Notes
First, I apologize that it has taken me so long to get this chapter out. I found myself stuck with what I wanted to do with it, as well as wanting to find the best ways to add those descriptive sentences that really make a scene come to life for the characters, and in turn, for you, the reader. After some great conversations with some fellow Jungle Cruise friends, it finally made its way out of my head and onto the computer.
I have been so grateful to share this story with all of you. It continues to challenge me as I near its completion and I am excited that you are all on the ride with me. So, thank you for being a part of my journey into creative writing.
Summary
Sometimes it is better to give, than receive.
Frank and Lily make their way back to Porto Velho, but not before Frank learns a little more about Lily's past. Frank in turn begins to come to the realization that there is more to life than the river and the Amazon.
Soundtrack Suggestions
Encantado
Chapter 15: Give and Take
Even before daybreak, the jungle signals the coming of dawn. Frogs, birds and monkeys shout out into the misty morning air, their voices competing with one another as the sun peaks over the horizon. After a night full of rain, the sun is warm and inviting as it streams through the windows of the cabin, illuminating it softly in a muted glow. Outside, each sunbeam that hits a wet surface creates a puff of steam that rises up, drifting into the air above. Everything seems greener and more vibrant as the Amazon continues to come alive, ready for another day.
Lily and Frank awake just after sunrise and enjoy a few extra moments laying in each other's embrace before finally deciding it's time to get moving.
Frank is pleased to find some additional articles of clothing in his dresser and opts for a dark blue shirt and pair of cream trousers. His favorite suspenders are next, and he attaches them to his belt before making his way outside to start cooking breakfast.
Meanwhile, Lily examines her own clothing still laying by the now burned out fire. She is thankful that her skirt and top seemed to have gotten a thorough washing from the rain, and as she pulls the shift up and over her hips, she decides against putting on the wide leather belt. She doesn't feel like wearing anything tight and constricting today, and allows herself a few hours of freedom from any sort of confining accessories. She hopes there is time when the get back to town to purchase a few more pieces clothing from the street vendors to last her until they return home to London. She wasn't really looking forward to a ten day boat ride across the Atlantic, but now that she and MacGregor have Frank to entertain, it may decidedly be a much more enjoyable trip indeed. Upon her brother coming to mind, she begins to pick up the pace at gathering her belongings. She ties the top two strings of her shirt into a tight bow, adjusts her shoulder straps, and tucks the end of the material beneath her skirt, smoothing it down with her hands. She finds her skipper cap on the ground near one of the leather chairs, and happily tosses it into her bag for the boat ride home.
The unmistakeable smell of wood-smoked bacon, potatoes and eggs waft through the open door, and Lily feels her mouth watering as Frank bursts through the front door with two very full plates of food. His suspenders are hanging down by his knees and his shirt is only halfway tucked in at the front, but hanging out in the back. He looks like a little boy who didn't dress himself properly, and Lily finds the sight absolutely charming.
"Did you cook for the entire jungle?" She laughs as she pulls a chair out at the table. The pile of bacon and potatoes are nearly falling off of the plate and when he sets them down, one actually does escape and she has to cover the giggle at watching him try to catch it with his foot with no luck.
He flashes her a grin, unbothered by the lost potato. "Well, I figured whatever you don't eat, I will." He pulls his own chair over next to her, and sits down heavily, the chair groaning under his weight. "Enjoy!"
While they eat, they begin making a plan for their departure and what he wants to bring with him. He know that there isn't a whole lot to really pack, as most of his possessions were on La Quila, so he isn't worried about the time. Even thought they are traveling upstream, he's already calculated that it will take two and a half hours to return back to town, so if they left in the next hour they should arrive with plenty of time to spare before the train departs at noon.
After eating as much as she possibly could, Lily is resting her chin in her palm, watching in amusement as Frank reaches over to her plate and starts spearing potatoes she's left behind. He's just about to reach for a slice of bacon when his eyes catch something, and his arm stops in mid-air over her plate.
Lily's brow furrows at the strange look on his face and she follows his eyes as they drift below her chin and land at her chest. "What?" She asks, looking down at her shirt, suddenly self-conscious.
He points a finger at her chest. "Did I…do that to you?" He asks softly, concern written across his face.
Lily leans back and looks down to where he is pointing. The bruise that she'd noticed the night before over her right breast was now a darker, more prominent shade of purple and is just visible over the top of her blouse. Her hand goes to cover it, running her fingers along the slightly raised skin. She pauses when she sees him watching her, as if it looks like it is hurting him to look at it.
"Oh…um, yes, but it's ok." She shakes her head, trying to dispel any thought from him that he did something wrong, but by the way his brows knit together and the tense way his shoulders are sitting, she clearly needs to say more. "I suppose you were a bit…enthusiastic last night. But don't worry, it will fade." She smiles at him reassuringly, and although he seems to relax slightly, she can see he is still genuinely troubled. She raises her hand to the spot in question and runs a finger across it once more. The conversation seems almost unreal to her and she can feel a blush sweep across her skin as his eyes continue to look upon her. If she were to guess, he feels guilty for something that is usually the result of an injury. She almost feels compelled to to point out the litany of bruises she's received since the start of their expedition, but winces at the thought of bringing up her clumsy escape down the zip line on Porto Velho, or falling out of a giant mythical tree.
"Does it hurt?" He swallows the bite of food that he had been chewing slowly.
"No, not at all." She tells him immediately and then reaches across the table and grabs his forearm. She can feel the way his muscle flexes, then relaxes under her touch, and she squeezes her hand once to let him know she is fine. His concern is so unexpected and disarming, that she doesn't know how to take it. She attributes it to his inherent nature to protect, and the thought that he may have somehow hurt her, has triggered a reaction within him. She feels flattered by the genuine nature of his attentiveness.
"Frank, really. It's ok." She tries to reassure him and bring a smile to his face. Attempting a different tactic, she runs her thumb across his skin softly, trying to distract him. "Besides, I'm pretty sure I may have left a few marks of my own across your back." Her voice is beguiling and when she grins at him, she is relieved to see him relent his examination as he softens a bit and looks up into her eyes once more.
A small smile tugs at his lips. "Maybe…but that's hidden under my shirt. This…" he points at the bruise, "…is visible to prying eyes."
She brings her hands to her blouse and pulls at the material, adjusting the edge of the lace so it is successfully hiding away the mark. Next, she pulls her braid across for an added layer of obscurity. Her long fingers fly up like a magician completing a magic trick. "There…all hidden."
He seems somewhat satisfied with the result and leans back in his chair. By now Lily has learned when he has more to say, but doesn't say it. The reserved look on his face tells her this now, and she mimics his posture, and leans back in her own chair, letting the silence fall over them.
Frank chastises himself for being so careless. Admittedly, it has been a long stretch of time since he's had the company of a woman. Combine that fact with every touch, kiss, caress and achingly incredible release, last night felt as if it was his first time all over again. Everything about Lily was different than any woman he'd ever been with, and even now, as looks across the table at her, he fights the urge to take her back in his arms. This morning he feels young and vibrant, and he is having a very difficult time concentrating while he watches her fiddle with her braid. He knows the bruise will eventually fade away, and Lily is not one to care what other people think of her — but he can't help but feel guilty for leaving such a prominent reminder of their night together so vividly out in the open. He takes a moment, and then another unexpected thought that has been nagging at his brain springs forward.
He recalls their conversation on La Quila the night before finding the tree where she'd explained the fact that many suitors found her confidence and ambition…intimidating. It wasn't until MacGregor spilled the details on their journey back to Porto Velho that he learned about the engagement that was abruptly called off, by her no less, that he had really begun to wonder what Lily's experience had been with the other men in her life.
Frank leans forward onto the table, folding his hands in front of him. "I have a confession to make."
Lily eyes him suspiciously. "Oh how I do love it when you leave me in suspense."
