“We could tell ghost stories after we’re done studying,” he offered.
“Yeah, I don’t think so,” she replied, laughing.
“Come on, it’ll be like old times.” He looked over at her.
She held up her hand. “As I recall, I’d have nightmares for weeks after your stories.”
“That was the idea, wasn’t it?” he called out as he went over to turn the pieces of chicken on the grill. “Besides, you’d cuddle with me more after those stories. I’d say it was a win-win.”
“Oh, that’s why you loved scaring me outta my wits,” she answered, pulling two plates and cutlery from their set of dishes.
“And it was worth every cuddle,” he teased. “Pass me the plates.”
She handed over the plates one at a time so he could load them up with their dinner. She was enjoying the time alone with him, and had forgotten about any worries she had before. The truth was, she didn’t want to be anywhere else.
After they ate, he took their plates over to the water bowl to clean them up.
“I’ve got an idea,” Tara called out to him. He looked back at her as she got up from the chair and went into her tent. He heard sounds like she was rummaging through her things. When she emerged, she held a bag of marshmallows and a couple of campfire forks. She walked back over to the fire, placing the marshmallows on the forks and holding them over the fire.
“I don’t have any graham crackers or chocolate, but we could still roast some of these.” She smiled. “Now it’s really like old times.”
He stacked the cleaned dishes and walked over to her side. She was right. This was how he remembered their camping trips.
“This is the life,” he said to her softly, taking the roasted marshmallow on the fork she passed to him. Everything was going better than he had expected. It was a great start to their weekend.
***
Tara stood up from the chair. The fire was slowly dying down.
“We should get some rest. We’ve gone over each of these cards twice already. We can do some more on the hike tomorrow.”
“Yeah...” he slowly replied. It was just slightly above a whisper. He stood up, turning to her.
“Well, goodnight,” she said, turning away and moving quickly to her tent. As hard as it was for her to pull away from the great evening they shared, it would be easier than complicating things further.
“Goodnight Tara,” she heard him mumble behind her. As she unzipped her tent opening, she heard him again.
“Tara...wait!”
She turned around, wondering what Kevin wanted. He was heading her way.
“I’m sorry, Tara,” he started, “but I can’t go to sleep without doing something first.” He placed his hand around her waist, pulling her to him. Their lips met and his tongue invaded her mouth. A soft moan escaped from her lips. She could feel his arousal pressed against the zipper of his shorts. She wanted him...she needed him.
He parted from her lips, resting his forehead against hers. “Tara. I love you and I have loved you for so long. I have just been too stupid...or too scared...to admit it.”
Her mind raced. It seemed like it was so out of the blue, but she had subconsciously been expecting the words for so long.
“Kevin...” she started.
He rested a finger against her lips. “You don’t have to say anything. I know this probably isn’t what you want.”
Tara was nervous. He confessed his love for her, and it made things even more real. She didn’t know how to start. As close as they had been as best friends, until a couple months ago she never would have dreamed of uttering the words she was going to say.
“I want to be with you tonight,” she whispered, feeling her body react to the words. “Make love to me, Kevin.”
She watched him as his jaw dropped. She meant every word, but there was still a subtle fear of being rejected. They realized their mutual worry was unfounded. They were of the same mind. Kevin wrapped his hand around her neck and brought her lips to his. They stood there, eagerly exploring each other. They were about to demolish a boundary they had kept erected between them. It was the boundary that allowed them to remain just friends.
She was eager, yet wanted to savor every moment. They hungrily kissed each other, letting the last of the fire warm them. Kevin slowly pulled away, and took her hand, leading her in the direction of his tent. She walked beside him for a few steps, then stopped and pulled his t-shirt up over his head. They reconnected in their kiss as she dropped the t-shirt to the ground and wrapped her arms around his waist. It was some time before they reached his tent. She felt Kevin break away so he could unzip the flap. The moment it was opened, he grabbed her hand and pulled her in after him.
She laughed as she crashed down on top of him as he fell on the air mattress. They kissed again, slowly igniting their flame in the small tent. She kicked her shoes off as he lifted himself out from under her long enough to zip the tent closed and turn on the camping lantern.
“Come back here,” Tara whispered, pulling him back down to lie beside her.
He slid his hand under her shirt and peeled it off, sliding it above her head. As he did, his eyes fell on her breasts. She leaned back, her head lying against his pillow. She watched him as he lowered himself again to lie beside her. His hands traced her bra and slid behind to her back, where he fumbled for the clasp of her bra. She was breathless in anticipation. Her breath hitched as she felt the clasp release.
“You’re so beautiful, Tara,” Kevin whispered as he stared at the curves of her body. His mouth drifted to her breasts, taking in a nipple and gently swirling his tongue around the peak. Tara moaned with pleasure and desire, gripping his shoulders as he ravished one nipple after the other. She felt her arousal building, and wanted to be completely connected to him. She groaned with deep longing for more as her body writhed under him.
“I want you so bad, Kevin,” she moaned, rubbing gently on his arms, hoping he would sense the need growing between her legs and meet it with his manhood.
