apple thief

Coming of Age

5 years later 

Father and I took that same trip around my birthday each year and each year I would play with Jacob  at the river but this trip the young man was different he was shy he asked father if he could walk with me to the river father said yes of course as he always did. I smiled and thanked father my childhood eagerness was still there but my mother had done her duty and made me the young lady that I was suppose to be in her eyes....

As we walked down the path to the river the young man asked " so you are turning 18 this year does that mean you must marry now" I answered sadly " yes my parents have picked a fine man for me his name is .. is  um I'm honestly not sure who he is I've never met him, that's what this grand ball of a party my mother is throwing is."
Jacob looked at me surprised " you are in an arranged marriage you have always talked of falling in love with someone and that's who you'd marry" I laughed "if I had my way that's what I'd do but this has always been my future according to my parents even my father says this is how it must be this isn't what I want .. supposably this man is a few years older than me and he owns many properties and he can take care of me and give me a good life" 

Suddenly Jacob stopped and grabbed my hand he asked tentatively "may I kiss you" I stared at him in shock that he would ask such a thing and my mother's words echoed in my head until you are married you may not let a man touch you. But I nodded anyway. Jacob pulled me in close and kissed me at first very lightly but after a second he deepened the kiss pushing his tongue against my lips I parted them and our tongues danced as he wrapped his arms tighter around me. My hands went to his hair we didn't part until we were both panting for breath, Jacob spoke
" Kasandra I do believe after all these years I have fallen in love with you I know you are promised to someone else but would you spend this afternoon with me down by the river"      
I nodded with out hesitation because what harm could come of it.  As the afternoon wore on it got warmer and warmer I wore so many layers that I decided to walk in the water to cool off. As I walked into the river I slipped on a rock and went splashing down into a rather deep pool Jacob came to my rescue and pulled me out but not before I was completely soaked. As he pulled me up I coughed and choked on the water from going under.

The wet layers of my dress were very heavy so I walked around where Jacob couldn't see me and took several layers off where I was only In my panties and my underdress I laid  the rest of my clothes on limbs to hopefully dry as I came back around the bushes Jacob was there he turned and looked no... no he didn't just look he ... he soaked me in as if committing me to memory he studied every curve ....  he  looked at me like  I'd never seen before a look of pure want he walked right up to me and put his arms around me "Kasandra I love you and I hope you love me to with ..with you permission I would like to touch you and show you how much I love you"
I couldn't speak I did love Jacob but I was engaged but.... I'd never see Jacob again after today  he touched my chin and pulled my face to where I was looking at him " you don't have to if you don't want to" I shook my head "no Jacob I want to I'm just scared" he put is forehead against mine and let out a held breath " you have nothing to be scared of with me that much I promise" pulling me over to where I had taken my dress off he pulled his jacket off and laid it on the ground "sit please" I did as asked of me and sat on his jacket he sat beside me and began to kiss me with so much love and passion that it made my heart break knowing today would be the last time I'd see him so with that thought I put every ounce of feeling in to kissing him back.
He pushed me back onto my back and ran his hands up my thigh it felt so amazing, he pulled away and asked softly " are you sure you want this if not I'll stop now.." I put my lips to his to silence him and nodded my head. We made love on that river bank  that evening thinking nothing of the consequences.
 

As the sun sank we sat kissing and talking about the what ifs ... if only he had been born into a wealthy family or I had been born a farmers daughter like he was a farmers son .... we got dressed again and he walked me my dress still dripping back to the house and to my father ... who at the sight of my wet dress shook his head.