Many might be surprised, at her reaction to the explanation of the cougar and bear fight. Not violent by nature, and she truly didn't condone such acts. She had just become somewhat calloused, to the point that when one man ripped apart another, she was no longer leaving her earlier meal behind. Spend a year with Captain Black and the Crew of the Black Swan. That would toughen most people. "I think I'll pass on witnessing such an event." Even though she knew he didn't mean it as for something to see, though it would be spoken nonetheless. To his last comment, a glance was spared out over the water. "I'm sure the core is still floating out there. That is, unless it was what that fish that wetted me had gone after." Amused glint in those soft browns that now turned to meet blues, a playful grin to form upon her lips. "So, if you're not into swimming and searching, I suppose you'll just have to settle for me?" Head to tilt slightly as she watched for his reaction.

"Floating apple core would have been long devoured by big Ole One Eye. Big as this canoe it is said." Teasing or not as he managed his way closer, over the one rung and to the other closest her as hands grasped either side. Even on his knees, which braced against where the bottom started to curve on each side, he was taller than her sitting. He leaned, or attempted to as the canoe's end where he had been started to lift up out of the water. He leaned back adjusting his weight but when he leaned again that other end lifted still. "I think I have a predicament here." Easing back as he started to laugh. Deep rich sound that flowed well in a baritone quality.

"Big as this canoe?" Okay, that had her looking around her. She had seen whales, great white sharks, and other species of fish that were large enough to swallow a grown man whole. Eyes did widen as she searched the surface of the water, that was until she noticed him coming closer. Focus was back upon him, she noted the rise of the canoe's end, before he did, since she was looking directly at it. Again eyes grew wide, and just as she was about to speak, he leaned back. No sooner had that sigh of relief sounded, she felt her end beginning to rise. Hands quickly moved to grasp the bench, upon which she sat, again eyes grew wide as she looked at him. Then again he moved, the canoe would return to its normal float. "Saints preserve me." Murmured as she worked to regain composure. It would be his comment and laugh that would have her looking at him again. Starting out with a grin, and a slow shake of her head, soon a soft chuckle would sound. "Ay. So it seems. I'm beginning to ponder, maybe this legendary one eye is the very man who rests before me, hmm?" Teasingly stated, a grin to appear. Slowly she'd move, easing her way over the bar before her, to settle in the center of the canoe. The bar would be that upon which she now settled. If she got upon her knees, she'd have quite a good view of staring him straight in the chest. "Perhaps this would make things a tad bit easier?" Head tilted slightly as she gazed up at him and smiled.

He moved back to give way so she could move to the center with him. Chin dipped as one hand lifted from the side to draw up and caress her cheek. Hitched grin tipped more to one side as blue eyes met the softness of browns. Searched then dipped with the lowering of lids as he leaned it. The touch of lips was gentle at first as they coaxed before the intensity heightened, devouring while fingers wove through the softness of her hair to cup the back of her head. Steadying her there for the onslaught. The tip of passion shown that he held deep inside as he well tasted of her lips from one corner to the other in slow motion. Savoring each caress.

What was it with men and their stealing of breath? Or was she just that easily overwhelmed? She knew she was going to be kissed, for that she was fully prepared, it was the intensity of that kiss which gained that hitch of breath. If she hadn't of already been seated, she would have melted to the very bottom of that canoe. Hands lifted, resting atop his shoulders, head tilted more into that kiss. Eyes long since closed, making her more aware of his presence. His musky scent, that which was his alone. The feel of form beneath the cover of material. So very aware of his lips as they traced over hers. Light caresses returned, perhaps a bit clumsily, but she was doing her best to give back in the way it was being given.

