Bare-Back Mountain

Chapter Two:

I leaned against a Mora trunk, the cool shade engulfing me. Spring just makes things horny. Just spring, that's all it is. I clenched my eyes shut against the world and thought of Maria. She was cute. Really... really... I felt myself blush. A book nerd! That's what she was! I picked up a stick and threw it across the river.

"Ah! What the hell?" Basil's head bobbed into sight, rubbing his forehead, brow furrowed in deep frustration. I sunk down, wishing I really hadn't done that.

"Ray! I saw that!" Fuck.

"Sorry!" I called back, frowning. Great... I flopped onto my back, staring up into the thick branches, leaves clustered around each other. Maybe Eve's offer wasn't too far off the mark. I mean-

The train of thought quickly derailed itself from that destination.

Sex with friends is out of the question!

I walked around the town lazily for a while. I saw Katie standing outside. Why does she always stand outside the shop? What's she looking at? Who's she waiting for? I saw Nina picking a flower and looking at it sadly. Why's she sad? Maybe she really wants to plant flowers instead of those ugly cabbages? I saw Jamie staring out into the sea, her face wrought with anger. Why's she always upset? Is she a she?

Another train that abruptly derailed.

I sighed, trying my honest-to-goodness hardest to keep my thoughts away from Eve. And Maria. And Gwen. And girls straddling other things.

Yet these thoughts really weren't bothering me as I thought they would. Nina bent low to pick a strawberry, then brought it close to her lips, forest green eyes closing with pleasure at the taste.

Yet this didn't really turn me on.

Panicking! Panic panic panic!

Ok, maybe I would talk to Eve later.

Later:

I ran up to the Café, hoping to god it was open. I glanced at the clock through the window. An hour to opening. Frustrated, I sat, taking in my surroundings. If what I had planned worked, I'd be screwed.

If it didn't...

Well, I didn't want to think about that to be honest.

I retied my ponytail, then readjusted my belt. After glancing around several times, I took it upon myself to check my scent.

Whoa, ok that's a bit bad. No time for washing up though. Five minutes...

I hate waiting. I'm great at waiting when I'm just pulling up a fish. But this... I was intimidated, to say the least.

"C'mon... open..." I felt jittering and awake, my nerves pulsating throughout, sending me on edge. "C'mon!"

"What?" I looked up. Duke was standing over me, a large frown printed on his slightly weathered face.

"Err... just couldn't wait to uh... have some sashimi." I mumbled, pulling myself up. What would he think if he knew about his niece? Would he appreciate the fact that she wanted about every other guy here? Mentally rolling my eyes, I followed the owner inside.

"Eve, I have to talk to you." I made my eyes match a perfectly begging puppy. She laughed.

"Feeling better?"

"Not in the least." I smiled, my confidence lifted.

"Well, spit it out. I do love an interesting story." Oh it's interesting. My confidence ran into a small hole and thoroughly buried itself. So much for that.

"Well... uh... you know your... uh... offer?" I stammered quickly through my words, face redder than a ripe beet.

"Offer?" Dammit. Damn girls. Damn damn damn. She's looking amazing tonight- I yanked my thoughts away from Eve, who was now leaning far over the table, plump cleavage peeking through her white-ruffled shirt.

"Offer." I replied firmly. Free sex? Ring a bell? She was blushing.

"Ray... I... gave away that offer. Um..." She looked down at the table, nervously scratching away at a small pockmark. "Dan and I-" she cleared her throat. "Hit it off last night."

"Slut." She smiled, still unsure of my take on this entire thing. I wasn't joking.

Slut.

"Ray, you always understand."

"You did say 'always' though..."

"But that was before-!" I frowned, shaking my head. She looked at me in near disbelief.

"I really need you right now though." Whoa. That came out way too fast and way to honest.

She blushed deeper, her cheeks matching Gwen's gaze. "I..." She considered it. I saw her eyes searching out an answer. Her finger scratched harder on the little pockmark, making it bigger and bigger. "Ok." She whispered, pulling my hand towards hers. "Upstairs."

She led me up and away, her hand clutching mine tightly.

"Ray... you don't know how much I've wanted you."

"But..." You like Dan. But hell! It was a compliment! I could live with this. "Listen. You've got to know why I'm asking this of you, Eve." She nodded, pink eyes wide. "I..." she took a deep breath to steady herself for my news. This is where the 'interesting story' comes in. "I want to do this because I don't..." I trailed off, blushing. I'm so nervous. "I don't know... about my... feelings..." I gulped. That was vague enough. My heart was clenching into itself.

"Ray! Ray, this is, this is one-night only! I'm so sorry if I led you on! But... I'm with Dan now!" Her eyes were filled with a confusing understanding, eyes searching mine in pity.

She doesn't get it. But I nodded and she let out a breath of air. It seems we had come to an understanding. One night. That's all I needed anyway. "Are you ready?" My turn. I nodded. "If you want to stop, just..." I nodded again, cutting her off. "Ok." She untied her wrap-around skirt, flicking off her high-heels as she did. Nothing yet. She looked at me through her lashes. I blushed but felt no surge of emotion. C'mon... Sweat dripped down the nape of my neck. She pulled off her shirt.

There she stood, in tall, curvy glory. White lace hugged those dazzling curves. She untied her ribbon, letting silky spirals of golden threads fall over her face, curling around her white-laced chest. Still nothing. Shit. Shit shit shit. "Ready...?" She whispered. I nodded.

My best friend was stripping for me. Odd thought... couldn't shake it. Felt like I was going to... throw up. And that's what I did. Right on her bed. Right on her clothes. On the floor. I threw up.

Holy shit. Holy fucking shit. Eve blushed and started crying. Just crying. "Am I that ugly, Ray?" Gorgeous! I wanted to say. For a girl.

"Holy shit." I moaned. "I'm gay."