Lessons Learnt

Chapter 5

"You're going to have to give me more info than that Charles." Molly was laughing in into her phone sprawled across the bed. It was ridiculous, she thought, just how giggly she became at the sound of his voice.

"Nope. Not giving anything away." Smirked Charles on the other end. He loved to hear her giggle, it sent shivers through him in a very good way.

It had been several weeks since their first date. Well, second date if you count the one he originally messed up. Since then they had seen each other a few more times. Each time it just got better and better. They had been out for another meal, to the pub, and even to the cinema. Never going to far, nothing more than hand holding and a few respectful good night kisses. It was killing Charles taking it slow, something he had never really done before, but he wanted to tread carefully with Molly, he didn't want to mess up again. He really felt that this was different for him, not just a transient distraction, a fleeting fancy, but something more.

So this weekend he'd planned a special date, he hadn't told her anything about it and that was what he was teasing her with now.

"You'll at least have to tell me what I should wear." She begged.

An image flashed in Charles' mind, he knew exactly what he would like her to wear! He pushed that thought to the back of his head. What was it about this girl that got him so worked up?

"Ok. Jeans, trainers, waterproofs... something wearable for a day outdoors. Oh shorts and a swimming costume." He finally relented.

"Oh bleeding hell. You've got me all worked up now." Then realising how that sounded, embarrassed she said. "I mean…. wondering what we're going to be doing. As in activities and that." Oh God, thought Molly what was it about this guy that got her acting like a teenager?

Charles laughed down the line, well aware of her double entendre. "Don't worry Molly. You'll have fun. I'll look after you".

"I know you will." She replied back with total sincerity, and she really, for once in her life, believed that this was a man who would.
"Sorry." She continued. "That I have to be at work on Sunday. My guard duty starts at 6a.m on Sunday morning so I'll can't be back too late on Saturday evening."

"God I sometimes forget that my girlfriend's a soldier." Charles replied, halting when he picked up on what he'd just said. Silence came from the other end of the line. Shit he though. Way to go James, so much for not scaring her off!

"Girlfriend?" Was all Molly said. It seemed ridiculous that two grown-ups were using such an adolescent term, but hearing it come from Charles made her very happy. She hadn't had a "boyfriend" since she was at school. It brought up images of sweet dates, school discos, and quick snogs behind the back of the PE block. The memories made her giggle.

"What's funny?" Charles said feeling foolish at her response.

"Nothing. It's just... well is that how you see me then? As your girlfriend?"

"Well...yes." Said Charles. Quietly, apologetically. "Is that ok?"

"Yes. Charles, that's ok. It's really ok." She reassured him.

"Ok." said Charles trying to get back on track, on more familiar territory of organising their next date. "So I'll pick you up at the gate about 9?

"Nine? It's my day off! I'll have to get up earlier than when I go to work!" She laughed down the phone. "You're a bit keen aren't you?

"Yes."

"Yes what?" she asked.

"Yes. I am a bit keen Molly." Charles admitted.

"Oh..." Again she was lulled into silence buy his admission. "Ok then 9 it is."

"Great. Looking forward to seeing you then Molly."

"Me too Charles."

That Saturday came around at a deathly slow pace for Molly. Never had she anticipated anything so much. Well apart from her last few dates with Charles. When the day did finally arrive Molly found herself awake, far earlier than normal, and full of excitement. By the time Charles pulled into the Guard's House gate she was almost bouncing from foot to foot with happiness.

He looked gorgeous, wearing shorts and a T-shirt. Though she admitted to herself he was just as gorgeous as he looked on previous dates. When she jumped into his car Charles however couldn't stop staring at her. Molly had also chosen to wear a pair of shorts. Not short shorts, respectable "let's go walking shorts", but still it was the first time he'd seen so much bare flesh.

"Wow you look amazing." He said and caught her smiling at him when he eventually looked up having dragged his eyes away from her toned, tanned legs.

"Thank you." She laughed having caught him looking. "So when are you going to tell me what we're doing today? I can't wait out any longer!"

He understood her frustration having caught sight of her beautiful legs for the first time Charles knew exactly how she felt. Waiting out was hard!

"We're off for a day's kayaking, then I thought we could have a picnic along the river."

Molly squealed. "That sounds perfect Charles".

Before she'd joined the Army she wasn't really an outdoors type of girl. Hadn't really had the opportunity to even try it. Since the Army and her tours anything outside and adventurous she loved. Kayaking with Charles sounded great, and a picnic too thrown into the mix.

"So do we need to stop off somewhere to get some sandwiches or something?" She asked.

"All sorted." Said Charles as he nodded his head to the back seat. When Molly looked she saw the picnic hamper and all the equipment they'd need for the day.

Molly was touched. Charles seemed to have put a lot of thought into today. Then, as though he read her mind, he reached over with his hand and went to hold hers.

"I just want today to be perfect." He said.

Molly squeezed his hand, holding it firmly in place. Then bravely leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. She found it cute the blush that swept over Charles' face, alongside a smile that nearly broke his face in two.

