|
The Awakening |
|
“Little Red! Come here, girl!” Her mother’s voice boomed from inside the cottage. Red shook her head of auburn hair, and for a moment, she seriously contemplated pretending she hadn’t heard anything. She hated it when her mother called her by that childhood name. She’d turn eighteen a month ago, for goodness’ sake. “Little Red!” Red sighed and threw the trowel down on the ground. She’d been loosening the soil that had hardened from the dry summer heat, so that she could mix it with some fertilizer. She’d decided to plant some blue roses as a surprise for her cousin Rose Red’s birthday next year. “Mo-om!” Red stomped into the house. “Will you stop calling me by that name? My name is Red!” “I will, when you stop acting like a child,” her mother retorted. Her hands were busy placing jars of honey and jam into a basket. “Young ladies don’t shout, for one. They talk in a soft and gentle voice.” She reached for some fruits and bread and arranged these on top of the basket, before finally covering everything with a clean, white cloth. “Here, take these to your Grandma. Maybe she can drill those things into you while you’re there.” Oh, what does Grandma know? She’s even more old-fashioned than Mom. Red fumed as she made her way out the door, the basket slung over one arm and her shoulder-length hair streaming behind her in the breeze. What do I need to do to make Mom realize I’ve grown up and not her little girl anymore? I still have a curfew, for goodness’ sake! Out of long familiarity, Red stepped onto the narrow lane and turned left, taking the way that led to the next village. Behind her was the town centre, the village square where the wild dances were held once every week, and which her mom still wouldn’t allow Red to attend, even though her mom had promised Red could go the moment she turned eighteen. Rose had told Red all about them that time she’d overnighted at Red’s house, about the addictive beat of the music, the gyrating bodies, the quick laughter, and the subtle flick of the eyes that said things different from what the lips were saying. Rose talked about the boy she’d met, how he made her feel jittery, and hot and cold at the same time, but mostly hot, and how they’d kiss, with the tongues meeting and how he made Rose feel like a woman and how -- Red’s mother had come into the bedroom just then and told them to go to sleep. A boy. Oh, Red had met her fair share of boys while she was working in the fields with her father. One had caught her eye in particular, a tall, lanky boy with yellow wheat hair and a ready smile. He made her feel jittery and trembling, especially when he was near her, and her heart would go pitter-patter, but hot and cold? Well, maybe people affected each other differently. Red turned right at the sight of the dirt-beaten track lying between two cottages. It was the way into the forest, where she’d take a shortcut to her Grandma’s cottage on the other side. The woods can get a little bit eerie after dark, but for now, sunlight filtered through the dense foliage of the trees. The air was cooler and fresher. Red skipped as she moved from tree to tree, her hand brushing a trunk here, a branch there as she reacquainted with old friends. Birds chirped in happy abandon as they flit to and fro. A furry rabbit hopped up to her and then jumped out of the way when she strode onward. Villagers had spoken of bears and lions residing in the deep recesses of the forest, but so far, in her many trips to her Grandma, she’d never encountered them. Craack! Red stopped short. She whirled around, her eyes scanning the brown trunks and the green leaves. Nothing. No movement except the swaying of the leaves in the slight breeze and the flitting of the birds overhead. She shrugged and continued on her way, one hand gripping the basket handle tightly. Must have been her imagination, though she’d never been so blessed -- A fierce growl rumbled from somewhere to her left. Oh shit! Sounds like a bear or lion or… whatever it is, I’m getting out of here. She ran helter-skelter from the noises, not knowing or caring where she was going, as long as it was far away. Cold sweat broke out on her skin, borne of terror and desperation. She stumbled over the outstretched roots of the tree, and sprawled to the ground on her face. Her basket hit the hard earth, and the contents scattered across the forest floor. Her heart beat uncomfortably fast and loud as she scrambled to her feet. Oh shit! Forget the basket. My life comes first. She ran as fast as her little feet could. Not having had much exercise, her lungs were burning in a relatively short time. Her legs were aching and the stitch at her side was inviting thoughts of sinking down on the moss-covered forest floor. She strained her ears, but couldn’t hear anything except for her harsh breathing and the loud thumping of her heart. She turned her head a little, not knowing why she did so, and ran smack into a hard object. She dropped to the floor with a thud. She covered her eyes