***
We sat close next to the fire with sticks in hand and blobs of marshmallow at the tips. The day had passed; we swam for hours, lost in the time and each other. After tracking down a school of bluegill at the opposite side of the lake, we returned to see if the rope tied to the tree could still hold our weight.
The rope held on, but the tree branch snapped when Ben swung out, sending him barreling straight into the water. I'd raced to check on him, but he straightened himself out and grabbed hold of me, assuring me he was fine.
Thank goodness.
My muscles in my arms twitched. Tired. It had been years since I'd spent so much time in a pool. My face felt dry around my eyes and my back burned. Guess I should have remembered the sunscreen.
But nothing really mattered. I'd spent the day with Ben, holding him, playing, and goofing off. Nothing could match that.
We relaxed together with the crackle of the fire and the chirps of crickets around us. The sun had disappeared behind the trees, behind the clouds, leaving only violet rays streaking over the navy blue sky.
“Need another?” Ben asked, the bag crinkled in his hand.
I chomped on a mouth full of marshmallow. “Yeah.” I held out the stick and he slid another white blob onto the end.
“They're almost gone.” He fiddled inside the bag, mashed a mallow on his stick, and held it in front of the fire. “Thanks for coming out today.”
Nodding my head, I tried to smile despite the mouthful of goop. I held out my stick next to his, a little too close to the flame and the marshmallow caught on fire. “Crap.” I pulled it back, blowing the fire out.
A smile spread on Ben's lips. “Don't you hate it when that happens?”
“I kind of like burned marshmallow,” I said, pulling the blackened mallow from the stick and shoving it in my mouth. Yeah, I could so be myself in front of Ben.
Another coy smile, the dimples in Ben's cheeks appeared like little shadows in the flickering firelight. He turned to snatch up the bag, dug for another marshmallow, but his smile faded as he waved the empty bag in the air. “All gone.”
“They were good though.”
Ben's eyes lit up as he shoved the last cooked mallow in his mouth. “Come here,” he said after choking it down and reached out for me.
Dropping the stick to the ground, I scooted closer to him and leaned against his chest. He wrapped his arms around my waist, setting his head into my shoulder. If I'd known that we'd be here, together, six months ago, I may have found enough courage to ask him out someday. I'd been waiting for this. But that bet was what truly helped. I suppose it couldn't have been any better.
Thanks Jamie.
“Do you need to be home anytime soon?” Ben's warm breath exhaled close to my ear.
“Not really. It's Jamie who wanted to visit her granddad,” I sighed. Though, I didn't know I'd be out this long.
“I thought you said your parents lived in Sommersville.”
“They did,” I said. “Th-they were in a car accident when I was fifteen. They didn't make it.”
“Oh,” Ben breathed, tightening his grasp. “Sorry.”
I lowered my hands, lacing my fingers around his. “No. It's cool. Jamie's grandparents are my foster parents. They knew my folks, so after the accident the state figured it would be better for me there.”
“Good.”
Turning my eyes to the lake, the rippling water caught the sparkle of stars from the sky. It was getting darker by the moment; the water turned a dark blue and trees began to appear like large shadows on the opposite side of the lake.
A pair of moist lips brushed the side of my neck. The heat rose through my cheeks. I turned my head a little more and Ben nipped at my skin, again. “I want to learn everything about you,” he whispered. “Like, I bet you had a lot of dates in high school, huh?”
“Hardly,” I answered and his soft lips pulled away. “I was too busy. My mom had me in tap dancing until I was a sophomore and my dad ordered me to go into Boy Scouts.”
“Heh. So your folks had a lot going on for you.”
“Maybe they figured that if they kept me busy, then I wouldn't notice they were gone on business all day? Or something.”
“So, when did you—?”
I chuckled. “Jamie's grandparents took in foster kids. When I was sixteen, I had a crush on one of the guys at the house.”
“Really?”
I nodded. “I don't think he knew though. And he was sent to a permanent home a year later. What about you?” I turned towards him.
“I've had a couple. Nothing lasted very long,” he murmured. His eyes flicked towards the fire, jaw clenched, and he went silent for a moment. “You're the first I've actually gotten to know.”
Something told me that I wasn't the only one who had a lousy time dating. And though I wanted to know more, by the sincere look in his eyes, I figured I should just enjoy the night and ask another time.
I unlaced my fingers from his and shifted until I was face to face with Ben. His inquisitive eyes narrowed, all the concern drifting away. I reached out, running my fingertips across his cheek, leaned in and stole his lips.
We kissed long and hard, seeking each others tongues, our breath heavy. His hands had found my sides, pulled me in, and our bodies were pressed close. I loved the way he made all the little moves. Though I wanted his kiss, I also needed his touch. I wanted more. Things I'd never experienced, maybe I could with Ben.
I could find out if he'd let me.
I grasped onto the back of his shirt, feeling his muscles tense. As our kiss deepened, I lowered my hands to his soft skin. Oh, so soft. And I continued to explore, tickling his back underneath his shirt. His arms twitched. A soft moan came from his lips.
Wandering hands settled on my hips. Fingers laced into the waistband of my shorts. Another wanton breath and he clenched onto my skin. Soon, his moist lips traveled across my cheek and down my chin.
Another gentle kiss on my neck and he swallowed hard before abruptly pulling away. “I-I'd kind of like to take it slow,” he whispered.
Feeling colder than I had all day, I answered, “Yeah. Sure. Okay.”
Ben smiled and lowered his head. “There's nothing wrong. I just like spending time with you, Chase.”
“No. That's okay.” I forced a smile. “We can... still hold each other?”
“Of course.” He pulled me close against him, again.