Chapter 19 (Could he Like me)

Belle and Mark headed off up the trail towards the waterfalls. For awhile they walked in silence until Belle slipped on some loose rocks. Out of instinct Mark grabbed her to keep her from falling. Belle felt Mark's arms snake around her to keep her steady. "Sorry, I'm just very clumsy," Belle said meekly. "No problem darlin' I don't mind a bit as long as its my arms your falling into," Mark said with a grin. Belle stood there in silence for a little bit thinking about what Mark had just said. Could he like me, no way guys are just not attracted to girls like me. Belle turned and headed on up the trail dismissing her thoughts as hopeful dreams.

Once reaching the waterfalls Mark proceeded to take off his clothes. Belle just stood starring at this beautiful man undressing in front of her. The way his muscles rippled across his back and torso as he moved. "Like what ya see darlin'," Mark said with a wicked gleam in his eyes. Quickly Belle diverted her eyes and turned around. She could feel the heat rising up in her face at the embarrassment of being caught looking at him. "Uuh, aare yyou going tto swim nnakked," Belle managed to stutter. "Well unlike you I don't have a swim suit on and I haven't been able to find any of my clothes from the wreckage. So I have to keep what I have dry," Mark said grinning. "Well ok, just please hurry up and get in the water," Belle said finally getting some of her nerve back. With that Mark dove into the water, "Are you coming," Mark asked before diving under again. Belle took a deep breath and let it out slowly thinking, well at least I still have my suit on and I guess it will be ok as long as I don't get to close to him.

Belle dove into the water enjoying the feeling of it washing over her. With quick strokes she swam through the water making sure to avoid Mark at all costs. Stopping long enough to catch her breath she was unaware that Mark was sneaking up behind her. "Gotcha," Mark said as he pulled Belle to him. "So are you going to pay me back for saving you," Mark asked with a mischievous grin. "Uh I don't know," Belle said shyly. Belle couldn't think straight while he held her, knowing that he was naked. "Well I think it would only be the nice thing to do," Mark said. Belle was getting kind of nervous wondering what he could possibly want, but at the same time knowing that it was obvious. "Ok so what should I get in return for saving you," Mark said with a questioning look on his face. "Uh a hand shake," Belle replied. "No not good enough," Mark said. "A kiss on the cheek, maybe," Belle asked. "Well that's along the lines but not quite what I had in mind," Mark replied. Mark ran his hands up Belle's back pulling her closer to him and then he proceed to make a grab for her legs to wrap them around him. Belle was beginning to panic because she was not sure of what he had planned and at the same time praying it wasn't what she thought. Belle began to squirm trying to get away. "Darlin' if you keep that up you are in for it," Mark said in a husky voice. Instantly Belle froze somewhat aware of what he was implying. Mark noticed the flash of fear that played across her face. "Calm down all I want is a kiss," Mark said knowing that she was probably thinking he wanted something more, but he knew that she had never been that far and he didn't want to push her. So he would take it slow until he knew she was ready. "Hello you didn't answer me, how about a kiss as the reward and it has to be on the mouth," Mark said looking into her eyes. Belle couldn't speak all she could manage was a weak nod.

Mark leaned his head to Belle and pressed his lips to hers ever so softly. Once he felt he relax in his arms he deepened it a little by running his tongue across her lips. This invoked a shiver in Belle and she felt her stomach flip. Mark slowly urged her to give him access to her mouth by gently prying her lips open with his tongue. God she tastes so sweet, I could get us to this Mark thought. Mark started to realize that he was loosing control and quickly pushed Belle back and dove under the water to calm himself. Belle was dumfounded by what just happened, no one had ever kissed her like that. The effect this man had on her was amazing. Belle swam back to shore and climbed out. She decided that she really needed to talk to Nikki before something more happened and she messed it up by not knowing what to do.

Mark came up out of the water and started toward the shore, "If you don't want to get embarrassed again little girl you better turn around now." Belle quickly turned her back once Mark was out of the water. "Uh Mark I think I'm going to head on back I need to see Nikki," Belle said trying to cover up the nervousness in her voice. "You'll wait right there young lady until I'm done dressing, you are not going to go traipsing off into a jungle with out me," Mark said in a matter of fact tone. They started their return to the camp and before long had reached Belle's hut. Before leaving Mark grabbed her and once again kissed her and walked off leaving Belle to just stare after him.