by Romi Hart
“I guess so.” She made the coffee then came to the washbasin to clean up too. “I’ll take the camera, just in case we get lucky.”
“That thing is long gone. But, yeah, take the camera – you never know what else we might run in to out there in the wilderness.” Slipping on a pair of jeans and a fresh t-shirt, I laced up my hiking boots. “Maybe we’ll run into those crazy foxes who got in our way last night.” With no real chance of seeing the Wendigo again after the fiasco of the night before, I knew we had to head back home soon. “We’ll need to leave today.”
“I figured you’d want to do that.” Zoe got dressed as I made the eggs and toast on the portable camp stove we’d brought along. “There’s so much leftover food. My brother and sister will be stoked about that. They love when I bring home the stuff we didn’t use.”
“Let’s take that one trail that leads to the lake. I want to get some good shots of it this morning. I can still make money on this trip by selling the photos online.” Zoe was always looking at how to make money. Not a day went by that she didn’t find some way to make a buck or two.
With breakfast ready, we wolfed it all down then I hurried to clean the pan I’d cooked in, using what was left in the washbasin then tossing the dirty water out, then cleaned that up too. “I don’t want to rush today, but I do want to get things put away, so we have less to do later.”
“It won’t take us twenty minutes to take the tent down and pack up,” Zoe directed. “Just make sure to put the water right at the back door of the van so we can get to it. Other than that, we can simply get into the van and leave once we get back from our excursion.”
In no time at all, we’d taken everything down and put it all in the van. “As I looked at the campsite, chewing my lower lip, I wondered if we’d jumped the gun a bit. “If we get some idea that the creature is still around, we can stick around. You know, sleep in the van, if need be.”
“I don’t see why we couldn’t do that.” She jerked her head toward the road we’d come in on. “Let’s hike down the road until we get to the marked trail to the lake.”
Off we went. Zoe had her smaller camera hanging around her neck. The sun began to glisten in the morning sky, so I put my sunglasses on after getting them out of my backpack. “Did you remember to pack yourself some bottles of water, Zoe?” I had three bottles in mine.
“I brought a couple. And my gun’s in my backpack too.”
“I’ve got my knife tucked into the side of my hiking boot.” We were set to go and found ourselves at the trailhead. “And here we are.” Not a soul in sight, we must’ve gotten up before all the other campers did. “Quiet morning, isn’t it?”
“It is quiet.” Into the woods we went, the dim morning sun hadn’t yet been able to penetrate the thick threes. Zoe pulled a flashlight out of her pocket. “Glad I brought this along.”
Moving in behind her, I stayed close. “Me too. I didn’t think about it being so dark inside the forest.”
“It’ll lighten up soon. The sun has to move up into the sky a bit more is all.” Shining the light around, there wasn’t anything moving that we could see. “To the lake, we go then.”
The trail was well-worn by many a hiking boot. The walk was easy and before we knew it, the sun had come up enough to see by. Zoe put the flashlight away as we kept walking down the path.
Some scurrying out to one side of us had us stopping to look around. The scurry stopped, then we heard the sound of branches cracking as something came through the trees. “What are you two doing up so early?” Mist asked as he stepped onto the trail in front of us.
My skin prickled as I felt warm breath moved along my neck. “You stayed the whole night, huh?”
Spinning around, I found Twilight had snuck up on me. “Stalking us?”
“What?” He laughed. “No. We were just taking a walk. You girls make a lot of racket when you walk. You could use some lessons in stealth.” Twilight leaned in even closer, sniffing along my neck. “That smells nice. What is it?”
“I washed my face with water this morning.” Moving back, I didn’t like him thinking he could get that close to me. “And you’re in my bubble.” I ran my hand around my face. “My space.” I ran my hand around his face. “Your space.”
“What the hell are you doing?” I heard Zoe ask. Then I turned around to find Mist at her side with his arm around her, sniffing the side of her neck.
