~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~
Another day saw the events of yesterday all but forgotten.
No matter what transpired between them, Vin and Athena could not seem to
keep their eyes from one another. The attraction was so natural for both,
yet when she tried to act upon it, he simply pulled away. And, even as they
grew closer, the woman could not forgotten why she was there. When she had
tried to question him about his ‘secret’, he simply ignored
her. When she reminded him of his promise to tell her, he just walked away.
There were times when they were so far apart… yet, in the evenings when
they settled in each other’s arms… the day’s conversation
disappeared.
The battle seemed all but lost, and as Athena returned to the fire, she was
ready to give in. She had been there more than a week now and was no closer
to a solution than she had been when she followed those men round the lake
head eight days before. The tracker was enjoying his time here in the mountains
and since the woman had joined him, he felt like he should never leave. The
woman closed her eye and swore at her incompetence. What am I to do?
Sighing heavily, she stepped closer. "What must I do to convince you that
you must return to The Seven?" she asked, sitting down beside him.
Vin looked at her and took his own deep breath. He was really starting to
hate her perseverance. "Not tonight ‘thena. Bringin’ down that
tree this afternoon, plum wore me out." The sharpshooter moved in closer
to the woman and tried to cuddle her.
She sat straight up and did not curl into his arms as she normally did. "I
did advise you against your efforts but you did not heed my warnings." She
turned to face him. Her manner and her face were stern. "You are intent on
building a shelter on this mountain," she gazed away. "I have not failed
you, Vin Tanner … I have failed your companions." She stood up and moved
away from him before turning to look at him once more.
The sharpshooter was frustrated with her statements. " ‘thena," he called.
He smiled reassuringly and patted the spot she had just vacated. He was tired
from his activities and wanted only for her to return and comfort him.
His casual manner got the best of the woman and she turned away from his
beckoning. She was angry with herself and the tracker but his gently way
made it so hard to stay mad. She cleared his handsome face from her mind
and focused her thoughts on her task. "If you will not go back, then I
must…" she said sternly. "I will tell Ezra that his doubts were
justified… and that he may return to his untrusting ways."
Athena was becoming upset and Vin could sense it.
"I shall tell the cowboy that his temper is fitting and that the strength
of his passions are not enough to hold this fellowship together." The woman
turned to face the tracker and looked him directly in the eye. "I will return
to Christopher…" Her breath was suddenly taken from her as memories
flashed in her mind. Her eyes wandered as she fought for the right words.
"And tell him that…" she took a deep breath. "What passed between us
was unavailing." She turned away again and stepped further into the shadows.
"I must let him know that the peace he has made in his heart was in vain."
She looked out at the darkness and closed her eyes. "I must let them all
know that you will not return to them… that it is my failure, not
yours… and not theirs."
Tanner called her again but she disappeared into the darkness. He stood up
abruptly and shouted her name again.
There was no answer.
Vin stood and stared out at the blackness surrounding him. Realizing that
she needed time, he shook his head in annoyance and sat back down. He stared
at the dancing flames and recalled Athena’s words. She had just described
the last month of her life through the journeys she had taken with his fellow
peacekeepers. The sharpshooter hadn’t fully comprehended her task until
now. He had not completely understood her commitment and the sacrifices
she’d made in the name of that task. He closed his eyes and sat quietly
listening to the fire crackling. What am I gonna do?
~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~
Two days passed and there was no sign of the woman anywhere.
Tanner checked all the places they had visited and all the places she’d
wanted to go. He was angry with himself for only thinking about himself and
he was angry with Athena for making him feel this way. As the sun set on
the second day, he made his way back to camp. He stopped suddenly and realized
that she had returned.
Athena was under the lean-to packing her belongings.
Vin stood in silence and watched. So many emotions went through his mind
as he saw her readying to leave; yet, he knew he didn’t want her to
go. In his heart, the tracker realized that there was only one thing he could
say to her that would make her stay. He walked up behind her slowly. "I
can’t just tell anyone," he finally whispered as he sank to the ground.
The woman stopped what she was doing and lowered her head. "I am no longer
a stranger to you, Vin Tanner. We have shared much… I know I can
help…" she whispered back. "Let me try…"
Neither of them moved as the sharpshooter’s thoughts weighed heavily
on his mind.
