Chapter 4

Lily

Mango and I are lost in a crowd of loved-up festivalgoers. He slips along the edge of the masses nimbly, not bothered by the crowd, weaving us behind the candy-cotton stall and reappearing between the happy couples ahead. Despite the bustling crowd, people give us plenty of room. As I wander amidst the throng of festivalgoers, it feels like an invisible path opens in front of me and Mango. I glance around, noticing a lot of curious faces looking my way.

The townspeople step aside as Mango weaves through them, their sunny smiles not missing a single beat. It's clear that we are recognized as outsiders. In a small town like this, new faces are as distinctive as a splash of color on a monochrome canvas. However, they seem genuinely pleased to see me, the townspeople's eyes reflecting a friendliness that tugs at the corner of my lips.

The children are particularly captivated by Mango. Their wide eyes sparkle with wonder as they inch closer with hesitant curiosity. Mango seems to enjoy his unexpected celebrity status, his tail swaying wildly as a few brave children ask if they can pet him. Mango soaks up the attention, purring with delight. It feels good, this easy acceptance that somehow makes me feel a little less like an alien being in this charming town.

Eventually, the kids are called away by their parents because the musicians are getting ready to start playing. Looking around, I notice the speakers around the stage, ready to belt out the band's music. "This might be too much for you, little guy," I murmur to Mango.

I find a small walking trail heading deeper into the park's more wooded areas, away from the more crowded areas. The airy scent of blooming flowers wafts from the lush, wild gardens peppered along our trail.

A peal of laughter erupts to my left. I turn my head to see a young man playfully chasing a blushing woman, their fingers entwined, eyes sparkling. To the right, an older couple sits on a bench, holding hands. The look of adoration in their eyes as they share a warm pretzel has me giving the sight a happy but slightly envious smile. The woman feeds her partner a piece of their snack before leaning over and softly kissing his wrinkled cheek.

Lublin Harbor's citizens are strangely captivating. It really does feel like they are seriously celebrating love here. I wonder if I've wandered into some kind of free-love hippy commune. Although that doesn't match the small-town Americana vibe, I'm also picking up from Lublin Harbor.

I spot a young woman standing alone by an oak tree. A young man approaches her, holding a single crimson rose as if on cue. The woman's face lights up as she accepts the flower with a shy, tentative smile.

Strolling deeper into the woods, I finally find myself alone.

Mango pulls at the harness, scampering into a bush. I worry that he might be trying to hunt some poor, unsuspecting fluffy forest creature – as if he'd know what to do with one if he actually caught it. I reach down to extract him from the branches before he becomes entangled. Pulling him into my arms, I stroke his furry head, offering him a quiet smile.

A faint, strange noise has me freezing in place where I'm kneeling next to the forest path. It's not the typical flutter of leaves rustled by the wind or the chitter of wildlife. My eyebrows furrow, curiosity peaking even as a frisson of unease tingles up my spine. I'm trying to remember if bears can be found in this part of the country. I freeze, suddenly feeling every nerve in my body stand alert. Then I hear it again, a sort of huffing groan.

"Shh, Mango," I whisper, my gaze flickering briefly to the cat who's currently burrowing his way into the warmth of my jacket. I rise to my feet leisurely, brushing off bits of grass from my jeans while focusing entirely on the source of the noise.

Stepping off the beaten track, I move deeper into the shadowed woods, my nosiness and my nurse's instinct pulling me forward. I take slow, mincing steps, pausing often, ready to run away at the slightest indication of danger.

My heart skips a beat as I cautiously step around a broad oak tree trunk. Movement catches my eyes – something that causes me to stop dead in my tracks. My mouth drops open in shock and I stifle the gasp that wants to escape my lips, blinking once, twice, before my eyes confirm what I'm seeing.

The noise is coming from a couple tangled and intertwined against an enormous oak tree that towers above the rest of the woods.

I can't see much of the woman – a tall hulk of a man covers her body. His pants are partially pulled down, exposing his thrusting ass. His body is a map of sinewy muscles flexed with primal exertion. The woman has her legs wrapped around his waist, her ankles crossed over the small of his back. Dappled sunlight dances on their unified forms, capturing the glow of sweat on their flushed skin and the rouge blush of desire on her flushed cheeks.

Searing heat builds in my belly as I watch the captivating scene unfolding before me. The man sweeps the unbuttoned shirt off the woman's shoulder, exposing her lacy bra. I watch, entranced, as he leans towards her, inhaling the scent of her skin before covering her lace-covered nipple with his mouth. His thrusts never waver or slow as he sucks on her peaked nipple. Matching her moan, my breath hitches as I watch him scoop her breast from the bra and suck it back into his mouth. My blood starts to simmer, a raw emotion fluttering within me, mirroring her audible delight.

The woman's head is thrown back, her eyes are closed, and her expression is a canvas of ecstasy. Her face is tilted to the sun, where the light showcases the passionate flush of her skin. The woman gasps loudly, running her hand through the man's hair and using her grip to pull his mouth up to hers.

Realizing that I'm being a voyeur, I take a quick step back, hiding my body behind the tree, but I find myself unable to walk away like I should. Watching the couple, something inside me trembles, touched by their genuine affection and ardor. This isn't just sex; it's passion and raw emotion and soul-deep intimacy.

The scene grounds me on the spot, my mind rattling with an uncanny blend of shock, bewilderment, and burning envy. Somehow, I'm rooted like a statue, unable to look away from the raw display of emotions unveiling before my wide, captivated eyes.

The low growl of protest emanating from my beloved cat brings me back to the present: I'm not alone, and I'm squeezing the hell out of my feline companion. The noise jolts me back to reality, and I duck out of view behind the oak tree, my lungs working like a bellows in fear and residual yearning. The reality of my situation crashes into me, the solid weight of Mango in my trembling hands serving as a grounding reminder.

I soften my hold on Mango as his tail thrashes wildly. His eyes, usually soft and engaging, are now narrowed and flattened in annoyance – a silent warning.

Guilt immediately hits me, and I loosen my hold around him, murmuring, "I'm sorry, baby." Listening to hear if my presence was noticed, I bury my face into his plush fur, smelling the underlying scent of home and comfort. I allow myself a moment to simply be with Mango before my attention shifts back to the pressing matters at hand.

Peeking back around the thick tree trunk hiding me, I can see a couple, still deeply engrossed in each other's company. From the increasing intensity of their moans and the force of their movements, I'm guessing they're about to hit the ‘conclusion' of their tryst. Their ecstatic moans and intimate whispers fill the still air, making my heart clench. I don't think Marcus and I were ever like that, even in the beginning. Seeing that couple together only confirms that I made the right choice in breaking up with him.

I withdraw back to the path, taking slow, careful steps to ensure I don't make any noise. As I hurry down the path back toward civilization, I grin when I hear the woman chanting, "Yes! Yes!"

You get yours, girl. Good for you.