~~ The South Wind ~~

by TJ

PART TWO

Evening had come to Four Corners and almost everyone had settled down from the morning’s excitement. Everyone except a angry, menacing gunslinger…

After confronting the woman, Larabee had stormed off and had been alone in the sheriff’s office ever since. No one had dared disturb the foul mood he’d worked himself into.

Instead, the town and its peacekeepers had gone about their daily business. The remainder of the day had been uneventful and now the setting sun had brought out the usual assortment of nightlife. Excluding the intense poker game going on at the corner table, the saloon was its normal center of activity.

Bill Thomas and Harry Watkins had been traveling east on the late stage to Eagle Bend. They had decided to stop over in town before continuing on their journey. Both men had exchanged knowing looks when a fancy southern gentleman had suggested a ‘friendly game' of Five-Card Stud. Neither, of course, knew of the gambler’s reputation and Standish took full advantage of that fact.

Along with several of the townsfolk, four of The Seven stood around the table watching the card game. Nathan and Josiah had agreed earlier that Ezra would prevail at the end of the evening and were now positioned behind him to observe the outcome.

Buck stood squarely behind his newest friend. He’d warmed nicely to the woman and believed she could beat the southerner again tonight.

As usual, John Dunne was just caught up in the excitement of the moment and migrated around the table as he saw fit.

The only wild card at the table tonight was Athena. The two new visitors had strongly objected at a ‘woman’ playing but the gambler had assured them that she had money and could play. It was as though Ezra and Athena had been playing a game of cat and mouse the past few days. Domination of their nightly poker games had alternated equally, yet the gambler seemed to have lost no money. He somehow found himself drawn to the young lady but they still had not spoken.

During this evening’s game, assets had been exchanged between all participants and none of them were ready to give up. All the players had money left in their pockets as the last round was called. The kitty still held a small amount of money left over from the last hand. The ante had been upped a couple of times during the night and now sat at five dollars. Watkins was to deal the final round and as he shuffled, everyone threw in their money. The gathered crowd grew silent as Harry slowly dealt out the hold and up cards. Bill’s three was the lowest card showing after the deal and he started the game by adding another five in the pot. The remaining players matched that bet.

The next round of up cards was dealt and Ezra smiled inside. He had a pair of queens while Bill and Harry appeared to have nothing. Opposite the gambler, Athena had an eight and jack of diamonds. Everyone bet with their cards and the dealer handed everyone another up card.

Bill now had a pair of sevens while the woman drew the seven of diamonds. Standish had received a two and Harry still had nothing. At this point in the game, none of the hold cards had been touched. The southerner raised the bet another five and Bill and Athena called. Watkins was frustrated and finally checked his hold card. He cussed under his breath and threw in his hand.

Standish took in his remaining opponents as Harry dealt the third round of up cards. Thomas seemed nervous to the experienced eye but the young lady across the table showed no hint of emotion. She held the possibility of a flush in her hand but no one could tell by her face.

The gambler tested the lady’s resolve with a gentle smile as he caught her eye. Still there was no emotion to be read as she simply stared at him. She certainly does possess excellent skills.

The game continued.

Excitement grew as the onlookers talked quietly amongst themselves. Harry had completed the deal of the final up card to the remaining players. Ezra drew another queen while Bill drew another seven. Athena’s card was the nine of diamonds. Thomas fumbled with his cards and then chose to peek at his hold card. After several anxious seconds, he folded. There was just no way his sevens could beat the queens and four of a kind was out of the question as ‘the woman’ already had one.

Standish studied the hand and face of his last opponent. Still he could see no hint of emotion. After looking briefly at his three of a kind, he glanced at each one of their hold cards. Neither he, nor the young lady, had looked at them yet.

Athena closed her eyes while the gambler considered the cards. After careful deliberation, she heard him call. As her eyes opened the corner of the woman’s lips curled and she bet.

The gambler weighed his chances. He showed three royal ladies and a deuce. The woman had an eight, jack, seven and nine of diamonds. If she held another diamond, she would beat him but if he had another lady, he would win.

Understanding that the game could go either way, he decided to finally look at his hold card. The gambler turned the corner of his card up gently and considered his options again. Several anxious seconds past before he saw the bet, raised it another ten and called.

The woman sat still and looked deep into the green eyes that now pierced her soul. From this man she needed no touch to tell her his deepest thoughts. He was so very good at this game they had been playing but he was even better at another. In her heart, Athena could sense his deep longing. If this desire was so strong in his essence then why did he hide it so much? These green eyes told a much deeper story than their owner cared to admit. This man’s journey to a new place would need to happen before…

The southerner had become accustomed to the lady’s unusual stare over the past few nights. When she looked at him, he had a hard time concentrating on his cards. Tonight though, he sensed that she was completely lost in thought. He shuffled in his seat to regain her attention. Although she still hadn’t looked at her hold card, Athena smiled at him, matched his bet, raised another ten and called.

