Fervent Desires

Chapter 16 – A QUICK Getaway

We arrived in Arizona ahead of schedule. We had been lucky enough to catch a late flight out of New York. We exited the airport to find Cynthia holding up a sign with our names on it.

“You cannot be serious,” I said as I approached her.

“We weren’t expecting to see you again so soon,” said Cynthia, dropping her sign and reaching for a hug.

We exchanged greetings, grabbed our backpacks and headed for the car; where Lydia waited for us. We drove along the highway with the windows down; the air was warm and crisp. Erica peered out the window, her blonde hair whipping in the wind. It was her first time in Arizona and I could tell she was anticipating taking in the sights. I loved taking her on these little trips; she showed a freedom that she didn’t when we were in New York.

“So, what do you guys wanna see first?” asked Lydia looking at us through the rear view mirror.

Erica and I looked at each other and I nodded as encouragement for her to answer. “Maybe the Grand Canyon,” she suggested tentatively.

It was still early and we decided to stop at a nearby diner for breakfast. It was a fifties themed establishment that looked exactly like it came out of an old movie. It had booths that were covered with leather, the waitresses wore fifties themed uniforms and there was an old jukebox in the corner playing Elvis's Jailhouse Rock; how cliché I thought. We sat in the quaint little café around tables that were covered with the traditional checkered table cloth, watching the cars drive by through a window that desperately needed cleaning.

“They make the best pancakes in town,” declared Cynthia as the waitress approached us.

I seriously doubted that but I ordered them anyway.

“So, what brings you two love birds to Arizona?” asked Lydia.

Erica and I exchanged glances. “We just wanted to get away from New York for a day or two and you two have been pressuring me to come out here for years. So I thought why not,” I flashed my most charming smile.

“I see,” Lydia was clearly unconvinced but she let the matter die for the moment and I was grateful. She turned her attention to Erica. “So Erica, what do you think of Arizona?” she asked.

“It is hot,” she replied, fanning her face for dramatic effect.

The waitress returned with our pancakes. They do have quick service, I’ll give them that; of course it did help that we were the only customers there. I took a bite of my pancakes and was pleasantly surprised.

“These are good,” I commented.

“I told you,” replied a triumphant Cynthia.

“Ok, so we can stop at the Canyons before we go home since it’s on the way anyway,” suggested Lydia.

We hastily ate the last of our breakfast before the already scorching sun got any higher in the sky. It wasn’t long before we were back on the highway and headed towards the Grand Canyon. We arrived an hour later, stripping off layers of clothing in the sweltering July heat.

“What do you want to do?” I asked Erica, wiping sweat from my brow. She looked up from the brochure she had been busy reading to shrug at me. “Ok, what do they offer?”  I tried again. She began reading the list of tours out loud; while Cynthia and Lydia went to the gift shop to purchase hiking boots. We opted for the balloon tour and before long we were fifteen thousand feet in the air.

We gasped at the startling beauty below us. The sun dancing on the walls of the canyon. Erica squealed with delight as the pilot blasted more heat into the balloon. I peered over the side of the basket at the vast landscape below. “You having fun?” she asked, ending the video she had been recording and leaning against the edge of the basket. Her hair blew uncontrollably in the wind, excitement radiating from her.

“You know; I’ve always wanted to make out in a hot air balloon,” I teased.

“Really? What’s stopping you?” she teased back.

I positioned both hands on either side of her; leaning in I placed a soft, lingering kiss on her lips. The others pretended not to notice but I wouldn’t have cared anyway. The kiss was heavenly. I could feel the air whipping around us. The beauty and vibrancy of the Canyon enveloped us.

We landed an hour later, the balloon bumping and dragging to a stop. We all laughed hysterically at the utterly unique and awe-inspiring experience we had just shared. We alighted to find mules waiting to take us back to the parking lot. 

The trek back up the canyon was slow and hot with the guide pointing out various significant spots along the route. By the time we got back to the car I was exhausted and ready for the longest shower of my life. I sunk into the seat, my head slumped back against the headrest; while Lydia sped down the road. The trip to the house was quick for me, mostly because I fell asleep as soon as the car had started moving.

“We’re here!” Lydia’s shrill voice woke me from my slumber.

I woke up to a long winding driveway sheltered by large trees on either side. As we drove up to the house I noticed that there were no neighbors close by, Lydia always did like her privacy. The house was a large contemporary style dwelling that overlooked the town below. It had all the latest architectural elements, Lydia designed it herself. It had high ceilings, an open floor plan and unobstructed views from every angle. The walls were covered in wood paneling, giving the place a rustic feeling.

“Let me show you to your room,” offered Lydia, leading us through the house. We were ushered through the spacious living room, past the dining room and up a massive flight of stairs to the guest bedroom. The room was large and decorated in all white. It had all white furnishings and a massive king sized bed in the center. The wall to the left of the bed was almost all glass, with large sliding doors opening onto a private balcony with a magnificent view of the city below.

I quickly hopped into the shower, the water felt delightful on my skin. Erica soon joined and we shared a very erotic shower together. We washed each other's hair, soaped and lathered each other sensuously and made out incessantly. By the time we were done we were so exhausted that we threw ourselves on the bed and passed out.