~~ The South Wind ~~

by TJ


It was a long walk home.

Larabee had stood and listened to the woman talk and he couldn’t help but feel guilty. He had driven her back into the protective shell that she called ‘her world’. Her words had the familiar ‘divinity’ to them. God, how he hated that air of superiority… God, how he hated himself for thinking that way…

He had listened to her talk and then he had watched her walk away.

And, after several minutes of… nothing… the gunslinger had chosen to walk along behind her. He was completely… perplexed... confounded… bewildered… Nothing seemed to matter anymore. Chris pulled Spirit along after him, seemingly oblivious to the world.

He had taken a perfectly beautiful day and ruined it... Taken an unknown and denied it. He had somehow managed to free a girl from the burdensome existence that she knew, only to propel her back with his doubt… and fear.

All these things filled Larabee’s mind as they trudged the long distance to his home. He glanced at Athena up ahead and wished she would stop. He wanted to take away the whole day and start again. He wanted to take away the whole week and start again…

Know that there is a purpose for what happened… and let it go! The actions you took then… will save your life one-day!

Her words stung. Starting over… if he started over and didn’t hit her… would that mean that he would die? …Stupid idea! …Oh, but he would likely come to an untimely death anyway. If he could save Athena the pain, he had caused…

Let it go!

The gunslinger ground his confusion into the ground with every forceful step. God, she’s as stubborn as they come!

All right! So, it wasn’t a dream. None of the last six days had been a dream. None of the last two weeks had been a dream. He couldn’t take back any of it, no matter how hard he tried… or wished… or hoped. But, how could she possibly know?

Glaring at the woman as she took each step, he couldn’t help but wonder. She had blended so perfectly into their world… yet she didn’t know how to live with them. She always knew the right thing to say or do… but she had no idea how to say or do the right thing… How can that be?

Even the simplest things weren’t right…here she was without shoes yet her feet appeared to feel no pain from the rocks and undergrowth on their trail.

Let it go! Let it go!

He pulled roughly at Spirit’s reins and the horse snorted. Maybe he didn’t want to let it go… Maybe he didn’t want to let anything go. Not the assault… not his anger… not his wife…

Meddlesome!

Oh, Sarah always knew how to make things right. She was so beautiful and gentle. She made him smile. She gave him a son. And, oh, how he cherished them both… loved them beyond reason. Wished for his own death, when he had…

You pledged to her, your soul… and your spirit died when she passed from this world!

It just wasn’t right that the woman knew so much. She talked of ‘Whispers’ and ‘Spirits’… No! … She must have some trick. Some hidden… thing… that told her everything. Maybe… Maybe Buck had told her... yeah, that was it. His oldest friend knew how much… he loved Sarah.

Your longing is unyielding… and unending. Oh, how I envy you so!

Envy… what the hell was there to envy? He’d loved a lifetime in six short years… and then he’d buried his wife and child with his own two hands. And then he had alienated the only other man who knew the pain he felt. Damn near killed Buck, more than once… because he had seemingly found the strength to move on… or pushed Chris to do the same. Larabee didn’t need Buck… Hell, he didn’t need anyone. He’d shot men for little reason… got drunk… so many times, on a whim. Took a woman whenever he wanted.

I understand, Christopher… I understand!

Oh, God! …Why did she do that? She wasn’t anything like one of his usual prostitutes… Why had he done that? Why, with everything else that he had done, why had he taken her? Used her body and given nothing in return.

Let it go!

Oh, God! …Sarah… Help me, Sarah. I need you here with me now. Show her she’s wrong! Tell Athena that I don’t… need… you… don’t… need… you. Oh, God, Sarah I do need you. I need you so much. … Please…

His face was covered in tears as the gunslinger crested the rise where the big oak stood. He was so completely lost in his anguish he didn’t notice he was home. He didn’t see Athena gather her clothes from the porch and disappear into his home. Chris didn’t even seem to feel himself unharness Spirit and strip his saddle and blanket.

Locking the gate to the corral, the blond looked at his little shack and more tears welled in his eyes. He walked slowly to the door and stepped inside.