Ezra’s smile was wide as he turned up his hold card to reveal the remaining queen. Applause sounded as everyone congratulated themselves on a game well played. The crowd seemed pleased with the gambler’s win and Nathan and Josiah congratulated him.

Disgusted with the outcome, Bill and Harry departed with the thinning crowd.

Athena held her stare throughout the long moments it took for the crowd to disperse. Still unmoving in her chair, she finally stood, tilted her head and gave the gambler a gently ingratiating smile.

Standish nodded an acknowledgement before tipping his hat and reaching to gather the pot.

Intent on collecting his winnings, the southerner was still leaning across the table when he noticed Athena slowly pick up her hold card.

Without looking at it, she placed it carefully in his breast pocket.

Confused by her actions, the gambler frowned.

Looking deep into his sea green eyes, the young lady tilted her head once more. Smiling coyly, she turned and walked silently out of the saloon.

Ezra followed her with his gaze before glancing at the other four peacekeepers still present.

They all shared the same questioning look.

Straightening his stance, Standish slowly removed the card from his pocket and turned it over. The card he held was another diamond… but it was the ten.

~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~

As he climbed the stairs towards her room, the gambler could feel his apprehension growing. She obviously knew her straight flush beat my four of a kind! Why did she conceded defeat and let me take the money that was rightfully hers? Lost in his thoughts, he stood outside her door quietly contemplating his next move. Slowly Ezra retrieved the money from his pocket and considered it carefully. Well, she did give it to me!

Movement prompted his attention and Standish raised his head and looked at the young woman who stood in front of him. He hadn’t heard Athena open the door. Her appearance had altered slightly from an hour ago. Her long blond hair flowed freely around her shoulders and she was barefoot on the cold, wooden floor.

The couple held each other’s gaze complete…

After a long minute of silence, she waved him in.

The southerner removed his hat and gave a brief, courteous nod before entering.

Athena slowly closed the door.

The southerner stared at the wall rather than face the woman. A declaration of this nature might be simple for most but for Standish, the words would not come easy. He had no idea how to relate the facts… let alone look into her eyes when he made the statement. Although he had no clear understanding of why, the way Athena looked at him always made him…

The words will just be easier if I didn’t have to see her eyes.

Standish cleared his throat. "It appears there has been an error," he began. "The victory and the spoils of our final contest are rightfully yours, my dear lady." He turned and held out the money for her but still avoided her eyes.

The woman made no move to retrieve the currency. She looked at the gambler intently. She wanted only for him to return her stare.

After several long seconds, he complied with her silent request. Yet, as he gazed at her, Ezra knew something was different. He had unknowingly, become accustomed to her gentle smile and couldn’t comprehend why it wasn’t there. What could I possibly have done wrong? Perhaps my actions are repulsive? Perhaps it’s just me! Moving past the woman quickly, Standish reached for the door handle.

She watched him move towards the door. "Do not go," Athena beckoned quietly. She looked deeply into his eyes as he turned around. "I can not take the money, sir. I conceded the game to you before my hold card was revealed."

Ezra shook his head. "But you already knew the identity of your card." He was certain of his facts. "You knew your hand was triumphant. Why did you relinquish the victory?" He truly could not conceive her actions. Crossing the room again, the gambler placed the money on the small table. His back was to the lady once more. "The money is rightfully yours," he turned slowly to look at her. "I will not profit from deceit!"

Athena still had not moved. "There was no intended deception, sir. I simply cannot take the money. The one hundred and forty seven dollars was meant for you."

Standing beside the table, the southerner sighed and set his hat down. He leafed the money before turning to look at Athena again. He simply stood and stared. How could she possibly have known the amount of money that the kitty held? "How did you…"

"The numbers have set your play in motion, sir. The outcome is yours alone to resolve."

Her words were poetic but their meaning was lost on the gambler. He looked deep into her beautiful hazel eyes and became transfixed. Never before had he witnessed such unguarded emotions in a simple look.

Athena returned his gaze with growing excitement. This man was so very handsome… even to the point of distraction. Yet, it was not his physical form alone that attracted her. She could feel the depths of his soul and see all that he hid from the world. There was truly more to this man than she had anticipated.

And, the lady wanted… more.

As they slowly drew closer to each other her words softened to a seductive pitch. "You are no stranger to deception, sir… It is a performance you have mastered well."

Ezra’s poker face was in full play as they held each other’s eyes. Again, they moved to close the distance between them.

"Why do you hide your true self from those who stand strongest beside you?" she moved the conversation to the topic she needed to pursue.

