by MJ Schutte
‘What’s wrong?’ she asked.
‘Nothing. I…uh….I’d better wash your dress before you break my arm off and give me a hiding with it,’ he stuttered.
Lilian giggled and without hesitation started unbuttoning the dress. He had seen her in her undergarments, more times than she could remember.
‘I’m not a little girl anymore Bri. I can wash my own dress,’ she said.
She moved to the shallow water and slipped out of the dress, her back towards Brighton. Still standing waist deep in the water he stared at her bottom. She wasn’t wearing those bulky undergarments like before.
Instead, she wore something that looked like a small pair of white shorts that hugged her bottom like a second skin.
His eyes travelled up her back. No more vests either but rather a sort of shiny white material with only thin straps going over her shoulders covered her upper body.
She turned around and caught him staring.
‘It’s called a panty and a camisole,’ she said.
‘Which is which?’ Brighton asked breathlessly.
Lilian laughed.
‘Panty at the bottom and camisole on top,’ she said. ‘All the girls in Zedonia are wearing this now.’
The wet, almost completely see-through camisole was clinging to her skin.
‘Just like that? In the streets?’ he asked flabbergasted.
‘No silly. Under their clothes,’ Lilian laughed.
Brighton’s face went red.
That was a stupid question, he berated himself.
Lilian started washing the dress.
‘Give me your shirt, I’ll wash it for you,’ she said without looking up.
Brighton walked out of the water.
He bent over to pick up the shirt and noticed a big bulge in the front of his pants. Quickly he put the shirt in front of it and glanced over to Lilian.
Luckily, she was concentrating on the dress and didn’t notice. He walked over and held out the shirt to her keeping his other hand in front of his pants.
She took the shirt and said, ‘Pants too.’
‘They’re clean,’ Brighton said quickly and retreated.
He found a comfortable rock to sit on. Pulling his legs up to his chest, he sat silently watching Lilian.
You are the most beautiful creature in the whole world Brighton thought.
Lilian looked up and smiled at him.
She finished with the dress and hung it up on a branch. Back in the water, she started working on Brighton’s shirt.
He could not stop staring at her.
‘There, all clean,’ she finally declared.
She hung the shirt next to her dress and came over to where Brighton was sitting.
The way that wet, see-through camisole clung to her body made Brighton’s mind spin.
‘Do you still carry a hairbrush with you?’ she asked.
Brighton didn’t trust his voice so he just shook his head. His heart was pounding, his breathing fast.
Lilian couldn’t hide her disappointment. She was hoping he would brush her hair like he always used to do.
‘You’ll never get dry sitting like that. Lie down,’ she said as she lay down on the warm rock next to him.
She got comfortable and closed her eyes. The water was very cold so Lilian was shivering a bit. Brighton leaned back on his elbows. He looked down at Lilian’s feet.
Slowly he let his eyes travel up until he reached the part where her legs met.
He still could not believe how the undergarment she called “a panty” clung to her like a second skin.
His eyes travelled further up her body. The wet camisole didn’t hide much. Brighton could make out the rounding of her firm breasts and the small pink tips.
A thought popped into his head. He imagined slowly running his hand over her stomach up to her breas…
‘Brighton!’ Lilian shouted; eyes wide.
‘What?’ he said, eyes snapping to meet hers.
‘Nothing,’ she said covering herself with her arms.
She got up still holding her arms in front of her chest.
‘I have to go,’ she said and headed for the dress.
Brighton jumped up and followed her.
‘Why?’ he asked, very confused.
‘I just have to,’ she said.
Brighton caught up with Lilian and put his arms around her waist from behind.
‘Please don’t,’ he pleaded softly.
Lilian leaned back against him. His touch made her legs go weak.
Brighton leaned down and whispered in her ear, ‘Please stay a while.’
Lilian could not resist. Her breathing was fast and shallow. She put her hand over his and slowly guided him up her stomach exactly as he had imagined just a moment ago. Their hands reached the rounding of her breast.
She hesitated.
