Love's Retreat Page 2

  It was Alex’s turn to be speechless.

  Jess laughed and left the gathering before Alex could compose himself and follow. She had a new opinion of Alex. She’d rather enjoyed seeing this side of him. When she returned to her cabin she found a note on her bed: ‘1:00’. She felt a shiver of excitement. Anticipation made lunch go by much too slowly. Ryan sat close to her and stroked her arm from time to time. Nora kept Alex to herself, though he shot a smiling glance at Jess once or twice. The afternoon session was Sharing and Critiquing and Jess was pleased to be sneaking out of it. She stopped by the cabin to grab a towel before heading up the hill.

  Jess wasn’t pleased to see several sets of clothes hanging on hooks at the steam house entrance. It looked like others had the same dislike of communal critiques. She was glad to find Nora’s clothes were not among those on display. Jess hesitated. What she wanted to be doing did not include on-lookers. The door opened to the main room, and a large waft of steam filled the air as a towel-wrapped woman came out. Jess saw that there was very little light in the steam house, only what came in through a few skylights.

  “Oh my dear,” the woman shook out her damp curls, “don’t hesitate, it’s lovely in there.” With only a mild show of modesty, the woman hung up the towel and dressed.

  Jess looked around for Ryan. She didn’t know whether she was glad that he wasn’t there to watch her undress, or wished that he was there so she wouldn’t have to do it alone. Well, no sense waiting. She slipped off her shoes. The rest of her clothes followed and joined the others on hooks. She was glad of the oversized towel.

  The steam stung her face when Jess stepped inside. She stood at the door for several minutes, letting her eyes adjust to the darkness and her skin get used to the heat. It took several deep breaths to bring her core temperature up to meet the air. She peered around, but could not see Ryan through the steam. There were several groups sitting or lying along one side of the room. A few snuggling couples took up the corners. Jess chose a darkened edge and made her way across the warm wood-slat floor.

  The steam had begun to work its magic, and Jess could feel her tenseness ease. She spread the towel on the bench and lay down. From across the room the group began a low meditation hum that echoed and grew to vibrate Jess’s very soul. At the moment when she felt the most relaxed she’d ever been in her life, she felt a warm hand press her thigh and slide up to her hip.

  The firm hand rubbed Jess’s glistening belly and gently moved under her breasts. She gasped for breath, her chest rising against the palm. The movement encouraged the hand to slide up and cup the moist breast. Jess began to moan. Lips whispered into her ear: “Shhhhhhhh,” then trailed hot kisses down her neck and to her shoulder. Having to remain silent when all she wanted to do was scream made her inner tension build even more. A hand slid down to her moistened hip, down the outer thigh to her knee where it paused, rubbing the flesh lightly. The tingling made Jess forget the second hand that now moved over her nipple and began a circular motion. The slightest moan began in her throat. “Shhhhhhhh.” She bit her lip and gripped the towel to keep from digging her nails into her palms. The stroking on her knee moved to her inner thigh. Jess opened her legs and thrust her hips up, trying to lead the fingers higher and higher. She squirmed as they moved closer and closer. Her hips stilled suddenly when warm lips encircled her nipple and the rough tongue teased its stiffness.

  Jess moved her hand to grasp his head and pull it tighter against her. She closed her legs on the teasing hand, tightening for a moment before spreading wide. “Please.” The whisper was barely audible but felt like a scream. The lips moved to her own, and sealed them as fingers slipped into the welcoming warmth. Jess arched her back and felt herself explode.

  After long moments Jess was able to breathe again. She felt gloriously numb and limp. She let out a long hum, her joy joining the meditating echo. His head was next to hers, breathing heavily near her ear. One hand rested behind her neck and the other on her still quivering stomach. Jess put her hand on his arm, followed it to the shoulder and to the heaving chest. She spread her fingers in the soft hair and began to move lower. He pulled away slightly. “Later,” he whispered. He lifted her fingers to his mouth and kissed them. “Later.” He kissed her lips firmly and slowly pulled back. “Later.” He was gone. Jess rolled over and curled up, wanting to hold onto the feeling of him.

