Free Taking Flight by Tabitha Rayne Page A

giggled.
    They all settled down on mossy rocks and logs around the fire to eat their very first meal together. Pride beamed over Marcus’s face as a charred squirrel on a stick was thrust his way. Deborah winced as he proudly passed it on to her. Under his excited stare, she tentatively nibbled at the meat, bracing herself. She was genuinely amazed as the rich, gamey flavor played happily on her taste buds and didn’t end with a need to retch.
    “This is really good,” she said, suddenly aware of sounding far too surprised. “I mean, I know you’re a good cook and all, I just…”
    Marcus gave her a stern look of warning; she didn’t want to cast aspersions on his manhood.
    “Well, it’s— I’ve never eaten squirrel before.”
    Marcus threw his head back in laughter and the older couple joined in. Deborah thought maybe the meat had been a joke and they were about to produce a chicken casserole or something, but his shoulders slowed their heaving and he took a great, ripping bite of his own squirrel kebab.
    “Hey, it really isn’t that bad.” He smiled at her and ruffled her hair. She couldn’t help hoping it wasn’t the hand he’d been holding the squirrel with.
    After cups of nettle tea sweetened with honey, the conversation slowing to murmurs, Deborah felt she could finally relax in the flickering glow of the campfire. She’d been worried someone might start singing or dancing, things that, when forced upon her, made her squirm, but happily they all stayed seated.
    Eventually, she unfurled her numbing legs and beckoned Marcus to bed.
     

Chapter 9
     
    Over the next few days, Deborah and Marcus began to learn the ways of forest survival. Birch showed them how to trap and kill rabbits, squirrels, and wood pigeons, and Hazel, who was still squeamish about hunting, showed them all the edible flowers and shrubs and how to use them. They all slipped into an easy friendship and Deborah began to feel at home in their foursome.
    “We never hear you making love,” Deborah said to Hazel one day when they were taking their morning swim together while the men tidied the camp from breakfast.
    “What made you say that?” Hazel stretched out her arm, gliding soap up its length while the sun glanced off her slippery skin.
    Deborah instantly regretted blurting out the words. “Well, before we met you properly…” She dipped her head and blushed. She wasn’t sure if Birch had told his wife of the voyeuristic episode. Glancing up, she saw Hazel staring at her intently with mischief playing in her eyes.
    “Before you met us,” she said slowly, drawing out her words. “Yes, what?”
    “Well, we saw you and Birch, you know…”
    “I know what?” Hazel smiled slyly and Deborah knew she wasn’t going to make it easy for her.
    “I want Mar—I mean Thorn—to tie me up and fuck me like that.” Deborah blurted out her desires to Hazel when it should have been Marcus she told.
    The sight of Hazel’s breasts bobbing in the cool water reminded her of the smell of dirt and come as Marcus had pressed her into the earth as they had watched Birch and Hazel fuck between the trees. Her pussy welled in the dark pool and she spread her feet apart to let the cool water rush in and soothe her. Every night since they’d arrived at the camp, they’d made love roughly but silently in their hut. Once they’d sneaked off and fucked hard against a tree, and Deborah had relished the sharp bark boring into her back, leaving marks. But still she wanted more.
    “I want my shrieks of agonized ecstasy to be carried on the wings of the birds off through the forest. I want to soar with the bliss of that moment—that first strike.” She bowed her head in time to witness her submerged nipples harden to frozen little buds. She wanted a mouth upon her.
    “Just tell him,” said Hazel simply as she lathered up the soap and moved toward Deborah, passing her the bar and placing a hand under each of her full breasts, lifting them out of