The Sweetest Scent Part 17

Lacey tried for a polite smile but felt the gesture was halfhearted. "Thank you, but I have my own."

The man nodded in understanding and returned to his own showering.

As she went back to her was.h.i.+ng up, she wondered if it was always going to be like this. Men seeing a pretty little boy, ready to be a punching bag or to be gang-raped. Would she ever be able to just be herself and not raise any eyebrows or animosities from people who knew nothing about her? Though it was many months past, she could still feel the sting on her cheek where her father had struck her, hatred in his eyes and soul for a son who was "wrong" and not manly.

Warm waters washed away her hot tears, and she smothered the sobs that threatened to spill out.

Picking herself up emotionally, she turned off the water, dried herself, grabbed her stuff, and walked back to her locker. The other man was sitting on the same long bench, toweling his hair. He offered a friendly smile but didn't linger with his gaze, as if not expecting anything.

The door to the locker rooms opened loudly. A young man with visible resemblance to the older man peeked his head past the lockers. "Dad, you about ready? We're gonna head out to the amphitheater."

"Two minutes, son," the man replied with a nod. The teenager flashed a flirty grin at Lacey, and he was gone. "He's c.o.c.ky, but he means well. I'm sure he didn't mean to startle you."

Lacey watched the man aim his words at her, and she forced a smile on her lips. "Oh, I'm just a scaredy-cat today. I thought it was a bear." She thought a jest might lighten the mood.

The man chuckled. "Ah. Well, Edwin can sure eat like a bear at times. Sometimes I think he's packing away to hibernate in a cave somewhere."

Lacey laughed in spite of herself. "Bro, my boyfriend, is exactly the same way." Then she realized what she had said, and the laughter died on her lips.

But the man merely nodded. "Teenage boys... I thought college tuition was all I had to prepare for. But no. I feel like I'm feeding an army."

Relieved, Lacey dared a small t.i.tter. "Occupying forces."

"You staying at the campground?" the man asked, giving her an honestly curious look.

"Yes." That was all Lacey had the courage to say. Small-time vandalism was one thing; sneak attacks during the night with murder on the brain were something else.

"So are we. In the RV section. Brought the family with us. Last romp before college starts, and then it's work, work, work." He winked as he said it, and the gesture immediately put Lacey's mind at ease. He extended his hand. "I'm sorry. Where are my manners? Irwin Hudson."

Lacey smiled and shook the offered hand. "Lacey Adair."

"This your first time up here?"

"Yes."

Irwin nodded. "The Appalachian Trail is amazing. We do it every year. Well, perhaps not next year, if we can't convince the boy to come back from college to stay with us old farts."

Lacey giggled at that, covering her mouth and feeling mildly embarra.s.sed. "Sorry."

Irwin grinned. "No need." He waved a dismissive hand about. "You have a wonderful, memorable, and fun trip, Ms. Adair." He rose to get dressed, and Lacey followed suit. Suddenly the man spoke again, his voice lower, just above a whisper. "Is the reason you're so skittish because someone's been hara.s.sing you?"

Lacey fell silent, but only for a moment. "Some jerk mouthed off when I came in. No biggie."

Harrumphing, Irwin asked, "An unkempt little p.r.i.c.k with a dog?" Lacey nodded, not quite sure where this was going. Irwin sure didn't sound like he was friends with that moron. "That's Miles. And you're right. He is is a jerk." He dug into the pocket of his slacks and produced a business card. "Here's my number. If you run into trouble with Miles, you call me. We'll be in the area for another week. If you need backup with the park rangers, you just let me know." a jerk." He dug into the pocket of his slacks and produced a business card. "Here's my number. If you run into trouble with Miles, you call me. We'll be in the area for another week. If you need backup with the park rangers, you just let me know."

"You believe me?" Lacey was surprised a complete stranger would take her at face value.

"That idiot was making rude remarks to my wife and son too, so yeah, I believe you." Irwin's gaze was steady and encouraging. "Be sure to call me if something happens."

"I will." Lacey nodded gratefully, tucking the card into her pocket.

"We better walk out together," Irwin suggested, putting on his coat. "Not that I think you couldn't handle yourself, Ms. Adair. But strength in numbers, as they say. Just want to make sure he's not outside waiting for you."

Lacey finished getting dressed and thanked Irwin again. They left the dressing rooms side by side, and sure enough, Miles was outside, throwing a stick to his dog, who fetched time and again. His gaze swept over Lacey and Irwin, then turned away.

After saying farewell to Irwin, Lacey climbed into her car and drove back to her tent.