Athena’s chin rested on her chest. Her eyes were closed and she was
desperately trying to hear a sign.
The tracker was staring intently at the back of her head. He so much wanted
to trust her. If he couldn’t reveal himself now, he probably never would.
He set his hand on her shoulder and closed his eyes, too. He squeezed her
gently, moved round in front of her and kissed her forehead lightly. "Stay
with me for just a few more days… I’ll try tah find the courage
in my heart … to let you in."
Tears welled in her eyes but she would not let them fall. There is nothing
that I would not do for you, Vin Tanner. Please, let me help you…
please…
~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~
Athena did not leave… but Tanner felt as though
he’d lost a part of himself. The comfort and ease he had enjoyed in
her company was gone. The simple, shy smile that made him laugh had vanished,
as well.
He sat and watched her across the firelight and wondered if he could find
courage to tell her what she wanted to hear. But, the thing that weighed
heaviest on his mind, was the thought of what would happen if he didn’t.
He so wanted to hold her in his arms… but she had refused. Vin felt
as though he was losing something precious and his heart wanted nothing more
than to fix that which he had broken… her trust.
In the morning, she did nothing but stare. He had tried to relax their moods
by drawing her into conversation. Now he understood how frustrated other
people felt when he didn’t respond to their queries... or answered them
with a single word or a grunt. They both became frustrated and Athena wandered
off. He watched her go and the longing he felt in his heart choked the breath
from his lungs. He had to do something… and soon.
Setting out after her an hour later, Tanner found the woman sitting in the
long grass in the meadow. He hadn’t seen her at first but finally spotted
her blond hair blowing in the breeze. He wandered over and stood behind her.
"Hey…" was all he said.
Athena lowered her head. Several minutes passed before raised her chin in
the air to smell the breeze. Her eyes were closed. She was confused and
angry… but most of all hurt. She had no idea what it was that Vin
couldn’t share with her yet, that wasn’t the pain she felt the
strongest. Deepest in her anguish was his inability to trust her… but
that baffled her too. Why should she value his confidence so much?
She had no answers… she was vulnerable… and she hated feeling this
way!
The tracker sat beside her and rested his hand on her shoulder. "Ever hear
of a boon?"
There was no reply.
The sharpshooter licked his lips nervously. "It’s a blessing… good
fortune…"
"I know the word," she blurted out in frustration. Leaning her head towards
his hand, she hesitated. She didn’t want distractions. She wanted to
be close to him but that would bring her no answers. "Why are you afraid,
Vin Tanner?" she asked quietly. She opened her eyes to look up at the mountains.
The tracker lowered his head and squeezed her shoulder. "Ain’t much
I’m afraid of…" he started to say. Licking his lips, he tried again.
"Everyone just reckons they understand me is all. Most men probably just…"
he swallowed hard. He wanted to tell her. He just didn’t know how.
Athena could sense his hesitation and she turned to face him. His emotions
suddenly overwhelmed her and she ran her hand across his jaw line. Turning
her body completely towards him, she smiled. "Whatever it is, Vin Tanner,
I will listen… I will not judge you because of it... I… could never
see you with different eyes."
The sharpshooter listened to the emotion in her voice and knew, beyond any
doubt, that she spoke the truth. He suddenly felt as though a huge weight
had been lifted and a gentle smile touched his face. He leaned in to kiss
her and Athena melted at his embrace. When their kissed ended another, more
passionate one ensued.
Her body pressing against his as they slowly lowered to the ground. Athena
kissed him again but as she lay on top of him, something pressed against
her chest. She reached down between their bodies and retrieved the offending
harmonica from his pocket. A mischievous grin crossed her lip before she
looked from Tanner to the instrument and back again. Without warning, she
flicked it into the tall grass.
"Hey," Vin complained as he pushed her aside to retrieve his property.
Athena rolled and tackled his legs as he tried to move off in the direction
that she had thrown the instrument.