Standish was taken aback by the direct nature of the questions. Clearly, she could see right through the obscurity in which he chose to surround himself.

"Why can you not reveal your doubts and fears to your friends?" she questioned again.

They held each other’s gaze so completely.

"My associates do not view the world in the same manner as I," he tried to convince her.

"Might I suggest that only you, are of that opinion, sir?"

The southerner was truly beginning to dislike the designation she called him and thought he might distract her from her current conversation. He smiled. "It would please me greatly, if you would call me Ezra."

She acknowledged his attempt to divert her attention but could not pass up this opportunity to set this man on his path. Her words were but a whisper as she spoke. "Your brotherhood within The Seven is deserved, Ezra Standish… but the fellowship will be tested. It is vulnerable unless all components understand their place. You must embrace the solidarity of your peers."

Clearly disheartened by her statement, the gambler tried again to distract the woman from her train of thought. His voice, too, barely audible outside of their close confines, "You seem to indicate that I beguile my associates in some way. I must take exception to that statement, dear lady. When a conflict is at hand, I believe we all contribute equally. If you had been present for any length of time you would have observed this for yourself… instead of jumping to false conclusions."

They were so close now that each could feel the other’s breath.

"And when those battles have been fought you simply mask your existence and turn away from the men who stand strongest beside you."

"I do not welcome your observances," he tried to be angry and lowered his chin. "They are untrue." Standish spoke the words but in his heart, he did not believe them. He knew every word she uttered was the truth. His belief was simply... That no matter how hard he tried, he just didn’t fit in with the others… But, I… really don’t try that hard… Do I? Could it really be true? Do I bring this estrangement on myself? Could it truly be damaging to our little fraternity?

As he raised his head to look at her again, Athena’s lip curled ever so gently.

Ezra could not resist touching her. He returned her smile and the momentary anger faded as he slowly ran his finger through her hair. When she showed no resistance, he leaned in to kiss her gently.

And, when the embrace was over, they repeated it twice more.

Athena welcomed his touch. It would afford her a greater opportunity to look more deeply into his heart. She blushed under his gaze and they kissed again… this time longer and harder. When their lips parted, the woman’s eyes lowered and she drew in a long easy breath. Slowly, she backed away to the door before turning. She stood staring at the key for several long seconds before she felt his hands on her shoulder.

Sensing her hesitation, Standish took his own deep deliberate breath and forced back his longing. Ever the gentleman, he smiled for her. "My dear lady," he whispered. "I believe it is time for me to go."

She too, smiled softly, closed her eyes… and turned the key.