Bro was waiting for her, eating a licorice stick in front of the tent. He smiled when he spotted her approaching. "And here I thought the view couldn't possibly improve."

Lacey giggled, glad to be back with her special guy. "Play your cards right, mister, and you might see something private that no other man has ever beheld." She sat down between his legs and lay back against his chest, feeling safe again.

"That sounds like a promise," he teased, kissing her temple, and his breath smelled like licorice. Lacey sighed, the tension leaving her shoulders. "Shouldn't a shower have made you less tense, not more?"

The cold dread in the pit of her stomach had melted in Bro's embrace, so Lacey felt no apprehension about sharing her recent experiences in the campground showers. Once she was done talking about Miles and Irwin, Bro was serious and inching toward angry.

"That piece of s.h.i.+t motherf.u.c.ker," he growled out.

"Irwin was ever the gentleman and knight in s.h.i.+ning armor," Lacey cut in. "That other guy, he doesn't matter. There's always going to be some miserable, hate-filled meanie who has it in for us. Let's just forget about him and enjoy our vacation, all right?" She turned in his arms, facing him. "I love you, Bro. Now you go take a shower, and then we can cuddle late into the night." Then she grinned naughtily. "And by cuddle, I mean-"

"On my way, gorgeous." Bro was up on his feet before he even finished his sentence, and Lacey snickered. With his supplies tucked under his arm, Bro walked to the car and drove off.

Lacey settled in to wait. She saw another couple setting up camp farther away, within eyesight but not earshot. Nonetheless, it was good to know there were people around if something were to happen. The campfire was lively, and she watched the evening wane, darkness falling over the wilderness like a shroud. White dots colored the blackening sky as the stars came up, and Lacey felt at peace.

Nothing was going to ruin this time with her boyfriend.

Chapter 15.

THE d.i.c.khead mouthing off at the showers wasn't there when Bro arrived, and though he remained vigilant, Miles didn't make a reappearance. That was a good thing, Bro decided, since if he had, Bro might have been tempted to put the guy in a hurt locker. d.i.c.khead mouthing off at the showers wasn't there when Bro arrived, and though he remained vigilant, Miles didn't make a reappearance. That was a good thing, Bro decided, since if he had, Bro might have been tempted to put the guy in a hurt locker.

But he got to shower and clean up all by his lonesome.

He returned to the tent and found Lacey sitting by the open flaps, watching the stars. The air was getting colder but also drier. The wet weather from earlier had gone and left a cool, crisp night in its wake.

Lacey's light-brown eyes held concern and a silent question, and Bro shook his head. "No one. Guess he took off."

The relief in Lacey was visible, and Bro went to hold her after he put his clothes and towel close to the fire to dry. He embraced his girlfriend and then snuggled in close. As usual, her hair smelled like strawberries from the shampoo, and he inhaled it deep into his lungs. When she was going to be gone for most of the day, every day, in Baltimore, Bro was going to have to learn not to think about her obsessively. The prospect sucked big hairy donkey b.a.l.l.s, he thought glumly, after two years of seeing each other every day and nearly every hour.

They waited for their towels and damp clothes to dry before putting the fire out and cleared the site to get ready for bed. It was only 9:00 p.m., but they'd had a long day, and Bro was sure Lacey felt as exhausted as he did.

They zipped their sleeping bags together, undressed down to their underwear, and slipped in under the covers. The chilly air gave them both gooseflesh, but soon they were pressed skintight against each other, and the cold didn't matter.

Then Lacey found Bro's lips, and nothing counted but their erotic, loving intimacy.

After removing both their undies, Bro flipped Lacey on top of him so he was able to leisurely run his hands down Lacey's silky chest, smooth flanks, and satiny back, to cup the round mounds of flesh and give them a light pinch that made him him whimper and wiggle about. When naked, Lacey was all man, a him. whimper and wiggle about. When naked, Lacey was all man, a him. My guy My guy.

And Lacey did indeed moan low into the kiss, so Bro got the chance to delve deep into his mouth, claiming him for all time.

The heated urgency gave way to pa.s.sionate exploration, as if they hadn't slept together just last night. Lacey straddled Bro's hips, settling their c.o.c.ks side by side between them, and then he started to hump and grind. Their d.i.c.ks, soon slicked by precome, slid together smoothly and hotly.

It was Bro's turn to groan with pleasure.

Whenever they were together, each time felt better than the last. Rationally, Bro knew this high couldn't keep on going forever, but when he looked into his future with his mind's eye, the only constant was Lacey. He couldn't and didn't want to imagine life without him.

