Continued

After what seemed like an hour or more, they finally came to a small clearing. In the middle of the clearing was a large camping tent, and Cameron frowned. "Someone must be camping on your property," he said out loud. Amanda laughed. "Yes, we are." Cameron stopped as she unzipped the front flap. "Well, come on!" Cameron ducked inside and suddenly smiled. On the floor was a huge air mattress and fluffy pillows. There were soft sheets and huge, thick down comforter. There was a small cooler and when he lifted the lid, there was wine and two crystal glasses. "Amanda......" Cameron started. Amanda took off her gloves and turned to look at him. "What? Did I forget something?" she asked innocently. Smiling, Cameron walked over to her and stood right in front of her. So close that she could feel the little puffs of air that he was breathing. Amanda stood on tiptoe and reached to put her hands around the back of his head. She drew him near and kissed his lips in a feathery kiss. "Tonight it is just us, Cameron," she whispered softly.

Cameron's arms went around Amanda's waist gently, his hands on both her hips. Her mouth and tongue were working magic on his face, neck, ears, eyes, and chest. Expertly and gently she had gotten him out of his sweater and turtle neck and began nipping at his chest. Groaning, Cameron lifted her face up to his and began to kiss her gently, tenderly, and then more fervently. Both went to their knees as if on cue....getting totally undressed and sliding under the comforter. To Cameron's amazement, it was warm. Amanda gently pushed him onto his back and she hovered above him, her blond hair tickling his chest and stomach. She left little trails of kisses here and there, and raked her teeth over his hips and thighs. Not being able to contain himself another minute, he expertly rolled over whereas Amanda looked up at him with half closed eyes. "Make love to me, Cameron," she whispered huskily. "I have been wanting you for so long.....I can't wait another minute." Cameron leaned into her face, kissing her softly, gently. His lips nipped at her neck, shoulder, chest, and throat. Little groans began to come from Amanda and she writhed and squirmed under his body. Cameron was going to take his time and show Amanda how much she meant to him and how much he loved her. His hands expertly explored her body and her skin was warm to his touch. Finally, both were joined as one..... The tent seemed so open and full of crisp air....the night sounds seemed to cease and be still. Then the only sound heard was Amanda's soft cry as she clung to Cameron's back in desperate need to be as close to him as possible.

Laying side by side, Cameron's hand entwined with Amanda's. Her breathing was almost normal, and he turned slightly on his side so he could look down on her. Her eyes were closed and her breathing almost normal. The comforter was up under her chin whereas he had his upper torso exposed. Beads of sweat were on Amanda's forehead and upper lip and Cameron gently wiped them away with his thumb. Amanda stirred a bit, her eyes fluttering. Her graceful fingers danced across his chest and stomach, like little tap dancers in a tired, lazy waltz. "Tell me what you are thinking," Cameron said quietly. Amanda stirred, looking up at him with half closed eyes. "I am thinking how I am never going to let you go," Amanda sighed, stretching a little bit. "Never. Ever. You are mine." Cameron smiled silently....how he had longed to hear those words come from Amanda Cory's mouth. He had loved her for so long. He would do anything for her. Anything. If it meant keeping Amanda happy and by his side, the price would never be too dear. "I kinda have the same feelings," Cameron said sleepily. He nestled down a bit, both instantly molded to one another. "See how natural this is, Cameron?" Amanda sighed. "Do you know how long I have waited for this night?" Cameron kissed the top of Amanda's head. He smiled sleepily. "Maybe as long as I?" he asked. Amanda kissed his lips softly. "And if I waited for you to make a move," she began to tease. "We'd still be pussyfooting about." Cameron let out a laugh that made his chest rumble. Amanda snuggled closer, breaking into a muffled giggle. "Amanda," Cameron said softly. Amanda glanced up and smiled. "What?" Cameron wrapped his arms around her gently and leaned into her ear. "I love you with all my mind, body, and soul." he said with a sigh. "I have loved you from the first second I laid eyes on you. The first time you blew me off. I have been waiting for this moment for so long." Amanda brushed a tear from her cheek and she raised up on one elbow and looked down at him. "Cameron," she began. "I do not have a great track record where men are concerned. But I swear to you on this night, I have never felt this way about any other man before. I love you. Only you." Cameron couldn't hold back the tear that trailed down the side of his face and into his ear. Deftly he swatted it with his hand and rubbed both eyes firmly. "Amanda, when I am with you, I want to be all things for you," Cameron sighed. "I want to be your lover, friend, confidant, you name it I want to be it." "Cameron," Amanda said softly. "You already are. All those things to me."

