Lia's POV:-

"Damn."

"I know," Luke smiles, from beside me. I hug his hand, and lean against him taking in the gorgeous view of valley. We were at higher altitude, so the river that trickled between it looked like a stream. Standing at roadside, under the tall trees, smelling fresh air and tree bark, made me squeeze Luke's hand even more tightly.

"I wish, we were ducks by the river," Luke secretly tells me. "We would wake up, take a swim in the river, eat worms, clean each others feathers. No worries in life."

"Except, that a cat would catch us, or worse humans will take us. And then we'll be roasted on a barbeque naked, with spices and lemon juice squirted over our butts," I snort. He stills at the vivid imagery, then grumbles, "Why do you have to ruin everything."

"Baby, I'm the splash of reality in your life," I grin wider. He gives a petulant look, and bites my shoulder making me laugh.

Our moment, was toasted by Alex. "Hey lovebirds! Stop smooching, and put your asses to work!"

I crossly turn around, to give him a piece of my mind. But Luke puts an arm around my waist, to hold me back. "We were just looking for a rock, Alex," he replied, keeping a firm hand on me.

"You definitely wouldn't find one, in her mouth Luke," Ian laughs, as he rolled away the tyre. Our trip, got a terrific start when Dylan drove over something that pierced into the rubber tyre.

"Mind if I borrow her for a sec?" Julian, jumps before us as we near the group, and pulls me away before we could react.

"Lia, I got a proposal from Shawn," Julian whispers excitedly. I sneak a cautious glance, at the guys who were working over the car.

"Julian, I don't think cheating is wise. Because I like Dylan, and you won't find anyone else to love your sorry ass, as much as he-"

"What? No! Shut up Lenny," he laughs uncomfortably. "I'm not going to cheat on Dylan. I was just wondering," he shifts nervously. "What would happen, if I say yes. Would Dylan find out? Would he be too mad?" he bites his nail, looking at my reaction.

"Yes, he would find out," I chide. "These things never stay hidden. And Dylan would raise hell, and kill that Shinden dude."

"Shawn," Julian says lamely. "But I won't be cheating."

"You are basically cheating, if you are sexting with him," I point out.

"No. No, sexting," Julian promises. "I always kept it clean."

"Yeah well, finish it you idiot. Block him, before things get out of hand," I advice sagely.

"You're right," he admits sullenly. I quietly watch his reluctant presses over the phone.

"Julian, why on earth would you think something like that? Is everything okay between you two?"

"Yes it's fine... Don't look at me like that! Bitch, I tell you everything," he cries defensively, when I squint my eyes at him. "It's just that, I found it very flattering. And it's been so long since, someone tried to hit on me."

"Julian, trust me, even I wouldn't approach you on normal days. Dylan looks at you very possessively. And you both make it clear as day that you are dating, with all the kissing and touching."

"Touching is the best," Julian chuckles, still looking a little upset. "Forget this ever happened," I kindly hug him. "You and Dylan are good." He nods obediently.

"Lia who do you think max would marry?" Ian asks, when I park my ass next to the Rover. Alex had conveniently borrowed one of his father's SUV, the very beautiful Range Rover Discovery Sport, that cozily fit us all in.

"Probably a cardboard figure of himself," I answer hoping on the bonnet, along with Alex. "One that has over exaggerated muscle."

"Hey! Get your grandma asses off the car. I can't work like that," Max growls from the ground. "'lex, pass me the wrench."

"I think," I continue towards Ian, as Luke forced me down the car. "It'll also have one of those doggy chains, with a tag that has Maximus carved on it in gold." We all laugh at Max's annoyed grunt.

"Best answer," Dylan claps, sipping from Julian's flask, his hand loosely draped around the shoulders of the latter. 

"Don't worry Max," Alex speaks up. "We will make it a wax model for you. Everybody will chip in, cause after all we are here for your joyous, and your lonely times." We all eagerly nod our heads.

"Maybe, we can also add a wax penis," Dylan suggests. "An extra, extra, extra, large. His horny ass, will melt off a normal one in seconds."   

