On Complexity Theory

12. The Honey Badger

After we finished our chocolates, we strolled to ‘Ό,τι θες’ for antikristo. We passed by a drugstore, and then I suddenly stopped.

- “Why are we stopping?” Andie asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity.
- “To get some condoms,” I said, a playful smile spreading across my face. “You see, when I planned my trip to Crete for the convention, I didn’t exactly have sex in the back of my mind.”
- “Well, as I said earlier, I have a pack of condoms back home!” she replied, her voice filled with a mix of amusement and shyness.
- “Be that as it may,” I continued, “I bet you don’t have these kinds!” I told her, holding up packs of flavored condoms. “Strawberry and cherry—just look at these!”
She blushed slightly, her eyes darting from the condoms to my face. “Well, I like the way you taste so…” she said shyly, her voice barely above a whisper.
- “Be that as it may,” I replied, “I’m not in my twenties anymore, so... let’s just say a little encouragement may be necessary after wearing them. And as I was told, it’s better to be flavored!”
- “Okay!” she agreed, a small smile playing on her lips.
- “And let’s not forget this!” I said, picking up a tube of Vaseline and holding it up for her to see. This made her blush even more.
- “Well, you are a Panathinaikos fan, what did I expect?” she retorted, her voice filled with playful sarcasm. The whole family on my mother’s side were fans of AEK, and Andie was no exception. To give you some context, our rivals call Panathinaikos fans ‘Vazeloi’. Panathinaikos supporters traditionally come from the upper social classes. Since many of them used to apply hair gel to their hair, they started to be mockingly referred as ‘Vazeloi,’ comparing the gel to Vaseline.
- “When you’re on all fours with me behind you, trust me, you’ll thank me for it!” I whispered, leaning closer to her. This made her blush even more, her cheeks turning a deep shade of red.
- “You’re terrible,” she said, her voice filled with a mix of amusement and exasperation.
- “You know,” I said, my voice softening, “I’m really glad I stopped to get those condoms. It’s not every day you find someone who can make even the most mundane tasks feel like an adventure.”
- “Well, I try my best,” she replied, her voice filled with warmth and affection.
- “Do you know what I love the most about you?”
- “What?” she asked, her voice filled with anticipation.
- “That you don’t even have to try! It all comes naturally to you!” I replied, looking straight into her eyes.
- “Aww,” she replied, her smile brightening her face.
- “So, let’s get going! After you, my fair lady!”
- “Why, thank you, my good Sire!”

After I paid, I took her hand, and we started walking towards ‘Ό,τι Θες’. While it was a bit longer walk, we decided to go through 1821 Street because it was a pedestrian road, and on this beautiful summer night, the streets were full of people. The air was warm and slightly humid, and as we walked, the sound of laughter and chatter filled the air, creating a lively atmosphere. We passed by groups of young people, and families that strolled leisurely, parents holding the hands of their children.

Tourists, cameras in hand, stopped to take photos of the vibrant street art that adorned the walls. They chatted in various languages, their faces lit up with smiles as they soaked in the ambiance of the city. Some were seen trying local delicacies from street food vendors, their expressions a mix of curiosity and delight as they savored the flavors of Greece. The street was illuminated by the soft glow of streetlights and the colorful lights from shop windows and restaurants.

As we walked, Andie leaned into me, her head resting on my shoulder. “This is perfect,” she said softly, her voice filled with contentment. “I love being here with you, surrounded by all this energy and life.”
- “I love it too,” I replied, squeezing her hand. “There’s something magical about this city, especially on a beatify summernight like this.”

We continued our stroll, taking in the sights and sounds, our hearts filled with joy for the moment. The city seemed to come alive around us, each person and each sound contributing to our shared experience. As we finally reached ‘Ό,τι Θες’, the air was filled with the aroma of grilled meats that made our mouths water.

Oh Gods, how much had I missed Antikristo, Xygalo, and Staka. The mere aroma of these Cretan delicacies transported me back to my early twenties, to the first time I tasted them. It was as if a magical time machine had swept me away, allowing me to relive those moments with every bite, taking me back to my early twenties and the careless days of my youth.

The Antikristo, with its smoky fragrance wafting through the air, made my mouth water instantly. As I took my first bite, the tender lamb seemed to melt on my tongue, its rich, flavor intensified by the slow-cooking process over open flames. The crispy exterior gave way to succulent meat underneath, each chew releasing a burst of savory juices that danced across my palate.

Next came the Xygalo, its tangy aroma tickling my nostrils. The creamy cheese spread smoothly across my tongue, its sharp, slightly sour taste a perfect counterpoint to the rich Antikristo. The texture was velvety yet with a subtle graininess that added depth to each mouthful. Finally, the Staka beckoned, its warm, buttery scent promising comfort and indulgence. As I dipped a piece of bread into the thick, creamy mixture, I could almost feel the warmth of the hearth where it was traditionally prepared.

Andie chuckled, watching me eat like it was my last meal on this earth. She seemed to find amusement in my unbridled enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling with a mix of humor and affection. I didn’t mind; in fact, I welcomed her laughter, as it only added to the joy of the moment. Oh Gods, how much did I miss Crete? I recognized the feeling, it was nostalgia.

- “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you?” Andie asked, her voice filled with amusement and warmth.
- “Oh, Andie, you have no idea,” I replied, my mouth still full of food. “This is more than just a meal. It’s a journey back in time, a celebration of flavors and memories.”
She smiled, her eyes softening as she watched me. “I’m glad you’re enjoying it. And I must say, it’s quite a sight to see.”
I laughed, wiping my mouth with a napkin. “Well, I can’t help it. These dishes are a piece of my heart, a reminder of my student years. You know something? I was born and raised in Athens, but Crete, Heraklion, is my true home. After all these long years, I’m finally home,” I said, my voice catching with emotion, the weight of the moment overwhelming me.

She didn’t reply, instead, she reached out and took my hands into hers, holding them tightly. Her eyes, full of warmth and understanding, spoke volumes in a way that transcended any language. I felt a lump in my throat. It was a mix of gratitude and love that left me speechless; for me having feelings this intense was something completely alien. The world around us seemed to disappear. All that mattered was her and me. Her touch, her eyes... it was all I needed to feel at peace.

After we finished, we took a very long walk to let the food settle. Instead of returning the way we came, we took the Plastiras Boulevard, walking parallel to the old walls and Kazantzakis Tomb, until we reached Evans Street at the New Gate. Although we could have gone straight from Evans to Little Evans, we turned onto Averoff because I wanted to see the Kornarou Square and the Bembo fountain again. From there, we took 1860 Street, which was crowded with people, until we reached the Lions square again. We walked hand in hand, not speaking, just enjoying the sounds of the city and the people in this beautiful Cretan summer night.

At last, we entered home, and Andie run screaming “I want to pee!!!” to the bathroom, making me chuckle. I put on something more comfortable, that is just shorts and sat on the sofa patiently waiting for my turn, Andie was not the only one that wanted to pee. If you even doubted Einstein’s general relativity theory, just remember that the duration of a minute depends on whether you are in the loo or waiting outside for your turn, desperately wanting to empty your bladder!

Despite the fact that I work out regularly and generally have a good physique, after the intense meal of Antikristo, Staka, and Xygalo, the ‘Apollonian body’ description definitely wouldn’t fit. I felt more like a Buddha statue than anything remotely classical Greek. Not to mention that my bladder was at its limit, so I needed to be as Zen as possible to avoid peeing myself while waiting my turn. At last Andie came out and I went running to the loo. Well, if emptying my bladder wasn’t the very definition of blissfulness, I don’t know what it is!

When I returned to the living room, Andie had changed clothes already. She wore a slim sleeveless top and her panties, and she was sitting on the sofa. She smiled and when I sat next to her, she leaned on me. I embraced her, holding her tight in my arms and I kissed the tip of her head. “MMMMM” she purred, brushing against me, making my heart melt. We just sat there for some time, just enjoying silently the comforting presence of each other.

- “Do you want to play a game?” I asked her. Well, her mannerism, clapping her hands enthusiastically was all the answer I needed. “Ok, the game goes like this, “We’ll take our turns saying two things, one that’s true, and one that’s not. The other player must find which is which, and the winner gets a point. Whoever gets three points first wins. They should not be mundane things that cannot be verified, they must be things that the other player could take an educated guess.”
- “Sure!” she said smiling. “Who is starting?”
- “I will start, to help you get the gist!”
- “Shoot!” she replied even more excited.
- “Ok, story number one. Before having my first girlfriend I had a boyfriend. Number two. I learned to read when I was three years old and write when I was four.”
- “Oh, come one, that was easy. A is false, B is true!” she replied confidently.
- “One point for me, missy!” I said, and I chuckled by the surprise drawn all over her face. “You see, I learned to read when I was three, but I learnt to write when I was five. And surprise-surprise, first I had a boyfriend and then a girlfriend.”

Andie looked at me shocked, mouth agape.

- “You didn’t expect that, did you?”
- “Not in a fucking million years! You like boys?”
- “Well, as I discovered nope. But being me, I had to get a glimpse instead of blindly rejecting the notion. Yes, I have kissed another boy, yes, I enjoyed it pretty much, thank you, but I couldn’t develop any feelings, and I terminated it before breaking his heart. Anyway, your turn!”
- “Okay… here goes nothing. Before meeting you, I had a crush on a female athlete. Story number two, I hated your ex-wife.”
- “Hmm… interesting” I mused. “While the obvious answer, considering your crush, would be that the second story is true, something deep insides tell me that the first story is true. I know that you always chose your wording carefully. I knew that you disliked Krys, but hating is too strong of a word. While it would surely be a big surprise, I think the first sentence is true and the second is false.”
- “Is this your final answer?” she asked me with a poker face that would be envied even by the top players. Who said that chess doesn’t require a poker face?
- “This is my final answer.”
- “Well… you are right…Two-nil for you.”
- “Don’t change subject, missy! Spit it all!”
- “There isn’t much to tell,” she replied blushed. “I mean, I just liked her physique, nothing more.”
- “And by saying ‘liked’ you mean she turned you on, don’t you?” I insisted, making Andie blushing even more. “Come on, Andie, there’s nothing to be ashamed of.”
- “I know… It’s, um… it’s just I haven’t told anyone. I… I wanted but I have no one to tell such thing. I mean… I know that you told me time and again that I could tell you anything but… but till today… I mean we hadn’t this kind of relationship.”
- “But now we do,” I said trying to comfort her. I took both hands into mine and I rose them to my lips, kissing them gently. “So, tell me about her.”
- “Really… I don’t have much to tell. I mean… there is a certain type of woman that I find attractive and… and she fitted. She was a petite blonde with pixie hair and… let’s say, gifted bosom, at least for her size.” She chuckled. “But boy, if you made the mistake of earning her fury… Do you know how we called her? Honey badger!”
- “So, you like petit, non-nonsense, bossy women.”
- “No… she isn’t exactly bossy, actually she is very cute in a girlish manner. But if you step on her calluses, boy, may the God show mercy on your soul!”
- “Hypothetical question, if you had a chance, would you pursuit it further?”
She paused for some moments, her eyes betraying that she made this a picture inside her mind. “I… I don’t know. I mean… how could I know without trying?”
- “You don’t, but you could make an educated guess, providing that you’d be honest to yourself.”
- “As my boyfriend likes to say, the difference between theory and practice, yada-yada-yada…”
- “Be that as it may. Andie, please stop deflecting!”
She sighed. “You are right, of course… I was deflecting. Please… please be patient with me… I mean… It’s only my third relationship… or rather my first relationship with someone to whom I have true feelings,” she said nervously fidgeting with the fabric of her top, looking down on her feet.
- “No worries, sweety,” I said in a comforting voice, stroking gently her hair.
She raised briefly her eyes to mine, smiling shyly, then she lowered again her gaze. She sighed, and tentatively she raised her eyes again. “Probably I would… I don’t know how this would go but… there would be only one way to find out, wouldn’t it? And now… and now I have you so… so I guess we won’t find out anytime soon… I hope!”

Well, one thing was for sure; Andie was committed to the fullest.

 

13. The Temple and the King

With the exception of Rita and Lizzy, especially Lizzy, my inability to form meaningful romantic bonds with other people, drove my romantic notions to overdrive, as Andie had correctly observed. Despite this, I had no delusions of ‘together forever’ with her. Even setting aside our familial relation and the fact that I was eighteen years older, she was just a young girl in her early twenties. She was meant to live her life to the fullest, to explore, to experience, before committing herself to a lifelong relationship.

Ok, sure, no one enters a relationship thinking it will be their last, but no rational person would embark on a relationship they knew was doomed from the start. We all seek some potential, don’t we? This wasn’t the first time for me; I fell in love with Lizzy even though we both knew it was destined to end. One month, and that was it. Lizzy described it as the rodeo of her life, or at least up to that point. For me, it wasn’t a rodeo. It wasn’t something thrilling; it was something magical. It was a carousel.

Magical or not, in the end it hurt like a bitch. Nearly sixteen years later I still ache for her, that’s why when I find myself in emotional turmoil it’s her voice I hear in the back of my mind. I thought... I thought that I couldn’t fall for Andie, but this was nothing but fooling myself. While she was drop-dead gorgeous, it was her bright mind that shone with the might of a thousand suns, her dry wit, her deadpan humor and her fierce loyalty that drew me like a moth into a flame.

As I sat there, my fingers drummed nervously on my thigh, tension coiling in my shoulders. My eyes sought Andie, hoping to find solace in her presence. A deep pang resonated in my heart; a physical ache that made breathing difficult. My hands clenched into fists, nails digging into my palms, as I struggled to maintain my composure as the internal battle between head and heart raged on. I knew the risks, the potential for pain, yet I couldn’t deny the pull I felt towards her. As Lizzy had said nearly sixteen years ago, ‘If you’ve never felt the sting of loss, what have you truly lived for?

“Welcome to the other side of the Rubicon, you big oaf!” Lizzy’s mocking voice echoed in my mind. This was my true point of no return. Despite the difficulties and my firm belief that anything with Andie would end sooner rather than later, I realized this was just my projection. The end would be predetermined under two conditions: ending it right then and there, or my reluctance to sabotage it as a self-fulfilling prophecy. Unlike with Lizzy, where we both knew and agreed that one month was all we had, there were no such restrictions with Andie. Only my fears of the natural flow of things: even if I was the first, I probably wouldn’t be the last. Well, one day we’re all going to die, but that doesn’t mean we have to dig our graves right now. That was the true spirit of Lizzy’s favorite quote, despite the original Marine having something entirely different in mind. No, you won’t live forever, so stop acting like it’s in your hands.”

My internal turmoil didn’t go unnoticed by Andie. She turned towards me, her brow furrowed with concern, and reached out to gently touch my arm. “A penny for your thoughts,” she said, trying to ease me.
- “Remember our discussion about leaps of faith?” I replied with a steady voice but with my hands clenched into fists on my lap. “I just took one, and finding myself in mid-air, I can’t help but fear the unknown.”
Andie leaned in closer, her eyes searching mine for reassurance. “As long as we’re together, who cares about the weather? You said so!”
- “I did,” I acknowledged, taking her hands into mine and holding them firmly. My thumbs traced circles on the back of her hands, a comforting gesture as I looked into her eyes. “Andie, don’t get me wrong; I didn’t regret it a bit.” My voice was filled with conviction, but my body language betrayed my inner conflict. I shifted slightly on the sofa, my shoulders tense, and my grip on her hands tightened.
- “It’s just… you know me, I am one of those guys who meticulously plan ten moves ahead… though not in chess,” I said chuckling to lighten the mood, earning a tentative smile from Andie. “And… well… I found myself in the land of ‘here be dragons,’ and even if I didn’t give a shit for my well-being, I do care greatly about yours.”
Andie’s expression softened, and she squeezed my hands in response. “Nanakorobi ya oki,” she replied simply, her voice filled with quiet strength.