"Lovely". Was all he said when he trusted his voice not to give his emotions away too much. The smile remained and Molly knew the gesture was well and truly appreciated. She held onto his hand though, liking it resting on her lap.

From that point onwards Charles found it hard to truly concentrate on his driving. Molly was holding his hand, it felt warm and safe. She rhythmically stroked her fingers along his knuckles. The sensations he felt were amazing, even a bit over powering if he was honest. He was not only finding driving difficult but sitting was becoming uncomfortable too. Molly turned to him and giggled. She had noticed his discomfort. Lady-like though she turned her head away, wanting to save his blushes.

He groaned involuntarily at his situation. Feeling the charge of their emotions in the car, hoping that she was feeling something too. Charles was embarrassed but knew he had to say something, it was so obvious.

"Sorry." Was all he could say, but he knew he was instantly forgiven for his body's natural response, by her smile at his words.

"Don't worry. It's ok. Quite flattering really." Feeling pleased at his obvious attraction to her, biting her tongue between her lips. Not a wise move though, she thought, as she notice Charles' gaze rest on her lips. It was something Charles had watch her do several times now and each time he found it more pleasing than the last. Such a sensual loaded move wasn't helping his predicament.

"Oi you... eyes on the road!" She scolded. They laughed as he squirmed further in to his seat, but brought her hands up to his beautiful lips and placed the most lingering kiss she'd ever experienced on her palm.

The car journey took another 20 mins or so and was filled with comfortable small talk and silences. Both looking at each other throughout, each look becoming more and more rousing. Whenever possible, which was most of the time, save gear changes, Molly held on to Charles' hand. Needing the feel of his skin on hers. Playing out a beautiful act of love making with just their fingers intertwining with one another's.

As they arrived in the car park of the kayaking centre Charles killed the engine, and looked over at Molly. His eyes instantly seeking hers out, talking to hers without words.

"You ok?" He eventually verbalised.

"Yes. Why wouldn't I be." Confused by his question, worried he was sensing something was wrong.

But then Molly knew, he was asking for permission to take the next step. He leaned his body over to hers, the smell of him and the summer air assaulting her nose, and heightening all her senses. His head bowed slowly down to hers and she knew he was going to kiss her. His lips gentley met hers, and she gasped. Charles pulled back quickly, fearful that his move was unwanted. She had never been kissed like that before, it was charged and powered by raw emotion. It was simply breath taking. She fluttered her eyes and silently gave him permission to continue, and that he did. He kissed her again slightly firmer and longer this time. Both enjoying the new experience, both hoping this was the first type of many to come.

Charles pulled away. Molly felt shocked by his lips departure.

"What did you do that for?" Asked Molly, trying hard not to sound affronted.

"What kiss you?" Panic started in Charles' gut. Worried his happy bubble was just about to pop.

"No… Stop". Grinned Molly, stroking his face gently.

The happy bubble in Charles' world, at her words and action just got bigger.

"I stopped Miss Dawes because I feared if I'd gone on I don't think I'd be responsible for my actions, or if I'd ever be able to stop."

She cheekily looked at him and said.

"Next time Charles don't..."

"Don't what?" he asked.

"Stop." She took a huge breath not certain if her voice would convey accurately her feelings. "Would quite like to see what happens when you don't!"

"Christ Molly." Charles audibly gulped as he watched her get out of the car, casting a cheeky smile over her shoulder. Oh he thought today was going to be a good day. Needing a few more minutes before he could comfortably leave his car too.

The day turned out to be perfect. More than either of them had hoped. Charles found to his delight that Molly loved messing about on the water just as much as he did. She wasn't one of those women who were bothered about their hair or make up. She was comfortable with her natural beauty and didn't let any vanity get in the way of her having fun. He felt that for the first time with one of his dates, he was being who he truly was, and not what his date wanted him to be.

Several hours of kayaking down the river Charles suggested that they stop for lunch. Charles set up the picnic while Molly, in Charles' polite terms, went to freshen up. As she returned from the bushes he looked up and said.

"Sorry there are no facilities here for you to use. Didn't think of that."

"Don't be daft Charles." She said as she washed her hands in the river. "I'm a soldier. When we're on patrol do you think the CO stops to look for loos for the girls? No I'm afraid it's a bit crude but bushes and holes dug in the grown are generally the best I can hope for when on manoeuvres."

With this Charles laughed. Forgetting that this beautiful delicate girl was also a tough soldier in the Army and was as tough as any of the SF lads. He actually found it difficult sometimes to marry the two images of her in his head.

Molly came over to where Charles was setting up. She was amazed at what she saw. She'd expected a sandwich maybe a bottle of water but what she saw was beyond that. Charles has put on a lovely spread, had really thought about the day. Cold meats, breads, cheeses fruit, and even a bottle of fizz, all laid out on picnic rug.

Molly bashfully admitted to him that it was her first real picnic and she thought it was perfect. He beamed at her praise, and surprised himself as the realisation hit, he just wanted to make Molly happy.