He heard the lock latch and Ezra eyes closed at the sound. He was truly attracted to Athena. Something beyond description had taken control and he wished nothing more than to act on his desire. He looked at her once more. His hands moved freely about her arms as the woman turned to look deeply into his beautiful green reflections. She had been drawn to the sparkle in this man’s soul long before she ever knew the glint in his eye. Now his sea green pools revealed the loving tenderness he hid so well. The couple shared a moment of understanding. That look! … The one that conveys your genuine intent… and deepest desire. A seductive, reassuring kiss followed to sealed their silent covenant. As she listened to his breath quicken with yearning, Athena began to understand the true face of this master of disguises. The couple allowed their hands the freedom to wander as they continued the embrace. Their lips parted and the southerner took the lady by the hand and guided her to the bed. Smiling, he stepped aside and casually removed his jacket and hung it on the back of the nearby chair. He glanced over and watched as she folded the blankets down. They exchanged a knowing grin. Beside his hat, Ezra placed his weapons and rigging. Sitting, he removed his boots. She caught him off guard as he gained his feet once more. Athena knew he would not have expected her to be at his side, yet there she was. The way the corner of her lips curled when she looked at him only served to deepen the man’s desires more. Ezra reached for the woman and she melted at his touch. "Oh, God!" he whispered. "It’s been too long." Their arms entwined as their mouths locked yet, this kiss was different than the rest. This embrace was slow and methodical. They took their time and drank in one another’s hunger. Lips’ touching gently… then mouths beckoning… Tongues searching… and passion ever deepening. Their eyes were closed yet they slowly began to make their way to the bed. Inch by inch the pair moved across the room. No senses engaged except for touch, they continued their attentive exploration of the other’s body. As they reached their destination, Ezra pulled back and looked at Athena. He smiled his cocky grin and his tongue darted through his parted lips to wet them. Lustful thoughts raced through his consciousness. The lady returned his brazen grin then slowly reached for the buttons on his vest. His hands caressed her shoulder as the garment fell to the floor. Her skillful manipulation made quick work of his shirt. It too, fell silently to the ground. Those same nimble fingers gently made their way down his neck and across the athletic shoulders. Ever so carefully, Athena traversed the outline of his muscular chest and blew warm breath against his nipples. She tickled them tenderly with her tongue. Drawing her lips to his again, Ezra kissed her softly then allowed his mouth to follow her neckline to her earlobe. Her eyes fluttered closed as she savored the tingling sensations that ran up and down her spine. Several long seconds passed before he continued down into the folds of her collar and the tender skin that lay beyond. A soft giggle escaped the woman’s mouth as she collapsed onto the sheets. His persistent, soft nibbling had found the nape of her neck. "Ahhhhhh!" he grinned. "I’ve found your weakness." Raising his eyebrows questioning, he only smirked wider as she coyly looked away. Reclining beside her, he whispered softly, "I won’t tell a soul, Athena." The woman glanced back at the gambler quickly. This was the first time she had heard him use her name… and she liked the way it sounded coming from his lips. Again, she found her hands tracing the outline of his chest as he leaned across to find her tender neck once more. Her head dropped back as waves of exquisite pleasure took over her body. Pressing her down gently on the bed, the gambler moved up and leaned in to kiss the outstretched windpipe. Athena played with the southerner’s hair as his mouth moved slowly down her shirt. Methodically, his lips and teeth worked at the buttons and one by one, he succeeded at his task. Each time a clasp opened, Standish would look at the lady and grin. The gentle, seductive curve of her lips never wavered until his mouth slowly tugged her shirttails from her waistband. Athena sat up and looked deeply into Ezra’s eyes again. They held each other’s attention so completely as he slowly moved his hands underneath her shirt and caressed the softness below. Her torso was strong yet, tingled under his probing touch. The gambler ran his fingers between her breasts before cupping one in each hand. He fondled the roundness and felt them respond. The swelling increased under his manipulation and he moved closer to brush the shirt aside. Revealing pert nipples to the coolness of the night air only made them strain further and the gambler could not resist the sight. Acting in kind to the treatment Athena had shown him moments earlier; Ezra licked his lip, glanced at the woman through the corner of his eye and took a nipple in his mouth. Slowly he ran his finger across the other pert bud while he tenderly tasted the first. Athena breathed deeply as the southerner worked his impressive tongue all around her breasts. Using her waiting mouth as the transition between eager nipples, Standish spent several long minutes driving the woman wild with desire. Unable to handle his tempting much longer, she pushed the gambler back and looked at him wantonly. She slowly reached for his pants and felt his manhood hardening to her touch. Ezra sat back on his elbows as Athena straddled his knees and slowly unbuttoned his pants and underclothes. He could only stare at the beauty as she gradually uncovered her fancy. Her hair dangled freely and swollen beasts peeked out from beneath the shirt that still hung loosely around her shoulders. Standish took a deep breath as a soft fingertip gently touched the head of his engorged penis. Athena swallowed the breath from his lips as she eagerly kissed the gambler again. Stopping briefly to look into his eyes, she smiled bashfully before beginning her journey. Waves of anticipation shook the southerner’s body, as Athena’s lips grew closer to his waiting organ. His heart beat heavily in his chest as the woman teased his nipples before nibbling her way down to his pants. Smiling at the head that awaited her lips, Athena kissed it as she ran her hands down inside the gambler’s clothing. In one quick movement the couple succeeded in pushing Ezra’s garments to his ankles. They dropped effortlessly to the floor and Athena gazed shamelessly at his naked form. Noticing his socks still on, the woman snaked her way to his feet and removed them. As slowly as she had worked her way down his body, Athena now began to nibble her way