The sharpshooter was caught in a quandary. He’d hunger for her touch
for days now. He knew the woman didn’t understand the importance of
what she had just done. He wasn’t really mad, he just wanted to find
his harmonica. Yet, the sharpshooter also couldn’t help but feel excited
by her playfulness. He pushed her away carefully and continued his search
It wasn’t in Athena’s nature to give up that easily. This time
she climbed onto his back and forced him to the ground. She was giggling
like a child as Tanner squirmed beneath her
Vin was enjoying their little game. Her amusement was pleasing and he tried
to continue his search. In his usual agile manner, he rolled her off his
back and pinned her against the soft ground. They both smiled happily but
as they followed each other’s eyes, the grins slowly disappeared. The
tracker gradually lowered his body on to hers and kissed her passionately.
She kissed him back just as deeply and then rolled him again so that she
was on top. A coy smile returned to her face. Her expression was so gentle
and inviting as she slowly unbuttoned his shirt and kissed his chest. Moving
back to his mouth, Athena kissed him again as she reached down to loosen
his gun belt.
Feeling the belt slip, Tanner pushed the woman away. He sat up as the strap
dropped to the ground.
The sharpshooter’s quick movements and forcefulness startled Athena.
She pulled away from him as he reached for his weapon. She frowned in confusion.
What did I do? She couldn’t have read him wrong … could
she?
Vin looked at Athena and took a deep breath. Oh, no… God, no!
His torment was clear. He tried to reassure her with a smile and ran his
hands across his face. Anguish shone in his eyes as he got to his feet.
"I’m sorry," he muttered under baited breath. He turned to walk away.
"Do not go, Vin Tanner."
The tracker stopped but did not turn to face her. He could hear the devastating
plea in her voice and he fought back his own empathy. She’d given him
so much. She’d given them all so much… The woman’s pledge
finally hit home. For her, he wasn’t only giving up his chance to face
down his fears; he was also giving up The Seven. The tracker couldn’t
let her bear such a burden. He wouldn’t let her believe this was her
fault. He couldn’t…
Sucking back his tears, Tanner spoke softly. "Ain’t afraid ‘a much
‘thena... Just ain’t never found the courage…" He lowered
his head and told her what she had been waiting to hear. The five simple
words were coated in so much anguish, shame and disappointment that the woman
could hardly contain her own emotions. He had finally revealed himself to
her completely, just as he had promised.
Athena wiped a tear from her eye as she watched him walk away. She sat in
the meadow most of the afternoon, flipping his harmonica repeatedly in her
hands. His words replayed over and over again in her mind. He was right…
There was no way she… or any of the men that he rode with… She
shook her head to clear her thoughts. There was just no way anyone
who knew Vin Tanner, would have ever guessed his secret. She now understood
completely why he held it so close to his heart. She closed her eyes as she
replayed his words in her mind.
~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~
The sun was nearing the horizon when Athena came back
to his camp. She could see him leaning over the fire fixing something for
their supper. And, as the woman stood silently and watched, she slowly came
to the realization that having a plan in mind wouldn’t have helped her
this time. A smile graced her lips. The spirits that guided her had known
what they were doing all along. There was no way to deal with this situation
in his town. There was no way to plan a solution ahead of time. This was
the only place this shy, gentle man could have revealed the deep secret that
he held in his heart.
The smirk was still on her face as she walked casually back into camp. She
gathered the plates and utensils from under the lean-to as though nothing
had happened. They didn’t look at each other as they waited for the
meal to be ready. They didn’t speak while they consumed it, nor when
he gathered the dishes to take to the stream.
The sharpshooter took his time cleaning the dinnerware. He needed space to
consider what she would be thinking. She had shown no reaction when he had
revealed his confidence to her. Somehow, he hadn’t expected her to.
But, what was he to do now? Surely, she would be trying to formulate a plan.
He’d found the courage to tell her but he wasn’t positive he had
the courage to end the impasse. But, if ever there was a time …
His daydream passed and Tanner headed back to camp. The sun was completely
down and Athena had built up the flames up to keep them cozy. He couldn’t
help but notice the bedrolls beside the fire and he watched as the woman
laid the blankets on top of them. Vin put the dinnerware away and made his
way to the fire. He sat down beside the lady who had kept him company for
the last nine days.
Everything was quiet for the longest time. Neither of them moved nor spoke.
