Skiathos was such a green island and still tourist free in certain areas. I loved it here and hoped I would also get the chance to make a home here one day. I was fascinated by her stories and could have listened to her all day. I began to tell her about how stressful my job was and about James’s job.
“You could use one of my massages.” We both laughed.
“Yes… yes, I guess I could.”
I was feeling dehydrated and reached for my bottle of water, which by now was lukewarm, and I shuddered as I drank it.
“Is there a bar nearby, Maria?”
“No, I’m afraid not. That's what I like about it here, it’s as far away from tourists as you can get." I could see her point. "I can fix you a drink at my place if you want?”
“That would be nice, thank you.”
Maria slipped her bikini top back on and threw her towel over her shoulders. I jumped up quickly and slipped my sandals on, grabbed my things and followed. We continued to chat with hardly a pause – just like old friends.
Chapter Three
We soon reached Maria’s shack (as she called it). It was lovely, with a small decked area that had a couple of sun loungers on it. A shell mobile hung from a canopy, which provided a shaded area that was perfect for this time of day.
Maria beckoned me into the room. “Take a seat.” I sat down on the wicker couch, which was well worn but cosy. The “shack” was well-named, with bare wooden floor boards and oak beams. Family photos were scattered here and there. I picked up a photo of a couple.
“My kids – Sofia and Christos.”
“Aww, they’re lovely.”
“Thank you! Sofia is at university in Athens and Christos is doing his military service.”
Maria poured me a chilled glass of white wine and proceeded to tell me about her life. She was married, but her husband worked away as a contractor. I naively thought all Greeks were fishermen. I began to giggle out loud and had to confess to Maria what I had thought.
“Ah, Stavros’ father was a fisherman,” said Maria. “Stavros broke the chain.”
We chatted for about an hour. I told her about our boys and what they were doing back home. Life was so different here. Moving onto a second bottle of wine, we giggled like teenagers as we talked about our life experiences. Then Maria got up and walked towards the door. “Come, you need a massage.” I looked across at her. “I won’t charge you full price.” She winked; we both laughed.
I made my way towards the door she had gone through. I was feeling quite light-headed, and the wine had taken its toll.
“I have different essential oils I can use,” Maria offered as she showed me into the bedroom. An old wrought-iron bed was the focal point of the room, with crisp white sheets that looked as though they had been ironed into place. White shutters graced the windows and were slightly ajar, allowing a warm and gentle breeze to blow through, making the curtains dance softly.
Maria laid a soft white bath towel on the bed and asked me to lay face down. Without question, I nervously did as she asked. She unhooked my bikini top and slipped it off my arms. I could smell the Jasmine oil as she ran it through her fingers. She sat astride me, and her fingertips touched my neck, sending a quiver through my body.
She gently worked her way down my back, stroking it with her palms, whilst her thumbs and fingertips worked in deep circles down my body. She lightly grabbed and lifted my muscles, and it felt so good that, for a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
Maria’s hands were like silk, caressing me… arousing me. Her fingers were searching my body, and I could feel her long hair gently brushing against my skin as she moved. Her hands explored every part of my tingling body, right down to my toes. She slowly began to make her way back up my waist and slipped two fingers into the top of my bikini pants. I breathed deeply into the pillow as she slowly began to pull them down over my thighs.
As she moved back up my legs, her hands kneaded deep into my skin, pushing hard against my thighs, moving up and down. Maria began to work further up my body, and it was then I had noticed she had removed her bikini top. When? I don’t know. All I knew were her warm breasts were brushing against my back, her nipples erect and hard, and I was so turned on.
Part of me wanted to leap off the bed and escape, but the rest of me was curious, wondering what Maria had planned. She moved the hair from the nape of my neck and kissed it softly. An unexplainable shock ran through my body, and she whispered in my ear with her unmistakable sexy voice, “Turn over.” I froze, wondering what to do. It felt wrong but, on the other hand, so right. She repeated again, “Turn over, please.”
I gathered my thoughts. I was mistaken. Maria didn’t want me; my imagination had been running wild. I rolled over on to my back and she remained astride me, gently manipulating my body, shoulders, stomach, legs and then my breasts, which were full with excitement. I let out a groan.
“Hush,” Maria whispered, “hush.” She began to kiss my body slowly, playfully biting my breasts whilst I just lay there unsure whether to respond or not.
“Do you not want to play, Alex?” Maria asked. I looked up at her, holding her gaze. Our lips met, her mouth felt as soft as velvet, and she moaned as we suddenly locked together, rolling around on the bed. I explored her breasts with my tongue. She was so soft and warm. I had never felt this way with James and her gentleness was so sensual.
Her hands began exploring my body again, her fingers slowly working their way between my thighs. She pushed them inside me, and the rush I felt was amazing, almost electric.
I could feel my clitoris throbbing, yearning for more, and my heart was pumping so loud I could hear it beating. Maria began to passionately kiss me again, her lips left mine as she began to move slowly down my body, her tongue exploring every inch of me. She gently parted my legs and her warm lips kissed me, her tongue pushing hard against my clitoris, darting in every direction. I shuddered with excitement. Every part of my body seemed to be pulsating. Then I felt a rush, causing my back to arch. I yelled, “No… no!” When really I meant “yes!”
