"Excuse me, Ma'am. You're in my way," Desmond Ross mutters, staring extremely hard at Tanya's butt.

  Tanya Jenkins releases the knob on the water fountain and places a hand on her shapely hip. Turning to face Desmond, she shoots him a snide smirk.

  "Ha ha," Tanya says, in lieu of a greeting.

  Desmond chuckles and steps directly in front of his unamused girlfriend. He wraps both arms around Tanya's waist and kisses her softly on the lips.

  "Was I lying?" Desmond inquires, a sly grin building on his smug face.

  Tanya shrugs and shakes her head. Batting her eyelashes, she signals for Desmond to kiss her again. He repeats his prior action and Tanya giggles girlishly.

  "Well...No. I was in the way. And it was completely intentional."

  Desmond glances around the student center with an embarrassed grin. A group of young men in sports jerseys stride past the lovebird couple, one of them accidentally jarring Desmond. The owner of the offending elbow offers Desmond an apologetic head nod and then continues on his way. Desmond rolls his eyes and returns his attention to Tanya.

  "I know it was," Desmond jokes. "You saw me coming."

  "Yep. I've got eyes on my butt."

  "Okay. That's too much information, baby!" Desmond chuckles. "Although, I highly doubt that's true. I think I would have noticed by now."

  Tanya snuggles deeper in Desmond's arms. She puckers her lips and shuts her eyes, remembering the numerous times they have frolicked under the covers.

  "Yeah. You're right."

  Desmond politely separates from Tanya and peers down at her gorgeous face. How did he ever get lucky enough to snag a woman like Tanya? Smart, funny, gorgeous, and with money in the bank. You don't get much better than that package. Well, with maybe one exception. But, she's real good at that too.

  "So, we still going camping?" Desmond ventures to ask.

  He is secretly hoping Tanya has changed her mind about the whole trip. As much as he likes spending time alone with Tanya, a weekend hiking through the woods is not his cup of tea. Hiking and camping is a rich person's niche. Give him some time on the couch, playing Final Fantasy. You can make love on the couch just as easily as you can on the cold hard ground--sans the mosquitoes, flies, and ticks.

  "Of course we're still going, Desmond. Duh. What do you think I've been texting you about all day? Did you get the sterno? The firestarting stuff? The one in the can?"

  "Yeah, I got it. I picked some up after Lit class. Should have grabbed some the other day, though. The line out the store was too damn long. I was almost late getting back on campus. Professor Douglas would not have been happy if I had missed that quiz. I wouldn't have been happy. Those quizzes are ten percent of our grade."

  "Hmmm," Tanya says, rotating her neck on her shoulders. "I only had one class today. Calculus. Professor Rod is sick, and Ms. Edelberg just had her bab-ay. He is so cute. She and her fiance have already got pictures all over the internet. Some people have no shame."

  "Hey. That's the world we live in, babe. Everybody wants to go viral or claim their five minutes of fame. Whatever."

  "Uhmhm," Tanya mutters, clicking her tongue. "Whose car are we taking? Yours or mine?"

  "You've got that nice SUV with the heated seats," Desmond exclaims, " I say, we take your ride. I'll pay for gas though."

  "You got that right," Tanya agrees, throwing her long dyed hair over one shoulder. "Before we go, I've got something I want to show you. Be at my place a little early, okay?"

  "Alright, Tanya," Desmond says, leaning in for another kiss. "Bye, baby. I'll see you later."

  "Later," Tanya whispers, trailing her hand down Desmond's arm.

  Strolling confidently away, Tanya makes certain to exaggerate her walk. Desmond watches her go until she is merely a speck in the crowded student parking lot. With a desperate sigh, Desmond silently prays that his time with Tanya will be long and fruitful. The day he has to give that woman up, he will surely lose his mind.

  ≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠≠

  The next day

  "Desmond, will you stop scratching that arm? It's gonna get infected."

  Desmond rolls his eyes and readjusts his backpack. The left strap digs into his shoulder, making it feel raw. However, the large mosquito bite on his bicep is much more pressing. Sneaking a furtive glance at Tanya, to see if she is looking, Desmond scratches the bite for what is easily the hundredth time. Tanya whirls on Desmond and smacks his hand. She points a painted finger in his face.

  This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

  "I told you...Stop picking at it, Desmond!" Tanya says in a high-pitched voice. "You've been touching all kinds of surfaces. You're gonna introduce something into the bite. Then, your arm will fall off."

  The last part of Tanya statement is an obvious exaggeration. She grins slyly and cups Desmond's face with the same hand she used to smack his hand away from his itching bicep. Desmond's eyes narrow and he offers Tanya a sarcastic smirk.

  "Thanks, Mom."

  "You're welcome," Tanya retorts, running a hand through her hair.

  She is quite aware that this particular action drives Desmond crazy. He's always finding reasons to run his hands through her hair. Dyeing it had been an especially good idea. When they make love, Desmond seems to enjoy her hair that much more. The smallest things can really turn a person on. Hence, her suggestion to go camping. As a child of the slasher movie age, Tanya has always wondered why so many love scenes take place in the middle of the woods. What's the appeal? Well, she intends to find out. Minus the saw-wielding axe murderers, of course.