“Andrianne, douze points,” Lizzy’s mocking voice echoed in my head, and I shook it off with a small smile.

- “I don’t want you to fall, Andie,” I whispered, my voice barely audible. Our eyes met, and I saw tears welling up, ready to spill over.
- “It’s not your decision, Kostas. The risk is mine to take,” she replied, her voice trembling with emotion. Tears streamed down her cheeks, and she made no effort to wipe them away. “And… if you’ve forgotten, let me remind you of the last verse of your favorite song. ‘Hey you, don’t tell me there’s no hope at all, together we stand, divided we fall.’ Yes, you can force my hand, but that would be cheating, denying us the chance…”

- “I know, Andie, I have no such intention!” I exclaimed urgently. I raised her hands to my lips and kissed them gently, my eyes locked onto hers. “I just… I just don’t want you to get hurt! I know it’s not always up to us…”
- “As long as we give our best, Kostas, that’s all that really matters,” she said, her voice steadying. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around me, her body pressing against mine. I felt the warmth of her skin through her tank top, the softness of her curves against my chest. I returned the embrace, holding her close as if to protect her from the world.

Andie’s reminder was poignant. I was the one who introduced her to Pink Floyd’s music after convincing her to watch The Wall with me. ‘Hey You’ and ‘Comfortably Numb’ were my favorites for good reason. The latter resonated with my emotional numbness, but the former… it was all about its final verse. ‘Hey you, don’t tell me there’s no hope at all, together we stand, divided we fall.’ Then it dawned on me. ‘Act as you have faith, and faith shall be given to you.’ My hands clenched into fists at my sides, a display of my resolve and readiness to fight for our future. I smiled, but this time it wasn’t tentative. It exuded confidence and challenged the Universe itself.

- “Come on, you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?”

Andie watched me, her eyes wide for some moments. Then she sat a little straighter on the sofa. Her lips parted as if to speak, but no words came out. Instead, she took a deep breath, her chest rising and falling with each inhale and exhale. Her eyes never left mine. She nodded slowly, her gaze filled with the same resolve.

- “Wait here,” she told me, and she left the sofa, walking with a graceful sway to her stereo. She opened a drawer and after searching for a moment, she smiled and took out a CD. She inserted it into the CD player but didn’t press ‘play’. Having the remote in hand, she came back to me. “May I have this dance, my good Sire?” she asked, smiling mischievously.
- “Why, most certainly, my fair Lady,” I replied, smiling back. I stood up and took her into my embrace. I held her tightly, feeling the warmth of her body against mine. She crossed her hands behind my head, pulling me closer, making my heart beating faster in anticipation.
As she pressed the remote, the first notes of the Rainbow’s masterpiece “Temple of the King” filled the living room. I looked into her eyes, seeing the reflection of the same desire and affection that I felt.
- “You are the Temple!” I told her, my voice trembling with intensity of the realization, as it finally came to me. I shouldn’t expect anything less from her!
- “And you are the King,” she replied, her voice soft and sultry. She pulled me even closer, our bodies pressing tightly against each other. “My King,” she whispered just before our lips touched, and it was as if time stood still.

The kiss was soft and gentle at first, a tender exploration of each other’s mouths. Her lips were warm and inviting. I deepened the kiss, my hands roaming over her back, pulling her closer still. She responded eagerly, her body melting into mine, her lips parting to allow my tongue to explore.

There in the middle of the circle it lies
Heaven, help me
Then all could see by the shine in his eyes
The answer had been found

The kiss became more passionate, more intense, a dance of our lips and tongues that left us both breathless. Her fingers tightened in my hair, holding me captive, as if she never wanted the moment to end. I could feel her heart beating in sync with mine, a rhythm that was both calming and exhilarating.

Back with the people in the circle he stands
Giving, feeling
With just one touch of a strong right hand, they know
Of the temple and the king

As we finally broke apart, our foreheads rested against each other, our breaths coming in short gasps. Her eyes were closed, a small smile playing on her lips, a sign of the pleasure and contentment she felt. I looked into her eyes, seeing the same love and desire that mirrored my own feelings.

- “Let’s go for a ride with your dragon!” I told her, a smile spreading across my face. My eyes sparkled with excitement and anticipation, reflecting the thrill of the adventure ahead.
- “To where?” she asked me, her voice barely containing so excited that that she completely forgot her usual mannerism. Her eyes widened, and a small, eager smile played on her lips.
- “Anywhere!” I replied, my voice filled with the same excitement. “I don’t care; it’s the journey that matters!” She nodded enthusiastically, full of energy, her head bobbing up and down with a sense of urgency and joy.

We changed clothes, preparing for the late-night ride ahead. Andie slipped into her motorcycle jacket and trousers. Though I didn’t have specialized riding gear, I wore my light pajama pants inside my jeans, a T-shirt, and a long-sleeve T-shirt. It wouldn’t offer the same protection as Andie’s leather, but it would help keep me from ending up as a human popsicle. After all, midsummer or not, it was a late night on an island and going out for a ride with her 197-horsepower beast, I could use any protection from the cold I could get.

- “And I don’t want to hear any complaints about your helmet, am I clear, mister?” Andie said, her eyes sparkling with amusement.
- “I’m supposed to be the Dom! This is insurrection!” I replied with feigned indignation, trying to keep the playful banter going.
- “Oh, shut up!” she retorted, laughing. “You know the rules. Safety first.”
- “But… but…” I stammered, trying to come up with a counterargument.
- “No buts or I’ll make yours, red, am I clear?” she replied, laughing even more. Her playful teasing was infectious, and I couldn’t help but join in the laughter.
- “Ugh… you will pay for this!” I said, still chuckling.
- “Brrrrrrrrr!”
- “Is this your final answer? You have still time to repent!”
- “BRRRRRRRRRRR!” she did, even more emphatically, making me again burst into laughter.

As we prepared to set off, Andie swung her leg over the motorcycle, settling into the seat with a sense of familiarity and confidence. She had ridden this beast many times before, and it showed in her posture and the way she handled the machine. I climbed on behind her, wrapping my arms around her waist and feeling the warmth of her body against mine. The custom backrest made the ride easier for me, as it provided support and comfort. Truth be told, for this beast of a machine, passenger comfort was more of an afterthought, but the backrest helped to make the journey more manageable.

She gripped the handlebars firmly, as she looked back at me with a smile that promised excitement and adventure. “Ready for the ride of your life?” she asked, her voice filled with thrill and enthusiasm.
- “As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, my heart racing from excitement and nervous energy.

She revved the engine, the powerful roar filling the air and making my heart pound even harder. We pulled out of the driveway, the cool night air immediately sending a chill down my spine. I held onto Andie more tightly, seeking warmth and comfort in her presence as we began our journey.

With my initial fear of motorcycles starting to subside, I was finally able to relax and enjoy the ride, taking in our surroundings. As we rode through the streets of Heraklion, the city lights faded into the distance, replaced by the dark silhouette of the island’s landscape. The moon cast a silvery glow over the road, illuminating our path and creating a magical atmosphere. The sound of the motorcycle engine was a steady rhythm, a symphony of power and freedom that seemed to echo through the night.

We passed by the sleeping townships, their lights twinkling like stars against the dark canvas of the night sky. The wind whipped around us; the sensation was exhilarating, full of adventure. As we continued our ride, the landscape began to change. The flat plains of Heraklion gave way to its mountainous side and winding roads that led us deeper into the heart of the island. The terrain was challenging, with sharp turns that tested Andie’s skill and the motorcycle’s power. She handled the machine with precision and confidence, her body leaning into each turn as if she were a part of the machine itself.

The custom backrest provided support and stability, allowing me to relax and enjoy the ride without fear of losing my balance. The wind rushed past us, carrying with it the sounds and scents of the island, a symphony of nature and adventure that filled our senses and left us feeling alive.

Finally, after what felt like both an eternity and a fleeting moment, we arrived at our destination. The lights of Matala came into view, a beacon of warmth and welcome in the dark night. Andie pulled the motorcycle to a stop, and we both sat there for a moment, taking in the beauty of the scene before us.

 

14. Moonlight Sonata

When we arrived at the parking lot, we dismounted from the motorcycle and after setting the alarm, we proceeded towards the beach. It was a beautiful summer night, and even though the clothes we were wearing were necessary for the ride—especially considering the mountainous road from Heraklion to Matala—we started to feel hot.

Fortunately for her, Andie had been prepared and had worn shorts under her motorcycle pants, while under her jacket she wore a simple summer T-shirt. For me, things were a bit more complicated. I was wearing pajamas under my jeans, so I had no choice but to endure the public striptease. Andie’s playful whistles of encouragement as I stood there in my boxers didn’t help much. Oh, she was going to pay for this!

- “The insurrection continues!” I said, a playful smile spreading across my face. My eyes sparkled with amusement as I watched Andie, waiting for her response.
- “I have no idea what you are talking about, my good Sire,” she replied, rapidly blinking her eyes with feigned innocence. Her lips curved into a mischievous smile, and she batted her eyelashes at me, radiating a faux naivety that was both charming and infuriating.
- “HAHAHAHA, you’re playing it dirty!” I exclaimed, laughing at her antics. I shook my head in mock exasperation, my hands raised in surrender. My eyes met hers, and I could see the amusement and challenge in her gaze.
- “I’m a bad, bad girl!” she said in a sultry voice, her tone dripping with mock guilt. She leaned forward slightly, inviting and provocative, her eyes never leaving mine.
- “Okay, I’ll make your buttocks red when we return home,” I replied, my voice filled with a mix of amusement and genuine intent. “For now, let’s have some beer!”

Her clapping was all the answer I needed. We walked to the main village. We entered a cozy bar, that was full of tourists, a mix of nationalities and ages, all gathered to enjoy the lively ambiance. The walls were adorned with colorful posters and memorabilia, creating a vibrant and eclectic backdrop to the scene, though the music could be better…

The bar played contemporary pop music, the beats pulsing through the air and filling the space. The music wasn’t particularly to my liking, but beggars can’t be choosers, and I was willing to overlook the musical preferences for the sake of the experience. The bar staff moved efficiently, serving drinks and engaging with the patrons, with genuine smiles and a welcoming demeanor.

We found a table in the corner, a spot that offered a good view of the bar and the opportunity to observe the crowd. Andie sat down relaxed, and her eyes scanned the room with curiosity. She leaned in closer to me, her voice barely above a whisper as she commented on the various patrons and their interactions.

While waiting for our beers, the bar became even more crowded, the air filled with the sound of laughter and the clinking of glasses. The atmosphere had a great vibe and that was infectious in spite of my different music tastes. Andie and I continued our playful banter, teasing each other and laughing like carefree students. Well, at least one of us still was.

The bar staff brought us our beers, the frothy liquid a refreshing respite from the heat of the summer night. We raised our glasses in a toast, our eyes meeting over the rims as we took a sip. The cold beer was a welcome relief, the bubbles fizzing on my tongue and leaving a trail of coolness down my throat.

- “Gods, I was thirsty!” she exclaimed after taking a generous gulp of beer. Her eyes widened with relief and pleasure as the cold liquid quenched her thirst. She wiped the foam from her upper lip with the back of her hand, a satisfied smile spreading across her face. Her shoulders relaxed, and she leaned back in her seat.
- “Take it easy, missy,” I told her playfully, though my voice was firm. I reached out and gently tapped her hand, a light-hearted gesture meant to rein her in. “We have to return home.”
- “I know, I know!” she replied, her voice filled with mock exasperation. She rolled her eyes dramatically, her head tilting slightly to the side as she looked at me. Her fingers tapped impatiently on the table, a sign of her eagerness to enjoy the moment. “Don’t be a party pooper, let me at least enjoy the one and only beer I’ll have!”
- “Ten more for telling me that I’m a party pooper!” I countered, my voice filled with amusement. I raised an eyebrow, my gaze locked onto hers, challenging her to respond.
- “Ten more of what added to what?” she inquired, her curiosity piqued. She sat up straighter in her seat, her eyes sparkled with amusement, and her lips curved into a playful smile.
- “Ten more slaps, five for each buttock, added to the other ten you’ve earned for mocking me when I tried to change clothes!” I said, with a firm but playful voice. “And ten more for your insurrection! What says you?”
She hesitated for a moment, her eyes widening with faux surprise. Then, in her characteristic deadpan manner, she replied, “Um… harder, daddy?”

Her response caught me off guard, and I nearly choked on the sip of beer I had just taken. The liquid spilled from my nose, and I coughed and spluttered, trying to regain my composure. Andie watched me, her eyes wide with amusement, her body shaking with silent laughter. She reached out and patted me gently on the back, her touch both comforting and mocking.

- “You okay there, old man?” she asked, her voice filled with concern, though I could hear the laughter underlying her words. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and her lips were pressed together in an effort to hold back her amusement.
- “Yes, yes, I’m fine,” I managed to say, wiping the beer from my nose and mouth. I took a deep breath, while my heart was still racing from the unexpected reaction. I looked at her, my eyes filled with a mix of amusement and exasperation. “You really know how to keep a man on his toes, don’t you?”
- “It’s a gift,” she replied, her voice filled with feigned innocence. She raised her glass in a toast, her eyes meeting mine over the rim. “To keeping things interesting. Furthermore, I very well remember what you’ve said the first time you took me out for drinks, three years ago.”
- “And pray tell, what have I said?” I leaned in slightly, a playful smirk tugging at the corners of my mouth.
- “Please, next time try to find less subtle ways to kill me. I’m not against more direct approaches…yeah, yeah, I know, another ten for mocking you!” she said even more mischievously, her eyebrows waggling. I chuckled, shaking my head, but she had no intentions of sparing me. “I replied to you, ‘your funeral’ and then I kissed you. You can’t blame a girl of doing what she was asked to!” she continued, nearly giving me a stroke from laughter.

I threw my head back, laughing heartily, my shoulders shaking with mirth. She leaned closer, her eyes sparkling with mischief, and gave my arm a playful shove. I wiped a tear from the corner of my eye, still grinning.

- “You’re impossible,” I said, my voice filled with affection. She shrugged, a satisfied smile playing on her lips, and took another sip of her drink, her fingers tapping rhythmically on the glass.

We stayed for another hour, and since Andie couldn’t have a second drink, neither did I. We returned to the bike, but the night was so beautiful that I didn’t want it to end. Andie wore her motorcycle jacket and trousers, and I went for a second round of striptease to wear my pajamas under my blue jeans. This time she didn’t whistle, she mimicked the introduction of “Minnie the moocher”, nearly giving me a second stroke from laughter.

- “I LOVE YOU!” I screamed at the top of my lungs, my arms wide. My face lit up with pure joy and excitement, my eyes locked onto hers with an intensity that mirrored my feelings.
- “I LOVE YOU!” she replied at the same volume, her voice echoing mine with the same level of passion. She stood up as well, her hands clapping together in excitement. Her eyes sparkled with happiness, and her smile was as bright as the sun.
- “GO GET A ROOM!” we heard the playful tease from afar, the voice carrying through the air with a sense of humor and lightheartedness.