His shoulders bounce as a laugh rumbles in his chest, and he looks down at his fingers. "I may have gotten MacGregor a little drunk one day on our ride back to town… annnnd he may have told me about you being engaged… once upon a time." He looks up from his hands to her face, eyebrows high and unsure of what reaction to expect. She looks bemused for a moment, then crosses her arms across her chest, attempting to look stern.
"Oh did he now? I'm going to have to have a talk with my brother about gossiping about my personal affairs." Lily wasn't surprised by his confession. She knew her brother has very loose lips once he's had a few cocktails. And judging by the way he avoided her when he woke up from his drunken stupor, she realizes now that he had very loose lips that day indeed.
Frank is relieved that she isn't upset and decides to press his luck by digging a little deeper.
"I am curious, if you don't mind me asking, why it didn't… work out? I mean, the man must have been an absolute fool to have let you go." His assumption about the end of the relationship drives the confidence in his voice, but he finds himself reluctant to ask a more detailed question until hearing her respond to this one.
Lily sighs briskly as one hand waves into the air nonchalantly. "I mean there's not much to tell…" She says somewhat confidently as she purses her lips and contemplates what it is she really wants to say. Frank watches as her face goes from indifferent to pensive and when he raises his eyebrows questioningly, she can tell he knows there is still more to the story than she is letting on. She pulls a loose strand of hair behind her ear and looks out the window behind him, giving in to his silent request for more information.
"Daniel was my first…everything." She says delicately. Her eyes switch back to his and she smiles bashfully, shrugging her shoulders. He lifts his eyebrows in realization of her admission.
"Everything?" He asks slowly, wanting to be sure he understands her properly.
Lily raises her eyebrows tellingly. "Everything." She feels her cheeks warm slightly.
Frank mouths a silent 'Oh', and he pulls in a deep breath, waiting for her to go on. She leans onto her forearms which are now resting on the bumpy wooden table.
"We were engaged for the last two years of University. We studied botany and medicine together and were very much on the same path for our research and earning a grant from a very prestigious scientific association." She brings a hand to her lips to chew on her thumbnail momentarily, recalling how hard they'd worked to apply for the recognition. "It was exciting to share a common interest with someone, and we worked very well together…" Lily drops her hand to the table to now fiddle with a splinter in the wood. "…At least until we started having different viewpoints as to how our research should be used." Her voice is starting to get that edge to it when she is heated about a topic, and Frank can see her shoulders tense up at the memory. It reminds him of their argument about which way to navigate when going to Lagrimas de Cristal.
Lily realizes she is getting riled up, and takes a deep breath before continuing.
"Anyhow, we were supposed to be married in the spring after we graduated, but when my research picked up steam and his didn't, it started to divide us. I started spending most of my time on breakthroughs that could help people suffering from diseases and ailments, whereas he was focused on current medicine and how it could be sold to the highest bidder." She lets out a puff of air causing a tendril of hair to fly across her forehead." It was distressing to see our hard work being used to benefit the rich, when it should be free to all. I tried to reason with him, and I even tried to publish papers on how medicine could be used to help the masses, not just those with deep pockets, but as you know, it is very difficult for me to submit my papers — being a woman. I had asked him to submit them on my behalf, but he refused." He can tell she is clearly angry with how things transpired, and he reaches out a hand to cover the one still fiddling with the loose piece of wood on the table. She glances up at him, the anger disappearing as soon as she meets his eyes.
"A few months later I called off the engagement. I decided to work full-time on my research alone and chase leads on the arrowhead." There is a sadness in her voice, and it pulls at his heart. "MacGregor was there, of course. Helping me, supporting me." At the mention of her brother and his unwavering support, they both share an affectionate glance.
Frank frowns as he starts to wonder about what became of the former fiancé. "So, that's it? He just disappeared?" He squints at her, mulling over the details of her story.
She smiles, albeit a bittersweet one. "Pretty much…" She lifts her head abruptly, her lips tight and her eyes strong and focused. "But, I'm glad things happened the way they did." She says adamantly.
Frank is taken aback by her comment. "Really?"
She nods. "Well, he taught me a valuable lesson about what love and sacrifice truly meant." She looks up at him through blonde lashes. She feels an anxiousness fill her body, and she seems unsure of how much detail to divulge, but when she looks up at Frank who is regarding her quietly, there is a warmth and comfort there that gives her the momentum to continue.
"When you… care for someone…you make sacrifices for that person. You support them regardless of what consequences may arise. He showed me that he only cared for himself, and that wasn't someone I wanted to spend my life with. I'd rather be alone than fighting against the one person who is supposed to stand by you." Her eyes flicker back to his, and the way he is staring at her makes the hair on the back of her neck stand up. Again, she finds herself unprepared for his intensity, and she can't help the way her cheeks flush.
She looks down at the table where he's covered her hand with his and turns her hand so their fingers can intertwine.
Frank leans in closer, his eyes narrowing and he begins to shake his head. "He didn't even fight for you." It's a statement, not a question and she finds herself looking back at him with a somewhat startled look on her face. His voice is steady and serious and it's not so much what he said that catches her off guard, its the way he said it. It's just impactful enough that she isn't really sure how to respond. She feels her mouth open and shut as she looks at him. She feels the meaning of his words deep in her bones, and as she stares into his eyes, she can almost hear his voice, 'because, I would have'.
She shakes her head to answer his non-question, and he leans back in his chair and sighs. "Well then, he didn't deserve to be yours."
Lily finds his open, honest reply endearing, and she feels the entirety of her body warm at the way he is able to take such a heartbreaking moment of her life and turn it into a moment of reflection.
"Thank you, Frank." She says sincerely. "Besides," She pulls at his hand that is still holding on to hers, and he sits back up to come face to face with her. "Had I not called off the engagement, I never would have found and hired the best Jungle Cruise skipper in all of Brazil…"
The grin that lights up Frank's face is enough encouragement for her to lean in close enough to add, "Who is most assuredly quite …masterful in all he sets his mind to." She whispers enigmatically.
He lifts his arm up to lay across the table next to her, decreasing the space between them even further. "Well, I aim to please…" She feels his hand connect with the skin on her chest, running a finger gently over the bruise. The touch is delicate, and she feels her breath catch at the sensation. "…but, I really am sorry about this." He lets his hand drop away and just as Lily is already shaking her head ready to tell him not to apologize, he is standing from the table and pulling her up with him, the sounds of the chairs skidding across the wood echoing in the small space.
His arms encircle her, and she grins at the feel of the warmth and strength that surrounds her, a sensation that is becoming more and more addictive each time he does it. Her eyes close of their own accord as her own arms come up to wrap around his much larger body, she presses her cheek into his chest with a sigh.
He leans down so his lips are next to her ear and he pulls her infinitesimally closer. "The next time, I'll be sure to hide it somewhere where wandering eyes will never find it." His voice is raspy and low and the heat that once came to her cheeks is replaced by a shiver at the promise of his words. His arms open suddenly and he pushes her out to arms length to look at her. "Assuming of course, there is a next time?" He winks at her, and she feels as if she's been spun around in a circle from the way he's gone from apologetic to sultry to jokester in a matter of seconds. She wonders if he's either extremely skilled at playing with her emotions, or he has no idea whatsoever the effect he has on her. Either way, she decides to reach up and close the distance between them with a soft kiss. He tastes of salty bacon and she licks her lips as she pulls herself away from his embrace to look for her boots.
Frank is left standing at the kitchen table, watching her walk away. His brow furrows in concern as he realizes she never actually answered him.
He calls out to her as she is finishing the laces on her left boot. "Just to clarify…there will be a next time, right?"
Lily throws him a questioning look and shrugs her shoulders teasingly. "I mean, I may need some convincing."
An expression comes over his face that she's come to recognize as the one that means he is ready for a challenge. The first time she saw it was when they were negotiating his price to take her down the river. She learned then that she'd met her match when it comes to provocation and retaliation.
"Don't tempt me." His eyes darken just a bit, and she can feel her pulse pick up at the sound of his voice.