“You smell good, Zoe. Real good.” Mist squeezed her shoulders as he sighed. “What a beautiful morning this is turning out to be. Where are you going? The lake? We’ll come too.”
Twilight slid his arm around my waist, pulling me to his side. “Maybe it’ll be warm enough to take a swim once we get down to the water.”
Pushing him away from me, I had no idea what he was thinking or why he was acting as he liked me. “Um, we aren’t wearing our bathing suits under these clothes. So, there will be no swimming. And why do you suddenly like me? Last night you called me stupid – among other things.”
“Did I do that?” He shook his head. “I don’t think I called you any names. If I did, I’m sorry. I wasn’t myself last night. The whole mythical beast thing had me out of sorts. But you’ve lived through the night, that’s great. And we don’t have on any bathing suits either. Skinny dipping, it is!”
Rolling her eyes, Zoe asked, “So, you guys are just happy to find us alive is why you’re hanging all over us?”
Mist pulled Zoe’s head to rest on his broad shoulder. “Yes, that’s right. We’re happy to find you alive. I wasn’t sure we’d find you two at all. And you smell so good too.”
“I don’t see how,” I said as I took a sniff of my hand to see if I could smell this awesomeness they claimed we had on us. “I don’t know what you guys are smelling. We both washed off with water. Not even any soap. Just plain, old water.”
“Well, it suits you.” Twilight grinned as he slipped his arm back around me. “Wanna lay your head on my shoulder?”
“Not even a little.” I had no idea what was going on, but it was bordering on freaking me out. “Can you let me go?”
“I can, but why would you want me to?” He sighed. “It’s a little cool out yet. The close contact will keep you warm.”
Zoe pushed Mist away from her. “Get off, Mist! Damn! You guys can’t just touch us however you want to.”
“So, you don’t want me to touch you?” Mist looked back at Twilight. “Should we leave them alone?”
“I don’t know if I can.” Twilight removed his arm from around me but took my hand. “Here, let me hold your hand. That way if you trip, I’ll hold you up and won’t let you fall.”
Mist took Zoe’s hand. But she jerked it away. “Stop it!”
“But, you might fall,” he said with concern. Looking back at us, he added, “Val’s letting Twi hold her hand.”
I looked at our clasped hands. “I’m not letting him hold it. He just won’t let go for some reason.”
Twilight’s lips pulled into a half-smile. “I like holding your hand, Val. It’s warm. And your skin is soft too. Really soft.”
“I feel like I’ve stumbled into the Twilight Zone.” Especially because I liked the way my hand felt in Twilight’s. I liked the way his gorgeous green eyes danced as he looked into mine. I liked the way he smiled at me too.
I’d left my hair down and he noticed that as he ran his fingers through it. “Your hair looks like spun gold.” Lifting a lock of it to his nose, he inhaled deeply. “It smells good too.”
“I honestly can’t see how it smells good. I had it underneath a baseball cap all day yesterday and I just ran my fingers through it to smooth it out this morning.” When he took another whiff, I couldn’t help but smile. “But thanks.”
“You’re welcome.” His lips pressed softly against my cheek.
Damp heat pooled between my legs as my body temperature rose a degree or two. “Did you guys get into something this morning? Like ecstasy or something like that?”
The chuckle he made had his broad chest rising which turned me on even more. “No. I didn’t even wake up in a good mood. Seeing you has put me in this lighthearted state. And I like it.” He tweaked the tip of my nose with his finger. “And I like you, Valentine Martin.”
I wasn’t about to admit that I was at least lusting after the man. “Who knows, Twi. I just might find something to like about you before I go home later today.”
His face fell as he tightened his grip on my hand. “Go home? Today? No! Stay. Stay here - with me.”
Zoe huffed. “What the fuck, dudes? Is this some sort of joke? You wanted us out of here last night. And now you want us to stay? Or, at least, Twilight wasn’t Val to stay.”
“I want you to stay too, Zoe,” Mist cooed at her as he slid his arm around her shoulders again. “I really do. You don’t have to leave. I’ve just had a great idea. We’ll all campout together. All of us. Like one big happy family.”