We both turned in the direction of the voice, our eyes meeting for a moment before breaking into uncontrollable laughter. I leaned forward, my hands on my knees, as I tried to catch my breath. Andie’s body shook with laughter, her hand covering her mouth in an attempt to stifle the sound.

- “Let’s go for a night swim!” she suggested, her voice filled with excitement and adventure. She reached out and took my hand, her fingers intertwining with mine.
- “I don’t have my swimsuit with me!” I replied, rather surprised, looking at her with raised eyebrows and a mix of amusement and disbelief. I shrugged slightly, my hands gesturing in a playful manner.
- “Well, neither do I,” she replied in a sultry voice full of promise. Her eyes sparkled with mischief, and her lips curved into a playful smile. She leaned in closer to me, her voice dropping to a whisper, as if sharing a secret.
- “So be it!” I exclaimed. I looked at her, my eyes filled with anticipation and excitement. “Where to?”
- “You’ll see!” she said, her voice filled with mystery and intrigue. She winked at me then she rode her bike. Smiling broadly, I followed her.

She fired up the powerful engine and its deep rumble resonated through the quiet night. The cool breeze of the beautiful Cretan summer night brushed against our faces as we set off, the headlights cutting through the darkness, illuminating the road ahead. The route, bathed in the moonlight, was a thrilling mix of twists and turns, each bend revealing a new vista of the rugged landscape.

The road hugged the coastline, offering glimpses of the shimmering sea below, reflecting the stars above. Occasionally, we passed through small, sleepy villages, their lights twinkling like fireflies in the distance. The sound of the engine echoed off the rocky cliffs, a constant companion in the stillness of the night. As we leaned into each curve, the motorcycle responded with precision to Andie’s driving like a piano would respond to a virtuoso.

As we approached Agios Pavlos, the road began to descend, and the landscape opened up to reveal the vast expanse of the sandhills. The ride culminated in a breathtaking view of the beach as the sand dunes glowed softly under the moonlight. We parked the bike at the far end and took a moment to soak in the serene beauty of the scene. The sound of the waves gently crashed against the shore providing a soothing backdrop.

We were completely alone, so skinny dipping would be no problem. We stood for some minutes, holding hands without speaking and enjoying the view of the sandhills under the dim moonlight.

- “God, it’s so beautiful,” she said, her voice filled with awe and wonder. Her eyes widened as she took in the stunning view before us, her lips parting in a smile of pure delight. She turned to me, her hand reaching out to squeeze mine, her fingers intertwining with mine in a gesture of shared admiration.
- “It is, isn’t it?” I replied, holding her hand even tighter into mine. The warmth of her touch was comforting, and I felt a sense of contentment wash over me as we stood there, taking in the beauty of the moment. I looked at her, my eyes reflecting the same wonder and joy that I saw in hers.
- “So…” I said, my voice trailing off as an idea suddenly struck me. I stopped holding her hand and, with a sudden burst of excitement, I exclaimed, “The last one to the beach is a loser!” and started abruptly running as fast as I could towards the shore, my heart pounding with adrenaline and the thrill of the challenge.

Yeah, good luck with that. Though I was taller and had a longer stride, Andie was a 400m hurdles runner, and a snowball in hell had greater chances of survival than me winning in a speed race against her. As I sprinted towards the beach, I could hear her laughter behind me, a sound that was both infectious and slightly terrifying.

Screaming, squealing, and laughing, we both tumbled several times to the sand as we tried desperately to undress and run as quickly as possible. Our clothes were scattered haphazardly around us, a testament to our haste and excitement. I could feel the grains of sand sticking to my skin as I struggled to free myself from my jeans and shirt, my movements frantic and clumsy.

Finally, with a last-ditch effort, I managed to shed my clothes and took off towards the sea. Andie was already there, her naked form silhouetted against the moonlight, a vision of grace and freedom. She ran into the water, her steps confident and sure, and with a leap, she dove into the sea, the waves crashing around her.

I followed a few seconds later, my body aching from the exertion but my spirit soaring with the thrill of the moment. As I entered the water, I could feel the coolness of it against my skin, a refreshing contrast to the warmth of the night. I dove in after her, the sea enveloping me in its embrace, and as I surfaced, I saw Andie a few yards away, her laughter echoing through the night.

As we swam together, our bodies cutting through the water with ease, the moonlight cast a shimmering glow on the surface. The sea was calm, and the night was peaceful, We swam closer to the shore, the waves gently lapping against our skin as we reached the shallower water.

Andie turned to face me, her eyes reflecting the moonlight and sparkling with unshed tears of joy. She reached out, her hands resting on my shoulders, her fingers tracing the line of my neck with a gentle touch. I could feel the warmth of her breath on my face, and the way her body moved in the water was like a dance, fluid and graceful.

I moved closer to her, our bodies just inches apart. The water around us seemed to be still, as if the sea itself was holding its breath, waiting for this moment. I looked into her eyes, seeing my own feelings of love and wonder mirrored in their depths. I reached up, my hands cupping her face, my thumbs gently brushing away the tears that now fell freely.

- “You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen,” I whispered, my voice barely audible over the gentle lapping of the waves. “Both in and out of the water.”

She smiled, her lips parting slightly as she leaned in to meet me. Our lips touched, and it was like an electric current passed between us. The kiss started soft and tender, a gentle exploration of each other’s mouths, but it quickly deepened into something more passionate and intense.

Our bodies pressed together, the cool water a stark contrast to the heat of our embrace. My hands roamed over her back, pulling her closer still, as if I could somehow merge our forms into one. She responded eagerly, her arms wrapping around my neck, her fingers tangling in my hair as she held me tightly.

The kiss was a declaration of our love, a promise of forever etched in the most intimate of ways. It was a dance of our lips and tongues, a symphony of sighs and soft moans that seemed to echo through the night. The world around us faded away, leaving only the two of us lost in a moment of pure, unadulterated bliss.

As we finally broke apart, our foreheads rested against each other, our breaths coming in short gasps. Her eyes met mine, and in that moment, I saw everything I needed to see—love, trust, and a future filled with endless possibilities.

- “I love you,” she whispered, her voice filled with emotion.
- “I love you too,” I replied, my heart swelling with love and gratitude.

We stood there in the shallow water, our bodies entwined, our hearts beating in sync. The sea around us seemed to hum with the same passion that filled our souls.

Yup, I started falling for her… hard.

 

15. On the Beach

Although desire burned in my chest—and not only there—I wasn’t rushing at all. I wanted to prolong this beautiful moment until eternity and even beyond. Like... like the first time I made Lizzy mine, under the sound of the long and melancholic solo of ‘Light my Fire.’ “Stop doing this!” I scolded myself. “Now there is Andie, only Andie.”

- “A penny for your thoughts,” she said tenderly, looking at me with eyes shining with love.
I gently caressed her face, brushing away a wet lock of hair that had fallen across it. “I want time to stop,” I replied simply.
She didn’t respond; her smile, which seemed to light up the night even more than the moonlight, was all the answer needed.
- “Yes, I know... foolish romanticism...” I said with a sigh.
- “Not at all!” she replied, maintaining her smile. She shifted slightly in the water, her eyes focused intently on mine. “Yes, I know... each of us ultimately experiences pain alone.” She paused, biting her lower lip thoughtfully. “I don’t... I don’t know... I’m a deeply emotional person, I can’t... I can’t put myself in your place, I can’t comprehend what this void inside you feels like...” she said, her voice trailing off as she gathered her thoughts.
Her hands moved expressively as she continued, water droplets catching the moonlight as they fell from her gestures. “You’re intensely contradictory. For someone who struggles, or at least finds it very difficult to form emotional bonds with others, you’re very emotional, or at least, that’s how you appear.” She tilted her head slightly, studying my face. “You’re not aloof—quite the opposite, you’re cheerful, playful, and my God, your self-deprecating humor is the best I’ve ever encountered.”
Her eyes sparkled with enthusiasm as she continued, her voice gaining confidence. “You’re easy-going, mischievous, you accept teasing as good-naturedly as you give it... You’re extremely intelligent, but not simply a detached intellectual, you’re street smart. Your perception is exceptional; you can read other people’s emotions and something more...” She moved closer, her voice softening with admiration. “You’re more empathetic than anyone I’ve ever known.” She shook her head slightly, water cascading from her hair. “I don’t know... sometimes you remind me of what they call a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma.”
- “Калинка, калинка, калинка моя! В саду ягода малинка, малинка моя!” I sang her, using my best operatic voice, and as I’ve been told it was quite good.
Andie blinked for a few moments, totally surprised. Her eyes widened, and her mouth formed a small ‘O’ of shock. She stared at me, her body frozen for a second before she burst into uncontrollable laughter. Her shoulders shook, and she doubled over, her hands covering her face in an attempt to contain her amusement. The sound of her laughter filled the air, a melody of pure joy and disbelief.
- “Now you’re just showing off,” she managed to say, finally catching her breath. “First your operatic voice and then your fluent Russian!”
- “Well, you started it,” I replied, chuckling. I leaned back, my arms crossed over my chest, a smug smile playing on my lips. “You’ve just quoted Churchill.”
- “I did what?” she asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.
- “Russia was the riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma, or at least it was according to old Winston.”
- “As my favorite person once said to a naïve sixteen-year-old girl, when explaining the cave allegory, ‘Sitting with me will make you a better person!’” she retorted, her voice filled with mischievous amusement.
- “And to whom you replied ‘BRRRRRRRRRRR’!” I said, mimicking her tone.
- “AHAHAHAHAHAHA, you won’t let it go, will you?” she exclaimed, her eyes sparkling with laughter.
- “How could I? I swear, it was truly the first time in my life that I nearly had a stroke from uncontrollable laughter. And to my delight, I discovered that I didn’t develop immunity to your antics,” I retorted, earning yet another of her delightful, enthusiastic handclaps, her body leaning forward with excitement. “See what I mean?”
- “Yippyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy and amusement.
- “Ok, the night is warm and all, but I started feeling like a popsicle. And we don’t even have a towel. That went well!” I sighed, my shoulders slumping in mock disappointment.
- “Hmmm” she said, her lips curving into a mischievous grin. She leaned closer to me, her voice dropping to a playful whisper. “Is drying your worry, or your fear that we’ll need an electron microscopy to find... little-Kostas?”
- “BRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!” I replied, my voice filled with feigned indignation. I raised an eyebrow, my gaze locked onto hers, a playful challenge in my eyes. Her reaction was immediate, her hands clapping together in another enthusiastic round of applause. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, and her body shook with silent laughter as she watched me squirm.
- “Anyway, I have us covered. Behind the backrest there is a little storage space that obviously you haven’t noticed. During the summer I always carry a towel, a T-shirt and a cover-up, you can use the towel to dry yourself.” Her voice carried a hint of pride at her preparedness.
- “Shoot, I could use a sexy cover-up!” I teased her, waggling my eyebrows suggestively. My lips curved into a mischievous smile as I watched her reaction.
- “Well, in that case drop the towel after drying!” she said, winking playfully. Her voice took on a sultry tone, and she bit her lower lip in an exaggerated gesture of seduction. Water droplets glistened on her skin in the moonlight as she moved closer.
- “Is that so?” I asked, my voice dropping to a husky whisper. Then I grabbed her, pulling her closer. She closed her eyes, her lips parting slightly in anticipation of a kiss, her body relaxing into my embrace.

Boy was she wrong! Holding her firmly in place, I started tickling her mercilessly. Her eyes flew open in surprise, and a startled squeal escaped her lips. The squeal quickly transformed into uncontrollable laughter as my fingers found all her ticklish spots. Her body squirmed in my grasp, water splashing around us as she tried unsuccessfully to escape my playful assault.

- “Say, bless me Father for I have sin!” I said in a commanding but playful voice, still maintaining my grip on her. My eyes sparkled with mischief, and I tried to maintain a stern expression despite my growing urge to laugh.
- “Sorry daddy, I’ve been naughty!” she replied after finding her breath, her voice carrying that perfect blend of innocence and mischief that she had mastered. Her delivery was flawless—deadpan with just the right touch of sultry undertone—making me lose my breath entirely. I released her from my grasp, doubling over with laughter.

Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if it’s a miracle I’m still alive. During the time that I’ve known her, I had truly lost count of how many times I nearly stroked-out from laughing, either from her antics or from her dry wit and deadpan delivery. The water splashed around us as I tried to regain my composure, her playful grin telling me she was thoroughly enjoying the effect she had on me. Her ability to flip a situation on its head, to take my teasing and turn it back on me with devastating effect, was just one more thing that made her absolutely irresistible.

- “You’ll be the death of me!” I said, my voice filled with mock exasperation. I wiped away a pretend tear from my cheek, my eyes sparkling with amusement.
- “I’ll give you the kiss of life... the jury is still out on which head!” she replied in her characteristic deadpan manner. Her eyes, however, held a twinkle of mischief that I had come to know so well.

This time, I laughed so hard that my body shook with uncontrollable laughter. I doubled over, my hands clutching my stomach as I tried to catch my breath. Andie watched me, her own lips curving into a small smile as she took in my reaction. The more I tried to stop, the more I laughed and at the end it turned to a coughing fit. I gasped for breath, my body wracked with coughs that seemed to come from deep within my chest. My face turned red, and my eyes watered as I struggled to regain control.

Andie’s expression shifted from amusement to concern in an instant. “Kostas are you ok, babe?” she asked clearly worried.
- “I’m ok, babe!” I managed to say between coughs, my voice hoarse and strained. I reached out and took her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze to reassure her. My eyes met hers, and I could see the worry in their depths.
Andie’s brow furrowed with concern, and she leaned in closer, her hand gently rubbing my back in a soothing motion. “Are you sure you’re alright?” she asked, her voice still filled with worry.
- “I’m sure,” I replied, my coughing finally subsiding. I took a deep breath, my shoulders relaxing as I leaned into her touch. “I wouldn’t change your humor for the world,” I said, my voice filled with conviction. “If I live, I lived!”
Andie’s smile returned, her eyes softening with relief. “Your laughter is one of the things I love most about you.” she said, her voice filled with warmth. “I… I can’t have enough of it!”
- “And your humor is one of the things I love most about you,” I replied, my heart swelling with love. I pulled her closer, our bodies pressing together, and this time, we simply kissed, a long tender yet passionate kiss. I stopped the kiss and still holding her close I whispered “Let’s get out” looking her straight into her eyes. She didn’t reply, just nodded smiling eagerly.

We didn’t even try to dry ourselves; the summer night was warm, and the fire burned inside both. We lied down on the sand almost as soon as we stepped outside. I took her into my embrace and our lips met each other, our tender kiss quickly becoming intense and passionate. Our tongues danced in our mouths, as we both surrendered to raw passion.

As she lied naked on the sand, I tasted the salt of the sea on her body, trailing from her mouth down her neck, and from her neck to her breasts. I gently kissed her nipple before taking it into my mouth and started playing with it using my lips and tongue, earning her pleasure moans. With my hands full of sand, I avoided caressing her below, but it wasn’t really necessary, Andie was ready for me.

- “Kostas,” she said in a hoarse voice filled with desire. “Make me yours… please make me yours!”
- “I want to, babe,” I replied, “but we don’t have condoms!”
- “We do!” she said. “I always carry some with me, didn’t I tell you?”

She got up and ran a short distance down the beach where her bug was thrown. I chuckled at the thought that our clothes were scattered along the entire path from the motorcycle to the shoreline, all part of our playful race I had started.