She looks back down at her laces because if she doesn't, she knows she would gladly take him up on the offer, and they have a train to catch.
xxxx
Turning back to the task at hand, they begin to focus on packing the small trunk they had hauled along with them. They add the few remaining articles of clothing he has from his dresser, the collection of papers and drawings and maps that were piled around the desk, and the small framed photo that sat upon the fireplace mantle. Lily looks down at the trunk and it is barely full. Lily is surprised that he has not accumulated more possessions over the extensive life that he has lived, but then she is reminded of how much he lost when La Quila was destroyed. She feels a pang of sadness for the boat that took such great care of Frank and her and her brother during their expedition. Even after packing all of the possessions they possibly could, the cabin remains bare and simple, and based on Frank's unreadable demeanor, she can't tell how he is feeling knowing that this will be last time he will ever see this place.
They gather their belongings and move outside. Frank sets the trunk on the cart and Lily throws the strap of her bag across her body along with her canteen.
The sounds of water dripping from the trees and landing on the lower plants and ground seemed to fill the air, and when she looked over to see Frank staring back at the tiny cabin, his hands on his hips, she couldn't help but wonder if perhaps he felt hesitant to leave.
"What do you think will happen to this place after we leave?" She asks quietly. He mentioned before that he would come here at least once a month to check up on it, but now that he won't be returning, she wonders what may come of this place she's come to care for.
His eyebrows knit together at her question. It hadn't occurred to him to make plans for anything beyond the end of the curse, after all, had things gone differently, the cabin would still end up being abandoned.
"I don't know… I suppose someone will find it and benefit from it." He shifts his weight from one leg to the other as he stares across the open grass leading up to the porch. His answer is casual, unassuming; which strikes a chord in Lily. She feels that part of herself that has a tendency to speak her mind without really thinking begin to bubble up and before she can stop herself, the words come tumbling out. "It would be such a shame for it to go unused. Especially after so much care was put into it…" She is unwilling to let such an important part of Frank's history fade into the background, and she feels somehow compelled to speak up for it.
Her mind travels back across the last twenty-four hours and when the memories of their night together spring fresh into her mind, she realizes now that perhaps her motivation behind the preservation of the cabin is due in part to their own newly shared experience here.
Frank looks over to Lily and as their eyes met, it's as if he he too is recalling the same intimate moments shared inside the walls of this place. They exchange an affectionate smile with one another, both acknowledging that last night was quite possibly the most powerful part of their entire expedition. He picks up on her sentiment, and he sighs loudly. He's gotten use to her innately pure optimism, and realizes that it is now starting to rub off on him. He's also become keenly aware of when she wants to make a point, as was also evident in the tone of her voice.
Frank tilts his head as if he is contemplating his answer. "Actually, I know a few local fisherman in the area, maybe I'll write a letter for them to come and take care of it. I can have Zaqueu deliver it to them." From the corner of his eye he sees her shoulders relax at his idea, and he raises his eyebrows, waiting for her reply before moving on.
"That sounds like a great idea." She replies, clapping her hands together. She sighs contentedly, and adjusts the strap across her shoulder with a grin.
Frank relaxes and smiles at her and then turns one last time to look back at the cabin. Lily senses that perhaps she should give him a few minutes to his thoughts, and so she clears her throat loudly to gain his attention.
"Well then, I will just, um, get a head start. Join me when you're ready?" She turns, not waiting for his reply and starts up the trail, leaving Frank standing by himself.
"Thanks, Lily. I'll be right behind you."
She glances back only once, her heart going out to him as he says he final goodbye to the cabin. Something he wasn't able to do with La Quila.
It isn't like Frank to be nostalgic; especially since he had every intention of leaving this entire world behind without a single thought as to what would come if it once the curse was broken. So now as he stands in the wet grass in front of the cabin he'd built nearly 100 years ago, he suddenly feels a pull inside of him that borders on sentimental. There is a steady stream of water coming off one corner of the roof and his eyes follow it as it hits the dirt and winds its way across the ground like a miniature river away from the cabin. The roof took him nearly three months to complete due to running out of nails. It took forever for a cargo shipment to arrive into the closest town, and when he finally finished, it was one of the most rewarding accomplishments he'd had since building the town itself.
The memories of his life here are burned deep within him, and although he never planned to really say goodbye to this place, he is grateful for every plank of wood and every nail that has kept the tiny cabin together for so long.
"Thank you." He says out loud, knowing that the words will only drift out into the jungle for no one to hear. In the distance he can hear a bird caw and a sudden flurry of activity from a tree nearby. Perhaps something was listening and this was the answer he needed.
He heaves a heavy sigh, grabs the handle of the cart and turns towards the trail heading back to the water. He can see Lily ahead of him, the sunlight reflecting off of her hair. He feels the heaviness of the moment leave him, as if it stays with the cabin behind him, and as he picks up the pace to reach the woman in front of him, he feels a new sense of adventure and excitement build with each step he takes.
XXXX
The water's edge is higher at the shore after a night of rain, and Lily watches as a tree branch is pushed and pulled against one of the decaying poles of the dock. The sun is poking through the bulky clouds in the sky sending radiant beams of light through the treetops of the jungle. She's found a small stool hidden away in the grass, and as she sits and waits for Frank, she hears a rustling in the nearby brush. She reaches for a stick slowly, preparing herself for whatever may be behind the green foliage next to her, but is soon relieved to see Proxima appear, stretching and yawning and covered in dirt and wet grass — no doubt from being tucked into a burrow for the night.
"Well hello there…sleep well?" Lily reaches out a hand to brush off some of the dirt from across her back and head as the large cat rubs herself against Lily's legs affectionately. She makes a chuffing sound and then bounds across the dilapidated dock and onto the boat just as Frank arrives. The squeaky wheels of the cart come to a halt, and he reaches down to pick up the trunk with ease.
"Ready to shove off, Pants?" He flashes her his best grin, and she notices that he has still not secured his suspenders as they wave perilously behind him.
She also notices the joyful tone in his voice, and she can't help but return the smile. "Just waiting for my Skipper."
Frank grins at the way she says 'my', and as he brushes past her, she feels her hand on his back, giving him a playful shove forward.
It takes them only a few minutes to secure their gear, and as the engine of the tugboat rumbles to life, Frank takes the helm and points the bow of the boat north, heading back upstream towards Porto Velho. As Lily leans upon the small countertop to the right of the wheel, she takes a moment to look over her Skipper who has now just managed to tuck in his shirt and pull his suspenders up and over his shoulders. The shirt is dark blue with thin pinstripes running from the collar to the edges of the sleeves he has rolled up on his forearms. She notices that the front of the shirt is hanging open more than usual and as her eyes travel across the tanned skin of his chest, she sees that there are two buttons missing from the front.
Must have been why it was stuffed in a drawer, she muses to herself.
The boat shifts suddenly, and Lily has to grab the frame of the door to steady herself.
"Sorry about that. Lots of debris on the water from the storm last night. Hold on…" The wheel turns rapidly in the other direction, and Lily stands and turns to see the source of the turbulence. The river definitely seems fuller this morning and because they are headed upstream, it's as if the tree limbs and other fragments of the jungle are being thrown at them at a rapid and frequent pace.
"It's as if half the jungle fell into the water this morning!" Lily exclaims as another large branch whizzes by close enough for her to almost pluck the leaves off of the limb that scrapes over the edge of the boat.
"Yeah, usually these storms mean dangerous conditions on the river…" Frank pushes a lever on the boat and the engine shifts gears loudly, bumping up the speed. Lily stutter steps as the boat rocks, and as she gains her balance, her eyes land on a very large, ominous tree that has fallen and is reaching across the river towards them. Her heart starts to thump in her chest, and she waves her hand blindly at Frank, hitting him on the shoulder.
"Uh, you do see that one right over there don't you?" Lily inquires anxiously, pointing one nimble finger to the right of the boat.
Frank follows her eyes and sets his jaw. "I do now."
The momentum of his previous correction is sending them directly towards the tree, and Lily can see the enormously mangled roots that are sticking up in the air where the tree had been pulled from the earth.