Athena sat with her eyes closed and listened to the sound of the fire and
the soft breeze across the lake.
As she lifted her head to take in the warm night air, Vin glanced at her
and smiled. She did indeed understand the peaceful splendor of the wilderness,
just as he did. "Beautiful night," he whispered.
The woman slowly looked at him and her expression softened. "Beautiful company,"
she replied, looking back towards the fire.
Tanner dropped his head to his chest then deliberately looked back at the
woman. His smile was as wide as the mountains that surrounded them and he
moved a little closer to her, pulling his arm around her shoulder.
Athena, in turn, snuggled and put her arm around his waist.
The crackling of the fire was the only sound heard for the next hour. The
couple simply snuggled and breathed in the fresh mountain air.
More than enjoying the renewed comfort he felt with Athena tucked at his
side; Vin sighed heavily when he knew it was time to turn in. Unwrapping
his arm from around her body, he reached for some more wood to build up the
fire. "Suppose it’d be ‘bout time to settle in fer the night,"
he said glanced back at her.
Acknowledging his sentiment, the woman dusted off her feet, removed the gun
belt and crawled into her bedroll. She watched him contemplate the flames
before moving around to take off his boots and belt. As he slipped beneath
his blankets, she turned to look up at him. Smiling gently, she caressed
his cheek. "Beautiful company," she repeated again.
The tracker looked at the woman. I can’t agree more. He leaned
down to kiss her. For several minutes, they embraced, paused and then kissed
again.
Athena played with his hair then reached down to unbutton his shirt as they
continued to kiss. But, as she tried to push the shirt from his shoulder
he took hold of her hand and pulled it to his mouth.
He kissed her fingers before looking deep into her eyes. He shook his head,
no…
The woman’s eyelids fluttered closed and she took a deep purposeful
breath. She wiggled the hand that he still held in his and glanced back at
the sharpshooter coyly. She moved her fingers between his and pushed him
back and down. Ever so gently, she used the momentum of his falling body
to move hers into a straddling position.
The tracker looked at the woman sternly as she sat across his body. "
‘thena." The words carried the harshness of his look.
A soft wind brushed past their bodies and the woman closed her eyes for a
fleeting second before gazing at him again. She took hold of his other hand
and pushed his arms outward as she leaned in to kiss him softly. She whispered
in his ear, "Do not think, Vin Tanner…" she raised her head and look
into the sparkling blue pools that held her soul. She kissed him passionately
and took in his wondrous gaze once more. "Just feeeeeeeeeeeel," she hissed
seductively before releasing her grip on his hands. Once more, she kissed
him wantonly.
The tracker lay still as the woman sat up and smiled the most sensual smile
he had ever seen. Ever so slowly she raised her head to the breeze and reached
around to untie the knot at the back of her waist.
The cloth blew gently in the wind and he caught a fleeting glance of the
roundness of her breast.
Slowly she manipulated the shirt from his back.
As she leaned in to kiss his chest several times, Tanner closed his eyes.
His mind and heart were playing a terrible game with each other but the desires
this woman brought out in him were slowly providing his heart the edge it
needed to win. Cautiously, he reached around and released the knotted cloth
behind her neck.
Watching her top fall beside the sharpshooter, Athena gave him that smile
once more.
They kissed again as their bare chests warmed each other for the first time.
As their lips parted, she slowly moved down his body. Her hands massaged
his muscles before finding the buttons of his trousers.
Vin closed his eyes and an eternity passed as she found her way beneath his
coverings… and slowly relieved him of them.
The only thing that separated them from each other now was her skirt and
she wasted little time in removing that. She kissed every inch of his body
as she carefully made her way back to his mouth. They embraced repeatedly
as they lost one another in the touch of their skin. After many minutes of
being joined in each other’s arms, Athena positioned her body over his
and smiled. She gently placed his hands on her hips and looked at him.
They were two people frozen in time. Neither moved, nor smiled.
Athena watched and waited... Waited for him to signal his readiness... waited
for him to step resolutely from one life to another...
An eternity passed before he gently tickled her hips. She relaxed her leg
muscles and slowly, ever so slowly, rested her weight onto his body.