  It was a long time before Jess could move, before she could stand and pull the towel around her and step into the cold light. Her clothes felt rough and stuck to her wet skin. As she slid on her shoes and started down the stairs she saw Ryan coming up the path, a towel around his neck.

  “Sorry I’m late. I got a phone call I couldn’t hang up on.” He leaned down and kissed her quickly.

  Jess stood, stunned.

  “Did you want to go back in? We could have a quick snuggle in the steam.” Ryan saw confusion in Jess’s eyes. “Are you ok? You must have gotten too much heat.” He ran the back of his hand along her warm cheek.

  Jess nodded. “I need to go back to my cabin.”

  “Let me come with you. You really look white.” Ryan was concerned.

  Jess waved him away. “No, I’ll be alright. I just need to lie down. I’ll see you at dinner.”

  Jess was very grateful that Nora was not in the cabin. She needed some quiet time, some time to figure out what happened in the steam house. She lay down on the bed and pulled the quilt up over her head. In the darkness she replayed the experience, trying to focus on any details that would help her not hate herself. The whisper was a deep tone, the hands were wide but gentle, the smell of his skin was musky, no cologne, the hair was longish with a bit of curl, the face… “Oh no.” Jess could feel the blood rush to her cheeks.

  There was a knock on the cabin door. Jess held her breath and didn’t move. The doorknob turned. Shit, she hadn’t locked it. The door opened and heavy footsteps drew near. Jess was as still as she could be, willing herself to be invisible. After a short pause the footsteps retreated and the door shut. Jess waited several minutes, listening to the silence. When she was sure she was alone, she pulled the blanket from her head and looked out. The cabin was empty. Jess threw back the quilt and sat on the edge of the bed. It was a few minutes before she realized something was by her hand. It was a stone. He had left a stone on the bed. She picked it up. It was smooth, with some small circular indentations. Inside one of those indentations was a tiny shell. Jess had seen rocks like this when walking on the beach. Alex had brought a piece of the beach to her. She groaned and fell back onto the bed. Her fear was confirmed.

  Jess knew there was no use hiding. First, her time in the steam house had drained her and she was starving, but mostly, she knew all of them would come looking for her. She took a long walk around then went to the empty dining hall. She sat at their usual table, pulled out her notepad, and began writing.

  Jess was deep in thought when she heard a camera shutter click. She looked up and found Alex fiddling with his camera. “I hope you don’t mind. You looked so lonely.” He smiled so warmly that Jess blushed. “I hope not to see that look often.” He sat down.

  Jess put her hand in her pocket then held it out to Alex. They both looked at the gray stone. Alex reached out and closed Jess’s hand around the stone. “Hold onto it, until later.”

  Jess’s eyes shot up. She was afraid she’d see humor on his face, and it would have broken her heart. The look she did see brought a tingle deep in her being and all of her uncertainty fled. She smiled back. “Until later.” They joined the others in line for dinner.

  Alex and Jess were alone at their table. Nora and Ryan never showed up. At first Jess thought it odd that her friend would miss a meal but when Alex mentioned that Ryan had asked to borrow the keys to his car it seemed likely that the two of them went into town for the evening.

  “I’m not too surprised, actually,” Alex said casually. “He’s been stealing glances at her since we got here.”

  Jess blushed. She had
n’t been paying attention to anything but the sweet words Ryan had whispered to her.

  “Of course they may only want a good hamburger, but they are a good match, very much alike.” Alex took Jess’s worried look as concern for her friend. “Ryan’s a good man. If they are out together he will treat her well.”

  “I just hope Nora is as kind.” Jess laughed. Could it only have been this morning that she planned on meeting Ryan for…well for what actually happened with the man sitting next to her? Sudden memories of what happened only a few short hours ago made Jess heat up.

  “Would you like to take a walk?”

  Jess blinked herself out of her reverie. “What?”

  “A walk. It’s a pleasant evening, I thought you might like to roam around a bit.” Alex smiled at the suspicious look on Jess’s face. “If I promise just a walk? I offer nothing more intimate than hand-holding.”

  Jess could not resist the intensity of the dark pleading eyes. She let him pull her to her feet and followed him outside.

