“Or only fucking against the tree…”
“What are you babbling about?”
“I want you to be prepared for a possible change in location. I might shift to the ground or maybe over to that big rock.” He tilted his head toward the big rock.
“The wine is quickly wearing off as well as my hooha heat.”
“I know how you are about dirt and shit. I didn’t want you to pigeonhole me. You gotta go with the flow. Be in the moment.”
“Are you actually instructing me on how to fuck?”
“We’re getting off track here,” he said.
“Do me, already!”
Inhaling a deep breath, Doug tilted his hips and rubbed against me, like he was back in the game. My eyes slowly fluttered as his lips closed in on mine.
Slap.
“God…”
Slap.
“Dam…”
Slap.
“…mit, Sophie!” Doug yelled, as my hands repeatedly made contact with the side of his face and neck.
I shoved on his chest, causing him to stumble back. “There’s something flying around you!”
Once he was at a decent distance, I got a look at the handful of intruders. Doug spun around flailing his arms.
“Motherfucking cock blocking bees!” he screamed as he was swarmed.
Now that my head was buzz free, I was better able to ascertain the buzzers. In reality, there looked to be only three bees circling.
I picked up the wine bottle that Doug had placed on the ground and took a swig while watching the antics.
“For the love of God, Soph, go get help.” He was still spinning and flailing about.
“I think if you stop all that nonsense. they’d leave you alone.”
Swig.
Taking my advice, Doug stopped spinning, stumbling backward and forward a few times before getting his footing. And as suspected, the bees went about their business. Doug shook his head, making sure all creatures big and small had not taken up residence in his hair.
Walking toward me, he said, “So where were we?”
I didn’t know what I found more hilarious, the absurdity that he actually thought we were going through with things after all that or how his eyes darted in every direction, on the lookout for another attack. Laughing, I turned and walked away.
“Hey, where are you going?” he yelled.
The sound of crunching leaves, sticks, and gravel came rushing up behind me.
“Fucking bees are back.” Doug whooshed by me, full steam ahead.
Just when I thought this trip was going to be a big bore, Doug saves the day. He makes me so happy. Where the hell did that thought come from?
DAY ONE OF camping brought with it a severe case of emotional scarring. I didn’t care what anyone said, those fucking bees were out for blood. My blood. For all I knew, they were killer bees. I spent the rest of the day on the lookout for flying objects.
By the time the camping gear was unpacked and tents set up, the sun was setting. Bryson had made a beef stew for the first supper. I was totally going to boycott and not consume one ounce. No wilderness magazine exists that includes beef stew on their list of food rations. But I figured since we were at a campground and allowed females, I shouldn’t be so tied to my principles. Plus, it smelled out of this world. I ate two big bowls to show how open-minded and flexible I could be.
We’d been sitting around the campfire for a while reminiscing about when we were kids when I noticed something. Bryson was next to Hart, her arm slipped between his arm and body, their hands clasped. Ronnie sat on the ground with his legs stretched out and Julia leaning against his chest. It was all very cozy and romantic, I guessed. Then a thought struck me. Sophie was the only female here not having this experience.
I glanced at her sitting next to me. She was staring toward the couples. As a friend it wouldn’t be unnatural for me to want Sophie to have a nice time. By the happy expressions on Bryson and Julia’s faces, it looked like they were enjoying it. And by the longing gaze Sophie aimed in their direction, it seemed she wanted what they had.
I waited until I was positive no one was paying attention. The couples sure weren’t and Colin had gotten up to stoke the fire. I reached over, placing my hand on top of Sophie’s.
She startled, yanking her hand away. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Uh… trying to hold your hand,” I whispered.
“Why?”
I tilted my head toward the couples. All that did was make Sophie more confused. I thought women were supposed to pick up on these gestures.
“I wanted to make you feel good.”
She cocked one of her well-manicured brows. “And holding your hand was meant to do that?”
I nodded my response.
“Well, it’s unnecessary and extremely risky, so knock it off.” She drank the tiny amount of wine left in her glass, then stood. “I’m going to hit the sack.”
