Everyone followed his example, and the cool, sweet, drink slid down Brett’s throat. He looked at Kayla, noticed that her eyes were closed as she savored the unusual but tasty flavor. Paolo then picked up his fork, smiled and said, “Enjoy!” and everyone applied themselves to the meal.
Under any circumstances, the food would have been delicious, but after such a strenuous day, capped off by mind-blowing sex-twice-Brett mentally dubbed the meal the Best Damn Food Ever. Everyone made appreciative noises and comments, to which Ana responded by smiling and thanking them.
Conversations broke out about the day’s hike, with everyone adding their impressions and discussing what they’d enjoyed the most.
“The Inca Trail offers a cornucopia for the senses,” Paolo said. “I invite each of you to tell what you liked best based on which of your senses was most engaged.”
Eileen and Ashley chose sight, enthusing over the exquisite orchids, awe-inspiring vistas, and miles of deep-blue sky. Dan, Bill and Shawn chose touch, claiming they’d most admired the ruins at Llaqtapata, being able to run their hands over the centuries-old stones.
Brett considered for a moment, then said, “I’d have to choose smell. I’ve always been interested in scents, studying the ways they affect us. The combination of fragrances here-clean air, forest, sunshine and something else, something indescribable that is unique to this place-makes it smell…peaceful.”
Everyone agreed that a serene atmosphere permeated the trail, and how, in spite of the rigors of hiking in the high altitude, they felt very relaxed.
“My favorite was the sounds,” Kayla said. “The rushing river, the crunch of leaves beneath my feet, the birds singing, the branches rustling. Living in New York City, I never get to hear the sounds of nature.”
While they continued to share favorite moments of the day, Ana offered second helpings and no one refused.
“This is incredible.” Kayla leaned closer to Brett while forking up another bite of the savory beef. “How Ana managed to prepare such a feast in the middle of a forest, without benefit of electricity, boggles my mind. I couldn’t hope to match something like this even with the aid of a professional kitchen and an assistant chef. I think she should have her own cooking show. I’ll do the PR.”
He popped a piece of the smooth, creamy, mountain cheese into his mouth. “You don’t cook?”
She shot him a sideways glance. “Depends. Do you consider smearing cream cheese on a bagel cooking?”
“Depends. Is the bagel toasted?”
She laughed. “You’re probably a good cook, what with knowing about combining chemicals and all.”
“All that gives me is the knowledge to start fires in the kitchen-and, luckily, how to put them out. I’ve learned the hard way that combining chemicals in a lab and ingredients in a kitchen are two very different things.”
“Here’s something I don’t tell everyone,” she said inching closer and dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “I use my oven as storage space for my bread, cereal and cookies.”
He shot her an exaggerated look of shock. “You mean it has other uses?”
“Not as far as I’m concerned. Who needs an oven when you have a microwave and dozens of take-out places within a two-block radius?”
“That’s my philosophy,” he agreed. “What kind of cookies do you keep in your oven?”
“All kinds, because my philosophy is-There’s no such thing as a bad cookie. But my favorites are the hand-dipped double chocolate chunk biscotti from Delriccio’s bakery on the corner near my apartment.”
“Sounds pretty uptown to me, princess. I’m an Oreo man, myself. Although, I’m a sucker for anything dipped in chocolate.”
“Me, too.” Her eyes glittered with mischief and she sent a very pointed look toward his groin. “Which fills me with all sorts of ideas.”
His body’s reaction was swift and immediate and he had to press his lips together to withhold a groan. “I’m going to choke on my mountain cheese if you keep looking at me like that,” he warned in a laughing undertone.
“Not to put too fine a point on it, but I wasn’t looking at you. I was looking at your…” she silently mouthed the word cock. “And imagining it covered in chocolate.”
Okay, who the hell tossed him onto the campfire? Heat sizzled straight to his groin. His fingers went lax and he dropped the piece of cheese he held. It landed on his plate with a soft thud, utterly forgotten.
“Are you trying to kill me?” he asked in a low, strangled voice.
Before she could answer, Ana stood and asked, “Who wants dessert?”
“I do,” Kayla answered immediately, laughter dancing in her eyes. Everyone else chorused their yeses. The empty dinner plates were cleared away to the sound of many compliments, then Alberto and Miguel offered coffee and tea while Ana served them each a small, individual cake baked in its own ceramic bowl.
“It’s still warm,” Kayla said, wrapping her hands around the bowl.
“And it smells delicious,” Dan said, leaning his face over the bowl and breathing deeply. “Chocolate. My favorite.”
“Mine, too,” Kayla and Brett said in unison. Their gazes met and they both smiled.
“After dinner the first night on the trail,” Paolo said, “it is customary for everyone to share something of themselves, about their lives, with the group. Where you live, your occupation, your hobbies, things of that nature. And most importantly, what drew you to make this journey. It helps to bring you closer to the people with whom you are sharing this wondrous experience. Many times lasting friendships are formed on the Inca Trail.”
He smiled, then continued, “I usually go first so there is no shyness. I was born and raised in Cusco and still live there, very close to the house I grew up in-the house where my younger siblings Alberto, Miguel and Ana still live. Although, they tend to spend very much time at my house.”
“Pretty girls always at your house,” Alberto said with a wide grin, and everyone laughed.
“And handsome men,” Ana added, ignoring the scowls her brothers instantly shot her way.
“I teach history during the school year,” Paolo continued, “and spend my summers guiding tours along the Inca Trail. I feel a deep connection with the history of this area, and although I’ve traveled extensively throughout South America, nowhere I’ve visited fills me with the same sense of tranquility as I find here. I look forward to every summer, to hiking to Machu Picchu, to renewing my spirit and filling my soul with peace.”
He took a sip of his tea. “On a personal note, I am twenty-eight years old and not married, a fact my mother reminds me of every day.” Everyone chuckled. “I keep hoping to meet the woman of my heart, but she has so far eluded me. Maybe someday she will hike the Inca Trail, and we will find each other, but since you all are couples or-” he smiled at Dan “-single gentlemen, this is not the hike.” His gaze circled the group. “Who’s next?”
“I’ll jump in,” said Bill. “Eileen and I hail from Atlanta where we’re both high-school teachers. We have twin sons who just graduated from college, one of whom earned a degree in accounting and the other who plans to follow in our footsteps and teach.” He glanced at his wife, and took her hand. “We love the outdoors and discovering new places and have looked forward to this trip for a long time.”
“We’d actually planned to visit Machu Picchu two summers ago,” Eileen added, “but had to postpone our plans when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was a scary time and definitely gave both of us an appreciation for what’s really important.” She laid her hand over Bill’s and smiled at the group. “I’m happy to report that I’m now cancer-free and very happy to be here-literally and figuratively.”