Working with the speed they've already gained, Frank pulls another lever on the boat, effectively slowing them down while simultaneously turning the wheel rapidly in the opposite direction. The boat begins to rotate and as they start to drift closer to the tree, Lily feels a bubble of panic rise up in her throat. "Frank?! Frank….Frank!" She begins to shout at him over and over, as though he didn't hear her the first time.
He ignores her warning calls, a sly grin lifting the corner of his lips as adrenaline floods his bloodstream. This is an all too familiar scene in front of him and as the starboard side of the boat drifts even closer to the large overgrown limbs of the tree, he slams the throttle forward, causing the boat to jolt full steam ahead, a black puff of smoke brimming the top of the small chimney above them and into the sky. Lily feels herself backpedal, and Frank grabs her elbow to steady her. There is just enough speed to drive the boat forward and as Frank turns the wheel back upstream, causing the back end of the boat to fishtail slightly as they skim past the large tree with room to spare.
Frank lets out a puff of air from a breath he didn't realize he was holding, his hands flying up in the air in triumph. "See? No need to worry…I've done that a thousand times!"
Lily turns to watch him congratulating himself on how he handled the situation. She knows he is a skilled and experienced skipper, and this was not the most dire of situations they had been in over the last few weeks, but she can still feel her stomach churn, remembering the way La Quila had tossed and turned in the rapids all those days ago.
While frank continues to navigate the boat towards calmer waters, all she can offer in return is a look of relief across her face. She blinks when a beam of sunlight streaks across her face.
"You really are quite the show off, aren't you Frank?" She feels slightly ruffled as she once again leans her backside against the countertop.
"Show off? No way, Pants…that was 100% pure skill… " He presses a lever, causing a hiss to escape and the engine to take on a steady rhythm once again. He puffs his chest out and his voice is unwavering, "And besides…" he turns so he is facing her more directly and throws one large arm across the wheel, "…it's always good to start your day with a little adventure. That's all a part of the Jungle Cruise experience." He winks and gives her a curt nod of the head. Although she is amused by his salesman performance, it's hard for Lily to take him seriously when he talks like he is trying to negotiate with her, and as he waits for her to respond, much like a puppy awaiting a treat, she stares back at him blankly.
"Seriously?" She scoffs, "Is that your sales pitch to the tourists coming into town?" A teasing grin finally graces her lips as he feigns a hurt expression. She's come to enjoy playing coy to see how much she can ruffle his feathers. "You are quite overconfident I think."
He laughs low and deep. "Confident? I'll take that as a compliment. You used to call me arrogant."
"Well, that's before I knew you." She softens a bit and she stares out the doorway. "I mean, really knew you." The wind picks up, and her hair is lifted across her face, tickling her cheek. She can see him staring at her from her peripherals, but she keeps her eyes focused on the banks of the river whizzing past from the doorway, afraid that is she looks at him now, she'll lose their current battle of wits — but she also knows she would lose herself to him as well.
He looks turns back to the water ahead. "And now? Now you see all of my natural charm, right?"
"Ha!" The word slips out of her mouth involuntarily, and a hand flies up to cover her mouth. She casts a quick glance in his direction, and he is staring at her with a fiery gaze, his mouth slightly agape.
She drops her hand and tilts her head to the side in contemplation. "Well, if charm is what you'd like to call it…some if it worked…" He stares at her, waiting for more. She blinks back in return. "Some."
He nods in acceptance. "That's what I thought." He reaches for her hand suddenly and pulls her up to stand by his side.
She moves easily next to him and reaches her fingers out to where his shirt is still dangling open and attempts to fasten the two remaining buttons hanging on to the material by a thread, but instead opts to pressing her hands to the tanned skin beneath and then up and around his neck. Her blue eyes raise up once again to his deep, soulful brown ones and she lifts herself up onto her toes to kiss him tenderly. An arm snakes around her back to pull her closer, and she can hear him sigh into her lips.
A low growl from Proxima interrupts their interlude, and Frank and Lily both turn their heads to where she is crouched at the front of the boat. Along the water's edge is a group of red howler monkeys perched on a low hanging tree causing a ruckus. "Easy girl…" Frank warns from behind the open window. Her affinity for chasing monkeys will probably not win any points with Lily and he steers the boat to the opposite shore just in case she feels like making a move on one of them. As the boat eases to the right, Frank notices the ties to the trunk have come loose from the turbulence of the morning, and he asks Lily to take the helm so he can re-secure everything.
It takes about twenty minutes for Frank to perform a check on the boat to ensure it didn't take any damage from the debris. Not surprisingly, the sun has returned with a vengeance and the mid-morning heat is now baring down across the boat and onto its passengers. Lily continues to maneuver the small tugboat around a few additional tree limbs that have found their way into the water and when Frank returns, his shirt is damp and beads of sweat cover his forehead and are rolling down his neck. He grabs the canteen and after he takes a big gulp, he wipes his face with the rag in his pocket after drenching it in water.
He sits down on the counter with a heavy sigh and faces Lily. "I was thinking of something else that I'm looking forward to." He says wearily, removing his hat and running the rag around his head and the back of his neck.
Lily turns the wheel of the boat gently, and looks over to him, curiously. "Oh? And what's that?"
"Snow." He says bluntly. "Nearly four hundred years of hot weather, suffocating humidity and drenching rains, I'm ready for something else. Bring on the cold!" He finishes the water from his canteen, and sets it off to the side.
Lily's eyebrows lift and a smile as large as the sun crosses her features. "Oh, my gosh! Frank - -you're going to love it." Both hands lift off of the wheel and it jerks to the left suddenly. Frank grabs a handle swiftly.
"Whoa! Easy there…both hands on the wheel unless we are in a low gear." Her hands land back on the wheel immediately.
"Sorry!" She grimaces.
He places the wet rag around his neck. "And I've seen snow. I think." He squints, pulling at his memory, but it is elusive…as if trying to recall a dream. "I just can't really remember what it's like exactly."
"Oh Frank — I mean, much like the heat of the Amazon, there are plenty of ups and downs, but what makes it remarkable is its innate beauty. It is almost magical the way the snowflakes float down from the sky…and you have to dress warm, because it's very cold — nothing like the temperatures of the Amazon — which reminds me, we will most definitely need to take you to MacGregor's tailor, Samuel — he will take care of every bit of your clothing needs…" Her words continue to fall out of her mouth rapidly, and he laughs at her enthusiasm at describing the winters in England, the sound the snow makes when it crunches under your feet, and what it's like building a snowman. He chuckles at the way she uses her hands to describe making a snowball, and when she speaks of getting all bundled up by a warm fire, he notices the way her blue eyes darken momentarily when their eyes meet, the memory of their time by the fire in the cabin fresh in their minds.
Frank starts to fiddle with the strap of the empty canteen. "Well when you put it all like that, I can't wait to experience it again…with you." He smiles at the way she tucks a strand of hair behind her ear shyly.
Lily launches into a story about a time when she and MacGregor were children, and Frank feels himself settle more fully into the tiny corner, his body starting to relax while he listens.
It isn't until a breeze drifts through the open window and runs across his face like a caress that his eyes drift shut. I'll just close my eyes for a second, he thinks to himself as he continues to enjoy the feel of the wind across his damp skin, along with the sound of Lily's voice in the background. Images of white pillowy mounds of snow enter his mind, along with large mountain ranges covered in white caps, and frosted windows keeping out the bite of the cold. Soon, those images are replaced by the silhouette of a woman…laying by a fire; the orange glow of the flames bouncing off of her skin. A hand reaches for him and it seems so real that just as the fingertips reach his, he feels himself being pulled away and down into the depths of some unknown place.
He jerks awake abruptly, his body is suddenly alert and his eyes fly open trying to catch his bearings while his pulse pounds in his neck from awaking so quickly. He is vaguely aware of something pulling at his arm, and when he looks down, he sees Lily's hand grasping his bicep worriedly.