Bro nibbled on Lacey's full lower lip before sliding his tongue between his lips. Their slick, hot tongues met, then they entangled, and it was glorious. Bro couldn't stop kissing him. His arms tightened around his body, and Lacey s.h.i.+vered.

"You want to... maybe?" Lacey asked breathlessly against his lips.

Lacey's meaning was clear to Bro. They had been together for a year and nine months. It was almost two years, and they'd not had a.n.a.l s.e.x. They had done a lot of other things just as hot and intimate, but though they had talked about it many times and even started a few times, it had never come to pa.s.s.

Bro felt Lacey wasn't ready. "In a tent? Outside in the cold? Where anyone can hear us?" Bro sighed but kissed him softly to show him he understood. "I know why you want to. G.o.d knows I want to! But... just because we're going to college, doesn't mean we should rush into this. Besides, I'd like a chance to seduce you and take our time, and preferably in a proper bed." He chuckled as he spoke, hoping the sound brought enough levity into the situation.

As usual with this topic, he saw relief and disappointment war on Lacey's face. He had no doubt they both wanted to do the big it it at some point, but there was a time, place, and a good reason for having a.n.a.l s.e.x, and none of those criteria were met here, in the semiprivacy of a national park with bears, bigots, and chilly winds just outside the thin fabric of the tent. at some point, but there was a time, place, and a good reason for having a.n.a.l s.e.x, and none of those criteria were met here, in the semiprivacy of a national park with bears, bigots, and chilly winds just outside the thin fabric of the tent.

Finally, Lacey kissed him back, cupped his face, and then threaded his fingers through Bro's thick black hair. "I know you get it, honey. It's just... I know this is gonna sound stupid, but I don't want to go to college a... you know, a virgin." The last word was nothing but a whisper.

Laughing gently, Bro flipped them over so Lacey was underneath him. His legs wrapped around Lacey's waist, and the soles of Bro's feet b.u.mped Lacey's round b.u.t.t. "Baby, I a.s.sure you, you are no no virgin." He thrust his hips and ground against his lover, eliciting a moan. "After all we've done, there's no way in holy h.e.l.l you could be cla.s.sified as a virgin." virgin." He thrust his hips and ground against his lover, eliciting a moan. "After all we've done, there's no way in holy h.e.l.l you could be cla.s.sified as a virgin."

It was Lacey's turn to giggle and blush cutely. "I guess."

Bro kissed his lips, staking his claim. Lacey wound his arms around him, and then they were pressed tight together from lips to hips. "Besides, that would only matter if you plan on advertising your experience all around campus. And babe? You had better not even think about it!"

Lacey whined playfully. "No? Darn. I was going to have it tattooed on my left cheek."

Bro snickered. "Left cheek, huh?" He grabbed the body part in question, squeezing the delectable mound. "What about the right cheek?"

Lacey looked up at him solemnly even though he was still smiling. "I was thinking of Property of Bro Property of Bro."

That statement made Bro still his motions and stare, dumbfounded and way more than a little aroused. "Huh?" His lack of the finer points of speech he attributed to the fact there was barely any blood left in his brain. All of it seemed to have rushed south, below the belt.

Lacey laughed wholeheartedly, and Bro joined him. Then they were kissing, caressing, and making love, and the outside world faded away.

THE next day, they had a quiet, relaxing breakfast, feeding each other cereal with milk and banana bits and chuckling goofily for no reason. After that, they put on their hiking gear and started their sojourn. next day, they had a quiet, relaxing breakfast, feeding each other cereal with milk and banana bits and chuckling goofily for no reason. After that, they put on their hiking gear and started their sojourn.

They chose the Doyle's River-Jones Run Trail. It wasn't the easiest trail, with a lot of uphill and downhill traversing, but the scenery more than made up for it. During their over six-mile hike, they saw three wonderful waterfalls, pools, and cascades that gushed with autumn's rains. They walked by magnificent, giant deciduous trees with colorful foliage, and amid lush ferns, nettles, and mosses that formed the thick undergrowth present everywhere. Old pastures with rich beds of fall wildflowers, rugged ravines and steep gorges, and crystal clear waters running from springs and rocky, stepped waterfalls appeared around every bend. All of these were amazing sights as the morning sun shone coldly through the green, golden, and ruddy leaves of tulip poplars, chestnuts, and maples. A light fog covered most of the panoramic views over the mountainsides, and it even veiled some of the paths into the forests, giving the woods an eerie, ghostly feel. Cool moisture hung in the air, dampening their clothes and squis.h.i.+ng their hair. The rich smells of an autumn forest were the best. The earthy, crisp scent of fallen, decomposing leaves and the musty whiffs of ancient trees covered in moss drifted around them. The brisk air carried the odors of the season, of plants and animals, as nature transitioned from full blossoming to harvest and chilly winter, the time to slumber.

