June 23

Greg had been remiss in his regimen and this morning he paid. By the time he made it to 'their' bench his lungs felt like he had been breathing in broken glass. His head was bathed in sweat. He didn't quite stagger up to take his seat but his gate was noticeably unsteady. Sara hadn't arrived yet. He used the time to get his breathing under control.

"Hey!" Greg looked up when he heard that cheery voice to see Sara walking up to the bench. Today she had chosen to wear a sleeveless sundress. It was a pale yellow slip of a dress that came almost to her knee; sandals on her bare feet; her hair tied back in a loose braid. The bodice of her dress outlined the faint swell of her breasts - she was braless this morning. Greg could see where her nipples were just barely suggested through the light summer fabric.

She had hidden those lovely eyes behind a pair of sunglasses. Still breathing heavily, he simply gazed at Sara as she approached. Her adolescent hips swayed with the motion of her stride. Her smile was that of someone who was supremely content. Over her left shoulder she had slung a cloth bag for her swim things.

Greg stood as she reached the bench. They hugged and kissed on the cheek. "Let's sit before I fall down. My legs are rubber!" He groaned, heeding the scream of his complaining muscles.

Sara smiled. 'He's so adorable.' She thought to herself as they sat together. "Silly! If it hurts so much why do you do it?"

Perking up, "Because it makes me feel so good when I stop." He said, pretending to be unaware of the irony. "And how else can I keep this tremendous bod?" He sucked in his stomach and puffed out his chest to pose for Sara. She giggled slightly, her voice a soft bubbling effervescence. He held her hand in his as they basked in the glorious June weather.

Sara reached over and opened his fanny pack pouch. Fishing around she let out an "A-ha!" of success. She held up the trail mix triumphantly. The eagle-eyed wildlife - though no actual eagles - noticed immediately. Sensing a free lunch, they flocked around the two of them as Sara began to distribute the largesse of nuts and seeds. Occasionally she would feed a handful to Greg.

They amused themselves by imagining what the animals might be saying in their battle for a free lunch. Sara thought the squirrels and chipmunks had formed an alliance in order to defeat the geese through distraction. Greg said he figured it was the ducks that were the troublemakers, trying to get the geese and squirrels fighting so they could scoop up more food for themselves.

Eventually Greg was rested enough, and the trail mix depleted, to head back to his place. They strolled together through the idyll of the woodland trail. He had taken Sara's hand in his again and held it with such easy comfort. It was so naturally right. Their hips brushed against each other as they walked.

When they reached Greg's house, Sara released Belzer from his imprisonment in the garage. Once they were off, he showered, changed clothes and put on his morning coffee. While waiting for that he emptied the dishwasher full of last night's dinner dishes. As he put them away, Greg's thoughts returned to the events of the evening. With the dishes completed he settled down to enjoy his coffee and newspaper.

By the time Greg had reached the 'Arts' section Sara and Belzer announced their boisterous return with the slam of the front door and the clatter of paws on tile. He remained seated, reading the paper until he felt Sara's hands snake around his neck; her breath warm on his skin, her hair falling lightly on his shoulders. He sighed and leaned his head back into her chest. Greg felt the warm soft pressure of her lips on his cheek.

"Wow, I didn't think they still made those things." Sara said, gesturing to the newspaper. "Printed on paper, yet!"

Greg looked up into her face - upside down from his perspective - to see if she was kidding: Maybe yes, maybe no. She had that sly look of mischief. "It's one of my anachronisms. There is something calming about my weekend cup of coffee and paper - real paper. I guess it's my form of meditation. The rest of the week I get my news online like everyone else." He said.

Sara came around the couch and sat down: On his lap. Greg let out a little 'Ooomph!' of surprise, from both the pressure on his groin and the familiarity of it. With her hands still around his neck she gave him a quick kiss on the lips. The sensation of her buttocks sliding across his lap was causing a reaction in him. He could feel the double friction of his shorts and the light fabric of her sundress. He couldn't help imagining that underneath that barest of layer of fabric, was the blossoming of her womanhood.

Greg put his arms around her, his hands resting on her sides, above his waist, just below the swell of her breasts. His hands unbidden, caressed her. "Is there anything special you would like to do today? We can go wherever you want, do anything at all."

"Anything???" Sara definitely had mischief in her eyes. "I think staying here would be just perfect." She nuzzled her face under his chin as he inhaled deeply of her sun kissed hair. "You know what tomorrow is?" She asked.