- “I brought the strawberries!” she said playfully, referring to the flavored condoms we had bought just a few hours earlier. “But for the… encouragement, I don’t need them!” she said mischievously, pulling me down beside her and taking me into her mouth. Truth be told, I really didn’t need any encouragement, but the sensation of her warm, eager, wet mouth and her lips around my penis was beyond description. It didn’t take long to go from fully erect to ‘Please God, let me die with the Philistines!’”

Well, not actually die, but you get the idea.

I carefully put on the condom as Andie lay naked once again on the sand. I positioned myself above her, and she welcomed me, her legs parting to accommodate me. As I entered her, it was as if a knife slipped into hot butter. Our connection was intense, and neither of us could suppress our moans of pleasure. She wrapped her legs around me, urging me closer, desiring me to go deeper. I briefly opened my eyes; hers were shut tightly, her lower lip held captive by her teeth, lost in the moment. As if she felt my gaze, she opened her eyes, and I lost myself in their depths.

- “I love you! Oh God, how I love you!” she said, her voice overwhelmed with raw emotion.
- “You are mine! Mine!” I exclaimed, almost out of breath but without breaking the rhythm.
- “Yes, babe, I’m yours! Only yours!” she replied, dragging her nails over my back. The pain didn’t even register, as if I were under her spell.

For several minutes, I moved slowly, wanting to prolong those moments indefinitely. But the sensation was so intense that I felt I wouldn’t be able to hold on any longer, and her ecstatic moans didn’t help. I sensed the end coming, and there was nothing I could do to delay it any further. With one final thrust, I buried myself as deep as I could and held still. The intensity of my climax was beyond description. My body convulsed as I poured myself into her, my pleasured sobs joining hers as we both climaxed.

Panting slightly, I leaned over her. She smiled, gently wiping the sweat from my forehead, her touch soft and tender. Her face glowed, not just from the moonlight, but from a mix of peace, joyful relaxation, and love. The expression on her face stirred something deep within me, a recognition of something I had seen before but I couldn’t place it. It was so familiar and yet so alien, like a word on the tip of my tongue that I couldn’t quite grasp.

I delved deeper into my own psyche, my mind racing as it always did when confronted with undefined emotions. My OCD kicked in, that familiar need to categorize, to understand, to put a name to what I was seeing and feeling. My thoughts swirled like a maelstrom as I tried to maintain control, to not let the overwhelming need for definition consume this perfect moment.

Then, like a bulb suddenly illuminating a darkened room, clarity struck. The realization washed over me with an almost physical force, bringing with it a sense of peace I had rarely known. The expression on her face had a name, one that encompassed everything I was experiencing. It was what I was feeling, it was completeness. Not just contentment or satisfaction, but a profound sense of wholeness, as if a piece of myself I hadn’t known was missing had finally clicked into place.

I was able to recognize it because, after almost sixteen long years, I felt it again. That sense of being exactly where I was meant to be, with exactly who I was meant to be with. It wasn’t just physical satisfaction or emotional connection; it was a state of being that transcended both. In that moment, the analytical part of my mind that always needed to understand, to categorize, to control, found at last its peace.

“Bye-bye miss American pie” I heard the sweet and soothing voice of Lizzy deep inside my mind, slowly fading in the background. There was a new boss in town.

 

16. So, This Is Paradise

We lied completely naked on the beach next to each other, just holding hands. The moon cast a silvery glow over the landscape, illuminating the cliffs and the rolling dunes in a soft, ethereal light. Shadows danced and shifted, creating an ever-changing mosaic of light and dark. The stars, undimmed by city lights, sparkled like diamonds scattered across a velvet canvas

The air was warm, carrying the faint scent of salt and wild herbs, a reminder of the rugged beauty of Crete. The sand beneath us was cool and soft, a perfect contrast to the warmth of our bodies. As we gazed up at the sky, the Milky Way stretched across the heavens, a river of light that seemed almost close enough to touch.

- “So, this is paradise!” Andie said in a voice full of wonder. She looked around, her eyes taking in the beauty of the night, the shimmering sea, and the soft moonlight. Her lips curved into a smile, and she let out a chuckle as if a thought had just occurred to her. “Let’s dance!”
- “What?” I asked, totally confused. I looked at her, my eyebrows raised in amusement and curiosity. My body language was relaxed, but my eyes sparkled with interest as I waited for her to explain.
- “Oh, gods! I just downloaded this to my phone on impulse two days ago!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with excitement. She jumped up from the sand, energetic and eager. She ran to where her purse was thrown, searching frantically. “I found it!” she exclaimed, holding up her phone. She came back to me, her eyes alight with anticipation. “Well, stand up, old man!”
- “Don’t you tell me you want us to do the Zorbas’ dance!” I said, feigning horror.
- “Oh, no! You said you know how to dance waltz!” she replied, her voice filled with palpable excitement. Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward, her hands gesturing animatedly as she spoke.
- “I do… What… Ok, I give up!” I said, throwing my hands up in feigned resignation. I looked at her, a smile playing on my lips. “What are you waiting for?”
- “Well, what are you waiting for?” she repeated, her voice filled with impatience and excitement. She reached out her hand, inviting me to stand.
- “Ugh! Ok!” I said, finally giving in. With some difficulty, I stood up, my body aching slightly from the sand and the night’s adventures. While making love to Andie on the sand had been magical, I was reminded that I was no longer in my twenties and had to pay for my sins.

What Andie did was nothing I could have expected! She started playing music on her phone, and the first notes filled the air. I recognized it instantly, it was one of my favorite pieces of music, from one of my favorite films. It was one of Basil Poledouris’ masterpieces, “The Orgy” from the kitchen scene from “Conan the Barbarian”.
I instantly made the connection to her earlier words and this piece of music. “So, this is paradise” is a quote from that very scene, and Andie’s alien brain had made that connection at the same moment she spoke those words, awed by the magnificent night sky vista.

The piece opened with soft, ethereal strings that introduced a gentle, flowing theme. These delicate opening notes created a dreamy, almost gossamer-like texture that seemed to float in the night air.

As the introduction built, deeper strings joined in, adding richness and depth to the arrangement. The melody began to soar, creating a sense of both urgency and passion that seemed to match the night perfectly. The main theme emerged in full orchestral splendor, with different layers weaving together into a tapestry of sound that surrounded us on the moonlit beach.

She stood tall, her head held high, her eyes closed as she lost herself in the music. She turned to face me, her eyes opening with a mischievous glint, and she held out her hand, inviting me to join her.

- “So, this is paradise,” I repeated chuckling. Andie learnt to love heroic fantasy by me, it was me that insisted to watch together “Conan the Barbarian”, winning her almost immediately.

She nodded, smiling, and I took her hand, and we began to dance. The sand beneath our feet was soft and yielding, but we moved with a grace that belied the uneven surface. Our bodies pressed together, our steps falling into sync with the music as it reached several crescendos of emotional intensity before returning to more intimate passages.

The waltz is a dance of intimacy and connection, and as we spun and twirled, I could feel the rhythm of her heart beating in time with mine. The music surrounded us, its dramatic orchestral flourishes matching our movements as we danced under the stars. The composition maintained its romantic core while the full orchestra swelled with emotional intensity, creating a perfect soundtrack for our moment.

- “I love you” she cried again and again during our twirls. Her eyes never left mine, her gaze filled with a mix of wonder and desire. Her body moved with a fluid grace, her hips swaying and her legs gliding across the sand as the music continued its beautiful journey around us.

As the last notes of the waltz faded into the night air, we remained standing, our bodies still swaying slightly to the remembered rhythm. The exertion of dancing in sand had left us pleasantly tired, and by mutual, unspoken agreement, we sank down onto the cooling sand. Andie nestled against me, her head finding its natural place on my shoulder, our breathing gradually slowing to match the gentle rhythm of the waves.

Above us, the vast canopy of stars stretched endlessly, more visible here than anywhere near the city lights. The Milky Way cut a glittering swath across the sky, and in the comfortable silence that fell between us, our eyes naturally drifted upward to the cosmic display.

- “Look,” I pointed at the night sky, “you can see Orion clearly tonight. The three stars of his belt are perfectly aligned.”
- “Hmm...” Andie mused, her head resting against my shoulder. “Did you know those three stars are actually binary systems? Each point of light we see is actually two stars dancing around each other.”
- “Like us?” I chuckled.
- “Well, technically, we’re more like a neutron star and its companion. You know, one incredibly dense object affecting everything around it,” she replied with her characteristic deadpan delivery.
- “Are you calling me dense?” I asked, feigning offense.
- “If the gravitational field fits...” she teased, earning a playful poke in her ribs.
- “Speaking of dense,” I continued, “see that bright star? That’s Sirius, the brightest star in our night sky. The ancient Greeks believed it caused the hottest days of summer.”
- “Post hoc ergo propter hoc,” Andie responded. “Though I have to admit, the correlation was impressive enough to convince people for millennia. Mathematics hadn’t caught up with human imagination yet.”
- “Sometimes imagination leads the way,” I said softly. “Like now, looking at infinite space, holding infinity in my arms.”
- “Now who’s being romantic?” she smiled. “Though as any mathematician would point out that not all infinities are equal. Some are bigger than others.”
- “Like my love for your alien brain?” I teased her.
- “Brrrrrrrrrrr!” she responded, clapping her hands enthusiastically.
- “You know,” Andie said thoughtfully, her eyes fixed on the curved arc of the Milky Way, “when you first taught me about non-Euclidean geometries, I couldn’t help but see them everywhere in nature. Like now, looking at this seemingly flat sky that’s actually curved in Riemannian space.”
- “Ah, the day you discovered that depending on the curvature, from a point outside a given line we could draw infinitely many lines not intersecting the original, or none at all, your eyes lit up like supernovae.”
- “Because it was mind-blowing! One moment I was stuck in Euclid’s rigid world, the next you showed me that geometry could bend and twist...” She paused, turning to face me. “You know, that’s when I first realized how extraordinary your mind is. The way you could make complex concepts feel natural, intuitive.”
- “Says the girl who solved the hundred prisoners’ riddle in five minutes,” I deflected.
- “No, don’t do that,” she said firmly, her voice losing its playful tone. “You’re doing exactly what you did with mathematics. Running away because you feared being merely competent rather than extraordinary.”
- “Touché,” I conceded, recognizing the parallel she’d drawn. “Acting like it’s in my hands by trying to control the outcome.”
- “Exactly! The universe isn’t Euclidean, life isn’t linear, and parallel lines do meet – sometimes in the most unexpected ways.” She gestured between us. “Like us. What were the odds?”
- “Speaking of probability spaces...” I started, trying to lighten the mood.
- “Oh no, you don’t get to deflect with humor, not this time old man,” she interrupted, but her voice was gentle. “You taught me that truth can be relative, that what’s true in one system might be false in another. Maybe it’s time you applied that wisdom to yourself.”
- “You know…” I sighed, “there’s a thing about you that always fascinated me and at the same time scared the shit out of me: you seem to have the uncanny ability to see right through me in a way that no other had done in my life…”

Not even Lizzy, with whom we grew up together and knew each other since our cribs, couldn’t read me that good.

- “I remember as if it was yesterday.” I continued, shifting slightly in the sand to face her better. My fingers absently traced patterns as I spoke, a habit that surfaced whenever I delved into significant memories. “We played the game of your favorite animal, your favorite form of water, and your favorite color. You replied cat, stream, red, and then I explained what their symbolism was. Animal for how we want to be seen, water for how we perceive love, color for how we view ourselves.”
I paused, my voice softening with wonder as I recalled the moment. My eyes met hers in the moonlight, still amazed by the memory. “I remember word by word your reply: ‘If I was to take a guess, your answer should be dog, sea and purple.’”
My hand stilled in the sand, and I shook my head in lingering disbelief. “I was stunned, especially with the color, that symbolizes how we view ourselves and it’s the most difficult question, either to be answered or to be guessed. And you were just sixteen for God’s sake, you knew me just for three months.”
I leaned closer to her, my voice dropping to an almost whisper, filled with a mix of awe and confusion that hadn’t diminished with time. “How the hell could you extrapolate all this, just from our random conversations outside the classes? It was as you saw right through me from the very beginning.”

Andie turned to face me fully, her expression thoughtful in the moonlight. She reached out and took my hand, her fingers intertwining with mine in a gesture that was both intimate and grounding.

- “You know what fascinates me?” she said, her voice soft but clear. “The fact that this still surprises you after all these years.” A small smile played at the corners of her mouth. She paused, her thumb absently stroking the back of my hand. “Those weren’t random conversations to me, Kostas. Every word, every gesture, every reaction... they all formed a pattern. The way your eyes lit up when discussing abstract concepts, how your voice changed when talking, the subtle shifts in your posture when feeling defensive...”
She shrugged slightly, but her eyes held mine intently. “For someone with an ‘alien brain’ as you like to call it, patterns are impossible to ignore. You were a fascinating riddle I couldn’t help but solve, and don’t start me again with Kalinka!”
- “I wouldn’t dream of it!” I replied mischievously then I continued, my voice taking a reflecting tone. “Thing is that you don’t just see the patterns, Andie, you see through them. You see... me, in a way that nobody did, even people that knew me all their lives.” I turned to look at her, the moonlight catching the gentle curve of her smile.
- “I’m sensing a but…”
- “But… though that was the most terrifying part, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I mean… you liked me for what I truly was.”
- “Exactly as you did, so we are even!”
- “Not even close, missy, you owe me thirty slaps for gross insubordination!”
- “Brrrrrrrrr!”
- “Forty!”
- “Zipping it!” she replied in feigned surrender.
- “Well, thing is that this requires you to unzip first!” I retorted, earning her laughter.
She nestled again into my arms, resting her head on my right shoulder. She absentmindedly stroked my chest, sending a shiver through me, which made her giggle. My girl was happy, and she didn’t hide it. “Where are you off to again?” she asked, as I gazed into the night sky without really focusing.
- “How it was for you?”
- “As you heard me,” she teased then became serious. “I mean it Kostas, it was the most intense sensation I ever felt, but…”
- “But?”
- “That this was just the icing on the cake. Ok, maybe ‘iceberg’ would be more accurate,” she said, giggling, “but even so, it was nothing compared to the sense of completeness I felt, and not only spiritually. It was… it was like my body is made to match perfect to yours.”
- “That’s what you get when you make love with the one whom you’re love with!”
- “You?” she asked, trying to sound casual, but the faint tremor in her voice gave her away.
- “Let’s just say that empathy is not the foundation of this particular understanding. Andie?”
- “Yes?”
- “Now we’re even!” I teased her, earning her squeal. She rode over me and taking my face into her hands she gave me a passionate kiss.
- “Now, we’re even, old man!”
- “So, let’s gather our clothes that spread all over the beach and head home.”
- “Shouldn’t wear them first?”
It was my turn replying “BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!”
- “Ten more!”
- “What??? I’m the Dom!”
- “Well… as your …subcontractor, that burden should fall on my shoulders, or rather, onto my buttocks” she replied in mocking voice.

Yup, that’s my Andie for you!

 

17. And Nothing Else Matters

With the streets completely empty, it took us close to an hour and a half to get back to Heraklion. This time, I felt even more relaxed, leaning back comfortably and just holding her by the waist. By the time we got to her place, it was past four, but Lions Square never really sleeps, so we quickly stopped for ice cream and took a seat on the bench directly across from the fountain to eat.