The trip demanded quite a workout from both of them. By the time they got back to the tent, they were exhausted. Still, they were excited, since they had seen white-tailed deer, gray squirrels, cottontail rabbits, and lots and lots of birds, all chirping and chattering away. They had taken pictures with their digital camera. Lacey had leaned against a large sycamore tree, smiling and waving, while Bro had posed in a quirky mock-militant stance by the Doyle's River Cabin, his c.o.c.ky grin firmly in place.

They had enjoyed a few grilled chicken sandwiches and chocolate-orange coffee on the trail, making sure they were close to Skyline Drive and a parking lot, so no bears felt tempted to check them-and their snacks-out. Nonetheless, as they plopped down on the blanket in front of their tent, they were both starving and weary. The day had gone by like a whirlwind, and without them realizing it, five hours had flown by.

Bro stared at the hills in the distance, the green of the woods blending into sea green and sea blue shades, but he didn't really see it. He was too focused on breathing. "So... shower?"

"G.o.d, yes!" Lacey exclaimed in between giggles.

His legs shook as he got up again, and Bro had to lean on Lacey for a moment, and she did the same. On unsteady feet, they grabbed their was.h.i.+ng kits, towels, and a change of clothes, and headed for their car. They drove up to the shower building and made their way inside.

As they were undressing in the empty locker room, Bro whispered in Lacey's ear, "So, you wanna play in the shower?"

Between snickers, Lacey swatted off his hand, which was following the trail of her hipbone far too suggestively. "If we do that, you'd have to carry me back to the tent, I'm so tired."

"Mmm, love my pretty damsel in distress," Bro retorted, grinning salaciously.

"Oh, G.o.d," Lacey moaned, half joking, half genuinely frustrated. "Behave, will you?"

"Never!" Bro exclaimed and stood up, posing like a hearty hero and holding up an imaginary blade. "I shall never yield, never-"

Lacey slapped a hand fiercely over his mumbling mouth, rolled her eyes, and dragged him toward the showers. They washed up next to each other, giving each other furtive glances filled with heat and love. Yet they didn't touch, except for was.h.i.+ng each other's backs.

The hot water cascading over Bro's shoulders smoothed the aches in muscles he had barely acknowledged before this trip. They hadn't carried much of anything in their backpacks, but the constant climbing up and down had been a test of their abilities and strength. Bro felt sleepiness wash over him, but he resisted the alluring siren's call. His rumbling stomach reminded him of more pressing needs.

He got out of the shower and returned to the lockers, drying himself off.

As he got there, a scruffy-looking man was checking out Lacey's closed locker door.

"Can I help you?" Bro asked, and the man whipped around, startled.

His gaze was definitely not amiable. "Who the f.u.c.k are you?"

The man was shorter and older than Bro, and not in good shape, not like Bro, whose life revolved around football and a variety of other sports. There was no way the guy could take him on, so Bro snorted, quirking an eyebrow. "I could ask you the same thing. But since I know that's not your locker, why don't you shove off?"

"What's going on here?"

A third voice joined in. A man dressed in a park ranger's green uniform came into view, his blond hair peeking out from under his green ball cap. He eyed the interaction between Bro and the man he now knew to be Miles, the jerk, warily.

Miles sneered loudly, looking at Bro. "That f.a.ggot came on to me."

At that Bro scoffed. "Yeah, right. In your dreams, a.s.shole. I have someone special in my life, and she ain't you."

Exactly at that moment, Lacey rounded the corner, drying her hair, and then she stopped dead in her tracks, her eyes wide in surprise.

Miles laughed, but it wasn't a joyful sound. "That's your girl girl? Man, you've been duped big time!" He shook his head, his disgust evident. "f.u.c.king f.a.ggots.... You've got no place here among us good folk-"

"You must be referring to someone else, pal pal, because you you're not good folk by anyone's standards," Bro growled out vehemently.

Miles stepped forward, his face twisted into a snarl.

The ranger stopped him with a hand over his chest. "Don't even think it, mister. Time for you to go. Now." He emphasized the last word with his tone, which had dropped so dangerously low it reverberated around the room.

"You're taking their side?" Miles shouted, incredulous and p.i.s.sed off. "What the h.e.l.l kind of man are you?"