Title: Solo Camping
Part: Chapter 3 of 7


I was dreaming of love.  I was in love and had my lover next to me.  I
was holding her and she was purring.

Purring?  I opened my eyes and saw Sarah's hair in my face.  I was warm!
God, I was so happy to be warm and alive!

As my thoughts began to clear several things started to register.  I did
hear purring!  Sarah was purring!  She was alive!  Thank God!

Next I realized that my naked body was tight against Sarah's back and I
had a raging hard-on up against Sarah's butt!  That beautiful,
wonderfully moving, mesmerizing butt.  God this wasn't helping my
hard-on - or I should say it was helping it in the extreme.  Finally I
felt my arm wrapped around her and my hand was covering her breast and
her nipple was fully erect. I began to understand why she was purring.

I couldn't imagine a better way to wake up - especially when my last
thought was that we were both going to die.  I stirred a little bit and
I heard Sarah say "Brad, are you awake?"

"Um, yes, Sarah.  Do you want me to move?"

"Umm, no, Brad, please don't move.  I am so glad to be warm!  I don't
remember coming in here.  Did you bring me in here?"

"Yes, it was the only way to stop the heat loss and try to recover.  The
water was so cold and I guess I had enough body mass more than you to
get us both in here before we both passed out."

"Mmmm, thank you.  You are my hero after all."  I didn't know what to
say.  I was naked in bed with this beautiful young lady who thought I
was a hero.  I had her breast in my hand and a raging hard-on against
her ass.  What to do?

Sarah solved the problem by speaking first. "Brad, I want you to know
that I will be forever in your debt for what you did.  But I also need
to tell you that, umm, I've never made love to a man before and I don't
think I'm ready for that yet.  Do you understand?"

I started to move away from her but she grabbed my arm and moved my hand
back to her breast. "No, please don't move.  You feel so wonderful.  I
just wanted to make sure that you didn't misunderstand.  I've never been
in this situation before.  Fully naked with a man, being touched like
this, and, umm, feeling you behind me.  I like the feeling but I also
know that I'm not ready to go any further.  Do you think I'm
ungrateful?"

I responded immediately with "Sarah no!  I don't expect anything in
return from you.  I was just surprised I, er, had my hand on you.  I
want to assure you that nothing like this crossed my mind as I brought
you in here."

"I know that Brad. That's why I'm not in any hurry to move or end this.
I really do think you are wonderful!  Please hold me a bit longer.
Mmmmm"

I lay there with incredibly mixed emotions.  Sarah felt so marvelous I
just wanted to kiss her all over and make love with her forever.  But I
understood her feelings and had to honor them.  I guess, in the end, I
was just so happy that she was alive that anything was fine at this
point.

After a while Sarah asked "What about our clothes and things.  Is the
canoe all right?"

"Oh Christ!  I forgot about the canoe.  It's probably drifted to the far
end of the lake by now.  I guess we'd better get up and see what the
damage is."  I was about to jump up when I realized our situation.
Fortunately my pack with my dry clothes was in the tent so I reached
around and fished out some new clothes.  I got dressed and then Sarah
said "Those were the only pants I had with me.  They probably are still
wet aren't they?"

"Yes, but I have some fleece liner pants you can use until yours are
dry. Here, you can use these.  Where are your other clothes?"

"They're in my pack which is out by the bivvy sack."

"I'll go get it and bring it to you so you can dress."

"Thanks Brad.  You really are a dear."  Yeah, almost a dead deer!

I got Sarah's pack and put it in the tent without peeking and then went
to survey the damage.  Our wet clothes were strewn all around the
entrance to the tent.  I didn't care about that at the moment, however,
as I ran down to the shore.  I was so relieved to see that the canoe was
still there.  It was on its side and must have gotten twisted and pushed
into shore by the current.  I saw one fishing pole, and one paddle.  The
creel was sitting in the water inside the hull of the canoe.  I pulled
the canoe onto shore and let it drain.  I put the fishing rod and the
tackle box, which had been floating behind the canoe, on shore.  I heard
Sarah come up behind me "How is the canoe?"

"The canoe is ok, fortunately we have one paddle.  The other may have
floated downstream.  I think I'll take a look for it. It looks like we
still have the fish for lunch and dinner. I have no idea what time it is
but I'm hungry.  Do you know how to prepare the fish?"

I looked at her as I asked the question and, despite the seriousness of
our situation, I cracked up when I saw her.  My extra large fleece pants
looked like a tent on her!  She had improvised a pull string to hold
them up although I could see she was constantly having to pull them up.
The legs had to be folded up to her knees so she wouldn't trip on them.
Sarah looked down and laughed "I'm quite a fashion plate aren't I?"

"Well I certainly enjoy looking at you." I said with all sincerity but
realized I probably gave away too much with that statement.  I thought I
had better get on with my salvage project before I made a bigger fool of
myself.

