by C. J. Corbin
As my body snapped, I uttered one word, and Michael held me tightly as my nails raked into his back and shoulders. The orgasm slammed through me as my body bucked against him, and a heartbeat later, I heard his guttural cry while he released himself into me. We moved together as one as the rush crashed through us, convulsing our bodies in waves.
It took awhile for our bodies to still. We did not move, held in that tight embrace and feeling the after effects of the tremors as they slowly dissipated, our lips met in a kiss. Our eyes slowly opened to see each other.
Michael was the first to speak, “Wow.”
I smiled, “Yeah, wow is right.”
He kissed me again. The night around us was silent except for the crackle and pop of the campfire. When we slowly pulled apart, Michael reached over and picked up the extra blanket next to us. Wrapping us in it, we sat holding each other while we stared at the campfire.
My stomach growled and we both broke into giggles.
“I better feed you!” He moved to get up.
I didn’t want him to leave me. “It’s okay, I’m not starving.”
Michael leaned over and kissed me. “It’s all done Babe. It won’t take more than a moment.”
He stood up and handed the second bottle of wine to me with the bottle opener. As I worked on opening the bottle, I watched him walking around apparently unconcerned that he was naked. He stepped on a rock, and hopped around on one foot as he pulled out a small cooler from his backpack.
“Ow, ow, ow!” he exclaimed.
His dancing put me into a fit of giggles as he landed back down next to me. “Hey! No fair laughing at the naked guy!”
I grinned, “Sorry.”
He kissed me, “You don’t look sorry.”
I giggled again, “Oh but I am. Now what delights have you brought for me?”
“Normally I don’t have actual food with me, but I didn’t want to put you through the freeze dried hell. Tonight we’re living it up!”
I pulled the cork out of the bottle with a pop and filled our cups. Michael laid out several sandwiches and several small bowls. He pointed to the first sandwich, “Gruyere, avocado, and sprouts. And this one,” he pointed to the second sandwich, “is brie, tomato, and sprouts. I like sprouts, makes the sandwiches crunchy. This one,” he pointed to a large roll which was cut in half, “is everything!” Michael quickly snapped off the lids to the bowls, “Pasta salad, bean salad, and rice salad.”
I took a sip of wine looking at all the food, “Who is going to eat all this food?”
“You’re the one with the growling stomach.”
I chose half of the brie sandwich and took a bite. The brie was perfect, creamy with a rich flavor. “Yummy, you make good sandwiches.”
Michael picked up half of the sandwich with everything and took a big bite, “You see being a vegetarian can be good. I am really hungry!” he said with emphasis and a wink, “You wore me out!”
I giggled and of course blushed, “Did I?”
He grinned and kissed me.
We sat quietly munching our sandwiches. The salads were flavorful too. I leaned back and sighed when I finished the brie sandwich, “Oh I can’t eat anymore! I’m so full.” The wine was having quite the effect on me. My head was swimming a bit and I felt very relaxed.
“Save some room for desert,” Michael grinned.
“Desert, oh no, I can’t!” I moaned. I glanced sideways at him, “What’s for desert?”
“A family and a campfire favorite,” he said with glee. “Smores! My girls love the way I make them.”
“What’s your secret?” I leaned toward him and I could see the firelight reflected in his eyes.
Michael leaned toward me and said conspiratorially, “It’s all in the thinness of the chocolate. The hot marshmallows have to melt the chocolate.”
Michael finished eating the sandwiches on his own. We toasted the marshmallows and assembled the desert. The combination of the chocolate and the red wine was heavenly. He cleaned up the food and put everything back in the pack. I refilled our wine cups while he sat down next to me.
He smiled, and brushed his finger above my lip, “Chocolate.” He licked his finger.
I wiped my hand over my mouth, “Did I get it all?”
