Mystified

Prelude

They say, timing is everything...and sometimes, timing royally sucks. It was almost like a dream. Four couples sat on the beach around a crackling fire on a hot summer's night, while her date, Tokoda, played the guitar.

Nothing out of the ordinary, except for the fact she was even there to begin with. In just a few days she'd leave the Island for college and not once in, her whole life, had she been included in any gatherings of this kind. Nara grew up with them all, but with her mother being the medicine woman, coupled with the fact she'd been homeschooled all of her life, didn't offer many opportunities for socializing. She knew who they all were, but they'd never asked her to do anything with them.

Tokoda, well he was another story. A couple of years older than her, she had a crush on him for as far back as she could remember. He often hung out with her father when building a canoe. One day Tokoda caught her staring at him from the kitchen window and smiled. Later that evening her father took her aside to remind her of the age difference between them. At the time he was sixteen and she'd just turned fourteen.

So why, of all the days between then and now, did he pick today to ask me out?

Nara looked up from the fire and realized the other three couples had drifted back in the shadows. The only sign they were still there was the muted gasps and sighs of couples in the throes of passion.

Thank God it's dark out. Heat flooded her face, and she tossed her long hair to the side to hide her state from Tokoda. Talk about an awkward moment.

His guitar playing stopped, and he chuckled as he reached over and pushed her hair back, tucking it behind her ear.

"I'm sorry. I really didn't think things would turn out this way." He set his guitar down on the blanket beside him and turned to face her. "Do you feel like going for a swim?"

Her heartbeat raced. "Oh...I didn't bring a suit."

Tokoda shrugged and pulled his t-shirt up over his head. "Who needs a suit?"

"Oh...um..." Nara stammered.

He undid his jeans and let them fall in a pool around his ankles. Tokoda did a little shuffle and stepped out of his pants, which left him standing beside her in his boxers.

"Come on, Nara." He jogged toward the lake. "I promise I won't look until you're in the water."

Many times, she went out in her canoe for a midnight swim, but she'd always been by herself.

"Are you coming? Or, are you chicken?"

"Okay, but turn around like you promised." Nara stood and looked up and down the beach. There was still no sign of the others, and she doubted either she or Tokoda were on their minds right now anyhow.

Well, here goes nothing.

Quietly she shed her clothes and stood in her bra and panties, shaking at the water's edge, and it had nothing to do with being cold. He'd waded a fair distance with his back to her.

Nara moved fast until the water covered her bra. "Okay, I'm here." She cursed the tremor in her voice.

Tokoda turned around and glided through the water to her. The moonlight cast a golden glow on his bronzed skin, and she thought she'd never seen a man more beautiful in her life.

"That wasn't so bad, was it?" He stood next to her, his upper body above water.

"Why did you ask me here tonight?"

Surprise registered in his eyes and he shrugged. "Why not?"

Nara lowered her lashes. "Did you know I've had a crush on you since I was a little girl?"

Tokoda chuckled lightly. "I actually wanted to ask you out a few years ago."

She furrowed her brow and looked up at him. "Why didn't you?"

"Let's just say your daddy didn't approve. He thought I was too old for you."

Nara's eyes widened. Did he talk to him that night too?

He moved a little closer to her. "I think we're both old enough now to make our own decisions, don't you?"

Having him this close made it hard to breathe. Without giving it a second thought, she shot up and dove underwater toward the middle of the lake, stealing a few seconds to pull herself together. Suddenly he was next to her, so close their thighs brushed up against each other. Startled, she gasped and took in a mouthful of water, making her thrash about as she tried to get her head above water.

Strong arms encircled her and brought her to the water's surface. Nara coughed and sputtered before she dared look his way. Utterly mortified, she laughed. "How impressed are you? We've been in the water less than five minutes and you already had to save me."

He joined in her laughter but kept his hands on her shoulders. She looked up to find him gazing at her, but it wasn't laughter in his eyes, it was something else...something warm and inviting. His lips were on hers before she had time to think.

Warning bells went off in her head--she shouldn't be there, alone with a man she'd never spent more than ten minutes alone with until tonight. Surprisingly she found herself reciprocating, not wanting the warmth of his mouth to leave hers. His strong hands drew her in closer until their bodies touched. Her breath caught in her throat as tiny electric impulses traveled through her body.

His hands spanned the width of her back, kneading her flesh, awakening a desire in her she'd never experienced before. Surely something that felt so good couldn't possibly be bad. Brazenly, she too smoothed her hands over the hard muscles of his shoulders to the center of his back. Slowly and deliberately, she lightly pressed the tip of her fingernail against the hollow between his shoulder blades and traveled the length of his spine, coming to a stop at the waistband of his boxer shorts. His body shivered under her touch, giving her a sense of empowerment she definitely enjoyed.

