Anything Your Heart Desires

It was good to get off the M74 after so many hours.* I was relieved to reach Glasgow and to know I was close to home.* The east-winding road to Edinburgh is one of my favourites; I don't know how many times I'd stopped along it as a student, just to get out and look at the stars:* I hadn't done that lately.**Not in many years.Maybe that's why I felt compelled to do so on this night.* The rain had let up a bit, so I pulled over and looked at the cloudy sky from the rest area, the dim stars obscured by mist and the starlike drops on my windshield.*I hadn't planned on driving up from Manchester in the darkness and rain.* One or the other is okay but both together make for a tedious drive.* My flight had been delayed in New York so we didn't land until after dark. "The best-laid plans and all that." I thought as a few cars went by.**I suppose I could have stayed overnight in Manchester, but after such a long trip, I just wanted to get home. After four hours on the road, it was good to get out for some air and a stretch before the final leg.* It'd been a long two weeks since I'd driven to the meeting in Manchester, before flying out the next day for New York.* Many "best-laid plans" had indeed gone awry, and although things were looking up a bit after this third two-week trip to the States in as many months, it had cost a lot to get it all sorted, including yet another promising relationship.*Sarah had given up on us a week before I left. I can't say as I blame her. It's hard to get a relationship off the ground when your partner is immersed in work half the time and out of town the other half. She'd come over for dinner and spent the night one last time but that was it. She was done.I looked up and saw what must have been Sirius, as it was the only star bright enough to fully cut through the cloud cover. A childish thought occurred to me."I wish my life would change for the better. I wish I had more time for pleasure," I said, instantly feeling a little odd for even giving voice to it, but there it was: I'd said it.Another car went by, and I watched the red taillights fade over the hill. It started to rain heavily again, so I got back in the car and strapped in, ready to drive the final miles northeast to my warm bed, however empty it may be.The engine wouldn't turn.*I couldn't believe it. I tried again.* The lights worked, the radio was on, but nothing.*"Ah, for fuck sake!"*Well, nothing for it but to go back out and have a look. The rain had started up again in earnest, and it ran down my face and back as I peered under the bonnet in the darkness.A good half hour went by with no clue as to what was wrong with the engine and no signal on my mobile.* I'd just resigned myself to curling up to sleep in the back seat when a car speeding by slowed down.** I don't know why but I looked up, watching it gradually stop and back up, its taillights illuminating the rocky grass. The window rolled down to reveal a halo of long, red hair lit from behind by the streetlamp."Problems?"*"Hah," I thought, "if you only knew."*"Won't start but I should have it sorted in a bit," I said.*"You sure?" *There was something in her eyes, a knowing smile as she looked at me.* Not mocking, not pitying; there was warmth and kindness there, but something else; a sparkly light in the corners of her eyes."I'm just up the road.* You look like you could stand something warm." Bolu Escort She looked at me again with that hint of a smile, "or something strong."*I laughed at this:* Mischief: That was the "something else" I saw in her eyes."C'mon," she said.** It's late and your clothes are soaked through. You can call for a tow from my house if you need to."***********Her house was already surprisingly warm for Scotland in Autumn. I was grateful for that, as I was chilled to the bone."I saw you there on my way out, an hour ago," she said, putting the kettle on, "you were just standing there, looking up."I felt a bit embarrassed that someone had witnessed my stargazing, especially an attractive stranger."It's been a long drive.* I wanted to stop off and have a rest.""I like that spot as well, to be honest," she said.** It has some ma?" she smiled wistfully, stopping herself, "it has some good memories from my school days."* We shared a look and I felt something stirring inside."Look," she said, facing me, "why don't you go have a shower and warm up?""Thanks, I'm fine."******"You're most certainly not.* You're cold and wet, and you look miserable.