No one had ever gone to this effort for Molly before. To thank him she leaned over to give him peck on the cheek. Charles anticipated the kiss and turned his head and met her lips full on, pulling her towards him she found herself straddling his lap with very little thought or effort. Both began kissing one another with gay abandonment. Exploring and discovering, feeling thrills of excitement and desire pulse through their bodies. The situation started to become heated, both realising at the same time that they were on a dangerous ground kissing so passionately out in public. They both reluctantly broke apart, coyly looking into each other eyes. They had both stopped out of necessity, not because that is what they had truly wanted.

"I think we should eat." Charles said, using food as a practical diversion.

"Yes very good idea." Molly said in a mock stern voice. Then more gently added. "This looks lovely Charles thank you." Dipped her head and looked through her lashes at him added. "I can't wait to see what you have planned for desert!"

Charles choked in a most ungentlemanly manner, on his glass of fizz.

Desert turned out to be some type of lemon tart. Perfectly safe and normal. Well it would have been if they both hadn't spoon fed one another, tantalising each other with their actions and looks. The atmosphere soon became heated again. Both Molly and Charles had both tasted each other passions and wanted more, fearing that out here in public they may not get their appetites truly satiated.

The afternoon sun was hot and beating down on them. Charles realising that it wasn't just the sun making him uncomfortable he suggested a swim. Charles knew he was in trouble again as soon as he watched Molly stand up. There she stood in front of him slowly easing her shorts down her legs, and pulling her vest over her head to expose her swim costume clad body. A perfect body that rippled with strength and womanhood. Her hair tumbling down her back brushing across her shoulders and touching her bare skin in away Charles envied. His finger seemed to itch with impatience at this sight.

Splashing about in the river was fun. Molly wasn't the strongest swimmer and the river was a bit on the chilly side. But it was perfect in theory for cooling them both down, but they still couldn't keep their hands off each other. The cover of the water giving them both boldness to their new found intimacy. Charles' fingers finally brushed across all the curves and dips of Molly's body, enjoying the sensation and her response to his touch. Their tongues did their own exploring and discovered new tastes of each other. Their eyes spoke to one another of passion and desire as only new lovers know how. Both of their senses were overloaded with stimulation and emotions.

Molly felt adored and precious, like she was some special secret that Charles reverently wished to worship and discover all at the same time. She had responded to his touch in an almost automatic way, having no true control of the desire she had building for him. She'd had been thoroughly impressed with the sight of Charles as he had stripped down to his trunks, Enjoyed the view of his tone body, and legs. Delighting in the feeling of the strength in his arms wrapping around her. She shivered at the memory of his physique and the feelings being stirred up in her belly.

Charles notice the shiver, misunderstanding it and suggested that they move to the picnic rug. Molly was instantly disappointed by their lack of contact, but only briefly for as soon as they got to the bank side Charles threw a towel around her and held her close to his chest. She felt safe in his arms, and almost childlike in his protection. When he pulled her down on the rug to lie beside him she willing followed.

"We should think about getting back. I guess." He said, sighing into her hair. Their intimacy had moved huge steps forward, but there was still more that they desired from one another. Their need for that connection had not been truly satisfied in the most basic of ways. Charles regretting that their time for today was coming to an end.

Her head whipped up. "Let's just stay a little longer. We've hours yet."

"Are you not cold? Tired?" He asked concerned, mindful of the 12hr guard duty she was on tomorrow. The day so far had been intense emotionally and physically for them both.

"No I'm fine. Perfect even. Let's just stay here and cuddle."

"Cuddle." He snorted commonly into her hair. "Think we're way past cuddling Molly. I mean it been, we've been… pretty….you know…hot."

"Yeah. It was wasn't it." Beaming at him. "I don't want to go back though. This is just so nice. Came we stay for a while?"

"Course we can. We just have to be a bit more …you know…. Decent. Anyone could see us."

The next couple of hours they spent lying in each other's arm. Molly running her hand constantly over his arms and chest, needing that connection, that reassurance that the feelings inside of her were as beautiful as the man next to her. Charles played with her hair and counting the few freckles she had on her nose. Basking in the heat of the sun reflecting on this natural beauty he held in his arms. A closeness they never had shared before was present, there on that picnic rug. Emotions that neither had truly felt before, starting to bloom between them.

Soon though it came time to paddle back and return Molly to barracks. She needed her bed, due to her early start in the morning. During the journey home he saw her yawning once or twice, appreciating the events of the day were catching up with her. There was no talk of him coming back to her room on camp, it just wasn't a done thing. Or at least it wasn't at this stage in their relationship.

Charles though mindful of those prying eyes within the barrack walls stopped a few blocks away, so he could say a proper good bye and good night to Molly, this incredible creature. Which is what they did, and it was both sweet and perfect…but dangerous. Each appreciating their emotions were becoming harder to stop with each kiss, each touch harder to control. When they finally broke apart, with promises to call, it was with heavy hearts and racing pulses.

Molly was sure that when she passed her colleagues on the gates they knew by her smile and swollen lips just exactly what she had been up to all afternoon, that and happiness booming in her heart.