Tokoda held her arms firmly and pulled her away from his body to look her directly in the eyes. "If you want to stop, we can. I'll understand."

She saw the sincerity in his expression, but the heated desire he'd awoken in her wouldn't easily be extinguished. Her gaze met his in a trance of sorts, silently exchanging a message from one body to the other in a language unfamiliar to her. Nara found herself shaking her head and placing her hands flat against his chest.

A low growl escaped him as he wrapped his arms around her, lifting her slightly, persuading her legs to wrap around his waist as he crushed her lips in a drugging kiss.

Tokoda broke away and she tilted her head back to slow her breathing. His lips pressed against the hollow of her neck and she closed her eyes. She couldn't stop now if she wanted to. Slowly his lips moved down, kissing and gliding his tongue against her flesh, leaving a trail of goose bumps. His lips reach the swell of her breasts and she gasped, her eyes widened.

He raised his head and searched her eyes. "Is something wrong?"

She lowered her lashes. "No...It's just that...I've never..."

His expressive dark eyes registered surprise. "Are you telling me I'm the first man...ever?"

"Yes, you are my first kiss, my first..." Nara kept her gaze diverted, suddenly shy and embarrassed.

His finger pressed under her chin and lifted her face until she was forced to meet his gaze. "Don't be ashamed of something like that. It makes you even more special than you already are in my eyes."

Nara smiled.

"Let's go back to the fire."

Disappointment engulfed her, and surprisingly her eyes filled with moisture. I ruined everything.

He pulled her into his arms. "Don't be sad, little one."

Nara sighed and followed his lead to shore. Little one?

"There will be many more nights for us to get to know each other a little better." He kissed the top of her head.

"No, there won't be." Her eyes burned and she willed the tears away. "I'm leaving for college in just a few days."

The night grew uncomfortably quiet as they both hurried into their clothes. Nara kept her gaze diverted, not trusting her ability to keep her emotions in check.

Maybe it's for the best I'm leaving. His lack of a response told her everything she needed to know.

He pulled her to his side. "You'll be home now and then, won't you?"

Nara shrugged. "I don't know when."

"Don't worry, I promise we'll be together again, and it will be a night you'll never forget, but not like this."

Nara nodded her understanding and remained silent as she snuggled closer to him. She closed her eyes and inhaled the scent of his shirt, emblazoning it to her memory.

Maybe he's right and we will be together again. She smiled. At least he seems to want to be.



Chapter One

Five Years Later



Tokoda closed his eyes for the brief moment while the crowd grew silent in expectation and the lights flooded the stage. They played for a full house tonight. In fact, every time they played over the past few months they packed the house. Finally, after working their asses off, hopping from bar to bar, Colt Harley was now a sought after band. The band's manager, Judd Smoke, kept busy fielding phone calls and booking gigs. Life was good.

He slowly raised his head and scanned the crowd as his hand came down and struck the first chord. Adrenaline fueled a killer performance. Before the end of it, the entire audience stood, dancing in the aisles.

The newest member of the band, Jimmy, kicked ass on lead guitar. Tokoda was definitely no slouch in his ability to wow even the most seasoned artist, but Jimmy brought their music to a new level.

They played hard for the first hour before taking a break. Sweat poured down his face as he jogged off the stage. Dougie leaped down from behind his drums, his wet t-shirt stuck to his body like a second skin.

"Woooeee! Great set, guys!" Dougie passed him to change into a clean shirt.

Greta stood in wait for him, with blow dryer in hand. Tokoda pulled his wet t-shirt over his head before sitting down so she could dry his hair for the next set.

"You were great out there, babe." She ruffled her fingers through his dishevelled mane, while cool air blew. "Be sure to save some of that energy for later." Greta smiled seductively at his image in the mirror.

She and Tokoda often shared a bed, but that was as far as their relationship went. Mutually agreed, no strings attached. It sure beat the hell out of picking up a groupie to satisfy his needs and taking the risk of any number of additional ‘presents' he'd just as soon live without. She quickly brushed through his now dry hair and tossed him a fresh t-shirt, sleeveless to show off a myriad of tattoos he'd acquired over the past five years.

Greta patted his face with a dry cloth and swiped a little eyeliner over his top lashes and a little gloss over his lips. Definitely not something he enjoyed, but was all part of being a rock star. He smiled as she stepped back to access his appearance.

"Gorgeous as ever. Damn I'm good." Her hands rested on slender hips as she tossed her sandy blonde curls over her shoulder.