and panted and screamed for all she’s worth, sure that the wild creature had magically materialized in front of her. She was going to be lion fodder at her young age, when she hadn’t proven herself to her mother that she’s grown up, that she -- Hard fingers grasped her shoulders. “Are you all right?” She was being shaken. “Stop that ear-splitting noise!” Red shut her mouth. That was a human voice. Her breath gasping and her heart still beating a fast rhythm, she looked up into concerned sky-blue eyes. Her terror morphed into a ball of explicit anger. “How dare you scare me like that! That was you, wasn’t it, making all those growling noises, making me think there’s a bear -- You no good scoundrel!” She punched him in the chest with clenched fists. Not that it did any good. His chest was hard and muscled beneath the wood-green fabric of his upper garment, and her tiny hands barely made a dent. He just held her and let her have her way with his torso. After awhile, her anger ran out and was replaced by sobs. Reaction set in, and she started to tremble. She couldn’t believe her close call with death, and it terrified her that she’d been one centimeter away from leaving this world when she hadn’t even started to live her life yet. “Oh you silly, silly little girl.” He drew her close to him, such that her head rested against the chest she was pummeling earlier. Her tears ran into the soft cloth, wetting it thoroughly. “You’ve been scared badly, haven’t you?” “I am not a little girl!” Her head reared away from that comforting chest. Another one! Why did they all think she was still a child? Was it because of her height? She was so furious that she forgot her tears. She was sure her eyes were throwing sparks at him. “I’m a woman.” “Is that so?” He sat back on his heels and stared at her with amused condescension. “You were bawling like a child just a few seconds ago.” “I turned eighteen last month!” “That doesn’t signify anything. It’s just a number.” “Is -- Is --” Red spluttered. A sudden memory of Rose telling her of how she’d felt like a woman when she was kissed rose to the forefront of Red’s mind. What a coincidence that a man now sat in front of her, and not a bad piece of male specimen, if she were any judge. A strong, sun-browned face that was neither too handsome or ugly, a broad, sturdy chest that tapered into a flat abdomen, and long, muscular legs that were displayed to perfection by the light green tights that he wore. A ridiculous hat was perched on his head, yet it only added to his rakish appearance. The boy that she’d liked previously paled in comparison. Yes, he would do very nicely. “What’s that look on your face?” His tone held a wealth of wariness, but it was the expression on his face that held her attention. There was a tinge of anticipation that was quickly masked, and his eyes were overbright. “What do you think?” Red ducked her head, as if shy, and peeped up at him through half-lidded eyes. She swiped her tongue over her upper lip in a slow manner as Rose had taught her. “You’re playing with fire, little girl.” His eyes were riveted on her lips. “A woman.” She inched closer to him. “You’re going to make me a woman.” His head jerked up. “So that’s your game. I won’t be --” Whatever he was about to say was cut off, as Red pressed her lips against his. His lips were dry and firm, and she took advantage of his open mouth to slip her tongue in. The cavern of his mouth was moist and hot, and she trembled. Something peculiar was happening to her, like a fiery liquid was making its way through her bloodstream to the aching core between her thighs. She was tilting at a weird angle, so she placed her hands on his shoulders to balance herself, and they tumbled to lie on the hard earth. They broke off, laughing. “There, that wasn’t so bad, was it?” Red panted as she lay beside the man. She did wish it hadn’t ended so soon. That kissing stuff was great. “Thank you for your cooperation. Now I’m a woman!” She ended with a whoop. The man supported himself with his bent arm and looked down at her curiously. “What do you mean by that?” “Oh, my cousin said that when this boy kissed her, she felt like a woman.” Red wished he wouldn’t loom over her like that. He made her feel breathless. Yet, she also liked the other delicious feelings he was causing in her. “Can we kiss again?” She couldn’t believe she blurted that out. He stared at her, and then burst out laughing. He fell onto his back and shook with more laughter. Red was miffed. Was her question so funny? “Let me clarify that.” He came up on his elbows again, but this time, he came nearer and nearer, until he was positioned on top of her. She couldn’t breathe. His hot breath was on her skin, setting tiny flames afire along her nerve endings. Heat poured out from him in droves and something hard was settling against her aching core. His action seemed to ease the ache a little. She felt the strangest urge to arch up and rub against him. “I wasn’t laughing at your question. And the answer’s yes, by