I climaxed like never before. The bed felt wet beneath me. I gave out a large sigh and my whole body completely relaxed. I lay still afterwards, my whole-body tingling.
Maria looked up at me and asked, “Alex, are you ok?”
“Yes, why?”
“Because you didn’t speak for a while.”
“I’m fine.”
The truth was I couldn’t speak as I felt numb, not in a bad way, but in an unusual way – I had never felt like this before. I lay in Maria’s arms for a while, silent and not knowing what to say. I could still hear the sound of the waves crashing against the shore. It felt so tranquil and perfect.
After what seemed like a few minutes, I glanced at the bedside clock. It was just after five. I couldn’t believe it. James would be wondering where I was. I leapt off the bed, causing Maria to jump up. “Is everything ok? What’s wrong?”
“Nothing, nothing’s wrong. I have to go. I didn’t know what time it was.”
I scrambled to get dressed. Maria wrapped a towel around herself and asked, “Have I upset you?”
“No, no, Maria, you haven’t upset me, honestly. I just have to go.” I slipped my sandals on, tied my sarong around my waist and turned to Maria. “Thanks, Maria. Thanks for the drinks and the… Well, anyway, thank you.” Maria looked back at me confused as I turned and made my way to the door.
Chapter Four
The walk back to the hotel seemed to take forever, although it was probably only about twenty minutes. My head was all over. What had I done? What possessed me? This wasn’t me, what was I thinking? I knew one thing: I couldn’t answer any of these questions.
I walked into the hotel foyer; no James. I made my way back to the room and found him laid on the bed sleeping. I tried to close the door quietly behind me, but the catch clicked as I closed it. James stirred and rose his head off the pillow. Rubbing his eyes, he called out, “Oh, you’re back then. I thought you had go
tten lost.”
I went to sit on the bed next to him. “No, I fell asleep on the beach, couldn’t believe it when I woke up.”
“Tut-tut. Hope you had plenty of sun cream on.” I smiled back at James and went through to the bathroom.
“I’ll just take a shower,” I called through.
I turned the shower on and sat on the toilet, going through everything in my mind that had happened that afternoon. I don’t know how long I had been in there, but I was startled by James shouting.
“Come on, you’ve been ages. What are you doing?”
“Nothing. I’ll be out in a minute.” I jumped into the shower and immersed my head under the warm spray. Closing my eyes, I thought again about the events that had unfolded. I could still feel Maria’s hands gently exploring my body and her warm breath as her lips brushed my skin. “Alex!” I jumped as James called me again. I grabbed a towel, wrapped it round my hair and made my way into the room.
“’Bout time. Bloody hell, you’ll wash yourself away.”
“Sorry, it’s all that sand, it gets everywhere.”
The next morning when I woke, it all seemed like a dream; I couldn’t believe I had done what I had. It wasn't like me at all. A shudder ran down my spine. I couldn’t tell if it was through excitement at what had happened or fear of what I had done. James came in from the balcony. “You slept well last night, hardly a peep out of you, no tossing and turning.”
Hmm, was that contentment or the fact that I was exhausted after Maria had finished with me? Well, which ever it was, I was unable to explain it to James.
“Oh, well, I usually fall into a sleeping pattern just before we are due home,” I called to James as he wandered back onto the balcony. I grabbed my phone and texted my best friend Sally.
Hi Sal, not sure what’s happened to me, but my world has turned upside down! :-/ xxx
I sent the message, grabbed my bag, and we headed off for breakfast. James headed straight for the food. I grabbed a table and, while I waited for him to return, I received a message back from Sal.
Jeez Alex, what’s happened? X
Really can’t say Sal, just that we NEED to meet for a coffee and a chat when I get home x
For God’s sake Alex, that’s two days away! Has James lost his job? Are you pregnant? x
Hell no! I’m not pregnant and James’ job is OK I think… Trust me, it’s not something I can text, but I’ll see you soon x
Sally continued to text me back throughout breakfast, reeling off question after question. I just told her all would be explained.
We took time out that afternoon and visited our usual bar on the seafront. Dimitrious was there and started to prepare our drinks at the bar as we approached. I had my usual vodka and lemon, whilst James had his whisky and dry, both drinks cooled with a couple of cubes of ice. We took a seat at our usual table with the old, blue, wooden chairs overlooking the beach.
“So anyway, Ed’s been in touch via email this morning, and he reckons that there may be some sort of break-through, and that Bergan may be pulling out.” Oh Hallelujah! I thought to myself.
“Oh, well, that’s good news then.”
“My thoughts exactly. I’m going to contact Geoff this afternoon to find out the final outcome.”
At that point Dimitrious arrived with our drinks. “You have a good day today?”
“Yes, just the same old thing you know, breakfast, beach and chilling.”
