CROSSING FAERYLAND

Cat and Sam

Cat was past tired.  She’d gone straight to weary and exhausted.  She might as well go on to heart sick and discouraged.  But quitting was one thing she definitely was not.  No, Sam would have to try harder if he wanted her gone.

He was, however, succeeding in driving her crazy.  He had gone off with that Lila and returned looking wrung out.  Lila had certainly appeared well-used when she’d shown up later.  Cat didn’t even want to speculate on what activities would make her look that spent or that pleased.  It seemed, though, that thoughts weren’t all that easy to control.

She opened the flap to her tent and entered.  Crossing in the dark, she drew her flint box from her pocket and lit the lantern in the corner.  She stripped without turning to her underclothes while chewing furiously on her thoughts like an old piece of leather.

“I certainly appreciate the view, but it concerns me that you didn’t know I was here.  Was that Faery so distracting?”

Cat spun and faced Sam who lounged negligently on her bed.  She grabbed her shirt and held it to her chest covering very little.  Sam’s mocking smile told her exactly what he thought of her modest gesture.

She raised her chin and laid the shirt aside.  Turning her back on him, she strode to the stack of crates she was using as a stand and picked up her brush.  Untying her ponytail, she brushed out her hair, watching him in the mirror sitting in front of her.

“If you’re talking about David, I’ll have you know he was a perfect gentleman.”

“How disappointing for you.”

She laid the brush down and turned to face him.  “Lila, on the other hand, looked a little worse for wear.”

Sam chuckled and stood.  “No one ever accused me of being a gentleman, but I’m afraid that I can’t take the credit for Lila’s condition.”

Cat turned hiding the pleasure she found at his words and began braiding her hair.  Her fingers shook as she plaited her locks, but her tone remained even.  “And you’re here because…let me guess…your playmate found another friend?”

Sam came up behind her, reaching around and taking her hair into his hands.  He loosened what she’d managed to weave and laid his hands on her shoulders.  Looking down into the mirror over her shoulder and locking eyes with her, he smiled sending shivers over her body she knew he must feel.

“You aren’t jealous are you, Cat?”  Captivated by his stare, she shook her head slowly.  “Good.  That wouldn’t be what we agreed upon, would it?”

Cat’s gaze remained steady for a few moments then gradually softened to a smile.  “Samuel, I think you misunderstand.  I like keeping it simple, no strings, no expectations.”  She turned to face him backing up against the crates and out of his hold.  “I do not, however, like being taken for granted.”

She started past him and he grabbed her arm stopping her.  “Are you saying no then?”

She looked down at his hand on her arm and he released her.  She glided to her bed and slipped under the covers nonchalantly rolling to her side and turning her back to him.  “Get the light on your way out, will you?”

Astounded, Sam tried to recall if anything like this had ever happened to him before.  Nope.  Not ever.  No how, no way, at no time had anyone ever dismissed him so cavalierly.  He smiled.  And no how, no way, at no time had he ever wanted anyone as much as he wanted her at that moment.

He moved soundlessly to the bed and stared down at her hungrily before stripping and sliding under the covers with her.  She stiffened and turned her head to look at him over her shoulder.  “What are you doing?”