"....Sunday???" He answered cautiously. That question had the tone of one of those 'Gotcha' relationship questions as if he was forgetting an important date.

'Relationship???' Greg thought to himself. 'When in the hell did this become a relationship?'

Sara gave a little 'Phhht!' of amused exasperation and swatted him playfully. "No, silly! It's June 24th. Exactly one month ago we met." Her voice trailed off in that dreamy romantic, manner only women in love can manage.

"Then I guess we will have to do something special. "

Sara deflated just a little. "Just being here with you is wonderful but I can't come over tomorrow. My mother wants to have a mother/daughter day. She's gets that way every once in a while. I guess she feels like we haven't spent much time together lately."

"I will miss you." Greg said with sincerity. "What does she have in mind?"

"A spa day. She says I'm getting to be a woman and that I should start learning some of the... ummm... 'Feminine Arts'" Sara smiled coquettishly at Greg. "I think she is right about that."

"Mother knows best." Greg agreed, as he felt Sara's hands on his neck, running through his hair. He shifted slightly to relieve the pressure from his growing arousal. "Though I suspect there isn't much to teach you."

Sara blushed a little and gave Greg another kiss. "A girl can always learn something new. I think today would be perfect to swim and just relax around the pool. I brought my swim things."

"You're the boss, ma'am." Greg affirmed.

After changing into his swimsuit Greg sat out at the pool waiting for Sara. He had come to realize he would eventually succumb to his desires. It was just a matter of time. Why wait then? He figured with each passing day the taboo of her age lessened a little bit.

The sound of Sara opening the patio door shook him from his reverie. Greg was prepared for her. He was sure of it. He thought he was. Then...

He saw her.

How did she manage to do it to him, every time?

Sara wasn't wearing the same swimsuit as last time. It was another one of her new purchases. It was a one-piece and actually covered more of her body than the white two-piece. But the cut, the color!

Greg had trouble determining the color exactly. It had that shifting, chimerical quality, which Greg -given his finance background - likened to the security features on currency that shifted when seen at different angles.

On Sara the colors shimmered between aquamarine, turquoise, teal, azure - every conceivable shade between blue and green. Each and every one contrasted beautifully with her pale, lightly freckled skin, accentuated the glistening red of her hair.

The neckline plunged dangerously close to her navel, revealing the swell of her breasts. The suit was cut high on her thighs, snug against her pubis. Sara walked towards him with that same nervousness she had whenever she hoped to entice him. She gestured for him to join her: "Come, let's swim together."

Greg walked over to the pool edge. He pulled her to him, his hands resting on the silky fabric covering her buttocks. He massaged her cheeks softly, marveling over the sensation, the perfect curve of her behind.

They kissed.

"Sara... I think I'm in..." Sara stopped Greg by putting a finger to his lips, 'shooshing' him ever so softly. He kissed the tip of that finger, gently.

She turned and dove into the pool in a flash of legs and arms. He followed, diving into the pool after her. At the far end they both broke the surface in an explosion of water spray. As they regained their breath, Sara bobbed gently in the water in front of Greg. Her wet hair clung to her head and floating around her on the water, changing her appearance so markedly but she was no less beautiful. Sara floated in front of him like wraith - no - like a water nymph. The water beaded on her skin, glistening in the bright sunlight. Her lovely lips were full, warm... inviting. Those eyes of liquid brown stared at him, possessed him.

They tread water silently, with the only sound the gently lapping water. Closer... closer they glided - almost touching. They danced in water, acting and reacting to each other; circling, arms paddling to maintain themselves.

Greg brought his hands to Sara. He allowed his fingers to graze along her form. He traced her shape from the swell of her hips to her budding breasts. Holding her steady in the water he allowed his thumbs to caress along the underside and up to her nipples. The cool water caused them to stand out in the fabric of her sensual new swimsuit. He pulled her close, bringing her lips to his. Touching softly at first, and then pressing more urgently, Greg reveled in the softness of kiss, the intensity of her passion. Their lips parted. Sara knew a little more now, of the art of the kiss. She allowed her tongue to slide in to his mouth as his entwined in hers. They explored the intimate wetness of each other.

Sara knew. She felt with all her being that Greg must take her, must possess her - make her fully a woman. He was the one, the only one, who was worthy. She reveled in the wondrous pressure of his lips on hers, the feeling of his hands on her body.