back to her indulgence. Finally reaching the object of her desire, the lady encircled his shaft in gentle kisses before licking the head. Her eyes gazed up to meet his, as though looking for permission and Standish had only one answer to give. Seeing the glint in her man’s eyes was all Athena needed. Slowly she took him in her mouth. Long minutes rolled by slowly as tantalizing methodical nibbling and tonguing slowly turned to a gently pumping action. Her quickening motion caused him to enlarge more… and this only served to increase the woman’s hunger. Her rhythmic motions continued until the gambler could stand it no longer. His heart beat ever faster as Ezra grabbed his lady’s shoulders and pulled her up to his waiting lips. Using the momentary reprieve to catch his breath, the man set about his own distraction. The woman sat straddling the gambler’s manhood and he could feel the material of her pants rubbing him as they kissed. He slowly pushed the shirt from her shoulders and pulled his hands around to the front of her pants. Alternating his kisses around Athena’s upper body, Ezra worked feverishly to unfasten her pants and drawers. Once accomplished, Standish pulled her into his arms. Cradling her for a brief moment, he lovingly guided her to the sheets. Assuming the dominant roll, he knelt and took the remaining clothes from her body with all due haste. Two naked forms stared at each other in the semi darkness. Neither moved as they studied the other’s form. This woman wasn’t overly tall but lying on the bed in front of him, the southerner was memorized by her recently bared legs. They were very muscular yet, slender and long. They complimented the curve of her hips wonderfully, not to mention all of the other soft round curves of her clearly, female form. Ezra smiled at the thought of this beauty hidden beneath her ‘male’ clothes. The garments had fooled them all so completely. Oh, what a waste! Athena’s heart beat faster as she gazed at his body. Standish was so very much a man. A strong, handsome, well-groomed gentleman unlike any she had met before. His green eyes sparkled and his smile was infectious. Well-toned muscles covered his entire form… but one in particular, drew her attention. With tenderness reserved only for a moment such as this, the gambler straddled the woman and lay his body over hers. Athena’s arms encircled his shoulders as Ezra, once more found her neck and worked his magic. The woman squirmed beneath him and the southerner pressed himself against her wetness for the first time. Tantalizing each other with their mouths and hands, the minutes ticked slowly by. The couple seemed lost in their exploration. Wrapped up in the feelings that engulfed them, they were driven by the desire that guided them. All senses were in play as the man and woman became one with each other. Finally Athena grabbed a handful of Ezra’s hair and pulled his mouth from her breast. Again, they stared into one another’s eyes. Lust the only message exchanged. The woman slowly parted her legs as his body slipped between them. Her moisture welcomed his probing organ as the southerner gently wiggled his hips. Wrapping her lower limbs around her man’s thighs, Athena pushed her body forward to meet his probing. Both partners stopped their movement when their bodies were in place. The head of his penis waited expectantly in her folds. Their eyes locked again and the final, silent message of consent was acknowledged. Ezra kissed the woman deeply as he slowly breached the entrance to her waiting channel. Athena held their kiss as long as she could before throwing her head back and closing her eyes. Four successive strokes brought him to the depths of her vagina and she felt his muscle stretch her so completely. Her eyes fluttered as she breathed heavily. "Oh… Ezra," she murmured through baited breath. Fighting to control his body, the gambler grinned lovingly into the woman’s opening eyes. "Alright?" he questioned softly. Her eyelids fluttered again and her seductive smile gave Standish his reply. It was all the answer he needed to continue his slow rhythmic actions. Minutes passed like hours as he slowly increased his pace and the two continued to share their passion in other ways. The kisses they bestowed grew increasingly harder. Ezra’s attention to the woman’s neck and nipples made her respond ever forcefully with her hips. Athena gently massaged every available inch of the gambler’s body, giving him just the right balance of stimulation and distraction. Limbs entwined, juices flowed and lust ebbed and swelled in the ever-increasing pace. Soft moans and the scent of passion enveloped the room. Two bodies became as one in the heat of carnal pleasure. Time stood still yet the clock hands continued their march. Then, without warning, Athena took hold of several layers of the gambler’s skin and her eyes grew wide. Barely able to maintain his own breath, Ezra smiled at her hazel eyes. They begged for release… as did his own. A soft growl erupted from Athena before it slowly changing to whimpering moans of fulfillment. The gambler forced every muscle in his heated body to respond to their needs before he too, succumbed to orgasm. The pulsing waves of ecstasy ran its course through their bodies. Not content to end their lovemaking so bluntly, the gambler rode out their body’s demands with continued gentle strokes. With chins folded into each other’s shoulders, the couple felt their tension melt away. They held one another as the southerner’s body finally stopped its motion. As their breaths quieted, Ezra lifted his head and smiled ever so gently at her closed eyes. He brought his lips to hers and she responded in kind. When their embrace was concluded, Standish laid his head on her shoulder and they held each other in the afterglow. Long minutes passed before either partner moved again. The lingering bliss reminded them both, that it had indeed, been too long. Taking a deep breath, Standish began to advance his body to the sheets but Athena’s strong limbs halted his decent. Opening her eyes, she looked at him coyly. "Do not go…" she beckoned. Adjusting her legs around his thighs, she pulled him closer. Standish frowned and cocked his head. Returning her loving expression, he raised an eyebrow. "I do believe we are pleasantly exhausted, my dear," he whispered. "I should leave and allow you to rest." "No," she whispered. "Stay… and sleep." Ezra couldn’t help but grin. "With pleasure, my dear, but…" he looked at her curiously. "Are you sure?" Again, the lustful glint in the woman eyes was the gambler’s only reply. Nodding his concurrence, the man couldn’t help but smile. He kissed her passionately before settling his head back to her shoulder. Slowly he closed his eyes and drifted into a blissful sleep.