“I guess we all should get to bed if we’re getting up early for hiking,” Julia said.
Everyone agreed.
“I’ll take care of the fire,” I volunteered.
“Thanks, Doug,” Hart said, while he and Bryson headed to their tent.
I looked at Sophie as she walked away, her shapely ass disappearing into her tent. While I tossed dirt onto the fire, the sound of four zippers zipping up filled the air. I made sure the fire was completely out before stepping inside mine and Colin’s tent.
Colin was in his sleeping bag, propped up on his duffle bag, reading by the lantern. I went about my business spreading out my sleeping bag.
“What’s up with you, dude?” Colin said.
“Nothing.”
I shrugged off my jacket and blue and gray flannel shirt, tossing them in the corner.
“I call bullshit on that. There’s something different. I just can’t put my finger on it.”
Colin turned his attention back to the book.
Ignoring him, I continued undressing, kicking off my shoes as I unbuckled my belt. I undid my jeans, slid them off, and pitched them on the pile of clothes. Standing in only my T-shirt and boxers, I couldn’t get Sophie off my mind. Although I didn’t want to admit it, deep down I knew Hart was right about my feelings toward Sophie. I also knew I wanted to reverse what was going on and rid myself of them. There were too many cons involved to go down that road. The main one being I didn’t want to be in love with anyone. But I did want to continue having sex with Sophie. Quite the predicament.
Figuring there was nothing I could do about it tonight, I pulled off my gray T-shirt and slung it to the side. I hooked my thumbs in the waistband of my boxers and pushed. They were halfway down when something pointy peirced my bare back.
I pulled up my boxers. “What the fuck was that for? Whatever you threw I think left a scar.”
“Calm down, it was only a pen. What are you doing?”
“I’m getting ready to go to bed.”
“You are not sleeping in the nude,” he said in a sharp tone.
“We’ve known each other for like a hundred years. You know I go o’natural for bed.”
“But I haven’t had to share a tent with you since we were kids. Put on your clothes.”
“I can’t sleep if I’m restricted. It’s not good for the circulation and my boys need fresh air.”
“Then get out,” he said.
“And go where?”
“I don’t care. Sleep in one of the cars, but not my car.”
“My ass will stick to the leather seats.”
Before I knew what was happening, Colin was by my side, shoving my balled up T-shirt into my chest. Grabbing both shoulders, he directed me toward the tent opening. He gripped my arm with one hand while unzipping the tent with the other, then pushed me out. Before I could turn around, I heard the zipper fasten the tent closed.
Begrudgingly, I put my T-shirt on. “Really, Colin? You’re this hung up on the human form? Not to mention, the obvious insecurity you have regardi
ng your sexuality. So much so, that a naked man in the woods threatens you.”
Colin opened the tent, stuck his head out, and shoved a blanket into my hands. “Sorry, dude. A little too much of a Deliverance vibe.”
His head quickly disappeared, the tent got zipped, and to add insult to injury, I heard the click of a lock. The motherfucker actually brought a padlock.
“Why the fuck did you bring a lock?”
“Because I knew we were going to be roommates,” Colin said, each word causing the nylon material to puff out.
I had no desire to peel my ass off of a car seat, and I sure as hell wasn’t going to sleep outside with the killer bees on the prowl. My options were limited. Sophie’s tent was right next to mine, so I headed that-a-way.
I tapped on the nylon material. “Soph, it’s Doug. Let me in.”
No response.
I tapped again. “Soph.”
Still no response.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
Tap.
The zipper came down and Sophie’s beautiful, yet angry face popped out.
“What do you want?” she loud whispered.
“Colin kicked me out.”
“And how is that my problem?”
“Are you having déjà vu? Because I sure am,” I said.
“As a matter of fact, I am. And not wanting to repeat the same mistake I did the first time, I bid you a goodnight.” Her head disappeared.
“I have nowhere to sleep.”
I stood there in the pitch-black dark waiting for her to have a change of heart. All of a sudden a tickling sensation permeated my ear, swiftly followed by a loud buzz.
