries from the oil that browned and crisped them, setting neat bunches lined up around the steaks on our wooden board. My scratch gravy poured easily into a porcelain jug she had lying around, left by a previous incumbent doctor.
"Was there ever a married couple here?"
"Yes. It was a doctor who arrived single, married a local girl, then moved upriver to start a family. He sometimes fills in for doctors who are sick or need rest and recuperation leave."
I carried our meal to the two-seater dining table, where I'd lit several candles. When I returned for the wine and glasses, Katie slipped down from her kitchen stool, licked a finger that she'd wiped in the remaining jus, and followed me.
"Everything is ready, Katie."
"It's all looking perfect, sweetheart. Our first date will be perfect. You may be wondering how far I'll go tonight, so to settle your nerves, I'll tell you I'm a guaranteed lay after dinner."
We stood together, staring admiringly at my handiwork, of which I felt rather proud. Katie wrapped an arm around my waist, resting her head on my shoulder. After a silent pause lasting almost a minute, she glanced at me, and I led her by the hand, holding out her chair, then sliding it in before sitting opposite mine.
"Why do you always help me get seated, Andrew? I've noticed you also open doors and allow me to pass through them first all the time."
"It's chivalrous."
"I know that. I'm just asking why you do it?"
"I feel like I'm protecting, respecting, and loving you."
"That's very nice. You'll be a wonderful boyfriend. I hope to measure up the same."
"I don't think that's in any doubt, darling."
She eyed me like I was the rib-eye steak while cutting into and chewing hers as though it was food from the gods. When Katie wiped a small chunk of pink meat through a dark brown jus, then fed it to me, I could have wrapped her in my arms and made love forever.
After dinner, I cleared everything away while Katie took a call at the front door, ushering an injured villager into her surgery.
After I concluded chores and had the chalet neat, I caught up on all messages, particularly some hanging around too long. I scrolled to Celia's most recent message, and my eyes bulged.
Have you fallen in love with Katie? A simple yes or no?
Sorry, it's been busy here, and my honest answer is yes, I think so.
Ahh, you finally answered me.