His reaction was instantaneous. Vin ran his hands quickly up her body and
out to her hands. Their fingers locked hard as he pulled his head and their
hands to his chest.
She did not move. She did not need to. She allowed her body to just be there
for him as he rode out the waves of ecstasy that pulsed through his.
Many minutes passed before his body relaxed. He let go of her hands, wrapped
his arms around her body and pulled her close.
They held each other and just experienced the moment.
Ten minutes went by before he moved. When he spoke his voice was barely a
whisper. "I’m sorry."
Athena pushed herself away from him and frowned. "There is nothing to be
sorry for, Vin Tanner" she answered softly.
He lowered his eyes from her gaze as she smiled at him gently. "Ain’t
it supposed tah be fer both of us … not just me."
Athena lifted his chin so that his eyes met hers. She pondered the sparkling
blue, shook her head, and smiled. "There is time…"
The tracker smiled back at her and took a deep breath. A fleeting thought
had suggested that perhaps he had messed up his chance with the woman. Yet,
he slowly came to realize that she had known what might happen. She knew
exactly what she was doing. One more time he had underestimated her resolve.
A moment passed before she broke the ensuing silence. "Thank you," she whispered.
Now it was the tracker’s turn to be confused. "For what?"
Her expression was pleasing as she leaned in to kiss him long and hard. They
held each other tightly before she slipped down beside him and cuddled into
his shoulder. "For allowing me the honor… of being the first."
The tracker adjusted his position and pressed her down as he rolled on top
of her. He grinned. "And the second … " he kissed her again as his smile
grew. " And the third…"
A small laugh escaped her lips. "Go to sleep, Vin Tanner," she snuggled against
his shoulder and closed her eyes.
"Yes, ma’am," he sighed. Gazing up at the full moon, the sharpshooter
couldn’t help but admire the beauty of his surrounding. Looking back
at the woman in his arms, he felt a peacefulness that he had never felt before.
A great weight had been lifted and he owed it all to her.
~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~
There were many times when Athena awoke in the middle
of the night. Most of them were moments she would rather forget. Haunted
whispers in her mind would jar her consciousness or some far-off sound in
the wilderness would bring her senses to full alertness in a mere fraction
of a second. However, tonight was different…
The sleepiness she felt wasn’t unusual when she was warm and tired.
The last few days with the tracker had been emotionally draining. So many
times, she had felt him slipping from her grasp, only to have him thrust
back where she could reach him once more. His turmoil had become hers. Yet,
his anguish, fear and mistrust had slowly been worn away by her longing.
Thankfully, the solution had been so simple.
In the early stages of awareness, Athena smiled at the thoughts going through
her mind. So handsome was this Vin Tanner. His manly characteristics sprang
from his strong jaw line and just didn’t quit. His beautiful blue pools
sparkled with the wisdom of the world and the shyness of innocence. His long
hair and unshaven face complemented and accented the man’s appearance
so well. So many attributes shone readily in his features… strength,
courage, determination, danger, knowledge, kindness, tenderness and warmth.
There was so much more to the man than the magnificence of his body. He was
attractive in so many different ways.
Athena couldn’t help wondering how her skin would react to his gentle
caress. The kisses they had shared had been soft and sensual. Her desire
for him had grown daily. His declaration had been bittersweet… her solution
was never in doubt. Giving her body to him had been so easy. She knew it
was what he needed. Perhaps he would never have found the courage to ask…
and what a waste.
The giving had been so right… but she couldn’t help but think about
more…
How it would feel to have this man, touch her again? To run his fingers through
her hair and across her cheek… track the line of her face to the tender
nape of her neck and down the contours of her body to the roundness of her
breast. His lips kissing her ever so gently as his hands circled her
nipples… not quite knowing if he should go further…
Athena’s eyes opened with a start as she realized she was being kissed.
His hands were touching her… it hadn’t been a dream…
The sharpshooter smiled coyly as her eyes focused on him. "Hey there, beautiful,"
he whispered softly before pecking her lips again.
Spurred on by her unconscious arousal, the woman couldn’t help but respond.
She opened her mouth and sucked in his tongue, twirling it freely with hers
as she pulled him close. The tracker’s hands wandered around her waist
and pulled her in tight and she could feel his hardness against her legs.
