A Coffee to Go

Calmly she lays, wrapped warmly in his affectious arms, her head tucked neatly under his chin as if the perfect last piece to a puzzle. Two friends share the space of one.

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The day had set about like many. Two mature penpals turned java-mates that had stumbled into one another's lives out of need, if not necessity, both in search of the care and companionship of another. Albeit from different paths, both seeking the touch so missed in their lives. Having yet again met for coffee, the "BFF"'s as she affectionately labeled them, sat sharing in the guilty pleasure they both so frenquently indulged, and as always, the tales of weeks past again flowed.

Today, however seemed different. The platonic standards by which they had readily enjoyed eachother's company seemed to be slowly breached, lovingly, playfully, by both. Words that would most often flow as simple banter, now hosted a hesitant, yet deliberate, lacing of romantic sentiment. It had been no hidden secret, his attraction to her natural beauty. Perhaps as attraction's dancing partner, there was no mystery either, nor surprise by, this eventual interlude of their relationship. As if nestled between two separate acts, perhaps distinct plays, Lisa found herself in the midst of one of life's many junctures, contemplating the path before her. The picture of a road not taken surely not nearly as inviting as his soft spoken words or his boyish gaze into her eyes, perhaps both charming youthful tidbits she enjoyed coming from a man that had weathered many a storm, but seemingly lowered his guard in her presence.

Their lingering smiles brought to surface by these nuanced words were further intensified by the meeting of their hands on the table. It was not the first time. But, this act which most often offered reassurance that their friend was there, present, and in support, this time was highlighted by the intertwining of their fingers, a spark of intimacy from which they most often refrained. His matching friendship bracelet, with hers, symbolic of the special place they had grown to share in eachother's heart.

Their discussion led them in the same direction, in near unison, perhaps in a respite from their mutual nerves. They had decided upon a different course for this day, a drive. Ordering two more of their favorite indulgences, they were able to further bring a quiet pause to the tense, yet enjoyable, air of the moment as they awaited their order.

The drive, perfect. A beautiful day with the sun shining and sunfoof open on his quaint little car, nothing fancy or flashy, but sized instead just right for two cuddling souls now enjoying not just the company of a friend, but the closeness of someone offering renewed youthful feelings of joy that had eluded both for many sunsets. Rolling through the hillsides, sharing laughter, stories, memories. The drive was also dotted with moments of silence, of wonder, which were then only gently pierced by the soulful harmonious depths and sounds of the blues, a love of music they too shared. A beautiful drive indeed.

Finding a quiet roadside park; she knew to sit tight, to wait, as his gentlemanly gesture of holding her door would again offer a look back in time she appreciated about him. She enjoyed his politeness and the respectful way he admiringly doted on her. Together, holding hands, they searched and found a safe, open green space. They layed down a blanket, each up on an elbow, sipping the trace remnants from their coffee cups as they caringly looked into eachother's eyes as the day progressed. Having taken to holding hands once again, his now trembling free hand slowly rose to find the softness of her cheek and brushed backwards through her hair, encasing it around and over her ear, allowing the sun's rays to highlight the beauty that lay before him. Her breath held, momentarily, as this touch, this act of his admiration, the first in a long time. A touch she had first sought when they had met, online, only to shelf as perhaps a not likely scenario based on their distant residings and other, mutually agreed obstacles in life. But, here, now, the moment brought pause. Instinctually, she returned the touch with a gentle stroking of his arm, a smile and content, peaceful gesture of the closing of her eyes, which slowly opened only to find the space they now shared had been minimized, drawn in, closer. With their noses lightly brushing the other's cheek, the feeling of the exchanged inhales and exhales, crackled and unsteadied by their combined nervousness. Until the preciously manicured moment, finally, as their lips met. Soft. Not rushed. Loving and romantic. Pulling back, contently, both regained eye contact only to again close the distance until their lips met once more. Yet, even with a passion that involuntarily grew, their kisses came slowly and independently of the previous. Each its own act. Each its own scripted moment of blissful contact between appreciative friends both longing for just such a brief wave of romance back into an oft less-fulfilled daily existence.

Meanwhile, the gentle breeze flowing through the pines, carrying such a delightful scent, had intensified as clouds, unseen by the two happily embraced partners, now carried a cool air not yet recognized due to the growing warmth brought on by the intensity of their actions. Then... the first rain drop... one, then another, yet still the focus remained on eachother. Within moments it hit. A downpour as if the Heaven's had opened up, powered by equally unexpected gales, all of which quickly saturated the moment, extiguishing what looked like the beginning stages of an irreversible flame.

Rushing in a disheveled return to the car, her door again held, bringing a light-hearted smile back into the moment. As he rounded the vehicle and clumsily fell into place, doors slamming behind them, they found themselves laughing, carelessly falling back into eachother's arms. As the laughter subsided, their gazes again met, as if the blissful, unscripted moment, paused by nature, had now been brought back to life by simply pressing play. Soaked from the sudden deluge of rain, their hair matted, the drippings of such running over their cheeks, fiercely, feverishly their lips again met. What had started as a once quaintly, mildly romantic moment now beared resemblance to full on passion. Their hands freely roaming, tugging at the garments that served as a shield to the acts they had boldly agreed were to not to be encroached, let alone come to fruition. Each graze of places off limits, each tracing of nails upon the outline of clothing, each moment of near uncontrollable kissing and nibbling at the other... all finding an abrupt halt, finding a wall, a well-guarded, gated security as if on castle grounds... only to lower the intensity and yet again allow movement on to the next act of excitement, ardor, and exploration. The romance of the moment was further enveloped by the harmonious percussions of the rain on the sunroof above them. A beautiful drumming providing backdrop to a beautiful scene.

Finally, breaking apart, the last contact, a loving, sensual biting of lips, made, as their intertwined toungues pulled from the other. Their breaths now deep. Their minds swirling on overdrive, consuming all that had just happened. All that had just been shared. All that may just be a start.

Quietly, without words, he started the car and they drove. Retreating through the hills and curves that brought them to this place, this memorable moment. Hands again held. Upon arriving, not back to their point of departure, their oft visited provider of demitasse delights, but instead, her humble abode. Her door again held, she without hesitance took his hand, and led him into her private sanctuary which, until now had eluded him.

Each knowing they wanted more, needed more. Yet, each held a composure, remained in control and honored the vow of the platonic ́nature by which they would share their embrace, should cuddling seize the day. Slowly they undressed, themselves, eachother, with a slow carefulness that from the outside would appear to be two young lovers, sure to have been the sum of their mutual attractions had they met in youthful days. Now, no less attracted, the two gracefully matured friends found their way to the boudoir, a bed, still adorned in bedding strewn about from her last night's sleep, alone, lay before them. Collectively, the two took to the rustled sheets, twisting, turning, intertwining their bodies. The air affixed by a faint smell of the afternoon rain gently accompanied by light scents of their perfume, cologne, and the sensuous permiation of their previous stages of ferver and exhilaration.

The friends, now of a shared "next level" in their relationship, lay still. They had not made love. They instead had given eachother a caring gift far greater. They gave of themselves their unguarded hearts.