Stay Forever (7 page)

“No are you okay?  I feel bad, you dragging me like this, I must be so heavy for a delicate girl like you.”

“I’m fine,” said Ambar, struggling on.  Yet it was true, he was heavy and she was very tired.  She kept needing to stop to rest and after three hours they had barely covered the distance which had taken them minutes the day before.

Ryan was an interesting man.  He loved nature and travel, and had been around the world, with lots of fascinating stories.  He could see that Ambar did not want to open up much, and had decided that he would do most of the talking in order that she may begin to trust him a little more.   He made her laugh and Ambar began to feel very comfortable in his company, and for the first time in weeks, happy.  She even started to feel glad that they had got stranded and were able to spend this time together.  She found him reassuring, gentle and kind.

He had only been living in New York for a few months, and Ambar, having lived their her whole life, started to tell him tales of the city, the different parts, different memories.

Chapter 7

As the sun began to set that night, they decided to stop and rest for the evening.  The day had been dry and Ambar decided to find wood that was not too damp in order to build a fire.

She left Ryan and went off in search of firewood.

“Be careful.” Said Ryan softly as she headed off.

Ambar smiled at him warmly.

“I will.” 

She came back and spent put together the fire.

Ryan looked on at her with admiration.  She had been so attentive, so caring, so practical.

They sat together by the fire in silence.  Both tired after a long day, they ate some little of the food they had brought, taking care not to use all the supplies, not knowing how long it would take them to get back to the camp.

As they lay to sleep that evening, Ambar had no choice but to lie with him on the stretcher, as they did not have blankets to spare.  Though they lay in each other’s arms, Ryan only held her, and though his hands ached with desire to touch and caress her, he stayed still.  Ambar felt her body longing to be touched, longing to kiss him, yet she stayed motionless, just hearing his breathing, and the sound of the exotic birds evening song.

When they awoke together the next morning, in each other’s embrace, they lay together, silent, enjoying the warmth of each other’s bodies, and the beautiful sun rays, streaming through the leaves of the incredible century old trees above them.  Feeling a warm rush of blood tingling through her, Ambar did not want to get up and leave the warmth of his embrace.  Yet she did so.  They had practical matters to attend to and she promised herself she would not fall in love.  But she liked him.  She really really liked him.

They made their way and after a couple of hours had come out of the deep jungle undergrowth, where the trees cleared and they could see the spectacular view of the mangrove shores.  The cacao groves embraced the land and banana and coconut trees showed themselves.

Ambar ran excitedly toward them, collecting bananas and coconuts that had fallen from the trees.

“Oh my God!  This is heaven!” she exclaimed.

“If you were not injured of course.” She said as she sat beside him, laying the collected fruit on the floor.

“Mmm, even though I am injured, it is still heaven.” He smiled as he peeled the banana.

“I feel like such an invalid.  Hardly a knight in shining armour.”

“Hey” said Ambar.

“You fell rescuing me remember? You are still my hero.” She smiled at him, her eyes flashing.  His heart stopped.  She was so beautiful when she smiled.

Chapter 8

That night they lay together on the stretcher.  The day had been clear again, and now they lay under the stars, with a view of them twinkling.  It was the first night they were able to see the stars overhead, as before the trees had sheltered them.  The sight was incredible, certainly nothing like the New York sky.

“Oh my God” said Ambar, as she stared up at them, her eyes filled with wonder.

Ryan began to stroke her arm softly, tracing his fingers along her skin.  This time, Ambar responded to his touch, desire overwhelming her.  Unable to resist anymore, she climbed on top of him, sucking gently on his lips, holding on to his hips with her legs.

“Oh my God” he groaned as he pushed his pelvis into hers. 

Slowly she began to unbutton his jeans.  His penis was hard and throbbing and she began slowly to suck him, holding his balls together in her hand, circling the head of his penis with her tongue.

Ryan lay there stunned.  She had seemed so shy, and yet now with such confidence it was like she had no restraints, and was wild and free. 

She began to strip in front of him slowly, and then, naked, she climbed on top of him, placing his penis inside her, riding him, slowly at first and then building into a wild orgasmic frenzy.

Chapter 9

When Ambar opened her eyes that morning she saw three butterflies fluttering beside them, vividly displaying their dazzling pink and orange colours.

“Ryan” she whispered to the sleeping body beside her.

Ryan slowly opened his eyes.

“Look” she pointed to the butterflies.

Ryan smiled. 

“Beautiful” he said.  “I wish I could wake up here every morning.”

They lay together stroking each other, softly caressing.

“Shhh.” Said Ryan suddenly.

They were silent and then could hear what seemed to be voices in the distance.

“It’s Jess!”  Ambar suddenly jumped up.  Looking over into the distance she could make out the bodies of Jess and Luciano and what seemed to be a rescue party.

“Hey!!!!!”  She shouted.  “Over here!”

Jess and Luciano turned and saw them and began running towards them, the rescue party running behind.

“Thank God!” said Jess.  “We have been looking for you for days!  I was so worried!”  She ran to Ambar hugging her tightly.

“What happened?”  Ambar explained that Ryan was injured and needed help.

The rescue party quickly called for medical assistance and Ryan was taken to hospital.  The others headed back to the camp.

Ambar and Jess sat together in Ambar’s room that evening.

“So?” asked Jess.  “Did anything happen?” she said naughtily.  Ambar blushed.

“Yes”

“Great!” Jess exclaimed.   “I want all the details!”

Ambar laughed.

“What about you?”