"I am doing all the work. Be nice to me," Max scowls at us, and continues to press the car jack.

"Yeah regarding that, Max, why are you shirtless?" I quiz, slapping away Alex's hand as he tried to steal my last Twix. 

"Cause, this road is frequent for girls trip. Don't wanna miss an opportunity," he smirks. College, is waste on Max. Judging by his muscles, I think he spends most of his time in gym.

"You have a girlfriend," Luke reminds, trying to balance the lever on his forefinger.

"Oh, and should I tell Lia, what you did the last time we came here," Max asks wickedly. To my surprise, Luke turns red and glares at Max.

"Why? What did he do? Who did he do?" I ask alert. All the guys start laughing, except for Luke and Julian.

"Max?" my tone was testy.

"Relax," Max chuckles, wiping grease from his fingers, on his tank. "He hooked up with a camp girl. Nothing else."

"Nothing else?" Ian scoffs. "Lia, Luke was smitten."

"I was not," Luke fumes, but the guys start laughing again. "Dude, we didn't see you outside her tent for two whole days," Dylan chortles.

"How long back?" my voice was colored green.

"Way back, babydoll," Ian assures. "Last time we made a trip to this valley, was before you and Julian had graced us with your souls." I breathed easier.

"Whatever," I shrug, trying to play cool.

"If it's any consolation," Julian says to Luke. "When we took a trip-"

"Julian, no!" I panic.

"-Lia did hash, and made out with the camp instructor's brother." Everyone, except Max and Luke, look at me with amused smiles. And like sprinkling sesame seeds, Julian adds, "By the way, the guy was married." Alex hoots, thrilled at the information.

I laugh awkwardly, as Ian showers me with praises, and continues to tell about the time he banged his cousin's babysitter. Max muttered something like, should've sent to missionary school, when had the chance.

Thankfully, when I approach Luke, he only tuts, "Adultery? What next Ms. Anderson?" He couldn't exactly get mad, since both of our deeds were out. Agreed, mine was more questionable, but Luke is not the one to hold hard feelings. We wisely brushed past the whole thing. 

Finally our vehicle returned to running conditions. Last time, to annoy me Julian sat between me and Luke. This time, I screamed and fought, maybe scratched Julian's arm, and triumphantly sat beside Luke, with Ian on other side. Dylan took break from being driver, and sneaked Julian to the back seat with him. Luke kept an arm around my stomach, while I chattered with Julian and Ian.

Julian soon dozed off, in Dylan's lap, and Ian snoozed against the window pane. Max and Alex, were surprisingly into some serious discussion. Luke was staring out the window, so I moved my bottom to his lap.

He snugly fitted me against him, and we both stared out the window. He hummed a tune to some unknown song in my ear, and I crawled closer into his jacket, feeling drowsy.

Max's ferocious laughter, woke me up. I open my eyes to see, Max, Ian and Julian talking to Luke who was sitting at the edge of the seat with feet out. I was still snuggled in his lap.

"Morning baby," Luke smiles, as I yawn. "Yeah, morning Cinderella," Max says sarcastically. I give him the finger, and put my face back in Luke's shoulder to catch more sleep. When I'm with Luke I don't have to worry about, Julian and Max teasing or pranking me.

"Oi, get her up," Max complains to Luke. "She has to put up the tents."

"Naah, my big brother will do it for me," I answer, opening one eye to grin at Max. Luke blocks away Max's leg, that was about to kick me.

They all get distracted when Dylan yells, "Guys, I found a snake!" Feeling too comfortable, I make no attempt to move and mingle with the outer world. Luke's body vibrates with a deep chuckle, when Alex shouts, "Vipera Evanesca."

"Hey, wake up," he rubs my butt, seeing me nod away. I manage to mumble a Fuck off. "Baby, c'mon," he kisses my forehead, despite reply. I unhappily sit up, and stretch my arms, pushing the car ceiling. I jump out, followed by Luke. He also stretches lazily.