"Frank? Are you alright?" Lily's voice is calm but laced with concern by how suddenly he had awoken, gasping as if he needed air. "You drifted off there for a few. I didn't want to wake you."
He licks his dry lips and sits up. "Thank you, I'm sorry… I was just…dreaming." He smiles weakly at her, trying to blink the tiredness out of his eyes and shake the feeling that he was drowning somehow. "I must have been more tired than I thought."
"Of course. I feel it as well. There hasn't been much time for…rest, these last few days." Her hand squeezes his arm a little tighter, her words a reminder of all they'd been through in the last 24 hours. "But don't worry — we will have plenty of time to catch up on sleep during the train ride to the coast."
Frank tilts his head, wanting to say more on the matter, but instead offers to take her place at the helm. "Want me to take over?" He asks, looking up at her. His lips lift into another smile, and this time it is much more relaxed. He stands and rubs at his eyes while a yawn escapes.
She smiles sweetly back at him, "No, I've got it. You can rest..really. Go lay on the bench under the canopy for a bit. I'll take it from here…unless, of course, you doubt my driving skills?" She raises an eyebrow at him as he begins to depart.
He glances back at her, already halfway out the door. "Never a doubt in my mind, Pants."
She waves a hand dismissively at him as he disappears around the corner.
His limbs feel heavy and he still feels the veil of sleep upon him as he makes his way to the rear of the boat. He looks down at the barely wide enough bench with a grunt. "Perfect." He grumbles to himself. He sits down heavily, banging his head on a plank of wood protruding from the wall behind him. His hand comes up the now sore spot on the back of his head as he shifts to his right and throws his boots up on one side and angles his body down slowly on the other. The bench is barely big enough for his shoulder to fit, but he manages to find a comfortable position and pulls his cap over his eyes. The drone of the engine is enough to lull him back to sleep within a few minutes.
A flash of light. Then darkness.
The sound of someone inhaling and exhaling nearby. Or was it a sigh, or something more…? He can't tell. He realizes now that he is not wearing any clothing, and although he can't see, he can feel everything around him. It feels as if he is floating in water…. soft waves lap at his body, and he feels relaxed, serene.
A hand grasps his shoulder, turning him, urging him upright, and now it's as if he is floating in a standing position, even though he makes no effort to tread water.
Lips are pressing to his neck suddenly, and he feels the water begin to fade away, leaving him standing, heat surrounding him. Still, the darkness remains.
Soft, insistent hands reach around him slowly from behind. They land at his waist and then run up his sides with the slightest, almost feather-like pressure. Even though there is still no light, his eyes shut to focus on the way the fingertips seem to blaze a trail of fire over his body…
…but he's unsure if it is real or a dream. The same strong, lithe fingers scrape across his chest, then begin trailing down his abdomen.
Frank can feel the swell of his desire begin to unfold within him.
The heat rises in his belly and for a moment, he can't tell which way is up or down. Is he floating again? Why can't he move or turn…he can only…receive; exist at the mercy of the presence surrounding him; touching him.
The hands slide lower to grab ahold of him, and he gasps as they begin pulling, pressing, squeezing, stroking.
The feeling of not having control is seductive and enticing and he feels himself give in to the moment.
A kiss to his back, and then another, down the sensitive ridge of his spine.
He feels himself harden further.
The hands continue their embrace upon him, his arousal growing stronger, aching.
His mouth opens, and he groans out loud…his head falling back.
He struggles to turn in the embrace of his unknown lover, needing to return the attention, and when he finally is able to rotate his body around to reach for them, they're gone…
His eyes open slowly this time, and he blinks into the cloudy sky. His cap has fallen to his chest, and his brow is again slick with sweat, but not from the heat. He finds himself feeling rested, but also as if he is teetering on the precipice of something…more. When he moves to sit up, he feels the unmistakeable pull of his arousal against his trousers, and his dream begins to wash over him again. He closes his eyes, trying to grab on to the feelings and the details before they fade away. He smiles to himself, knowing that even though he couldn't see the face or the hands that were touching him, he knew whom they belonged to. It could only be her. He looks up to the sky, and seeing the position of the sun, he determines there is still plenty of time until they should come across any civilization. The desire to see her face becomes overwhelming, and he takes a full, deep breath, filling his lungs as far as they can stretch, and as he exhales, he stands and makes his way back to the bridge of the ship.
xxxxx
Lily yawns as she watches Proxima roll onto her back in a pile of old netting at the bow of the boat. The life of a jungle cat is not unlike the life of a house cat. Although, Lily finds that Proxima has a much friendlier demeanor than her Aunt's old orange tabby Walter. Who also, oddly enough, has a slight obsession with MacGregor.
The sun has drifted behind a patch of clouds, giving the bridge of the boat a soft, serene feeling, and Lily is grateful for the consistent breeze that is blowing in her direction. Frank has been asleep for about thirty minutes, and during that time she let her mind begin to catalog the things she would need to do once they got back to Porto Velho. The petal is safely kept with MacGregor, and she is hopeful that he was able to send word to their contacts back home that they were successful in their expedition. She knows they will have their work cut out for them once they return, ensuring that the petal is safely and delicately studied to determine what healing properties it may possess. She sighs in displeasure as the list begins to go on and on. She'll just have to hope that MacGregor was successful, and then she will be able to relax on their journey home. She grimaces at the thought that he will also most likely be livid that she didn't return last night, and she will have to make it up to him somehow.
A bend in the river comes to an end and Lily steers the boat onto the straightaway. She presses the throttle forward as another branch skims by, and when she returns the boat to a clear path, she remembers Frank's instructions and shifts into a lower gear. The low hum of the engine switches over and Lily grins, pleased with herself and her driving prowess.
Excellent driver indeed. She hums a happy tune to herself.
A creak of wood behind her interrupts her self-congratulatory celebration, and she doesn't need to turn around to know that Frank is staring at her as he supervises from the doorway.
She feels her grip on the wheel tightening. "You know, I can feel you behind me watching my every more. I know what I'm doing. I had a very good teacher."
Although her words are concise and teasing, her voice is soothing like the cool caress of the river water on a hot day. It surprises him how much he has started looking forward to the sound of her voice.
"I know, I know…" He says gently, "I'm just making sure you're doing OK. I don't want you steering us off of the edge of a waterfall or anything." He matches her playful tone, but lets the words roll of his tongue languidly.
Lily shifts her feet and glances over her shoulder at him. His arms are crossed as he leans against the frame of the door, his large body filling up the space almost entirely. She notices that his suspenders are loose once again, hanging low near his knees. He looks rested and his face is relaxed… but his eyes seem to look upon her with a sort of amorous glow that makes her heart race , and she can't help but think of how handsome he looks standing there.
She clears her throat. "Well of course not…" She replies with a snort, trying to sound indifferent. "…that's your move, not mine." She turns back to the water, and away from his unexpectedly heated stare.
She doesn't see the way his eyebrows raise at her comment, nor does she see him take a step in her direction.
"My move? OK, well, let's remember that you're the one who insisted on the route." He fires back, but his voice is low and calm, rather than gloating and challenging.
Lily takes notice.
She blows a raspberry with her lips. "Well, we did save two days, didn't we?"
"Mmhmm…" The sound of his reply rumbles low in his chest, and somehow reverberates in her direction, and this time when she turns, she notices that the space between them has shrunk noticeably. She sees him tilt his head as if to get a better look at her, and he licks his lips slowly, as if he is devouring her with his eyes. She watches him, her gaze focused on the way he seems almost in a dreamy state. She clears her throat and changes the subject. "Did you…enjoy your nap?" She asks tentatively, her hands unconsciously gripping the handles of the wheel a bit tighter. The sound of one large boot lands with a heavy thud near her, and she can feel the floorboard dip slightly under his weight.
"Yes. Thank you. I had an even better dream in fact…" He replies, his voice tranquil and soft. A slow, seductive smile starts to upturn his lips, and she watches as he removes his skipper cap slowly from his head and then reaches one long arm in front of her to drop it onto the shelf by the window.
