Acorn Lodge

Just then, Ted brought him his beer, taking a long sip. "Whatcha drinking? I'll get you next round." Leo asked.

"Water. I came here in a huff because my friend Emma was selected out of the friend group to talk to me about my drinking. I'm sure you've noticed. I've been sipping on coffee and water all day because the sane part of me knows she was right." She gave a small smile.

"Not to dig into anything, but does the drinking have to do with why you're here alone," Leo questioned.

"Yeah..." she debated how much she wanted to divulge. "it's a story as old as time. Girl meets boy, both fall in love. Girl plans this magical vacation for them, plans to surprise him with the reservations on Valentine's Day, but instead, she gets dumped for a newer model because boy can't stay faithful after two years." There it was, her painful, pitiful story wrapped up nicely and quickly.

"Wow, yeah, that all makes sense. Well not about the guy but why you would be drinking while you're here. I'm not saying I'm for or against it, but I'm sure it has brought things up while you've been here." Leo responded. "I say it was his loss. You, too, were only meant to be in each other's life for so long. Besides, if he were with you now, I wouldn't be able to be with you right now." He added.

"You mean that?" She locked eyes with him for a moment.

"Yeah, I do." He looked back at her.

"Okay, enough heavy stuff. Tell me something about yourself." Leah questioned in a more relaxed voice.

"I never actually wanted to be a tour guide for the trails. My passion is woodworking, but the trails pay the bills. I have quite a few pieces in my home I built from scratch. Another reason I live in a wooded area is I know how to cut down a tree, shape it, and make it into what I want. My dream would be to have a shop, but I'm sure that won't be for a while. I'm trying to save up. What about you?"

"A man good with his hands, I like that... umm, let's see here. Well, most recently, I've been skinny dipping. At about three in the morning, I run to the waterfall. Swim for a bit, then run back. By then, my body is finally ready to rest."

It was Leo's turn to blush a little. He tried hard not to imagine her stripped naked with water surrounding her body. Lerah's tanned, toned body, with brunette hair dripping down her lush breasts. Them both naked next to her swimming and playing together in the dark of the night. Then he heard the song that was playing from the jukebox. It was a bit sappy, but he learned it can make a woman swoon. "Hey, you wanna...dance?"

"Ummm." She moved her head to look at the small dance floor that was by the music. "I'd feel silly we'd be the only ones." She replied.

"So, what? Let's do something fun." He got off the barstool and held out his well-worked-out hand.

Giving him a small smile, she gave him her hand and slid off her stool. "One song."

Once they got to the dance floor, 'Blue ain't your color by Keith Urban was still playing. Their arms slipped easily around one another—Leah's around his strong neck and shoulders. Leo, not trying to cross any boundaries yet, laid his arms around her slim waist, noticing the curve of her body you didn't quite know about with the oversized t-shirt she had on.

As they moved to the music, Leah spoke. "So, why did you decide to run off tonight?" Leah asked.

"Well, for one, Mondays are two for one beer. Second, the obvious Gina. And thirdly, if I got asked a directions question one more time, I was going to scream. Yes, I know I'm the guy that knows where everything is, but sometimes it just bugs me." He didn't give his fourth reason, the only reason that mattered. Her. He had heard that she had taken an Uber here. The employees hadn't heard she was returning until later when her friend Emma informed the front desk. Sure, part of his job was to keep an eye on all the guests, but nowhere did it say to follow them off the resort property to see them.

"When do Gina and her husband leave anyhow?" She asked.

"Wednesday. I asked the second day she was here. Don't get me wrong, I've had to deal with a woman like that before, but usually, after a day or two, they back down, especially when they figure out that it's not going to happen with me, then they go on with their lives. Gina has been that way since she got here. It makes me feel a bit sorry that she feels she needs to do this, but I don't want to talk about her anymore." He answered.

"Can I tell you I might have been wrong about the dancing?" Leah said with a cute smile. "This is nice, the two of us here. Maybe I'll stay for two songs."

"I can deal with that." Leo smiled back.