She tasted so good. So sweet. So much a woman as even where they were was hazed out into a distance thought. There was only her and the enticement of her lips. He took it slow so she could follow easily enough letting it go to natural response when she stopped thinking on it. He shifted as his other hand left its grasp against the side of the canoe, without thinking, as he wrapped her up into his arms. That was the mistake coupled with the tip of the canoe slanting off a rock formation that jutted above the waters where they had drifted. Next they were both thrown in, luckily not near the rocks. Water was wet! Cool as they sunk in, the canoe tipped over like a beached whale and the oar and cushions floating away.

Now here was a new twist to the term ...being wet! That kiss would ensure that was to happen. No sooner had she become lost in the moment, a rude awakening would transpire. No longer seated within the dry confines of the canoe, she was sinking into the murky depths of the lake. After the shock gave way, it would be the natural instinct of survival that would kick in. Not an easy task to accomplish, trying to kick to the surface, whilst that gown's skirt wished to ensnare around legs and ankles. Though effort and determination would win out, as she broke the surface of the water, with a loud, harsh gasp for needed air. Doing her best to tread water, a hand would rise to wipe water from her face, as she began to search around her to see if she could find him. "Draven!?!"

He broke the surface of the water behind her with an ear piercing WHOOP. "What a kiss!" Why not, it was shocking even if it was beyond the kiss itself. He had sunk deeper for his weight and height but it was only moments after her and he was making sure she didn't get tangled and pulled down underneath. She probably didn't realize he was pulling at her skirts to keep them from doing just that before surfacing. Head shook in a curt swing sending spray from his hair as he reached for her. "Are you all right?" Feet working beneath would keep him afloat.

The whoop would have her turning quickly within the water, to look back at him. Hearing his exclamation, all she could do was laugh. "I was right in me thinking. You are the big ole one eye, and you are the cause of that tipping canoe." Teasingly accused. Soft laughter to sound after. Swimming closer, until one hand was resting upon his shoulder. The other would move to wipe more water from her face, and brush back sodden tendrils that had fallen free. "Ay. I'm fine." Chuckling softly. "Yourself? ...Nothing harmed?" She was truly concerned, but the amusement of the moment still had its hold.

"I am .. am I?" Referring to the accusation of being ole one eye. "Well.." That was the only prelude along with a wicked grin to what happened next. Arm snaked around her waist fast as he sunk back down into the water, taking her with him as his lips seared over hers beneath the waters. They were not fish lips either for the heat she would feel and the way they ravished. Sinking. Sinking. Sinking. All the while kissing until his feet hit bottom for they were only in about ten feet or so at this point and it would be on a gradual incline to shallow. He was walking, guiding her legs around his waist before he was rising above the water's surface again with her well plastered against him.

This time she couldn't help it, she busted out laughing. Sputtering water for a moment, then a cough. It only intensified as he struggled, and suddenly they were in a wrestling match, only she made a poor referee. Now on top, she gazed down at him chuckling. "Really now." More chuckling, trying to move her legs to free them from the tangled mess. Having no idea what her wiggling could possibly cause. "I'm beginning to wonder, Draven. I do believe I'm a victim here, just not sure of what." Of course she was teasing him fully. Her hands rested on either side of him, sinking into the soft sand of the shallow water.

He groaned as she started to wiggle against him. He was not that insensitive even if older and not prone as a younger man so easily. He had developed control but it was being sorely tested as hands grasped what turned out to be her derriere to still the motion. Large hands cupped both cheeks easily. "Careful..." More than just the wiggling with the way she was atop him and a misplaced knee would have that groan in pain rather than pleasure. It was amazing how fast their once cool wet clothes started to warm up the moisture between them. Chin dipped in a natural response and only made it worse, or better, with the view he got of her chest. Wet cloth clung leaving very little to the imagination. He tore his gaze away as blue eyes met and he still couldn't help the hitch of his smile. "I do think we have a predicament here." The laugher spreading to his eyes with the creases to deepen either side.