  Rotating his shoulders, Desmond takes in their surroundings, an uneasy feeling settling into his spirit. He stops walking and listens carefully. Tanya notices Desmond's sudden change is disposition. She grips his right forearm with a slender hand, concern etched on her features.

  "Desmond? What's wrong?"

  "You hear that, Tanya?" Desmond asks, his eyes narrow slits.

  "Hear what, Desmond? I don't hear anything."

  "That's my point, Tanya. A few minutes ago, we could hear everything. Bugs doing what they do, birds chirping, squirrels chittering. I think, I even heard a stream rushing. Now, I don't hear a damn thing. It's way too quiet."

  Tanya listens carefully, coming to the same conclusion. She gazes at Desmond with an expression that is both fear and exhilaration.

  "You think someone...Or something is out there?"

  "Maybe. Maybe not. It could be us spooking the wildlife. Who knows? I think we should keep moving. I've got my piece. We'll be fine."

  "Your piece? You brought your gun, Desmond? Why the hell did you bring a gun? To go camping?"

  "Look, babe! We're in the middle of the woods. This is the perfect place to have a gun. That's literally what they're made for...Hunting."

  "Not a handgun. A rifle. What's a handgun gonna do against a deer?"

  "A lot better than I can do bare-fisted. Look, hon...I brought it, okay? I know you're not crazy about me waving my gun around. But if we run into trouble, you'll be glad I brought it. Just chill, okay. I probably won't even need to use it."

  Tanya shrugs and averts her gaze, obviously frustrated with Desmond but trying to appear disinterested.

  "Who's upset? Let's just go, okay?"

  Tanya repositions her pack on her back and strolls away from Desmond. He watches her with solemn eyes. He never should have mentioned the gun. Tanya's younger brother was killed by a stray bullet during a convenience store robbery, while buying a pint of strawberry milk. Since that day, she has hated guns. She told him so when they first started dating. Bringing up the hidden piece was a poor choice on his part. He'll have to find some way to make it up to her.

  Hurrying to catch up, Desmond is surprised when Tanya abruptly stops walking. He steps behind his brooding girlfriend and places both hands on her shoulders. Resting his chin on her left shoulder, Desmond opens his mouth to speak. And that is when he spies what has drawn her attention.

  A large circus tent, partially hidden by the immense trees. A faint purple light emanates from inside the large tent and a woman's lilting voice floats softly in the early evening air. Funny, he didn't hear the singing until after he spied the tent.

  "I guess we aren't the only ones looking for a bit of nature this weekend?" Tanya laughs. "Think she's alone? Or do you think she has company?"

  Desmond grins widely, his eyes narrowing with mischief.

  "What if she does? Wanna take a peek?"

  "Just a little peek," Tanya admits. "Stuff like that goes viral on social media. Especially, if you can catch a little skin."

  "What? That's just wrong, Tanya!" Desmond laughs.

  "Not if the show was free! Shouldn't be out in the middle of nowhere getting her freak on!"

  Desmond nearly breaks out into full-fledged laughter. He uses one hand to keep it from spilling forward.

  "Nah. That ain't right. I think we should go. What if someone slipped into our tent and started filming us...Getting our freak on? I'm sure you wouldn't like it."

  "We're not stupid enough to leave our tent wide open. Besides, what's with that tent anyway? Who actually goes to the circus anymore? It just looks goofy."

  "Ever consider she might be homeless? I mean, a big tent like that in the middle of nowhere. That could be her home. She could be living off the grid. We should just go, Tanya. Leave the lady alone. Everyone else obviously is."

  "I only want to peek. See what she's doing. I won't film anything. That was a joke. Her voice sounds really pretty. I wanna see if she has a face to match. I'll be real quick."

  "Tanya!" Desmond hisses, as Tanya moves in the direction of the tent.

  Desmond follows Tanya with a sinking feeling in his stomach. They should just go. That woman isn't hurting anyone. Why can't Tanya just let the woman be?

  Tanya pulls back the front flap of the enormous tent so that it is completely open. She glances around, her eyes falling on a gorgeous woman sitting on a high-backed chair several feet from the tent's entrance. The woman is turned partially away from the opening, her voluptuous form in profile, one leg crossed over the other.

  The gorgeous woman is dressed in purple from head to toe, a purple top hat with gold trim situated above a mane of long black curls. A black cane with a golden tip is propped up against the chair.

  The woman's manner seems introspective, two fingers resting against her chin. The voice Tanya and Desmond heard is coming from an old-fashioned phonograph on a table at the woman's side.

  Tanya's face scrunches up and she mentally scratches her head. How the hell is that woman playing a phonograph way out here? And who uses a phonograph anymore? This woman is all kind of weird.

  The thought has barely processed in Tanya's mind when the woman in purple turns in her chair. She smiles widely and gestures with one hand; beckoning for Tanya and Desmond to enter the large tent.

  "Oh, hello," the woman says in a friendly voice. "I had no idea I would be entertaining visitors today. Please, come inside."

  To be continued........