by Julian Bloom
Humiliated and contrite, he sat up and groaned, “I’m sorry! But I’ve been longing for that for months. Next time will be better.”
“It’s alright,” Shirlee replied truthfully. “It’s just the first time.”
But despite both their efforts, including vigorous hand work by Shirlee, it seemed that the second time would be some time off, perhaps even the following night. Brad hurriedly levered himself off the bed and stomped out of the room to the shower – not because he particularly wanted a shower, but because it was the only way he could get off by himself where, close to tears, he could recover. Shirlee lay on the bed and stroked herself until she was calmed. She’d never done that before, but she had read about it and anyway it was an instinctive response to her condition of arousal. By the time Brad returned, she was lying on her own bed pretending to be asleep, and he joined her silently, relieved that he didn’t have to say anything because he could think of nothing to say.
When they were awakened at dawn the next morning, Brad had “the morning boner,” and wanted to do something about it, but Shirlee argued, accurately, disguising her reluctance, that there was only time to dress and grab a quick cup of coffee before they set off on the morning game drive.
When they were joined by the four groggy Zimbabweans, they were ushered into the safari vehicle. The four Zimbabweans headed for the two rear tiers of seats where the height gave marginally better views, leaving the seat behind Blessings to Brad and Shirlee. This suited Blessings because he thought it likely that the four would be bored with his patter, if not actively disagreeing with what he said, which was quite possible.
It was a glorious morning, the chill in the air giving no hint of the heat that was coming. Before driving off, Blessings gave the usual instructions about keeping quiet or talking in whispers when game was in sight, not standing up when the vehicle was moving, and not smoking without Blessings’s permission.
Very soon after leaving the camp, they came across a family of hyenas with three pups young enough to be cute. Since Luwangwa in recent years had been relatively free from poaching, except for rhinos, the family ambled off, not much bothered by the presence of a vehicle. But when one of the Zimbabweans said loudly, “I’ll bet we could kill all of them at once,” they ran. Blessings ignored what the guy had said, but reminded them to keep quiet. Shirlee wanted to ask them why they would want to do that, but was restrained by Brad’s likely reaction. Shirlee had hoped that the whole question of hunting wouldn’t arise in a game park, but apparently she was wrong.
Brad initiated his usual informative talks about Luwangwa and its ecosystem, and was relieved that the Zimbabweans, while showing little interest, did not contradict him. The morning went well with a number of very good sightings, including the majestic sable antelope, waterbuck, male kudus with their magnificent spiral horns and giraffe.
When one of the Zimbabweans mentioned that he was in dire need of somewhere to “mark territory,” Blessings took the opportunity to stop for a morning coffee and bathroom break, choosing an area with widely scattered bushes and very little undergrowth. He directed the men to the largest of the nearest bushes, and Shirlee to another smaller one. Everybody but Brad and Shirlee, it seemed, had a similar need to “mark territory” and headed off, leaving them behind at the vehicle. While fixing the tea and buns, Blessings asked Shirlee how she was enjoying the drive.
Shirlee replied, “It’s absolutely fabulous! Everything I hoped it would be. It’s such a beautiful place. I could stay forever.”
“Some people find it threatening and uncomfortable.”
“Not I! I love it just like it is and, definitely,” thinking about the conversation about killing hyenas, “don’t want to kill anything, anything at all.”
“It’s not a desire I’ve ever had.”
“How could you kill those darling baby hyenas? I mean the adults were a bit frightening, so if they threatened you, I can see killing them in self-defense, but the cubs?”
“Actually, the only hyena that’s dangerous is a rabid one, and they’re rare.”
“I’m glad to know that.”
“Even the big cats only attack when they’re very hungry or you’re threatening them in some way. I’ve a friend at a lion rehabilitation center who plays with the lions just like you’d play with a pet kitty. Of course they know and trust him.”
“I’d love to do that.”