She broke their embrace, looked into his eyes and pressed her limbs gently
against his groin. "There is a problem, I see?" she smirked.
Vin hid his grin and a small laugh escaped his lips. "Reckon I ain’t
never woke up with a warm… naked body beside me before," he looked back
into her eyes. His expression was serious but still playful. "I’m
thinkin’ that it ain’t so much of a problem that a few more nights
won’t fix."
Athena gazed at him thoughtfully. She frowned and a few long seconds of silence
passed between them before she spoke. "And in the time between, you will
continue to wake me at all hours… simply to touch my skin."
A loving smile broached the tracker’s face as he leaned down and kissed
her again. Propping himself back on his elbow, he pushed the blanket back
to reveal her body lying on the bedroll. He studied the contours with his
eyes and reached out to touch.
Athena considered his gaze as he looked at her nakedness. His innocence intrigued
her. He had no predetermined expectations of what he should find. There were
no foregone conclusions for her to meet. She felt his fingers trace her midline
to her chest. His hand circled her breast gently but went no further. "I
reckon I’m wantin’ to do a little more than touch your skin," he
spoke shyly. "But I ain’t sure… what I should be…" he swallowed
hard as his inexperience got the best of him. He lowered his head and removed
his hand from her body.
The woman reached out and retrieved the retreating arm. As she drew it back
to her waist his eyes followed. "Let your desire be your guide…"
"But…"
"No," she interrupted his doubt forcefully before softening her voice. "You
know what it is that you want to touch… you know what it is that you
want…"
"Teach me." His words were but a whisper. "Teach me tah do it right."
Athena smiled wantonly. "I do not think it is within you to do it wrong,
Vin Tanner." She pulled his mouth to hers as they embraced again.
They kissed passionately before the tracker pulled away and looked at her
expectantly. "But you’ll show me anyhow?" Her smile was the only reply
he received and he glanced back at her body again. He retraced his earlier
route and circled her breasts one by one. Slowly he drew close to the peaks
and he was amazed to see them rising higher in the air the closer he got.
They were beckoning to him and Vin could resist the call no longer. He ran
his finger over one pert nipple and listened amusingly as Athena’s breath
halted. He glanced at her and smiled. "Let your desire be your guide," he
repeated her words. "What about your desire, ‘thena. What do you want?"
Their eyes locked hard. "You have lived your life by the clues that you read,"
she whispered her response. "Tracking is in your blood… what signs do
you see now…"
Rolling the nipple under his finger, he brought his thumb around and squeezed
it gently. Seeing the woman respond favorably, he repeated the action on
the other waiting bud. "I heard men talkin’… always wondered what
it would be like…"
"Umm," her eyes fluttered open as she tried to refocus on the man. "Talk
amongst men is sometimes more fable than fact."
"Especially where a woman is concerned," he laughed still touching her nipples
teasingly.
"And what is it that you have pondered?"
The sharpshooter leaned down and blew warm breath across the closest breast.
"Was wonderin’ if what I heard was true or not… whether these are
as invitin’ tah grow’d men as they are to those born anew."
Athena couldn’t help but find amusement in his words. There was a moment
of silence as she formulated a reply. "Poetry from his lips… when they
could best be served elsewhere."
Watching her eyes close, Tanner looked back at the body laid out beside him.
He let his hands wander down her sides as he reached up and kissed her. Leaving
the warmth of her lips, he kissed his way down her neck as she drew her head
back. Nibbling gently, he found his way to the closest breast and smiled
at the strength of its beckoning bud. He slowly reached out and touched it
with his tongue and smiled as he felt it swell under the simple touch. He
slowly involved his lips as his hands wandered back to the other nipple to
continue their own exploration.
Athena’s breath faltered as his mouth encircled and then engulfed her
nipple. The man’s tongue teased her and his hands became freer with
their touch. He cupped the tender tissues that he lavished in and pulled
them gently to his lips. Both breasts were treated to his indulgence as the
sharpshooter rolled his body onto hers.
She welcomed his weight and spread her legs slightly so that he could slip
between them.
