Thriae Hot Springs

After spending roughly ten minutes enjoying the Daffodil Falls' breathtaking beauty, the party resumed their hike. Talking a sloped path behind the falls, they ascended until the path reached Buckskin River, a short distance beyond where it divided, sending a portion of its water over the falls. Their trek continued along the river on a slightly raised trail. After another fifteen minutes of walking, the party reached a point where a steady stream flowed down from a series of rocky cliffs. A small, short wooden bridge carried over the stream. Passing the bridge, Harvey Diamond paused, gesturing everyone to gaze at the wonderful vision of the Thriae Hot Springs.

A series of various sized pools ringed the rocky cliffside. Most appeared concentrated around the cliffs. Harvey mentioned that a few smaller hot springs could be found scattered nearby, nestled near the forest. Sean noticed that there appeared to be five levels descending down from the left--or north-- side of the cliff. Flat stones worked as stairs, winding around in different directions, often stopping in a dead end. As Harvey explained, regular visitors in the distant past had worked to shore up the natural pools, adding extra rocks, sanding down the stone stairs, damming a portion of the stream, and constructing a series of wooden aqueducts to transport the warm water.

"No one is exactly sure who did much of the early work. Some suspect it might have been the Storks. The feeling is they didn't want the Wynwicks to know. The two families started to squabble not long after the Wynwicks gifted them the land for their cabin," Harvey explained. "They did a damn fine job. Either they had some skills or hired a few craftsmen. Over the years, additional improvements have been made, but most of the work now is maintenance."

"It's incredible," Owen stated, glancing over at his girlfriend in awe.

"You haven't seen anything yet," Whitney replied.

As both Diamonds took turns, they explained how visitors could remove smaller rocks or use the wooden aqueducts to allow more or less water into each pool. The largest pool resided on the right side--or south side--of the cliff. For the newbies, they couldn't see but a small portion of the pool from their spot. Still, the Diamonds assured them that the pool wrapped around part of the cliff's outcropping. There out of sight, one would find a cave entrance. Inside, a splendid grotto, partially lit by small openings in the ceiling, provided a sheltered, water-filled playground.

"You see? I've said for years that Harvey is our Hugh Hefner," Fred remarked. "He even has his own grotto for fuc--screwing around in."

Harvey ignored the laughter from his friends, along with looks of awe from the younger men, and continued his description. At the back of the cavern, a raised level allowed access to several different caves. A few led to pools deeper down in the ground, but one needed to bring their own lights as they resided in mostly darkened caves. A popular tunnel led upward to a room-sized cavern, where the hot air vapors created a natural sauna. Wooden benches and railings placed here and there provided comfort and safety for visitors.

"Legend has it that you could once reach the cave system west of Wasp Lake from here. The tale says that roughly a century ago, a cave-in blocked the tunnel," Harvey recounted with a shrug. "It might have been true, but I've never figured out which cave had the rumored tunnel." Their host paused before gesturing toward his daughter's boyfriend. "You can leave the wagon there, Owen. We'll leave those extra towels and robes for later. But everyone else should bring the ones they carried up with them."

Motioning for his guests to follow, Harvey climbed the stairs, pointing out other odds and ends. Following him, the four first-timers: Sean, Newt, Owen, and Skye all marveled at the bluish-green water with wisps steam rising from them. Around the middle-level, Harvey informed everyone they could leave clothes and outwear on the dry surface. Sean and Newt hesitated to undress, looking at each other for support, both wondering if they would be too cold. The other members of their party had no such ****.

Owen Nevin's sharp intake of breath alerted them that the first woman had stripped down to only her swimsuit. Gabriela Locket, in the process of putting her hair into a ponytail, wore a burgundy one-piece swimsuit. The plunging front, down to just under her bust, showcased the age-defying firmness of her D-cup breasts; underneath that, three cutout sections gave a glimpse of her flat upper stomach. The suit's straps tied around her neck in a large bowtie, leaving nearly all of her back exposed.

Her best friend, Rachel Stratton, shed her clothes next. The busty, older redhead wore the most conservative swimsuit of all the women, a gold one-piece. The v-neckline of the suit only revealed less than half of her impressive cleavage. A bronze zipper ran down from her cleavage to almost her navel. Every man imagined that zipper getting pulled down to reveal her glorious DD-cups.

