The beginning of everything else

Popcorn and Promises

As soon as we get to the beach, we find a quiet spot away from anyone else and silently busy ourselves in stripping to our swimwear. There is an odd, hesitant atmosphere between us now, and having spent the last few days texting non-stop, chatting into the night, and that hug when she arrived at the house, this feels somewhat more awkward by comparison. I remember this feeling, from a night I will remember forever, where we first gave ourselves a chance. Back then, as now, we knew what we wanted, it was getting there that would be the challenge. It's what I imagine standing on a bungee platform feels like, 50% anticipation, 50% terrified, but 100% sure that you absolutely want to leap.

I can't help but notice how good she looks, and I am trying to take her in without starting to stare. The black bikini she is wearing shows off her golden tan, and her darker hair seems to bring out the blueness of her eyes even more than usual. My eyes linger on her figure, her strong legs, her soft hips, the dimples at the base of her back, her toned stomach, the curve of her breasts. As I slowly drag my gaze back up to her eyes, I see I have been caught, she is watching me with an amused expression on her face.

"If your plan was to perv at each other all day, a trip to the beach was definitely the most family-friendly option" she grins as I laugh, the tension dissipating, whilst I at least try to look sheepish at being caught. 

As she sits down on her towel, turning her back towards me, she passes the lotion over her shoulder with a pout and puppy dog eyes. For a moment, I don't move. I register that she's flirting, giving me an opening, and for that I am grateful. If Elle wants me to do this, I will do it with glee, but I am also struck yet again by the same trust in "us" as that first phone call, when her acceptance that I wanted to try again was the thing that moved us forward.

Kneeling down behind her, I take the bottle and begin to massage the coconut-scented lotion into her back, across her ribs, and down to her hips. I can see her enjoyment as she rotates her head, letting out soft "mmm" noises as my thumbs work in circles across her shoulders and neck. 

By now all pretense of lotion application has been forgotten by us both. Her skin is so smooth to my touch, and I want this moment to make her feel good. Gliding my hands down her arms from her shoulders to her hands, I watch our fingers intertwine, wrapping my arms around her from behind, and kissing the side of her neck. Nudging me backward, she settles in my lap, turning her body more fully towards mine, and I get lost in those eyes. They're like deep sapphire whirlpools, pulling me in, pulling me under, and I'd happily drown.

I feel, not see her move her hand up to brush her thumb across my lip. I'm not sure if she remembers its significance from our first time together, but I can see tears dancing in her eyes, as she smiles at me, whilst biting that beautiful, plump, bottom lip. I lean forward, our foreheads touching, searching her expression, silently asking if this is too fast. 

It is Elle that closes the remaining distance, her hand glides to my cheek, touching her lips to mine in the gentlest, most tentative of kisses, whilst I hold myself back. It is over so quickly as she pulls slightly away and I see her eyes flutter open for a second, checking my reaction before claiming my mouth. 

Now I know that she is sure and have time to react. As her arms wrap around my shoulders I glide mine to her waist, pulling her flush against my body, as our limbs slowly find their rightful place. Her fingers are in my hair at the top of my neck and as I gently press my tongue to hers, deepening the kiss, she starts to tug, forcing a moan from deep in my chest. I feel her shift, now with her knees on either side of my legs, as our tongues dance, and my hands squeeze her hips and stroke the top of her legs. I can't believe that I have survived so long without this, without her. I kiss down her jaw, down her neck as I lower her to the sand.