Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Chapter 42: The fallout.

"No no no... I'm so afraid, I might piss my pants." Merrigold said backing away. Austin laughed at her reaction, continuing to remove his article of clothing.

"Fine, your loss. It's a beautiful day out so why not?!" He smirked.

"Is this why you brought me here, on this trail... you knew you would do this."

"It's just a swim."

"I can not swim, Austin."

"I'm here to teach you."

"No."

"Fine, malady stay there and watch me enjoy a cold fresh breeze of the lake."

"Why are you removing...your..." Merri facepalmed.

"I prefer to swim nude."

"You're disgusting, traumatizing the poor fish." Merri added. Austin could not help but smile at her overreacting. "They did not at all in any form or manner ask for this."

"I get it Merri, you're a saint."

After a few moments of watching Austin undress and jumping into the greenish looking water. Merri let out a quiver. It looked rather disgusting and unhealthy.

"Why has it hardened..."

"What?"

"Quit acting oblivious you know what!"

"Because the water is cold." Austin said shivering, with the water wavering mid chest.

"Oh.." Merrigold nodded and continued standing with her arms crossed. She watched him splash and easily float, it looked fun. For a moment she wanted to join him but her pride would not allow her. Merri thought Austin looked most attractive when his hair was wet. He looked like a child cluelessly not caring about being watched.

"Will you join?" He chuckled.

"...no..."

"It's already hard might as well come entertain it." Austin smirked knowing how sex craved Merri had been acting lately. She smiled, then turned to look away. "No, thank you."

"I will teach you how to swim alright?"

"How do I trust you not to drown me for the fun of it, you remain as sadistic as you were when we first met..."

"I'm not sadistic!" Austin faked hurt, splashing water at her. Immediately making her jump, surprised by his actions. She felt a little aggravated.

"Yes, you're. Quit being a child."

"Now weren't you the very same person who said 'I was wish I could see the sea'..." Austin mimicked. "How can you see the sea if you can not even handle a lake..."

"I said see not swim." She cooly replied.

"Right well enjoy standing there... I hear there are snakes all around especially this time of the year... hanging on trees and—"

Right after Austin had said that. A frog lept from behind giving her the the fright of her life. She felt the sliminess on her leg. Her body froze at the thought of it being a snake. She did the unthinkable and scrambled into the lake into Austin's arms. She did not care for her lack of swimming skills or experience. In that moment she trusted Austin to hold her no matter what. Hysterically laughing at her reaction, she clung onto him like a baby kangaroo. Her dress now wet, her nipples harden at the coldness of the water. Austin hoisted her up and allowed for her to wrap her legs around his waist. He was still amused, he found the whole scene very funny but nonetheless cute.

"It's simply a frog..." He chuckled. Shivering, Merrigold only clung onto his naked body. Her head laid on his neck, as she breathed heavily, he could feel her heartbeat slowly start to calm down.

"You're simply ungovernable Merrigold." He added, hoisting her up with her butt. Using any opportunity to hold her in any manner he deemed needy.

"Get me home this minute... you brought me here and you will put me on your back and take me back because I will not step foot on the ground again until I see a carpet floor."

"You sound so cranky, love. Are you expecting?" He teased.

Rolling her eyes. "Yes, expecting you to take me back that is."

"How do you have such a big..." He said squeezing both her butt cheeks making her quiver a little with excitement. "but feels as if you weigh close to nothing."

"You called my breasts lemons, I have not forgotten."

"You're perfectly proportioned that's all I meant to say. I reckon, I'm quite horrible with praises and flatter..."

"A tad bit.."

"But I could try right now... should I?" He gave her a peck on the lips making her smile even though she had planned to pretend to be maddened by the idea of floating in a nearly dirty lake with him naked and her clothes drenched.

"Give it a go... your compliments seem to be accompanied with insults most of the time." she whispered, his eyes glimmered at her. She suddenly felt sheepish.

"Alright, Merrigold." He said creating his throat. Holding her around his waist gave them the ideal height to look at each other eye to eye. She could feel his manhood hardened and rubbing against her most sensitive spot. She told herself to ignore it. They had agreed to stop with the spontaneous sex.

"You're beautiful, undeniably. I love your eyes when you're below me and you innocently stare at me, I nearly lose it because of how much they tell so much. I can see your love and need for me but I can also see the hate. I suppose I hate that part." He chuckled nervously. She smiled at his sweet gesture. Feeling brave she laid a soft kiss on his lips becoming a little ravaged as she bit on his bottom lip. He pulled away and smiled. "I love your lips, they're so plump and soft and I could kiss you all night and day."