Athena, dressed in her regular clothes, stood buckling her gun belt. She heard the saddlebags land on the floor but she did not look up. Stuffing her wrap and skirt into her own pouches, she looked around the room searching for anything else that might belong to her.

"Don’t go, Athena," the gunslinger begged sorrowfully.

Noticing her brush on the bookshelf, the woman crossed the room and retrieved it.

Larabee stepped into her path as she turned. "Please…" he asked. "I… I can’t…"

Athena refused to look at the man. She couldn’t. She had given him her trust. They had made a connection and he had betrayed her. She had known that she couldn’t act normal. She couldn’t be normal. She was mad at herself for letting him convince her she could. But, …his voice shows so much pain…

"Please, Athena," a tear rolled down his cheek. "I believe… I know I must let her…go. I can’t… tell me how… please."

The woman sucked in her breath and tried to control her emotions. "There is no more for me to give," she said unemotionally as she stepped around him. Stuffing the brush in her bags forcefully, she did up the buckles and threw them over her shoulder. Taking her hat from the end of the bed, Athena walked quietly towards the door.

Another tear fell as the gunslinger turned away. Larabee looked at the cold fire and clenched his fist around his chair. Again he felt like Sarah was being ripped away. The only person he could ever love… the only one he had ever really poured his heart out to… until now…

Steadying himself against the chair, the blond lowered his head. "Don’t go… please, Athena …Please." Another loud sorrowful breath escaped his body as Chris felt his control slipping away. "Athena was a goddess. You… you’re something more… something… much more… "

Larabee wasn’t sure if the woman was still there, or even listening but he continued to release his burden as his tears quietly fell. "There’s a lot I don’t know but there’s one thing I do. You came here for a reason and I’ve done nothing but fight you," he growled. "Every… single… step of the way." Bowing his head, the gunslinger fought his emotions so that he could have his say. "I’m a hard man, Athena. Oh, Sarah knew that from the start. I was wild and rough when she found me but she tamed me," Larabee laughed through his tears. "She took an undisciplined, boisterous… uncaring loner and…"

There was a long moment filled with lament and Chris tried to force the words from his mouth.

"And turned me into a loving, devotedly, stable husband… and father… I DID pledge her my soul," he cried. "I did die when she… was taken from me… But, I’m dying now, Athena. The love that made me so complete… is killing me… as sure as any bullet ever will," the gunslinger fell to the floor and the chair landed beside him. "It controls my decisions… it dictates what I do… how I live," he sobbed. "As sure as any bullet ever will… Oh, God… how do I let her go?"

The woman stood at the threshold with tears silently rolling down her cheeks. She desperately wanted to take the step that would see her leave this place. See her leave behind a man who had promised to return to his village. That’s all she needed to do for him. Return him so that History would know The Seven.

Athena almost looked over her shoulder as she fought to move. Her body wasn’t co-operating. It refused to let her escape. Oh, but she knew she couldn’t look at him… she knew, like she had never known anything before. She couldn’t take the burden from this man… a burden of love everlasting that had taken his soul and now threatened to take everything else. A burden that she had never known… and probably never would…

His mournful sobs filled her senses like so much thunder. She wanted to hide. Take shelter from a storm that threatened the security she cherished so dearly. Conceal herself behind the walls that she had painstakingly built around her.

However, her comfort was built on more than illusionary bricks and mortar. Her strength to concur the unknown was constructed on a foundation stronger than any wall. A part of her subconscious wanted to embrace this undiscovered turmoil. To venture out from her shelter and understand what it means to stand in harms way. But…

Athena looked out at the meadow and a tear fell silently from her cheek. The wind swept grasses called her. The tall oak swayed gently in the breeze and beckoned her into the wilderness. Invited the woman to find a place where she could be safe… where she could run away and hide.

You’re… running away…! …Don’t go… please Athena, please! …As sure as, any bullet ever will… Oh, god… how do I let her go?

Tears rolled freely down the woman’s face as she looked out at her escape… then slowly turned and went inside Larabee’s home.

Setting her saddlebags on the table, she moved to where the blond sat. The caring, nurturing side of her being overwhelmed her all at once. She shut her eyes tightly, trying desperately to block out the heartbreaking sight.