"Was I too heavy, Mr. Wright?" I bat my lashes at him. He smirks, and slaps my ass. "Was that my punishment darling?" I ask wryly.

"Don't make me say stuff, when your brother is just ten yards away," he mutters, going to the trunk to get the bags out. I hold his sleeve, and tag along. 

"Alex, what's this?" I ask pointing to the long scratch, in the rear.

"Nothing," Alex waves off, throwing Ian's bag at his face. "When I dumped Charlotte, she hurled a fire extinguisher through the back glass. Yeah, should've gotten her a more expensive break-up present," he shrugs, at my surprised face. "What's strange was, my dad was not happy. He got mad at me."

"Dude, you wrecked his car," Dylan smacks his head, before grabbing his duffle bag.

"Yes, but the man got ten others. Why does it matter?" Alex grumbled. Dylan and I exchange looks that said, Rich kids.

We were fighting over sleeping bags, mainly me and Ian, because I wanted the red one, while Ian thought he should get the red one, and I can sleep in the purple one because, I'm a girl. And girls love pink and purple. Alex and Dylan were helplessly trying to break the bickering, while Luke wisely kept his distance, not wanting to offend his friend or girlfriend.

Meanwhile, Max and Julian were ingeniously creating their own racket. God knows, what those morons did, cause by the time we reached our camping spot, all we saw was a bonfire. Oh, and instead of woods, it was our tents that were burning.

"He did it!" Max and Julian exclaim together, pointing at each other. We decide we'll just sleep in open, as long as the rain permits and if things get worse we shall return back.

"It's the first time, we've driven on our own here," Max muses, toasting his legs near the fire that he and Julian had built as punishment. The guys used to take the bus, cause they weren't experienced drivers earlier.

"Took us longer than I expected," Max yawns, taking a smore off my plate. Julian was roasting marshmallows, sitting beside me on the log bench. 

"Yes, because this moron," Dylan points his beer bottle at Ian, who was lounging on the foldable chair. "Gave the wrong instructions."

"It's hard okay?" Ian cries.

"How hard is it, to follow the Map?" Dylan scolds. "You even had the lady, speaking out every direction."

"I got distracted," Ian rolls his eyes. "Her voice is sexy."

"Really? The GPS woman?" I ask amused, making another smore for Alex and Luke.

"You have no idea," Ian begins gravely. "How much I love it, when she says, Go around in circle, and turn it up right."

"Dude, you're sick," Julian laughs, throwing a marshmallow at Ian. After many rounds of drinks and tipsy laughs, we go to bed tired. I neatly braid my hair, and put on extra socks before cocooning into my 'purple' sleeping bag. Yes, Ian is stronger than me.

"Lia are you asleep?"

I open my eyes, to see Luke crouching near my head. The fire was still glowing. Max's snores were loud, and I could hear Dylan and Julian talking and laughing in whispers.

"No, I was close," I mumble sleepily. "What's up?"

"I can't sleep," he admits. "Can I scooch in?"

"Sure," I zip open mine. The sleeping bags were big ones, and I was slimmer than Luke so we both could just fit in, with little space to spare.

"Thanks," he mutters, and hugs my arm. The night passed without any further mishap. We are woken up, by Max's loud order, "Wake up, loafers!"

A helpless snort escapes me, when I look at him.

"What the..." Luke says in amazement, lifting himself on elbows beside me.

"I know," I chuckle quietly, delightedly staring at my brother. Behind Max, Dylan and Ian motioned us to keep quiet. They had joined Max's brows into one single line with, I think, a sharpie. There was also a big dot on his forehead, and red colored whiskers spread out on his cheeks. He looked a total buffoon, with a blue spiral on his chin.

"Dude what happened?" Alex says laughing, when he comes walking in. I hide my laugh in Luke's shoulder, seeing his face was also in a similar condition. On his head was written, 'Thunderdick'.

"You tell me, thunderdick," Max asks more amused. Dylan motioned Max, from Alex's back to keep quiet, while Ian did the same to Alex from Max's back. These boys are geniuses.

