The prompt for this week’s Wicked Wednesday is strangers on a train. My first thought upon seeing the prompt, however, was of some notes I jotted down several years ago inspired by a cable-car ride up the Untersberg in Salzburg. I had fun revisiting those notes.
She was riding the cable car to the top of Untersberg. She traveled alone but the car was full with a tour group of senior citizens. Their guide was a young man who spoke English with a hint of an accent. He also spoke perfect-sounding German. He wasn’t much taller than she, with a shock of white-blond hair. Black-rimmed glasses. Gray sweater with blue striped collar shirt peeking out. Jeans. Black walking shoes. Very studious looking. Distractingly cute.
She didn’t know that much about the area so she tried to eavesdrop on what he told the group. She inched closer to listen. He stopped talking to allow the group some time to admire the mountain view.
Caught up in the view herself, she flinched when she heard a low voice close to her. “You didn’t pay for the tour.” She hadn’t noticed he’d moved next to her. His eyes sparkled blue. He was smiling.
“It’s a small, enclosed space,” she said. “I couldn’t help over hearing.”
“Still,” he said. “I think you owe me something.” She couldn’t believe he was coming on so strongly and in front of all the senior citizens. His smile was genuine, though, lighting up his eyes.
“What did you have in mind?” She turned to face him directly. Her cheeks burned. She was never this forward but she was on vacation and trying new things.
“Coffee later? I’m free after I finish this tour.”
“Okay.”
“Do you know the city well?”
“Well enough to not care how touristy it is, but I want a piece of cake from that place on Mozartplatz.”
He frowned.
“I bet you have to take tour groups there all the time.” She smiled.
“Yes.”
“I’m only here a few days so I’m going back for some cake.”
“How’s this?” he countered. “You buy me a coffee while you eat your cake at an over-priced tourist café, then I decide where to take you for dinner for some real local food. Including cake.”
“You already want to make dinner plans with me?”
“Yes, if you’re only here a few days I have no time to waste.”
“How do you know you like me enough for dinner?”
He shrugged. “I don’t but I’m willing to take the chance. It’s just dinner.”
“And cake.”
“And cake.”
The cable car was docking at the top so he had to turn his attention back to the group. She waited in the back to let the group off first. As she stepped off, he maneuvered through the crowd back to her.
“Kurt,” he said, extending his hand.
“Allie,” she said, shaking it. “Have fun with your friends.” She nodded at the group.
“I’ll meet you at that café as soon as I’m done here.”
Allie hiked across the snow pack beyond the group. She watched Kurt from afar, speaking easily with them, smiling when the women flirted with him, nodding patiently at everyone’s exclamations over the view, answering questions, gently herding them away from getting too close to the edge. He was friendly and forward, good qualities in a tour guide. But he knew absolutely nothing about her. She didn’t believe she was breathtakingly gorgeous enough for guys to hit on her like that.
She wondered how often he used his tour guide job to pick up women traveling through town. The glasses were a nice touch, she thought, attracting a certain type of girl. Attracting her.
The group eventually shuffled through the snow back to the cable car, Kurt making sure everyone boarded safely.
Allie waited for the following cable car. She pulled a book out of her backpack but she couldn’t concentrate on reading. He was coming on very strong and she usually didn’t like that. But something about him seemed genuinely sweet.
Try new things, she reminded herself. I’ll spend an hour with him, eating cake.
“You have a little cream on your face,” Kurt said. “May I?”
Allie looked up from her half-eaten cake and nodded. Kurt’s eyes sparkled, holding her attention. He raised his hand to her face. His thumb pressed to her lips. Impulse took over Allie. She licked his thumb and drew it into her mouth. She sucked the cream off, then released his thumb.
They hastily stood up, dropped some euro on the table, and rushed out the door.
“My hotel is three blocks away,” Allie said, flustered.
“My office is two,” Kurt replied efficiently. They crossed two streets against the lights and crashed into a locked door in an alcove. Allie pushed against Kurt and kissed him deeply while he fumbled with keys from his pocket.
In the dim office Allie saw a couch and rushed for it. She heard the click of the door locking, then Kurt grabbed her from behind. They tumbled onto the couch together.
There was no time for slow, romantic overtures. Allie sat on top of Kurt and pulled her t-shirt over her head then reached for his sweater. He reached around her to unclasp her bra.
“Put your glasses back on,” she said when he’d removed them to take his sweater off.
“Yes, ma’am.” He smiled, then grabbed her tight to flip them over together. They tugged at each other’s jeans.
Naked chest to naked chest, denim-clad legs tangled, Kurt held Allie tight and kissed her hard.
“I’ve never fucked someone I just met,” Allie whispered.
“Still time to change your mind,” Kurt whispered back.
“I want to do it,” she assured him. “I’m ready when you are.”
“You taste like sweet cream,” he replied, kissing her again and sliding into her. She moaned and bit his lip gently.
Later, Allie awoke from a light doze. Kurt’s body on hers warmed her. She touched his naked back. It was cool from the sweat. He mumbled something in German before fully waking.
“What was that?” she asked.
He raised his head slightly and adjusted his glasses.
“Does this mean you’ll have dinner with me?”
“Well, I never did get to finish my cake.”
See who else is being wicked this week:
helen scott 