Hours later, though I didn’t want the night to end, when Marco asked if I wanted another drink, I asked if he could give me water instead. Standing, I took it from him. When our eyes met, I thought for sure he’d reach for me. Kiss me again. Instead, he turned away and began to clean up the site. Tossing hoagie wrappers in a garbage bag to lock up in the car, away from bears, and putting empty cans and bottles back into the cooler.
He was waiting for me to make a move.
I almost commented, again, on how different he was with me than his family. So chill, kind even, which was not the same guy everyone else saw. Not the same guy I saw when we first met. But after utilizing the ladies’ room, which consisted of the closest bush nearby, I walked into the tent saying “good night” and not daring to look at him. I made my way to “my” room with the lantern he’d given me earlier. Only a thin piece of fabric separated the two rooms. There was just enough space for me to change, the single-person air mattress taking up most of the room back here. Marco had tried to give me the bigger room and air mattress, but I didn’t want to be that close to the entrance. Just in case some creature or axe murderer decided to come into the tent while we slept.
I was feeling good after more than a few spiked vodkas. Feeling very much like I’d rather be with Marco than back here alone. He’d respected that I might prefer to be alone, and the knowledge of it made me want him even more. But I knew without a doubt, if I pulled back that piece of fabric, it would lead to heartache eventually.
Maybe not tonight, or tomorrow. But eventually.
I took off my sneakers and socks, tossing them to the side. Removing Marco’s sweatshirt, the one I’d taken home Friday night without giving it back just yet, and then my tee, I froze when the sound of a zipper echoed back to me. Coupled with crickets and the ever-present waterfall, it was the sound of summer. Of adventure.
Of possibility.
I didn’t move. Waiting, I continued to weigh the decision that wasn’t quite made. My head was saying, no. Don’t do it. You will get hurt by him.
But every other part of me screamed, “Yes!” I knew what it felt like to be kissed by Marco Grado, and I wanted more. Despite everything.
The decision was mercifully taken from me. He pushed aside the fabric and looked at me. Waited. Still frozen, and sure if I tried to speak, I’d sound like a frog being stepped on, I willed my legs to move.
They did. Towards him.
And that was all it took.
TWENTY-FOUR
marco
I heard Rae crystal clear.This wasn’t a woman I wanted to push. To seduce, even though I more than likely could have. Even though so many times tonight I wanted to pull her up from that camp chair and show her why I was a good idea.
So when I pushed back the thin piece of fabric separating us, I’d just planned to say good night. To ask if she needed anything besides the small lantern light at her feet. The one that illuminated her expression. That told me to pause, to wait.
She stood there, in only jeans and a bra, and I knew I’d get no sleep tonight no matter what happened next. When she took one step toward me, I didn’t hesitate.
Closing the distance between us, I slammed into her. Rae’s hands reached up to my neck, and I locked mine together behind her back as our lips met. One kiss, and then we broke apart, looking into each other’s eyes. The confirmation we both needed there, Rae and I came together once again. Her hands stroked the hair at the nape of my neck as I bent my head for better access.
Drinking like a starving man from her, my tongue tangled with hers. Frantically, my hands lowered, ran down her hips, cupped her backside and pulled Rae toward me. Our moans drowned out the sounds that had been so crystal clear a moment ago. There was nothing now except the two of us in this tent.
Pulling away, wanting to taste everywhere, I kissed Rae’s neck. She tossed back her head, and I moved lower and lower. My lips explored her neck, her shoulders, down to her chest. Her breathing heavy, Rae grasped the back of my head. With her fingers threaded through my hair, she pushed me down, into the valley between her breasts. I kissed there too, my hands moving to her back as I unclasped the only barrier left there.
Tossing the offending bra to the side, I explored even further. My hands lifted both breasts as I took my fill, Rae continuing to encourage me. Her grip tight on my hair, she moved me where I didn’t need to be told to go. Taking a nipple into my mouth, I suckled. Grazed her with my teeth and then moved to Rae’s other breast as she moaned my name.
Whipping my head up, intending to respond to her, no words escaped me. Instead I kissed her again, wanting to feel her against me. Standing back, I was about to take off my tee when Rae did it for me. Her touch was anything but hesitant. As if she’d flipped a switch, and decided suddenly this wasn’t such a bad idea after all. I lifted my arms and helped her, removing it all the way.
All those hours in the gym paid off. Her look right now would get me out of bed early in the morning to hit the gym for the foreseeable future. She reached out, her fingers running from my chest down to my abs. Closing my eyes, groaning at the light touch, I actually grabbed her wrist as Rae’s hand was about to dip into my jeans.
Popping my eyes back open, and questioning my sanity, I said the stupidest fucking thing ever.
“Are you sure, Rae? I swear this isn’t why I took you out here. I just wanted to get away for a night. And wanted you with me.”
She hesitated.
I could have kicked myself.
Her fingers moved again, this time to unbutton my jeans. She held my gaze as the zipper echoed throughout the tent, a sweet sound followed by an even sweeter one. Rae’s voice.
“Undoubtedly, this will go sideways for us. For me.”
“Maybe not,” I said as she pulled down my jeans. I helped her but nearly stumbled when Rae moved to take off her own jeans too. By the time both of us wore nothing but underwear, I gaped openly, her body a work of perfection. Curves in all the right places. Black lace panties. Dear lord.