Larabee sat in a tangled heap on the floor. He had one leg almost tucked under his body while the other sprawled aimlessly out in front of him. Bending over, the gunslinger’s whole body shook from its emotional outpouring as he feverishly pawed at his hair. Gripping a large clump of his locks between his strong fingers, Chris clenched his fist tightly.

"Ma’heono, nehvesta hemestrse!" Athena begged, raising her chin in the air. She took in a deep painful breath and sank to her knees. Gently, she touched the back of his hand; trying to get him to release the desperate hold, he had on his scalp.

Larabee took a stuttered breath but he didn’t respond.

She moved closer. "Please, Christopher… do not do this," she whispered as she set her arms around his shaking body. "Hold on to me… "

Slowly, as though in a dream, the blond released his grip. Forcing his palm onto his forehead he spread his hand wide and flexed his fingertips. And then, just as slowly, he turned his head to reassure himself that Athena was indeed, truly by his side.

When their tear-filled eyes met, Larabee pulled her close and held on so tightly, that she thought she might suffocate. Yet, his grip slowly softened as he slowly gained back some lost control. He cried.

She held him

He cried some more… And then his outpouring began to subside. His breathing became labored but steady. Tears quieted to a whisper. And his strong arms strangely comforting to both of them as they simply sat and held on…

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

The afternoon sun began its slow decent toward the horizon outside the Larabee home. No sign of life existed on the property accept for the occasional snort from Spirit. The horse was annoyed that he hadn’t been rubbed down and he paraded himself about the corral occasionally looking towards the shack where he knew his owner could be found.

Inside the building, no one had moved for over an hour. Two, seemingly lifeless bodies sat huddled on the floor. Their arms held each other as tightly as their minds, hearts… and souls.

With his head resting firmly on her shoulder, Larabee opened his swollen eyes and took a deep breath. It had been so long since he had held women like this… let himself go, and truly occupied the same space with someone else. He took great solace in their physical touch but there was more. Something deeper…

Athena had set her head against his temple and cried along with him, not only because she felt his longing… the intimate, unyielding passion that still defined his love for Sarah... but because in his yearning, she felt a strange, mysterious oneness.

Here was a man who had experienced love in its most passionate and intense form. Chris had given his heart and soul to Sarah, everyday that they were together. Then lost his heart and soul when she was taken away.

Athena had no real concept of how or why anyone would intentionally want to give away so much… What made love so wonderful, that anyone would risk this kind of pain?

The woman adjusted her hold on Larabee’s neck and nuzzled her chin to his shoulder. He’d stopped shaking, she was glad of that. And, his body was finally cooling as well.

Feeling her move, the blond pulled away from her gently. It took a moment but he finally found the courage to look into her eyes. And, when he did, he couldn’t help but suck his emotions back once more. He smiled warmly, reaching up to caress the wetness from her cheeks. She had sat with, held him… cried with him. Chris felt a connection…

Athena studied his eyes as they looked at one another and then she was compelled to look away. She took his hand from her face and moved back. Getting slowly to her feet, she walked to the doorway and leaned against it heavily. Closing her eyes, she took in the fresh air and freedom outside the door but she no longer had a desire to run.

A few minutes passed before she felt him slip his strong arms around her waist. She turned easily in his grasp and they stared silently at each other for a long time.

Finally Chris smiled and caressed her cheek. He held his hand in place as he looked out at the meadow and took in his own deep breath. Glancing back, he smiled again and went outside.

Athena watched as the gunslinger moved to the corral and saddled his horse. Mounting up he rode out but not before he stopped in front of the doorway and nodded gently. Making herself comfortable on the porch chair, the woman watched and waited. She knew he would return…

And, he did!

About an hour past before Athena heard his horse approaching. Larabee brought Spirit to the porch and dismounted. Retrieving a small package tied to his saddle; he looked at the woman warmly, lowered his head and went inside.

A few minutes passed before she heard movement inside. A knife cutting, pots and spoons and then the smell of the fire burning… A grin crossed her lips as she realized he was making dinner. Nodding to herself, Athena got up and took the horse’s reins. She would tend Spirit while Larabee made supper.