Eyes widened a bit as her backside was gripped. How many a dock hand, or swashbuckler had gained a black eye due to a swinging tankard for that move? Countless. Yet, this was no tavern, and Draven was not a handsy drunk. After a brief moment, again her laughter would sound and a slow nod. "Ay, so it seems. Looks like you might be stuck with me." Teasingly stated. He had her pressed to him, so her movements were altered to a degree. Slowly she'd shift her legs, to move to the outside of both of his, now straddle. Pushing up with her hands, soon she was sitting atop, rather than laying. "I think something should be done, or you'll prune horribly." Bit of a grin, though her amusement was quite alive in those soft browns. Turning at the waist to look behind her, a hand would reach to grasp the floating material, trying to work it free from its wrapped hold.

"I could always tear the cloth away." Teasing her back as he took his time to assess the situation. One hand managed free to draw more of the skirt up to bunch towards her arms. Nice show of leg was exposed and before he knew it, a low whistle came under his breath in appreciation. Hopefully she took it right. Now would be the perfect time for one of his children to show up! "Some of me.." Leaving it go there, unsure if her imagination could fill in the rest. Luckily she had moved enough the cool water eased that which was starting to heat. He might have to take a trip to the McAndrews notorious flower garden! Fleeting thought as he finally worked his way up to a sitting position then helped her off with the guide of a strong hand before easing up to stand. His back mostly covered in sand as well the ends of his hair. "It would seem I owe you a new dress for the ruination of this one." Such a pretty one too but he was the kind of man to find something equal if not even better.

Soon enough, they were disentangled, though the entanglement would be something she'd reflect upon and chuckle over later ... even smile. The whistle had her chuckling, and a side-long glance his way with a grin. "Thanks." Propriety had long since been tossed out the window, and it wasn't as if she had bared herself fully before him. "Some of you ...what?" That grin grew slightly more as she moved off to the side, to slowly stand. Hands would set to work on flapping the wet material of her skirt, though it would continue to cling to legs, no matter what she did. Glance up at him. "What? .. You care not for the new style?" It was then she'd poise, one hand lifted to rest against the back of her head, the other to settle upon her hip. "I think it would be the rave in England and France, don't you?" Always one to make light of a situation, this time would be no different.

"Carly, you are a very dangerous woman." Drawing close as that very word fitted the look in his eyes, especially with the pose she took up in soaked clothing plastered against her skin. "Do I really need to tell or show you how a man reacts to a beautiful, enticing woman?" Hand snaking around her waist as she was drawn up tight against his form. It was all there. The heat coupled with the desire in his eyes. Dangerous man at the moment but he wasn't just any other man. He was Draven MacShire, one who in spite of many years a rogue, respected women. Respected her. Blue eyes could heat as surely as any fire in the way they locked. Way they drew to consume. "You would have every man that could get close enough wanting to paw you. Paw the cloth right off. I would have to carry a club and become your personal guard." Slow smile but it was getting dark and the katydids were already out scratching their legs together up in the trees. What made the sound. Bull frogs were adding a background chorus and some owls hooted not that far from them. The night life was awakening. He eased back as he kept his arm around her and guided her back up to the manor. Sally would have extra clothing and once they were cleaned up and dry, she could decide to have him ride her back to the cabin or stay the night.

She was a bit taken back, by the intensity she seen. It was a look she had never seen before. Though she drew back not, more curious would be her state of mind. She would understand later, exactly what transpired, and have her mulling over many things. Thinking about that which she had avoided for so long. But that would be later, for now, she was lost in the intensity of his gaze. It was like it warmed the very air around her, though in truth, it would be within herself the source of heat would come. "Dangerous? I don't think so, but then I guess I'm not aware of my full potential." Honestly admitted. The slapping of material would sound as they made their way back to the manor. Avoiding looking Sally directly in the eye, the woman seemed to be grinning, even amused, so she assumed. She would chose to remain the night, since the offer was there. It was late, and she wouldn't mind just sitting and talking. Whilst sitting in a chair, that wouldn't tip and dunk her into the water.

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