Holy shit! The bees were back!
My heart was beating at rapid speed and sweat was dribbling down my clammy skin. Fraught with fear, I frantically flicked the shell of my ear, like a dog scratching a flea. The tickling faded and the buzzing stopped. I stood completely still until I was sure the danger had passed. Then I felt the brush of a winged killer fly over my face and land in my hair. Terror took hold of me. I spun in circles slapping my head so much I thought I might give myself a concussion. With each spin, I punched Sophie’s tent.
“Sophie, I’m getting murdered out here.”
No response.
Having no other choice, I was forced to play dirty. And not the good kind of dirty play.
“Sophie, if you don’t let me in, I’m going to tell all of our friends what we’ve been doing for the past…”
The tent flew open, Sophie grabbed a fistful of my shirt and yanked me inside.
“Fine, you can sleep in here, you big baby,” she said.
“Thank you for your hospitality.” Every one of my words was soaking in sarcasm.
Once the realization hit that I would live to see another day, I saw the sexy little number Sophie had on. Mother of God, no one fills out a hot pink tank top and pair of matching booty shorts like this woman.
She stomped past me toward one of her two suitcases. She opened it, pulled out a blanket, and threw it at me.
“I only have the one sleeping bag, so you’ll have to sleep on one blanket and cover up with the other.”
“But I thought…”
With her hands on her hips, she said, “What? That we’d sleep together?”
“Why are you so pissed at me?”
“You wanna know why?”
“Am I speaking a foreign language?” I shot back.
“I’ll tell you…” Suddenly aware that her voice had reached maximum altitude and was booming, she reigned it in to a low growl. “I’ll tell you why. It’s because of that shit you tried to pull out there by the fire.”
I mimicked her volume. “Holding your hand?!”
“Yes. What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“I swear, as long as I live, I will never understand women. At least not your type.”
“And exactly what type is that?”
I leaned toward her, so she felt the bite of each word. “Frustrating, high maintenance, and a pain in the ass.”
“Yeah? Well, you’re all of those, squared. Also, add pussy to the list.”
“You think I’m a pussy? Me?”
“A hand holding, bee phobic, pu-pu-pussy.”
“Are you as turned on as I am?” I said.
She high jumped into my arms. In a flash, her tongue was in my mouth and her body wrapped around mine. I made my way over to the sleeping bag. In one continuous movement, I dropped to my knees and laid Sophie on her back. She stared as I peeled off my T-shirt. Sitting up, she grabbed the hem of her tank and pulled it over her head. Her mouth made contact with my hot skin as she placed a line of kisses across my chest, her tongue making an appearance here and there.
I angled my body forward, causing Sophie to lay back. With my hands on either side of her, I looked down at her silky hair fanned out, her plump lips, and her lust filled eyes. A strange sensation took hold of me. I became lightheaded and it felt as if firecrackers were exploding in the pit of my stomach. I’d been chanting over and over in my head that I didn’t want to fall in love. But it was becoming clear that I didn’t have a choice. My feelings for Sophie were a runaway train.
I leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her forehead, then the tip of her nose, finally landing on her lips. I nibbled my way over the bottom one before coaxing them apart. The kiss was slow, penetrating deep in my heart and soul. My mouth roamed down her neck and across her collarbone. I kissed the swell of her breasts.
Sophie tugged at my boxers. “You’re driving me crazy. I need you now.”
I smiled against her dewy skin. “All in good time.”
I continued the journey down the middle of her body. Dragging my tongue from hip bone to hip bone, causing her to buck, and reach for my hair. I ran the tip of my nose up along her inner thigh before kissing her center. That elicited a loud moan from her.
Peeking up from between her legs, I said, “Shhh, Soph, or you’ll wake the neighbors.”
“I’m not sure I can last much longer,” she whimpered.
