It was early spring. While my love life was hardly what I would call "on the skids", it had been lackluster as of late. One would naturally assume that the nightclub scene would be a meat market. To a great extent, it is. Night after night I went to various spots, an easy thing to do when living near a beach, a college, and a military town all within thirty minutes of one another. 

My friends had gotten into the habit of telling me during this period that I was too picky or that I just needed a good romp to get out of my funk. I would laugh it off. True, I could have probably gotten laid whenever I wanted. 

The truth is that I wanted something fantastic, something that filled my needs spiritually as well as physically. It doesn't have to be great sex in order to have that type of connection either. 

For about two weeks, I became a hermit. I had plenty of toys to keep myself entertained but let's be honest, there is no substitute for a warm-blooded human being grasping for you as you grind against one another into ecstatic bliss.

I admit it wasn't bad at first, but at the end of two weeks, I had full-blown cabin fever. I itched for sex. Needed to have that contact.

One Saturday morning, I decided enough was enough. I just had to get out and go somewhere. I figured a short road trip would do me some good. I was driving along the interstate when I saw the signs for a nature preserve. 

It might be nice to get outdoors and enjoy some fresh air, I thought. The place had several trails open, but I decided on the one that wrapped around the lake. The park ranger told me to be careful of snakes and to watch for the big spider webs that were along the paths. I was suddenly very glad that I had dressed in jeans and hiking boots before leaving the house.

The park was beautiful with the canopy of deep green leaves covering the walkway. There is nothing quite like spring to get spirits and libidos racing. Still, I found it quite peaceful. 

The only sounds I heard were from the birds and squirrels. It was such a change from the loud bustle of the beach during the peak days of summer, which would soon be upon me. 

I made my way down to the lake and found myself a nice shady spot to sit back, relax, and watch the wildlife. The sounds of nature had nearly lulled me to sleep when I heard the sound of footsteps.

My eyes opened to see the undeniable figure of a  woman coming towards me. My heart skipped the proverbial beat as I took in her beauty. 

She was taller than me and lean, very athletic. Her long blond hair hung in a loose braid, swaying from side to side as she walked. Her hiking boots and outdoor attire, complete with khaki shorts and white cotton button-up shirt, hinted that she was probably a regular on these types of outings. She looked as if she were heading out on an expedition to some exotic location.

"Oh, hi. I didn't mean to disturb you," she said.

"No, you didn't. My name is Gillian." I waved casually. And just like that, with introductions made, I felt as if I had just cast my line. "You can join me if you like."

"Sure. I'm Kara."

She plopped her backpack on the ground beside me and the two of us fell into easy conversation. I had just met this woman and we were talking like we'd known each other for years. 

It turned out she was in a similar if not the same boat as me, tired of the dating scene. She, too, was a recent convert to the hermit lifestyle. I had asked what bars she had hung out at and I recognized the names as some of the same lesbian clubs I had frequented. How could I have missed this stunning woman as many times as I had been in those places?

We shared a few laughs about those clubs and the other regulars, pointing out their various quirks. We even tried our hand at mimicking some of the patrons and the bartenders. As she tilted her back to laugh, I was drawn to the way her neck arched. Sensuous in every conceivable way, my mind began to drift to other paths.

I couldn't help but fantasize about the hot sex we could have had if we had hooked up at one of those bars. I could almost taste her lush lips and feel her breasts in my hands. 

My pussy dampened at the thought and I was overcome with a need to take her in my arms and make my daydreams a reality.  The look on her face betrayed that Kara might be having the same deliciously naughty thoughts. She lacked any sort of poker face. 

Suddenly, she turned away as if afraid she might have been too forward in some way.

For the first time, there was an awkward silence between us. 

I studied her intently and could see her quickened breath, the way it came in shorter and more agitated fashion. The woman was clearly turned on by me. 

To be true to myself, my boldness and impetuous nature took hold. I knew my gaze had narrowed and I could feel the tingle of power one gets when about to take a flirty moment and make it more.

I broke the seconds of silence as I longed for those lips upon mine. Kara looked at me briefly before taking her eyes off me for just a moment. 

I forced her to turn her gaze back at me with a gentle touch of my hand against her chin. Lifting it towards me, my face lowered to hers and I kissed her. I always feel a sharp thump of desire between my thighs that makes me wet whenever I take what I want. 

This was no different. 

My lips brushed hers in a soft kiss before my tongue slipped between her lips. She was definitely taken back by the kiss but returned it frantically with her own as my hand skimmed up her thigh and traced her side up her hip.

Possessive and confident fingers moved to tug at the zipper on her shorts. When that deed was done, my attentions turned to untucking her shirt and exploring the flesh under it. 