Don’t try it with big cats, but there are some places in South Africa that let you play with lion cubs if you want.”
“You love the bush, don’t you Blessings.”
“It’s my home! I grew up just outside the park and played with my friends in it from the time I was 5 or 6.”
“Don’t you hanker for the modern world?”
“Not even for one minute.”
The return of the guys put an end to the conversation. Brad went over to Shirlee and asked with a frown, “What were you two talking about?”
“About the bush mostly. Blessings says he loves it and never wants to leave.”
“Better him than me. That’s for sure.”
“Don’t you like it?”
“It’s great for a visit. I’m enjoying it, but I miss having my gun.”
To that Shirlee made no reply, and luckily, Blessings was calling them into the vehicle to continue the drive.
For the second half of the morning, Blessings took them into an area not regularly visited by tourists. The game scouts had reported with great excitement sightings of a rhino there. Most of the rhinos in Luwangwa had been shot out several decades before, and though spoor had been seen in the remote north of the park, no animals had been seen for a very long time, and none in an area reachable by road.
As they drove, Blessings pointed out a large collection of vultures flying overhead. “There’s a kill or a dying animal over there. I don’t know if it will be in sight of the road.”
“Why don’t you just bundu bash?” asked one of the Zimbabweans.
“We’re not allowed to drive off the road,” replied Blessings
“Who’s to know?”
“I’d know.” The Zimbabwean snorted, making his contempt clear, but said nothing.
After about 15 minutes they drove up to the carcass of a female rhino practically on the road. Her horns had been sawed off, making it clear that it had been the work of poachers.
“Bloody hell!” exclaimed Blessings, and then apologized for his language.
“It was wholly appropriate,” said Shirlee.
“Not to me,” replied Brad.
Then they saw what they had missed at first glance, a very small rhino calf trying to nurse.”
“Oh no!” cried out Shirlee and began to cry.
“It’s only a rhino,” Brad muttered. “What’s to cry about?”
Blessings turned on him and said, “For one thing, it may have been the last adult rhino in the park. I feel like crying myself.”
“It’s the baby, I’m crying about”, Shirley muttered. “Or maybe just the whole beastly business of killing for profit.”
“You eat meat, don’t you?” said one of the Zimbabweans. “What’s the difference?”
“The meat I eat has been grown domestically and wouldn’t exist if we didn’t eat it.”
“So what?”
“I don’t know but it’s different.”
The Zimbabwean just shrugged his shoulders. Brad agreed with the Zimbabwean, but he’d had this conversation with Shirlee before, so desisted saying so.
Blessings rang the camp on his radio phone to report the killing in hopes that the Park officials would send a helicopter to rescue the baby. Otherwise there was nothing to be done. In a few minutes he received the news that the helicopter was on its way with a rescue team.
He apologized to his clients, saying, “I’m sorry you had to see this, and unfortunately I have to stay nearby to guide the helicopter in, but we’ll drive around a bit to see what else there is to see in the area. “
Unfortunately the poaching action had frightened away almost all the game, so Blessings was reduced to showing them interesting trees, which didn’t interest the Zimbabweans, and the vultures gathered in the trees waiting their turn at the carcass and a few other remarkable birds such as the Ground Hornbill. By the time they could hear the helicopter approaching, they were bored, hot and upset, but Blessings didn’t see any way to help. As soon as he had directed the copter to the kill, he headed back to camp. He figured everybody, including himself, had had enough.
Chapter 8 SECOND HALF
The conversation at lunch was rather stilted as nobody wanted to talk about what was uppermost in their minds, but once again the food was excellent and the drinks were cold. As soon as they were finished, Blessings announced that after a rest period they would go driving again at four, and reminded them about the pool to deal with the heat.