Tokoda stood and patted her on the ass. "You sure are, in more ways than one." He winked playfully. "I'll see you after the show."

Judd stood to the side of the stage. "C'mon, you're holding up the show."

Tokoda jogged past him onto the stage. Judd was a great manager, even if he didn't have a whole lot of patience. It didn't take much to get him all riled up.

For this set, Doug took the lead, and Tokoda picked up his bass. It was nice to just enjoy playing without having to sing. He loved the fact that between him, Doug and Jimmy, they could switch back and forth. The drums were strictly Dougie's domain, and rightly so since he was one of the best drummers he'd ever heard.

Time flew by and before long they were playing a final encore for the night. It had been one of their better gigs. The crowd loved them, which was always a good thing.

Greta reappeared just as he closed the case on his Fender. She'd changed into a low cut blouse, jade green that reflected the green in her eyes. Anticipation of what was yet to come brought a slow smile to his face.

"Well now, don't you look good enough to eat." He winked suggestively.

"I was hoping you'd feel that way." She turned and looked back over her shoulder. "Better hurry before your dinner gets cold."

Tokoda laughed, knowing there wasn't much chance of that happening. He gladly followed the swing of her hips down the hall to his room. Once there, she leaned up against the wall in wait of him unlocking the door.

He stepped directly in front of her with his palm flat against the wall on either side of her. She was pretty tall for a woman, so he didn't need to stoop to gaze into her lust-filled eyes.

"Are you sure you don't want to join the guys for a bite to eat?" He knew her answer before she responded.

She tugged at the waist band of his jeans, before pressing a finger nail down his zipper, blazing a trail over his already hardened cock aching to be released from the confines of his jeans.

Tokoda dipped his head to capture her mouth, nipping at her bottom lip before claiming hers in a slow, drugging kiss. He broke free, his breathing heavy, as was hers. He swiped his card and scooped her up in his arms, carrying her into his room.

There was no need for playing a game of cat and mouse, they came together to satisfy their sexual urges, not professing their undying love to each other. In fact, Greta recently discovered her boyfriend who lived back in her hometown planned to ask her to marry him on her next visit.

They both agreed their time together in bed would come to an end once the ring went on her finger. He totally respected her decision, but it also made him a little sad not to have a special someone.

Tokoda laid her on the bed and undressed while she did the same. Before long they lay in each other's arms, skin on skin. He kissed mouth and her jaw line, down her neck to the hollow between her ample breasts. A low groan escaped him as she kneaded the soft flesh on either side of her while his tongue flicked her hardened nubs.

Greta squirmed beneath him, her foot traveling up his inner leg until she reached the spot his cock ached for release and gently rubbed his balls. His hardened member danced under her touch and his hands replaced his mouth, rolling her nipples between his fingers as his head lowered to inhale the musky scent of her arousal.

He persuaded her legs to part, using his tongue to moisten her lips, flitting in and around her heated clit. Her hips rose, offering herself to him.

"Please, Koda. I want you inside of me. Please, now..."

Without a moment's hesitation he complied with her pleas, and buried himself in her until his balls slid in her warmth and wetness. Her hips rose to meet each thrust, the pace quickened as he felt his resolve weakening, until he could no longer resist. He gave one final thrust and held his shaft buried within her as she reached orgasm, her muscles clenched, milking every ounce of cum from him until he had no more to give.

Tokoda rolled off and lay beside her, attempting to slow his breathing. His body completely and utterly sated. He turned his head to watch the rise and fall of her breasts as she did the same.

"I'm going to miss having times like this." He turned on his side and rested his head in his hand. "I am happy for you. I hope Ken realizes what a treasure you are."

Greta smiled warmly and searched his eyes. "You do understand why we have to stop, don't you?"

"Of course I understand; that doesn't mean I have to like it."

She giggled. "I'm sure there is someone out there looking for a guy just like you. Haven't you ever been in love? Is there someone special back home, maybe?"

His thoughts drifted back to a night just before he left the Island. Nara...he'd felt something between them he'd never felt with any other woman since. When she didn't return his calls from college, he pushed all thoughts of her from his mind. She obviously hadn't felt the same way.

"I thought so once, but it turned out I was wrong. Music became my mistress, my love."

A knock on the door stole their attention. "Who is it?" Tokoda called out.

"Koda, it's me, Dougie. You need to open up, man. You just got a message from home and it's pretty important."

Panic replaced the euphoric moment as he jumped from bed and quickly slipped into his jeans. He waited for Greta to cover herself before opening the door and stepping outside.

"What's up?"

Dougie handed him a slip of paper as he shook his head. "I'm sorry for your loss, brother."

Tokoda's brow creased.

My loss?