Love's Retreat(5)

“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.