Fire Down Below Read online

  “You did very well, Kate. Are you okay?”

  I nodded. “I think I’ll live.”

  “Come and see where we are.”

  I took the hand he offered and stood up. Standing on a flat grassy area, I had to admit he was right about the view—it was spectacular and encompassed the whole valley.

  “It’s incredible.”

  Ben grinned. “It is, isn’t it?”

  “And so peaceful.” I gazed around in every direction. The hills were covered with a myriad of trees ranging in colors from deep gold to brilliant green, not a single house or road in sight. The only sounds were the occasional bird cry and the buzz of crickets.

  “I used to come out here a lot. It’s a great place to sit and think.”

  I nodded. “That’s easy to imagine. It’s really beautiful.”

  Ben moved and stood behind me, wrapping his arms around my waist and burying his face in my hair. “You smell good.”

  “I smell awful—I’m totally sweaty.”

  “No, it’s lady sweat. I like it.”

  “Lady sweat?” I started to laugh.

  “Are you hungry?”

  As soon as he asked me, I realized I was ravenous. “God yes, what do we have to eat though?” All I could picture were those horrible energy bars and I didn’t think I could manage another one of those no matter how hungry I felt.

  “I packed us a picnic lunch. Come over here and I’ll show you.”

  Ben sat down beside his backpack and began pulling things out. I was amazed when I saw how much stuff he had packed. I felt guilty because while he’d been carrying everything, I’d been treating my backpack like some sort of purse. All I had in mine was a bottle of water, sun block, and a tube of cherry flavored lip gloss.

  “You should have given me some of that stuff to carry.”

  Ben shook his head. “Don’t worry, I’m used to it, and I didn’t want you to be dragged down with a heavy pack.”

  He unfolded a blanket and handed it to me so I could spread it on the ground, while he began pulling out all sorts of yummy things to eat. His pack had a pocket inside that kept food cold and so we had ham and cheese sandwiches, a block of brie, crackers, grapes, and two pieces of chocolate cake. He even brought a bottle of apple cider with wine glasses for us to drink out of.

  As I sat there watching him, I felt moved by his thoughtfulness and glad that I’d agreed to come on this hike, since it obviously meant so much to him.

  “Thank you,” I said. “This is all so sweet of you.”

  “So you’re having fun?”

  “I am.” I looked around at the view and then all the delicious food. “This is really romantic.”

  “Well, you know....” He was silent, gazing out at the view in concentration. I couldn’t quite place the expression on his face.

  “What is it?”

  Ben shook his head. “Nothing. It’s your first hike, so I wanted it be special.”

  “Yeah, but it’s not really my first hike. That last hike was my first time.”

  He smiled at the double meaning. “I know, but I wanted to make up for that. Besides they say the first time always hurts right?”

  “It sure does.”

  “But not the second time?”

  “No, the second time feels good.”

  Ben handed me a glass of cider and then put his glass up for a toast. “Here’s to your second hike then, Kate.”

  ***

  After devouring the food, Ben and I took our shoes off. We pushed everything aside and lay down together on the blanket. We’d kept the grapes nearby and started playing around with them, feeding them to each other by putting a grape between our teeth and then offering it. As you can imagine this led to other things and pretty soon we were making out. I figured that’s all we were going to do, but then I felt Ben try to open the top button on my shorts and I immediately put my hand over his.

  “What are you doing?” I asked.

  “Taking your shorts off.” He pushed my hand out of the way, but I put it right back where it was.

  “You can’t take them off in public.”

  Ben laughed. “In public? Do you see anybody else out here? We’re the only people for miles. I’ve been up here dozens of times and never seen a soul. Besides my family owns most of this land.”

  “They do?”

  “Yeah, they own about fifty acres.”

  “So, no one will see us?”

  “Trust me. I will be the only one to see you naked. I hope that’s all right.”

  I smiled. “That’s definitely all right.”

  I pushed him onto his back and sat on him, while I pulled my shirt off over my head, figuring I’d give him a little show. Ben’s hands immediately went up to cup my breasts, but I told him—not yet—and so he tucked them behind his head and lay there watching me. I unfastened my bra and then leaned forward a little so the straps slid slowly down my arms, revealing something, but not everything. Then I took my bra off completely and stretched my arms overhead, while I arched my back. I felt Ben’s warm hands on me as he ran them over my breasts and down my stomach.

  When I looked at him he was grinning, but with an aroused expression.

  “Now, this is more like it. Do that back arching thing again.”

  I laughed and did it again with my arms behind my head, his hands still caressing me.

  “Oh man...,” he breathed. “I really like that, you look amazing.”

  I was sitting on his lap and could feel the erection that had grown beneath his shorts, so I began sliding back and forth a little.

  “I know what you want young lady.”

  “Do you now?”

  “Yes, I do.”

  “So, can I have it?”

  “Oh, yeah.”

  I reached down and unfastened his cargo style shorts as he lifted his hips, making it easier for me to pull them off. He sat up and yanked his shirt overhead, while I stood and took my own shorts and panties off. He still had his boxers on and as he pulled them down, I watched his erection pop out, fairly obscene, it’s deep hue a stark contrast against the paleness of the skin around it. Ben was tan everywhere except his mid-section, where his skin faded to an almost ludicrous white.

