Page 7

The sun’s just starting to dip behind the mountains, turning the sky a mixture of oranges, purples, and pinks.

The lake reflects it all, almost like it’s a magical lake surrounded by trees.

Kissing Marcus was just as magical, I think it was the fear that made me brave enough to kiss him.

It didn’t look as terrifying as the beautiful lake that is dangerously deceptive.

Or maybe it was the way he held me, like I was precious.

One thing I know for certain is that he’s just as attracted to me as I am to him.

It didn’t feel like before but the way he kissed me, the way his mouth claimed mine, taking all the breath out of me, it wasn’t a kiss from someone who’s indifferent.

We might not be each other’s forevers, with our very different personalities, but our bodies want each other.

And my body wants him in a way I’ve never wanted anyone before.

We’ve been quiet, contemplating the view. I don’t think I ever felt comfortable with silence. But with Marcus, I am.

“Is this the reason why you don’t want them to come?” I ask after what seems like a long time.

“Yeah…”

“Why didn’t you tell me?”

“About the sudden change in height?”

“Yeah. You could have told me.”

“I’m sorry. I should have told you before you went in, not when you were already in the water.”

“No. I mean, yesterday.”

“I’ve told multiple people in the past few years. They never listen.”

He stops, almost like he has to collect himself to talk this much. Am I asking too many questions again? People have told me I ask too many questions before.

“Every time someone asked me to, I explained why. So I got tired. If no one was listening to my explanations, I thought I might as well not waste my time telling them again. A single no is a full sentence and all that.”

“I’d have listened.”

“I know that now but you come here, eager to use the lake, screaming city girl all over. I judged you for it, you know. Figured you wouldn’t listen to someone rough like me.”

I put my hand on top of his, trying to appease him. “And you were right. I wouldn't have ignored you based on your appearance but I'd just keep pressing because I wanted to give a good first impression to the people I work with. I bet you didn’t think I’d accept your bet.”

He brushes his fingers down my arm, like he's studying me. I can't get enough of the attention he gives me. I'm not used to feeling like I'm someone's main focus, which is exactly how he makes me feel.

“I knew you would. You’re stubborn like that.”

“Stubborn?”

His eyebrows reach the top of his hairline, waiting for my denial.

“Fine. You’re right. I’m very stubborn.”

“But I like that about you.” He gives me a hint of a smile, it complements his dark beard so well. I swear every time he smiles, my chest beats faster.

I like a lot of things about him. His grumpiness, hiding how sweet he actually is. His tattooed chest that I can’t stop staring at. His lips on mine.

“So you understand why I don’t want them to come, right?”

“Did–” I start before stopping the question I’m about to ask. I don’t want to pressure him, to make him talk about things he doesn’t want to.

“Did anyone die here?”

“No, sunshine. But I almost did when I was a kid.”

I tighten my hold on his hand and he squeezes mine in return.

“I used to come here with my grandpa during the summer. He never allowed me to go alone, he was always here. But one day, I decided I was grown up, that I didn’t need him to come with me.

After all, I’d come here every day! So when he wasn’t looking, perhaps thinking I was playing inside, I went to the lake.

At first it was great, I was here all by myself, feeling like an adult, very proud of myself.

But I underestimated how tired I got and, as you saw, you can’t really put your feet on the ground unless you’re right near the margin.

I was already very tall back then but the water was too deep.

I knew exactly what I had to do but I just couldn’t.

Somehow I panicked. I could have floated, let myself rest for a while.

I don’t know what happened, I just knew I was lucky enough my grandpa figured out where I was before it was too late. ”

I squeeze hard, I can’t imagine going through something like that. It’s clear he still carries that with him. It’s obvious why he doesn’t want to be responsible for an accident.

“I’m sorry that happened to you.”

We sit quietly for a while, admiring the lake and the various colors that it acquires as the sun gets lower, replacing the oranges with dark purples.

“Here I thought you didn’t like the kids littering the place.”

“I don’t like that either. I don’t understand why some people can’t pick up after themselves. Sometimes I get down on the beach and there are plastic bottles all over the place. Pigs, that’s what they are.”

I laugh loudly at his rant, unable to contain myself. He scowls at me. I just grin back.

“You know what you should do? You should let them see it.”

“Who?”

“The adults at the school.”

“Why? I’ve explained multiple times that I think it’s unsafe. They believe just because it’s a small lake, it’s safe. Dumbasses.”

“You’re frightening, you know that right?”

“You don’t look frightened.”

“I’m special.”

“That you are.” His tone is so intense that my cheeks are once again burning and I look down to our interlaced hands.

“People are afraid of you and just think you’re lying to them to get them out of your way. I think that’s what’s happening.”

“Okay, I can do that. But I’m not saving anyone.”

“Just me?”

“Just you.”

I want to kiss him again, but I can’t get the nerve to look him in the eyes again. Him saying I was special it’s still echoing all over me.

He leans in, grabs my chin and tilts my head so I can’t escape.

Drowning in his dark eyes, I forget how to breathe before his lips are on mine again, demanding, not letting me escape, and it’s enough to bring me back to the surface.

When his tongue nudges my mouth to open, I welcome him, eager to feel more of him.

He’s rough but caring, just like how he talks to me.

He doesn’t touch me anywhere else, and it’s infuriating because I need him to touch me everywhere.

I grab one of his hands and put it on my breast.

“Sunshine, are you sure?”

“I’m sure, I need more,” I say desperately as I catch my breath.

“Fuck, sunshine, you can’t say it like that. I’m going to lose my mind.”

I scooch closer to let him know I’m not kidding.

He drops his mouth to my breast after freeing it from my swimsuit, licking my nipple, still sore from the cold water.

“This swimsuit looks absolutely perfect on you but I need it off. Can I eat your pussy?”

I nod, feeling excited about him finally losing his restraints.

When I’m completely naked, a hint of embarrassment hits me. “Will anyone see me?”

“Just me. There’s no one else nearby. It’s just us, sunshine. You’re so beautiful. I don’t even know where to start with you.”

I chuckle. “Start where you promised.”

He gives me one sly smile and drops to his knees in front of me, running his tongue from my breast to my belly and stopping right before it reaches the place that’s aching the most.

“You’re a tease!”

He bites my thigh lightly in response. When his lips and tongue find my clit, I’m already too close. It doesn’t make sense. It never felt this good with anyone else. As he finds the right amount of pressure, I cry out his name, my hips bucking against his face.

I grab his hair, not knowing what to do with the pleasure that’s building up inside me.

I lean in slightly just so I can touch his shoulders, tracing his tattoo so I can last longer, but it doesn’t work.

It makes me shatter completely as his tongue brushes against me.

Marcus doesn’t stop until I’m a trembling mess and begging for a rest, wondering if the stars I see coming up in the sky are real or just my imagination.

Marcus’ kisses travel to my thighs, belly, breastbone until he’s right next to me. “You’re amazing, Bethany.” He grabs a strand of my still wet hair, playing around with it. He’s so gentle, nothing like the man he shows to the world.

We listen to the rustling of the trees as night starts to set completely.

He holds my hand and somehow it feels like being here right now is exactly where I need to be.

Moving here during the summer, raising my hand to get access to the lake, every single action led me here.

And I don't know how it'll go from here, but right now all I want is to appreciate this sunset.