After a pause I heard Sarah say softly. "I know what to do with the
fish.  I'll take care of lunch - or dinner by the looks of the shadows.
Why don't you find the rest of your stuff. And Brad, I'm really sorry I
did this.  Maybe you would have been better off if I hadn't come."

I turned sharply and said emphatically "No Sarah! I don't blame you and
even with this I would rather have you here!"  Now I knew I had said too
much.  "Uh, I've got to find the other paddle.  I'll be back in a bit."
I climbed in the canoe and shoved off.

It took me a while to catch my breath.  I knew I wasn't tired but I was
out of breath.  What is this girl doing to me?  Maybe we should leave in
the morning before I do something stupid.  God I really liked her.  God
I really wanted her.  I just don't think I'll be able to last all
weekend close to her like this and not touch her.  I don't know - on one
hand I didn't want to continue the weekend but on the other I didn't
want it to stop.  I'm becoming a fool!  I'd better concentrate on
finding the other paddle.  I could get us back with one paddle if there
isn't any wind but we'll need both of us paddling if there is a strong
wind when we leave.  I suppose Sarah could lie down in the canoe to cut
the wind profile and I might be able to get us back to the Jeep.  Man,
Sarah lying down in the canoe - what a thought! - naked, waiting for me
to make love to her.  Christ!  I better stop this!

I went downstream to the lake but didn't see anything. I looked around
the lake for a while but I had a sinking feeling that this was going to
be pretty hopeless - it could be anywhere on the lake by now!  I decided
to try an experiment and paddled back to the shore by the camp.  As I
got close to shore I stopped the canoe and let it drift.  I drifted
straight downstream a bit but then there must have been an eddy because
the canoe drifted toward the other side.  I let it drift some more and
then I saw it!  The paddle was bobbing in the water along the opposite
shore.  I paddled over and picked it up.  I headed back to the camp and
as I approached I saw something stick up out of the water about 6 feet
from shore.  I pulled up to it and it was the tip of the fishing pole!
I grabbed it and pulled it into the canoe.  Great!  Everything
recovered!  A little cleaning and everything will be as it was - all
except me, that is. I thought with a certain melancholy.  I beached the
canoe and got out carefully.

As I approached camp I was amazed.  Sarah had a roaring fire, had the
wet clothes strung up near the fire so they would dry off - I already
saw steam drifting from the darker clothes.  She looked at me
expectedly.  "How did you make out Brad?" she said with concern on her
face.

"Great! I found everything!  The paddle and the fishing pole!"

"Oh, I'm so relieved!  I felt so bad."

"Sarah, relax.  It was just a silly accident.  No harm.  It doesn't have
any effect on how I feel about you."  Watch it Brad...

Sarah looked at me a bit and finally said "I am very glad to hear that
Brad because I want you to like me."  Like her? Christ I think I could
LOVE this girl!

I tried to get out of trouble so I thought a little levity would help.
"Well, I'll have to let you know after I taste your food woman."

Sarah cracked up with that and the tension was gone.  "Aye Aye Captain!"

"Sarah!" I said sternly.

A look of concern went across Sarah's face as she tentatively asked "Er,
what Brad?"

"Sarah, we're on shore.  On shore you should address me as either Dr.
Martin or simply 'hero'."

With that Sarah ran over and jumped up and gave me a huge hug.  "Oh
Brad.  How can you be so perfect?"  She held me for a long time and I
held her close not knowing what to do next. Finally she relaxed her grip
and I let her down to the ground. Before she let go she grabbed both
sides of my collar and kissed me on my lips.  It was only a brief kiss
but it sent charges through me.  She pulled away and simply said "Thank
you."

"Thank me for what?"

"Thank you for being."  Sarah turned quickly and headed back to the
fire.  From behind I saw her wipe something from her face.

"OK, Dr. Martin, my hero, are you ready for a fish fry? The biscuits are
just about ready."

"Biscuits?  How did you make biscuits?"

"Well, I couldn't make too many since you didn't have that much flour
but it's a pretty basic recipe: flour, baking soda, salt, a little love,
some incredible cooking skill and voila."

I looked and there, in a pan leaning toward the fire, were some pretty
good looking biscuits that were nicely browned on top.  This girl is
amazing.  She said apologetically "I'm not sure how they'll be.  I
usually use some other ingredients but this is the best I could do with
the supplies I found."

"Are you kidding?  This looks great! I'm ready! Cook away my dear!"

While Sarah cooked the fish I checked out the clothes.  Everything was
drying nicely.  We'd be able to wear these tomorrow.  Sarah said
"everything seemed ok but my blouse is missing a few buttons."

"Oh yeah, I'm sorry about that.  I guess I was in a hurry." I said
sheepishly.

"Well, I guess I'll have to be more cooperative in the future if you're
going to be such a beast." Sarah said teasingly.  God, I wish she hadn't
said that!

Then she said "Ok, dinner's ready."