~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~

Tanner had spent the night silently watching over his leader.

It had been late when the tracker finally couldn’t stand his thoughts anymore. The town was quiet and the woman’s reflections were strangely absent from his mind. With nothing else to occupy him, Vin’s attentions had drifted to his best friend’s disposition. He knew the blond was seething below the surface. He understood that nothing bothered Chris more than no having control over his own fate.

The sharpshooter had tossed ideas around in his head as he made his way to the jail. But, he was no more in control, than the gunslinger was. How could Vin possibly defuse the growing tension between Larabee and the woman? Different scenarios played through his mind, but nothing seemed practical given the two personalities involved. Stubborn ain’t always s a good thing! Finally deciding that maybe his presence alone would be enough to calm his best friend, the tracker went on inside their office and found a chair.

They didn’t talk. They barely even acknowledged each other’s company. They were simply together and each man took comfort in that fact throughout the night.

As the townsfolk slowly awoke and went about their business, Tanner finally took in his leader’s form. At first glance, the blond appeared calm, but Vin’s refined senses told him otherwise. It had been well over a week since Chris had left town. It was obvious that he was feeling hemmed in. Athena had been here all that time and her constant presence was matters worse. Perhaps he could convince Larabee to visit his place for a couple of hours. It might give the gunslinger a better perspective on the situation. Nodding his concurrence with his own idea, the tracker sat up in his chair. "Figured it’s ‘bout time ya took a ride out tah ya homestead," he suggested. "Me and the boys can look after things here for a spell."

The gunslinger didn’t react but he considered the offer for a while. Maybe the sharpshooter was right. A little space and fresh air couldn’t do him any harm. It would be good not to have that woman looking at him all the time. "Maybe!" was his only reply.

"Reckon while yer thinkin’ on it, I’ll go get maself some coffee." He got to his feet and waved to the door. "Join me?"

Larabee eyed the man curiously. The tracker knew just when to back off and just when he could break Chris out of his moods. He looked at Tanner and bestowed upon him his usually hidden smile. Gaining his feet, the blond joined his younger friend as they headed out to get some breakfast.

~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~

The rising sun cast long shadows across the suite as the dim light revealed the room’s occupants. Athena rested face down on the bed, while Ezra lay gently against her back listening to her breathing and her heartbeat. He moved her hair aside and gently ran his fingers over the tattoo that adorned her back. The intricacy of the design fascinated him yet; he couldn’t help but notice how it was etched into her skin. "Did it hurt when they did this to you?" he asked quietly.

He could not see the woman close her eyes in response.

A long moment past as they both contemplated the red wolf.

Standish had no real understanding of the creature depicted in the marking. It looked much like the wild animals he had seen once. He could only wonder why the ‘red wolf’ was so significant… And, why the woman seemed branded with it.

Studying the markings, the southerner smiled gently. It was beautiful. This woman was beautiful… He slowly began to question why she would waste her time worrying about The Seven… and him? His thought finally got the best of him… "Why do you concern yourself so readily with my attachment to my… friends?" Standish hadn’t noticed how uncomfortable he felt using this word. Umm, Perhaps I should use it more often!

"All of you must belong completely if The Seven are to endure. You must see Destiny together."

Standish allowed the woman to turn under him before resting his head on her chest.

"You must believe in your heart that your contributions are important. You must understand without questioning. History must know The Seven," she fingered his hair softly as she spoke.

Ezra acknowledged her poetry with a sigh. History must know The Seven? How Curious!

Glancing up at her, the southerner smiled. "I fear I will never belong ‘completely’..." he huffed. "Mr. Larabee sees to that. "

Her caressing stopped. "Then it is only the dark one that you fear?"

Ezra laughed. "My dear, Athena," he smiled, setting his head back to her breast. "The ‘dark one’, as you call him, is ‘The Seven’. Without Mr. Larabee I conclude, there would be no brotherhood."

The woman frowned. "Then you believe another man holds your fate?"

Standish thought hard on her words. This can’t be true! … Can it! Do I really look at Chris Larabee in those terms?

Suddenly Ezra was standing high above the Seminole village. A very irate gunslinger growled his caution… Don’t ever run out on me again!

Ezra gazed at the curtains that hung in the window. Have we really been at odds with one another since that day? … Or is it me? Am I the one who prevents any relationship from forming? Not just with Chris… but with the others, too.

The gambler was seriously questioning himself. He frowned, clearly confused. But, the more he thought on her words, the more they made sense. His view of his friends slowly began to change. Until this very moment, he had believed that the men, who stood beside him, really didn’t want him there. He doubted their gestures of friendship and as such, continually detached himself from them whenever he deemed it necessary. But, …maybe it wasn’t them…

Ezra thought deeply… This woman was succeeding in showing him a completely different way of looking at his world. Perhaps there really were seven of them after all!