As the two best friends and their husbands lowered themselves into the hot springs pool, Kimberly Goose revealed a gray bikini that matched her eyes. The smallest of the women in her bust, the push-up bralette top prominently displayed her B-cup breasts. Outdoing the other two women, she had the most risqué bikini bottom with a thong showcasing her tight little ass. Kimberly appeared proud of her choice as she shook her ass in the direction of the men until she frowned at what Sybil wore.

The newcomer to their cabin stay, Sybil Gettinger, flaunted her toned figure in a red and white striped bandeau-style bikini. The already small bikini featured a keyhole in the front and thong bottoms. If looks could kill, then Kimberly attempted **** with her glare at the pair of platform sandals that Sybil put on for the short climb up the stone stairs.

As the number of clothed people dwindled, Sean finally began to remove his jacket and boots. Newt, however, hadn't moved an inch. Mesmerized by the sight of Skye Willows peeling off her sweater, he stood frozen. The gorgeous brunette, with blonde highlights, next gracefully removed her pants to complete her disrobing, revealing a blue and white checkered bikini. An off-the-shoulder style with the straps on her upper arms, it had matching bikini bottoms tied together on her sides. A skimpy, cute bikini, it showed off her curves while remaining tasteful.

With attention focused on the aspiring model, shy Polly Gettinger quickly disrobed, revealing a pale yellow one-piece. The teenager hurriedly rushed to get in the water and hide her figure.

Although all the other men stared at Skye, Sean gave Newt a light slap to his side, breaking him out of his hypnotic trance. The warning arrived just in time, too, as a voice rang out, taking note of his fully-clothed status.

"Well, are you planning on joining us anytime soon, Denton?" an exasperated Whitney asked. The young blonde stood off to Newt's side, her hands on her hips, head slightly cocked to the side. It was not intended to be a sexy, sassy look, but it was to both young men. Whitney had on a navy blue bikini, a triangle top that could barely contain her magnificent D-cups. The top featured a halter style tie on the back of the neck and another tie behind her back. While her bikini bottoms covered a minimal amount, it already struggled not to bunch up between her glorious globes, turning it into a de facto thong.

Newt swiftly shed off his clothes in fear of Whitney's wrath and climbed into the pool near Sean. Their party had split off into three groups. The adults filled two pools on the second-highest level. The Strattons and Locketts occupied one body of water at the far end with Harvey, Fred, Sybil, Polly, and Skye in the section next to the stone stairs. A level below, Sean and Newt found themselves sitting uncomfortably with Whitney and Owen.

"I'm almost speechless. This is such a breathtaking place," Skye softly gushed. "I can't believe I never heard of this being here."

"The major issue with the hot springs is how difficult it is to reach. Our cabin is the westernmost one on the northern shore, so we have the shortest hike and look how long it took us. It's a shame that it's not better known, but at the same time, it's refreshing not to see the hot springs turn into a tourist trap. A suggestion that I've been accused of planning."

"Don't worry about those bunch of fools," Fred said.

"It sure is a long trek. I probably should have opted out; that steep trail didn't help my back one bit," called out Clive from the other pool. Down below, Newt quietly agreed with the local district attorney; he felt winded from two long hikes today. He couldn't remember ever walking this much, and they still had a return trip back to the cabin left.

"Hopefully, the heat from the spring pools will help you out. If not, I suggest you soak in the hot tub later tonight. That usually helps my back," Harvey suggested.

"Polly, go sit with your classmates," Sybil prodded her daughter, who mumbled back a response. "Well, you can make friends with them then. Whitney has always been nice to you when we visit the cabin."

"Don't worry about her boyfriend being here," Harvey reassured the shy teenager, guessing that might be part of the issue.

"And I hear that Leo Tarver's son is single again. He's a cutie," Sybil nudged her daughter with her elbow. "Miranda told me that he and Beyza broke up. Maybe a rebound fling is--"

"Mom!" Polly hissed in embarrassment.

"Sorry, sorry. I promised not to meddle in your love life...or lack of one," Sybil muttered the last part. "Still, why don't you go down there and see what happens? Or you can stay here and listen to me tell stories of what I did for fun at your age?"

Polly groaned in frustration and potential embarrassment. With a mumbled response, the teen got up and hurriedly went down to the other section of the hot spring.

"So, you talked to Miranda lately, huh? How are the Rusks doing?" Fred asked, winking over at Harvey. His old friend nodded back, hoping for any bit of information about Orrin Rusk's potential plans.

"She stopped by last night to see the Christmas present I bought for myself from Randy," Sybil replied, launching an in-depth description of the new pieces of jewelry. Skye appeared fascinated, while Fred waited impatiently for it to end.