"Damn!" I said.

"What?"

"I forgot to chill the wine.  I guess we'll have to have red this
evening."

"You have WINE with you?" Sarah was incredulous.

"Of course, what is a camping trip without a premium wine or two?" I
said ostentatiously.  I went to my duffle and pulled out the red wine
and opened it as I went to the log Sarah was sitting on.

"Now I know why you had these glasses shaped like wine glasses.  I
thought it was weird but I thought it would be nice to use them so I
filled them with water."  She dumped both of the glasses and held them
up so I could pour the wine.

I said "Great minds think alike." using a cliche that I didn't
particularly like.

Sarah responded "No, Romantic minds think alike.  Cheers!"

I couldn't disagree with that one so decided this called for a toast
"Here is to the most beautiful, intelligent, graceful, and hopefully
wonderful cook one could ever wish to camp with."  I saw Sarah's eye
fill with water as she hesitated and then drank to my toast.  Sarah
wiped her eyes and said "Mmmm, this is quite good.  I haven't had wine
very often but my parents buy really good wine and this certainly
compares to their's."

"It's probably just the fresh air and the mid morning dunking that makes
it taste so good." I joked.

We sat next to each other and enjoyed the dinner which was really quite
good.  I praised Sarah's cooking and then told her that it was official,
she would be the main cook for the rest of the expedition.  And since
she was such a great fisher 'person' she could definitely get up in the
morning, catch my breakfast, and wake me up when it was ready.  Sarah
poked me in return and we sorted of played around poking and touching
each other.  I put a pot of water on the fire to heat it up for washing
the dishes and got out the lantern since it was now getting dark and
colder.  Sarah and I huddled together, my arm around her, being
hypnotized by the fire and finishing the wine.

As we were doing the dishes Sarah said to me. "Considering today's, um,
occurrences, would it be ok with you if I slept in the tent with you?"
Her question boggled one part of my mind but I replied immediately
because I knew how uncomfortable the bivvy sack is. "Of course, Sarah.
Absolutely, and I promise to be a gentleman."

"You don't have to make that promise Brad.  I know enough about you now
that I trust you'll be a gentleman."

We finished the dishes and decided to walk around looking at the stars
and the river by moonlight.  The sound of the falls at night was so
relaxing.  As I said, I had been here many times before but I never
enjoyed it as much as today.  I told this to Sarah.

"Brad, you make me feel so wonderful.  I don't deserve being here with
you.  You truly are special."  I wanted to kiss her on the spot and
haul her off to my casbah for all night lovemaking.  Instead, I said,
"With all the excitement today I think I'm tired.  I guess I need to go
to bed.  I'll help you get your pad from the bivvy sack but then I'm
going to hit the hay."

"Good idea." was all she said.

We got her pad and set it up next to mine in the tent.  I did one last
check around the camp to make sure everything was put away and that the
garbage and food was safely lifted off the ground so the random bear
didn't feel obliged to hang around.  I returned to the tent and was
surprised to see that Sarah was already tucked into her bag.  I guess I
expected her to stay up longer.  I took my shoes off at the door and
closed the tent.  I took off all but my shorts and climbed into my bag.
As I put my head down I thought "God that feels good!"

I was about to say goodnight to Sarah when she spoke. "Brad?  Um, I want
to ask you to do something that's very important to me."

"Sure, Sarah, what is it?"

"Will you make love to me?" WHAT!? ARE YOU KIDDING!

"Umm, uh, did I hear you correctly Sarah?" I was floored.

Sarah giggled a nervous giggle "Yes, Brad.  I know what I told you
earlier but then I realized that I couldn't ask for a more gentle and
respectful man to be my first.  If you are willing I would like you to
make love to me."

"But aren't you afraid?"

"Well yes, I don't know what to expect but I am not afraid of you.  I
trust you and I want you to know that this carries no obligation.  I
just need your gentleness tonight."

"Aren't you afraid of becoming pregnant?  I don't have any protection
with me."

"You mean you didn't anticipate that you would be making love to a young
virgin on this camping trip? What kind of boy scout are you anyway?"
Sarah laughed that laugh I love. "It's ok, I just finished my period two
days ago so I am sure I won't get pregnant.  Today was such a wonderful
day, despite almost being a casualty to my own stupidity." she chuckled.
"I simply realized that you have given me an opportunity who's odds of
repeating are pretty slim.  I trust you and I want you."

How could I say no when this is what I wanted more than anything.

"Sarah, I care deeply about you. I know that probably sounds trite
because of the situation but I've never had such a wonderful time with
anyone in my life. I don't want to hurt you.  Please believe me. Are you
really sure you want to do this?"

"Brad, I do believe you but, just for tonight let's not think beyond
tonight.  I need you close to me.  I need you to teach me how to love.
I want you."

There was nothing more to say.  I leaned over and kissed her gently on
the lips.  The charges ran all through my body again.