Amanda awoke with a start. Something was terribly wrong. Forgetting where she was, she bolted upright, and looked about wildly. Oh, the tent! She smiled tiredly. She quickly glanced at her watch, it was 3 AM. She had turned off to her side to sleep and she quietly turned to look at Cameron. He was on his back, one arm above his head and the other across his thigh. He slept soundly, except for a little jerking motion every now and then. His eyes fluttered and his mouth pursed, Amanda smiled, "he's dreaming" she thought. She laid down silently, watching him. Before too much time had passed, she realized he wasn't having a pleasant dream. He would stop movement, his body visibly tensing and then relaxing. His fist would square, and then relax. Amanda moved a bit closer, watching in the darkness. She noticed sweat on Cameron's face and tear marks where they had trickled down his face and neck. What could he be dreaming about? She wondered. Cameron's head starting rolling from side to side. His lip quivering. Suddenly concerned, Amanda leaned into him.....he breath hot against his cheek. "Cameron, wake up honey," she whispered. "It's me, Amanda. You are having a bad dream."

Deep in his mind Cameron saw what was coming and he couldn't get away from it. Gary was on the floor bleeding, and their father stood above him, belt in hand, read to bring down another blow to the already unconscious Gary. Cameron was screaming and pleading, "daddy no! Don't hit Gary again! Please daddy! He is bleeding!" But their father was drunk and didn't listen. Again and again the belt came down across Gary's back. Cameron watched in horror as Gary's body took the beating without recoil. Finally, their father turned to Cameron as if seeing him for the first time. Cameron knew his turn was next. What had they done this time to make their father mad? Nothing. They had been playing checkers and god help them for having fun. The old man came in drunk, smashing the board. Cameron had made the mistake of saying "Hey! We were playing a game here!" and the old man backhanded him across the face so hard he fell against the wall and bounced back. Gary then made the mistake of rushing to his little brother's side to make sure he was alright. Cameron shuddered in his sleep. It was always his fault. His fault for not knowing when to keep his mouth shut. Gary got beat. His fault for not doing something, anything right, both of them got beat. Cameron making the mistake of turning his nose up at his food, he got beat and their mother caught hell. Amanda leaned forward and listened....Cameron was groaning in his sleep. "It is always me," he sighed restlessly. "It is always me, my fault." Amanda soothed his brow with gentle finger tips. Eventually he settled down into a more peaceful sleep, but the pitiful moans and mutterings he had made upset her. She made a mental note to speak to him about it in the morning.

Cameron awoke with a jolt. He glanced around frantically, where was he? The tent was dark and he could smell sweet wine and immediately grew tense. The old man drank anything he could get his hands on. He turned and saw Amanda sleeping peacefully beside him, all curled up like a little girl.....her mouth slightly open, her eyes closed in peaceful slumber. Her chest rose and fell with each breath, and her skin was so soft and warm. She was totally nude under the goose down comforter, and he gently molded himself around her. She stirred, her hand waving just a bit, a gentle sigh escaping her. Cameron smiled, carefully pushing some hair away from her face so he could see her better. His heart swelled with love. Could it be possible that he could find such happiness? What had he done to deserve such a beautiful, smart, classy woman? He shook his head in wonder. He sure didn't know, and he wasn't going to go and mess anything up at this point in time. He was just thankful for the time they had together. He held back the impulse to laugh....Allie was home for awhile. She was a real firecracker. Amanda adored her little girl, and to his shock and surprise, Cameron found himself enthralled with her, also. There was nothing Allie could do or say the he wouldn't agree on. It made Amanda frown and scowl and it made Allie giggle and it made him shake his head in amazement. Cameron bent his head down to lightly kiss Amanda's arm...trailing down to the hand and back again. Amanda stirred, and then turned abruptly away, face down in the pillow. Laughing quietly, Cameron rose up on his knees and laid across her back gently. He began to kiss the nape of her neck, shoulders, and jaw line. Amanda stirred, and then sleepily reached behind her and rubbed his thighs. They made love again, this time slower, more gentler, lingering here and there.....bringing each other to heights only imaginable in fairy tales and romance novels.

They laid in each other's arms, smiling at each other. Cameron played with an errant string from the comforter lining and Amanda kept wrapping her fingers around his hand, rubbing, soothing, searching. Both were content to be together, not talking or doing anything. Amanda snuggled closer, her leg and arm across Cameron protectively.