* Come with me."She took my hand and pulled me down the dim hallway, grabbing two towels from a closet as we passed. She adjusted the water and disappeared into her bedroom."Get in, and get warm.* I'll find something dry for you to put on.** Let's see. Oh, this might fit."I stood before her a few minutes later, warm and clean, but feeling utterly ridiculous.* She was doing her best to hold back her laughter, but failing miserably."I have a whole suitcase of dry clothes," I protested."Back in the car?"* She asked, eyebrow raised."Yes. Back in the car. I can't believe I didn't think to?"*"Well, maybe you knew."**********"Knew what?""That this warm, absolutely fabulous dressing gown awaited you.""It's frilly.""Not your thing?""No. Not my thing. It's also pink.""Suits your ruddy complexion," she said with a full-on grin."That's the tea.* What'd you put in it?""It's Earl Grey with whisky, lemon, cinnamon, and honey.""Can't say as I've ever even thought of doing that before,"* I said.*"It's delicious."She smiled. "A little Witch's Brew for the lost little boy.""I'm not a little boy," I flashed back."Glad to hear it," she said, with a wink. "Anyway, it seemed just the thing for a man stranded in a rainstorm after driving all night.* Warms you up, doesn't it?""Yes.* Look, em, you don't have something less?""What?"* She laughed."Pink, frilly, and revealing."****"I think it's a good look for you.""It's far too small."*"Hmm," she said, eyes travelling up and down, "as I said, it's a good look.* All right. Go sit by the fire and I'll find you something more suited to your tastes, then."I could hear her giggle as she walked down the hall towards her bedroom. She shot a look back over her shoulder and caught me watching the sway of her hips. "Naughty," she chided.I could feel even more colour rise to my cheeks.My clothes were already hanging on the foldout airer, and she had a good fire going.* The dressing gown was indeed too small but I'd wrapped a towel around underneath to keep everything concealed, for which I was glad.* She was very beautiful, and I'd felt myself stiffening a few times, especially when she smiled at me in that mischievous way.*She came back moments later, with some tracksuit bottoms Bolu Escort Bayan and a T-shirt that looked a bit more my size."Here," she said, sitting in the chair across from me, tossing the clothes on the sofa, "you can change into these, though I'd still prefer the dressing gown.* It's cute on you."The spiked tea was warming me up, and her smile was having its effect again.* "Yeah, that's better. Thanks."I got up from the sofa too quickly and my towel dropped down.* I quickly caught it, but the gown flew open in the process, and I'm certain she saw a good bit of me.* She clapped her hands, and rolled back, laughing.* I stood there, embarrassed for a second, then grabbed the clothes and went back down the hall to change.There was a fresh cup of laced tea waiting for me when I returned, and she'd curled up in what looked like her favourite chair.* The dressing gown had smelled like a girl's herbal shampoo, but as I passed her now, I caught a hint of perfume and the light scent of her skin, warmed by the fire.*"You're lucky you have a fire," I said, "mine has a gas heater that they stuck in it back in the Seventies.* Ugly thing.* This is quite nice."*"Yeah," she said, turning to me and taking me in with her eyes, "the house was my gran's and her da's before.* He built it. There's a larger house further back where he grew up, but it's not in my family anymore. I love the fire, especially on nights like this."* She paused, looking wistful for a moment.* "Especially with a strange man in my dressing gown to share it with.""I'm not wearing it now.""Yes.* "Pity, that." The mischievous grin returned.I felt myself getting hard again.* I looked up at the clock on the mantle -- it was edging towards one in the morning!** She caught my gaze and looked back at me."It's all right, you can stay here.* There's a spare room," she said, corners of her mouth still upturned. I shifted, as I could feel myself swelling and straining against the fabric of the tracksuit.* "But then," she trailed off."I ah, haven't called?" I changed the subject."Oh, don't worry.* It'll cost you a King's ransom to get a tow at this time of night. There's a garage down the road.* I?ll run you over there in the morning and we'll have them look at it.* You're all right to stay?* Do you need to call anyone?"I thought a moment, caught off guard, and I'm sure my face darkened a bit.* "No, Nobody is waiting.""You look tired," she said.