  The night air was warm with only a slight breeze. They walked in silence for quite a while. Jess was tense from the suspense of not knowing what Alex’s plans were. When he finally took her hand in his she felt some bit of relief. His grip was firm and warm, and his thumb occasionally rubbed the back of her hand. When their walk took them by the steam house Jess smiled. Alex squeezed her hand and slowed his step. “Are you feeling chilled, would you like to go in and warm up?” Jess slapped his arm and kept walking.

  After a few moments, Jess, emboldened by the darkness, asked: “Why did you follow me into the steam house?”

  Alex didn’t answer right away. His hold on Jess’s hand tightened. “Truthfully...I overheard Ryan suggesting it this morning, and I didn’t want it to be him.”

  Jess heard an undertone of guilt in his voice. “Did you arrange that phone call?”

  He nodded. “At first I was just going to keep him away, but I couldn’t leave you to think Ryan had gotten cold feet. When I saw you going in and you looked so magnificent…I was just going to go in to keep you company. Then I saw you lying there, steam moistening your skin, your breast waiting to be stroked, your legs slightly parted…so lovely.”

  Jess’s breathing grew quick. She felt the heat of his hand in hers. The deep tone of his voice sent a shiver down her spine. She could feel herself tingling inside.

  Alex turned and looked down into her eyes. “Will you forgive my deception?”

  Jess knew she should be angry with him, knew she should feel used and deceived. But all she could feel, looking into the dark, passionate eyes, was pure lust. She stepped closer to him. She put her free hand on his chest, felt his heart racing, his chest rising faster to catch his breath. “You didn’t say anything. You left me to think it was Ryan making me feel…amazing.” His heart beat faster. “And when you came into the cabin you didn’t say anything.”

  “I wasn’t sure you wanted it to be me. When I saw you hiding, I was afraid you might be ashamed of what happened, that you wished it had been Ryan. I couldn’t find the words…”

  Jess nodded. “After seeing Ryan outside I was confused, uncertain, not sure who…but I wasn’t upset. How could I be?” Her hand moved up around his neck, fingers slid into the thick hair behind his head, and she pulled him down to her.

  Their lips met gently, then with a ferocity that stunned them both. His hands were around her back, pressing her hips against his. Alex lifted his head to take a deep breath and to see the passion mirrored in her eyes. He lowered his head again, but this time with less urgency. His lips caressed hers slowly, his tongue darting out to tease. Her lips parted and she welcomed his tongue with hers.

  Jess’s hands clutched Alex’s shoulders as if she would never let him go. His hands lowered to her bottom, tightening on the soft roundness, lifting her slightly and pulling her hard against him. She could feel him swell, hardening, pressing, hot. She felt her own heat and wetness grow. Alex lifted his head, panting. He held her firmly against his chest, resting his cheek on her head. Her arms wrapped around his waist.

  “This is a little more than holding hands,” she whispered into his shirt.

  He laughed. “You started it.” He kissed the top of her head. “Would you like more?”

  Jess pressed her face hard against his shirt to muffle her squeal then looked up, grin wide and eyes bright. “Yes, please.”

  He laughed again. “If you insist.” He let one hand fall from her back but kept the other securely around her as he walked her back to the cabins.

  They would have stopped by Jess’s cabin but they saw the lights shut off and heard giggling inside. Alex led her to his own cabin on the opposite side of the ring. Once inside, Alex pulled Jess against him, burying his face in her neck. His hands ran up her sides to cup her breasts then down to her waist. He pulled her shirt free and moaned at the feel of her skin hot against his hands. Jess raised her arms and he pushed the shirt over her head and tossed it away. With her arms still raised, Alex slid his hands down their length then reached around behind her and unclasped her bra. His hands gently cupped the soft roundness as he dipped his head to kiss a hardened nipple. She clutched his shoulders and panted as his tongue circled the sensitive skin. When he set the nipple free to trail tender kisses on the soft mounds Jess brought her hands forward and unbuttoned Alex’s shirt. Her fingers moved through the soft hair on his chest. She pushed him back and leaned down to lick a firm nipple, and gave it a little bite.

