In
the Desert Night
Ciara took a long walk in down the beach, it had been years since she could
come
here. This was her favorite spot in the whole world. Watching the sunset
on the
mountains surrounding the lake. She was in the middle of the desert, but
she couldn't tell.
The water was blue and the sands were white. The skies were filled with
unbelievable
colors. There were trees surrounding the water making everything look green
and alive,
instead of brown and dry. Living in Tucson, was wonderful most of the time,
but this
place was special. She felt like everything was crisp and new. She only
had 2 weeks
here, then it was back to the real world, she planned on making the best
of it. She rented
a Winnebago, and all the camping supplies. She was going to create her
own place, with
no one else around. She started to pitch her tent, setting up camp. She
didn't have much
experience at it, but she wanted to learn. She was in the middle of trying
to figure out
which pole went in which hole, and how the darn thing was suppose to stand
up, when a
tall, dark and handsome man came walking up. He stopped and looked at her.
"Hi, need some help?" He said, she jumped, she hadn't seen him coming up
behind
her. She turned around and looked at him, he was gorgeous! Wearing a tank
top and a
pair of shorts. Dark hair, almost black, tied back into a small ponytail,
dark skin, Indian
maybe, but he had the bluest eyes she had ever seen, they were like clear
blue marbles.
His body was chiseled, broad shoulders and slim waist, strong muscular
legs, like a
runner's. She stood there for a second, just looking at him.
"Oh, Hi, um, .. no thanks, I think I can get it. I'm Ciara, nice to meet
you?"
she said holding out one of her hands to shake his.
" Jeff. Nice to meet you too. Are you sure you don't want some help? That's
a
pretty big tent." He asked , taking her hand, looking at her. He was surprised
at her
beauty. The long dark blonde hair, and the deep brown eyes,
her body was
in perfect condition. She had her hair pulled up into a ponytail,
he wondered
what it was like down, flowing across her back.
"Really you think so? It only has 2 rooms, so the box said anyway." She
looked
at him.
" It looks very nice, big, but nice. How many are going to sleep in it?"
He wanted to know if she was married, or with someone.
"Just me, ...for now. Um, I have people coming to join me tomorrow. I thought
it would be nice if I had it all fixed when they got here." She wasn't
expecting
anyone, but she didn't know him from Adam.
"Oh, family?" He said, still trying to get answers.
"No, just people I work with, kind of a unit vacation." She said smiling,
not
looking at him, she wasn't very good at lying.
"Oh, that's nice. Must be fun to get a group together like that . I'm here
alone.
I have a camp on the other side of those trees over there." He pointed
to the batch
of trees on the adjacent side of the lake.
"Really, that close?" She wasn't sure if she should be happy, because he
was
so great, or disappointed because there went her private vacation.
"Look, how about I help you with the tent, and in return you could..cook
dinner, open campfires are great. " He suggested. He wanted to get to know
her
better.
" Well, that sounds fair. But I have to warn you , I'm not much of a cook.
Oh,
shoot ..I knew I forgot something. Firewood." She said looking around the
ground, at her supplies.
"Don't worry I have plenty, and we can always hunt some down, there are
trees
here you know. " He looked at her, lifting the tent. They talked a little
bit about who they
were and what they did for a living, but not too much, mostly they just
worked on the
site. She liked him, he was open and honest. He made her feel safe. He
enjoyed having
someone enjoying the same things he did. When she smiled the world would
just light
up.
When the sun went down, the night was chilly. But Jeff built a fire and
it
helped. They cooked, steaks ,potatoes and steamed vegetables on the
open fire.
Jeff found some twigs and widdled the ends and brought out a bag of marshmallows.
"Time to get down to some serious toasting." He said, handing her a twig
and
a marshmallow.
"Oh, this is so great, I haven't done this in years." She said with
a giggle.
Took the twig and proceeded to toast.
"So when are your friends getting here tomorrow?" Jeff asked. He
was really
enjoying having her to himself.