"Oh really? Care to tell me about it?"
He shakes his head in the negative, "Maybe…maybe another time."
She feels slightly unnerved by his demeanor, and has to swallow a lump in her throat as she returns her focus to the river ahead of them.
Frank lets his arm linger near her, and he can feel the heat from her body radiating against his chest. He inches even closer, breathing in the air around her. There is something tantalizing about the movement of the boat as it rocks, pressing and pulling their bodies apart from one another enticingly. He knows he should speak up, explain to her that his dream was so vivid and clear, and that he wishes it were real. He can see the bewildered and slightly anxious look on her face, and just as he is set to reveal his intentions, he's reminded of the feel of etherial hands on his body, and he can't seem to form the words. Instead, he allows his body to speak, and rather than reenact the dream the way it played out for him, he decides instead to focus entirely on her.
The seconds that pass feel stretched out, ticking by slowly and without persistence, and Lily begins to wonder what game Frank is playing with her. Just as she opens her mouth to ask, she feels him close the distance between them even further.
Frank knows can't fight the urge to keep his hands to himself much longer, and so he settles for a little indirect contact instead. He raises his arms up to either side of her, resting his hands on the wooden frame that runs behind the wheel.
The feel of his massive arms effectively boxing her in between the wheel and the sturdy wall of his body, makes it very hard for her to focus on the river ahead. The sun-warmed, masculine smell of him makes her head spin, but rather than give in to his clear intention of dominating the moment, she holds her own and uses the wheel to push herself back and into the unyielding wall of his chest.
She takes a deep, steadying breath. "Don't think for a moment, that I don't know what it is you are trying to do." She warns as she attempts to stand up a little straighter, but finds it difficult with the heat of his body surrounding her entirely.
He grins against the top of her head, enjoying the way her small frame presses against his much larger one. "Oh? And what exactly is it that I am doing?" She can see the way his hands flex and grip the worn wood on either side of the wheel tightly, as if he is trying to resist the urge to move them from where they sit. She feels him flex the powerful muscles of his arms, causing them to come into more direct contact with her shoulders.
A million retorts race through her head, only to be forgotten as she suddenly feels the stubble of his cheek next to hers. She tries her very best to ignore they way he is trying to use his body to frazzle and seduce her, and for a moment, she is grateful that he cannot see her face, because she has to squeeze her eyes shut to regain some sense of composure.
"You're trying… to… seduce me." She replies with some difficulty. The sandpapery scrape of his cheek across her skin feels like a blaze of fire, and her heart starts to pound in her ears.
"You got me…" As if given permission, his left hand comes away from its perch quickly and slides across her stomach, and then up her to her chest, landing atop her right breast. "And is it working?" He breathes into her ear while squeezing the supple flesh over the cotton of her blouse.
"Not…" She pants, as he starts to suckle the bottom of her earlobe. "In the slightest…ah!" She squirms in his grasp and she can hear him chuckle low and provocatively in her ear.
Her hands naturally come away from the wheel and reach for him, but he catches her wrists gently, and redirects them back to the helm of the boat. Lily opens her mouth to protest, but stops when she hears his voice, low and deep in her ear.
"Ah, ah…hands on the wheel at all times." He instructs, and guides the limbs back onto the worn wooden handles in front of her and aligned with her hips, his own hands staying atop of hers, effectively trapping her again between his body, his arms, and the wheel of the boat.
Frank's directions echo in her mind, and she feels heat pool between her legs and climb into her belly at the sound of him being so direct with her. She feels the pulse of her desire begin to throb as his thighs and hips come into direct contact with her backside, the firm pressure of his arousal pressing into her bottom. He's taken a sturdy stance behind her, and she comes to realize in the most stimulating way, that he seems to be preparing for something.
Distracted by the press of his lower body against hers… her eyes fall shut completely as he presses a hot open-mouth kiss to the skin just below her ear. He grins against her neck as he hears a soft groan leave her lips, and with that encouragement, he drags his mouth down until he lands at her shoulder, placing another warm kiss there as well.
What she also doesn't notice is that Frank has somehow managed to untie the front of her blouse, causing it to gape open just enough for the pale skin underneath to feel the heat of the sun across it. She blinks rapidly, suddenly aware of her state of undress. A thrill zips through her as she feels him step even closer, rubbing his body against hers firmly.
Without the support of the now untethered strings that wave freely from the material of her shirt, Frank is able to drag the left strap down gradually and over her bicep, revealing the entirety of her neck and shoulder. His eyes widen at seeing the pale skin so clearly in the daylight, and he feels his body swell further at the sight.
As much as he wants to kiss every inch of newly exposed skin, he's in no rush, and he can feel her breath quicken even more as his palm starts to drag up and down her bare, smooth arm with deliberate slowness. The roughened pads of his fingers send chills into her body despite the heat of the day blanketed around them. His hand grips around her bicep, squeezing it firmly and then releasing its hold gingerly. She focuses on that feeling; his hands and the convergence of his strong, roughened fingers upon her exposed, soft skin. Her mind reels at the way he uses them to provoke different sensations with each measured stroke, touch, and caress. They are a constant reminder of his undeniable strength, but also his ability to be unexpectedly gentle and tender with his touch. She realizes that everything about Frank has been almost entirely unexpected.
His arrogant attitude, and what she thought was an ego-driven need to control and dominate her expedition, turned out to be genuine skill and knowledge from nearly three centuries of being tied to the river.
His selfishness turned out to be self-preservation, after being alone for so long, unable to ever share his truth with anyone.
His decision to use the petal to break the curse changed when he sacrificed himself to protect her and MacGregor from the wrath of his conquistador brethren.
His humor, although not her favorite, has grown on her, and against her better judgment, finds herself looking forward to whatever humorous quip he has to say next. To think that she would admit that now, after their tumultuous beginnings, is unexpected to say they least.
And at this very moment, as he continues to take his time seducing her, she cannot put into words at how unexpectedly overwhelmed she is by him.
Frank continues his leisurely exploration of her body. Carefully, his fingers curl around the second strap of her blouse, and Lily begins to stiffen as she realizes what he is about to do. "Frank—" She calls to him anxiously.
"Shh," He whispers reassuringly against her ear. His hand continues, and tugs the material down and over her arm much like the last one. Each strap now lay in the crook of her elbow, seemingly trapping her arms against the sides of her body, while her shirt is now only perilously held up by the soft swell of her breasts.
Even though they are under the protection of the canopy from the sun, she can still feel its warm caress as a ray of sunlight touches her exposed skin. She leans her head back and onto his shoulder, her chest rising and falling as he pulls the material completely off and away from her body, exposing her naked breasts entirely to the heat of the Amazon. The feeling is deliciously forbidden, and she is strikingly aware of only two things: Frank's hot breath on her neck and the strong certainty of his arms that are now around her waist.
The breeze shifts and whips across her skin, and she feels her nipples harden just as Frank's large, sturdy hands slide up to cup her breasts firmly. A whimper escapes her lips, and she feels her mouth hang open as he begins to pinch and roll the sensitive pearls that are her nipples between two roughened fingertips. Lily's grip on the wheel tightens to a white-knuckled grip, and she has to bite her lip to keep from screaming out. The twinge of desire pulses heavily between her legs as he continues to roll and tease the hardened peaks of her nipples with his hands.
His mouth has returned to her neck, and she can feel the hard, wet tip of his tongue licking at the pulse point there. Lily feels a shiver rise up within her from the strange mix of sensations assaulting her body all at once: the heat of the sun upon her naked skin, the rough fabric of his shirt scraping across her back, and the moisture of his hot mouth as it moves across her neck.
Frank's coarse hands shift away from her breasts to settle low on her belly, his fingers kneading and pressing against the softness of her skirt and into the flesh beneath. His dream revives in his mind, as he remembers the feeling of his mysterious lover littering kisses down the sensitive line of his back, and he groans as the memory sends a wave of pleasure directly into his body. He feels compelled to transfer it immediately to Lily, and when he feels her lean forward, it gives him the perfect opportunity to press a kiss to the back of her neck, and then a touch lower, down the line of her spine as far as he could reach without relinquishing his hold on her. He hears her sigh in pleasure, and he smiles into the soft skin of her back.