  “I want to get on top,” I told him and he obligingly lay back down again.

  Climbing over him, I took his cock in my hand, slowly guiding it inside of me, but not all the way, and then I pulled it back out and slid it over my clit before pushing it back inside again. I was slippery wet, so it was easy to do and I kept doing it because it felt really nice.

  Ben’s hands were resting on my hips. I could tell he was holding himself back, trying not to push upwards so I could have my little fun. I kept at it for a while and soon we were both panting, which was funny, since we were barely exerting ourselves. As I started getting really aroused I decided I wanted more.

  “Push it all the way in,” I told him breathless.

  Ben grinned and then tightening his hands on my hips, pulled down hard, so he was deep inside me. I gasped at the feel of him. We’d had sex so many times, but I swear every time I felt surprised all over again by how good he felt.

  We started to move with each other, Ben’s hands on me, except I was controlling the pace, and after a while I felt that familiar erotic sensation building and I began to come in waves, yelling like a wild woman, wondering how far my voice would carry in the great outdoors.

  I thought Ben would finish himself beneath me, but instead he pulled me down onto him and then rolled us over so I was on my back and he was on top of me. He pushed one of my legs up so my knee was practically touching my shoulder, and began to really go for it, working for the intensity he needed to climax.

  “Oh God, Kate...,” he panted as he moved faster and harder. “You feel so perfect.” Finally he let out a thunderous groan and then collapsed, burying his face in my neck.

  We lay still for a while and I felt him grow soft inside of me as I lazily stroked his back with the tips
of my fingers. We were both hot and sweaty with the sun shining on us, but luckily there was a breeze too.

  As I gazed up at the blue sky and breathed in the quiet grass-scented air, I began to think that maybe this hiking thing wasn’t so bad after all. But then something horrible occurred to me and I let out a loud cry.

  Ben looked at me startled. “What’s wrong?”

  “I just thought of something terrible.”

  “What is it?”

  “We have to hike...back, don’t we?”

  Ben stared at me like I was completely nuts for a second and then started to laugh, his whole body shaking against me as he laughed harder and harder. I started laughing too as I realized how silly my question sounded.

  “Yes, Kate,” he said finally, catching his breath. “We have to hike the whole way back.”

  ***

  I wish I could say the hike back was easy, but if anything it was even more arduous. It was sundown by the time we arrived back at the house and I nearly kissed the floor when we got inside, throwing my backpack down, and flinging myself on the couch.

  “I’m never leaving this spot again. Ever!”

  Ben chuckled. He came over and sat beside me, kicking his shoes off. “Here, give me your leg.”

  I flung my right leg over his knee and he pulled it up to his lap, untied the laces on my shoe, and took it off. I gave him my other leg and he took that shoe off too, while I lay there like a lump.

  “How do you feel?” he asked, resting his hands on my ankles. “I’ll bet you’re sore.”

  I nodded, too tired to speak.

  “Where are you sore?”

  “Everywhere.”

  He grinned. “I know something that will help.”

  He got up and left the room and a few moments later I heard water running in another part of the house. I decided to investigate and found him in the master bathroom, filling the large sunken tub. He grabbed a bottle of bubble bath and poured some of it under the faucet.

  “Go ahead and take your clothes off,” he said over his shoulder as he swished his hand around in the water, re-adjusting the temperature.

  I remained in the doorway, leaning against the frame, trying to muster the energy to move. When he saw me still standing, he came over.

  “Poor baby. Come on, I’ll help you. Lift your arms.”

  I did as he asked, lifting my arms so he could pull my shirt off. I stood there then while he gently undressed me. Afterwards he guided me over to the tub, which was nearly full, and I climbed inside.

  Sitting down in that hot soapy water was pure heaven. I’ve always loved baths, but at that moment—aching from head to toe, covered in dirt and sweat, exhausted beyond belief—taking a bath felt like a religious experience. I was so deep in bliss that I barely even noticed when Ben climbed in opposite me and turned off the tap.

  I felt him reach down for my left foot. He massaged it with his warm hands and it felt so good that I could barely speak, so I didn’t even try. I put my head back against the edge of the tub, closed my eyes and moaned.

  A lot.

  I could hear Ben chuckling as he continued massaging me, moving up to my calf, and then eventually my thigh. When he started on my right foot, I opened my eyes and watched him. I was still in bliss and still moaning.

  “I take it this feels pretty good?”

  “You have no idea. You’re a genius.”

  He just smiled and patiently moved up my leg, sliding his soapy hands all over my aching muscles.

  “Aren’t you tired too?” I asked, suddenly feeling guilty at the way he was pampering me.

  He shrugged. “Not really.”

  “Are you serious? God, you must be in incredible shape. I feel like I’ve just spent a week at boot camp.”

  “You have to remember I do this all the time, so I’m used to it. You’re going to be sore tomorrow, but the more you get out there, the easier it gets. You’ll see.”

