Adam carries a basket in one hand and holds your hand in the other, to help you over the uneven stones. You're balancing a blanket over your arm and trying to keep from tripping over the skirt of your long white gauzy sun dress. "I think next time my Love, more information is required for these little surprise excursions of yours."

He smiles over at you. "Why's that? Careful stepping just here Love."

"You said dress for a picnic, not a hike. Not that I'm complaining. It's gorgeous here, the hills, the water. I just would have dressed a bit more practical."

"But I love what you have on."

"Flatterer."

"No I mean it."

"You always say that."

"Yeah, well I always mean it. Little step up here." His hand is soft, warm and strong against yours. He has gone nice and casual, though more suited to the environment than you, tight faded blue jeans, navy tee-shirt and light denim jacket. "Here we are."

He stops and sets down the basket, claiming the blanket from your arm and spreading it out. You have stopped in a small, tree-hidden clearing on the bank overlooking the lake. Adam kneels on the blanket and extends his hands up to you. You join him there. "It's lovely here Adam."

"Yeah, nifty little spot. We found it when we were scouting locations to tape some television adverts for the Chelsea run."

Adam lays the basket's contents out before you, plum wine, cheese, fruit, and small finger sandwiches. You eat lightly as Adam tells you of the new big illusion Jonathan's come up with this week. You love hearing him get all excited about his new tricks. His eyes sparkle and he gestures meticulously until you can see exactly what he is describing. As Adam finishes the food on his plate, you begin to clear up. He lightly touches your arm. "What are you doing?"

"The Indian Rope Trick." He arches an eyebrow at your sarcasm. "Cleaning up."

"You barely ate."

"I ate enough."

"Are you not feeling well?"

"You're clucking. I feel fine."

"Put those down and come over here." You roll your eyes dramatically and do as he requests, sitting next to his leg. He puts his hands on your shoulders and leans you down against his chest.

He moves his hand to the back of your neck and begins to massage. "What are you doing?

"The Indian Rope Trick."

"Smart-ass."

His light chuckle rumbles beneath your back. It feels nice. His other hand slips into the basket and he removes a strawberry half. Adam places it against your lips. If you open your mouth to tell him you don't want it, he's going to pop it into your mouth. If you turn your head, it's going to go right up your nose. You open your lips slowly, and he glides it past your lips. You bite and he pulls it away a little as you chew. You take two more bites this way, until you realize you've got just about one more left and get a wicked idea.

You take the last bite, ensuring your lips graze his fingertips. You feel Adam shiver slightly. As you chew, he begins to take his hand away. You take hold of his wrist and bring it back to your mouth. You lightly kiss each of his fingertips, tasting the strawberry juice there. Then slowly, you slip each of his fingers in turn into your mouth, your tongue diligently licking each one clean.

Adam shifts uncomfortably beneath you. His breath is raspy. "Oh look over there," his voice squeaks like an adolescent boy's. He slips out from under you and reaches back to pull you up. He holds your hand and walks over to a big tree on the edge of the bank. There is a rope and wood swing hanging from one of the broad boughs. He wiggles his eyebrows at you. "Wanna play, Little Girl?" Adam pulls the swing back and keeps a hold of the ropes. You stand silently, deciding. The branch seems sturdy enough. "Come on Love."

You move in front of the swing and sit down, grasping the ropes. Adam gives a little shove. The breeze feels good as it ruffles your hair and the skirt of your dress. You swing back into his arms and he pecks you lightly on the cheek, causing you to grin. He pushes again, this time slightly harder, sending you out over the water. Your stomach flutters and you grip the ropes tighter. You swing back again and Adam sends you off with a high-pitched "Whee!"

You soar out over the water again. When you reach the apex of the swing, you hear a loud snap. You stomach sinks like a stone as you realize the rope has broken. You plummet with a scream and land with a splash.

"Dear God!" Adam scrambles down the steep bank, gripping shrubbery and the occasional jutting rock to keep from falling himself. Just as he makes it to the edge of the water and removes his jacket, socks and shoes, you surface, wiping your hair from your face and gasping for air. "Thank God! Are you okay?"

"Yes," you cough. You swim towards him, relieved when your feet can finally touch bottom. As you near, he extends his hand out to you. You start to leave the water and realize it has made your white dress all but transparent. You shrink back down below the surface, looking furtively around.

"What are you doing?" Adam calls to you. You smile and open your mouth. "And if you say the Indian Rope Trick, I'll come in there and hold you under."

"I'm not coming out!"

"What? Don't be ridiculous."

"I'm not. Not until it's dark."

"You're nuts. You'll freeze!"

"I can't come out. My dress has gone clear. You can see right through it." His only response in a leer. "Lot of help you are."

Adam jumps down into the thigh-deep water and disappears under the surface, re-emerging right next to you. "What are you doing?"

"The In...Oof!" you anticipate his answer and give him a light jab in the stomach. "Well, I don't have much choice do I? If your stuck out here till sundown, then so am I." His wet hair has begun to curl slightly. The shimmer of the water is reflecting in his eyes. "Besides," he nearly whispers, his arms embracing you, "I figure between the two of us, we can keep it from getting boring." His kisses you, slowly.

When you finally come up for air, you are both grinning. He closes his eyes and moves forward again. You smile bigger and splash him, right in the face. His eyes snap open as he gasps in surprise. "You little..." you splash him again. He grins evilly, anticipating revenge and moves for you. You try to swim off but you are giggling. He catches you quickly and dunks you. While you are under, you undo his fly and begin to tug his jeans and boxers off him. He releases you and wriggles the rest of the way out. You surface to a smiling Adam. You pull his clothes out of the water, over your head and toss them up onto the bank.

"Now I guess we really are both stuck," you smile.

Adam's hands are at your hips, inching your dress the rest of the way up your waist. He is nuzzling your neck. "Suppose so. What *will* we do until dusk, hmm?"

You arch your eyebrow, "The Indian Rope Trick?" Adam groans and dunks you again. When he pulls you up, you are giggling, and he kisses you...

Have a Magical Monday!

GylzGirl :-)