As Brad escorted Shirlee to their tent, he made it clear that he was not primarily interested in resting. Shirlee sighed inwardly, but unwilling to contemplate a marriage with regular displeasing sex, reminded herself that one of the things Harry had taught her was that foreplay was not the job of the man alone. Perhaps if she took the lead, she could make the occasion more pleasurable for both of them. Stiff herself after the morning’s bumpy drive, she thought Brad might be so as well, and offered to give him a back and shoulders massage. He agreed, but said he should take a quick shower first to wash off the dust and suggested that Shirlee join him, which she did. They soaped each other lavishly and by the time they were finished, were pretty well aroused, especially Brad who was semi-erect. He suggested that they skip the massage, but Shirlee persuaded him not to, so he lay prone on the bed. Shirlee took the free bottle of body lotion provided by the safari company and straddled his hip, slavered lotion lavishly on his shoulders and back and proceeded with the erotic massage Harry had taught her. When she finished, she told him to turn over, and, applying more lotion, massaged his chest and belly and then his pelvic area. Soon he was obviously ready to go and her juices were running, so she lowered herself on to him.
Woman on top was not a part of Brad’s sexual vocabulary and he started to object, but she quietened him with a kiss and proceeded to lean backwards and forwards bringing him deliciously but slowly to a climax in which she was able to join him.
When they separated, Brad looked at her suspiciously. “Where did you learn that?”
“In a book on marriage.”
“It’s not right. The man should lead. Let’s not do it again. At least not very often.”
“Whatever you want, Brad. You know that.” Her tone was light, hiding her disappointment. Years of the boring missionary position loomed, which was discouraging to say the least.
Brad was soon asleep, but Shirlee put on the bikini Harry had given her and she had hidden from her parents and headed to the swimming pool. After a refreshing dip, she spread out a towel at the pool edge and lay in the sun, enjoying the heat penetrating to her bones, and fell asleep. Blessings soon arrived wearing only speedos with a towel around his shoulders. Seeing his opportunity in the real need to wake Shirlee up lest she get sunburnt badly, slipped into the pool and after a few moments of admiring the body spread out before him as if on a platter, put his wet hand on her thigh. It was risky, but he respected his instinct that she would not be offended, and the momentary smile she started before she woke up, showed him that he had guessed aright. “Harry!” she exclaimed before fully awake, and then, realizing her mistake, sat up and said, “I’m sorry!”
“No problem. I should have called out. You need to cover up. The sun in Zambia can be dangerous. I think Harry’s a lucky guy!”
Ignoring his comment but taking his advice, she stood up and wrapped the towel around her before sitting on one of the lounge chairs arranged around the pool. Blessings sat on the chair next to her. Shirlee tried not to look him over, but failed. She eyed him out of the corner of her eyes. What a piece of eye candy he was! And except for his hair, which unlike Harry’s was cut short without braids, every inch that she could see reminded her of Harry, and there was very little she couldn’t see, and even that, its shape clearly revealed by the speedo, looked like Harry. She knew she should get up and go, but she couldn’t make herself do so, and really, such was the weakness in her legs that made her wonder if she could manage it if she tried. It was all she could manage was to refrain from throwing herself on top of him.
Blessings, also taking care not to look at her directly, was very much aware of what was going on. He noted her accelerated breathing and her swollen nipples were obvious even inside her bikini. Though he was entirely aware of how dangerous it was, he couldn’t stop what was going on inside his speedo. He moved to cover himself with a towel, but then decided to risk silently telling Shirlee that he was as ready for her as she was for him. Experiencing some pain, he reached into his speedo and adjusted things so that he was not only more comfortable but obviously more aroused. He inclined the back of the chair so that he was almost horizontal, just enough to make his message clear.
Shirlee saw and closed her eyes vainly trying to shut the sight out, but her memory was clear and wouldn’t leave her. There was a long silence as they both lay entranced, no longer pretending. Shirlee had no idea what she was supposed to do. Actually, she corrected the thought: she knew what she was supposed to do, but couldn’t do it.