Wrapping his arm around her body, he cuddled the woman close. "What price do you pay for such inspiring insight, Athena?"

Standish watched as the smile slowly left the woman’s face. He leaned up and kissed her gently. "Perhaps, knowing a man so completely… is not as effortless as you convey."

Athena closed her eyes for a brief second. Yes! …He is so very good at this game he plays.

Taking a deep purposeful breath, the woman quickly wiped the distracting reflections from her mind. She returned his smile, satisfied in the knowledge that she had accomplished what she set out to do. Given enough time to consider her words, in combination with his own thoughts, Ezra Standish would understand his place within The Seven.

Playing with his hair, Athena smiled. Three more… but the others will not be this easy!

The southerner was curious about the mixture of emotions he saw on her face. He conveyed his concern with a frown and then leaned in to kiss her again.

The embrace they shared continued as they moved closer into each other’s arms. The gambler slowly worked his hand down the woman’s side and slipped it below the sheets. He grinned mischievously before burying his head in her neck.

Athena squirmed like a trapped animal as her attentive lover worked his magic on her soft skin. Waves of desire crept slowly into her consciousness and her eyes fluttered as she gave in to its calling. "Oh, Ezra," she whimpered. "You must not distract me like this."

Standish raised his head and looked longingly into the woman’s eyes. "Forgive me, my dear lady. But you have succeeded in distracting me twice in the past eight hours," he raised an eyebrow. "As a man who relies on the numbers for a meager existence, I feel it my duty to inform you…"

There was a long pause and Athena frowned slightly.

The southerner nuzzled her ear and whispered the words as he took her lobe, gently in his mouth. "That the third time is always the charm…"

The woman’s eyes fluttered closed again as he touched her nipple. She surrendered to his mouth and hands again. For endless minutes, the gambler urged her beyond playfulness to the pleasures that lay in wait.

Athena’s need for distraction grew steadily as she ran her hands lower on his body. Cupping his cheeks in her hand, she squeezed his buttocks tightly before venturing between their bodies in search of his penis. The engorged organ certainly wasn’t difficult to find and she massaged him gently, playing with the tip and shaft. He responded to the touch and her desire grew. They shared a deep stimulating kiss before Athena squirmed her way out from beneath her man and ventured freely towards his waiting manhood.

Working her lips all around the instrument of her desire, Athena purposely refrained from consuming him in her mouth. Instead, she gave him little love bites. She licked, caressed and stimulated the gambler lovingly for several long minutes. Finally, he could take it no longer.

Ezra growled his displeasure through smiling lips and pulled Athena up in his arms. Rolling her gently to the bed he lay his body down on hers and took a nipple in his mouth. Athena tried to raise herself and Standish pushed her back to the sheets. They smiled knowingly at one another and he took her arms and spread them wide on the bed, pinning her down so that he could have his way.

Giving in to his playfulness, the woman was content to stay put for a while. She lay beneath his body and took solace in his strength. Minutes passed under his temptation and when his manipulations finally became too much, she pulled her hands from his hold and pushed his head from her breast.

The gambler tried to reclaim his prize but the woman would not allow it. They frolicked on the bed, all the while trying to see who could take the advantage… all the while tempting each other with their kisses and smiles.

"Owww," Standish breathed heavily as a pillow landed on his head. He looked at Athena from lowered eyes. "No weapons, my dear."

She hit him again.

Ezra grinned, "I can never allow you the upper hand, Athena."

The woman’s eyebrows raised and her coy expression deepened. She flew at the gambler playfully and pinned him to the bed as he had done to her. Straddling his waist, she leaned in to kiss him.

Their exchange was deep and passionate.

Ezra tried gently to push her away and she only pushed back harder. Slowly she wiggled her hips down towards his penis and ground them against it when she had found her mark.

The southerner looked at the woman lustfully as she released his arms and sat up above his body. He felt her drag her hands across his chest and knead his muscles before touching his nipples. Ever so gently, she curled them between her fingers then her hands continued the journey down to where their bodies met.

Raising her hips slightly, Athena took hold of his manhood and positioned it at her entrance. She settled her body a little then held still. The corner of her lip curled as the woman’s eyes slowly traveled the length of his body to his green pools. She folded her arms and waited for his surrender.

Like any man with good sense, his submission wasn’t long in coming. That unmistakable Standish smirk crossed Ezra’s face. "I concede," he whispered. "Perhaps I was outfoxed… before I even entered your room…"

Athena slid her body down his shaft as he spoke and his eyes rolled to the back of his head. As she moved up and down several more times, the gambler took hold of her hips and halted her movement. The woman looked at her lover questioningly before he spoke again.