"Good morning, Cameron," she whispered quietly. Cameron moved a little, looking down at her. He grinned. "Good morning yourself," he grinned. "Sleep well?" Amanda laughed, "Sort of. Someone kept waking me up during the night being naughty." Cameron winked and drew her closer. "Naughty? Hmmm.....I thought I was rather good........" She batted his chest with her tiny fists playfully. "You are one conceited man, Cameron Sinclair!" She howled. "Hey, it isn't conceit!" Cameron said with a straight face even though his voice was full of laughter. "I speak the truth!" Amanda's mouth gaped open with playful shock and she thumped him again. Cameron grunted, quickly turning her over and pinning her down. She stared right into his eyes and he stared back. "I am not afraid of you, Cameron," Amanda said simply. "I hope you aren't afraid of me," Cameron bantered. Amanda laid very still. She began to tingle with anticipation. Cameron's body was very muscular and tanned. She had never really paid attention before, and she boldly looked down as his chest tapered down to a narrow waist, hips and thighs. Cameron followed her gaze and felt himself getting warm. Amanda smiled slowly, watching his face change emotions. "Anything wrong?" she asked, her voice full of play. "Not a thing," Cameron said huskily. "Anything wrong with you?" Amanda grinned. "No, not at the moment," she replied. "Just enjoying the view from here." Cameron laughed, throwing his head back and then letting it hang just above Amanda's face. She reached up to lightly kiss his face, and he kept it just out of reach. Amanda frowned, Cameron grinned faintly. "Are you teasing me?" Amanda asked slowly. Cameron looked at her in mock shock. "I don't think so," he said innocently. Amanda laughed. "I am game," she said. Cameron looked at her silently. She had accepted his silent challenge. She was good. Real good. Cameron lowered himself gently and cradled her shoulders and head in his hands. Her head leaned back over his broad hands, he hungrily kissed her neck, ears, jaw, throat, and chest. Amanda began to respond. She leaned forward, her hands grasping Cameron by his shoulders to pull him closer. He stopped, rearing back looking at her. "No," he whispered. "Be still." Amanda felt like she was on fire. Just his mere touch sent electricity through her like hot pokers. "Cameron," she said in a choked voice. "Be still," he said again, quietly. Amanda was near torture. She began to wriggle and moan under Cameron's persistant kissing and fondling. She was going out of her mind. Cameron was patient and thorough. He wanted Amanda to feel his love. He wanted her to know that he loved her so much, that there would never ever be a doubt in her mind otherwise. "Cameron, please!" Amanda begged, her body arching and reaching for his. Cameron slowly lowered himself down, and began to love her all over again. Amanda was in heaven, holding the man that she loved dearly.

The sun began to peek through the tiny opening from the front zipper and Amanda had already dressed and brushed her hair. Cameron was busy rolling up the deflated mattress and comforter and setting it in a corner of the tent. Amanda said not to take anything down, that the grounds keeper would be by later that afternoon to take care of it. Cameron had only nodded. Without a word, the two lovers grasped hands and stepped out into the morning misty light. Forest animals chatted and scattered, a fine mist hung everywhere. Amanda smiled, taking in a deep breath. Cameron watched her and smiled too. "You are so beautiful," Cameron said kissing her lips gently. Amanda reached up to kiss him back. "And you look rather regal yourself," she smiled. Cameron looked sideways at her and blushed, "You are teasing me again, aren't you?" Amanda zipped the tent shut so no animals could get in there and turned to walk away, holding Cameron's hand.

The walk back to the Cory mansion was uneventful and full of silence or small talk. When they reached the brick patio, Allie came bursting through the French doors, wide awake and full of life. Amanda caught her in a huge hug and swirled her around and around, laughing. "I missed you, Mom!" Allie grinned. "Where were you?" Amanda looked over Allie's head and smiled. "I spent the evening with Cameron." Allie turned to Cameron and punched his arm. "See! I told you my Mom liked you!" Cameron threw back his head and laughed, messing up Allie's hair. "Really? I think I know that now," Cameron grinned, his eyes catching Amanda's loving stare as he gathered Allie up in a bear hug. Amanda leaned into Cameron and said in a low voice, "Well, you better know it now, Cameron Sinclair! Because last night was the first of many nights like that." As she walked away, Cameron only smiled wider as Allie tugged at his hand to follow her and Amanda into the diningroom for breakfast. Shaking his head, Cameron would only imagine his future with Amanda Cory.

THE END........by Sharon