The sun was low on the horizon when the woman finished with the animal and closed the corral gate. Blending perfectly with the peacefulness of her surroundings, she made her way back to the porch and sat down. The breeze was light and the smell coming from the room behind was inviting. She breathed deeply and closed her eyes.

More peaceful minutes ticked slowly by…

The blond finally ventured outside to bring her in for dinner. He simply stood and stared… and counted his blessings. Her eyes slowly opened and his sparkled in reply. He offered his hand and she accepted. Together, they went inside and closed the door.

There were no words. None could ever take the place of the understanding they shared. Their eyes communicated so much as they ate, cleaned up and once more moved to the fire. Athena took up her customary place on the floor. Pulling off her footwear, she made herself comfortable. Chris too, kicked off his boots. He retrieved her brush from the saddlebags and sat in his chair.

They had practiced this ritual for the last six days, yet tonight something was different. The blond’s brush strokes were as gentle as they had ever been but his hands touched more than they had done before. Athena enjoyed the additional sensations created by his caress. The heat surrounding her body seemed to relax the woman’s tension. Combining that with his added manipulations served only to excite and arouse them both.

Chris set the brush aside and slowly pulled her hair together. Folding it gently over one shoulder, the blond leaned over and nuzzled her ear when she turned to look at him. Athena responded with a sigh and Larabee slipped from his chair and pushed it aside.

Once more, they searched each other’s eyes…

For Larabee, there truly were, no more doubts… After three long years of suffering, he had finally found the one person, who could help him let go… but at what price…

In his heart, Chris knew that Athena had given him, more of herself, than she had ever expected to give.

It had all happened in one short week. What had begun with unrelenting, callous animosity was to end in unimpeded, tender healing.

They had challenged one another… They had both lost something in her defiance, yet in the days that followed, they had gained so much more. And then she had knowingly crossed a boundary that yielded so much unfamiliar territory… she had wanted to flee… yet she had trusted his judgment when she had none of her own to rely on.

But, Athena’s ultimate sacrifice had been to face down her own panic. She stood in the face of something she knew nothing about. And with an overpowering urge to escape and nothing to stop her flight, this woman found her own heart… and in the same gesture, she gave Chris back his own.

Larabee knew what the woman was afraid of. Looking into her beautiful hazel eyes, he found it so incredibly hard to believe that a woman with this much devotion and caring in her soul knew nothing of love. It pained him to think of her this way. How could she not know anything about the extraordinary bond that two people could share? …The power of that union, to surpass all obstacles that stand in its way.

The blond caressed her cheek gently and kissed her once more. Pulling her to his shoulder, he cuddled with her. Is she’s hiding from love? …Or unable to let herself go…

Their embrace lasted until the woman pulled away. She stroked the soft stumble on his face and grinned. She really did love the way Larabee looked with his chin covered this way. He may have seemed scruffy and unkempt to someone else but that’s what the woman liked. It made her focus on the life in his eyes. She saw the curl of his lips more clearly. In this handsome, rugged face, Athena saw the fire of his soul…

Turning in his arms, she lay back against his chest and they simply snuggled for a time. Their hands explored each other’s body as though neither of them had sight. His fingers traced her long arms, caressed her neck and touched her hair. All the while his breath quickened in her ears as he held her close.

Athena kneaded the strong thighs that guarded her so gently. She reached back to tease his ears when he nuzzled her neck. She held his hair tightly in her grasp when his tongue touched her tender skin. Turning once more, the woman looked at him from downcast eyes.

Their exchange was brief but they both understood their mutual desire. The gunslinger slowly got to his feet and offered her his hand.

She gazed at the man’s gesture, smiled coyly and shook her head. Glancing over at his bed, she looked back into his sparkling green eyes, grinned and tapped the floor softly. Turning back to the fire, she reached for the poker.

Chris lowered his head and grinned covertly. He watched the woman set another log on the fire. He turned and moved his chair further back. Wandering to the bed he stood and looked at the perfectly arranged sheets. Laughing quietly to himself, he slowly stripped the mattress of its contents and transported them back to the firelight.

Athena stood and relieved the blond of his burden. Laying the blankets down haphazardly on the rug, she dropped the sheets and pillows down to one side. Looking contently at the ‘nest’ she had built on the floor, she was about to settle into it when he took her arm and pulled her close.