  Alex moaned, and stepped back toward the bed, pulling Jess with him. He took his shirt off and Jess reached down to loosen his belt. She pushed his pants off his hips, slipping her hands inside the waistband of his boxers to clutch his tight butt. Alex kicked his pants off and knelt down in front of Jess. He kissed her stomach, reveling in the little quiver of excitement it made. His hands clutched her firm cheeks then moved around to unbutton her pants. While his hands worked, his tongue tasted the smooth flesh. Moaning, Jess reached behind her to grasp the bed for support.

  Alex’s hands finally finished their task and he eased the pants off Jess’s hips and down her thighs, stroking the warm skin down to her ankles. She stepped out of them. He gently inhaled her musky scent through the silky panties, his finger exploring just under the edge of the fabric. His teeth nipped at her hip. She squealed and twisted away. They laughed and stepped apart to catch their breath. Each one gloried in the gaze of the other. Sweat gave a sheen to their skin. Her eyes followed the tanned arms to the broad shoulders, the tight muscles of his chest and the light mat of dark hair that led down the tense stomach to…she smiled at the urgency hidden in the extended front of his boxers.

  “As you can see, I’m more than a little excited.” Alex commented seriously.

  Jess looked up. The desire in her eyes matched the intensity in his. She slipped off her panties and climbed onto the bed. She was glad of his single room with the larger bed, not that they’d take up much room.

  Alex stared at the woman stretched out before him. The events earlier that day had been in a darkened room. He had not been able to witness the supple beauty of each curve and valley and peak. He wanted to feel it all quiver under his hands and sink himself deep into her. His boxers were slid off and he knelt down on the bed, carefully straddling her.

  Her hand shook as Jess touched Alex’s chest then slowly moved down to the hard, hot penis that lay on her stomach. She took the condom from him and gently slipped it on. He leaned down to kiss her stomach, then up to her breast as he arched and slid himself into her. He heard her gasp as he filled her. The heat and wetness almost made him come. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He eased down on top of Jess, not moving for a moment, caressing her hair and cheek. He nuzzled her neck then rose up to kiss her passionately. As his tongue played along the moist lips, Alex pulled his hips back then gently pushed forward.

  Jess moaned and clutched his hips, pulling herself up to meet each thrust. She breathed hard and fast as she reached the brink. His li
ps muffled the scream as she came. He lay still for a moment, feeling the pulse of her release. When her breathing calmed he slowly stroked in and out, testing to see if she was too sensitive for him. When she grabbed his bottom and pulled him hard against her, Alex smiled and began thrusting faster, matching her moans with his own. His body stiffened as he came, then he quivered and lay gently on top of her.

  Jess pouted at the loss when he pulled out and rolled off. He reached out and pulled her close against him and drew the cover over them both. “Wow,” she sighed.

  Alex chuckled. “Yes…wow.” He rubbed her stomach casually then moved up to cradle her breast. Jess snuggled back to press her body completely against his and fit her head under his chin. Comfortable in each other’s embrace, they fell asleep.

  Several times during the night, Jess woke to roll over. When she bumped into some part of Alex’s anatomy she smiled, more content than she’d ever been.

  The morning gong sounded. Jess pulled the quilt around her shoulders and reached for Alex. He was not there. She sat up and looked around the empty cabin. She listened for sound from the bathroom. She was alone.

  The floor was cold on her feet when she climbed out of bed. She found her clothes neatly arranged on the chair and slipped into her panties. On the table she found a note under the beach stone. “Need coffee, will be back soon with breakfast.” She traced the strong lettering, pressing her finger on the heart at the bottom and smiled. She thought about climbing back into bed and tempting him on his return but decided against it as she felt a little worn out by the night before. She took a quick shower and was dressed when Alex returned.

  There was a look of disappointment on Alex’s face when he saw Jess putting on her shoes. “And here I thought you would be craving more of me this morning.”

  “You were the one who left.” Jess stood and slowly walked to Alex. “Without so much as a kiss,” she pressed herself against him, “or a squeeze,” she reached around and squeezed. She turned to teasingly walk away.