"When we get back to the cabin, you should see the diamond sapphire necklace I gave Whitney," Harvey suggested.

"Is that all you talked about with Miranda?" Fred questioned harshly.

"What else would we talk about? We live next door, so we run into each other all the time," Sybil shock back at her brother, not caring for his tone. "Oh, she did help Rory sneak out of the house last night to go clubbing."

"Ooh, where did she go?" Skye inquired. When she heard Metropolis, she added, "My friends bartend there. It's a fun place."

"I wish I could get Polly out of the house more. Maybe I should have her dad ground her too, then help her sneak out as Miranda did for Rory," Sybil remarked. "Yeah, right, as if my kid would ever do anything remotely bad enough to get grounded for."

"Aurora got in trouble? That's not like her," Rachel commented, overhearing the conversation. "Lace didn't say anything."

"Sounded as if she went off on Orrin in front of Miranda's family. Something about that football game last month. I guess he's been more uptight than usual," Sybil revealed.

"Not Orrin! That man makes me look uptight," Fred joked, happy to see the conversation get around to the topic he wanted. Rachel rolled her eyes and moved back away in her pool.

"Miranda shared her holiday horror story over a glass or two of wine. She wasn't in a hurry to go back as he had some meeting going on."

"A meeting? With who?" Fred asked eagerly, ignoring Harvey's look not to be so obvious.

"I don't know...wait, I did see Michael Lintz leave," Sybil recounted until her eyes narrowed. "What's with the sudden interest in the Rusks?"

"No reason. We're just sitting here gossiping. What?!" Fred snapped, starting wilt under his older sister's glare.

"We're more interested in Austin," Harvey lied smoothly. "Clive mentioned earlier that he had concerns about him and Lacey. So, the Rusks are on our mind."

"Austin? Clive's lucky that his daughter is dating such a star. In our day, the cheerleader or dance captain would be the one that snagged the starting quarterback," Sybil reminded everyone. "Polly's been in love with him for years. The best thing that could happen to her is that he throws a one-night stand her way. She could brag about losing her v-card to him for years."

"And you wonder why I don't visit more often," Fred responded, shooting his sister a dirty look. "Just because you gave it up to...everyone, doesn't mean little Polly should be a slut."

Harvey debated whether or not to move over and join the other couples. Looking over, he shot that idea down as the Locketts locked lips in a passionate embrace. Nope. I almost forgot that Gabby gets horny at the hot springs. Still, I don't think I can sit here and listen to the Singer siblings argue.

"Uh, excuse me," Skye interrupted the banter. "It's so lovely; I want to get a few pictures."

"Whatever, babe," Fred replied, barely paying attention. "What did you do to me?! You're the one that snuck into my room when I had Mary Wilson spending the night and put my hand in warm water. She thought I pissed myself!" he nearly screamed at his sister.

Several Minutes Earlier

"Yes, I love coming here. I've missed it the last couple of years," Whitney said to Owen. Turning to the person on her right, "So what do you think of the Thriae Hot Springs, Sean?"

"It's amazing. I can't understand, even with that long walk, how it's not more popular. I think the others are going to regret missing out on this," he replied, trying not to think of Ramsey and Jared alone together.

"Lacey and Ramsey have been out here before with us. So that just leaves Jared and Austin," Whitney told him.

"Yeah, I'll have to let him know he screwed up by missing this beautiful setting. Nothing can beat this," said Sean, forcing a smile.

"Oh, I bet he's enjoying a beautiful sight right now. A certain strawberry blonde, or didn't you notice how he and Rammy seem to be getting along quite nicely?" she asked, smirking at the thought of the two possibly becoming a couple.

"Uh, yeah...I...I didn't really notice," Sean struggled to get out as an intense feeling of discomfort flooded his body.

Noticing the uneasy look on his face and how his body tensed up, Whitney didn't know what to make of it. A slight thought of Ramsey passed through her mind before she shook it off and asked, "Hey, you okay? You look kind of sick all of a sudden?"

"What? Uh, no...I'm... I was just wondering why we didn't visit the hot springs last time I visited?" Sean asked, hoping to change the subject.

"We didn't, but all our parents did. I think they used it as a romantic getaway and a break from all of us kids. You don't remember? They left the older kids in charge of us, and they sure didn't do a good job of it," the blonde reminded him with a laugh.

