Page 22 of Yours and Mine (Friends with Benefits)

“No, and I’m not sure that I want to.”

“Keep rubbing then and watch a pro. Unless we get a fire going, that fish will be a waste.”

“Sushi?”

“Gross! It’s wild, and I’m pretty sure it has worms in it.”

“How do you know this stuff? Oh, your father.”

“Yup.”

I found a sharper rock near the shore and used it to cut the fish open and remove its insides. As soon as it was clean, the first smell of wood wafted toward me, and Nick’s kindling lit. We hurried to build a larger and larger fire, eventually surrounding three healthy logs with stones so that it wouldn’t spread to the forest.

While Nick set up a frame of criss-crossed branches above the fire to fully dry our clothes and sneakers, I placed the fish on a rock near the heat. Half an hour later, when I was sure that it was cooked through, we dug in.

“This is the best fish I’ve ever had. Even if it has worms.”

“That’s just extra protein,” I said.

“Just when I thought I knew everything about you.” He shook his head in disbelief, smiling. “Your shirt should be dry by now, if you’d like to put it on.”

“Is it going to make you more comfortable?”

He lowered his gaze to his straining shorts. “Definitely. I’m sorry about this.”

“Don’t be. You’re a guy. It’s harder to hide, excuse the pun, when you’re… turned on.”

“Just so you know, this would have happened with any girl in her bra and panties.”

“I know.”

“With you it just happens quicker.”

“Really?”

“Well, you’re beautiful and sexy.”

“You think I’m sexy?” I looked down on my cleavage. My boobs were a healthy size, if I compared them to those of other girls in our class, but I was sure they weren’t mature yet.

“Hell, yeah.”

My cheeks heated. Actually, my whole body heated. “Thanks, Nick. You’re a very handsome guy too.”

It didn’t seem right to call him a man or a boy; Nick was at that in between stage. The hours he’d spent helping his mom at the bakery definitely showed in his muscles and wide shoulders. Nick was one of the most defined boys in our school, although not many people saw all his assets because he normally wore a shirt. Today, seeing him in only his shorts sparked an interest inside of me that I didn’t know I had.

“You’re welcome. My arms are sore from rubbing the wood.”

I chuckled.

“Wait, that sounds wrong.” Nick startled with embarrassment, and I couldn’t stop giggling.

“But your stomach is full, isn’t it?”

“I could eat another one.”

“That will have to hold us over until they find us. They will find us, won’t they?” I looked around the darkening forest. We were right by the river on our left, but to the right, I couldn’t see much past a dozen feet except for trees and bushes. This place was as wild as it got.

“Yeah, I hope so.”

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