Every inch of my body fills with desire as the sun hits his skin making him glisten like a Greek god. My nipples harden, scraping the inside of my bra, and I grow wet, dampening my panties.
“Here I go,” he says, wading into the water. Clenching his ass tight, he lets out a loud hoot. “Woo! That's cold.” Buttercup takes his cries as an invitation, and splashes in the water after him.
“I bet.” Crossing my legs to ease the ache, I wrap my arms around my chest. I'm ready to jump him again right here, finishing what we started this morning.
He holds his hands up as he pushes in further, Buttercup paddling beside him, until he's close enough to reach out and grab the top of my pack. Dragging it behind him, he climbs back onto the bank and drops the soaking wet bag at my feet. Buttercup shakes himself off sending droplets of icy water over the both of us. We hold up our hands laughing, protecting ourselves from his assault.
Taking a towel out of his bag, he dries himself and puts his clothes back on. “You're one lucky girl. That thing could have been swept away forever.”
“I am. I really am lucky, I guess.” My eyes hood, and I nibble my bottom lip as he slips his shirt over his head.
Smiling, he dips his head into his chest shyly. “All right, let's get you home. I'm still worried about that ankle. If it's broken, you don't want to wait too long or it might be messed up forever.”
Buttercup is doing laps around us, chasing a rogue squirrel here and there up the trees as if he'll ever actually catch one. He nuzzles up to me, then moves to Bran, taking a quick pet from both of us.
Morning turns to afternoon and before I know it, the sun is hovering just above the horizon. We're close to my truck, but my ankle is really making this hike slow. He gives me a piggyback ride over the tough ground and hard areas of the trail, never once complaining about it. He's happy to do it, always being careful and cautious not to hurt me more.
A ray from the sun bounces off the hood of my truck, shining like a bright beacon at night.
“There it is,” I say excitedly.
We get to the vehicle and I take my keys out of my pack to unlock the door. I'm about to climb in, when he stops me.
“How about I drive us over to my truck, give you a little time to rest?”
“Sure, we can do that.” Sliding over to the passenger side, Bran puts my stuff in the bed and Buttercup climbs in the back with it.
Bran starts the truck and drives a couple miles up the dirt road to where he's parked. He puts the gear shift in park, and lets the truck idle as he stares at the wheel. He looks like he wants to say something, but he's not sure how.
“What is it?” I ask.
“Nothing, it's nothing.” Clenching the steering wheel, he rolls his hands back and forth. “I want to follow you out and into town. I want to make sure you get there safe.”
“I'll be fine, really. It's not that bad. I can drive.”
“Just let me follow you. It'll make me feel better to know you got home safe.”
“All right, you can follow me.” Opening my door, I climb down gently. “Buttercup, come on.” He jumps from the back and into the passenger seat.
Walking to the driver's side, Bran hesitates briefly before stepping out of the way. His eyes are on mine, big and bold. Moving his gaze around my face, he suddenly scoops my face into his hands and kisses me.
With crushing force, his mouth devours mine, kissing me deep and hard. Sweeping his tongue into my mouth, he tips my head, giving him better access. And I kiss back.
His lips are passionate and forceful, searing this moment in my mind. And then he's gone. His mouth breaks away as if this kiss wasn't just a kiss but a goodbye.
Taking a long step around me, he gets into his jeep and starts it up. I'm left breathless, trying to ground myself and tether my heart back inside my chest.
I can't breathe. He left me gasping for air and wondering how the hell I can feel this way from just a kiss.
It was just a kiss.
Wasn't it?
6
Melody
Still there.
I keep looking in my rear-view mirror to see if Bran is still behind me. He is, keeping close as we cruise down the road. Not walking has made my ankle throb a little less, but not by much.
I promised Bran I wouldn't be alone until I could get myself checked out. The knot is still on my head, but it isn't bleeding anymore. It's my ankle that he's worried about the most. The farm is the best place for me to recuperate.