“Not quite,” he said as he leaned over and brushed his lips against my upper lip. His tongue ran across my lip and then his lips were on mine fully. “May I take your hair down?” He whispered softly in my ear. “I’ve been waiting to do this all day long.”
I slowly nodded. His hands pulled my braid forward and deftly pulled the band from the end. Michael loosened the braid gently. I closed my eyes as his hands moved through my hair. His lips were against my neck after he splayed my hair around my shoulders. Finding my lips again, he kissed me deeply. Our kiss broke and he looked at me.
“Elizabeth you are so incredible.”
I smiled and kissed him back. I settled back in between his legs with my back against his chest and his arms wrapped around me. My fingers played a small pattern on his upper thighs. Michael pulled me tight against him and cleared his throat.
“I have some exciting news.” He said.
I half turned to look at him. “You do?”
He nodded. “The aquarium is having a charitable benefit and I’m one of the guests of honor.”
“Wow!” I exclaimed. “That is exciting.”
“They’re having a formal dinner ball at the aquarium at the beginning of October and I thought, well, I’d like you to attend it with me.”
“Oh, Michael, I would be honored to go with you.” I turned again in his arms and touched his face. “That would be really nice.”
He kissed me. “Thanks.”
“Is it sexy formal or conservative formal?” I asked with a query on my face.
Michael laughed, “Only you would have two different types of formal. I suppose it would be conservative formal. Why do you ask?”
I turned back to lean against him, “There are sexy formal dresses and conservative formal dresses. I need to know what to wear.”
“I don’t want you to be too sexy. Someone might try to steal you away and I’ll get jealous. Besides I won’t be able to keep my hands off of you.” Michael murmured in my ear. He ran his hands down my thighs and then back up to my waist. I shivered at his touch. The fire was beginning to die and the temperature was dropping. “Are you getting cold?” He asked.
“A little,” I nodded.
“I think it’s time we turned in. It’s going to be cold tonight.” He reached for my boots and slipped them on my feet. “I don’t want you to have to do the naked dance to the tent.” He laughed, “But then again…” Pulling me up to my feet, he wrapped the blanket around me. “Okay, go get into the sleeping bag while I put out the fire.” He handed me a small flashlight.
As soon as I moved away from Michael and the campfire, I could feel the cold. I crawled into the tent and smiled. He had Tammy’s sleeping bag rolled up for use as a pillow. There was never any doubt in his mind that I was going to sleep with him. I folded the blanket and slipped quickly into his sleeping bag. I giggled, I had three words, overnight, alone, and now naked.
He crawled in through the opening and turned around to close the tent flap. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I tried not to let my teeth chatter. It was cold.
He removed his boots and placed them at the end by the door. He climbed in next to me, “Babe you are ice cold! Come here, you’ll be warm in a minute.” He said and pulled me close.
“Michael?”
“Yes Babe?” His voice muffled in my neck.
“Thank you for today. I enjoyed watching you work.”
His squeezed me. “My pleasure Babe. And Elizabeth?”
“Yes Michael?”
“Thank you for tonight.”
I giggled and in between his kisses I said, “My pleasure Michael.”
I had no trouble falling asleep quickly. The fresh air of the day, the wine, the
food, and our tender lovemaking had done their jobs.
I awoke a little while later with Michael pressed tightly up against me, spooning me. His hand had moved underneath me cupping my breast. He was definitely naked as I felt his erection pressing against my back. We were definitely alone. Yes, I was using my vocabulary in complete sentences, so I knew I was not dreaming. He was not sleeping either, because his thumb was brushing lightly against my nipple. The simple stroking of his thumb made my entire body yearn for him.
I turned around to face him. The darkness did not allow me to see much, but I knew that he was happy with my decision. No words broke the silence of the night. Pulling me close, his mouth located mine. I felt his hardness pressing against my stomach. My arms wrapped around his neck and shoulders as we kissed. His tongue probed my mouth and I returned the favor. His kisses moved down my neck to my breasts. I pressed his head to my chest. Sucking and teasing my already sensitive nipples, he brought flashing sensations to me reminding me of the aching need inside. My legs moved apart and his leg slipped between mine. I leaned my head back; his tongue and mouth were making my head spin.