There was a shudder from her as I ran a hand across her bra-covered breast and a sharp, shocked intake of breath as I found her nipple almost instantly and I couldn't help my flick it as I continued to fuck her tongue with mine. 

I shifted my body and faced her fully. Withdrawing my hand from under her shirt, I pulled her close and while we were still kissing, I began to unbutton her blouse. I smoothed it down her shoulders and delighted in how amazingly tight her arm muscles were. 

Lowing the cup of her bra, her right nipple became revealed to me and I had to taste it. Tearing myself away from her lips, I attached my mouth onto her taut nipple. It was so soft and sweet, as if she had placed a plum-like lotion on my body before she left her house for the day. 

I took her into my mouth and began to suck it like a baby with a bottle. Her body reacted exactly as I wanted it to. Her back arched and pushed against me and I couldn't help but bite the tip. 

I had to turn my attention to her other breast.  My hand slid down her torso and along the edge of her shorts and slid my hand into them. My fingers were not wanting to play and acted as if they had a mind of their own. 

They found and began to tease her clit. Pressing down at first then massaging it between two fingers, I then turned my hand against her and let my thumb begin to rub her while my other fingers began to tease her increasingly wet pussy. 

My intent was to play with her as expertly as Prince would play his guitar. 

I sensed her losing balance and who could blame her. I laid her back, pushing her towards the ground of the trail as I relaxed on top of her, pinning her beneath me. 

My hand found its way back into her panties and those independently minded fingers darted inside of her without hesitation. They moved slowly at first, but they increased in speed and urgency with each thrust. 

Her body reacted to my actions and I could tell that she was a woman who liked to be controlled. I delighted at discovering that little tidbit of information. Sometimes the very nature of a person is revealed in moments of silence and desire.

Then as quickly as we began, the moment passed. She pulled herself away and quite anxiously straightened herself to become a proper version of herself.

She wanted to. Absolutely wanted to be with me. Her words. I awaited the big "but" moment.

Then it came as she put another few feet between us. Her words didn't wound me. Not in the least. She spoke from a position of caution, something I will admit to not doing very often in life.

She had just me. We were in a potentially very public place. Her views on sex were considerably much more conservative than mine. As she continued to explain herself, I listened and nodded. 

Her feelings and thoughts weren't wrong. They were valid. Even as the blood in my veins were screaming "take her", I had put my desires on pause because she obviously wasn't in a position where she could do this. 

I reached for her hand and validated everything that she had just bared. We are humans after all, each of us unique creatures, none of us deserves less than that consideration. 

While holding her hand firm in mine, my other hand reached into my little backpack and I pulled out a pen and memo book. Scribbling down my contact information, I handed it to her with the hope that when she was ready that she would call or text me. 

If it was tomorrow or five years from now, I truly hoped that she would take me up on that offer. 

My attempt to make the mood of the moment less awkward did not seem to succeed. Pulling her hand from mine,  she said thank you but it wasn't a good time for her. 

I sat and watched her walk away. I gave her space, which she deserved, and I lingered a very long moment where I was. 

Sometimes people aren't prepared for an experience. It happens in every walk of life. It could be a moment that is much bigger than they are and they aren't able to process it. Other times it is outside of their comfort zone. 

It is my hope that in reading this that you take a moment to fully comprehend the truth of yourself. Your moment.  Where you are at right now. Look at your values. Your own prejudices and assumptions. Then think about how someone else who comes from a different walk in life might handle the same situation. Or a different one.

Don't belittle someone because they hold values different from yours. That they come from a different background or don't hold dear what you do. 

I know no one who reads this was expecting this turn in the story. In the moment as it was happening, neither did I. Yet what I discussed in the paragraphs just before this was exactly what went through my head.

I wrote this story and kept it true to the events of the day while maybe even showing some of my vulnerability and beliefs in the process.

She never did call me. I never saw her again. I wonder what happened to her and if she found herself in whatever path her life took.

Compassion isn't a bad word. This story is not a lecture either. Like all things, it's to make you think and consider about life. A far cry from the explosive desire one might hope to find in an erotic story but not every story or encounter ends with an orgasmic climax. 

There is denial and almost any other thing you can imagine that can forge a story. This particular one took a different path but I do hope that its words touch you.

If you find yourself struggling. Doubting yourself or your worth. Your beliefs. There is not a need to retreat within yourself. Do your best to be true to who you are in any moment and never apologize for it. If you can't find words or resolve on your own, reach out to those who may inspire you or have walked a similar path to yours. 

Hell, even reach out to me. Be safe. Be kind. Most of all, love yourself.