Day Seven, Afternoon

"Well, if I knew anything about gardening," Markium sighed, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his arm. "This dirt plot has been dug up and mixed so well, it could pass for a garden."

Eve carried a bucket to the stream and dipped her feet in the cool water, filling the bucket. "My gardening ability went up a whole level just digging up dirt," she said, watching a stream of sweat flow down his muscular spin back. "Anything for you?"

"I gained the gardening ability and dirt under my fingernails." He turned to see her carefully dripping a drop off clear liquid out of a potion bottle on her finger and into the bucket. She cleaned her hands in the stream, dried them on her skirt and dipped her fingers into the bucket. He watched amazed as the droplets dripped from her hand and flowed down her neck as she drank, the water cleaning her perfect skin back to it's beautiful white rather than dirt caked.

She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, cleaning her red lips of dust, and lifted the bucket back in her hands.

Her green eyes settled on him, leaning against the shed he's been sleeping in for the past week, she smiled that bright, glimmering smile she's given him every day after they finished working.

"Thirsty?" she asked in her melodic voice and he couldn't help but melt.

"Parched," he answered and walked forward. He took the bucket from her and set it down at their feet. "But I think a swim is in order first, don't you?" He put his hand to the small of her back and pulled her close.

She smiled and giggled, "A swim sounds refreshing."

"While we were hunting yesterday, I saw a nice lagoon less than a mile from here. Secluded, quiet, and surrounded with trees. Looked like the perfect place for a swim to me."

"And you're now bringing this up? Can I ask why?"

"Figured waiting until the garden was started would be perfect."

She smiled and picked up the bucket. "Drink first. Before you do a backstroke, let's decrease chance of heatstroke." She handed him the bucket and carried her Water potion back into the cottage. She knelt at the foot of her bed and nestled the bottle between satchels of seed when she felt a hand rest on her back.

"Markium?" she asked, and turned her head slowly.

The hand moved up and covered her eyes. Ronim's voice spoke softly, "I don't like this man."

"Ronim," she responded softly, her hand clasping the hand that covered her eyes. "I know that you remember we've discussed this; Markium is a friend, not a bedmate. I agreed to only allow you to my bed, to never look at you, and to do anything you wished and in return, you'd grant me every wish I can think of." She turned slowly, holding the hand over her eyes, placed a quick kiss on his lips, and whispered, "Markium is just a friend, Cupid."

"You still haven't told me that story, my dearest heart."

"Tonight," she whispered and stepped toward the door. Once the hand slipped from her eyes, she opened her eyes and walked outside to see Markium washing his feet in the cool stream bed.

"Ready for a swim?" she asked, alerting him of her presence.

He smiled stood and slipped on his shoes. Eve followed suit and looked back at the cottage, Ronim's frame seen through the window but a glare from the sun blocked his face.

She followed Markium down the stream, watching birds fly through the air, the animals scurry in the long grass, the fish jump in the stream, it was the picture of perfection; something people paid big money to see in pictures and paintings back on Earth. She sighed happily, "I love it here."

"Why?" Markium asked. "From what you told me, you had the life back on Earth. Your own designer line, studio apartment in New York, your own life! Out here you kill foxes and rabbits, collect pelts to sell, and garden."

"It's beautiful out here; the trees planted in sporadic places instead of tidy lines, one per families yard, no fences, no buildings, no roads, no gunshots, nothing but... nature. People would love this for a camp ground or a cow yard, or even a postcard with the phrase 'Wishing You Were Here' printed in the corner. But I love living here just for the view."

Markium pushed passed a few bushes and they saw a beautiful, crystal clear lagoon surrounded with trees, a small waterfall pouring on the far side, and Eve couldn't help but stare.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

Markium smiled, took her hand and lead her toward the water. He began to strip down and ran, diving into the water.

Eve watched him spring out, water running over his chisled, muscular body, every inch of his body sparkling in the sunlight and bit her lip, thanking god's her blush never showed.

"You coming or what!?" he hollored and fell backward, splashing around in a poor backstroke.

She smiled and began undressing herself.

Markuim broke the surface and saw her turned away from the water, placing her linen dress carefully on a branch. Her skin was flawless and beautiful, not a mark on it, aside from a light blemish on her shoulder. Her dark hair fell from a loose up-do and slowly unfurled to it's natural length, the black set against the white of her skin showed her curves and divets. She turned slowly and Markium saw more curves than he'd ever imagined to see in his life. She walked slowly into the water, her legs seemed to go on forever, her hips swayed slowly with each step, her waist was slender and smooth, her breasts bounced with the sway of her hips and as she sunk, her hair floated above the water as she strode closer. He felt his manhood swell below him and shivered in fear she would notice.

She dove under the surface and swam toward the waterfall, looking around her at the underwater foliage and life. It was just as beautiful as the field around her home. She swam up and broke the surface, feeling like the models in the tampon commercials. She climbed up into a rock and settled herself to check if she was cleaner. She looked up at Markium, swimming toward her, and covered her breasts with her hair, suddenly feeling her embarrassment of being naked with a man she's only known for a week. He rested his arms on the rock and pulled himself up slightly.

"Excuse me, beautiful mermaid," he joked and smiled. "But I'm having issues finding my companion, as I only see you here. Is it possible that you kidnapped her?"

"Well, mighty swimmer," she replied, tangling her fingers in his wet hair. "The only person I see swimming in these waters would be yourself. But you should be wary of merfolk."

"Tell me more, beauty of the deep."

"How do you know I'm the only beauty here?" She placed two fingers on his forehead and pushed him back into the water.

He grabbed her wrist and pulled her down with him, plunging them both into the water. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her body against his, tangling their legs together as they sank.

She looked down into his eyes as he leaned closer and pressed their lips together in a soft, passionate kiss.