“Let me guess,” Zoe said with no enthusiasm whatsoever to her voice. “You and I can bunk together, and Twilight and Val can sleep together.”
Mist laughed as he hugged her tightly. “What a great idea, Zoe.” He kissed her cheek. “You’re a genius.”
“You’re an idiot.” She shoved him hard, making him let her go. “Don’t touch me again or you’re gonna find my pistol up your ass, Mist.”
Twilight and I exchanged surprised expressions as he whispered, “You’re so much nicer than she is.”
Am I nicer than she is, or stupider than she is?
“You really should let me go, Twi. We don’t even really know each other.”
“I know that you are an adventurous woman with more courage than any woman I’ve ever met. And you know that I don’t like to trap animals and kill them for their fur. What else is there to know about a person?” His hand left mine, then he ran his fingers up my arm, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind. “And I like you. That part is important.”
“More important than when you disliked me just last night?” I laughed a little. He was just too adorable not to like.
“Much more important than that. I had the night to think about it and I know I was wrong for trying to make you be something other than what you are. Which is a monster hunter. Or monster videographer. Or something like that. But I know it has to do with finding monsters to take pictures of them so you can prove to the world that they do exist. And guess what?”
His charm wasn’t lost on me. “What, Twilight?”
“I can help you. I’m free to travel the world with you, my little buttercup.” Cupping his hand around my ear, he whispered, “I am extremely wealthy. We could travel in style. And get all the latest gadgets to help you with your endeavors too.”
Removing his hand from my ear, I looked him in the eyes. “I don’t believe you. What’s your last name anyway?”
“I am Twilight Foxworthy. And my cousin is Mist Foxmore. We’re both incredibly rich,” he let me know.
But I still wasn’t buying it. “Anyone can say they’re rich, Twi.”
“How can I prove it to you?” He looked at Mist who’d turned his head to see what he was talking about. “Mist, how can we prove that we’re rich?”
“I don’t think that really matters to these fine ladies, cousin.” Mist winked at me. “We’re investors. Have been for years. We’ve made some good choices. Are we rich? Technically, we are. But what we aren’t rich in, is love. Until we met you two. I do believe we’re finally the richest men in the world with you girls at our sides.”
“I am not at your side, Mist.” Zoe hurried down the trail. “Leave. Me. Alone.”
With a soft sigh, Mist looked at his cousin. “She’s just playing hard to get. I’ll catch up to her and let her think she’s made me understand that she doesn’t like me. But we all know that she really does.” He took off, running after her.
And that left me and Twilight alone.
All alone.
9
Twilight
“You know, I thought you were the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen the moment we walked into your camp, Valentine.” I swung our clasped hands between us as we ambled along the trail, simply enjoying the overpowering wonderful scent she gave off.
Her lips pulled up to one side as she ducked her head. “I thought you were pretty hot when I first saw you too.”
Listening to make sure Mist and Zoe weren’t within listening distance as I was sure Zoe would interfere in my romantic agenda, I hear nothing more than the soft sounds of forest creatures moving about in the morning light. “We agree on that then. We’re both smoking hot.”
Her laughter drifted through the cool air, tickling my ears and making me laugh too. It was easy being with her. I’d had attractions to other women in my time. But this one was just about the easiest I’d ever had.
Unlike the others, this wasn’t pure lust. Sure, there was a fair amount of lust. But there was more than that. I felt a connection. I don’t know why I hadn’t felt it last night, but I hadn’t.
Or maybe I had.
I did try desperately to talk her into leaving so the Wendigo couldn’t eat her. Most mortal females didn’t warrant my worry. But this one did. I had worried about her quite a bit.
“I don’t do this, Twi.” Her blue eyes went to our hands. “I don’t hold hands with strangers.”
“We met last night. We’re not strangers. And I’ve told you my last name. Plus, I did let you in on the fact that I’ve got lots of money. I don’t tell hardly anyone that.”