"Oh, yea, my friends. Um, Listen , don't take this the wrong way, but I
lied. I'm
not expecting anybody. This was meant to be a solo vacation, time away.
I'm
sorry I didn't mean to lie..it's just.." She said
"You didn't know me. It's okay..I understand, really. So You wanted a solo
vacation, And here I am, taking it over. " He said.
"No, Jeff, it's okay. I enjoy having you here. I've had such a great time
today.
You made everything so easy." She looked at him sitting across the
fire.
"Thank you, but I really should be going back to ...my place."
He got up and
walked to her , took her hand in his and said,
"Thank you for dinner Ms. Ciara, it has been a pleasure." He bent forward
and
kissed her cheek.
"You're welcome, It was my pleasure. Will I see you tomorrow?" She said.
Looking at him, she was sad he was leaving so early.
"Well, I'm not far. I guess we'll probably see each other, Goodnight Ciara,"
He turned and walked into the night. There was no moon, he faded from her
sight
quickly.
She took out her sleeping bag and lay on the ground by the fire for a while
looking at
the stars, they looked so close, she thought she might reach out and touch
them. She
thought of Jeff, in his tent. She played over the day in her head. Watching
him, setting up
the tent and bringing the wood. Just watching him made her, smile. She
hadn't been with
a man, since she found out her boyfriend of 3 years was cheating
on her with her best
friend, and that was over a year ago. Jeff was beautiful, inside and out.
How often does
that happen.
When the fire went out, she went to the tent and fell asleep quickly, before
she
knew it the sun was up in the sky, and the stars had faded away. She got
up and made
coffee. She was glad she had the RV. She had no clue how she would make
coffee
without a coffee pot. She loved the country, but she was a city girl. She
sat out on a lawn
chair and watched the dew lift from the lake. What a peaceful place she
thought. Not a
sound for miles. The sun coming up over the ridge and the fog lifting off
the lake. She
was in heaven, and she knew it.
"MMMM, coffee." She heard in the distance, she turned and saw Jeff coming
toward her.
"Good morning. Would you like a cup?" She said getting up.
"Oh, yes, please. You forgot something simple. I forgot coffee." He said
with a
smile. She went in and poured him a cup and brought out milk and sugar
in case
he needed it.
"Oh, thank you, You ARE an angel. Black is fine thanks. Leave it to me
to
forget one of the most basic survival essentials." He said taking the cup
from her
hands.
"So what are you doing today?" She asked
"I thought I would go snorkeling. How about you?" He said looking at her.
"Ooh, that sounds fun. I don't plan, things just ...happen."
"Well, aren't you lucky...Something just happened. I am snorkeling
and you
are coming with me, it'll be fun, besides you should never swim alone."
He said,
sitting on the ground by the fire pit.
"Really?.... Well, I'd say no....but...it really does sound like fun. I'd
love to join
you, if you're serious." She said , sitting on the lawn chair.
"I am. I have all the stuff at my site, I'll go get it, be back in a bit.
Half hour?"
"Half hour is fine." She said getting up. He got up and lifted the cup
and took it with
him. She watched him walk into the woods. She couldn't see his camp. He
hadn't even lit
a fire the night before, so she was wondering where exactly it was.
She showered and changed into her suit. She looked in the mirror and decided
it would be dumb to put on makeup and fix her hair, they were going swimming.
So she
decided to brave it, and hope for the best.
He came back, almost on the dot, of the half hour. He had on his
suit, he almost
took her breath away, wash board stomach, his arms, his chest. Adonis,
was the only
word that entered her mind. He carried with him a bag of equipment. He
smiled at her
and put the bag down by the lake's edge. Walked up to her, in slow motion
it seemed ,
to both . He was looking at her, standing there in her suit, it was a 2
piece suit, nothing
too risqué' but she seemed to make it so. Her hair was finally down,
and a little damp .
But she looked as beautiful as he had imagined. She had a folded towel
in front of her,
holding it to her stomach in her hands that blocked some of the view.
