The Hakone Mountain Inn – Part 2: Steam and Stars

The bath was a deep wooden tub on the balcony, steaming gently in the cool air. Beyond the railing the mountain dropped away into a sea of mist, and above it the sky was clear and brilliant with stars.

"Ladies first," said Paul, with an elaborate bow.

"We're both going in."

"Of course. I was being polite."

They slipped in together, gasping at the heat, then sighing with pleasure as it soaked into aching shoulders. For a long while they said nothing, just floated, side by side, her head on his shoulder, watching the stars appear between the pines.

"This is the nicest thing we've ever done," said Joanna, finally.

"We got married."

"Second nicest."

He laughed, and kissed her wet shoulder. Then her neck. Then her mouth, slowly, in the steam. It was a married kiss, warm and familiar, but it was also something else, curious and playful, with twenty years of knowing where the other one liked to be touched. She smiled against his lips.

"Paul."

"Yes?"

"I'd like to take you inside. If you don't mind."

"I don't mind at all."

They dried each other with giant towels, laughing at the cold, and crossed to the futons laid out on the tatami. The paper lamp cast a soft amber glow. Outside the mist moved quietly. Their love-making was slow, kind and entirely unhurried, with plenty of laughter and a tenderness neither had expected to feel quite so strongly. The mountain inn was silent. The tea went cold on the table.

In the morning, the sun rose over a sea of cloud and Joanna sat on the balcony in her robe, a cup of green tea in both hands. Paul came up behind her and wrapped his arms around her.

"Same inn next year?" he asked.

"Same inn, same bath," said Joanna. "Different wine."

"And the children?"

"Will survive," she said, smiling, "for exactly one more night."

More married couple romance: The Cruise · Couples Retreat · The Second Honeymoon