"I was outfoxed before I entered your room," he repeated through deep breaths. "And clearly outmaneuvered before I… entered your body. Nevertheless, I do believe my dear, Athena, that you must concede a point to me also."

Through her own lustful breaths, the woman frowned.

"Did I not warn you…that the third time is the best?"

Athena closed her eyes as a grin escaped her lips. "We shall see." Casually she began to ride the gambler’s cock. A slow methodical rhythm kept her pace.

Although Ezra could only lie still, he kept his hands busy all the same. He massaged Athena’s skin tenderly and teased her nipples as his fingers traveled by.

The couple enjoyed each other’s bodies as the woman’s tempo began to quicken.

The southerner could sense anticipation in Athena’s body as it swayed above him. He leaned up to suck on her nipples as she paused and moved forward.

She sighed heavily and wiggled her hips.

"My turn?" he whispered.

Athena ground her hips into his organ and took a deep breath. She bent over and kissed the gambler quickly before her slow, methodical pumping action began once more.

Standish could only grin as he continued his tantalizing caresses of her skin. His eyes closed and he relaxed. His mind felt her softness as his hands traced her whole body. The gentle curves of her bosom that gave way to the arch of her hips and the soft touch of her hair as it swung with her movement. Her natural fragrance filled his senses and Ezra breathed deeply before he opened his eyes again. He watched attentively, as her soul purpose became her own… for just little while.

Athena’s eyes were closed. She could feel his fingertips exploring every inch of her body but her senses were focused on the ride she was now enjoying. She was fully aware of the strong man cradled between her thighs and she savored every inch of his penis as it extended into her body. Her rocking motion drew his organ in and out rhythmically and her pace slowly increased as her body demanded more gratification.

For his part in the venture, the southerner was doing his best to concentrate on letting her have whatever she wanted. The two previous exploits the couple had shared were allowing him to remain rigid longer but Ezra knew the woman’s movements were too delightful for him to resist indefinitely. His body was being treated to something warm and inviting and Standish wouldn’t be able to deny nature much longer.

Athena’s fevered pace increased yet again, as a familiar tingling sensation arose deep within. She licked her lips as the feeling grew steadily. Her eyes shot opened and she looked at Ezra lustfully before her hazel orbs rolled in their sockets. She threw her head back and moaned loudly. Taut fingers dug gently into the gambler’s strong chest. Athena rode out her orgasm with violent jerking motions. A shallow whimpering sound continued to escape her throat.

Seeing the ultimate satisfaction in his lover’s face, Ezra squirmed under the woman’s probing fingers. Her strong grip on his skin was both a blessing and a curse. Her enhanced driving strokes were quickly leading him to the point of no return. Yet, he was determined to let her have her own way...

Athena’s body arched and her head fell forward. She extended her fingers and released her hold on her green-eyed gentleman. One last whimper escaped her lips as her eyes opened.

Standish pulled the woman to him and kissed her passionately. In one quick movement, he used her falling motion to swing their bodies around.

When their kiss was finished, Athena lay under her man again.

"Time for you to relinquish the upper hand, " he whispered heavily. His body picked up the pumping that hers had recently terminated.

Hazel eyes fluttered closed once more. Her chin extended in the air and Athena licked her lips. "The pleasure… is all mine, sir," she panted.

Undulating fast paced pumping ensued. Standish growled unconventionally. "Not ALL!"

It didn’t take long.

She’s teased him with her body for far too long and barely a minute passed before his body exploded in orgasm. Ezra’s eyes closed as he experienced the waves of pleasure. He pressed hard against her body, driving the last dredges of pleasure from his.

Athena relished his pleasure almost as much as he… his deeper movement brought renewed closure to her pinnacle of pleasure.

They looked into each other’s eyes and kissed passionately as the gambler settled his torso onto hers. Fighting for air, they broke their embrace. Their bodies slowly began to relax.

Deep breaths slowed and Ezra’s eyes slowly drifted to the window. "I am afraid… that the day has begun without us, my dear," he smiled. "We really should attend to the business at hand."

Athena giggled as he slowly guided his head to her shoulder. "I do believe our business… is already concluded," she kissed the top of his head. "And I am happy to say that you were right."

"Oh?"

She sighed loudly as one last deep breath escaped her lips. "The third time was indeed… the best."

Standish laughed quietly before closing his eyes. "Rest, my dear. The world will encroach on our sanctuary far too soon."

Athena gazed over to the window, "Yes… far too soon," she repeated ominously. Stroking his hair, she slowly closed her eyes and fell into a sated sleep.

Knowing she needed his weight on her body, the gambler nuzzled her shoulder. He couldn’t help but contemplate her words as he slowly drifted away…

Continue

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