But he could see
she was beautiful, she smiled and made his heart skip a beat. She was every
dream he
had ever had.
"Ready?" He said, calmly.
"Sure, You're going to teach me how right? I've never done this before."
She
said meeting him half way from the RV to the lake's edge.
"Oh, sure, it's easy. You'll love it. Come on." He said heading to
the beach,
she followed quickly behind him.
They spend a good part of the morning in the water. Looking at the lakes
life
and just enjoying each other playing in the water. When they finally
came out, they were
tired from swimming, they both made it to shore and collapsed on the sand,
lying next to
each other, laughing.
"That was so much fun." Ciara said rolling over on to her side looking
at him
lying beside her. She rested her head on her hand.
"See, I told you. It's so nice here. I wonder why more people don't come
here."
Jeff said, lying on his back, trying not to look at her, he wanted her
so badly, but
he didn't want to scared her away.
"I'm glad more people don't come here. Now we get it all to ourselves,
at least
for a little while anyway. Are you hungry?" She asked him, not moving.
"Starved. Are you cooking?" He said finally, turning on his side facing
her,
looking at her and putting his head in his hand so they were only a few
inches
apart.
"Well, if you call Ham sandwiches cooking..sure." She didn't move, she
liked
being this close to him. She wanted him closer.
"Sounds good. When?' He said staying put.
"In just a minute, there's something I want to do first." She said with
a glint in
her eye.
"Oh, what might that be?" He said
She leaned over, closer to his face, behind her back, she grabbed
a handful of
moist sand, and brought it around to plant on his chest, He's looking at
her eyes and
doesn't see her hand. Slowly, she smears the sand across his chest. Laughing,
"This."
It took him by surprise, he laughed, and grabbed some in return they rolled
around
on the sand getting filled with sand and mud. But they were laughing and
having fun,
suddenly, Jeff, was on top of Ciara, he looked at her, all covered in sand,
her hair was
wet and dirty, laying across her face in pieces. He stopped and moved the
hair from her
face. Looking at her, reached his head down and kissed her, a slow passionate
kiss. He
had wanted to kiss her since she first spoke. She returned his kiss, with
a matching
passion that surprised him. He rolled off of her without stopping the kiss
and took her in
his arms, she sank into him, they fit together, like two spoons. He caressed
her back
and shoulders, and she did the same to him. It was a fire, they couldn't
put out. Finally,
Jeff stopped and looked at her.
"Ciara...." He said, he couldn't find words. He was mixed with emotion,
he
wanted her so badly, but he didn't want it to just be momentary.
"What?" She said , she didn't understand the pause, didn't he want her
as badly
as she wanted him?
"I think..we should..stop...for now. Just for now?" He said. He wanted
to take
his time. He wanted to enjoy it.
"Why? Don't you want me? " She asked, looking at him.
"Oh, yes, very much. But..Let's enjoy it. Take our time, I really want
you, but
We should take some time."
"Um, okay. I'm sorry." She got up and walked into the water and washed
the
dirt off, she jumped in and came up with clean hair, she walked out of
the water
and past Jeff to the towel laying on the beach. Picked it up and started
to dry
herself off, she didn't look at him., but he watched every move she made.
He loved
watching her walk and move . It was like a swan on water. Graceful. He
got up and did
the same, washed off and came out of the water, walked up behind
her and wrapped
his arms around her. She took his arms and held them close to her.
"I don't want you to get the wrong impression." She said standing there
with her
back to him. "I don't just sleep around. I haven't been with a man..in
over a year, and
only with him for 3 years before that. This isn't something I do everyday."
Ciara wanted
him to understand, she wasn't 'easy' .
" Well, I don't do this everyday myself. That's why I wanted to stop. I
think...you're special Ciara. I want to take the time to enjoy you, I want
you to
take the time." He said wondering if he was making a fool of himself.