The music stayed at a slow tempo for a few more songs, and they danced away to all of them. Neither would say it right there, but they honestly didn't want to stop holding one another; it felt right. Leah felt safe in Leo's big, muscled arms, leaning into his sold chest that felt like it could take a hit or really whatever was thrown at him—a warrior of the new Millennium. Leo could feel the warmth of Leah's body, her breathing calming him as he also could feel her breasts move slightly on his chest. His hands slowly slid a bit further down to where they were comfortably sitting on the top of her nicely rounded backside, which she did not fight to have his hands higher.

When the current song ended, the next was a fast-paced one. They broke from each other. They both could feel the warmth between them slowly disappear from the cold air that came in. "That was nice," Leah said to Leo while looking him in the eyes before turning back to her bar seat.

"Here's another." Said Ted as he brought him a fresh beer.

Leah turned to Leo "I've been wondering why you got up from our game when I said never have I ever been engaged. I throw it out there as a dark joke to myself that it would never happen for me at this point in my life. But you, on the other hand, it seemed like more than you needed to get ready for the next day."

"You noticed that, did you? I was hoping you all were too far gone to remember that." Leo sat there for a long moment before continuing. "Truth is, I've been engaged. Made it to the altar." Thus, the next part was difficult for him to get out. "Then I was left there. She never made her way down the aisle. The darkest day of my life. But in all honesty, it was for the best. She never wanted to make roots here. She's a story collector, which I liked a lot about her at first, but I can't live like a nomad. Sure, I don't live like most because I don't own every last thing. But I can't live out of a suitcase." He told her.

"I don't know what to say. Sorry, seems silly, but I am. You seem like a good man." Leah said kindly.

"Yeah, I get it. Besides, it's been about four years, so pieces of my heart have glued back together." He tried to make a joke of it. Taking a long swig of his beer. It seemed more like an automatic motion, like every time he talked about this, his body craved something to block out the pain.

Leah put A flirty smile on. "Why don't we get out of here, and you take me back to the resort."

"Is that what you want? To go back?" He asked in a flirting tone.

"For now." She answered back in the same tone.

"Ted, I need my tab as well as hers," Leo said to the bartender.

"You didn't have to do that. For all you know, I could have racked up a hundred-dollar bill." Leah joked.

"Wouldn't matter. Besides, I don't think it's that high unless Ted starts charging per glass for water, soda, or coffee. Just trying to do a nice thing." Leo said.

Once outside, Leah noticed the chill that had formed a bit. Leo offered her his jacket, and she gladly accepted it. Again, she felt the warmth and security while dancing with Leo in the bar while pressed against him. Looking over at her, Leo couldn't help but smile internally, seeing how cute she looked swimming in his leather jacket.

Leo had a black pick-up truck, not a new one, an older one. One you would have seen in the '90s. It didn't have all the gadgets of today's vehicles. With no storage unit in the middle and just a long bench, it gave lots of room to hug the door or snuggle up close to him. Leah didn't snuggle right up to him, but her hand did wander to his hand that settled on the gear shift—looping her fingers in between his, feeling the electricity bouncing back and forth.

Back at the resort, they held hands as they walked to her tent, enjoying each other's touch. "Thanks for letting me borrow your jacket," Leah said to him as she took it off her body.

"Well, I couldn't let a woman freeze. Not in my watch." Leo replied, making his voice flirt with it, taking the jacket back from her. "I had a good time tonight." Moving a bit closer to her.

"Yeah, so did I. Would it be too much to say I'd like to hang out with you again?" Leah asked.

"No, not at all. So will there be any three A.M. skinny dipping tonight?" Leo asked.

"You know, I think for once I'm going to get a good night's sleep tonight. All the way through. I have you to thank for that." Her body got closer to his. Leo took his hand and brushed some of her brunette hair behind her ear. He could feel her body move to his. He moved his head down to capture her lips, but just before they were able to, a familiar voice rang out.

"Leo! Leo! I need you! I'm not sure what I stepped in. Leo!" it was Gina's voice ringing through.

"Raincheck." Leah breathed, their heads touching.

"Yeah," Leo said back before raising his head and kissing her forehead, then turning to see what Gina needed from him.

That evening, even though there was no need to be up in the middle of the night, she couldn't help but think about Leo as she was in bed, ready to sleep, which was precisely what did not come over her. Her body had gotten entirely worked up about it. That night, she fell asleep with a smile on her face and a hand between her legs.

