I ended up spending a total of 6 weeks in Europe. Scotland. France. Switzerland. Hungary. Serbia. Montenegro. Czech Republic. Germany. I discovered that I absolutely LOVE cross-country skiing I spent a week with Emilee in Chamonix and it was magical. The Alps in winter are next level. I’ve never been a winter person, but if I lived in a winter area like Chamonix, I’m pretty sure I’d change my mind. Spending time with Emilee was eye-opening–I met her boyfriend/ es-boyfriend and his partner–I’m still trying to figure out those dynamics. Laurent is an amazing snowboard instructor and Alexandre is on ski patrol, and well, I’m out in the snow covered woods.
On Wednesday, Alexandre had the day off and asked me if I’d like to hike up Aiguille du Midi. I’m always game for a good hike. And conversation.
“What’s going on with you and Emilee?” Alexandre asked me.
“Wait. What? Nothing. We met like 7 years ago in Buenos Aires and have stayed in touch, but other than that, nothing. I don’t even like girls like that.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“If I were attracted to anyone it would be you. You are much more my type. Tall, dark hair, blue/green eyes that change colour. And ski patrol. That means you are at least somewhat qualified in medicine. And you speak English. Almost flawlessly. Certainly much better than I speak French.”
“I’m also a good cook. And kisser.”
“Show-off. But of course you are.”
We laughed and continued our hike. On the way back to Emilee’s apartment, Alexandre stopped to get some things for the amazing dinner we was going to cook tonight. And of course a few bottles of wine.
I was acting as sous chef chopping up vegetables while Alexandre was getting the main dish ready, Emilee and Laurent were still at work when my phone pinged. Alexandre came up behind me and gave me an unexpected kiss.
“You probably shouldn’t sneak up on women who are holding knives and kiss them.”
Alexandre laughed. And so did I. But he was right. He was a good kisser. I suspect most French people are. They just exude sensualness. “Looks like we are going to have one less for dinner tonight. Emilee says she’s going to be doing night ski duty until like 11.”
“Eh, it’s fine.”
“Are you sure? You don’t want to take the opportunity to have a date night with Laurent?”
“Date night, yes? With Laurent? Not exactly.”
Tension entered the room and I was acutely aware I was still holding the knife and Alexandre was looking at me like he’d rather have me for the main course. At that moment, the door opened and Laurent walked in.
“Something smells delicious” he said as the spell was broken.
“Alexandre is cooking Boeuf Bourguignon.”
“Ah yes, he usually does when he’s trying to impress. I’ve been on the receiving end a couple of times myself. I am going to change, pour myself a glass of pinot noir and get in the hot tub. Today was brutal.”
For not the first time I was a little confused about the dynamics going on. Emilee was dating Laurent. Laurent was dating Alexandre. And Alexandre was flirting with me. I put down my knife and called out to Laurent “I think I’ll join you. A soak in the hot tub seemed like a great idea after the long hike up Aiguille du Midi.” It was at that moment that I realized I did not have the proper attire for the hot tub. I had worn matching underwear for the South Queensferry Loony Dook in Edinburgh, and nearly froze my extremities off. I could see Laurent looking at me with a devilish glint in his eyes, almost as if he were reading my mind.
“When in France….” he trailed.
“oh what the hell…” I said as I stripped down and climbed into the hot tub. It felt amazing.
Alexandre brought me a glass of pinot noir and joined the party. “Dinner has to simmer, anyway. I might as well join the party.”
It was very soon after Alexandre joined us that I realized I was very naked and somewhat intoxicated with two very attractive French men. Laurent proposed a game of sorts; say 20 questions meets truth or dare meets getting to know you.
It stated off fairly benign as these things tend to do, and then Laurent kicked up the spice.
“ElizaMareeee, I dare you to kiss Alexandre. Don’t think I haven’t noticed the two of you flirting all week”
I looked over at Alexandre. He smiled, eyes crinkling when he did. I reached over and gave him a chaste kiss on the cheek.
“oh no. That is not acceptable.That is not a kiss. I don’t know what that was but that was not a kiss.”
I looked at Alexandre; there was a lot more tension between us now. I crawled on top of him and wrapped my arms around him. Our lips met in a soft kiss. Alexandre put his hands in my hair and pulled me into him. Tighter. The kiss became more passionate. More intense. I parted my lips slowly and felt Alexandre’s tongue slid into my mouth. In my mind I thought ‘oh yes, this is definitely a kiss’. I’m not sure how long the kiss lasted but it seemed to go on forever.
“OK, you two. You can stop at anytime.”
I slowly pulled away from Alexandre. He had a different look in his eyes. Still playful, but with a lot more smouldering desire. It was my my turn to ask a question or come up with a dare. The only thing that’s been on my mind since I met these guy is what is their dynamic.
“What’s the dynamic between you two?”
They looked at each other, maybe a little uncomfortably. Laurent started. “I’m bisexual. I have always been. I’m attracted to the energy of people. I really don’t have a preference sexually. Sometimes I enjoy the soft touch of a woman and sometimes I really enjoy the hardness of a man’s body. I really feel equally comfortable with either. Or both”
“Okay…. What about you Alexandre? How do you describe this situation? It’s just that I’ve never met a bisexual person before. Or if I have, we weren’t on a level where we were talking about it.” I was really interested in hearing what Alexandre had to say, because unless I was majorly mistaken, he was attracted to me on some level–even if it was just a physical attraction.
“Well, I wouldn’t necessarily say I’m bisexual in the same way Laurent is, but I do believe that sexuality is on a continuum. I usually prefer women. Though not every women is OK with the bisexual aspect, and I respect that. I’m always honest though when I talk to them and tell them that I have had sex with men. But like Laurent said, it’s more about the person than their genetalia. But with Laurent, we’ve known each other since we were teenagers. I broke up with my partner about 6 months ago and it was really hard. She and I were together for about 5 years. Laurent was there for me and we’ve had sex a handful of times. It’s comforting but he and I are never going to be in a ‘relationship’. We’ve known each other too long. Besides, he’s way more flamboyant than I’d ever be comfortable with. But he’s fun and I’m glad he’s in my life.”
“What about you? Where do you fall on the scale?”
“Me? I’m probably as straight as straight can be. When Emilee kissed me last weekend in Paris, it was the first time I’d ever kissed a woman. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but I definitely prefer kissing men.”
Alexandre took that moment to go check on dinner. And I followed him into the kitchen. Dinner was ready, but I’m not sure we were ready for it. “Alexandre, I’ve had a lot of fun with you, but I’m not really a one night stand kind of person. And I’m not going to be in Chamonix but for a couple more days. So…” my voice kind of trailed off.
Somewhere in the back of my mind I thought about how Chris just disappeared off the face of the Earth, and why couldn’t I have a one night stand? Just because I never have before, doesn’t mean I can’t, right? So many thought were going through my mind and my thoughts were swimming. The wine wasn’t helping me have a clear head that’s for sure.
“So how about this” Alexandre offered, “we keep doing what we’re doing. If anything happens, it happens. And if it doesn’t , it doesn’t. I’m still recovering from my break-up, but certainly is nice feeling an attraction to a woman again. And that kiss you gave me, there was nothing timid about that. I think that if let yourself relax and go with the flow, we can have an amazing couple of days together. I’m off work thursday and friday so I’m free for hiking or cross-country skiing or even just relaxing.” And then with a glint in his eye “or anything else you’re open to try.”
“Dinner’s ready” Alexandre called out more for Laurent benefit than mine.
“Well, there’s this one thing I’ve always wanted to do…” my voice trailed off as I looked up at Alexandre. And then over at Laurent.