Kevin propped himself up with his arm and looked down at Tara, gazing at her sultry eyes in the soft light. She kept her eyes fixed on him as she lowered her hands to his pants and undid his belt and top button. He let out a soft moan as her hand brushed against his growing erection when she tugged at his zipper. She dragged the pants and boxers down his muscular legs, and motioned for him to roll onto his back. As he did, he kicked the two items of clothing off of his legs, and gently pulled at her cargo pants and silky panties to get them off of her.
As her clothes fell to the side of the air mattress, Kevin grabbed her around the waist and pulled her on top of him, kissing her lips eagerly. He cupped her ass and pulled her down on his hardness. She spread her legs around his hips, wanting to feel his solid mass rub against her clit.
“God... Tara,” he moaned, and quickly reached one hand over to his backpack to pull a condom from a small side pocket. He rolled her onto her back and positioned himself between her inviting thighs, ripping the wrapper open and stretching the condom onto his thick erection. Her eyes didn’t leave his massive shaft until he lowered himself to suck on her tender breasts once more.
“I want you inside me so bad, Kevin,” she whispered, running her fingers through his brown mane. She felt his erection press up against her thigh and groaned with desire. “Oh God...” She sighed, feeling his body gently grind on hers. His teeth gently released her nipple and his mouth trailed kisses up her chest to her neck. He tenderly licked and sucked her hot skin, making her clit throb with need. Tara removed her hands from his hair and reached down to his firm, muscular butt.
“Yes...” she moaned, bucking her hips up to his and hoping to feel him enter her channel. He was slow and gentle, wrapping his arm around her body and patiently moving inside her. She groaned, reaching up to him so she could feel his lips against hers. With every thrust, he was deeper inside her. She dug her nails into his back and rocked her hips back and forth against him. They merged tog
ether and lost themselves in the heated moment, not wanting it to ever end.
***
He could hear the moans and passionate cries coming from inside the tent. Not wanting his own painful whimpers to be heard, he held his hand over his mouth. He had been watching ever since they entered the tent together. He couldn’t believe they had taken things this far. He covered his ears, rocking back and forth and trying to get the vision out of his mind. “That should be me,” he said, struggling with the betrayal.
“Oh God!” He heard her scream out and his mind went numb. He stood outside the tent, not knowing what he should do. He wanted to interrupt them, to bring them back to their senses so they would understand how he felt. He just wanted them to stop, but it was too late. They were having sex and he was left listening to it. “Yes...yes...oh God yes...” Her words were sharp daggers to his heart. He was tormented by the sounds of groaning and moaning that escaped through the tent. The pain wouldn’t subside when he saw indentations of fingers when one of them grabbed onto the tent fabric. “Ugh...oh God...yes...” He had heard enough.
He moved away from their campsite, backing up but unable to look away from the silhouette of their movements inside the tent. He noticed Tara’s empty tent beside them. He needed to show them they weren’t in control; he was. He walked over to the tent and grabbed a knife from the pocket of his pants. He sliced the tent in several spots, and then grabbed onto the pegs of the tent and removed them, watching the structure fall to the ground. He cursed under his breath as he left their campsite. When he got back to his rental car, he turned one last time, and watched the tent that was still standing. They were going to pay for what they did.
***
Tara couldn’t catch her breath. She could tell he had been right there with her, sharing every moment of passion. She panted, amazed by the heat they created in the small tent. The way her body reacted to his touch was like nothing she had experienced before. She had never felt such an escape before. The way he brought her to the heights of her climax made her want him over and over again.
When they were spent, he stretched out beside her and cradled her in his arms.
“I can’t believe it’s real,” he said, smiling as he stared blankly at the ceiling of the tent.
“I know. I’m glad you insisted we take this trip,” she admitted, sighing with relief at the words.
He leaned down and kissed her, lightly swiping his tongue against hers. She groaned, grabbing him and pulling him on top of her again. His body covered hers; and with just the smallest nudge, he was ready to enter her again. She was impressed by his stamina, and smiled because she was also ready to feel him inside her again. Their bodies glided together as the kiss brought more emotion with it.
“Hm...” he groaned, thrusting deeper into her body.
She grabbed him tighter, unable to explain the need she was feeling for him. It was like she had waited for too long for it, and the one encounter had opened up an insatiable need in her. As he buried himself deeper with a wild craving, she parted from his kiss. Her mouth dropped open and her raspy breath was barely audible. “Ugh...oh God yes...” she muttered. Every move he made inside her sent shivers down her spine. She enjoyed hearing his grunts and moans, and how he called her name with a tender demand for more. His mouth latched onto her neck and drove her arousal to new heights with each kiss. She ran her hands over his muscular body, tracing over every inch. Another orgasm wracked at her body as she writhed beneath him and wrapped her legs around his, not wanting to let go.
“You feel so good...” he groaned against her skin, sending another round of desire between her thighs.
“Ahhhhh...” she cried out, releasing her warm heat over him.
Kevin broke from her neck. “Yes...yes...ugh...” he groaned. He drove his shaft deep inside her for one final thrust as he emptied his release, causing him to collapse on top of her. His lips searched out hers, doing his best to extend her physical high. He gently nuzzled her lips, indulging in her.