Taking a purposeful breath, Chris stared into the woman’s eyes and kissed her forcefully. Arms entwined passionately as Athena responded with her own hunger. Their embrace seemed to last forever and then, their lips parted as they both fought blissfully for air.

Larabee traced the tender skin of her neck while her head was thrown back and Athena couldn’t help but fold into his touch. He leaned down to kiss her again and slowly undid the buttons of her vest. Her eyes watched as he finished the row of clasps but when his hand felt for the buttons below, the woman stopped him.

The blond’s eyes questioned her and she smirked. Discarding the unbuttoned vest, she reached for him and slowly began to unfasten his shirt. Responding in kind, he searched for her shirt buttons with patient determination.

When their tops were completely undone, they stared at each other. They kissed deeply without touching and then she reached for his pants. They held one another’s eyes and he matched her actions once more…slowly, one button at a time. First the pants, then the drawers… and when their tasks were complete, they kissed again.

Their lips parted and the woman cocked her head slowly and closed her eyes. A naughty grin appeared on her face and she slowly wiggled her hips. The gentle gyrating movements quickened until her pants fell to her ankles. Stepping out of the clothing, she kicked them aside.

Chris laughed aloud and a solemn moment passed quietly as they looked deeply at each other once more. This sound was laughter. The last… had been of terrible pain…

Athena’s smile was soft and caring as she gazed at him. A moment lapsed before he nodded, signaling his strength. She raised her chin and narrowed her gaze, questioningly looking at his pants.

The blond grinned and raised his hands, relinquishing any attempt to copy her motion by simultaneously shaking his head. There was just no way he could ever move his hips as she had done.

Seeing the acceptance of his surrender in her smirk, Larabee raised his eyebrows and shrugged. He motioned towards his pants temptingly.

She understood his daring and didn’t hesitate. She licked her lip seductively and then moved so close to him that the gunslinger felt like he couldn’t breathe. Looking deep into his eyes she slid her hands under his shirt and guided it easily from his back.

Chris lost his focus as her hands traced his strong shoulders down and then back up his arms. Crossing to his broad chest, Athena spread her fingers wide and slowly drew them across his muscles, digging ever so gently, as she moved lower. Reaching his pants, the woman drew her arms around to his back and pulled him closer. Her strong fingers dug into his shoulder blades as they shared another embrace.

Larabee’s hands worked quickly to remove the woman’s shirt. He took a deep breath and looked at her wantonly before sinking into her neckline. Nibbling and caressing he found the spot he was looking for and held Athena as she squirmed under his special touch. Leaving the warmth of her neck, the blond ventured lower, drawing his tender lips to her breasts. Cupping them gently he fondled and caressed as his tongue circled her waiting nipples. Only when he was ready, did he engulf them one by one.

Her eyes fluttered has he teased her. She ran her fingers through his hair and delicately scratched at his shoulders.

Feeling the growing urge that they shared, Chris slipped his hands down her tender sides and inside her drawers.

She took a deep breath as he softly caressed her backside, sending tingling sensations throughout her body. Pulling him up to her waiting mouth, she forced her tongue to the back of his throat as his hands pushed the last of her clothing from her body. Stepping out of her drawers, Athena’s hands quickly found his and held his cheeks in her hands.

Larabee watched as the woman slowly sunk to her knees, pulling his pants and underclothes along with her. Her journey down was quick and the gunslinger freed his feet from their trappings.

Athena’s fingers began a slow, tantalizing journey upward on his body. Her fingers followed his calf muscles and circled his knees. From there, her hand sensitively caressed his strong thighs and made their way around to his buttocks again. Squeezing them, the woman blew gently on his hardening penis as it grew in front of her.

Enjoying the sensations revisiting his body, the gunslinger opened his eyes and looked down at the woman below him. It had been so long since he had allowed himself to delight in these touches. He craved more. He smiled and closed his eyes again.

A grin flashed across Athena’s face as she realized he was taking those last final steps towards freedom. The consummation of a bond so strong could only finally be broken by another’s touch. Larabee was finally letting go…

Dragging her hands back down his legs, the woman drew them up to his waiting organ. Ever so tenderly, she ran a single finger down its length. Circling the tip, she moved her other hand to his balls and cradled them, softly massaging as she enjoyed his engorgement.

