A silent breeze drifted through the trees. The strong scent of pine mingled with the dirt as a young woman fumbled her way through fallen logs and protruding boulders. Unseen birds screamed at her from a distance. Hidden creatures scurried through the brambles and brush, fleeing from what they could only see as an intruder.
The sun crept slowly down behind the distant mountains. Darkness would soon envelope everything in it's path. She's completely alone, tears streaming down her face. Her filthy hand smudges another stain as she attempts to wipe away the unwanted emotion.
The day was supposed to be perfect. She would meet him at the stables. They would take a long slow ride through the forest. A picnic would be waiting at the end. He would announce his love for her. She would be his forever. She would finally give the most precious gift, her innocence, to the man she loved.
Leaning against a tree, she tries to hold back another fit of sobbing. How could he do this to her? How, after three years, could he destroy her entire existence? How could he be so ruthless? Everything she had believed in him was a lie!
She couldn't think of anything except getting away from him. Her horse had been more than willing to carry her away. What direction had they gone? How far? How long had she been unconscious after she was thrown from the saddle?
Too many questions. She had to keep moving. She had to find something. Someone. Anything. Her head ached. Her entire body was beaten and scraped. She had to keep going in the same direction.
A deep chill began to creep into her body. In the distance, the sun left only a memory of colors barely seen through a thick canopy of leaves. A wolf cries out and is answered somewhere farther off.
She shivers, searching around frantically for some sight of salvation. Her feet barely move as she stumbles over a fallen branch. She hits the ground with a grunt. Pounding a fist into the hard soil, she pushes herself to her knees and looks around.
What was that? A fire? Is someone there? Has she really found safety at last? She swallows a sob as she rises to her feet. Yes, there's something there. A light. Movement.
She moves as quickly as she can. The night is growing darker. The cool breeze is now an icy wind. The light ahead propels her forward. A vaporizing mist caresses her face. Yes, there's something there.
Slowly creeping through the trees, she carefully looks into what appears to be a small campsite lining an old cave. A warm fire dances freely among a circle of stones. Over the flames, a black iron pot steams. Nearby, a collection of furs is spread on the ground, cushioning a broad figure.
His dark eyes meet hers. His almost familiar crooked smile takes her in. He puts down the book he had been paging through. He rises to his feet casually; as though meeting a stranger in the darkness was the most natural thing for him.
Mesmerized by his inviting eyes, she's doesn't even realize he's in an arm's reach until his hand closes over her shoulder. Fear swallows her. Her lips part to scream as her knees buckle. Only his strong grasp keeps her from completely collapsing. He lifts her into his arms and carries her to where he had been sitting.
Without saying a word, he softly places her on the furs, then turns to fumble through a pack he'd hidden behind some brush. Pulling out a cloth and water skin, he gently dabs away the dirt smudges from her face and neck.
She tries to say something. Anything. Nothing. Her exhausted body is paralyzed. Her head swims, trying to find an explanation; trying to justify this stranger's presence in the middle of nowhere. Her body shivers. She should make him stop. She should say no. She should say something!
With tender fingers, he slowly removes her torn clothing. Carefully, he washes every scrape, bump and bruise. His eyes hold hers, all the while smiling his crooked smile. The warmth of the fire seeps into her as he works. Her shivering becomes trembling. What is he doing to her?
A wolf howls. An owl hoots. The wind blows. And this stranger is laying her down on the furs. His hands slowly trace the length of her body. His mouth seeks hers, capturing it in a hungry kiss. He stretches his body against hers. When did he take off his clothes?
One of his hands glides between their bodies, to the small of her back. His kisses trace trails across her cheek, down her neck, over her shoulder and down to her firm breasts.
She gasps as his tongue teases first one nipple, then the other. His free hand rubs down between her breasts, down her stomach, and parts her thighs. She releases a small moan as his thumb softly beings to caress the delicate skin. His mouth takes the fullness of her breast into its depths. She arches her back into him, offering more.
She cries out as he pushes a finger deep into her wetness, while still pressing his thumb into her sensitive flesh. His teeth gently nibble on her hard nipple. His own body's heat begins to mingle with her own arousal. His hardness presses against her thigh, pulsing with every moment.
Her head starts spinning. Her hands reach for him, pulling his mouth tighter to her breast. His heavy breath slips across her skin, adding to her already mounting heat. He kisses his way across her chest to the other nipple, already hard and ready.
Pulling his finger out of her wetness, he uses his entire palm to caress her softness. His lips find their way to her mouth, taking her in a deep possessing kiss. Round circular motions of his hand encourage her body to move with him. She moves her hips into his stroking. She matches him rhythm for rhythm. Perfect unison, until he suddenly thrusts three fingers into the far depths of her body.
She cries out into his mouth. Her body tries to protest, tightening around his fingers. Her hands clench his arms, trying to push him off her. A sharp pain explodes through her body before it's replaced with a hot tingle. An intense force. A need to thrust with his stroking fingers.
Her muscles release, only to tighten again. This time, for a different reason. More. She claws at his back, her nails leaving lines across his skin. He presses his hips against her thigh, matching her body's thrusting. His fingers stroke in and out, slow and deep. As she responds, he increases the pace. Harder. Faster.
Safe now to release her mouth from his, he kisses his way back down to her breasts. Tasting one thoroughly, then the other. Teasing her nipples with his tongue. Nibbling. Biting. Licking. Pulling. Sucking.
Her back arches. Her body trembles. Her hips thrust. Her mouth falls open, releasing a deep moan. Sweat is now covering her skin. She shudders against his body. What has he done?