Brighton slowly, gently slid his hand over her breast. He could feel her chest rising and falling rapidly. She turned in the circle of his arms. Brighton started to apologize but she put a finger over his lips.
Stepping back, she pulled the camisole over her head. Only one word stood out in the jumble that was Brighton’s mind.
Perfect.
For a moment, he stared at her naked body and then stepped closer. His lips pressed softly against hers for just a moment. When he pulled back, she followed him.
Her lips parted and found his. He put his arms around her. With his left hand on her naked back, he pulled her tight against him. His right hand slid down and found her firm small bottom.
Passionately their lips crushed together. Lilian’s naked breasts pressed hard against his chest. She thrust her hips towards him.
‘Brighton!’ a familiar voice shouted from the woods.
Lilian jumped back.
‘Who is that?’ she asked reaching for the camisole.
‘It’s Carmen,’ Brighton replied, alarmed.
‘You get dressed, I’ll go stall her,’ he suggested.
He stole another quick glance at Lilian’s almost naked body just before she pulled the camisole on.
How can anyone be that perfect? he thought.
She smiled at him as if she could hear his thoughts.
Brighton dashed into the woods. He ran into Carmen almost knocking her over.
‘Carmen,’ he said breathlessly. ‘What are you doing here?’
‘What are you doing here?’ she replied irritably.
For a moment, Brighton thought that Carmen must have seen him and Lilian.
‘The food has gone cold long ago. I waited and waited but you never came,’ she accused angrily.
Brighton couldn’t think of an answer.
Lilian’s voice came from behind him.
‘I’m afraid that’s my fault. I’m sorry,’ she said.
Brighton spun around. When he saw that Lilian was fully dressed he breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Introduce us,’ Carmen instructed Brighton.
He pointed to Carmen and stuttered, ‘This…um….this is…’
Politely Carmen said, ‘Hello, I’m Carmen.’
‘Pleased to meet you, I’m Lilian,’ came the reply.
‘Lilian, you must be quite a girl. Brighton can’t even remember my name,’ Carmen smiled.
She managed to hide the alarm that shot into in her mind.
Brighton stammered, ‘We were just…’
He tried again, ‘Lilian needed to wash her dress.’
‘Oh? Where were you while she had no dress on? And where is your shirt?’ Carmen asked with a slight smile.
Brighton didn’t know what to say. It felt like his whole body was on fire.
‘Keeping a lookout,’ Lilian lied. ‘I also washed his shirt,’ she added holding it up.
Carmen saw the lie but decided not to press the issue. She was also young once.
Lilian handed Brighton his shirt. When he took it, their hands touched. They both lingered a moment before pulling away.
‘Thank you,’ Bri
ghton said sheepishly.
Carmen caught the touch. She smiled inwardly.
Oh to be young and in love. Such a beautiful thing she thought.
‘I would love to stay here and talk but since Brighton just disappeared into the woods with his girlfriend I had to go look for him and haven’t had lunch yet,’ Carmen said to them.
Lilian and Brighton started speaking together trying to explain that they were not a couple but Carmen just smiled and walked off.
She called over her shoulder, ‘Come, there is enough food for everybody.’
‘I’d much rather go back to the river,’ Brighton mumbled.
Lilian blushed and said, ‘Yes, me too.’
They followed Carmen just out of earshot.
‘You were getting quite excited back there,’ Lilian said with a sly smile.
‘Why do you say that?’ Brighton asked carefully.
‘Oh, you thought I didn’t notice the rather big bulge in your pants,’ Lilian said innocently.
Brighton went bright red. He opened his mouth but no words would come out.
Lilian laughed.
‘Don’t be embarrassed. I know how these things work,’ she said.
‘How do you know? Have you been with other men?’ he blurted out.
As soon as he said it, he was sorry. He thought Lilian would get angry and shout at him.
Instead, she answered honestly, ‘No, but where I live there are many girls who have been with men. They like to talk about it.’
Brighton stammered an apology for the direct question.