“Oh, Michael.” I broke the silence by whispering his name.
While his mouth was busy, his hands massaged my stomach and thighs moving closer. His hand slipped between my legs and found the silky wetness. “I want to touch you.” He hoarsely whispered. I could hear his need in the sound.
My hips automatically arched toward his fingers as they slowly stroked my responsive nub.
A groan slipped from my mouth and I pushed my hips up toward his hand. “Oh,” I cried out.
Michael’s tongue plunged into my mouth again and his kisses pressed harder. My mouth separated from his and I ran my lips and tongue down his neck to his chest.
My hands explored his body. His stomach was firm and hard and I lightly trailed my hand down his body from his chest, past his abdomen following the thin line of hair under his navel. I caressed his hardness gently, moving my fingers slowly up and down his length.
Michael moaned deeply. “Babe, I can’t control myself tonight, I want you too badly again,” he said softly.
I nodded slowly, understanding and moved my caresses to his hip. I was lost in the feelings he was creating in me. His fingers were nudging me closer and closer to the cliff edge.
I pressed myself against him, my leg moving over his hip. My breathing accelerated, “Oh Michael.”
He replaced his fingers with his own hardness. I gasped as he slowly entered and filled me. I could feel him moving over me and through me. With his urging, Michael pushed my body further and further to the edge. I dove off the cliff and soared like the eagle. Our names were on the other’s lips as we both ascended into the heights.
We lay together fighting to slow our breathing and our racing hearts. He pulled me close as he rolled over. “I knew it would be you.” He softly whispered, and then covered my face with kisses. He kissed my lips deeply, “Sleep my love.”
Closing my eyes and secure in his arms, I fell into a deep sleep.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
I awoke slowly trying to figure out where I was, and then remembered and slowly stretched. Alone in the sleeping bag, I knew Michael would be up taking pictures. Searching for my clothes, my panties from yesterday seemed to have disappeared. I smiled remembering.
After dressing, I stepped outside of the tent. The air was a little brisk and I pulled my sweatshirt over my head.
Michael called down from the stand. “Good morning sleepy head. I made some coffee for you, it’s in the thermos.”
I looked up at him and lost all thoughts. He looked wonderful. There was the man who loved me last night. My knees went weak and my stomach started the flipping again. I looked him up and down, and now I knew exactly how his body felt against my skin.
He grinned at me and I wondered if he could read my mind. “Bring the thermos up, and let’s have some coffee together.”
I nodded fighting the blush rising on my face. I picked up the thermos and climbed up the rope ladder to where Michael was poised on the edge of the stand. He took my hands and lifted me onto the platform. As soon as his hands touched me I felt a rush between the two of us, and it made me take a deep breath.
His hands caressed both sides of my face as he pulled me in front of him. His day’s growth of beard felt wonderfully masculine against my face as he slowly kissed me. Since I needed something to steady my shaky legs, I backed up against the trunk of the tree.
“Did you sleep okay last night?” He asked.
I smiled softly. “Yes. How about you?”
I looked up again and found him studying me. His eyes were the color of the morning sky.
Michael wrapped his arms around me. “I haven’t had a sleep like that it many years.” He murmured
His lips found mine again and left a trail of kisses from my mouth to my neck. Both hands slipped underneath my sweatshirt and tank caressing my back. One hand slipped to the front of my body while he continued kissing me. His hand found a breast and he gently kneaded it, brushing his knowledgeable thumb over my nipple.
A small groan escaped from my lips. The sensation of heat hit between my legs. My hands, which had been embracing his back, slipped down lower. I was glad he wore his jeans so loose that I could slide my hands down his back under his jeans. He wasn’t wearing briefs under his jeans. I giggled.