Max chuckles quietly, and nods, whereas Alex winks back at Ian. "C'mon, lets go for a swim," Max suggests, stretching his hands over his head. "Good idea, Spiral Queen," Alex grins. They both were so used to ribbing each other, that they didn't notice anything suspicious.

"Holy shit," Julian gasps upon joining us. Before he could say anything, Dylan grabs him and kisses him, so he doesn't accidentally blow the cover. We send off Max and Alex, promising them we'll be with them soon.

"Would the water wash it off?" I ask concerned.

"Nope. It's permanent. Ought to stay for a while," Dylan shrugs. "But it won't be long, before your narcissist brother checks himself in his phone camera."

"We were going to draw on Luke too," Ian confesses. "But when we went to his sleeping bag, we discovered him clinging to you like a Koala. You both were facing each other, so we didn't wanna risk raising alarm."

"You're my savior," Luke grins cheesily. I laugh and kiss his cheek.

"You could have included me," Julian pouts at Dylan.

"Babe, you were very tired. You needed to rest," Dylan affectionately rubs Julian's hair.

"Yes, Julian," Ian grumbles. "Your boyfriend didn't even let me, draw a penis on your cheek."

"Fuck off, Cooper. Only one dick, gets to slap his face," Dylan smiles smugly. "You don't have to be so explicit," Julian chides embarrassed. We were still joking around, when we heard a scream.

"Oh man, they found out already," Ian groans. "Pay up, asshole," Dylan smirks, and happily takes money from Ian.

"Who wrote Thunderdick on my forehead?" Alex thundered, appearing with a broken shovel. 

"It's very apt, Alex," Max chortles, following him leisurely. "Go check your face, Willy Wonka," Alex bites. "You look no better." Max's smile drops, and he hurriedly takes out his phone.

"Okay, time to get up," Luke mutters, standing up. I put on my jacket, and merrily wait for the bloodbath to unfold.

"Julian, tell my dad I love him," Dylan says hurriedly, putting on his shoes. Ian was quickly lathering on, what my best guess was, sunscreen.

"What about me? Don't you have anything to say to me?" Julian demands. Dylan finishes tying his laces, and stands straight. "Not gonna lie, we had our good times. But I always thought of you, like a friend," he briskly pats Julian's cheek.

"You rascal!" Julian laughed, slapping Dylan's ass. Meanwhile, Luke was trying to convince Alex to abandon the shovel. "Alex, trust me, nobody wants to see you use that shovel, more than me," Luke says. "But this is not our town. There are no hospitals nearby if one of them accidentally bleed to death."

"Get out of the way, Luke," Alex scowled. "Screw hospitals. This shovel will kill them, and bury them." He glares at me, when I laugh out loud. "Sorry," I quickly apologize.

"Dude, no, no, no," Ian stumbles back horrified, when Max storms towards him. "Dylan was the one, who graffitied your face. Go for him."

Max and Alex, look at each other. "I'll avenge you, my brother," Max says solemnly. "And I'll avenge you," Alex replies equally gravely.

"Hey! Weren't you the ones who kept quiet, and let each other roam around, as murdered canvasses two seconds ago?!" Dylan questions in disbelief. But Alex only hoists his shovel higher.

"Max, okay hold one second. This is very serious!" Ian announces loudly, making everybody look at him. "Can I please take a whiz before all the chasing? My stomach is aching from the pressure." Max smiles wickedly, and picks up a tent peg. They first chase each other around the few trees, but due to lack of space, Dylan and Ian ran out of our camping zone.

"Want to go, watch your boyfriend get butchered?" I turn to Julian.

"You bet," he replies, quickly putting on his t-shirt.

What a terrific start to my day!

....................

"Guys, where is Julian?" 

Boys ignore me, playing water games. "Hey! Someone tell me," I try to draw attention. "Lia, shut up and help us drown your brother," Dylan yells trying to push Max down. Ian disappeared into the water, probably to pull Max's feet.