Greg pulled her closer still so that her body cleaved to his. Sara's hands circled his neck; she pulled his head to her, kissing him on the forehead with easy familiarity. Greg allowed his hands to stray down Sara's back. He cupped her butt in his hands as Sara closed her legs around him. He slid his hands under the fabric of her swimsuit, grasping the cool bare cheeks of her buttocks. They both wondered: 'Who was seducing whom?'

After a time they pushed apart from each other. Sara swam away from Greg, glancing back, she gave him a mischievous 'Catch me if you can' look. Greg swam after her, catch one ankle momentarily as she slipped away from him, delighting in the chase. They splashed about in some more adult version of the children's game of tag. He would catch Sara, and pin her to the side of the pool, demanding a kiss for her release. Then hunter became the hunted as Sara would dive under the surface to grab Greg and pull him under. For catching him she demanded her reward: A kiss. Under water they came to together, lips touching, parting, exploring as they drifted. They remained joined until they could no longer hold their breath. They would burst to the surface, inhaling deeply. They drifted about, resting from the frenetic activity of their game.

They came to rest at the shallow end of the pool. Greg lay back, resting on the bottom as Sara drifted into his arms, her back to him. She lay on top of him, wrapping his arms around her so that his hands clasped just below her breasts. Greg watched the rise and fall of her chest as her breathing slowed from their exertions. He could feel the length of her body against him.

"I think I am the luckiest man in the world. I know at this moment I am the happiest." Greg had never experienced such a sense of serene contentment. Sara felt the rumbling of his voice through his chest and delighted in the sensation. They lay together like that for what seemed like an eternity of contentment.

Eventually they stirred. "We're going to look like a couple prunes!" Sara commented as she looked at her wrinkled fingertips. Greg took her hand to examine the damage. He brought the tip to his lips as if to kiss it all better.

Greg watched appreciatively as Sara got up and climbed the steps out of the pool. Her wet swimsuit clung to her body, riding up the cleft between her cheeks. She reached behind to pull the fabric out in the unknowing manner that was so erotic for men to see. He followed her out of the pool, taking a towel so that he might have the privilege to dry her. It was an unnecessary excuse for his hands to roam over her beautiful body. He allowed his hands to glide over every curve and swell. Sara sighed at the touch of his large, strong hands. At the same time she was amazed at how soft and gentle they were.

Impulsively he swept her up into his arms, bundled in the large Turkish towel he had been using to dry her. Sara gave a start of surprise and delight as he carried her to the double lounge chair and set her down with the care such a precious gift demanded. She squirmed to get comfortable and then reached over the table to get the sun block. She held it out for him with the simple command: "Do me."

Greg could tell from the impish smile on her face that she was fully aware of the double entendre. He poured the lotion into his hands and muttered half to himself, "Where to begin..." Once again Greg reveled in the sensation of his hands spreading the warm lotion over her supple skin. Occasionally a soft murmur of pleasure would escape Sara's lips as she basked in the feeling of Greg's hands massaging her. Greg was especially aroused when he reached the area of her thighs near her pussy. Though never touching, he could feel heat emanating from her. Spreading sun block on the part of her chest not covered by the suit also aroused him. From her rapid breathing he was sure she was felt the same. Not forgetting her cautionary from last week, he completed the task by dabbing some of the lotion on her earlobes, and then gave her a quick kiss.

"My turn!" Sara had decided that Greg needed some protection from the sun as well. He lay back and allowed Sara to go to work on him. If the sensation of his hands on her was incredible, the reverse was astounding. He lay supine as Sara's tiny perfect hands worked the lotion in to his skin. Her face had that determined look of concentration. As she worked her way down his chest, his stomach, she came perilously close to his straining erection in his loose boxer swimsuit. Moving down to his legs her arm brushed him. He knew more than ever that the time would come when he would no longer be able to resist his desires, her charms. She also finished her ministrations with a kiss.

They both lay back to enjoy the sun. His hand found hers. That simple touching comforted them both. They fell into easy, lazy conversation. Sara confided her dreams, her aspirations. She wanted to go to college but she wasn't sure what to study. Biology always appealed to her. Psychology sounded interesting too... or medicine... maybe law... or chemistry. Like any twelve year old she couldn't make up her mind.

Greg smiled at her indecision and said - more to himself, "The exuberance of youth. I remember it well."

Sara slapped him playfully. "Are you making fun of me?"

"Maybe a little." Smiling at her pique, he continued; "It's just so enjoyable to watch your excitement, your... well... exuberance. It reminds me of being that young."