Andie laughed as she sat up and kissed me lightly on the upper lip. “You’re eating your ice cream like a little kid—you’ve got it everywhere!” she said warmly, then kept kissing my face, wiping away bits of ice cream. “Not that I’m complaining!” she added playfully.
- “I guess I eat a bit messily when I’m happy,” I admitted, grinning.
- “You should have seen yourself at ‘Oti Thes,’” she teased. “You were eating like there was no tomorrow.”
- “Do you realize how many years it’s been since I last had antikristo, xygalo, and staka? Since I left Heraklion in March of 2000. Yeh, I could find them in Athens, but it wouldn’t be the same. You know, sometimes I can’t help but wonder what my life would be if I chose at FORTH after I finished my military service.”
- “Really?” she asked, her curiosity sharpening. “I asked you so many times, but you always avoided answering—why didn’t you come back to Crete?”
- “For the money,” I sighed. “Research just doesn’t pay well in Greece. You might wonder why I didn’t go abroad… I just didn’t want to leave Greece. You know me—I’m a very reserved person who doesn’t like change.”
- “I figured as much,” she replied softly, tracing her fingers gently over my hand. “I think I even guessed why you avoided answering me clearly… Do you regret it?”
- “Regret only makes sense if it keeps you from making the same mistake again. Even if I did consider that choice a mistake—which I don’t—it’s too late now.”
- “It’s never too late!” she said, her voice fierce with conviction.
- “Maybe I haven’t lost my connection to my field, but I’ve gotten used to a lifestyle that a university or research institute salary in Greece just can’t support,” I sighed.
- “Don’t you miss it?” she asked, gazing steadily into my eyes.
- “Yeah, I miss the university atmosphere—the classes, the students. But, on the other hand, I live a much more comfortable life now; I have enough saved, and the crisis hasn’t touched me at all. In a way, I’m like your father—he also left behind his true love, but he’s a successful businessman who can provide for his family in ways he couldn’t even dream of as a professor,” I said, and I paused for some moments. “A man got to do, what a man got to do…” I continued with a heavy sigh.
- “You’re right,” she agreed with a smile. “He’d have a fit if I complained. I mean, how many families have two kids in college without worrying about the high rent in two different cities? How many families can afford to gift their son a brand-new BMW 335i and their daughter a V-MAX?”
- “Your parents aren’t just successful in business. They did a fantastic job raising you and Manolis. You’re both well-off, but neither of you is spoiled. You’re both hard-working and responsible, mature beyond your years.”
- “But our three stepsisters didn’t have the same privileges.”
- “It wasn’t his fault—it was their mother’s. She wanted nothing to do with your father and fought for sole custody—and she won. It wasn’t your father’s choice… Yes, he fell in love with your mom, but that didn’t mean he wanted to be separated from his kids. Anyway, at least my marriage to Krys brought the five of you together. So, there’s that…”
- “Kostas, why did you marry her if you weren’t in love?”
- “Because she got pregnant… Yeah, I haven’t told you that.”
- “What???” she asked, her mouth falling open.
- “Our son was born premature… he didn’t survive,” I said, feeling a knot tighten in my throat. “I may not have been in love, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t love her or care about her. If… if our son had lived, maybe things would have been different. Whatever Krys and I had… it died with him. It just took us a while to realize. I know you didn’t like her, but… before… before we lose our son, she wasn’t the cold, bitter woman you met, Andie…”
- “I… I had no idea,” she replied, visibly shaken. “Kosta, I’m so sorry… My God… I didn’t… I had no idea…” she said, her eyes welling with tears as she gently stroked my hand.
- “‘Whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger,’ they say,” I added bitterly. “It didn’t make me stronger; it just made me feel numb… uncomfortably numb…” I said my voice full of bitterness. “Not that I wasn’t even before that, but losing your child? It’s a whole different level of hell.”
- “And that is a burden you didn’t want to share with anyone,” she said, her voice softening as if piecing together a puzzle. She paused, her gaze sharpening with sudden clarity. “I always wondered why a man like you remained single for so long after the divorce. You dug your own fucking grave and stepped right in.”
- “Guilty as charged,” I replied, a faint, weary smile breaking through as I glanced down at my hands resting in my lap.
She hesitated, her expression shifting from frustration to something softer. “Then… why…”
- “Because even if I wished for it more times than I can count,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper, “I’m not dead. I still breathe, I still hope, I still dream.” I paused, feeling the vulnerability in my own words. “It’s just… it would take someone very special to break through the numbness.” I looked at her, and her breath caught as I added, “You… you’re the third such person I’ve met in my life.”

She blinked, her mouth slightly open as she tried to form a response, but the words wouldn’t come. The weight of the moment pressed down, mixing with the warm, humid air of the night. The gentle sound of the fountain trickling just a few meters across seemed louder, echoing in the silence that settled between us.

Andie swallowed hard, her hand trembling slightly as she placed it over mine, her fingers tracing the lines along my knuckles. “I… I don’t know what to say,” she murmured, her voice barely audible. “I mean, I’m not sure what I could say that could measure up to that.”
A slight smile broke across my face. “You don’t need to say anything, Andie. Some things don’t need words. Just being here… with you,” I paused, looking into her eyes, “it’s enough. Remember what I’ve told you? One step at the time…”
- “One step at the time,” she replied with her face full of tears, holding my hand firmly into hers. She took a deep breath, and she stared my straight into my eyes. “One step at the time,” she repeated.
- “Sometimes I can’t help but wonder if the Universe itself is alive. I mean there is a sense of irony that fits perfect to a living, breathing Universe.”
- “What do you mean?” she asked quizzingly.
- “While the relationships are marathons and not speed races, your experience at 400m hurdles comes very handy,” I chuckled half-bitterly, half-jokingly.
She stared me like she was thinking “I know what you are doing old man,” but instead she nodded understandingly. “And you used this against me back in the beach! That’s why you challenged me to race who would go first in the sea: you wanted to watch another type of full moon!” she replied in her usual deadpan manner, making me lost it again, despite my emotional burden. “Yeah, I know, I’ll be the death of you” she continued amused, not helping my coughing fit.

We sat there for a while longer, letting the conversation settle, and with noticeably lighter moods, we eventually made our way back to her apartment. It was well past five in the morning, and after our late-night swim, a shower to rinse off the salt was more than necessary. I went in first, but before I could even get started, Andie slipped in as well.

- “Aren’t you ashamed, trying to harvest the fruit of my youthful body, you sinner?” I asked, pretending to be scandalized.
- “At your age, overripe would be more accurate,” she shot back, lifting her shoulders with mock indifference as she joined me under the water. “You shower with cold water?”
- “Cold? Are you kidding me? Any hotter, and I’d start peeling!”
- “Pff… stronger sex they say,” she teased, but left the water temperature alone. “Well, well, look who’s here,” she continued with a mischievous grin, making me glance down reflexively. “I meant you, you old perv!”
- “I was already here!”
- “And I said something different?” she continued teasing me mercilessly. “Since that this is clearly not a gun, I take that you are happy to see me!”
- “You won’t let me wash myself, will you?”
- “That’s the spirit!” she said, winking.
- “Your insubordination won’t be unnoticed!”
- “Don’t I see that?” she replied in a sultry voice and then she kneeled and took me into her mouth.

With the water running on us, and Andie giving me a slow, sensual head, I closed my eyes and enjoyed the sensation. With her lips creating a tight seal around my shaft, she started moving her head, while her tongue played lightly with my glans, making me moan. Though it was just her second blowjob, though for me it was usually difficult to climax this way, she was so good that I felt that it was mere minutes before climaxing. While I loved cumming into a willing mouth, I wanted more than a blowjob.

I stopped her and assisted her to stand up. Andie glanced at me with a quizzical expression, but I offered no response. I gently turned her body and with both arms encircling her, I began to caress her breasts while at the same time I kissed the back of her neck. Her body trembled in response, and a soft moan escaped her lips. Her skin prickled with goosebumps, and her nipples hardened under my touch. Continuing to caress her left breast, I allowed my right hand to wander downwards, slipping between her legs. As my finger entered her, another pleasurable moan escaped her lips.

- “Do you like this, babe?” I asked softly, withdrawing my finger and gently stroking her clit.
- “Yes,” she answered with a hoarse voice, heavy with desire.
- “Do you trust me?” I inquired, pressing my organ against her lips.
- “Yes… yes…”

I thrust my organ inside her, eliciting another moan of pleasure, and began to move, feeling as if I were sinking a blade into hot butter. Guiding her to lean forward against the wall, I held her by the waist and increased my pace. Though she might not have been highly experienced, she was far from inexperienced. She knew how to arch her body, intensifying the incredible sensation as I moved within her.

A firm slap on her right buttock startled her, drawing a surprised cry, mix of pain and pleasure. Maintaining my rhythm, I began to deliver sporadic spanks, alternating between one buttock and the other, varying both the timing and intensity. Judging by her reactions, she clearly enjoyed the spanking, as her moans intensified both in volume and frequency. I yearned to prolong the moment, to bring her to the edge, but it was impossible. I had nearly forgotten the sensation of being without a condom, and I could no longer hold it. I withdrew and positioned her on her knees before me.

Understanding my intent, she opened her mouth, and I barely managed to get my penis into it on time. Andie grabbed my buttocks, pulling me closer, taking me as deeply into her mouth as she could. A powerful, drawn-out moan escaped me as I spasmed inside her, my penis releasing its contents. She eagerly swallowed every drop, and she didn’t release me until the spasms subsided, giving everything I had to give. Just she did the first time she blew me, she carefully licked me from root to tip, cleansing any remaining traces. I helped stand on her feet and gave her a passionate kiss.

- “Kostas? You… we don’t have to use condoms. I take birth-control pills.”
I blinked, taken aback by her words, and a flicker of annoyance crept in. “You do what?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady as I searched her face.
- “It’s not what you think,” she said quickly, sensing my unease. Her hand moved instinctively to my arm, fingers tracing light circles as if to calm us both. “My OB-GYN prescribed the birth-control pills to regulate my period and alleviate the intense pain…”
I relaxed slightly, but a knot of concern lingered. “I surely hope that you’re not having unprotected sex.”
Her eyes widened, and she shook her head fervently. “No, no!” she replied, her voice a bit higher than usual, clearly startled. Her hand slipped from my arm as she brought it to her chest. “It’s just… Kostas, you’re not some random guy. I mean… we’re both blood donors, and we’ve always used protection.” She took a deep breath, her face softening with vulnerability. “It’s not that… Ugh… I trust you. I just… trust you.”
I reached out, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear, feeling the warmth of her skin. “Andie, condoms aren’t about trust—they’re about safety. It’s not that I don’t trust you; you know I do. But it’s more than just STDs. What if…” I hesitated, rubbing my hand across the back of my neck. “What if I made you pregnant?”
She tilted her head, a gentle smile spreading across her face. “You know that birth-control pills are safer than condoms in that regard, right?”
- “I…” I stammered, at a loss for words. My gaze dropped to the floor, and I felt my cheeks flush slightly. The truth was, I’d never really thought about it before. In my mind, condoms had always been non-negotiable.
- “It was just a suggestion… because… it was so much better than on the beach. I mean… I nearly passed out,” she murmured, her cheeks flushed, glancing at me with a softness that made me pause.
- “You did what?” I asked, unable to mask my surprise. I leaned back slightly, studying her face. “Did you…” I hesitated, slightly off-balance. A part of me was baffled—I prided myself on knowing when a woman had reached orgasm, and I would have bet everything I owned against a penny that Andie hadn’t this time.
She held my gaze, a gentle smile tugging at her lips. “No, I didn’t. But Kostas, making love to someone you’re in love with is about so much more than climaxing.” She shifted closer, touching my arm lightly, her eyes earnest. “Orgasm is just the icing, but the cake is what really matters.”
I shook my head slowly, frowning slightly. “No. Orgasm plays a crucial role,” I replied, my tone reflective, a part of me instinctively resisting the idea. “Look, Andie, biological tendencies don’t evolve in a vacuum. Orgasm exists for a reason.”
She smiled, leaning into me with a warm intensity, her voice both tender and unwavering. “And I would wholly agree with you—if we were only having sex to reproduce.” Her fingers traced light patterns on my arm, grounding us in the quiet, intimate moment. “But making love is different.” She tilted her head, her eyes alight with a certainty that I found both alluring and disarming. “Okay, I didn’t climax this time, but that doesn’t diminish the completeness I felt with you.”
I glanced down, my mind processing her words as she continued, “I know your stance—I know you believe deeply that both men and women deserve the same pleasure in bed. And I know that means a lot to you.” She lifted my chin with gentle fingers, her eyes meeting mine with a firmness softened by affection. “But men and women… we do differ in some ways. I can’t speak for other women, but I want to make it abundantly clear that I can very well enjoy sex… you can very well take my breath away… I can very well near passing out, without reaching climax.”
- “Okay,” I replied smiling. “Not that I won’t always give my best, even if it’s just the icing.”
- “I know that you’ll do, babe,” she said reassuringly. “I just didn’t want you to have this thing in the back of your mind nagging you; God knows it’s already overcrowded” she continued, teasing me affectionately, stroking my chest.

We stepped out of the bathtub, water droplets clinging to our skin. Andie wrapped a towel around her hair, while I pulled on a pair of boxers. . A few minutes later, Andie joined me. Her face lit up with a warm smile as she saw me lying there. She nestled into my arms, her head resting on my shoulder. Her fingers traced gentle patterns on my chest, a comforting rhythm that lulled me into a state of relaxation. In that moment, I felt a sense of peace wash over me.

- “Hrrrrrrr Hrrrrrr” she said, trying to mimic a cat’s purring, making me chuckle.
- “After today, I assumed you wouldn’t have the heart to let me sleep alone in the living room.”
- “Give an inch to a peasant!” she replied playfully. “Besides, I would’ve cracked your head open if you dared ask me to make up the couch for you!”
- “Of course I wouldn’t ask you to make the couch for me, I’m all about equality.”
- “Brrrrrrrrrr!”
- “Didn’t I spank you enough?”
- “You promised forty!”

Of course she counted, it’s Andie we are talking about. What did I expect?

 

18. On Differential Manifolds

We chatted for a little, but despite having a nap earlier in the evening, we were both exhausted and after a goodnight kiss, we slept like logs. When I opened my eyes, it was well past 2 pm. I was alone in the room.

- “Andie?”
- “Good morning sleepyhead” she told me tenderly as she entered the room. “I went down and bought us coffees.”
- “You know how to make your man happy!” I said getting out of bed, earning her squeal and enthusiastic clap handing. She came running to me and hugged me, trying to kiss me. “Wait to wash my mouth!”
- “Shut up!” she replied, having none of this. She pulled me towards her and gave me a deep, passionate kiss.
- “I would add another twenty for your insubordination but…”
- “But?”
- “I remembered a joke. A family has a teenage son, and while his mom cleaned his room, she found some femdom S/m magazines. Startled, she went running to her husband. ‘Look what I found,’ she said, showing the magazines. The father opened a magazine and started browsing, his mouth agape. ‘What should we do?’ asked the mother. ‘Well, I think we’d better not punish him…”
- “AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA… Point taken…” she said her eyes sparkling playfully.

After my morning routine, I headed to find her in the living room, but Andie had already stepped out onto the balcony that overlooked Theotokopoulos Park. Despite the midday hour, the air was comfortably mild, and the city sounds floated in, blending with the modern music playing softly on the radio. Being almost in the center of Heraklion, that gentle hum of the city was always there, day and night.