Leo didn't quite go to sleep like that, but his dreams were filled with Leah and himself, so when he woke up, there was a very prominent morning erection. One he couldn't just brush off with a cold shower. No, this morning, his whole flagpole was at attention, every last inch of thickness. When he was this hard, attention to him would not be something that wouldn't be noticed. He wouldn't do anyone good until he cared for the problem.

His mind drifted to the waterfall Leah spoke of last night. The two of them going on a run, racing each other to the waterfall, Leah, of course, winning. Excited, jumping up and down with a huge smile that lit up her whole body in the moonlight. Leo approached her, picked her up, and twirled her around, enjoying her happiness before leaning in for a kiss. Breaking off the kiss, she looks at him devilish, "Time to get naked." Leo never argued with that statement when in the presence of a beautiful woman.

Both stripped down, taking each other's hands, they walked into the water. Separating, Leah plunged into the water to have her whole body submerged by water. "Much better." Laying back to feel the water float around her.

Leo came up next to her, taking the view of what her body could look like underneath the clothes she wore. Trailing one of his wet hands over her body. "Relax." He spoke softly as his other hand went underneath to support her back. Leaning down, he placed a slow kiss on her lips; she followed suit, extending the kiss, eventually deepening it. Once he couldn't take it anymore, his tongue slipped into her mouth, which made a moan come out of Leah's own mouth. This was encouragement.

While kissing Leah, Leo moved his hand up and down her body, teasing her nipples and inter thighs, never actually touching anything that begged for touch. That was until a breathless Leah said, "Please... just... touch .... Me."

Leo removed this mouth from her lip and placed it directly onto one of her erect nipples. His hand that was on her back moved down in between her legs, tracing the lips of her pussy. Her body was slowly moving, showing that she enjoyed where this was headed. The moonlight glistened off her core from both the wetness of the water and herself; this made him feel growth between his legs.

His fingers moved to lightly play upon her clit, thus allowing her to want more touch. Slowly, he inserted his sizeable middle finger inside. This seemed to give her a moment of relief before adjusting to the new waves of pleasure that came over her. He couldn't help himself; his body moved down into the water; bowing his head, he gave her clit pleasant longing licks. Shivers with a loud FUCK came from Leah's lips. Leo needing to readjust his position to make sure she won't lose herself in the water. Focusing back on the task at hand, he now took all his attention to her core, picking up the pace of his finger inside of her.

"More." Leah breathed out breathless. "I need more."

Leo did as he was told and inserted another large finger, stretching her out further, making himself now fully stiff. The rhythm now increased as well. Breathing in, Leah quickened more. Leo felt her body tightening from the continued pleasure. A few moments later, Lep was holding her body up so she could feel the orgasm rip through her.

Floating to her feet, Leah got on her tiptoes to capture Leo's lips. "I want your cock. I need your cock. Fill me up." She jumped onto his body, wrapping her legs around him, and continued to kiss him, this time with hunger. Leo kissed her back with just as much force while walking underneath the waterfall. Once under the falls, he set her onto a rock that was perfect for taking her right there.

Slowly untangling himself from her lips, he then took his penis in his hand, giving it a nice stroke before teasing her opening with the fat head, getting a few good swipes over her clit before he absolutely needed to be inside of her. Taking him in so easily, he began to pump inside, grabbing her lips once again. Leah's hands went around his back to feel the beauty of his back. Just as Leah was about to cum once again, her nails dug deep into his back, which was his trigger to let loose along with her.

His daydream of the two of them cleared as he himself came all over his hand inside of his tent. He couldn't remember when was the last time he had cum that hard. Sure, he got off and went home with women. This, though, was as if he was actually with Leah. "Fuck, I'm in trouble."

That morning, Leah had gotten up before all her friends. She felt like going for her regular five-mile run she did most days while at home. She had showered, dressed, and had her second cup of coffee before the group woke and joined her in the dining area for breakfast.

"Wow, you look great this morning. I guess getting away for a bit helped." Audrey said.

"Yeah, it did. Look, I know you sent poor Emma to talk to me yesterday about my drinking. And you guys were right. I was losing myself a bit too much in the whiskey, so water and coffee for me from now on. Well, at least until nightfall and not by myself." Leah told the group.

