With my arms wrapped tightly around the love of my life, I kissed her shoulder then spoke. “I’ve never felt so alive. It’s like every time we’re together, I fall more in love with you.”
Turning in my arms, Ellie’s nose practically touched my own. My mind drifted back to that first day I met Ellie. Sitting in Jeff’s truck, anxious as hell to meet the little sister who was off limits. I couldn’t help but smile.
“I feel the same way. My heart feels like it will explode with every touch and kiss you give me. Your love fills me completely.”
Ellie’s eyes soon grew heavy. I watched as she finally let them close and drifted to sleep. This woman was my entire life. There wasn’t anything I wouldn’t do for her. When I couldn’t keep my own eyes open, I let my body relax and slipped into a deep sleep. Dreaming of the very woman I held in my arms.
Unzipping the tent, I stepped out and then turned to help Ellie.
“Man it’s chilly out here!” Ellie gasped.
I pulled a sweatshirt over my long-sleeved shirt and handed one to her. She slipped it on and then placed a hat over her head.
Ellie looked around me and frowned. “What in the world is Jeff doing?” Glancing over my shoulder, I noticed he was sitting in what looked like a metal tub.
“No idea. Let’s go see.”
Taking her hand, we made our way over to Jeff and Ari’s campsite. The closer we got, the clearer it became.
“Um, I think I know what that scream was you heard last night.”
Ellie pinched her nose together. “Lord have mercy, there’s a skunk somewhere!”
A few steps closer and Ellie got it.
“Oh no, Jeff. You got hit with a skunk?”
Jeff was sitting in a tub of tomatoes. Ari sat on top of the picnic table and grinned from ear to ear while eating an apple.
Peering into the tub, I jumped back. “Dude, are you naked?”
“Fuck yes, I’m naked. I’ve been sprayed by a skunk!”
I rubbed my eyes. “A warning would be appreciated next time.
“Why are you in tomatoes?” Ellie asked.
“Thank you, Ellie,” Ari stated as she glared over at Jeff.
He rolled his eyes. “It takes the skunk smell away.”
With a chuckle, I shook my head. “Dude, no it doesn’t.”
Jeff’s eyes widened. “What do you mean it doesn’t? Yes. It does.” He frowned and then asked, “Doesn’t it?”
Ellie laughed. “You need to mix peroxide, baking soda, and liquid detergent together. That’s what you use.”
“It’s not tomatoes?”
Now it was my turn to laugh. “No, who told you that?”
Jeff’s face turned the color of the tomatoes. “Josh! He came over last night after I got sprayed to see if everything was okay. He was the one who told me to get canned tomatoes and soak in them.”
I rubbed the back of my neck and sighed. “Dude, that’s only going to mask the smell. You need to get it off of you.”
Jeff stood. Butt-ass naked with tomatoes dripping off his body. His … whole … body.
“Oh, my God my eyes!” Ellie screamed as she spun around. “It hurts! It hurts so bad!”