- “How did you sleep, babe?” she asked, her eyes crinkling with affection as I joined her.
- “Like a log, really, it was as if someone pulled the plug.” I took a sip of the coffee she’d brought, savoring its rich flavor. “Would you look at that, the years I was gone, and they finally figured out how to make good coffee. Where’s this from?”
- “From that creperie on Agios Titos Street.”
- “It’s still open?” I asked, nostalgia flooding in as I thought back. “How many times did I run down there, or to Everest, in the dead of night, just to grab something quick before returning to my screen. And if the night stretched into dawn, we’d go across the street to Los Murcianos. Despite the Spanish name—and incredible Spanish cuisine—they served a tripe soup like no other, a real balm after endless cups of coffee.”

She didn’t reply, just gave my hand a gentle squeeze as I reminisced about my university days. It didn’t matter that she’d heard these stories before, even if in bits and pieces; she listened with the same attentive focus she had when we did our tutoring sessions.

- “So, what do you feel like doing today?” she asked when I finished my story.
- “To be honest, I’d love just to lounge around and be lazy. I’ve got the conference tomorrow, so I’m not up for much excitement.”
- “Absolutely! I’ll even make your favorite omelet!” she replied, her enthusiasm barely contained. “What? I like pampering you, and I don’t get the chance often!”
- “Lucky for you,” I teased, reminding her that it was mostly during my back pain episodes that she got to play caretaker.

Even though Andie didn’t need tutoring anymore, she still loved doing math with me, although our lessons had gone way beyond high school level. For a mind like hers, the basics of calculus, complex numbers, linear algebra, probability theory and analytical geometry were challenging in the same way a diligent high schooler might find basic algebra.

Anyway, I’ve had a chronic back problem, five herniated discs, so a couple of times a year, I’d be practically immobilized for a week or more. During those times, her father would drop her off at my place early in the afternoon and pick her up late at night. It was one of those times she wouldn’t let me order in, and I got to try her omelet for the first time. She didn’t just know how to make omelets; she could whip up fantastic pasta too—honestly, sometimes better than mine.

I leaned back in my chair, giving her a slow, exaggerated nod, as if she’d just imparted the wisdom of the century. Andie’s smirk was almost challenging, her eyes lit up with that mischievous spark that made her seem so alive.

- “You know something, missy?” I said, dragging out each word with a dramatic pause, watching her closely. Her lips twitched, and she bit down on the edge of her smile, fighting the laughter that was already starting to shine in her eyes.

Her eyebrows arched as she shot back, “Even though my psychic abilities leave a lot to be desired,” she said with a mock-mystic tone, bringing her fingers to her temples as though she were tuning in to some invisible frequency, “something tells me I’m about to find out!” She rolled her eyes and threw in a theatrical sigh. “Yeah, yeah… twenty more.”
I couldn’t hold back and laughed deeply, the kind of laugh that made my chest ache. “HAHAHAHAHA, I LOVE YOU!” I declared, feeling almost childlike with the ease and openness I felt around her.
She rolled her eyes, but a soft warmth softened her expression. “That, I knew, old man,” she quipped, her voice teasing yet gentle.
I let out a mock sigh, pretending to shake my head at her. “You are by far the worst sub I’ve ever attempted to train…” I paused to catch her reaction, watching her eyes narrow in playful defiance. “And I wouldn’t change you for the world!”
She crossed her arms, lifting her chin with a grin. “Well,” she continued with a smirk, “paraphrasing my favorite cousin—if you’re going to be bad at something, don’t be merely bad! Do your worst, be a legend!”
- “Oh, trust me,” I grinned, reaching over to ruffle her hair, just to have her slap my hand away in mock irritation, laughing. “Legend status is practically guaranteed at this point. You’re a menace, you know that?”
- “Only to you!” she shot back, poking me in the chest. She leaned back, her gaze drifting out over the balcony’s view, yet that mischievous glint stayed in her eyes, simmering.

The sunlight painted her in soft gold as her laughter lingered in the air, mingling with the hum of the city below. Her wild, rebellious energy felt like a burst of warmth, and for a moment, I realized just how much I loved the unfiltered spark she brought to my life.

She traced circles on the table, her expression softening as her gaze turned thoughtful. “I’m not really a sub, am I?” she asked, her voice a touch more serious, but her eyes searched mine, open and earnest.
I softened, leaning closer. “No, you aren’t. But that changes nothing between us, Andie. Words like Dom, sub, Top, Bottom—they’re just labels.” I paused to let the words sink in, my hand resting on hers. “You know what the worst mistake an inexperienced person can make?”
She tilted her head, the edges of her lips curving. “Letting the label define themselves?”
- “Exactly,” I nodded, pride swelling in my chest at how she just got me.
A smile broke over her face. “So… what label do I fit in, then?”
I laughed softly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “None. You’re a category all your own, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. I gave up on labels a long time ago. What really matters to me is how we complete each other, how we balance and understand each other.” I caught her gaze. “Remember the definition of a differential manifold?”
Her eyes sparkled in realization, and she sat up, an excited grin spreading across her face. “Ooh!” she exclaimed, practically bouncing. “As long as we can apply calculus, the underlying vector space doesn’t really matter!”
- “Exactly.” I chuckled, riding the wave of her enthusiasm. “Anyway,” I added, smiling, “you have some bottom tendencies, but they seem limited to the bedroom.”
She tilted her head, a playful eyebrow arched. “And you? I mean… is that enough for you?”
I met her eyes, my smile widening. “What do you think ‘I wouldn’t change you for the world’ means?”
She shook her head, laughing softly. “So, you want to train the world’s worst sub, huh?”
- “If you’re going to fail, then do it spectacularly so!” I teased her, giving her hand a squeeze. “Be a legend!”

Andie’s hand found mine, her fingers warm and sure, grounding me in a way that made everything else fade into the background. For a moment, we sat there quietly, just enjoying each other’s presence, like the hum of the city had stilled just for us. We lingered on the balcony for another hour, sipping our coffee, trading playful jabs, and laughing like kids. Maybe that was why I’d only truly fallen in love twice in my life—beyond Rita and Lizzy, no one else had brought this spark, this unpredictability. Andie embodied it even more, and though life had its obstacles for us, the way we clicked together wasn’t one of them.

Once our coffee cups were empty, we went inside to make her legendary omelet. Well, she made it, while I settled for cracking the eggs into a bowl as she sautéed bacon, sausage, and veggies. Though it was a four-person omelet, meant to last through dinner, we devoured every bite, not sparing even a crumb. Toss in two beers apiece, and it was no wonder we felt like pythons after a hearty meal.

Then, she suggested a long walk to the Venetian Harbor and out to the lighthouse at the end of the breakwater, followed by hot chocolate and board games at Utopia Café. We changed quickly, and hand-in-hand, we strolled down 25th of August Street, which led us directly to the harbor entrance. Sauntering leisurely, we walked to the lighthouse, weaving through a few small groups and some fishermen. Past the Venetian fortress, it was just us, with only the sea.

Forty minutes later, we found ourselves back at Utopia, hot chocolates in hand as we settled in for some board games. She could easily beat me at chess, claiming her victories with almost infuriating ease, but trivia was my domain, where my encyclopedic knowledge gave me the edge. Not that she was lacking—her recall was impressive for her age, but this was my turf.

- “By the way,” she asked, pausing in her turn, “what time do you need to head out for the conference tomorrow?”
- “Nine in the morning. I won’t be back until seven in the evening, at the earliest. I’ll be catching up with a lot of people I haven’t seen in ages, so there’s a good chance we’ll head out for coffee afterward.”
- “Ugh!” she pouted in that adorable way she had, disappointment written all over her face. “That’s what I hate!” she added, pulling a dramatic face that almost made me laugh.
- “Oh, come on, don’t be like that!” I said, amused, as I gently brushed a lock of hair from her face.
- “Well, I’ll keep complaining until you learn!” she teased, putting on a playfully defiant tone that finally made me laugh outright.
- “Hey, I’m here in Crete because of this conference!” I reminded her, shaking my head in mock exasperation.
- “BRRRRRRR!” she said, crossing her arms defiantly, which only made me laugh harder.
- “I’ll make it up to you!” I promised, grinning as she shot me a warm, skeptical smile.
- “Oh, really?” she asked, her eyes flashing with curiosity and a touch of mischief.
- “You’ll see,” I replied, letting a bit of mystery hang in the air.

After we’d finished our hot chocolates, we headed home. Once there, I blindfolded her with a scarf and slipped her headphones on so she couldn’t see or hear what I was up to. I watched her for a few seconds, seated on the couch with that mischievous grin, like a kid waiting for a surprise treat. Smiling, I went into the bathroom and started running the bath. Andie liked the water a few degrees warmer than I could stand, so since I wasn’t planning to join her, I set it to the temperature she preferred. I planned to offer her a hot bath, in an unforgettable way, if you catch my drift.

Having Andie still blindfolded, I took her by the hand to guide her to the bath. “Hmmm, where are you taking me?”
- “You’ll see,’ I replied but she managed to got her bearings just outside the bathroom door.
- “Hmmm…”
- “I told you I’d make up to you”

We stepped into the bathroom, and I undressed her gently, letting my hands trail across her skin, which made her shiver slightly. Guiding her carefully, I helped her into the bath, and as she sank into the steaming water, a sigh of pure bliss escaped her lips. I untied the blindfold and reached for the shampoo.

- “Aren’t you coming in?” she asked, a little disappointed.
- “Later, once I add some cold water, so I don’t feel like a boiled chicken,” I replied with a grin. “First, it’s all about pampering you!”
She laughed. “Ha! No one’s bathed me since I was a kid!”
- “This’ll be a bit different,” I teased, giving her a playful wink and earning an excited clap from her in return.

 

19. The Shape of Things to Cum

I went to the kitchen, and I procured a stool which I positioned beside the bathtub. With tender care, I guided her forward slightly, then drenched her hair completely, applying a generous amount of her preferred shampoo. I worked the lather through her tresses meticulously, ensuring no suds entered her eyes. My fingers moved in slow, soothing circles, transforming the simple act of hair washing into a relaxing massage. Her soft sighs of contentment filled the air.

After rinsing her hair thoroughly, I gently patted it dry with a towel before applying conditioner, adhering to her instructions on the quantity and method—from mid-length to the ends, avoiding the roots. Each day brings new lessons, and today, I learned the art of conditioning hair; a stark contrast to my utilitarian approach of using dish soap if necessary. While the conditioner set, I turned my attention to what I had been anticipating—washing her body. I assisted her in standing up, filled my hands with body wash, and created a rich lather. I smoothed it over her skin, pausing perhaps a touch longer on her chest than was strictly required. For her more intimate areas, a third bottle was indeed necessary.

Picking up the sponge, I began at her shoulders, gently working my way down until she was enveloped in a soft, sudsy blanket. Upon reaching her posterior, I first grazed it lightly with the sponge, then my hand, and finally with a delicate touch of my fingertip. Despite her attempts to suppress it, a soft moan of pleasure escaped her lips. I poured the contents of the third bottle into my hands and rinsed her sensitive areas meticulously. Guiding her to sit back in the tub, I provided a thorough foot massage to both feet. Once finished, I helped her stand again and rinsed her completely. Gently, I turned her to face away from me and commenced a massage, starting at her shoulders, then her arms, and tracing her spine, and I felt her body relaxing, totally surrendering to my pampering.

As she still had her back on me, I encircled her with both arms and began caressing her breasts, occasionally teasing her nipples with gentle pinches, eliciting moans of pleasure. Still attending to her breast with my left hand, I allowed my right to glide down, skimming her pubic area without direct contact, prolonging the sweet, torturous anticipation for several minutes. Abruptly, I brought my hand between her legs, inserting my middle finger into her, drawing out a loud moan. I withdrew my finger, only to repeat the motion, circling before plunging in again, simultaneously pinching her nipple firmly with my left hand, intensifying her cries. Releasing her breast, I moved my other hand between her legs, using the middle finger of my right hand to stimulate her clitoris while the other remained within her, evoking even louder moans.

Her composure unraveled entirely when I slowly but surely introduced my left hand into her from behind. She froze momentarily, but as I intensified my caresses on her clitoris, her moans resumed. When I began to stimulate her from behind, her body trembled as if electrified, and she vainly attempted to muffle her cries with her hand. I increased the intensity of the circular motions I was making, rubbing her clitoris, and from her loud moans and the reactions of her body, I knew she was nearing her climax. I began to make lighter circular movements with the middle finger of my left hand, which I had kept buried in her behinds. When I felt her approaching her peak, I abruptly withdrew my finger, making Andie nearly collapse in my arms.

It truly took her close to a minute to catch her breath. “Oh my God… oh babe… oooh… I died and I’m in heaven!” she exclaimed.
- “No babe, this is the shape of things to cum, and you just got a glimpse!” I replied with a chuckle.
- “HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA”
- “So, I am the best or what?”
- “You surely are! I… I could never imagine before that fingering from behind could make me nearly lose it. I mean… first in the muff diving and now this… Oh God,” she replied slightly embarrassed.
- “Well, as I have been told by numerous partners, this is an acquired taste. I mean some of them didn’t quite like in the beginning but after a while they started enjoying it, and not only the fingering part. With a healthy dose of lube, it could be quite stimulating, some of them even managed to climax while having anal sex.”
- “You’re trying to sell me anal sex, old man?” she asked teasingly.
- “No ma’am… I don’t need to sell anything, not to you!” I replied grinning, as we both knew that it wouldn’t take anything more than just ask her to take her this way. To make a point, I slipped slowly my hand again into her behinds, earning a soft moan.

I gently withdrew my finger from within her and quickly undressed. Taking the jar of Vaseline I had left on the shelf above the sink, I stepped into the bathtub. Andie looked into my eyes for a moment, and without needing to ask, she knelt in the water and took me into her mouth. I looked down at her; she had closed her eyes and was fully committed to what she was doing, and she was good. However, as with the previous time—and as much as I enjoyed it—I didn’t want a blowjob.

I stopped her and helped her stand up. I positioned her to lean against the wall and pulled her hips toward me. I applied some Vaseline to my right finger and reached around with my left hand, beginning to gently play with her clitoris, eliciting a pleasurable moan from her. Without stopping the play with my left hand, I inserted my right finger behind her, earning another moan, and began to move it in and out while making circular motions to help her open up.

- “Andie, remember, if you feel discomfort or pain that you can’t bear, I want you to tell me immediately. Don’t try to be tough, don’t just endure it, I want you to enjoy it as much as you can.”
- “I want you!” she simply replied.
- “Andie, I’m serious.”
- “Okay, baby,” she promised.

I continued what I was doing for a few more minutes. When I thought she was sufficiently open, I lubricated myself generously and pressed against her. I guided myself slowly and carefully into her until I managed to insert the tip, earning a moan from her that was a mix of pain and pleasure.

- “Are you okay, baby? Does it hurt?”
- “Yes… a little… it’s… don’t stop…”

I pulled out and pushed back in until the tip entered again. I started to push slowly and carefully, gaining a little more space. I continued doing the same until I managed to bury half of myself inside her.

