I know there is no longer a working generator, which means no electricity, but I open a cabinet and pull out candles and kerosene lanterns so that we will have light once it gets dark again. The real problem is going to be the lack of running water.
“Well, at least there’s a river not far from here,” I say after turning the tap on and off several times to demonstrate to Rowan there is no working plumbing. “We’ve got some bottled water and we can boil more.”
It doesn’t take long to ascertain that the bedrooms have fared worse than the front of the house. When I see an actual bird’s nest hanging on the edge of a window seal, I chuckle. “We aren’t in the Hamptons anymore.”
The second bedroom is missing part of the ceiling and has some sort of funky odor which tells of it being some animal’s den at some point, though thankfully, there is no fresh evidence of a recent occupant.
“We’ll share the bedroom with a ceiling,” I say when I shut that door as quickly as possible. “I knew the house wouldn’t be perfect, but I never imagined it to have deteriorated so quickly. It makes me realize just how long my father has been dead.”
“At least we’ll be safe. And that’s all that matters right now,” she says, still trying to keep her bravado up that she can rough it just fine.
I lift my hand and take her chin between my fingers, keeping her gaze on me. I watch as her eyes widen, pleased that she doesn’t immediately attempt to pull away. Bending forward, I press my lips to the tip of her nose, startling her once again, but she still doesn’t physically react. “You’re making this easier on me than expected. I notice and I appreciate the effort. Your positive attitude is going to help us stay alive.” I give her another moment before releasing her. As hard as it is to not kiss far more than the tip of her nose, I need to focus on the now and keeping this woman safe.
“Did you expect me to be a spoiled princess?” she asks, her voice a bare whisper.
“I shouldn’t have assumed,” I answer casually. “Now, let’s figure out what we need to do to make our stay as comfortable as possible? Then we’ll go down to the river and get some water and collect some firewood before it gets dark again. If we get tired later, we can take a nap since we drove all night. How does that sound?”
She hesitates but then grins. “As long as we get rid of the spiders.”
***
I sit on a log, admiring the view. Though I occasionally force my eyes to scan the surrounding woods for any signs of impending danger, my gaze always returns to the sight in front of me.
Before we came outside, I’d spent an hour watching Rowan as she bustled about, checking each chair carefully, both its surface and beneath it before touching the furniture. Another two spiders have met their deaths… one beneath my boot, and a wallop with my palm sent the other to spider heaven before she was satisfied that the area was bug free.
I watch her fill a large pot and then kneel to splash some water on her face, her palm running beneath her ponytail to apply some to her neck. It’s humid and hot, which is unusual for this time of year and location. We both worked up a sweat collecting enough firewood to last us for a week. She’s soaked a cloth and returns to me. Thanking her, I take it and press the cool fabric against my sweaty skin.
When I see how hot she looks, I say, “Why don’t you go ahead and take a dip? I’ll be happy to watch.” I pause, loving the blush that sweeps up her face and then add, “I don’t know what you’re thinking, but I meant I’d wait for you before we head back to the house.” When her eyes flick to the water and then back to me, I say, “I promise, I’ll keep my eyes away.”
“Look all you want,” she playfully teases as she sits down on the log next to me to remove her shoes and socks. “You could join me.”
I tap my right hip which holds a holstered gun. “I’ll stand guard.”
She shrugs. “Suit yourself.”
Returning to the stream’s edge, she gives a glance over her shoulder and then turns away. My breath catches as she slowly peels down her jeans, kicking them aside before she removes her t-shirt. The white cotton panties she wears cling to the perfect globes of her ass. The thin band across her back and the straps over her shoulders attest to the fact that she wears a bra that barely conceals her luscious tits. She’s stunning. She looks like a bronze statue of some exotic goddess. After another glance back, in which I don’t even attempt to deny the fact that my eyes are glued on her, she removes the band holding her ponytail, running her fingers through the strands as they fall to conceal her back before she walks out into the water. Once it reaches her waist, she sinks down until only her head is visible. My cock jerks at her soft moan of pleasure, wishing I’m the one who has dragged that sound from her.