“Oh my God!” said Jess.  “All I can say is Italian lovers called Luciano are the absolute best!  I had the hottest sex in my life last night!”

Ambar giggled and then told her what had happened with Ryan, and that she really liked him.  The two girls sat talking until the early hours of the morning when suddenly there was a knock at the door.

“It’s Luciano!” Jess exclaimed.

“Can I leave you darling and go to his room?  Tell me if you want me to stay.”

“No” said Ambar reassuringly.  “I’m going to sleep now anyway.  You have fun.”

“Darling Luciano does sound like fun!”  She jumped up and ran to the door.

“Hey baby.” She said seductively to Luciano closing the door behind her.

Ambar curled up in bed to sleep, thinking about Ryan.

Chapter 10

The next day Ambar, wearing a white linen suit, waited outside for the taxi.  She had just been given the address of the hospital that Ryan had been taken to.  Jess was still off somewhere with Luciano, and Ambar had decided that she had to see him.

When the taxi pulled up outside the study centre Ambar climbed quickly inside.  The taxi drove along the spectacular shorelines and Ambar looked outside at the stunning azure seas outside, reflecting and surprised at how quickly her feelings had grown for Ryan.

When she arrived at the hospital she was told that Ryan had checked out and was heading home back to New York.  Dismayed and disappointed Ambar called for another taxi to head back to the study centre.

When she arrived Ryan was waiting for her outside.

She felt relief sweep over her.

“Ryan.” She said

“How are you?” she looked down at his leg, with the ankle now covered in a plaster cast.

“Well, you know” he laughed.

“I can’t finish the course!”

“Oh” she said disappointed.

“Of course.”

“Listen Ambar.” He said slowly.

“I really like you.  I want to stay around just to be with you.”

Ambar smiled.

“I really like you to.”

Epilogue

As the four boarded the plane back to New York the following week and settled into their seats, the girls and Luciano excitedly pulled out their diplomas, stating they had completed the wildlife course.

“I’m sorry you didn’t get one Ryan.” Said Jess to Ryan, holding on to Luciano’s hand.

“Hey I got hundreds of those things!” said Ryan.

They all laughed.

Ambar rested her head on Ryan’s shoulder.  Happy and in love.

“What do you say when we get back to New York, you come over to my place and I cook you dinner.” Ryan whispered in her ear.

“Sounds like fun.”

BOOK IV

Chapter I

The town was under attack from bandits and the villagers had been threatened with the burning of their crops.

Three horsemen from the village rode to Bock Rock, Luxembourg castle, to beg for help from the King, His Highness Benoit, and her Royal Highness, Queen Elisabeth.  The horsemen were nervous, for it was notorious throughout the land that the King did not look kindly upon uninvited visitors.  Yet it was a desperate situation.  If the bandits were not stopped, then the villagers would be left without food, and they would starve.

Peter, the leading horseman, as they approached the palace, rode defiantly up to the Palace guards.

“We are here to see the King.”

He demanded of them.

“We have received no instruction to let anybody in.” was the solemn reply.

“I beg of you.  An audience with his Majesty is imperative.  The village is under attack.  We must speak with him now.”

One of the palace guards, with one look at Peter, and seeing the importance of the situation, said he would go and see what he could do.

Peter and his horsemen waited impatiently outside.  After an hour, the palace guard returned.

“Permission has been granted.  Yet only to one of you.”

Peter stepped forward.

“I will go.” He turned to his horsemen.

“Wait here.  However long I am, do not leave.  I will return.”

The horsemen nodded, relieved that Peter was being granted an audience.

As Peter walked across the palace grounds, he marveled at their majestic beauty, the perfectly arranged flower gardens, and the ornate waterfalls.

He entered into a grand hallway, with chandeliers, and beautiful smelling lily flowers arranged in large china vases throughout the room.

The King Benoit and his Queen Elisabeth sat in their thrones at the back of the hallway.  Their two sons, Marco and Ines stood beside them.  Peter could not help but look at the two boys with interest, for it was known throughout the Kingdom of the rivalry that existed between the two brothers, Marco, the eldest wild and untamed, and his younger brother Ines, the perfect Prince.  Although the Palace went to great lengths to keep the inner affairs of the palace a secret from the public, gossip traveled far and wide.  Without forgetting his task, Peter defiantly walked toward the King and Queen.

Peter bowed on his knees before them.

“Your Highness, your Highness’, he nodded to them both.

“I beseech your pardon for my sudden visit.  Yet we need your help.  The village is under attack from bandits, and if they are not stopped the crops will be burnt and the villagers will starve.  I beg of you your Majesty, please help us.”

There was a long pause.  Silence filled the room.

Finally, the King spoke.

“Yes, yes, this does indeed seem a distressing situation.”  He turned to the Queen.

“Would you not agree my darling?”

“Indeed.  We cannot leave the villagers to starve.”

“No no, absolutely not.”

The King turned to Peter.

“We will help.  I will leave this in the hands of the capable Prince Ines.  You can expect an army of men by sundown. Be sure to meet them by the bridge. That is all. You may go.”

“Thank you your Majesty.  I leave you with my heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the villagers.”

Peter turned to leave.  Just as he was exiting the hall doorways he heard the King’s voice.

“Your name please.”

Peter turned.

“Peter.”

“Very well.  That is all.”

Peter returned to his horsemen, now waiting in the palace courtyard.

He could not keep the smile from his face.

“Quick, we must return to the village immediately.  The King has agreed to help.  He is sending an army of men before sundown.”

“Yes Peter!  Well done!”  His horsemen slapped him on the back, and together they rode back to the village.