“I wouldn’t quite say I’m in shape,” I replied.
“Gemma, I saw you naked,” his voice sounded raspy, like just the thought got him excited.
Damn it, just like that my body heated up, I felt ache between my thighs. I hesitantly reach between my legs and brush my fingers against my sensitive parts. A tingling current went through my body, and a sharp inhale left my lips. As if I burned myself, I quickly removed my hand.
I blushed, glad he couldn’t see me and the impact just hearing his voice had on me.
I cleared my throat. “Hmmm… we go hiking because it is peaceful and relaxes us all. It always seems like we are thousands of miles away, in the middle of nowhere. Helps me clear my mind.”
“How did you get into it?” he asked, unaware of my little exciting experiment, and continued the conversation.
“Jack, my husband, got me into it. We used to hike together.” It was the only thing we had in common anymore when he died. Girls and hiking, but nothing else.
Silence followed my reply, and I started to regret the little of my past that I shared with him. The few dates I went on, guys always asked me about my late husband, and I’d tell them I didn’t want to talk about it. They assumed it was too painful. And it was, just not for the reasons they guessed. I didn’t think I’d ever be ready to go down that road.
“What do you do for fun, Kristoff?” I urged the conversation back to him, wanting to break the silence. When he didn’t answer, I added, “You do have fun, right?”
“I don’t really have much free time. Last twenty years, I’ve been consumed with starting my companies and ensuring they succeed. When I don’t work, I relax,” he replied.
“I guess that is plenty to keep you busy. And you sure have plenty to show that you were successful,” I said. “Ever went hiking?” I asked.
“Camping in remote mountain spots, yes. But I never hiked. Takes too much time that I do not have.” His answer was matter of fact. Somehow I wasn’t surprised.
“Well, you should try it,” I answered.
“I will, if you invite me on one of your hiking trips.”
I chuckled quietly. “It’s a deal then. Since you are traveling tomorrow, I’ll invite you to our next one.”
There was a little silence, and then he said, “I look forward to the invite on your next hiking trip. Okay, I better let you get to sleep. Good night!”
“Good night,” I murmured and the line went dead.