She blushed and broke eye contact not being able to fathom all that she was feeling for this man. She did not want to feel this way. Some sort of guilt consumed her nonetheless.

"When you smile, I love that. That's all I ever want to see you doing... smiling." It seemed as if the water was not as cold as it had been at first. "Your body drives me nuts, I can not fathom anything ever more perfect I've ever seen in my entire life. I love every meander and oh goodness. You're perfect alright, to me you're." He hugged her closer to his chest. For a moment they stood stagnant...

"You do not have to say anything nice about about, I've done enough bad to even have good..." He broke the silence. Hesitantly shaking her head and looking at him. She thought of all the good things she loved about Austin...regardless of his evil, horrid side.

"I love your kisses." She said thinking about Thomas sloppy one's. For a second she reminded herself that Austin would always be experienced with women therefore she had no right to judge him with someone so high up the womanizing food chain.

"Oh really..?" Austin teased, she involuntarily smiled.

"Your hair when we have..." she cleared her throat not wanting to say the word. "It becomes so messy and wild, I love it. I hate when you have your hair sleeked back, you somewhat look like a dork, a spoiled rich whippersnapper!"

Austin chuckled, she laughed with him.

"Your eyes are stunning... sometimes weird but overall stunning that's all I have to say. Also when you bite my earlobe and hold me tight when we're... you know..."

"Making love..?"

"No..." Merrigold said almost immediately. "Sex when we're committing adultery and fornication... love is none of that."

With that the mood immediately changed.

"You're admitting that it is wrong?" Austin questioned, his voice was low husky and seemed at a vulnerable state.

Merrigold sighed. "It is wrong."

"It feels entirely right to me... I love you Merrigold. I have faults loads of them and I've done so much wrong and wickedness but for the first time... you make me want to change. You make me feel bad for doing the wrong that I do. You give me a conscience. I want to be better for you."

"You do not have to be better for me... be better for yourself. I do not wish to give you false proclaimed hope....I...uhm..."

"It is alright, you're Thomas woman. I understand that." Austin gave her a somber smile.

"...uh...yes..."

"Well I'm awfully glad we had this unbearable discussion. Allow me to get dressed so we can return back to the house as you wish. Is that alright?"

"I'm afraid..."

"Just let me go..." Austin said softly. For a moment Merrigold knew he was not only speaking of her clinging onto his body. It meant so many other unspoken words. So she did as much as she was afraid, Austin seemed different not outraged at all. Calm as could be, their walk home through the pine trees was quiet with only crunching of leaves stepped on here and there. He gave her, his frock leather coat. With nothing beneath it, her wet clothes in Austin's hands. She clung onto its warmth.

Upon their return, she told him she'd have a change of clothes excusing herself. When she returned, she found him clinging onto a cigarette. Shivering as if he desperately needed it. Inhaling and exhaling as if he was afraid he'd get caught. As if he needed to be quick in his pace...

"Austin, I've finished my bath...would you like me to make you something to—"

"Uh...I will be back inside... in a bit." He smiled, immediately stepping on the butt of his cigarette. Quickly sliding the small box in the back pocket of his now shriveled black slacks from the lake endeavor.

"Why are you..?"

"It was only one..."

"But—"

"Worry not, Merri... it's best I return to my casual routine. I can not depend on you for constancy any longer. It is rather unpleasant and grave for my wellbeing."

"What are you saying?"

With a sigh. "I'm awful with women."

"You're not." She replied softly.

He laughed, but the pain in the sound was clear. "You were right Merri. I need to get you home. Hand over the plantation back to my parents perhaps they'd be able to find someone to manage it. I'm home as of now, I'm at peace in my loneliness. I'd like to return back to my life before you and all this wrought up we created."

Merrigold felt her heart sink. The plantation without Austin? It felt as if she would be returning to a prison cell, her boringly drudging colorless life.

"The wrought up we created?"

"Yes, what else could I call it..."

"...oh..."

"Is there any place you'd like to see in the remaining days?"

Any place with you, she thought.

"Any place you see fit." She added.

"Alright."

"Uh...alright..." Merri stuttered. For some reason she felt the need to cry.

"Great."

"Perfect!"

"Fantastic..!"