- “AAAAAAAH,” Andie moaned.
- “Does it hurt, baby? Do you want me to stop?”
- “No… no… don’t stop… don’t…”

I pulled out again and entered her again up to the middle, repeating the motion until I suddenly felt the resistance give way as her sphincter surrendered. That was it; I started to slowly bury myself deeper and deeper until I was fully inside her. I stayed still for a moment, and after pulling out halfway, I entered her again, earning a pleasurable moan this time. I started to increase my pace, and the sensation inside her was incredible. I occasionally slapped her buttocks, but what really sent her over the edge was when I reached around and grabbed both of her breasts, thrusting fully into her and standing still.

- “AAAAAAAH AAAAAAH MMMMMMM AAAAAAAH”
- “Do you like it, baby? Do you like me fucking your ass?”
- “Yes! Yes!” she replied breathlessly.
- “Beg me to continue… Beg me!”
- “AAAAAAAH… Please… please continue… continue fucking my ass…”
- “Are you my little slut, Andie?”
- “Yes!!! Yes!!! I am… please… fuck me… fuck me…”

That’s when I lost it completely, and my pace became almost frantic, with both of our moans increasing in rhythm and intensity. It wasn’t just the incredible sensation; it was the very idea of taking this beautiful ass that made the experience even more powerful. Lizzy might have had the best breasts I’d ever seen on a woman, but Andie had by far the most beautiful ass, and that ass was now surrendered to my desires. I felt my orgasm coming, and as much as I wanted to prolong it, I couldn’t stop it. Grabbing her breasts again, I thrust into her one last time and stayed still, groaning loudly as my cock pulsed deeply inside her, releasing its contents.

I carefully withdrew from within her, and Andie turned around. When she saw my member, her irises shifted through a spectrum of colors. I chuckled at her reaction; it wasn’t something I hadn’t experienced before, especially when there hadn’t been any prior preparation. I splashed some water on myself and then washed my member with soap while Andie’s face turned a deep shade of red.

- “Kostas, I’m so sorry!” she said, not daring to meet my eyes.
- “It’s okay, sweetheart, these things happen. If anyone is to blame, it’s me for starting without you being properly prepared,” I reassured her, trying to calm her down.
- “Oh, I wish the ground would open up and swallow me!” she exclaimed, still blushing deeply. I had really made her feel self-conscious.
- “Look at the bright side—the fact that you blushed just proves that you haven’t seen it all before... otherwise...” I teased her, making her laugh.
- “Oh, go to hell!” she responded, still laughing.
- “It’ll take me a while; I’m still talking to God! But seriously, how did it feel for you?” I asked, genuinely concerned.
- “At first... I admit it was a bit uncomfortable,” she began, then hurried to add, “Not to the point where I couldn’t bear it. It was... a strange sensation, painful and annoying, but at the same time... I don’t know... I liked just surrendering to you. I liked... giving myself to you in that way... and after a point, the pain was just like distant noise. I don’t know babe, I’m a bit embarrassed!”
- “Why are you embarrassed, sweetheart?” I asked softly, moving closer to her.
- “Because... because at some point, I started to enjoy it... especially when you started slapping my buttocks or when you squeezed my breasts and pinched my nipples...” she confessed, her voice trailing off.
- “And that’s something to be embarrassed about?” I questioned, tilting her chin up to look into her eyes.
- “It’s not, it’s... oof... I... I’ve never done this before!” she admitted, her eyes flickering with a mix of embarrassment and excitement.
- “No shit… well… not exactly” I exclaimed, chuckling as I wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. Her laughter was infectious, her cheeks flushed as she tilted her head back, eyes gleaming with amusement.
- “You’re terrible!” she laughed, playfully swatting my chest. Her laughter softened as she melted into my arms, resting her head against my shoulder.
I brushed a stray hair from her forehead, cradling her gently. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about, Andie. I’m glad you enjoyed it,” I whispered, feeling her body relax against mine.
She looked up at me, her eyes warm and soft. “I love you,” she said, her voice barely above a whisper.
With a playful smirk, I channeled my inner Han Solo. “I know,” I teased, and she burst into laughter, her whole face lighting up.
- “That’s exactly why!” she murmured, wrapping her arms tightly around my neck and pulling me into a soft, lingering kiss. My hand cupped her cheek as I leaned into her, savoring the moment.
When we finally pulled back, I gave her a playful wink. “It takes two to tango, missy!”
Her eyes sparkled as she squeezed me tight. “Then let’s dance, partner,” she whispered, grinning as she stepped out of my embrace to dry herself off. She toweled off, and as the bathtub drained, I hopped in for a quick rinse.

By the time I’d finished, she was taking her time with the hairdryer, her long hair cascading down her back as she carefully dried each section. I left her to it, heading into the living room and flipping on the radio, only to be greeted by some contemporary pop. With a roll of my eyes, I grabbed my laptop, pulling up YouTube. Moments later, she padded into the room wrapped in a fluffy robe, her hair falling loosely over her shoulders just as the opening riff of the White Room filled the air. She paused, her eyes lighting up with delight.

- “Oooh! Cream!” she grinned, her face alight with enthusiasm. She leaned against the door frame, crossing her arms as she teased, “You know, you and my dad would get along famously with this playlist.”
I smirked, settling back onto the couch. “Your dad has excellent taste; I can tell you that much. And hey, maybe White Room is timeless for a reason.”
She rolled her eyes playfully, watching me as I couldn’t resist belting out the lyrics with a full Jack Bruce impression. “You said no strings could secure you at the station. Platform ticket, restless diesels, goodbye windows…”
She burst into laughter, clapping her hands as I finished. “Not bad for an ‘old man.’ Though, I have to say, Sunshine of Your Love might suit us better right now.”
- “Got it covered.” I winked, quickly switching tracks. The familiar, pulsing notes of Sunshine of Your Love began to play, and I raised an eyebrow at her. “I’m just waiting for that line—’I’ll be with you, darling, soon…’”
Leaning against the doorway, she started swaying gently to the rhythm, her lips curving into a soft smile. “Is this what your life was like? Just filling the space with music and living out rock lyrics?”
- “Only on the best days,” I replied, a grin spreading across my face. “And now, apparently, I’ve got someone to share it with who appreciates both Jack Bruce and my questionable Bruce impression.”
With a smirk, she crossed her arms, tilting her head. “Well, questionable is being generous. But I’ll keep you around for the music.”
- “Please, I’ve got an operatic voice…” I teased, feigning dramatic offense.
She raised her hand, laughing. “No, no, let’s not make Kalinka happen, alright?”
I shrugged, laughing. “Fine, how about this—we play a game. I’ll test your knowledge in classic rock and metal. For each song you don’t recognize… five slaps for each buttock. And don’t even think about losing on purpose, alright?”
- “Hehehehe” she laughed mischievously.
- “Andie!”
- “Party pooper!”
- “You really want to have me started on pooping, Andie!” I mocked her, making her again change all the colors of the visible spectrum, and possibly some of the invisible too! I chuckled. “As my favorite gal once told me, if you paint a target, expect to be shot!”
- “BRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!”

Payback is a bitch!

 

20. Сыграем

- “Well, are you ready?” I asked, raising an eyebrow.
- “Gimme two minutes to put on some clothes and let the games begin!” she replied with a grin, then darted off to her room.

A moment later, she reappeared, striding in with confidence that made the playful outfit all the more appealing. She was wearing a thin, fitted tank top and a pair of men’s boxers—only these weren’t just any boxers. They were a silly, cartoonish pair decorated with Looney Tunes’ Tweety Bird. She turned around playfully, giving me a view of how well they fit, the fabric hugging her curves in a way that was downright distracting.

I chuckled, eyeing the bright yellow Tweety Bird print that somehow looked both adorable and enticing on her. “I never thought I’d say this, but that’s definitely Tweety’s best look.”
She shot me a look and raised an eyebrow. “‘I tawt I taw a puddy tat,’” she quipped, trying to mimic Tweety’s voice and throwing in a mock-innocent look.
- “Don’t make it a big deal, Tweety,” I teased, matching her tone. “It’s just a dinner date.”
- “As Silvestro said,” she added, and burst into laughter, leaning against the arm of the couch as she caught her breath. “See? I knew these would fit me perfectly,” she replied, still giggling.
I shook my head, grinning. “Yeah, but don’t be surprised if Sylvester comes prowling around, looking for his dinner.”
Her eyes narrowed with a mischievous glint, and she walked closer, hands on her hips. “You’re welcome to try, kitty cat,” she challenged, her tone daring as she held my gaze.
- “Oh, I don’t just try. I succeed,” I replied with a wink, watching her as she settled into the space next to me.
- “Is that so?” she asked, leaning forward with an amused smirk. “Because I think Tweety’s got claws of her own,” she countered, lightly trailing her fingers over my arm.
- “Well, those claws better be ready for a little game, then,” I said, reaching for the laptop to cue up our classic rock playlist. “Let’s see how you hold up when it’s time to really test that music knowledge.”
- “So, let’s recap,” she said, settling onto the couch with an impish grin. “If I don’t recognize the song, that’s five swats on each buttock. But what if I do recognize it?”
I pretended to consider, tapping my chin thoughtfully. “Hmm… Ten?”
- “BRRRRRRRRRRR!” she exclaimed, her face lighting up.
I laughed, raising my hands in surrender. “Alright, alright! What do you suggest then?”
She paused, clearly enjoying her own suspense. “Hmmm… You’ll take me with you to the convention.”
I raised an eyebrow, surprised. “Wait, I thought you said you didn’t like Complexity Theory?”
- “That was before I got a boyfriend who’s into this shit…” she admitted, then stopped mid-sentence, realizing she’d dug her own grave. Her eyes widened, and she playfully glared at me. “Ugh! I hate you!”
I leaned back and shrugged. “I know,” I replied, channeling my best Han Solo smirk. Her laughter filled the room, and she playfully punched my arm.
- “Anyway, of course you’re welcome, winning or losing!” I added, smiling.
- “If I lose, though, it won’t be particularly comfy,” she quipped, grinning as she raised her eyebrows.
- “Well, even better,” I replied with a wink, keeping my tone light and teasing.
She threw up her hands in mock defeat. “What else would you say?” she asked, sighing theatrically, unable to hide her own laughter as she nestled closer, ready to test her musical knowledge against mine.

I clicked “Play,” and the speakers immediately burst to life with the powerful, urgent guitar riff and relentless drumming of Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son.” The beat was infectious, intense, and it seemed to grab her right away.
Andie lit up, grinning as she belted out the chorus with surprising gusto, “It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no senator's son, son. It ain't me, it ain't me, I ain't no fortunate one!” She glanced at me with a look of triumph, eyes sparkling. “Come on, this is easy!” she teased, her voice full of playful confidence.
I raised my hands in mock defeat. “Okay, okay, you got it,” I replied with a grin, savoring her enthusiasm. I clicked to the next song.
The first few notes of “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” floated through the room, and Andie gave an incredulous, delighted look, eyebrows raised. “Are you kidding me?” she said, her head tilted slightly, a smile creeping up on her face. “Honey, honey yeah!” She swayed her shoulders to the beat, enjoying herself so much that I couldn’t help but laugh.
Next on the playlist came a slow, hauntingly smooth intro, the unmistakable opening of “I Put a Spell on You.” Her playful expression softened, and her eyes flickered with a mischievous light as she met my gaze. “Okay, enough sitting! Come here,” she ordered, reaching out. I obliged, pulling her close as we began to sway, and she sang along with deep, exaggerated flair, “I put a spell on you, because you’re mine!”
I laughed, tightening my arms around her as we moved slowly, her energy was infectious, and she laughed too, eyes half-lidded with amusement. The song ended, and I went on to the next track. The music started with a steady, militaristic drum beat, hypnotic and pulsing, gradually layered with a tense electronic synth. She froze, her hand mid-air as if struck by sudden recognition.

- “Oh god! I know this one!” Her lips parted slightly in concentration as she searched for the title.
I smirked, pausing the music. “Title, or it didn’t happen.”
She groaned, tapping her forehead dramatically. “Gah! I know it...but it’s just not coming to me!”
I grinned. “Guess that’s your first ten for not remembering ‘You’re in the Army Now’ by Bolland & Bolland!” I announced with mock severity.
- “Ugh!” she exclaimed, rolling her eyes in playful frustration, swatting me lightly.
The next song began with an intense and exotic intro, blending Middle Eastern-inspired guitar riffs with electric violin. The rhythm felt tribal, as if calling an ancient ritual, and Andie listened transfixed, her brows knitting together in concentration. She gave me a wide-eyed look as if saying, “What is this?”
I laughed. “Don’t worry, I won’t skip just yet. It’s ‘Hasan I Sabbah’ by Hawkwind,” I explained, watching her reaction closely.
Her eyes widened, and she leaned forward, fascinated. Suddenly, clearly surprised she asked “Wait, did they just say ‘Black September’? Is that… a reference to the group responsible for the Munich massacre?” Her expression was intense, both curious and focused.

I felt my jaw drop. If I’d asked ten thousand 21-year-olds, not one would’ve known about “Black September” and the Munich massacre. I knew she was brilliant and have vast encyclopedic knowledge, but this—this was a whole new level. She’d caught something so specific, so obscure, that it left me utterly speechless.

Andie continued as if she hadn’t just blown my mind, her gaze still locked on me. “It says ‘Petrodollar’ and then ‘Petrol d’ Allah.’ So, it’s political—a nod to the conflicts tied to the Middle East, right?” She looked at me, her eyes bright with understanding while the only thing I could do was staring at her in awe. She just casually unraveled one of the most cryptic verses in rock.

After that finished, the next opened with an ethereal blend of atmospheric synth and haunting guitar riffs that felt like floating through a dark, boundless void. The track was purely instrumental, with Hawkwind’s signature space-rock ambiance creating a sense of mystery and vastness. A pulsating bassline built slowly, grounding the track as the drums entered with a steady, hypnotic beat. The layering of synth and guitar effects enhanced the surreal feeling, painting a soundscape of distant cosmic realms, evoking images of ancient forces and untold mysteries, centered on the elusive figure of Arioch. Once again, she didn’t recognize the song, and once again she listened transfixed by the haunting music.

Her eyes were closed, body swaying slightly to the rhythm, completely lost in the music. I watched her, entranced by how the melody seemed to move through her, her expression a mix of wonder and concentration. When the final notes faded away, she opened her eyes slowly, as if awakening from a dream.

- “What is this masterpiece?” she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, still caught in the song’s spell.
- “It’s from the same band, Hawkwind...” I paused, enjoying the moment of anticipation. “As for the title... you might not recognize the song, but I assure you that you’ll recognize to whom it refers.” I watched her face carefully as I continued, “It’s called ‘Arioch’, and yes, it’s the Arioch of Seven Darks, from Elric of Melniboné!”
Her eyes lit up with recognition and excitement. “Oh my God!” she exclaimed, sitting up straighter. “No wonder it felt so... otherworldly. It’s perfect for him!”

I couldn’t help but smile at her enthusiasm. Do you know what started her delving into heroic fantasy? The first time I took her to the Crypt and explained who Flamefang was. I have the whole ‘Eternal Champion’ series, and she fell in love with the cursed albino antihero. While she liked Corum and Hawkmoon, the vast scope of Elric’s saga and his tragic story spoke to her very soul.

- “Play it again?” she asked, her eyes bright with enthusiasm. “Now that I know it’s about Arioch, I want to really listen to it... to hear how they captured his essence in the music.”

I obliged, hitting play again, watching as she settled back, ready to experience the song with new understanding. Her face showed the same concentration she’d had when solving complex mathematical problems during our tutoring sessions - that intense focus that made her so remarkable.
- “It’s like they understood him,” she murmured as the music built again. “The chaos, the ancient power, the seduction of it all...” She trailed off, lost once more in the haunting melody.