"Alright, old man, tell me how you ended up doing what you do. It seems to pay well." She was teasing him but did want to know.

Greg explained how his career choice had been a bit of an accident. After flunking out of college the first time he bounced around at various jobs before going back. He had never planned to be in the financial industry. It just seemed to happen. He quoted; "Life is what happens to you while you are making other plans."

Sara asked; "Who said that?"

"I did! Didn't you hear?" Greg said teasingly. Then; "John Lennon, I think. I know I never planned on you" Greg pulled her closer to him, wrapping his arm around her.

She snuggled close, resting her cheek against his chest. "Me neither. It's hard for me to remember not knowing you.... Greg?"

"Yes?"

"I... ummm... I just want you to know. You don't have to worry... I'm - I'm ready. I know I'm young but I trust you. I can't think of anyone else who it should be."

Greg looked down at this beautiful girl, offering herself to him. He sighed; "You have no idea how much I want to, Sara. You are any man's dream. Sometimes I wonder if I am dreaming..."

Sara supplied the unspoken: "But?"

"But as mature as you are emotionally, you are twelve."

"Almost thirteen!" she objected.

"Ok, thirteen. Society frowns upon that sort of thing."

"And society is always right?"

"Not always, but in this case..."

"Should I go along with all the kids in my class? With what they say about me, my mother?" Sara had fire in her eyes.

Greg couldn't argue her point. "I wonder if maybe it would be better for you to find someone closer to your own age. I know you feel you want this and what I know I want it, but sometimes doing the right thing means denying yourself. If there were to come a time that you would regret us being us... well... I don't think I could live with myself knowing I hurt you."

"Someone my age... like those boys at school? Do you really think they would have any concern about what was best for me?"

Once again Greg couldn't argue. He knew what teenage boys were like. He had been one himself. "No. I guess not." He fell back on his last line of defense: "Sara, I would worry about injuring you physically. You are still developing."

Now Sara couldn't argue. "But one day?" she asked hopefully.

"One day. Every day that passes you develop a little more."

"Then I can wait - for you." She said with determination. Now that they had come to a modus vivendi they fell into silence, both dreaming of a day to come.

As noon was near Greg said he would make them a light lunch. In the kitchen he made up some club sandwiches and salad. As he was setting the table he saw Sara had come in to change. Although she had gone into the washroom she had left the door open.

Greg stood transfixed as she took off the swimsuit, seeing her naked for the first time. Her hair still damp hung loosely around her shoulder. Her nascent breasts were topped with pink nipples, perfectly round areoles that were almost the color of her hair. They shook gently from her movement as she shrugged off the suit. She wiggled ever so slightly as she slid her underwear up her legs. Her pubic hair was the faintest red shadow covering her pussy. The motion of her hips hypnotized him, as she arranged the white lace panties on her burgeoning body. Once satisfied with the fit, she picked up her sundress and put it on over her head. He watched as the dress slowly slid down her body, concealing the wonder that was Sara. Greg hurriedly went back to preparing lunch. He had everything ready by the time Sara returned.

After lunch they lazed about until Sara had to leave. They embraced at the door for what felt like forever and a mere instant at the same time. They kissed a long lingering kiss. Their tongues touched and played, softly.

Sara thought, 'I'm getting better at this.'

Greg thought, 'She is good at this.'

They parted, understanding what sweet, sweet sorrow meant.

June 24

The next morning Greg went for his run. When he arrived at the empty bench he was disappointed even though he new she wouldn't be there. Once back at home he took Belzer out for his ablutions, and then back to the house. It was difficult to comprehend how empty the house now seemed without Sara. He kept himself occupied swimming, domestic chores, anything to keep busy. That night sleep was not easy in coming.

June 25-29

It was a busy week for Greg The end of quarter was approaching which meant a great deal of earnings data to analyze. Sara came over everyday. When he ran they met at the bench. If not, then Sara would show up bright and early at his door. Most of the mornings he would be engrossed in his work. He had found an old laptop for her. Between that and Greg's books she kept occupied. They would have lunch together around noon. Afterwards they would spend some time together.

Their ardor, while still present was restrained. Greg still had conflicted feelings. As much as Sara wanted Greg to be the one, the idea of losing her virginity caused her to be pensive. She likened it to the feeling she had while waiting to go on a roller coaster. She was excited and a little scared and maybe excited by the fear. There was only one first time.

They still shared small intimacies and tested the limits, but in the end neither crossed those boundaries.

Not yet.