I watch them for a while, shouting ideas and encouragements. The sun was out, but the water was still chilly which made me reluctant to get in. I skip over the rocks, retracing my path to the camp. I was adjusting my bikini top, when I squarely bump into Julian emerging from the woods. 

"What were you doing?"

"Explaining Shawn, why I can't be with him," he says lowly. "He kept texting from different numbers. Thought I should acknowledge him, before Dylan does."

"Wise kid," I pat his back. "Now, c'mon. I need somebody to push me into the water. It's fucking icy."

"Need a smoke?" Julian asks lighting a cigarette.

"Always," I mutter, accepting one. I put the lighter back in his pocket. "Where's your phone?" he blows smoke over me.

"In my bag," I answer, pushing him away. "The only people, who care enough to call me are here." 

"Ow Lenny, I love you," Julian pouts, hugging me sideways.  I grin, and elbow his stomach. We race to the river, and jump in. 

Everyone was lazing under the sun after hours of shouting and games to notice me and Luke disappear. I did not question, where we were going, when Luke lead me between the woods. I did not miss the grins that graced Luke's face, whenever he looked at me.

"Damn, fuck me on a flower bed? Is that the last milestone?" I quiz, looking at the wildflowers spread in front of us. The river here, had transformed into a harmless brook. "Is that a flying squirrel?" I gasp, seeing something jump between trees. Luke nods.

"And for the record, there is no last milestone," he says.

"I should've known, after we started watching hentai porn. Those cartoons, are dirty but creative," I mutter. Luke chuckles, and bites my bare shoulder.

I look around. "This rock, will suffice."

"What?" he looks at me confused.

"Cut it out, Wright," I order. "Let's commence our primary scheme." 

"I did not bring you here, to make love to you," he answers, looking offended. "Make love to me?" I ask, holding back laughter. "Shut up," he mumbles smiling. "I feel poetic, in such scenarios. New rule, you can't say any cuss word while we are here."

"Dude, what the f-"

"Natalia," Luke reprimands.

"Sorry." After a hesitant moment, I add, "Sir."

"Naah, call me daddy," he suggests. "Oh, you filthy man," I gasp. Luke grins and pushes me to the rock. "I thought, we weren't here to 'make love'," I breathe.

"Sorry, I'm a hopeless sinner," he mutters, and kisses me. His hand makes soothing movements on my nape, and I hitch my legs around his waist. He caresses my thigh, and fits the curve of his mouth to mine. He deepens the kiss, and pulls back to rub his nose along my neck.

"Sweet Lord, you smell like smoke and rocks," he murmurs reverently. I incoherently tell him about smoking with Julian, but he understood me. His hand stroked my spine and pushed me closer to him. They finally rest on my ass, sorry, my buttocks to hold me in place. 

"Why do you bite me?" I ask amused, when Luke bites my neck. My curiosity heightens, at his shy smile. "Luke, tell me," I coax, cupping his cheek to maintain eye-contact. He sniffs, and confesses, "Well the logical reason, is because I like to. But the twisted logic is, because.." he pauses, and shakes his head catching himself. "I can't say it."

"What, no?" I frown, squeezing his shoulders annoyed. "Spit it out, Wright," I demand.

"You'll say I'm cheesy, or worse laugh," he mutters sullenly. "I won't," my reply is quick. He gives me an unbelieving look, but explains, "The twisted logic is, that my feelings and love for you overwhelms me, and biting is like, a desperate move to regain control."

"And does it work?" I ask softly, unable to stop smiling. He shakes his head, no. I nod slowly, before lowering my head, and biting his cheek. He laughs, "Lia, you don't have to-"

But I stop him, by biting his lip. I softly nip and bite, his jaw, his neck, his shoulder and then again his cheeks. Luke is smiling, his eyes closed. I think, he gets my message. That I'm also overwhelmed by my love for him. That I also lose control for him. That he is something unreal, yet shockingly mine.

"We are a little tight on time," he teased. "But one day, we'll dedicate a whole week to just biting."

"I don't think, biting will feel good at some places," I wince. He chuckles, and pushes down his trunks and removes my barriers of clothes. 