“Oh damn,” I scorned. “I meant to collect that plate from that little gift shop for your mother.” James’s mum had a collection of Greek plates we had brought her over the years. I had intended to catch the bus earlier, but it went clean out of my head with everything that had happened to me.
“Would you like me to take you?” Dimitrious asked.
“No, it’s fine. I couldn’t put you to any trouble.”
“No trouble! I finish at three, we can go then. It will take no time on my bike.”
“Well, if you really don’t mind.” Although, the thought of going on a bike filled me with fear. The last time I had been on one was when I was nineteen. Jack had a Yamaha when we were at Uni and he took me for a spin one day. I hated it. It was more like being on the wall of death, he showed off tearing around on it, not my scene at all.
James was fidgeting for the next hour, constantly talking about how his job may or may not change, whilst I looked out to sea and sipped my third vodka and lemon, dreaming of another life I could be living. Suddenly James rose from his seat.
“Ok, well, I really must go, got to make the call.” He finished the last of his whisky and headed back to the hotel, his flip flops slapping against his feet as he went.
I grabbed my drink and wandered over to the bar, hitching myself up on a bar stool.
“I finish soon, half-hour I’ll be ready.”
“It’s fine, Dimitrious, no hurry.”
“One more drink while you wait, on me.” Dimitrious poured me another drink, which I was not sure was a good idea as I already felt light-headed. I watched him tending the bar and its customers, always smiling and not a care in the world, unlike James always droning on like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. I suppose that seemed a bit harsh under the circumstances. I realised he was conscious that he may not have a job to go home to and it must be a great weight on his mind.
James had put a lot of extra hours in over the years, working into the night. Maybe I was a being unfair. I looked out to sea and wished I didn’t have to go home to my humdrum life back in England. Everything was always so much more relaxed here. Maybe if James did lose his job that’s what we should do, move out to Greece. The pace was so much slower there, nothing was rushed, and everyone was so friendly. I loved the sights and sounds of the harbour; it was so tranquil.
Just then Dimitrious called out to me – “Two minutes.” I looked up and nodded. He had the most beautiful chocolate brown eyes. I smiled across at him thinking my mother would have called them ‘come to bed eyes.’ They were deep, passionate and sexy. I suppose the events the day before had made me take further stock of my life.
“Okay, shall we go?” Dimitrious startled me.
“Erm, yes,” I replied. I quickly finished my drink and followed him to the bike, which looked like it had seen better days. “Erm, have you got a helmet?” I asked. Dimitrious turned and laughed. “No, no helmet. I am a good driver, you need no helmet.” I looked at the machine before me with its well-worn seat and shabby paint work, which displayed more rust than paint, and I hoped it would bring me back safe.
Dimitrious straddled the bike, removing his white, tight fitting t-shirt in the process and securing it round his waist. His bronze torso was perfect in every way. He kicked the bike off and signalled me to get on. I climbed on in anticipation, wrapping my arms around his waist.
“Hold on,” he called, and we were off.
The breeze that kissed my skin as we made our way up the mountain was warm and tender. Only wearing my bikini top, the naked areas of me pressed against Dimitrious’ hot silk skin, and this made me feel wanting in more ways than one. If Dimitrious had stopped and seduced me, I can’t say I would have resisted. Maria had unleashed passions in me I had never felt before.
As we made our way up to the village, the familiar chorus of the crickets filled the air. We rode for about half-an-hour before we reached our destination. The main street of the village was lined with quaint gift shops and old-world café bars.
I signalled to Dimitrious to pull over when I spotted the relevant shop, almost falling over trying to get off the bike, giggling like a teenager. I think it was that extra vodka and lemon.
I rushed into the tiny shop in the hope of getting served quickly, which was a mistake. No one gets in and out of a shop quickly in Greece. They love to pass the time of day with you, and everyone is so friendly.
“Hello, my friend, how are you?” Larissa was Stavros’ mother; he was the owner of the shop. She clasped my hands and kissed me on both
cheeks. “You have come for plate for your mama?”
“Yes, please, can you choose one for me?”
“Where is James?”
“Oh, he’s back at the hotel, busy with work as usual.”
“Ok, I see him next time, I make good for plane journey and pack well.”
She was so sweet, and nothing was too much trouble. “That will be lovely, thank you.” I just didn’t want to be hanging about too long as I didn’t want to put Dimitrious out any more.
While she finished wrapping the parcel, we chatted about the children, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time, and I explained to her that they were no longer children. Eventually the plate was wrapped I hugged Larissa and made my way out of the shop. I need not have worried about Dimitrious as he was passing time talking to the locals. “Ok, you ready to go?”
I nodded, waving the package in my hand, signalling that I had got what I came for. It was just as well that Larissa had packaged it well, as I had to hold on to it with only one hand on the journey back to the hotel, as I needed the other one to hang on to Dimitrious.
We travelled back down the mountain following the winding road, shaded by the olive and lemon trees. It was lovely. The smell of citrus filled the air and I felt good. I leaned into Dimitrious as he turned the corners, and I longed to tell him to carry on and not stop. I was feeling free and enjoying the ride. I didn’t want it to end.
Chapter Five
Without Question Page 2