Adrians POV

Organized as she was, Sydney had bought a map which she was now studying carefully.

I watched her trailing her fingers over the thin paper, brushing away some strands of hair, that were falling into her face from time to time and I got distracted by her biting her lip while she was working out our next move.

So camping it was. Not an experience I normally would be looking forward to, but under the circumstances,.. she was with me, that was all that counted.

"River or lake?" Sydney suddenly asked interrupting my thoughts and I looked at her dumfounded.

She chuckled "Well, I would prefer a shower, too but sadly, that´s out of the question".

That was my girlfriend, always thinking of everything.

"Than lake it is" I said.

An hour later Sydney stopped the car next to a small lake, that was surrounded by groups of treess and reed.

"We´re here" she said taking in the view.

It really was peaceful out here. The sun was hitting the tops of the biggest trees, making the water look like liquid crystals in the evening sun.

We got out of the car and Sydney opened the back door and unloaded the tent.

"Let me do that" I said reaching out for the bundle in her hands.

"Have you ever been camping before?" she asked raising an eyebrow.

"No, but setting up a tent can´t be that hard" I said taking the bag out of her hands.

"Your choice" she said with an amused look and sat down on the back seat of the car to watch me.

I opened the bag in my hand and began to sort everything I found inside. Poles to poles, fabric to fabric and than the tent pegs into the bag again.

That couldn´t be so hard now, could it.

I was wrong.

Half an hour later I gave up.

"What the... I think there´s something missing here" I said looking once again at the manual.

"I put that thing here into that one, but it´s not working" I sad showing her the poles in my hands.

Sydney jumped out of the car and walked over to me.

At the beginning she had tried to help me, telling me which pole I should connect and whatnot, what had confused me even more. Than she´d stopped and simply watched me struggle.

"Manual labor isn´t your long suit now, is it?" she said with a grin.

"I have many other qualities" I defended myself.

She tiptoed and swung her arms around my neck.

"And don´t I know it" she said before she kissed me.

"This... only being one of them" she whispered in my ear before she slowly pulled away to setup the tent.

It took her less than 5 minutes to set it up and I once again was impressed by her skills.

Sydneys POV

"Well, I´m impressed Sage" Adrian said when I finished.

"Is there something you actually cant do?" he asked with a grin.

"There are some things" I replied with a small wink.

"So, I don´t know about you, but that shower you mentioned earlier sounds pretty good to me now" he said looking over to the lake.

The sun was now behind the trees, but it still was pretty hot and after setting up the tent, I felt kind of sweaty.

"I´m all in" I said and than I suddenly blushed a little.

He eyed my curiously "What is it?" he asked.

I shrugged my shoulders, feeling kind of silly.

"Nothing. Let´s go" I said avoiding his eyes and turning around.

He was next to me in an instant putting his arms around my waist and pulling up my chin with his index finger, so he could look me in the eyes.

"Tell me" he said softly.

"It´s stupid" I said looking down.

"Sage" he said in a pleading way "Whats wrong?"

I sighed "Nothing´s wrong. And like I said, it´s really silly" I stopped, still feeling his eyes on me as he was holding me close to him. "I... I just realized I didn´t think about swimsuits" I went on feeling my cheeks flush again. "And I know it´s no big deal, it´s just... I don´t know" I said. My voice was a whisper now.

I really didn´t know why this was such a big deal for me. It wasn´t like I had to go swimming with him naked, I could still wear my underwear.

"You are adorable" Adrian whispered and I looked up and rolled my eyes at him.

"Adorable?" I shook my head "Why is that adorable?" I asked.

He chuckled softly "If it makes you feel better, I´m going to close my eyes until you´re dressed again" he said.

I sighed "You´re making fun of me" I said pulling away, feeling a light sting in my heart.

He pulled me back in his arms "Am not" he said and I was about to argue when he went on.

"I´m sorry" he said brushing over my cheek "It´s just puzzling how you act like you do when we´re kissing and now you´re feeling insecure" he said.

I blushed once again.

I kind of understood what he meant. I had been thinking about that, too. I had come to the conclusion, that it simply was impossible for me to think straight in those moments or even think at all for that matter. Ergo, there just wasn´t any time for me to feel insecure.

"There is nothing to be insecure about" he whispered, gently kissing my earlobe and I practically melted in his strong arms around me.

How could he be so good at this? How was it possible, that me, Sydney Sage completely stopped thinking when he was this close?

"You" a kiss on my neck "are" another one right next to it "the most" he began kissing my jawline "beautiful" my knees got a little weak "creature" I had to support myself by putting my arms around his neck "walking this earth" he finished before his lips found mine.

I melted into the kiss, forgetting all about my earlier insecurities. He always seemed to know the right words to say.

We stood like this for some time, kissing, touching, exchanging smiles and gazes.

"Now Sage, you want me to come with you?" he asked.

I nodded and he smiled "You sure?" he asked lacing his fingers through mine.

The sun had set now and the dull light and his earlier words made me feel bold.

"Now come, before I change my mind" I said chuckling.

We walked hand in hand to the lake. I got rid of my shoes on the way there and so did Adrian. We were standing on the water´s edge now, letting the water bath around our feet.

The cool water felt wonderful.

I let go of his hand and pulled my blouse out of my shorts.

He smiled at me and I returned his smile.

He started to get undressed as well, keeping his gaze on the water before us while I was stepping out of my shorts and throwing my blouse right next to it.

When we both were only wearing underwear he took my hand and pulled me with him into the water.

The cool water felt wonderful against my heated skin.

Adrians POV

I was well aware of Sydney beside me only wearing her underwear.

She was now completely covered my water and had closed her eyes, ducking under the water and splashing water at me from time to time.

I chuckled, watching her. The water really felt wonderful.

She was brushing back her long wet hair and with all those water drops, that were shimmering on her skin, she looked nearly painfully beautiful. Like a greek goddess, glowing from within. Graceful and strong.

For a second it took my breath away.

She found my hand under the water and brought me back to reality.

"Let´s go eat something" she said.

Her skin brushed against mine and despite my earlier promise to keep my distance, I turned around and pulled her into my arms.

Sydneys POV

I gasped when he pulled me close to him, his hands on my bare skin on my back.

My skin felt tingly and warm wherever his skin was touching mine.

He pulled me up and I supported myself by putting my legs around his waist.

God he was so close now.

His lips found mine and I welcomed them eagerly, fully aware of the nearly non existent barrier of clothing between us. I felt his hands on me and got lost.

Much to soon he pulled away, releasing me back into the water.

"I´m sorry" he said brushing through is hair, making a million water drops go flying and actually looked kind of ashamed. He still was smirking at me but there was something in his eyes.

I winked at him "I didn´t mind" I said still a little breathless.

He chuckled but still kept his gaze strictly on my face. I loved him for that.

"Now come" he said taking my hand again "Let´s get something to eat".