The Wild Hunt (Part One)

Thirst

I was sleeping again when Kona came back from fishing. I was lying on my side with my head tucked into my arms. I didn't stir but continued to lay there. He hadn't noticed my eyes opening so I kept them partly closed. I wanted to watch him. Study him. He had hours to sit and stare at me and I found that thought to be too intimate. It felt like he had a leg up on me somehow.

"Ouch!" He quietly hissed. His back was turned to me as he stood in front of the wall and hung up the sopping, wet net, that was slung over his shoulder when he came in. He turned to glance at me and I quickly closed my eyes. My heart hammered away in my ears and I waited a few seconds before cracking them open again.

He had his thumb in his mouth as he fingered a small hook. He tossed the piece of silver onto the table before reaching to undo the button on his vest. It fell at his feet and he walked over to a large wooden basin beside the far wall.  The dark hut was illuminated by the warm, yellowy glow of the lantern beside me on the floor. The shadow of Kona's broad shoulders arched across the walls before slipping away as he leaned down over the basin and scooped up a cup of water. He poured it over his head and the shadows of his arms raced across the walls then back down as he scooped another cup.

I watched him silently wash himself. He stood over the basin, pouring water along his neck and shoulders. His long fingers smoothed over his pecs and down his muscled stomach. I swallowed, feeling thirsty again.

His silver hair clung to his forehead in thin strands and he pushed them back over his head. The muscle in his bicep flexed beside his face from the gesture. Water droplets slid down the hard flesh. I licked my lips. Why was I so thirsty suddenly?

I wiggled my toes, needing to move in someway- something. Kona paused, mid pour and looked my way. I clamped my eyes closed, stilling my racing heart. One, two, three, four....

At the sound of splashing water I cracked open an eye again.

His back was turned to me and he sat down the cup on the edge of the basin before fumbling at something in front of him. His pants dropped to the floor and my mouth nearly did the same as a blush- I had no doubt was evident, appeared on my face.

His whole backside was fully exposed and he stepped from out the pants and kicked them to the side. I snapped my eyes shut.

No. No. No.

Serri.

No.

Don't you even think about peeking.

Absolutely, no!

I clamped my mouth shut and listened to him scoop out water over and over, pouring it down his naked body. My mind drifted to the image of his butt. I had never seen a man's butt before. At least, not in person. I've seen them in paintings. They were all drawn the same. Two pale hills with a black line curved between them. Konas... we'll, his was tan and certainly had more than one curve to it. A molten feeling pooled low in my abdomen. Maybe just a peek.

I cracked open an eye again and Kona was no longer standing near the basin. I opened my eyelid wider, scanning the space over there.

"Did I wake you?"

I jolted, cursing under my breath as a burning sensation made its way down my face and neck. I feigned drowsiness, rubbing my eyes and turning over. Oh god, I hope he didn't see me watching him.

He cleared his throat and I finally rolled back over. He stood to the  side of me, pants on and arms crossed over his bare chest. Droplets of water still clung to his dark skin. He looked down at me, a hint of amusement twinkling in his eyes.