Blessings, also knowing what he was supposed to do, had no intention of doing it. He intended something entirely different, but wasn’t clear how he could manage it. He broke the silence by saying, “Our situation’s pretty clear, isn’t it.”
“I don’t know; I suppose so.”
“Do you fancy a stroll in the bush?”
“In a bikini and flip flops?”
“There’s a path that leads from here to a viewpoint over the river. It’s not far.”
“What if somebody comes along it?”
“The staff won’t and the rest of the clients don’t know about it.”
Shirley was sure it was more risky than he was letting on, but she was also beyond caring. “OK.”
With some speed they walked together to the viewpoint, surrounded by bushes on three sides and high above the river on the fourth, with a bench in the middle facing the river.
When she reached the bench, Shirlee turned to him and undid her bikini top. Her breasts, swinging free, the nipples already swollen and surrounded by a huge aureole, were perfect. She rubbed them across his chest, causing him to gasp and greedily took his lips in hers, her tongue insistent and then deep inside as he responded. The kiss wasn’t long; in fact it hadn’t been needed. Quickly shucking off the speedo, a job complicated by the inconvenient stiffness and shape of his organ inside, he grasped her shoulders with one arm and untied her bikini with the other, letting it fall to the ground. Then with both his arms he lifted her up to him and let her slide down on his erection. When her arms were around his neck, and her legs wrapped around his waist, he used both arms to lift her and lower her on his shaft. For Shirlee the whole world left her consciousness except for the feel of him inside her and the exquisite pleasure it gave her. Without her noticing, she began a rhythmical groaning in time to her movement.
Blessings concentrated on her as long as he could to prolong the pleasure, but when, despite his attempts he reached the point of no return, he sat back on the bench and stopped all movement, letting his climax grow on his own until with a cry, he jetted his seed into her.
As soon as the nerve tumult died, they put their swimming gear back on, conscious that they were very exposed, and headed back to the pool in silence. When they reached the pool they both dived in and were surfacing when two of the Zimbabweans turned up.
“Come in!” cried Blessings. “It’s lekker!” They, of course, would have preferred that Blessings wasn’t in the pool with them, but it was too hot to quibble, so they joined them. “Where are your friends?” Blessings asked.
“Still asleep, lazy sods.”
/> “They certainly don’t know what they’re missing.”
“Definitely not,” replied one of the youths, eyeing Shirlee as she climbed out of the pool. Shirley beat a hasty retreat, not up to saying anything to anybody, her mind in a turmoil. Suddenly the thought of marrying Brad was repugnant. She couldn’t imagine why she had agreed to do so. They were poles apart, even in bed.
But at the same time she was terribly aware that she was setting herself up for another betrayal. Despite all her good intentions, she had failed to act with the slightest circumspection. No matter what she decided to do about Brad, she would have to stop this business with Blessings immediately, and she resolved to do so no matter what.
9
Chapter 9 TIME OUT
That, like so many good resolves, not only those made on New Year’s Day, lasted only a short time –no more than a day. The evening drive was rather boring as they sometimes are. There’s magic in being in the bush at night, and it’s the only time one can see exciting nocturnal animals like civets, genets, galagos and African wild cats, but quite often one drives for a long time without seeing anything much. On this particular evening, aside from a magnificent sunset, their best sighting was of several hippos walking in the bush a long way from the river, something they do at night in search of forage.
Despite her resolve, now that she knew intimately the body covered by Blessings’s closely fitting guide’s uniform, even the view of his neck from behind was enough to set off fantasies of a naked encounter with the rest of him. Not only that, Brad, bored, was even more surly than usual and despite Blessings’s reminders that talking frightened the game, meaning that they would see fewer animals, engaged the Zimbabweans in discussions and stories about hunting. Sensing, perhaps, a change in Shirlee, he was extra rude to her. Had he had any idea of the direction her thoughts had taken in the afternoon, he could have taken care to please her, but he didn’t.