Kent and Kristen
closed doors and candles
As Kent cautiously opened the door, he was met with the fragrance of candles burning, filling the room with their sweetness. The pleasant aroma was not immediately recognizable, but it did unconsciously set his mind at ease. The front of the house was near dark and silent as Kent eased his way past the den and moved toward the kitchen. A sound from down the hall caught his attention, but was rather faint. To Kent it sounded like a low-noted musical instrument of some sort. Peering past the kitchen toward the bedrooms, Kent noticed in the darkened hall a faint light dancing from behind the master bedroom door, which was slightly ajar.
Moving closer to the bedroom, Kent could make out the glimmering of candles and heard the faint melody of a soothing rhythm from what he thought to be the master bathroom area. He didn’t know if Kristen was supposed to be home or not, for frankly he had forgotten her schedule. Kent glanced at his watch that showed a few minutes before 11:00pm. Just to be on the safe side, and not wanting to scare Kristen in case she was home, he called out.
“Kristen!” No response.
“Kristen!!!” he called out louder.
Still nothing. There was a slight uneasiness in Kent’s stomach, but he quickly decided to continue on.
Kent neared closer to the bedroom and the glow coming from within was brighter. He pushed open the door, slowly, and was somewhat amazed. Numerous candles of all different sizes were placed throughout the room, their myriad flickerings casting different shaped shadows over the walls and ceiling, each dancing to whatever slight movement of air crossed over them. The music was unmistakably coming from the bathroom. It was a peaceful, gentle sound and Kent was no longer anxious, but more curious.
“Kristen?” he said quietly opening the bathroom door not knowing what to expect.
“Yes?” he heard her answer back.
Relieved to hear her voice, he walked a few more steps into the bathroom. There was his beautiful wife, soaking in a tub that was almost overflowing with soft, white bubbles. Kristen’s hair was pulled up, keeping it out of the water. A half dozen candles in the bathroom made her look even more stunning as their soft light shone on her face. She had never been prettier in all their years together.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“I’m taking a bath,” Kristen answered flatly thinking Kent’s question was so obvious. Then she thought for a moment, realizing why he had asked the question. “Yeah, I know… I never take baths, but I was just in the mood for some reason.”
“You’ve made it so peaceful in here” Kent said as he surveyed the room further. “That music sounds relaxing, too,” he added.
“I know. As a matter of fact, it’s called Pure Relaxation. Wanna relax with me?” She smiled the wry smile she used to show so much when they were dating, the one he hadn’t seen in some time.
Kent’s mind began racing. “Sure,” he said without hesitation. Within moments he had slipped out of his clothes and was testing the water with his foot. He slid into the foamy tub and his skin immediately felt the silky smooth water Kristen had created. To him this was magical. She was again leaning back, her eyes closed.
Lounging against the other end of the oversized tub, Kent closed his eyes and listened as the music filled the room with its peaceful, easy strands. After a few moments, Kent leaned forward.
“I thought you wouldn’t be home ‘til later. What happened to your appointment?”
“Cancelled,” she answered not even opening her eyes.
Kent then asked, “How was your day?”
Her eyes still closed, Kristen put her finger to her mouth, indicating silence.
This wasn’t like her, and he didn’t’ know what to make of it. Deciding to enjoy the moment, Kent leaned back and closed his eyes again, focusing on the smooth, fluid strains coming from the CD player. After a few minutes, Kent felt something rubbing the soft flesh on the inside of his thigh. Slowly he opened his eyes. His gaze met Kristen’s, her eyes squarely streaming into his as she was slowly leaning up from the back of the marble tub. Her foot continued to rub the inside of his leg, back and forth, flexing her toes in and out to make the most of the short movement.
Kent gently slid toward Kristen, barely moving the bubbles as he inched toward her.
“You…..,” Kent whispered as he gently shook his head, unable to finish the sentence.
His hands reached around her wet, soapy back and he pulled her close. His eyes moved slowly across her body, down to the bubbles that filled the tub and up again. Nothing was on Kent’s mind now except her. Pressing Kristen against him, the bubbles on her breasts disappeared in near silence, save for the faint crackling noise the thousands of tiny bubbles made as they burst against one another. They kissed long and hard, then reclined side by side in the hot, soapy water. The next few minutes they enjoyed one another as they lounged and toyed in this tiny wonderland, the cares of the past week swept away, even if only for a while.
Autumn In Vermont Corpus Christi Dilemma Kent and Kristen Christmas for Bill Christmas for Jack Christmas for Sherry