Tara tried to relax, but her body was still aching for more. Her legs ran up and down his, her body wanting whatever he had to offer her.
“Kevin...” she whimpered, running her hands along his back, longing for him. She didn’t want to stop, even as her body told her she needed rest.
“Kevin...” she moaned again. This time, his lips left hers and their eyes locked. The passion was intense as he was still wedged inside her. She gasped out a breath, feeling a relief over what had happened. She heard him panting in the same breathless pattern. She didn’t need to say anything else. Her silence told the story.
He smiled. “You...are so beautiful,” he said.
Kevin was physically drained, but felt on top of the world as he leaned down and kissed her neck. Before falling down next to her, he reached over to the pocket of his backpack and pulled out a small towel, in which he tucked the used condom. She could feel his breathing against her shoulder, and soon, their chests were rising and falling rhythmically. They slept.
***
A smile was on Kevin’s face as woke up after dreaming about Tara during the night. She had nuzzled up to him while she slept. He relished in the feel of her body sleeping next to him. As he slowly awoke, he looked over to her in blissful disbelief they had actually made love. He would have thought it all was just a dream. He had dreamed about her a lot before. This time, as he looked over, Tara was really there in his arms. Her eyes were open as though she had been looking at him for some time.
“Good morning,” he said, tilting his head and smiling at her.
“Good morning, Kevin,” she replied.
Her voice was warm, but seemed pensive, like something was wrong.
He pulled himself up. “Is everything all right?” he asked, hoping he sensed wrong.
She pulled out of his embrace and sat up. It wasn’t an expression he had hoped to see on her face after their night of sensual pleasure. She hesitated for some time before finally responding.
“I don’t know. I guess I’m just wondering if we did the right thing.”
“You feel we made a mistake?” he asked, confused. “Because I feel we’re finally where we should be, Tara– in each other’s arms.”
“So then, where do we go from here?”
“How do you mean?” he asked. He was dumbfounded she could feel any remorse for such a magical night.
“Last night was great.” She paused and her face flushed. “Last night was amazing. But you have to admit it was unexpected. I just don’t know where we’d go next. After years of being such close friends, and denying anything was going on between us. And then to have last night happen...it makes me wonder how we can move beyond last night. I mean, will we lose the way things used to be?”
He watched as she bit her lower lip. She looked away from him.
“Whoa, Tara...who said anything about losing each other? You’re my best friend. And I love you. Why can’t we have both?”
“I don’t know. Can we?” she asked. Her words were filled with doubt.
He rubbed his thumb along her cheek, trying to console her and remind her how he felt.
“I want to and I hope you do too. Last night wasn’t just a mindless impulse, Tara. I want to get even closer to you; in ways I didn’t as your friend.”
He leaned in and pressed his lips to hers. At first, she hesitated. Her guard was back up, worried about the risk they took with their friendship. Slowly, she lowered her guard and accepted the kiss. He parted her lips and sought out her tongue, tasting and exploring her mouth again.
He pulled out of the kiss and cradled her chin.
“You feel the same way...right?”
She nodded. “Last night I felt something for you I never thought I could ever feel, Kevin. It’s like I’d been missing something, and you gave it to me last night. The thought I was going to lose it all again, or lose what we had, it scared me. I suppose I’m just over-thinking things.”
He let out a sigh of relief. He had simil
ar fears at one time or another before their magical night. It was a huge burden off his mind to hear her share what was on her mind.
“I don’t want you to worry about anything,” he replied, brushing her hair back from her face. “I want you to know I’m here for you for as long as you’ll have me. And I can show you, even if it means we don’t leave this tent today.” He grinned.
“What kind of things do you want to show me?” she asked, a twinkle in her eyes.
“Lay down and you’ll see,” he said, grabbing her hand and pulling her back to the bed.
“Wait,” she sat up. “I have an idea.”
“What?” Kevin asked.
“Let’s go with your idea first,” Tara said with a smile, not wanting to reveal what she would do to him the next night.
She slowly sat down. As she rested her head back, his eyes washed over her body. He didn’t want her to have any doubt he wanted her. He pushed himself back so he was kneeling between her legs. The look of anticipation grew in her eyes. He gently stroked her thighs with his hands, and relished her moans from his touch.
Kevin lowered himself so his head was between her thighs and slowly began to take in her sweet smell. His tongue swept over her clit and a deep groan exited her mouth. He was even more excited when he felt her hands move down and grab his head, urging him to go deeper. He ran his tongue across her opening, preparing as he slid two fingers inside her ever so gently.
“Oh God...” she groaned as his fingers moved in deeper.
His tongue slid up and around, exploring as it went. He felt her body shudder beneath him as her gentle whimpers were released. His fingers attacked with and more force, diving in quickly and fueling her need to be satiated. Her body rocked against his fingers, allowing her orgasmic rush to send tremors all over her body.
“Oh Kevin...” She screamed, a deep grunt escaping from her mouth. He moved in faster motions, licking in every inch he could, yearning to taste her sweetness. As he dug deeper, he felt her body tensing up. He grabbed onto her thighs as they shook from her climactic seizure.
BURNT (The Wild Flames #1) Page 7