" Okay. Time it is. How about lunch?" She said, quickly going into the
Rv .
She made the sandwiches and came out with them. They sat down and ate without
saying much of anything. They went swimming again, and played and
laughed.
When they were done, they sat by the waters edge, watching the sun go down
on
the mountains. They watched the changing sky. The colors were beyond compare.
The blues and pinks and burgundies. It was a paint canvas full of colors
being
painted for just them two.
He looked at her in the light of the colors and she looked back at him.
They didn't
say anything. He moved closer to her and put her head on his shoulder.
She touched his
chest and rested her hand on his stomach. He kissed her head, and she looked
up at him
and they kissed, briefly. Then they kissed again more intensely. He turned
toward her
and she toward him, he took her face in his hands and she climbed
onto his lap. She sat
on top of him while he held her face and kissed her gently and passionately.
She put her
arms around his shoulders and across his back, feeling his skin against
her fingertips. He
kissed her chin and then her neck , his hands went to her body, feeling
the curves and the
softness of her skin. She moved and melted to his touch, as he did to hers.
She
stopped briefly and looked at him wondering if he would stop her this time.
But he didn't
say a word. He just, looked into her eyes, and unhooked the top of her
suit and threw it
to the side. He took her breasts into his hands and lay his head against
them, she kissed
his head and then raised his face to kiss him again.
The passion over took them, there under the night sky of the desert, they
made love.
A passionate consuming love neither had ever known before. They enjoyed
every inch of each other. It was magic.
When the night got too cold, Jeff lit a fire , Ciara brought out
a bottle of wine and
they drank , and talked and laughed. They held each other, wrapped in a
blanket.
Toasting to the great outdoors, and to the Too big tent. When they finished
the bottle
they made love again, by the light of the fire. Ciara, loved watching his
face and feeling
his body. She thought she could memorize it if she had the chance.
He wanted to see the
pleasure in her eyes, and to feel her give herself to him completely.
They each had their
opportunities.
The days came and went, all to quickly. They had done everything together.
Fishing, Canoeing, hiking, snorkeling. In between, they would make love
and truly enjoy
each other. She discovered all about his hopes and dreams and fears and
he listened to
hers. By the time the two weeks were over. It was like they had known each
other
forever.
Ciara was breaking camp, when Jeff woke up. She wanted to get an early
start.
Tucson was 4 hours away. She was keeping herself busy, trying to avoid
the thought of
leaving Jeff. They had never talked about what would happen when the vacation
was
over. She was afraid, of never seeing him again. Jeff came out of the RV.
Looking at
her," What are you doing?" He asked.
"I'm breaking camp. I have to go home today. You know that."
"Yea, I know , but this early? I thought we would go back together."
"Together, Jeff, I live 4 hours away, and WE don't have a BACK. I have
mine
and you have yours." She said without even looking at him.
"Ciara. Come here ..stop that, for a minute and let's talk ..okay?"
She stopped and came and sat down beside him, holding the disabled tent
in
her hand, she kissed him good morning.
"Ciara. We can go back together. This isn't the end, honey, it's just the
beginning. Why are you so upset.?" He took her hand,
"I just didn't know how to say good-bye that's all. I've heard the "I'll
call, I'll
write...blah..blah..blahs."
"Well, I don't plan on calling or writing. I plan on seeing..everyday,
if possible.
I mean, I live in the same town you know." He looked at her. She looked
up at
him, she didn't know - he had never said where he was from.
"You live in Tucson?" She asked
"Yea, I told you I love Tucson."
"Yea, I know, but you didn't say you lived there. Jeff, I was so worried
that this
was it. This was all we would get." She said hugging him.
"Well, like I said, honey, this is the beginning..not the end. He kissed
her gently, she
put down the tent, she was taking apart and held on to him with both hands,
they sank to
the ground, kissing each other and holding each other. They made love one
last time on
their own private piece of heaven. As the sun rose, the desert heat was
nothing
compared to the heat of passion that consumed them.