‘I’ll forgive you if you tell me whether you’ve been with a girl,’ Lilian said seriously.
‘Never,’ Brighton replied. ‘Today was the first time I’ve even kissed a girl,’ he confessed.
‘Me too,’ Lilian said. ‘I mean kissed a boy,’ she quickly added.
Brighton looked at Carmen. She wasn’t looking back so he gave Lilian’s bottom a quick squeeze.
‘I can’t wait to do it again,’ he whispered in Lilian’s ear.
‘Me neither,’ she smiled. ‘But next time I’m not the only one getting out of my clothes.’
The memory of Lilian’s perfect naked body ran through Brighton’s mind.
Brighton, Lilian and Carmen sat on the porch after lunch. There were only two chairs so Lilian sat on Brighton’s lap. Neither of them minded.
Carmen asked a few carefully selected questions to make sure that Lilian was in fact the girl from Brighton’s childhood. They told Carmen of their games of hide and find, playing in the river and chasing goats.
Carmen brought lemon juice out but Lilian didn’t like it. Brighton got used to drinking it undiluted far quicker than he thought possible. He chuckled remembering the first time he tasted it. It felt like a lifetime ago.
‘Lilian, did you ever see Velvet and Mischief?’ Carmen asked.
‘Only once the day after Mischief was born,’ Lilian replied.
She assumed Brighton had told Carmen about the cats.
‘Mischief is the biggest black panther I’ve ever seen. He still scares me half to death,’ Carmen remarked.
Confused Lilian turned to Brighton.
‘Oh, I haven’t told you,’ Brighton said with excitement.
‘Velvet and Mischief found me a few years back. Velvet was injured but I fixed it for her. Mischief is enormous now!’
Lilian clapped her hands with delight and planted a kiss right on Brighton’s lips. Embarrassed she glanced at Carmen who pretended not to notice.
‘I can’t believe they found you,’ Lilian said, still smiling.
‘Mischief will always be drawn to you,’ Carmen said to Brighton.
‘Why do you say that?’ Brighton asked, frowning.
‘Well, you helped bring him into this world. Animals don’t forget that sort of thing. You’ve also helped Velvet twice. She will also trust you always.’
‘I know they trust me but you said, “drawn” to me,’ Brighton pressed.
‘I meant to say trust,’ Carmen replied.
Brighton suddenly thought of something else.
‘Why did you think I was dead?’ he asked Lilian.
Carmen tensed. This was dangerous territory.
‘About five years ago I went back to Four Mountains and my mother told me your house burnt down with you in it,’ Lilian replied.
‘And you? Why did you think I was dead?’ she asked.
‘Carmen told me when we first met,’ Brighton said, looking straight at Carmen.
‘I’m sorry Brighton; I heard it from someone else. I never saw it for myself,’ she lied.
‘Who told you?’ Brighton pressed.
‘I can’t remember,’ she replied.
Brighton started speaking again but Lilian cut him off.
‘It was long ago. Forget about it now,’ she said softly.
Changing the subject Carmen said, ‘It’s getting late. Where are you staying Lilian?’
‘Here with us,’ Brighton replied before Lilian could speak.
Both women shifted uncomfortably.
‘I’ll sleep in the kitchen and Lily can have my room,’ Brighton said.
Lilian didn’t know what to say. She knew she couldn’t stay but didn’t want to disappoint Brighton either.
Carmen spoke first.
‘That won’t work. Lilian obviously already has accommodation. Whomever she is staying with will worry if she doesn’t come home.’
Lilian looked at Carmen gratefully.
‘But we could go tell them she is staying here,’ Brighton argued.
‘I’m travelling with my father. He will not allow it,’ Lilian said.
‘I’ll go ask him,’ Brighton said defiantly.
‘NO!’ Lilian said quickly. ‘Carmen is correct. It will not work.’
Brighton nodded disappointedly.
‘Will you come back tomorrow?’ he asked hopefully.
‘Yes, definitely,’ Lilian replied.
Carmen could see it was a lie but said nothing.
