Bawdy Ballads

The Lake

A year after moving into the cottage I was just starting to really turn the land so my food supplies were maintained. The work was hard and back breaking most days. I was grateful just northeast about a half mile from my house. There was a pristine lake to swim in to break the summer heat.

Today the sun was so blaring my body demanded I walk the trail northeast toward that crystal clear lake. I reached the edge and made quick work undressing from my cloak and work clothes leaving them in a folded pile on a large rock.

I stepped into the cold water sighing pleasurably. It felt so good compared to the hot sweat I was covered in. A few more feet in and I dived beneath the surface swimming for a few strokes before rolling to my back watching the setting sun change the sky to oranges, purples and blues of twilight.

“My, my, what do we have here,” a deep voice rumbled. My heart hammered hard. I knew that voice, Avery! I sank my body beneath the water watching him approach the edge near my clothes. “A wet little lamb,” he groaned as he studied me intensely.

“What are you doing here Avery? This is my land,” I demanded.

“Funny, I don’t see any fences marking it as yours,” he taunted. He lifted his shirt up and off and I froze, almost forgetting to keep treading the water. My head went down a bit. “Stay swimming little lamb,” he said and I groaned internally as the command sank in. I couldn’t leave the water now even if I wanted to. His hands went to his pants and I turned my back blushing when he chuckled a deep musical laugh.

I heard the water splash and went rigid with uncertainty. Granted the water kept my bare body shadowed. I'd never been naked around anyone, especially a guy. The water rippled against me as he approached. I opted to dive deep and swim away. He only told me to stay swimming. It didn't mean I needed to stay near him and at least underwater I couldn’t hear any other commands.

A hand gripped my ankle tugging me backwards with startling strength. I turned in the water watching him darkly as he kept a grip on my leg. His amber eyes were glowing beneath the water as he scanned up my naked body. His lips lifted dangerously and I kicked out instinctively pushing up to the surface. I breathed hard as my lungs burned. He breached the water in front of me. His breathing was oddly calm. “I thought I told you don’t even think about running away from me,” he chastised sending chills down my body.

“I wasn’t running, I was swimming,” I countered before shutting my mouth mad at myself for snapping back. He’d command it now I just knew it.

He laughed, a soft seductive sound that made my eyes shoot up in confusion. “I guess that’s true,” he grinned. His eyes sparkled in the sunlight. “You are so very beautiful Scarlett. I’ve never seen someone with such fiery red hair and your eyes are like emerald gemstones.”

I blushed hotly at his compliments dropping my gaze from his. “What are you doing here?”

“I live nearby,” he answered coolly. My eyes lifted again and he was smiling wickedly. “I was just moving some of my herd through to a neighboring farm and got overheated on the path back so opted for a swim. Who would have thought I’d see such a stunning naked mermaid in the water.”

“Mermaid,” I snorted, shaking my head.

“Fairy then,” he shrugged, “you smell magical after all.”

“What do you mean?” My eyes narrowed studying him suspiciously.

“The essence Auntie Yaga used to mark us has a certain scent my wolf side can smell, especially if you try fighting the curse. It's like pine needles soaked in Brandywine.” He sneezed at the thought which made me smirk. “So, what are you doing here little morsel, so wet and enticing?”

“I was working my land doing the last of the wheat harvest and got hot,” I replied carefully. “I didn’t think anyone would be near here so I came to swim.”

“I’m always near here,” he said as he shifted closer in the water looking down my bare body, “and seeing how beautiful you are I believe I’ll have to come by more often.”

I wanted to cross my arms over my chest but that meant I’d stop treading water and sink again. If I did I knew he’d chase after me once more. My eyes dropped but in doing so I saw his naked body beneath the clear water. His manhood was fully aroused and I blushed darkly.

“Tell me the truth, Scarlet, do you like what you see?”

Damn it, the command sank in and I fought not to answer. It was too embarrassing just saying that to someone you met twice. He sniffed at the air as my scar burned beneath the water's surface.

“Are you fighting your curse? Does arousal make you shift like possessiveness makes me?”

“Uh no, nothing like that,” I said carefully, grateful the intent wasn't pressing so hard on me with his new questions but it was still there.

His hands slid out along my waist pulling me in a bit closer and I gasped looking up nervously. “So?” He elongated the word. “The truth Scarlett.”

“I like seeing you Avery,” I said in a rush exhaling as the burning calmed down. His head tilted like a dog trying to understand. Something shifted in his gaze and I went rigid almost sinking but his firm grip kept me above the surface as he treaded water easily.

“Kiss me,” he said roughly while holding my waist firm keeping me from moving to obey. My wrist burnt, making me inhale sharply and he sniffed the air. “Relax,” he rumbled and my body released the tension. I locked furious eyes on him. He had undoubtedly figured out what my curse was if not entirely the core of it. His lips lifted wickedly.

“Don’t even . . .” I began but he kissed my lips, silencing me. He licked out and I gasped as all those aching feelings surged forward like when he first kissed me at the river. His tongue teased in dancing over mine and my body flooded with that aching heat that demanded more.