Curving my fingers around her soft shorts, I pulled them down, Sophie raising her hips for me to get rid of them completely. Not wanting to be separated from her, I quickly discarded my boxers and slid back on top of her. Our hips rocked against each other in perfect rhythm as usual. Sophie’s nails pierced my shoulders and her eyes closed.
“Sophie, open your eyes. Don’t disappear on me.”
She listened. Soon I was gazing at my heart and soul. And even though this was all unfamiliar territory for me, I could tell Sophie knew she was staring at hers too. Propping up on my elbows, my thrusts increased. I held her gaze until the sensations became too much, her back arching and her head tilting in pure passion. Everything got frantic and blurry. Knowing we were both close to the edge, I shifted and pressed my mouth to hers. Sophie convulsed underneath me, as I swallowed her cries before we both exploded.
We lay connected in silence. Our gasps for oxygen mingled with the crickets outside were the only sounds. I didn’t want to move and she didn’t appear to be in any hurry too either.
Burying my face in the crook of her neck, I whispered, “You make me so happy, Soph.”
It was subtle, but her body immediately tensed. I raised my head and saw bewilderment written across her face. Angling her head to the side, she brought her lips to mine. It was obvious she’d been caught off guard and didn’t want to talk. Which was good, because I wasn’t prepared to hear what she had to say.
I DIDN’T KNOW how to respond to Doug’s proclamation. I knew he wanted me to or expected me to, but I couldn’t. We ended up dozing off wrapped around each other. I woke up the next morning and dressed quickly. Grabbing my overnight bag, I made a beeline to the shower shack, leaving Doug alone and sleeping. For the rest of the trip, I did my best to avoid any situations where he and I would be alone.
Word got around that Colin had kicked Doug out, and having no other options Doug sta
yed in my tent. There were looks and raised eyebrows. I pulled Bryson aside and convinced her that Doug was a bad snorer along with having a very active nocturnal flatulence problem. At first, I second-guessed myself about including the latter, but I felt the one-two punch would make her more amenable to being my roommate. Meanwhile, Doug and Hart could bunk up since guys don’t have an issue with bodily emissions. I hated lying to my best friend, but desperate times called for desperate measures. There was a hint of suspicion in her eyes, but she didn’t push me on the subject.
The ride home was awkward at best. I sat in the backseat, letting Doug ride shotgun as Colin drove. I could tell Colin knew something was way off. He kept glancing at Doug and then would eye me through the rearview mirror. He made several attempts at small talk with no success, so he gave up halfway home.
After what felt like a thousand years, we finally pulled onto my street. I had never been as happy to see my home as I was right then. Colin hadn’t brought the car to a complete stop when Doug opened his door and jumped out.
“Thanks, Colin,” Doug grumbled.
Then he hurried around to the back and banged on the back window. With the touch of a button, Colin popped open the trunk. Doug snatched his duffle bag, hurried up the front steps, and into the house.
Looking at me through the rearview mirror, Colin said, “I guess he was anxious to get back.”
I gave him a weak smile and got out of the car. Always the gentleman, Colin carried my bags inside the house. There was no sign of my roomie.
Shrugging off my jacket, I said, “Thanks, Colin.”
“No problem. You want me to carry them to the top of the stairs?”
“That’s not necessary.”
He took a few steps toward the door and stopped. “I’m not going to pretend I know what the deal is with the two of you. I know I give him a hard time. However, truth be told, I think the world of Doug. He may not always say the right thing or act his age, but he cares deeply about the people who are important to him.”
I was too physically and emotionally exhausted to get into a long discussion. “He’s lucky to have you as a friend.”
He nodded with a sad smile. “I’ll be seeing you around, Sophie.”
After Colin left, I closed the door and leaned back against it. My gaze drifted up to the top of the stairs as I blew out a breath. I didn’t know how to talk to Doug, because I didn’t know what to say. This arrangement was supposed to be light and fun. Nothing serious. We both agreed to that. I didn’t want the responsibility of another human being’s happiness. I had enough trouble with my own. The walls were closing in on me. I needed to get out of here and go somewhere I could breathe. I gathered my jacket, purse, and keys, then headed out the door.
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