"Good, I'm glad you are feeling better. What did you do all that time anyway?" Emma asked.

"I looked at a glass of water for about an hour, thinking my mind could change it. I read, drank coffee until about five switched to water, and played games on my phone before it died. Eventually, I was finally hungry, which, of course, I ate. Talked to a few people there. Did a little dancing, then got a ride back here." Leah answered.

"Wait, you went dancing? I thought you didn't do that sober." Said Audrey.

"Well, I was persuaded," Leah said with a smile.

"So, you met a man last night. Okay, now we see why you're all cleaned up and better." Roger joked.

"Yes, there was a guy, but I don't want to ruin it," Leah said.

"Oh, come on, you have to give us some details," Emma spoke.

Noticing Leo enter the dining area, he looked over to her and then went to where the coffee was. Leah finished her second cup so she could talk to Leo momentarily. "He's nothing like Charles. You know I'm just going to get a refill. All empty." She made a motion that showed everyone her mug was empty. Then, she made her way to the coffee.

"Morning." She came up from behind Leo. Her tone of voice was light and sweet.

"Morning," Leo said back to her with a smile.

"So last night-"Leah was cut off by Leo.

"Was nice," Leo said to her.

"Good. I'm glad to hear. So I was thinking of going on one of those hikes everyone is talking about that you do. Any openings?" Leah said, playing with her hair a bit.

"I have an opening at three o'clock. Nobody is signed up for it. It would just be me and you. What do you say?" Leo asked, giving her a charming grin.

"I say I'll see you at three o'clock," Leah answered back with a smile as well. She honestly wanted to do some hiking and exploring. But she also wanted to spend more time alone with Leo.

Once back at the table with her coffee, she probably wouldn't drink. Trent stared in on her. "You little hussy! You got down with Leo last night."

"No! I did not get down with Leo last night. Yes, we danced with one another; yes, he took me back here, but no, we did not sleep together. Heck, we didn't even kiss. We tried but were interrupted, so instead; he did something unexpected but sweet. He kissed me on the forehead." Leah said, smiling to herself.

The woman at the table thought it was sweet and romantic. The guys, on the other hand, could have cared less.

"I'm going on a hike with him at three, so I'm free till then. What do you say, girls, time for the spa and get our hands and feet done?" Leah asked Emma and Audrey.

After some much-needed girl time with Audrey and Emma, she was ready to meet up with Leo that afternoon. Even though the weather was a bit cloudy, it didn't matter; it was a sunny day in her eyes. Things were clear in her eyes instead of having a haze running through her mind until it shut off.

When Leo and Leah walked up to each other, their "Hello" was a bit awkward. It was their first time alone since the night before, and just a few nerves were there for both. They both knew there was something there that happened last night. A connection neither one of them let open for others for a while.

"So, what's at the end of this hike? Another waterfall? A huge cliff? Mountains on mountains?" Leah asked.

"There is this great view of the land. You stand upon a mountain, and you can see for miles the river flowing and trees. Sometimes, we catch some wildlife. But I like it because as you look over at all the nature, peace flows through me. At least that's how I feel. You might feel something different." Leo responded.

"Sounds like something I can't wait to see for myself." Said Leah with a smile.

"Did you get a good sleep last night? Leo asked.

Leah looked at him, a little confused with a bit of embarrassment, considering how she had fallen asleep last night.

The look on her face made him smile. "I mean, did you manage to skip the skinny dipping last night?"

Pushing hair behind her ear as they walked, still trying not to think about the things she thought of him doing to her as she had done last night. "Yeah, slept the whole night through...say how much further down the trail until we get to the opening?"

"Not too much further. About a quarter of a mile. Why?"

Leah looked down. The trail was pretty well marked out. She looked at Leo. "Race ya!" And took off. She needed to clear her mind for a moment. Running always did the trick.

About twenty minutes later, she was met with the opening. The pine trees opened up. There was this vast land in front of her for as far as she could see. There were mountains, streams, and a few patches of wildflowers. Just past the first mountain, you could see a doe drinking from one of the streams. Leah breathed the fresh air around her in and out as if she was finally giving away the emotions she'd had about being here without Charles, being alone in her mind, and stripping away any negative feelings she may have been holding onto lately. Her body couldn't stop laughing.