"Oh, yeah. More like they left Peyton and Finn in charge, as Lana and Nate snuck off to make out. I remember finding them by accident and getting in trouble for interrupting them," he recalled chuckling.

"Finding them by accident? Nice try, buster," Whitney laughed, giving him a soft punch to his arm. "I'm the one that went off with you to spy on them, dummy. I'm the reason they caught us; I couldn't stop giggling while we watched."

"Damn, that's right. I'd never seen Peyton that furious. I'm still not sure if we caused that fury for spying or Lana and Nate for sneaking off."

"Your sister got even more pissed when Lana said she was just showing us younger kids how it was done." Breaking into a fit of laughter, the buxom blonde fell over onto Sean with her head on his shoulder and her right breast pushing into his arm.

Owen, who had been watching Whitney give all her attention to Sean, started to move to put a stop to it. Before he could, Polly politely said hello as she slid into the water in-between Owen and Newt. Figuring the older boyfriend might prove a safe person from her mother's meddling, the shy girl asked him about college and his major.

Always aware of her surroundings, Whitney caught the upset look on Owen's face. Feeling guilty for not including her boyfriend in the conversation, she suddenly realized how her leaning on Sean might look to him. I better let Polly distract him until he calms down. Then I'll explain that nothing was going on. I'm merely acting as a good hostess.

"It's a shame the Toones couldn't come. I hope everything is going to be okay with Mr. Toone. My dad said he's been having a health problem," Whitney said to Sean, hoping to impress upon Owen that she and Sean only knew each other through family connections.

"Yeah, my mom is really bummed out that Aunt Tinsley couldn't come. We haven't seen them in a couple of years, but I guess coming from Hawaii is a long trip," Sean grimaced as he recalled how upset his mother had been when she learned that her best friend had to skip the trip back home. "At least, it should be more relaxed without the Looney Toones here."

"Oh gawd, Nate and Hannah seem to feed off each other," she remarked with a laugh. "Are the twins that bad too? I haven't seen them in years."

"Last time they visited, they literally bounced off the walls. I swear Noelle and Natalie seemed on a permanent sugar rush the whole time. I thought Peyton might lock them outside of our house," Sean recounted with a shake of his head.

"I should use that threat this week!" Whitney threw her head back with a rather hearty laugh, mussing her dry hair.

The way her blonde hair settled back looked sexy to Sean. His arm still felt warm from where the cheerleader captain's tantalizing breast had rubbed against him. One couldn't deny Whitney's beauty, but Sean knew her history and usual attitude at school. Control yourself, Tarver. You know Whitney can be a total bitch, who likes to lead guys on. Remember all those times that she belittled guys at school who made a move on her. I'm not in college, nor popular. Don't let her games distract you from Ramsey. Besides, Whitney's dating--oh, shit! Owen's giving me a **** stare!

Now worried about the college-aged boyfriend starting some shit with him, Sean turned his attention away from Whitney and toward Newt. His nervous, introverted friend didn't appear to be enjoying the hot springs. Suddenly, Newt's body went rigid in fear as his eyes bugged out. Following his friend's eyes, Sean experienced a similar, although milder, reaction upon seeing the gorgeous woman approach their group.

Skye carefully descended the stone stairs. Wet from the hot springs, her cute blue and white checkered bikini now worked as a second skin, plastered to her toned figure. Additional water dripped down her flawless skin. The restaurant hostess and aspiring model looked sexy as fuck to Sean and Newt. Even Owen's eyes flickered over before he caught himself.

Pausing for a moment outside the teenagers' pool, Skye admired the awe-inspiring beauty of not only the hot springs but also the surrounding forest from her elevated viewpoint. She knew that she needed to take as many pictures as possible if she never revisited this lovely spot. The hot springs would also make for a stunning setting for a round of photos that she could share on her social media. Knowing that her followers demanded regular content, she couldn't take a break while on the trip. Once she returned to Honey Hollow, she'd have to make up for taking time off during a busy season at Goforth's. Considering her options for help, she settled on the only candidate.

"Um, excuse me, Whitney. This is such a wonderful setting; I can't pass up a chance to take a few pictures for myself and my followers. Could you be a dear and help me?" Skye shyly inquired, hoping that she would agree.

"Pictures? You want to take pictures of yourself here?" Whitney perked up. The idea of an impromptu photoshoot for the internet model appealed to her. It greatly appealed to her cheerleader side, the one that loved all eyes on her. "Hell yeah, I'll help!"