The material of her clothing starts to bunch as his movements become more insistent, and within moments, his hand has slipped under the waistband of her clothing and is gliding across the heated bare skin beneath.
"Frank…what are you doing?" She asks nearly breathlessly. She can feel a sheen of sweat across brow as she leans back against him. She knows the answer to her own question, but by asking it out loud, it gives her a moment to prepare herself for what's to come.
The heat of his palm is pressing against the soft skin of her abdomen, waiting, hovering. "Touching you." He states simply.
She squirms in his grasp, her eyes darting around them and into the trees along the shore. She swallows thickly, her mouth dry from the heavy breaths she has been taking.
"We're outside…it's daylight — what if someone sees us…" Her words are replaced by a soft whimper as his left hand rises to cup her breast once again in a move that is meant to distract her into silence.
It works.
Her vision goes dark and she gasps slightly as her eyelids close involuntarily.
His mouth is back next to her ear. "There's not a soul in sight…"
His fingers drift into the soft curls between her legs, and pause. He relaxes his hold on her slightly, but keeps his mouth close to her ear. "May I?"
Although he may have been the one to initiate this entire production, he needs to hear from her own lips that she wants it to continue. He waits for her permission.
He feels her breath catch, and she licks her lips as she turns her head slightly towards his.
"Yes."
Permission granted.
His mouth is barely able to angle over hers, but he manages to cover her mouth with his in a searing kiss as his hand slides down and into the wet folds of her body.
His hand feels as if it were as white-hot as the sunlight overhead as he moves his fingers expertly across the tip of where he knows the source of her pleasure lives. Lily pulls her mouth away from his, unable to contain the moan of pleasure at the firm pressure of his hand between her legs. Her head falls back onto his shoulder once again and it's not until the wet tip of his tongue darts out and makes contact with the sensitive flesh of her ear, that her legs give out from under her. Her body sags without notice and Lily is immediately grateful for Frank's strong and steady arm that reaches around her, supporting her up against the sturdiness of his body as she tries to remain upright, wavering as if she had just been struck by a blowdart.
He uses his hips to push her back upright, and as he does, the hardness of his arousal presses directly into her again, causing a groan to escape both of their lips simultaneously. Frank brings the hand that was once at her waist back up to squeeze breast again as he latches his mouth upon her neck, biting down gently. He's aware this time to be more careful about where he leaves a mark upon her; not wanting to repeat his previously poor placement.
The hand that is still pressed intimately between her legs begins to move with more persistence, and as a thick finger slides into her, his thumb begins to rotate against the bundle of nerves atop her sex. Lily feels her eyes begin to water as sensations beginning to hammer her body from all angles, and she suddenly can't tell up from down. She tries to move her hands to grab at him, touch him, but they are trapped beneath the straps of her blouse and the strength of his arms across her body. She feels vulnerable, but in a way that only serves to feed the arousal pulsing rapidly within her body.
He continues the movement of his fingers, and she doesn't understand it, or even means to try, but somehow his touch is soft and rough at the same time, and she can't control the growing ache she has for it to continue.
"Oh God, Frank…please…" she begs him to relent, just for a moment so she can breathe. Or perhaps she is asking for more, she doesn't know. She needs to respond somehow, and it's clear that she cannot trust her brain to form words, so instead uses her body to communicate.
She pushes herself backwards and against him, trying to participate in this erotic and frenzied dance he has initiated. She feels the pressure of his erection pressing into her and she can hear him groan again in her ear. She feels a sense of satisfaction at his reaction, and although the physical part of their relationship has only begun, she has come to realize that being the cause of such pleasure within him only serves to turn her on further.
It dawns on her that this must be the reason for his suddenly amorous onslaught upon her, and also why he has been so intensely focused on her pleasure and not on his own. He is putting his own needs aside to focus on her. It is a very chivalrous and selfless act, and she feels her heart swell at the thought of his motivation in this very moment.
Frank can tell she has caught on to his plan for her, and by the way she has begun to respond to his movements, moving in sync with him, he finds himself unprepared for the wave of emotion that fills his body. This woman in his arms continues to surprise him by the way she seems to get inside of his head. Never has he felt a fire burn as hot inside of him as it does for her, and now that she has given her trust to him to begin this physical journey together, it hardens his resolve to not disappoint her in any aspect of their journey together.
They begin to move together in a sort of undulating wave of body upon body, one hand stationed between her legs, the other gripping her breast while his hips drive up and thrust against her from behind. His mind reels at the thought that if there were no clothing between them, he would be filling her completely, fully from behind. The thought sends a fresh wave of pleasure into his body. He tries desperately to ignore the throbbing heat of his desire as he continues to focus on hers, but when she moves against him just right, he feels a white-hot jolt of pleasure ricochet through his legs, and he falters, taking a staggering step back.
She feels him move backwards and it allows her hand to come away from the wheel and latch onto the material of his pants at his leg. He hisses as her nails dig into the hardened muscle of his thigh, and as he plants his feet firmly under himself once again, he refocuses his efforts to carry her over the edge.
A small desperate sound escapes her lips, and she feels herself teetering at the edge of some unknown precipice, her body beginning to tingle and shake as the pinnacle of her climax comes into focus beneath her.
His love of knowledge is now becoming a very potent and real thing to her. It is clear that he finds things he can perfect after practicing it over and over, and while he didn't truly master the guitar, she feels that his fingers are skilled nonetheless, and now she has become his latest obsession to learn and master.
Lily feels as if he's pulled her taut, only to find and strum the perfect chord inside of her over and over again. His fingers continue to undulate just perfectly against her, and when he pinches her nipple one last time while simultaneously sucking her earlobe into his mouth, she instantly feels herself contract, and then suddenly her body is inundated with wave after wave of pleasure that is so overwhelming, she feels her body arch back against his. The sound that tears up and out of her throat is unrecognizable to her own ears, and Lily can only ride the wave of pleasure that seems to trap her body in a frozen state of bliss. Frank's arm leaves her chest to wrap around her waist, holding her upright as her body goes rigid as the wave of her release clenches and throbs around the fingers still pressed intimately inside of her. Moisture fills her eyes again, and she can hear her voice call out to him in a shouted, breathy plea.
He holds her securely, as her thighs squeeze around his hand one last time. His own breath is coming out in rapid pants alongside hers, and when she finally lets the hand clutching at his leg relax, it falls away to hold onto the arm wrapped around her waist.
Her eyes still shut, she concentrates on steady in-and-out breathing until her mind is coherent enough to float back down to her body. She feels him remove his hand from between her legs and smooth down the material of her skirt against her body, while the other arm is still wrapped possessively around her waist, supporting her. He presses an affectionate kiss to her temple, and he can taste the salt from her skin.
He moves to sit on the small stool behind him, pulling her sideways into his lap, her legs dangling over his, cradling her to him tightly. As she lays her head on his shoulder, he pulls the straps of her blouse back up gently over her shoulders, and over her breasts, returning her clothing back to where it had been.
It takes a few moments for Lily to realize that she is still laying somewhat limp in his arms, and as she tries to open her eyes, it feels as if her eyelids are weighted down somehow. She blinks a few times, and when she can finally focus on what's happened, she feels a different wave of feelings rise within her.
"Frank, what on earth — " She takes another breath, still not trusting herself to form a coherent sentence. Her body quivers again, when he shifts her onto his thighs, and she can feel the evidence of his still aroused body pressing into her leg. She looks up at him with heavy, passion-filled eyes, one hand coming up to cup his cheek. "What about…shouldn't you…?" Blue eyes implore his, and he stares at her with a look that can only be described as adoring.
He leans forward and kisses her with such tenderness that it causes her to melt more fluidly into his body. He pulls away slowly.
"This was about you." He smiles at her softly, his eyes full of unspoken words.