His easy movement, initiate my first groan, "Oh shi-" I stop myself, when Luke pauses. "I meant, oh Shelley," I quickly answer.  

"Shelley?" he quirks an eyebrow, slowly resuming. "Yes, Percy Shelley," I gulp. "I'm also feeling poetic."

"You'd be having bigger problems, if the guy wasn't dead. And saying a poet's name, doesn't make it poetic," Luke says dryly.

"Oh bugger off," I say in a British accent, making him laugh.

.......................

We return hand in hand to the camp, where Dylan and Alex were setting the lunch. I see Max dozing on the foldable chair, and happily skip to him. Luke had weaved a flower into my hair, fondly saying, My Little Temptress. I take it out, and put it behind Max's ear.

He opens his eyes, sees its me, shrieks loudly, before batting the flower of his ear like it was a hornet.

"How would I know, it wasn't some poison ivy?" he defends, at my unhappy pout. "I don't trust any of you fuckers," he declares. "Except, maybe Luke. He's a sensible lad." Luke graciously tilts his head, receiving the compliment.

Luke feeling hungry joins Dylan's side. I sit beside Ian and Julian, who were crunching rock candy. Ian generously offers me his, and takes out his phone.

"I'm so happy, this water didn't cause any breakouts on my forehead," Ian peeks at his reflection, using the selfie camera. Then in caution he adds, "Touch wood."

Only problem was, there weren't any trees near enough. "Where is a tree, so I wouldn't have to get up?" he wonders. Me and Julian shrug. "Wood, wood, wood," he mutters scanning his surrounding, for something wooden. "Oh wait, I got this," he laughs and touches his crotch.

"God, stop being a pervert Ian," I scrunch my face, seeing him holding himself through his joggers. "If yours isn't wooden enough, you are welcome to touch my wood," Julian offers, and I smack both their heads.

......................

Our trip got cut short, when Alex received a phone call with family emergency. His great grandfather was in critical condition, and he had to fly to Paris immediately. Alex asks us to stay back and enjoy, but we felt bad for the poor lad who got misty at the very thought of his old guy being sick. 

However deep his sorrow, he still managed to pick a girl from the road, who was looking for a lift. I liked her tattooed arms, and piercings. Alex banished Dylan and Julian to the front, next to Max who was driving, to get a private session with his new friend.

Ian and I exchange amused glances, when he starts telling her his predicament. Within five minutes, a soft moan echoes the car and Max effectively turns up the music.

"Now will be a good time, for poison ivy," I mutter to Luke.

At airport parking, the girl tightly hugs Alex, and they exchange numbers, making eternal promises to call each other. She then accompanies us to the airport.

We all go through the usual security rituals. But the metal detector squeaks loudly, when it reaches the girl's left boob.

"Oh, I have a piercing," she tells the suspicious guard.

Alex forgot all about his main purpose, and bags, "You have a piercing?"

"Yeah."

"I've never seen one, in that area," he replies dazed.

"You can look at it, if it makes you feel any better," she offers kindly, starting to unbutton her shirt.

"My mother is also dying," Ian hastily announces, stumbling forward and pushing back Alex.

"My sister is at death bed, due to brain damage," Max pushes off Ian with a giant arm.

"My aunt has stage seven cancer. She's like a mother to me," Dylan is quick to whimper, from beside Max.

"My younger brother is paralyzed from leprosy," Luke says mournfully, turning his lips down to look like a pouting child. I used to adore that face!

"My boyfriend just died," I give the girl a sour smile. This gets her attention, "Oh you poor thing," she comes forward to hug me. "I know what's that like. How long ago?"

"Very recently," I answer seriously. "And I don't have money for his headstone," I pretend to wipe my eyes. "I think I'll just stick a blue post it note, that'll say 'Here he lies, still unable to rise'."

"That's not true, on so many levels!"

....................................

A reminder, that I love you guys. Even the readers who read only the first paragraph, and got bored and moved on. Love you all. Mwuaah..

Hope you enjoyed the chapter!