  I didn’t say anything. I didn’t know how to tell him that I didn’t want to get out there again. It’s hard because I knew how much he wanted me to do all these outdoorsy things with him. I felt flattered that he wanted to spend so much time with me and I wanted to spend time with him too. I’ve never been in love like this before. Never. Ben was wonderful and even my parents liked him. He was always willing to lend a hand or help when needed. It was frustrating though because we didn’t have the same interests. I never felt right trying to force mine on him. You didn’t see me trying to get him to go clubbing, or to gallery showings, or watch art house movies, or even go shopping at all the funky vintage boutiques I liked. I really am a downtown girl. I love the city. I feel alive when I’m in the city and I didn’t want to give that up. Of course, I didn’t want to give up Ben either.

  When he finished massaging my leg, I scooted over to him and sat on his lap, winding my arms around his neck and resting my head on his shoulder. He held me in his arms so sweetly that I wished I could stay there forever. Sometimes Ben was so kind to me that it nearly broke my heart. He’d take my breath away and leave me wondering how I ever lived all these years without him.

  “Thanks for all this,” I said. “It’s nice of you to take care of me.”

  “I love taking care of you.”

  I didn’t say anything, but met his eyes. We stayed like that for a long while, gazing at each other. Ben opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it.

  “What?”

  “Nothing.” He shook his head.

  “You look like you want to say something.”

  “Just that I love you.”

  I smiled. “I love you too.”

  Chapter Seven

  The next morning we drove into town. The nearest small town was about seven miles away. It had a cute little diner where we’d eaten breakfast in a few times. It was only eight in the morning, but the place was already busy when we arrived, packed with various lumberjack types. Luckily a table by the front window was open, so we were seated immediately.

  After the waitress poured us coffee and left with our orders, Ben told me he was thinking about going back to school.

  “What about writing?”

  “I can’t make a living writing and I don’t think I’ll ever finish the novel I’m working on. I’m just not cut out for this.”

  “But you’ve sold two pieces. That’s something, isn’t it? Maybe it takes more time.” Ben had sold the article that I’d read on hiking in Oregon to a travel magazine, and then he’d written a short story that he’d sold to a literary journal. “I think you’re a good writer. You shouldn’t give it up.”

  “I’m not giving it up. I can always write. I’m just realizing it isn’t enough for me.”

  “What are you thinking about doing?”

  Ben took a drink from his coffee and put the cup back down. “Law school, I’ve already signed up to take the LSAT in a few weeks. That’s why I majored in political science to begin with. I had law in mind. I just needed a break after graduation, but I feel ready now.”

  “Where do you want to go to school?”

  “I haven’t decided yet for sure, but probably the University of Washington. I know what you’re thinking Kate, but this won’t affect us. We’ll still be together, though obviously I’ll be studying a lot.”

  I picked up the creamer and poured some more into my coffee, trying to mellow the bitter taste. It occurred to me that this would be the perfect time for me to tell Ben about my own plans for going back to school, but for some reason I didn’t say anything. Probably because I felt uneasy with how he was factoring me into his plans. The selfish truth was that I wanted to go to whatever school I chose and I was hoping he would work around it.

  “Have you told your parents?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, I told them last week.”

  “And what did they say?” As if I didn’t already know. I’m sure they were both in ecstasy, especially his mom. Neither of them were comfortable with Ben stepping outside the status quo for even one
second.

  “They were extremely supportive,” he chuckled. “I think they’re relieved I’m finally doing something else besides writing.”

  I nodded, but didn’t say anything. In general I tried to avoid negative comments about his parents, since obviously Ben loved them and I didn’t think it would be appropriate for me to say anything anyway. Our parents were so different. I could only imagine what he thought of my hippie, Birkenstock-wearing mom, and my laid back, pot-smoking dad. Yes, my dad still smokes pot on occasion, something I once made the mistake of telling Ben. He was so shocked. You’d think I’d told him he was shooting up heroin.

  “But that’s illegal,” he sputtered. “Your dad could go to jail!”

  “Only if you call the police.” I rolled my eyes. “Really, it’s not that big of a deal. He just smokes it sometimes to relax.”

  Ben nodded, but he still looked horrorstruck and I was careful never to mention it again. I’m sure in the same way that I could never imagine what it would be like to have Ben’s parents, he could never imagine having mine and, truthfully, I felt like I had the better deal. My parents were always supportive of me. And they were supportive of Ben too. They’d gotten to know him well this past year. Despite how different they were from his own family, he seemed comfortable around them. They both understood his wanting to try writing, even if it turned out to be a mistake. My mom has always said she’s learned more in life from her mistakes than anything else and that I shouldn’t be afraid of failure. It’s the things that you wished you had tried that will always haunt you.

  “What about going to graduate school for writing?” I asked, nodding politely at the waitress when she brought over some more coffee, watching as she filled my cup. “You could always get your Masters in Fine Arts.”

  “Yeah, I thought of that, but in the end I realized I want a career that pays well. Someday I may have a family to support.” He paused and met my eyes briefly before looking away. “Plus I think law could be interesting, though I haven’t decided what kind of law I want to practice yet.”