Her jaw tightened as she looked ahead. “Now, where is Zoe? She wouldn’t run off and leave me like this.” With wide eyes, she looked at me. “Is Mist a safe man for her to be alone with? And you had better answer me honestly, Twilight Foxworthy!”
“We’re both extremely safe,” I assured her. “You couldn’t be any safer than you are right now. And the same goes for Zoe. We’re not bad men at all.”
Her sudden apprehension made me worry that she’d run away from me. “I shouldn’t be doing this – with you. I’m using bad judgment. I talk to my younger sister about things like this all the time. Some hot guy tells you that you’re pretty and you fall for it. Then you let him take you anywhere he wants to and the next thing you know – BAM! You’re in his arms, then in his bed, then things are getting way out of control.”
She jerked her hand out of mine and I stopped walking as my jaw dropped. “Valentine Martin! I’m not that guy you’ve made up in your head. What’s wrong with realizing in the light of day that you really like someone you met the night before?”
Taking off, she tried to hurry to catch up with her friend. “What’s wrong with that is that you and your cousin seem to have realized at the very same time that you really like me, and he likes my friend. And that’s suspect, Twi.” She looked at me out of the corner of her eye as I caught up to walk beside her on the narrow trail that had us very close.
“I get it. I do.” She had no idea how animal attraction worked. “He thought Zoe was cute last night. I don’t really know exactly what happened when we saw you girls, in the light of day, but something clicked. Call it chemistry, if you will. But it’s not fake and we’re not after you two just to get laid if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“Why wouldn’t you be?” She walked a little faster. “Don’t bother to answer that. Men will lie to get what they’re after. I don’t know what had me believing you in the first place.” She stopped then ran her hand around my face. “Oh wait. I know. It was this handsome face that did that.”
“Well, thank you for the compliment. But my face isn’t the only reason you believed me. It’s because I’m telling you the truth. The truth is that you think I’m attractive and I think the same way about you. So, let’s not fight it and waste valuable time.” Pulling her into my arms, her body shook as she looked up into my eyes. “I want to kiss you.”
Nodding, just slightly, she looked up, and whispered, “I’d like that.”
Easing my lips toward her
s, my heart raced like it never had before. As if it knew that this kiss would lead me to something amazing, my heart rate skyrocketed.
With the softest kiss I’d ever had, her lips felt like spun silk as they pressed against mine. Everything inside of me seemed to be exploding and fireworks went off in my head.
That’s never happened before.
I’d thought that was some sort of a joke when I’d seen things like that on television. But huge bursts of gold, blue, and red filled my mind as if they were real.
Her arms encircled my neck as she parted her lips then touched mine with her tongue, enticing me to deepen our first kiss. Pulling her closer to me, I wrapped my arms all the way around her.
As our tongues danced, I felt as if I was melting into her. Taking steps forward, I backed her up to a tree trunk so I could feel her body against mine, and she could feel mine against hers.
My manhood had tripled in size and it was still growing as her warm crotch ground against it. I took one of her legs, hoisting it up then she wrapped both of them around my waist as I kissed her hard, wanting, demanding more from her.
Locked in that embrace, I never wanted to let her go. To have her in my arms forever was what she was meant for. I couldn’t figure out how I hadn’t noticed that the night before. But I was just thankful that I’d finally noticed it before it was too late, and she’d left The Lake of the Woods.
Moving my lips to trail over her neck, I heard her panting with desire. “And to think I was going to leave today. I hope Zoe will agree to stay.”
“You really should get the hell out of these woods.” I nibbled her earlobe.
“You could come to stay at our campsite to keep me safe if you wanted to. I’m sure Mist would like that as well.” Her nails dug into my shoulders as I sucked the spot just behind her ear. “Yes, Twi. Right there. That place drives me insane.”
“Maybe I should stop then.” I nibbled a line down her neck. “I’d much rather you be sane when we make love for the first time.”