His hips pressed more urgently against her. A combination of her wetness
and his involuntary thrusts had his penis inside her before either of them
was fully aware. He urged his body forward, languishing in her warmth.
It happened before he could stop it. So many new sensations racking his body
all at once pushed Tanner beyond his limit. Grinding his pelvis into her
velvet skin, he exploded into orgasm. He pulled his body to her in reflex
then sought out the comfort of a breast to bring him back to earth.
Athena felt his body surge, as it succumbed to the pleasure of release. She
held him as she had done earlier that night, cradling his head tightly as
he released her breast and laid his head on her chest. His body was warm
to her touch and his hair was silky against her skin.
The sharpshooter’s breath slowly quieted as he lay against her. A long
time passed before he finally spoke. "Damn… I’m sorry."
Athena closed her eyes and pulled him closer. "You have done nothing to be
sorry for, Vin Tanner. "
"But… I did it again."
She smiled. "And I am confident … it may happen again."
"What?" he pulled away and looked into her eyes.
Wiping the small streak of sweat from his brow, she caressed his ears. "As
like a wild horse to his new owner," she mused. "It is part of you but it
cannot be controlled until it is properly trained."
The sharpshooter stared at the woman questioningly.
"The words were your own just a short while ago," she caressed his temple
and smiled. "It is not such a problem, that a few more nights cannot fix."
The tracker’s eyes sparkled in the firelight. "That ain’t right…
you was liking what I was doin’. You got a right… I ain’t
pleased ya yet…" he hid his face from hers.
"You please in other ways… and we have the time…"
He licked his lip. "Still ain’t right tah get ya enjoyin’ it like
that and then… Reckon that’s why so many men have their first with
a working g…"
Slowly, she lifted his chin to look back into his eyes.
A long moment passed as they simply stared at one another.
"That is not your way… If there is nothing else that, I know about you,
Vin Tanner... I know that you have respect enough for many."
"I know some of ‘em is just makin’ a livin’… But, some
ain’t got no choice… I could never…"
Athena put her hand to his lips to stop his words. "That is not your way…
And, I have a choice… I am here with you now…"
The silence was broken only by the crackle of the fire.
Her eyes searched his carefully. "I am humbled by the power of your respect
and caring. I will be here for you as long as you need me. I could never
doubt the pleasures that you can bestow. And I will give you the time that
is needed."
The sharpshooter smiled shyly. "There ain’t no one else I wanna learn
from, Athena… I wasted so much time… I wanna be with you." Laying
his head back to her chest he whispered, "I want you with me…"
Holding him tightly, she gazed up at the stars and smiled softly. I am
here, Vin Tanner…
~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~ 7 ~~~~~~~
They awoke before dawn but chose to stay cuddled together,
talking for some time. Their conversation had drifted to intimate curiosities
and the woman did her best to answer the sharpshooter’s queries. One
thing led to another… and simple touches were not enough… and then,
they proved too much. His endurance however, was growing and Athena made
that the focus of their quiet discussion afterwards. She used their soft
whispers to distract him from her state of arousal… His bewitching
sensuality seemed to be weakening her resolve by the hour…
The day passed too slowly for them both, and even wandering the trap line
didn’t seem to distract them from thoughts of each other. They walked
back to camp in the afternoon, hand in hand and Athena chose to refresh herself
in the lake while the tracker made their supper.
His excuse for burning it really wasn’t as inadequate as it first sounded.
A woman’s wet, naked body is a distraction to most men. But that was
especially true when it came to an inexperienced, unpracticed young man who
had, only yesterday, discovered a whole new world… and he wanted nothing
more than to conquer it.
Tanner wasn’t the only one who had lust in his heart that evening.
Enough supper was salvaged to fill their stomachs. The pots and utensils
were quickly cleared and cleaned. Vin built up the fire and sat by the log
to wait for Athena to return from the darkness into which she had wandered.
She gave him no reason… just a tempting smile and her promise to return.
Who was he to question her intent?
It was some time later that the woman came back into the circle of light.
She stopped on the other side of the fire to gaze at him. Thoughts, feelings
and desires escaped the realm of reality… there were no adequate words
to fully describe this man.
He so deserves the title ‘man’.
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