Barely breaking our kiss he whispered, “What is funny?”
My hands still on his butt, “You’re not wearing underwear.” I smiled and kissed him.
“Sometimes I don’t.” He teased, “Babe, don’t tell me you’re a prude.”
“How will I know when you’re wearing underwear and when you’re not?” I teased him back.
Michael grinned at me, “You won’t unless you’re willing to stick your hands down my pants, or you can undress me.”
Suddenly we heard a voice below us clearing his throat, “A…” the voice trailed, “hello?”
We pulled apart and Michael leaned over the platform. I wanted the tree to swallow me.
“Hey Ranger Tom!” Michael called to the man below us. “This is a nice surprise.”
“Hi Michael, do you have a few minutes? I’d like to talk to you about the shotgun shells you found.”
“Yeah, sure, I’ll be right down.” He started climbing down the ladder.
I tried composing myself. I knew my face was bright red. Why wasn’t Michael embarrassed?
He looked straight at me and grinned, “I’ll hold the ladder for you as soon as I’m down.”
I nodded and followed him down the ladder. Michael introduced us and we sat on the rocks. Tom was a tall young man in his early thirties. He seemed very serious and uncomfortable that he had caught us kissing and doing other things up in the stand.
After we spoke for a while, Tom relaxed. He informed us that the rangers had been up here last week and found another set of shells around the stand. Someone was probably shooting at the eagles. Although considered part of the reservation, the park rangers still patrolled the area.
“We’re going put a barrier up at the start of the ancillary road that leads up here. You’ll need to let us know when you’re coming so we can move it for you. If we block the road we’re hoping whoever is coming up here will be put off by the long hike.” Tom explained.
Michael nodded, “Not a problem.”
Tom leaned over and looked at Michael seriously, “Do you still carry your gun?”
Michael nodded again, “Always.”
I looked at him with surprise and shock on my face. “You carry a gun?”
Michael encircled my waist with his arm and his look was serious, “Only for protection, Babe.”
Tom rose, “I’ll let you get back to what you were doing.”
Even though he was not smiling when he said it, I thought I caught a glint in his eye as he looked at Michael. I remained silent.
As the Ranger walked away, Michael followed him and I just b
uried my face in my knees dying of embarrassment. Michael came back to me after Tom was out of sight.
I stood up. “So, should we break camp?”
Michael pulled me up into his arms he had the same glint in his eye that Tom had. “No, we don’t need to yet. It’s still early.” He led me toward the tent. He held the tent flap open for me and I went inside. Michael kicked off his boots and followed me in. He slipped his t-shirt over his head and threw it in the corner. “Now where were we?”
I took a sharp intake of breath at the vision of him standing in front of me. It had been so dark last night that I had no chance to feast my eyes on him. Grinning, I kneeled down on the sleeping bag. Michael knelt down in front of me. I moved to take my sweatshirt off and he caught my hands in his.
“No, let me,” he said, and in one motion, he pulled both my sweatshirt and tank off over my head. “I want to look at you.”
I followed the trail of his eyes. Next Michael deftly loosened my braid. As I stayed kneeling in front of him, he lifted my hair so it cascaded down my back. I heard his audible sigh and it directed my attention back up to his face. His smile was for me only and his gaze seemed to encompass me completely, which almost made me stop breathing.
I sat back on my heels and slowly danced one hand up the length of his chest to his shoulder. I traced over his nipple and it immediately responded to my touch by tightening. I gasped when I saw the red scratch marks on his shoulders.
“What happened to your shoulders?” My fingers traced over the marks and my eyes flew to his face, “Did you get tangled up with an animal?”
Michael chuckled as he pulled my other arm to his shoulder, “Yeah, that’s my new hellcat.”
“Your what?” I puzzled, and then I realized he was referring to me. I remembered using my nails on him last night. “Sorry.” I said hanging my head down and blushing.