‘What is your father doing in Avarya?’ Carmen asked instead.
‘He just came to visit some people,’ Lilian said carefully. ‘I got bored and decided to go to the river. That’s when I saw Bri.’
Another lie Carmen thought.
‘Will you stay for supper?’ Brighton asked.
‘That would be lovely,’ Lilian smiled. ‘If the lady of the house agrees,’ she added turning to Carmen.
‘We’ll be more than happy to have you,’ Carmen said honestly.
She got up and said, ‘Brighton, go check on the goats and fetch some fresh water please. Lilian, would you like to help me with supper?’
Uncertain Lilian said, ‘Ok, I’ll try.’
Brighton blew Lilian a little kiss and walked off to do his chores.
In the kitchen, Carmen gave Lilian a knife and told her to peel potatoes. Lilian clumsily tried but didn’t really know how.
Carmen showed her and asked, ‘Have you never cooked?’
‘No,’ Lilian said a little embarrassed.
‘Where do you get food from?’ Carmen asked.
‘The servants bring it,’ Lilian replied.
Carefully Carmen asked, ‘Where do you live?’
‘The palace in Zedonia,’ Lilian replied.
‘How come you live in the palace?’ Carmen pressed on.
‘My father insists. I only ever get out when I’m travelling with him.’
Carmen feared asking the next question but she had to.
‘Who is your father?’
‘Seth,’ Lilian replied flatly.
‘So you’re a Dark One, child of a Supreme,’ Carmen stated.
‘Yes,’ Lilian said in a small voice. ‘Please don’t tell Bri,’ she begged.
‘It is not my place to tell him, that is your duty,’ Carmen said sternly.
‘I’m not going to. When I leave he will know where I’m going and come after me,’ Lilian said.
‘So why are you h
ere now?’ the old woman asked.
‘I love Bri like I’ve never loved anyone. My heart hurts just thinking I have to leave him again, but I don’t have a choice. When I saw him today I couldn’t help myself, I had to make sure it was him. Then we went to the river. Just before you came I had decided to….um…’ Lilian shifted uncomfortably.
‘Give yourself to him?’ Carmen asked.
Lilian nodded.
‘So you were going to make love to him and then just disappear again? That’s cruel!’ Carmen said heatedly.
‘I didn’t think of it like that,’ Lilian said in a small voice.
‘Seems to me like you didn’t think at all,’ Carmen corrected.
‘When Brighton touches me my knees go weak. When he kisses me it’s like the world stands still and it’s only the two of us in it,’ Lilian tried to explain.
Carmen looked at Lilian closely.
‘You really love him,’ she said.
‘And that is why I have to go,’ Lilian said. ‘I don’t want my father to see Brighton. Seth might hurt him.’
‘Not likely,’ Carmen muttered to herself.
‘What do you mean?’ Lilian asked.
‘Nothing. Continue please,’ Carmen said quickly.
Lilian carried on, ‘Lately Seth has been in a very bad mood. He kills people for no reason when he gets angry. He has been looking for someone for a very long time but that person keeps evading him.’
‘Who is he looking for?’ Carmen asked.
‘An old man; that’s all I know,’ Lilian said.
Thomas, Carmen thought immediately. Will Seth never stop hunting him?
Lilian spoke again, ‘Today he was questioning people in town. Apparently, the man has been seen in these parts. I hate it when Seth questions people so I asked if I could go to the river. Seth hardly lets me out of his sight but luckily he was very busy and just waved me off.’
‘Do me a favour, please? Use your talent and tell me where Brighton is,’ Carmen asked.
Lilian concentrated for a moment and said, ‘He’s with the goats, coming this way.’
Carmen stiffened.
How was that possible? How could she sense Brighton?
‘You’re gifted too; why didn’t you look for him?’ Lilian asked.
‘I’m old and tired. Besides, I don’t like using the gift,’ Carmen said honestly.
‘Me neither,’ Lilian said.
Carmen was slightly surprised by this. Lilian was the child of a Dark One. Normally they are bloodthirsty and power hungry.