* Where were you driving from?""Manchester.""Wow.* Business trip?""No, I always wear suits when I'm driving at night in the rain. Makes me feel like James Bond."*She pursed her lips."I flew in from the States.* I was supposed to be home by eight, but the rain altered those plans."She smiled thoughtfully.* "Hmm.* Indeed?"*It got very still in the room all of a sudden. The fire popped and fizzled."Well," she looked at me with that smile again, "maybe the rain," her eyebrow raised a bit, "isn't really to blame."She sank back in her chair to gauge my reaction.* Now it was my turn to smirk."So you'll remove the cause?" I ventured.She looked up at me, eyes aglow, delighted that I'd caught the Rocky Horror Picture Show reference. Her eyes grew more intense and her fair skin blushed.* I felt my pulse rise. The tea, the fire, the scent of her, and her beauty all conspired to drive other thoughts out of my head.She laughed somewhat Escort Bolu menacingly, as her lips pressed into a wicked smile.* "But not the symptom."***Her smile grew deeper. I knew then I was in trouble.She rose gracefully, opening her cardigan jumper and sliding it off her shoulders, revealing a soft-looking clingy blouse. *I could see she was wearing something nice underneath that.* I looked up to see her still smiling at me.**"I'm getting warm.* I might get ready for bed.** You'll stay?""Doesn't look like I've much of a choice," I said, flatly."No, it doesn't," she smiled.*There was another wicked glimmer, and my body responded again.* Her gaze landed between my legs.* "No," she said, turning away, "I think you should stay right where you are."She came back a few minutes later, in another dressing gown, but this one was deep red satin.* It hugged her curves and showed hints of the black lace she was wearing underneath.* I'd been warm and relaxed after the hot shower and tea by the fire, but I felt suddenly awake.* I was achingly aware of how hard I was, as she slowly walked towards me, taking a seat next to me on the sofa instead of her chair.* "Do you want anything else?* Are you hungry?""Nah, thanks.* I'm fine."*"Hmm."* She raised her eyebrows a bit.* "So you are. But you do look hungry."Her gorgeous green eyes were bright beneath her dark lashes. Her full, round lips seemed perpetually upturned at the corners.* Her robe opened a bit when she sat and curled her legs up beside her, revealing a bit of black lace over her fair, milky-smooth skin.She turned to retrieve her teacup from the table nearby and brought it to her lips, as her robe fell open a bit more.* "So, where did you go on your trip to the States?"We talked for a while, but I kept feeling less focused on her questions and more on my increasing attraction to her. I listened to her voice, soft and low, as the fire grew dim, feeling drawn to her, intoxicated, as if every word she said wove a spell around me. The firelight played on the red satin, illuminating the way it draped and clung to her body.*We sat there looking at each other when she began to lean towards me. Our eyes locked, and what I saw there drew me in.* She shifted, and her hand fell on my leg.* As she moved closer our lips met, light at first, but then she pressed harder, pursing her lips.* I returned her kiss and felt her smooth lips part.* Our breath mingled and she inhaled deeply as our bodies met.* Her hand gripped my leg tighter and we pressed together, the kiss deepening and intensifying.I felt the heat of her body through her gown, the satin allowing her to glide along my chest, on top of me, pressing me back into the cushion on the arm of the sofa.* My hands went to her waist, feeling her strong body, light and soft through the silky fabric.**She wrapped her arms around me, holding me firmly; both of us fully giving ourselves into the kiss.* She moved again, putting her knee between my leg and the sofa pillows, sliding her other knee closer so she was straddling my leg, pressing against me.**"Somebody's enjoying this," she whispered, lightly pressing her thigh between my legs, acknowledging how hard I'd become. "You're a very good kisser," she said in a half-whisper, her eyes lowered.Before I could answer, her mouth was on mine again, rubbing her body slowly up against mine.* My hands began to wander, her soft sighs in my mouth encouraging me.* She kept rubbing up against my hardness, and I wanted her more with every stroke.* My hands crossed around her back and shoulders, and I brought my mouth down to her neck, my lips sealed on her skin, sucking lightly.