It's always going to be about you.
Lily sighs contently and relaxes into his embrace, this time her head landing on his chest. She laments not being able give him the same release that he has just provided her, but is also filled with gratitude that she was able to take from him such an unselfish and extremely satisfying moment of pleasure. She makes an internal promise to herself that when she has the time, and the energy, that she would return the intimacy in kind. "I'm not sure I completely understand…but I'm not complaining in the least. Besides, I don't have the strength in me to argue."
"Oh good. Because neither do I." He laughs heartily, and pulls her tighter to him, while at the same time, willing his body to relax. They sit this way for a few minutes, the sounds of the jungle filling the air along with the drone of the engine, and their own deep breaths.
Lily closes her eyes, focusing on the sound of his heartbeat.
She takes one more deep, soulful breath and lifts her head to look at Frank once again, her eyes narrowing. "That must have been a really good dream."
A wide grin is the only reply she gets in return.
xxxxx
It takes another hour until the signs of civilization become apparent along the river's edge. The familiar sights and sounds of the town come into view, and both Frank and Lily fill with anxious energy as they turn the final bend of the river and begin to line up their little tugboat to the dock. In the distance, they can hear a bell toll rapidly, and Frank knows it is most likely young Zaqueu signaling to him that he is aware of his arrival. He smiles bittersweetly to himself, knowing that this will most likely be the last time he will hear that bell ring.
Lily is sitting at the bow of the boat, readying the ropes for the dock.
"It looks like we have a welcome party." Frank bellows over the loud hum of the engine to Lily.
She notices young Zaqueu as he runs down the stairs and then out along the path of the dock towards them. Her eyes then land on her brother who is also making his way down the stairs, albeit a bit slower. She can already see his terse body language, and by the way he is swinging his arms stiffly, she knows that even though she couldn't yet see his face clearly, he was quite upset. "Yes we do…and I fear someone may be quite cross at us…"
Frank maneuvers the boat expertly into position, and Lily hops out onto the dock to secure the rope just as Frank had explained to her. He cuts the engine, and is standing next to her in a matter of moments, another rope in hand.
"Nicely done!" He compliments her as he secures his own tie to the dock. "You are a very quick study. No wonder you were so good in school." He pulls her rope a bit tighter, and just as he is about to reach for Lily to show her how proud he was, he hears the uneven and angry footsteps of MacGregor Houghton approaching rapidly behind them.
Lily turns to see her brother hobbling towards them, his injured ankle not slowing him down, worry and relief and anger all apparent on his face.
"Well, if I didn't know any better, I'd say you two planned on making me worry out of my mind!" His face is red and Lily can't tell if is from the heat, or his current emotional state.
"MacGregor…I'm so sorry—" Lily starts to apologize, but he has clearly been planning his tirade for when they return, and he cuts her off quickly, his jaw clenched as he shakes a finger at her.
"Save it! You're lucky you've made it back with," he checks his pocket watch, "…an hour to spare! Do you realize that the president of Cambridge University has been trying to reach you? Not to mention there are three other phone calls you must return before we board the train."
Even though his blood is boiling at them for making him worry, he was also putting on quite a show. It wasn't every day he could chastise his sister for making an error in judgment. He truly was worried about them. Although the bottle of wine that he drank to distract him of his worry was most certainly causing his head to pound as he continued to seethe at them.
Frank takes a step in between the siblings, hoping to offer up some explanation as to why they didn't return the night before. "MacGregor, look, it was my fault. I convinced Lily to stay the extra night to help me…" Frank's attempt to reason with him is not good enough, and he too is cut off mid-sentence.
"Oh really?" His voice ticks up an octave, "And what on earth would be a good enough reason to have kept me up all night, worrying about the two of you? Hmm?" He stares back and forth between the flabbergasted couple in front of him, waiting for an explanation.
Frank's mouth opens and shuts like a fish, and when he tries again to speak, and nothing comes out, he finds himself glancing over to Lily for help. She too is speechless, unsure of what to say that would appease the angry man in front of them, but not give away every detail of their amorous time together.
"Well he needed—"
"She helped—"
Their words trample over one another, and MacGregor watches as they each struggle awkwardly to come up with a reason for their tardiness. He notices the flush of color that spreads across his sister's face and neck, and as he glances at the much larger man to her right, he is almost certain that he too is …blushing. He narrows his eyes at them, trying to discern what was going on. Lily starts to chew on her thumb, a telltale sign that she is nervous or uneasy about something. The last time he caught her doing that, she had revealed her plan to…liberate the arrowhead from the archives…
A realization comes over him. His eyebrows inch to the top of his hairline slowly, and he blinks at Lily with a somewhat shocked and delighted look on his face.
She's looking down and away at Proxima who has found her way onto the dock and is now getting scratched thoroughly by Zaqueu.
MacGregor crosses his arms across his chest, an eyebrow raising suggestively. "Did you— "
Lily's eyes fly up to his, horrified that he is about to make a very astute comment about what she and Frank were up to while they were gone, and she clears her throat loudly, effectively silencing her brother.
"Don't you think we should get a move on then? So much to do before the train departs!" She shouts loudly and then laughs awkwardly.
MacGregor takes the hint, and snorts contemplatively in her direction. "Honestly, I don't know why I bother…"
"Because you love me, that's why…" Lily reaches for him and pulls him into a loving embrace. "And thank you. I —we, are so very grateful to you for taking care of all the arrangements to get us home." His annoyance begins to fade, but he remains defiant and keeps his arms pinned to his sides, not returning the hug.
"Well, it's only because I am dying to get the hell out of this humidity and back to the dreary London fog." He says blandly. The air is suddenly pressed out of his lungs as large, muscular arms surround the two of them, squeezing tightly.
"That's what I'm talking about! See? I knew you'd get things all figured out!" Frank's laugh rumbles through each of them, and MacGregor winces, as he pulls him closer once more, then releases him with a hearty pat to the shoulder.
"Yes, well…" He glances at Lily while rubbing at his shoulder, "We ought to get a move on if you want to get cleaned up and return the phone calls from the hotel. I was able to get your clothing laundered and I secured a few more items for each of us for the trip home."
"Oh MacGregor, you are just the best!" Lily exclaims and squeezes his hand appreciatively.
Lily turns back to Frank, suddenly worried about him and the items on the boat. He seems to read her mind, and grabs her arm gently, giving her a reassuring squeeze.
"Go…don't worry about this stuff, or me. I got it."
"Are you sure?" Her eyebrows lift in concern.
He nods. "Yes, go with your brother. I'll meet you at the train station." He smiles at her, a large heartfelt grin that makes her heart skip a beat, and she brings a hand up to cup his cheek affectionately.
The thought of their impending departure sends a wave of anxiousness into Frank's belly. The realization that he now only has less than an hour left in the Amazon, starts to creep into his mind. After nearly four hundred years of being powerless to escape the pull of the river, he is about to board a train and leave this place behind. A range of emotions begin to bubble up from within him.
At the feel of her hand on his face and the sight of her smile, he looks deeply into Lily's bright blue eyes and is reminded that he isn't boarding that train alone. The anxiousness is overpowered by a wave of happiness, and he leans forward, pulling her in for a kiss.
Lily smiles against his lips as her free hand grips the material of his shirt to pull him closer.
Frank groans as he tries to pull her hands away. "Lily — go! We will have plenty of time…later." His words are a whisper of a promise, and it takes all of her will power to release her hold on him.
"Promise?" She asks softly.
"Promise." He replies with that grin that makes her pulse race. "Now, go!"
Lily turns quickly, and grabs MacGregor's hand, pulling him roughly down the dock before he has the chance to make any lewd or indecent comments.
Frank stares at their retreating backs and takes a deep breath. He knows that his life has already been changed, and now as he watches Lily bound up the stairs and out of sight, he wonders what new adventures are in store for him.
He turns to Zaqueu who has been giving Proxima a lot of much needed attention. "My man…I need your help one last time."
xxxx