The blond peered down and watched eagerly as both hands pampered his pulsating cock. And then, to his sheer delight, Athena took him in her mouth. His eyes rolled as he threw his head back and completely lost himself in a sensation he had rarely experienced.

Hearing the gratifying moans coming from above her, she grinned happily and went back to her indulgence. Circling the head of his penis several more times, she took him deep in her mouth and stroked in and out. Running her hands around his body, she lightly scraped her fingers over his skin, bringing all his senses into play.

Feeling the stimulation piercing his flesh from all over was beginning to be too much for Larabee. He looked down and watched again as his organ slid in and out of her mouth effortlessly. His eyes fluttered as she teased his balls and again tickled the tip with her tongue. Taking a deep breath as his penis disappeared into her mouth, the blond groaned his appreciation.

Minutes passed in mutual contentment.

Enjoying the satisfaction of pleasing this man, Athena was surprised when he pulled away from her exploits. She opened her eyes as he settled to the floor beside her. Then, without any warning, he leaned over and kissed her passionately. His unexpected embrace knocked the woman off balance and the force of his body weight on hers sent them sailing back against the pillows.

Giggling and laughing they adjusted themselves and the blond sat back on the cushions and pulled her body onto his. They kissed gently while their hands explored the other’s body.

Athena’s fingers traced his mid section and again found his erection. She fondled him as they embraced.

Chris followed her lead and slowly moved his hands down her body. He twirled pert nipples in his fingers as the other hand continued down to find the curve of her hips. Reaching slowly around her body he took hold of her backside and pulled closer. With Athena on her knees beside him, the blond had clear access to her entire body. He kissed her as a hand disappeared between her legs.

The woman drew her other hand around his neck and ran her fingers through the soft hair that now covered his face. She relished the feel as Larabee’s hand explored her body.

Their hands explored and caressed the most personal of regions as their mouths did the same. Several minutes passed blissfully. Contentment reigned until Larabee’s attentions drew his fingers inside her folds.

Her eyes closed tightly and her mouth hung slightly open in front of him. Chris couldn’t help but feel happy. He was glad he hadn’t forgotten the little things. Touching her clit with his thumb again, he pushed deeper and then watched as Athena’s head dropped back.

His free hand wrapped around her body and drew her closer yet her focus was still on the fingers lost between their bodies. He was tempting her… first one… and then a second… and all the while he teased her inside and out. Athena was quickly being overwhelmed by a need… for more!

As the blond watch curiously, she set her head on his shoulder. Breathing heavily, she pulled away from him slowly and stood up. She looked down at the gunslinger sitting naked on the floor. His engorged manhood stood proudly and his smile was devastating. Returning his passionate smirk, the woman stepped across his legs and slowly lowered her body back to his.

He took her in his arms as she came to him… Her body so close, that he pecked at her skin as she sank lower. And then Athena stopped. Their eyes locked as her vagina met his waiting cock. Their lips joined as Chris adjusted himself into position. They held the embrace as she wiggled under his manipulations.

Her eyes fluttered as she drew back from his mouth. Slowly, she lowered her body once more. His waiting penis broached her flesh and she slowly moved up and down until he was fully embedded within her. Their eyes never left each other’s... Their soft grins never wavered.

The blond was truly lost in the wonderful sensations revisiting his body. Her strong torso rocked ever so slowly, drawing his shaft in, and then out. Her fingers carefully scraped their way over his shoulder blades and up to his neck. Tickling his beard, she continued her quest... all the while wiggling and riding his cock.

He couldn’t help but extend his arms out wide when her hands worked their way along them. They massaged his strong muscles as they sought to hang on. As their fingers entwined at the end of outstretched limbs, Chris and Athena kissed repeatedly, ever mindful of each other’s need.

Releasing her hold on his hands, she tracked her fingers back up his arms. In his acceptance, she had found an unimaginable gift. And, she wanted nothing more than to share… Looking deeply into his beautiful green eyes once more, she slowly moved her fingers down his chest. Playing and tempting as they drew lower, she reached his hips. Setting her hands on the floor, Athena slowly leaned back.