She promptly recognized the next four songs, it was Uriah Heep’s ‘Gypsy’, Rainbow’s ‘Star Gazer’, Cream’s ‘Layla’ and Deep Purple’s ‘Highway Star’. All in all, she found seven out of the ten songs, and though I wouldn’t expect to recognize ‘Arioch’, I was sure that she would easily find ‘You’re in the army now’ and ‘Hasan I Sabbah’, if nothing else for its infamous ‘Hashish-hashin’ intro.

- “That would be thirty slaps, thank you very much!” I teased her.
- “Hey, that’s unfair, I mean come on old man, how did you expect me to know Hawkwind?” she asked my in mocked indignation.
- “I didn’t, that’s the beauty of it!” I replied chuckling.
- “BRRRRRRRRRRR!”
- “Don’t be a sore loser, missy! Real life is not looney toons, Sylvester usually spanks Tweety!”
- “Okay, your cats are perverts!” she retorted laughing hard.
- “Well, it’s not my cats I’m talking about!”
She burst out laughing, clutching her sides. “Oh, of course not. And here I thought you were a respectable music connoisseur. Turns out you’re just looking for excuses to spank me!”
I smirked, raising an eyebrow. “Respectable? Have we met? Besides, spanking you is what all this was about!”
- “Oh, so that’s how it is, huh?” She grinned mischievously, inching toward me with a look of mock seriousness. “And I suppose you’re going to give me all thirty of those slaps right now?”
- “That’s the idea!” I replied, winking.
She narrowed her eyes playfully, crossing her arms. “Fine, but you know what? I’m adding a penalty for outdated references to Sylvester and Tweety. You have to admit – they’re ancient. And if I have to suffer through slaps, you have to suffer my modern playlist next time. Get ready for some beats!”
- “Oh, no, no, no!” I held up my hands, feigning horror. “That’s real torture, Andie. Not sure if I can handle your techno and auto-tune.”
She laughed, clapping her hands together in delight. “That’s right! So, I think maybe we just call this round a tie?”
- “Oh, now you want to negotiate?” I grinned, moving closer, looking down with a mock-serious face. “You know what? Let’s compromise. Instead of electronic playlists... I’ll settle for one favor. You have to sing the chorus of Highway Star in full rock-star mode. Complete with air guitar!”
Her eyes widened, and she tried to back away, laughing. “Oh, no way! You can’t make me do that!”
- “Too late, it’s decided!” I grabbed an imaginary microphone and handed it to her, moving back and clapping for her entrance.
She got up, took a deep breath, and finally yelled, “Nobody’s gonna take my car, I’m gonna race it to the ground!” Then, bursting into laughter, she fumbled through an exaggerated air guitar solo, her expression serious as she pretended to shred in true rock-star fashion.
- “Not bad,” I said, holding back a chuckle. “Almost as good as Deep Purple.”
She stopped, pointing at me dramatically. “Almost? I got news for you old man, I am the queen of air guitar.”
- “Oh, is that so?” I replied, raising an eyebrow and grabbing my own air guitar. “Challenge accepted.”

And for the next few minutes, we turned the living room into our very own rock concert, competing to see who could outdo the other in the most ridiculous rock poses and solos, filling the room with laughter.

- “Oh, God, seriously you’ll be the death of me!” I told her sitting again on the sofa, trying hard to find my breath.
- “A good girl would have replied ‘Bless me father, for I have sinned’” she said mockingly. “But we both know that’s not the case with me…” she added giving a dramatic pause. I thought that she was going to use her ‘sorry daddy, I’ve been naughty’ line, but I couldn’t be more wrong. “Μολών λαβέ,” she said and jumped away from my reach doing a long “BRRRRRRRRRRRRR,” adding salt to injury.

Yup, she’ll be the death of me…

 

21. Que sera, sera

We were a real spectacle. Me, thirty-nine years old, and Andie, twenty-one, chasing each other around the living room like a couple of kids on a sugar rush. The neighbors must have thought we’d lost our minds. Out in an open field, I wouldn’t have had a chance in a million to catch her. Even in the living room, all my efforts were a complete failure. Especially since she kept doing these ridiculous victory dances every time she evaded me, which only made me more determined to catch her.

- “Come here, you little rascal, and take your punishment like a man!” I shouted, red-faced and out of breath.
- “Well, first of all, I’m not a man, and second of all, BRRRRRRRRR!” She blew a raspberry at me, even adding some cheeky hand gestures.
- “Did they teach you that in university?” I called out, trying to catch my breath.
- “Nope, self-taught! I’m naturally gifted!” she shot back, pirouetting away from my grasp.
- “When I get my hands on you, you’ll wish you were a termite with the thrashing you’re gonna get!” I mock-threatened.
- “If you can catch me!”
- “Alright, then! And here I was, thinking I’d take you out for ice cream!”
- “That’s blackmail!” she shouted, feigning outrage.
- “BRRRRRRRR!” I shot back, matching her raspberry with one of my own.
- “Oh, you’re dead!” she said with a mischievous grin, switching up the game and chasing me now.
- “Oh, how the tables have turned!” I shouted, barely avoiding her grasp.
- “They see me rollin’, they hatin’!” she sang, deliberately off-key.
I barely had time to dodge as she lunged. We were laughing so hard, our sides hurt.
- “Who’s running the show here?” I shouted, ducking behind an armchair.
- “Come out and take your punishment like a man!”
- “Wait—so you’re chasing me to make me ‘take it like a man’ because I’m blackmailing you for not taking it like a man?”
- “Exactly!”
- “These rebellious ideas won’t get you anywhere!” I yelled, and off we went again. She leapt over the couch with a playful agility, trying to get out of my reach.
- “I’m too old for this!” I wheezed.
- “Hi ‘too old for this,’ I’m Andie!” she quipped, still bouncing around like a caffeinated kangaroo.

Our poor living room looked like it had been hit by a tornado, with furniture in disarray and us darting around like maniacs. But I wouldn’t trade that laughter for anything. I was completely out of breath.

- “STOP!” I finally shouted after who knows how long, panting heavily. “Tomorrow let’s go to the store and buy some Nerf guns. We can have a full-on war.”
- “Ooh, escalating to weapons of mass destruction?” she giggled. “You sure you can handle that kind of firepower, grandpa?”
- “Watch it, missy, or I’ll get the ones that shoot foam arrows!”
- “That’s why I love you!” she said, her eyes sparkling. Forgetting the chase, she jumped up and threw her arms around me in a bear hug.
- “Easy, easy! You’re gonna break this old man’s bones. Have a little mercy!”
- “I’ll just rub it better!” she winked, grinning slyly.

With Andie clinging to me like a little monkey, I shuffled over to the couch and plopped down, utterly exhausted but full of joy.

- “You know what’s funny?” she mused, still clinging to me.
- “What?”
- “Tomorrow you’re presenting a paper on Complexity Theory, and here we are, acting like five-year-olds.”
- “Well,” I grinned, “if anyone asks, we were conducting an experimental study on chaos theory in confined spaces.”
- “With a focus on the butterfly effect of raspberries?” she added innocently.
- “Exactly. Very serious research!”
“We should write a paper!”
- “Hahaha, go get some clothes and let’s go. Or you can come as you are, making the peeping toms of this world really happy!”
- “What?” she asked confused, then glanced down and noticed her wardrobe malfunction. Her left breast had managed to escape the confines of her tank top during our chase. “Thanks for the heads up,” she said, a slight blush creeping across her cheeks as she adjusted her top.
- “De nada! I should also thank you for the same thing, without the adverb, though!” I teased her, and she turned a shade of red that would in comparison make a sunburned Mojave warrior look like a ghost.
- “You’re awful!” she exclaimed, doubling over with laughter.
- “See? That’s our difference, I have a lifetime experience being awful but you, having no experience at all, are exactly the opposite!” I replied with an exaggerated wink, sending us both into another fit of giggles.
- “I can’t believe you!” she managed between laughs, her face still glowing red.

Laughing like children, we made our way to the town square and went to get ice cream. Besides getting one for myself and one for her, I also bought an additional lemon granita, although I had something entirely different in mind for it.

- “Put your ice cream in the freezer, we'll have them later,” I said.
- “Oh, but I want it now!” she protested.
- “Do I need to repeat myself,” I insisted in a commanding voice.
- “No, Sir,” she murmured, complying with a slight pout.

I took her to my room and undressed her completely. I grabbed a cloth and blindfolded her. Leaving her there for a moment, I quickly went to the bathroom and laid my towel on the bed. I positioned her to lie down and tied her hands above her head with my belt. Simultaneously, I observed her reactions; the entire scene had aroused her incredibly, judging by the goosebumps on her skin and her hardened nipples.

- “Don’t move!” I commanded.
- “Yes, Sir,” she replied in a hushed voice.

I returned to the freezer and retrieved the lemon granita I had chosen. Climbing onto the bed, I placed a finger on her pussy, which was already dripping wet—and that wasn’t the reason I had laid the towel beneath her.

I took the ice cream and pressed it against the nipple of her right breast, making her jolt, but she kept her hands above her head. I began to rub the ice cream against her nipple, making it harden. Without lifting it, I started to rub it all over her breast and dragged it to the other breast, repeating the game. Up until now, I had been using the tip of the ice cream, but when I moved to her other breast, I pressed the flat side of the ice cream against her, earning another shudder from her body accompanied by an “AAAH” that was not from pleasure.

For the cold-sensitive Andie, this was the perfect sadistic game. I moved the ice cream—which had started to melt—down to her stomach and then to her sides, causing her to jolt again. I slowly dragged it down, savoring her reactions, until I reached her pussy and began to rub it. “AAAAAAAH,” she let out a powerful scream, a mix of cold and discomfort, but that was nothing compared to what followed when I inserted the ice cream into her pussy. “AAAAAAAH NOOOOOO I CAN’T TAKE IT…”

I hadn’t explored her limits, so I took her words literally. Of course, this didn’t stop me from lifting her legs slightly and repeating the same motion on her back entrance, eliciting new cries. Without lifting the ice cream from her, I dragged it to the inside of her thighs and from there to her calves and the soles of her feet. I started on the other leg, moving in the opposite direction until I reached between her legs again and repeated the same motions on both her pussy and her ass. I moved upwards to her breasts, then to her neck, and back down until the ice cream had completely melted. Then came my mouth; I licked her from head to toe, making her body shudder again, this time purely from pleasure.

When I reached her pussy and started to lick it, her moans of pleasure turned into almost sobs. With my game, I had made Andie reach a level of ecstasy she had never experienced before, making her cum like a waterfall. I had no intention of stopping with her. Without allowing her to remove the blindfold, I untied her hands and commanded her to get on all fours. Dropping to my knees as well, I started to eat her ass while using my right hand to play with her pussy again, eliciting new cries—we had turned the room into an opera house, only the phantom was missing.

Her body trembled with every touch, every lick, every sensation. I could feel her surrender completely, her moans growing louder and more desperate. The mix of cold and heat, pleasure and pain, was driving her wild. I continued to explore her body, pushing her to the edge and then pulling her back, until she was a writhing, moaning mess of pure ecstasy. Finally, I positioned myself behind her, my own body aching with desire.

Normally I wear a condom but since Andie told me that we wouldn’t need them, I just entered her slowly, savoring every inch of her. Her moans turned into screams of pleasure as I moved inside her, my hands gripping her hips tightly. I could feel her body responding to mine, her muscles clenching around me, pulling me deeper.

The room filled with the sounds of our bodies coming together, the scent of our desire, the heat of our passion. I could feel her getting closer, her body tensing, her breath coming in short gasps. I increased my pace, driving her higher and higher until she finally exploded, her body convulsing with pleasure, her screams filling the room. I followed her over the edge, my own body shuddering with release. We collapsed onto the bed, our bodies slick with sweat, our breaths coming in ragged gasps. I pulled her into my arms, holding her tightly as we both came down from the high of our passion.

- “That was… incredible,” she whispered, her voice rough from breathless cries.
- “You didn’t see that coming, did you?”
- “Not in a thousand lifetimes! I mean… remember when I told you I sometimes imagined you as Sir Stefan? The truth is, whips and birches and all that used to make me shiver… I… I only fantasized about the obedience part.”
- “Well, I’d never use anything on you unless you wanted it, of course. But maybe it wouldn’t hurt to try just once—see if it surprises you.”
- “I’m not sure…” she replied, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
- “Andie, I don’t need any of that to be happy with you. Please don’t think you’d ever disappoint me by saying no.”
- “But… you like these things, don’t you? Won’t you miss them?”
- “Between you and a pile of S/M toys? The toys can go to hell.” I smiled. “My tastes aren’t that complicated anyway. I don’t need fancy equipment. I actually prefer using ordinary things in… let’s say, imaginative ways. Like, for instance, the ice cream.”
- “Oh, God… I’d never imagined discomfort could be so… sweet!”
- “Next time, maybe we’ll try candles.”
- “Candles?” She looked startled, then a glint of understanding lit her eyes. “Hmm… it makes a strange sort of sense,” she said, grinning.
- “Doesn’t it?” I grinned back. “And Andie? You don’t need whips and birches to step into O’s shoes.”
- “Why do you say that?”
- “You ‘Sired’ me twice without even realizing it.”
- “I did?” Her eyes widened in surprise.
- “Yes. The first time was when I asked if I needed to repeat myself, and the second was when I told you not to move. Do you know what I value most?”
- “What?”
- “Obedience. But only in bed, nowhere else. And you gave me that naturally, without any pretense. And the best part is, you’re not some submissive personality. You’re fierce, playful, and rebellious—not to challenge me, but because that’s who you are. You’re not submissive. When you called me ‘Sir,’ it wasn’t about surrendering. You were slipping into the role naturally, playfully, fully yourself.”
- “How is that different from a Dom/sub thing?”
- “A true Dominant or submissive doesn't just step into a role—it's part of their identity, not a performance. When people say BDSM is only for those who can't live without it, that's exactly what they mean. I think that view can be a bit hardcore, maybe even too narrow, but it does underscore the importance of language when we're communicating. Sure, role-playing can be part of BDSM, but for many, BDSM is a whole way of life. You have some submissive tendencies, but their nature is fundamentally different from a true submissive’s. Think of it this way: for a true submissive, submission is a need—something essential to their nature. For you, it's more about desires—experiences you enjoy exploring through bottoming. And for me, that's more than enough.”
I paused, meeting her gaze. “Like I said, you don’t need whips or birches to channel O’s spirit, because O was submissive to her core. That’s not you. What I want, what I’ve fallen for, is my unique, playful, mischievous Andie—the one who teases me constantly, who always has a sharp retort ready.”
- “You’ve fallen?” she asked, her eyes locked onto mine, searching.
- “Hard! Very-very hard!”
- “You… you really believe that this is going to work out?”

Instead of replying I just sang to her.

Listen to the pouring rain
Listen to it pour,
And with every drop of rain
You know I love you more

Let it rain all night long
Let my love for you grow strong,
As long as we're together
Who cares about the weather?

Tears welled up in her eyes as she snuggled closer to me, her lips searching for mine. Yeah, we had several hurdles in front of us, and there was that fear in the back of my mind that eventually she would move on, but at that moment I felt more alive than ever. Life is a gift after all. The only way to show our gratitude? By living it to the fullest.

Que sera, sera.