Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Simplicity: Intimate Love


(Fourth in a series of vignettes exploring the basic needs of human life. Prior needs: Shelter, Light, Touch.)


Curtains of steam swayed from the water and swam with the scent of lavender.

The rush and splashing stopped, and the puffs of white calmed.

Her shape reclined in the fogged mirror. Arm raised in the relaxed heat. Eyes closed.

His shirt dropped on the floor.

The sole of his foot sank into the bubbles and flinched.

Hot.

He dipped in again. Slower.

Heat shivers scurried up his legs. He waited for the burn to subside.

Down in the water, beads trailed from her forehead to her cheeks and hung from her chin like jewels. Dark curls of hair clung to her neck and fell in wet points around her shoulders.

He slipped down into the water and positioned across from her.

Slick skin against slick skin. Legs intertwining.

She smiled and wiggled to fit him better.

A lazy wave reflected off the tub. Back and forth. Back and forth. He let his weight drain.

And wiped a wet hand over his face.

She watched him through half-open eyes.

Resting.

His arms propped on knees. Sweat beading on his brow.


The lavender. The heat. The eddies of steam. He floated in the vicinity of dreams.

Her gaze dropped to the dark spirals of hair on his chest. It sharpened at his midline and disappeared beneath the water.

His sensations drifted from the confines of his body.

She drew her leg alongside his to feel the tickle of his hair.

So much hardness.

Her ankles closing.

His face against the world eroding.

Encircled him.

The tides swept back.

A breathless electricity.

He sensed the path. Calves sweeping to tender valleys behind her knees. Soft lines higher. Converging.

Forbidden.

His square shoulders moved. The sharp angles of his face. She felt herself falling, wanting to give herself to them.

His lips touched the hollows of her neck. Half kisses. Down to the rise of her chest.

His face scratchy, a little harsh.

Skin too intoxicating to be dreamed.

Laying herself in his hands.

His body enfolding in hers.

Head bent back, offering more.

Harsh breaths lifting her.

Opening.

Perched above the water.

Knees granting what she hides from herself.

Hands praying in her darkness.

The heat of his breath about to touch.

Feeling her legs shake.

Sacrifice.

Sacrifice.

Trying not to die.

~~~~~
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY from Jason and Aine!
May you have all the intimacy you can handle.

~~~~~

22 comments:

Hoodie said...

Gulp. My, is it hot in here or what?

Beautifully sensual. Tastefully done and amazingly written.

Happy Valentines Day to the both of you as well!

paisley said...

that was hot... what an excellent expression of intimacy.. it was visual and intense in every way... bravo!!

The Quoibler said...

My face is red. ;)

Awesome! I need a cold shower!

Angelique

The Quoibler said...

Jason & Aine:

This hot story prompted me to give you an award. Head over to Recess to Writers to find out what it is!

Angelique

SzélsőFa said...

one word:

steam.

You guys are crazy. In a good way.

Vesper said...

Wow! Beautiful, this "vicinity of dreams"...
Great idea the combination of straight text and italics, including the last sentence...

Happy Valentine's Day, Aine and Jason!

The Quoibler said...

Jason:

Your beautiful version of this story inspired me to write a non-so-pretty or romantic one of my own. Hope you get a chuckle...

Angelique

The Anti-Wife said...

Whey! It IS hot in here. You need to warn us next time. I shouldn't read this kind of thing at work! That was absolutely lovely and very sensual.

Sarah Hina said...

Wow. And I'm listening to "Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered". Very appropriate. ;)

It's not easy to write erotic material and have it rise to real intimacy. But you achieved that here. Giving, and receiving. Loved the two points of view.

I hope you guys have a great Valentine's Day! Somehow, I think you will. ;)

Off to take a cold shower...

Aine said...

I'm so glad everyone is enjoying this post! We've noticed the decrease in blog traffic this evening... perhaps there's a connection???
;)

Anonymous said...

Hoodie, I'm glad this inspired some, um, feelings. I especially thank you for the kind words. :)

Paisley, I was hoping to capture a little of that wonderful transcendence intimacy inspires.

Angelique, I hope you put your inspiration to good use!! And thanks so much for the fun on your blog. It really made our day.

Szelsofa, crazy feels good now and then. ;)

Vesper, I really wanted to portray a mutuality and the particular forms of sensuality which inspires each of them. The italics seemed like a nice way to pull the two together. And to build the pace (and heat).

Anti-Wife, I hear you. None of us need that kind of distraction at work. ;) Sorry about that.

Sarah, you're no stranger to inspiring a little heat under the collar on your blog. Time to make my own contribution. ;) Seriously, I did want to approach intimacy and sensuality head on without losing the emotion and meaning and power behind it. I'm glad I was able to walk the line without tripping into simple, graphic erotica.

Anonymous said...

And most importantly, a very special thanks to Aine. :)

Jude said...

Oo Mr Evans, you steamy person. This was a very sensual piece. Beautifully written. Lots of lovely onomatopoeia! Enjoy Valentine's Day- sure you will!

Ello - Ellen Oh said...

Jason! I was sitting in a Barnes and Nobles and it wasn't my tea that was making me hot! Oh my Goodness! I think I needed a warning with that post. "DON'T READ IN PUBLIC PLACES! WILL TURN YOUR FACE BRIGHT RED AND HOT AND MAKE YOU RUSH HOME FOR A COLD SHOWER!"

Phew! Trying not to die! Awesome ending - absolutely fitting!

rel said...

Jason and Aine,
Sumptuous poem spreading warmth through-out. Nicely detailed.
Happy Valentines Day!
rel

Bernita said...

"He floated in the vicinity of dreams."
The most beautiful line of all.

Anonymous said...

Jude, thanks. :) It's fun to fog up the windows once in a while.

Ello, ha! You definitely get the prize for the most fun comment! :D I have this image of you looking around to make sure no one is noticing your, um, condition. Oh my. :)

Rel, thanks! I hope your Valentine's Day was lovely also.

Bernita, thanks, my friend. I debated about keeping that line in there. I'm glad I did. I think it provided just enough "sigh" factor.

Anonymous said...

TMI!!! TMI!!!

Glad you two are so...um...close these days :)

~ Matron of Honor and proud friend

Anonymous said...

Hey Matron of Honor!

Three Mile Island?

Yes, that's a great description. Meltdown. But in a good way.

Terri said...

Yup, hot. Very hot.

Aine said...

Hey "anonymous"-- what makes you think it isn't fiction?!
;)

Anonymous said...

Thanks, Terri. :)