the way. I was laughing at your cousin’s definition of being a woman. She thinks kissing is all there is to it?” “Well, yes.” Red was disgruntled. She hated being at a disadvantage, and to a stranger no less. Albeit an attractive stranger. She wondered what Rose had “forgotten” to tell her. “I’ll let you know that there’s more to it than that.” A low laugh rumbled through him. “Do you really want to be a woman?” “Yes.” “There’s no turning back, you know.” “I know.” Before the last word was even out of her mouth, his mouth covered hers. It was different from what she’d done earlier, because his was mobile above hers, molding and shaping her lips, tasting and licking. Unbidden, a moan escaped her lips, and he took the opportunity to slip his tongue into her mouth. His tongue was rough yet gentle as it touched hers and invited her to taste him back. His lower body pressed against hers, and she arched up, wanting, needing something. They broke off. “I’ve never met anyone like you, so bold and passionate and generous, for all your innocence,” he rasped. His eyes were glittering, burning. “I’m a lucky man.” He kissed her again, and this time, he seemed to be devouring her mouth. “Honey, this is best done without your clothes. Can I take them off?” Red nodded without hesitation. A most delicious haze had suffused her body, and she didn’t want the pleasurable sensations to end. At the same time, she knew what she was doing. This was more than a kiss; this was going to make her a woman. And she’s already more than attracted to this man. Who better to initiate her, to do it with than him? She’d expected to have to stand, but he eased her out of her clothes, one small inch at a time. All the time, his mouth followed the progress of the unveiling, kissing each uncovered patch of skin. Fire burned where his lips touched her flesh. She cried out and trembled when his hot mouth covered her nipple. She arched up into him, willing for him to take more of her breast. He suckled at her nipple with deep and strong pulls, like a hungry child would suck at his mother’s breast. His other hand was busy pulling down her dress to bare the other breast, and suddenly, it was in his hand, and his fingers were doing magic, flicking the tiny bud into prominence. Wild sensations tore through her, each more intense than the last. “Ah… Ah…” Her fingers dug into his shoulders as she tried to contain it all in. His mouth released her breast and he came back up to kiss her. “Do you still want to go on?” How could he ask? She almost hated him for dragging her out of the sensuous haze to think. “Yes.” Maybe she should ask -- “Do you want to go on?” “Do I?” He chuckled against her lips. “Of course I do. Does this --” he rolled his hips, which caused his lower part to rub against that aching part of her “-- give you any idea how much?” “Not really,” she admitted. “I only know it feels good.” A breath caught in her throat. “Don’t stop.” “I just want to give you one last chance to change your mind.” “I won’t.” “As you wish.” He traced a path down between her breasts with his tongue, giving her skin long laps and licks. “Oh. Please.” Her upper body squirmed and writhed, telling him what she was shy to voice out. She wished he’d take her nipples into his magical mouth again, and it seemed he could read her mind or her body language, for he covered the dry one with his mouth and moistened it into a hard, tight bud. She hummed and her fingers plowed into hair, keeping him in place. Dimly, she noted that his hand was a soothing caress as it swept down her body and dragged her dress down with it. The hand lingered at her hips. “Lift your ass a little, sweetheart.” The words thrilled her, though she didn’t understand why they would produce such a feeling in her. She complied with his request, and he removed her dress, flinging it away to one side. His mouth released her breast and trailed a path downward. His tongue circled her navel and dipped teasingly into the tiny hole. His hand trailed a fiery path up her thigh. Heat branded and marked her skin. She didn’t know why, but her lower body was excreting liquid. She could feel the juices leaking out and running down toward the crack of her ass. She hoped his hand didn’t go there; she’s sure to die of embarrassment. Oh no, his hand was playing circles on her inner thigh and moving closer and closer to -- “Stop!” The man above her stilled. He lifted his head, and his face was a rigid mask of control. He opened his mouth as if to ask her something, then closed it, and then opened it again. “May I ask why you decide to stop things at this particular juncture?” He winced. “No pun intended.” “Because… uhm…” She looked away, embarrassed. His fingers were still drawing circles on her thigh and playing havoc with her feelings. She wished she hadn’t spoken up. “Well, because, well, water’s coming out of my… my… down there, and I’m sure I’m not peeing!” His face mirrored the shock that seemed to be going through his system. Then, a booming laughter