Secrets of the South

Her curly hair billowed past her petite shoulders, framing a delicately carved face. Her tresses cascaded across slender hips, gently tapering down a narrow waist that men longed to embrace and women sighed over. Bronzed skin covered shapely long legs and a curvy exterior that only a few women successfully accomplished. The slight husky purr that unconsciously snaked its way into her accent indicated that she was of Asian heritage. Her brown eyes hinted at secrets and a lacerating past that surreptitiously hid behind a masquerade of bliss.

“So this is what the country is all about!” Arianna exclaimed. Her soft brown eyes crinkled with amusement.

“Were you expecting country bumpkins? Cowboy’s with a southern drawl? Maybe even the occasional rural Amish folk to come gallivanting past us on a bullock cart?” He inquired, setting the groceries they had bought for their trip down on the antique custom carved oak table.
Musical laughter bubbled melodiously through her soft rosy lips, echoing harmoniously through the cabin’s hollow walls. As she did so, she threw her head back delicately, vulnerably exposing her tender throat…..the soft curve of her ear…..

She certainly is a sight. He thought.

“Well, to be honest….I wasn’t quite certain what to expect…… Although, the prospect of encountering a cowboy does sound rather enticing.” She smiled mischievously, unconscious of the stir she created inside him.

He didn’t return her gesture. A hint of anxiety momentarily danced across his face, but he recovered instantaneously.

“I’m sure you’ll get more than what you bargained for.” He retorted mysteriously.

“Adventure is what I’m here for Brad……..So let the games begin!”

“I have to be back by Sunday……….which means you’ll be here by yourself. Are you sure you want to spend the rest of your vacation here? You haven’t a clue about life in the south. And you’ve never even been camping!”

“Oh, I’m sure I’ll manage. You are such a worry wart! You know that?”

“Suit yourself.”

“Besides….I’m confined to a cabin, not a tent………And you know I was only teasing about the cowboys. I love only you.”

She threw her arms around his neck like a playful child and hung on to him precariously, dangling her legs up in the air.

He laughed and then swung her around.

“It’s not you I’m worried about love! Whatever will become of those poor lads with you around!”

She made a face.

“Oh is that so! Remember you still have to woo me! The band’s not on my finger yet!”

He chuckled in response. She was a feisty little one alright!

“I’m still deciding!” He teased. “A little persuasion might go a long way.” He looked her over playfully!
She glared at him. Her hands purposefully poised over her slim hips. “Persuasion! Why Y-You! You arrogant! Condescending! Supercilious! Conceited…..”

“Woah! Slow down there sassy fras!” He grasped his sides, bellowing with laughter. “I know you believe in Abstinence. I do too! It’s so easy to tease you!”

“……Brute.” She finished.

She pouted, staring stubbornly out the window with her arms cris-crossed. He wrapped her in his arms, amused.

“Would a brute do this?” He asked, nibbling her ear.

“or this?” He continued kissing her neck. She moaned softly, her eyes blissfully shut as he lavished her with kisses.

“mmmmmmmm”

“Want me to go on?”

“No…..I-I can’t.”

“Why not? We’re going to be married anyway.”

“I’ll wait till then.”

“I don’t want to wait.”

“Me neither.”

“So why can’t I go on?”

“It’s a matter of principle…….and belief. Brad, we’ve discussed this before.”
He sighed resignedly. He was willing to wait as long as it took. But his resolve was weakening with every sway of her feminine curves.

“Well, I’m going to put these away.” He said, indicating the groceries. He turned to leave.

“Brad…”

“yeah?”

“I love you….”

Arianna knew that she was on the verge of a new odyssey. She loved the silence…..the serene reverberation of nothing but the breeze……even the annoying cry of an irate bullfrog roused from slumber, didn’t appear to perturb her mood….If only Brad understood. Sunday had not turned out to be pleasant. They’d argued about their future and his desire to consummate their marriage before scheduled. She couldn’t blame him. He’d waited four years to tie the knot. She’d put off marriage for personal reasons……..reasons that she could tell noone about. Her life was an enigma......a maze of deceit and vengeful lies, haunted emotions that could only be quelled by circumstances that did not exist. To her, suicide was not an option. No.......she was stronger than that.

She crawled under the covers, her eyes resolutely shut. Perhaps tonight she might be able to elude the nightmares. She wanted to do this. She needed to do this…..needed to know that she could protect herself…..that not every man was fickle and vile. Tonight her dreams would be about Brad…..about their life together…..about starting a family. She smiled………and then it began.