Chapter 8: The Flirty Bath
The sun had begun its slow descent beyond the horizon, casting the desert in hues of deep orange and purple. After the intense battle against Boone’s guards and the exhausting journey back to their temporary camp, the entire group was in desperate need of rest. The Sand Vipers were tending to their wounds and guarding the gold they had taken from the caravan, but Abilene had something else in mind.
Abilene carefully slipped away from the camp, needing a moment alone to wash off the dust, blood, and tension of the day. She followed the faint sound of running water, eventually finding herself at a secluded creek hidden by tall reeds and low-hanging willows. The creek glistened in the fading light, the water cool and inviting.
Glancing around to ensure no one had followed her, Abilene began to undress, unbuttoning her shirt and slipping out of her trousers. The feel of the cool air against her bare skin was a welcome relief from the desert heat. She dipped a toe into the water, shivering slightly as the coolness spread up her leg, before fully submerging herself with a sigh of contentment. The water was refreshing, the gentle current swirling around her as she began to wash away the grime of the day.
As Abilene moved through the water, her thoughts wandered to Buck. He had been a puzzle from the start so controlled, so calm under pressure, and yet there was something behind his cool exterior that intrigued her. The way he had fought today, the way he had taken charge, made it clear he was a man to be reckoned with. But there was more to him than just the hardened bounty hunter. She had seen glimpses of it when they were alone, a softer side, a side that cared more than he let on.
She was lost in her thoughts when she suddenly became aware of a presence behind her. She turned swiftly, one hand instinctively reaching for a weapon that wasn’t there. But there was no threat only Buck, standing a few feet away, watching her with an amused expression on his face.
“Didn’t mean to startle you,” Buck said, holding up his hands in mock surrender.
“Just heard the water and thought I’d check it out. Looks like I stumbled upon something better.”
Abilene narrowed her eyes, though there was a teasing glint in them.
“You’ve got a lot of nerve, Buck,” she said, not bothering to cover herself, knowing the water did that well enough. “Didn’t your momma ever teach you to knock?”
Buck chuckled, taking a few steps closer to the water’s edge.
“Didn’t think you’d hear me if I knocked. Besides,” he added, leaning against a nearby tree, “it’s not every day you get to see something as pretty as this out in the desert.”
Abilene scoffed, though she couldn’t help the small smile that tugged at the corners of her lips.
“You’re all smooth talk and no substance, Buck. That how you get all the ladies?”
“Only the ones who can shoot better than me,” Buck shot back, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
Abilene rolled her eyes, turning her back to him as she continued washing herself.
“You think you’re clever, don’t you?” she called over her shoulder.
“Depends on who you ask,” Buck replied, moving closer to the creek. His voice took on a more serious tone.
“I wasn’t trying to upset you, Abilene. Just couldn’t help noticing how peaceful you look out here. After everything we’ve been through… it’s nice to see.”
His words caught her off guard, and she found herself softening.
“Well, it’s not every day I get to wash off blood and dirt in a place like this,” she admitted, her tone less sharp now.
There was a pause, the only sound the gentle trickle of the creek. Buck leaned down and removed his boots, then his shirt, revealing the lean, muscular build that spoke of years spent living a hard life. Abilene glanced over her shoulder again, this time openly watching as he stripped down to his trousers.
“What’re you doing?” she asked, arching an eyebrow.
“Well, it is a bath,” Buck replied with a grin. “Figured I might join you. This day’s been hell, and I could use a good soak.”
Abilene didn’t argue, instead turning back to the water with a small smile on her lips.
“Just don’t get any ideas, Buck.”
“Me?” Buck stepped into the creek, shivering slightly as the cool water reached his waist. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
He waded closer, and Abilene splashed water in his direction, laughing softly as he blinked and wiped his face.
“Sure you wouldn’t,” she teased.
Buck smirked, dipping his hand into the water and splashing her back.
“You think you’re so tough, don’t you?”
Abilene splashed him again, this time with more force.
“I don’t think, Buck. I know.”
They engaged in a playful splash fight, both of them laughing like children as the tension of the day melted away. It felt good to let loose, to forget about the bloodshed and danger for just a moment.
As the splashing died down, Buck and Abilene found themselves standing close, the water rippling around them. Their laughter faded into the quiet sounds of the creek and the distant calls of night creatures beginning to stir. Buck reached out, gently brushing a strand of wet hair from Abilene’s face.
“You’re a hell of a woman, Abilene,” he said quietly, his voice laced with something deeper than the flirtation that had filled their earlier banter.
“I’ve met a lot of people in my life, but none like you.”
Abilene met his gaze, her breath catching in her throat. The way he looked at her made her heart skip a beat.
“You’re not so bad yourself, Buck,” she replied, her voice softer now.
For a moment, they simply stood there, the world around them fading into the background. Abilene could feel the warmth of Buck’s hand lingering near her cheek, the strength in his grip, the unspoken promise of something more. Her pulse quickened, and she found herself stepping closer, until their bodies were almost touching.
Buck’s other hand came up, resting on her waist. “You’ve been through a lot,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “But you don’t have to carry it all on your own, you know. I’m here.”
Abilene’s breath hitched, her eyes searching his. There was no mockery in his gaze now, no teasing just a raw, honest emotion that took her by surprise. She had been so used to putting up walls, to keeping people at arm’s length, but Buck… he had a way of breaking through.
“I know,” she whispered back, her voice trembling slightly.
“I know you are.”
And then, as if drawn together by an invisible force, their lips met in a slow, tender kiss. It was different from the fiery passion she had expected this was gentle, almost reverent, as if they were both afraid to break the fragile connection they had found.
Abilene wrapped her arms around Buck’s neck, pulling him closer as the kiss deepened. The water swirled around them, cool against their heated skin. Buck’s hands moved to her back, holding her as if he never wanted to let go.
When they finally broke apart, they were both breathless, their foreheads resting together as they stood in the creek.
“That was…” Abilene began, struggling to find the words.
“Yeah,” Buck agreed, his voice thick with emotion. “It was.”
They stood like that for a while, just holding each other, neither wanting to break the spell. Eventually, Buck pulled back slightly, his hand still resting on Abilene’s waist. “You know,” he said, a small smile tugging at his lips, “we’re gonna be soaking wet when we get back to camp.”
Abilene laughed, the sound light and carefree.
“I don’t care,” she replied. “I needed this.”
Buck’s smile widened, and he leaned in to kiss her again, this time with more passion. The water rippled around them as their bodies pressed together, their kisses growing more heated. Abilene’s fingers tangled in Buck’s hair, pulling him closer, wanting to feel every inch of him against her.
“Buck,” she murmured against his lips, her voice husky with desire.
“Abilene,” he whispered back, his breath warm against her skin.
They moved together in the water, lost in the moment, their bodies entwined as the world around them faded away. The creek was their sanctuary, a place where they could forget about the dangers that awaited them and simply be together.
As the night wore on, the stars above them shining like diamonds in the sky, Buck and Abilene gave in to the desire that had been simmering between them since they first met. It was a union born of passion, trust, and the unspoken understanding that they were stronger together than they could ever be apart.
And as they finally lay together on the grassy bank of the creek, their bodies still intertwined, they knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.