burst out from him. He hugged her tight. “You’re priceless. Let me tell you something. What’s happening with you is perfectly normal. Your body is readying itself for my entrance.” “Entrance?” “You’ll see.” He smiled. “That is, if you still want me to continue.” “Yes, please.” She sighed. “I love the sensations that I’m experiencing right now. Everything’s so new, but it’s very pleasurable.” “I’m going to place my fingers in your pussy, like this…” She sucked in her breath and closed her eyes. She’d never felt anything like it. His fingers glided among the folds of her pussy, rubbing, moving slickly through the creamy juices from her body. One finger traced the rim of her hole, and she felt something building up in her, some tightening pressure that built and built. He pressed, and she exploded. She didn’t try to think or to question why, she just followed the instincts of her body. Her hips moved in rhythm with the convulsions that racked through her. When it was over, she was grinning from ear to ear. “That was wonderful! Can we do it one more time?” “You just need to tell me.” He inserted one finger into her hole, and she was off again. He kissed her and groaned. “You’re so responsive. I can’t wait to get into you, but I need to prepare you first.” Red didn’t understand what he was saying, but his finger inside her was bliss. He was moving it forward and backward, and something was building in her again. Though she’d gone off twice now, the ache in her belly was still there, deep and heavy. He inserted in another finger, and then another, all this while keeping the rhythm. How many more? Oooh, she felt so stretched now, and the insidious pressure was tightening and coiling in her belly -- Void. Emptiness. “Nooooo!” She thrashed her head and wailed. “Come back!” And then he was there again, seeking entry into her core. This time, the object was wider and harder. Her eyes flew open. She didn’t even know his name. “What --” “Relax.” He gritted his teeth, control evident in the veins of his neck standing out. He grunted and pushed in another inch, stretching her to the full. “I’ll try to make it as painless as possible.” He surged in and tore through the barrier. Time ceased to have any meaning. There was pain, yes, and she was stretched so wide she didn’t think she’d ever be the same again, but it was quickly superimposed by an expectant kind of pleasure, a need for him to move, to feel him slide his big thing in and out of her. It pulsed inside of her, full of life. The searing pain disappeared, to be replaced by a pain of a different kind. He kissed her lips, a long, slow one that caught at her heart. “All right?” “Yes, there was pain at first, but not so much now.” “What I’m about to do will take away all the pain.” He clasped her legs around his waist and smiled at her. He withdrew inch by slow inch, such that she felt every ridge and bump in his cock. It rubbed against her pussy walls and created the most delicious friction that intensified the ache in her belly. She had a sudden urgent desire to shout his name. “Wha -- What’s your name?” “Neal the woodcutter. You?” “Red, just Red.” She gasped, because he was pushing his cock in at this point, and he was drawing out the process, the slowness both excruciating and causing her toes to curl. Her heels dug into his waist as she strained. “Neal, oh Neal, that’s so so so good.” He repeated the process, but this time, he reached in between their bodies and flicked at a tiny nub in her pussy. Pleasure sliced through her like lightning. “Again.” She was standing on a plateau, reaching for something elusive. He thumbed the sensitive bud. “Ah… Ah… More, more, more please.” Contradictorily, he withdrew his hand and drove into her, his hard body bumping against that center of her pleasure. She screamed. He turned wild at the sound, thrusting and plunging into her dripping core with no rhythm. She was with him every step of the way, obeying the instinctive commands of her body. They were like two animals in heat, rutting because it was their nature. Red felt the tension coil and spiral out of control. She looped her arms around him and held onto him as he rode her. Her hips rose to meet the challenge of each of his downstroke, although she wasn’t always successful. Within, she was reaching… reaching… Pleasure washed in huge waves over her as she spasmed. “Aaaaaah……………..” She shattered around him, her pussy clamping down on his cock and gripping him with no mercy. She squeezed him, wanting all that he had to give. He surged into her, shooting out his load in several installments. She trembled at the sensation. Finally, he collapsed on top of her, panting. They were both sweaty from their exertions and dirty from lying on the forest floor. Yet, Red had never felt more wonderful. Neal possessed her lips in a long, slow kiss. “How do you feel now, Red, just Red?” His eyes twinkled. “Like a
woman.” She pressed a kiss on his determined chin. “With her man.” She
smiled at him. “Thank you, Neal the woodcutter.” |