Curious to her actions, the gunslinger raised his knees to meet her reclining body. He watched her settle down and stretch out. Their bodies remained joined as he lowered his legs back to the floor and spread them so she was nestled between his thighs.

Her legs relaxed extending over his hips and curling graciously around them. Her arms rose high above her head.

Chris breathed heavily. He took great satisfaction in her trust. Her complacency in their encounter gave him renewed strength. His hands reached back and tantalized her legs before tracing past her hips and onto the soft flesh of her torso. Arousal urged him on as his fingers encircled her breasts. Her nipples begged for his touch and he answered their call… gently teasing the buds until they stood proudly and thanked him for his care.

Athena’s eyes remained tightly closed as she surrendered to him completely.

Larabee’s hands met at her midline and snaked their way down. Reaching her hairline, they took separate paths as the gunslinger again teased her thighs with his strong caress. One hand returned to where their bodies coupled. His touch was so very alluring. Gently, he caressed her clit.

Athena’s breath was stolen from her lungs as ten fingers met… and played. With his engorgement still deep within her, she felt his manipulations, inside and out. He teased her completely… his agile digits touching every point of her flesh. An attentive thumb on her clit at all times… the other hand busy with nipples and skin. Time passed so slowly and he drove her wild with desire. Minutes dragged on effortlessly as ever closer; she crept to the pinnacle of fulfillment. His attentions to her body were so completely consuming… until…

She squeezed her legs together as her eyes sprang open. Waves of orgasmic energy raced from the very tips of her toes, to fingers, pushed high above her head. A soft gratifying growl escaped her lips and her mouth hung open gently as she fought for air. Her body arched and fell with the waves of indulgence. She squirmed and moaned… completely unashamed of the pleasure he visited upon her body… Athena abandoned her conscience, for his…

Larabee couldn’t help but feel content as he drew out every ounce of her zenith, with everything that he had. Long moments passed before her body began to relax.

His fingers still touched her gently as her eyelids fluttered closed. She slowly reached for him in the dim light and Chris held out his hands to help her up.

She reached out and caressed his face. Feeling his lips, she drew them to hers and kissed him, as she had never done before. Their embrace lasted an eternity as four limbs wrapped around his body. Athena held him tightly before opening her eyes. Her hands moved to his face and caressed his beard. She smiled and kissed him with renewed, unexplored desire… Once more, she pulled away from him. She gazed upon him as though her eyes had never seen before. The firelight illuminated her soft, alluring grin. It was a smile that decreed him to grant her request. Never before had these words sprang from her lips but her soul demanded she speak them. "Make love to me, Chris."

All manner of thoughts came rushing into his mind… the sweet echo of a long dead whispers…

He could see the soft brunette curls that hung pleasingly around Sarah’s face.

There, in front of him, was the vexing smile that had tempted and won his heart…

The teasing of their courtship... always happy and optimistic, yet turbulent and passionate.

And then, their wedding night when he had heard these words spoken, for the first time, in his wife’s sultry voice.

The hot summer nights and cold winter days they had shared in each other’s arms.

Her cautious words when she shared the news of her pregnancy with her beloved husband.

The joyous lament of life-giving pain and the strong cries of a newborn child.

The unbridled love and commitment renewed in his soul when he saw Sarah holding Adam, for the very first time.

The reinvigorated spirit with which they approached their new life as parents and the moments they stole, quietly away from his young eyes.

Their lives were charmed for a time… but then the grief and shock of her mother’s death stole Sarah’s second child from them before she could be born into the world.

Yet, his wife’s great capacity to overcome, gave her the will to come back to her husband and son…

Always her strength…

It was Sarah’s most sacred gift…

It was the one thing Chris cherished the most…

And, the fundamental characteristics that he missed, above all else.

A deep breath fought its way into Larabee’s lungs, and he was startled by the shear power in his breath. Opening his eyes slowly... they came to rest on another woman who had shown him her strength… Gazing at Athena in awe, he savored the intensity of her arms and legs wrapped tightly around him. The beauty of her features struck him as though he had never truly seen her before. His hands drew her closer. Feeling the softness of her folds around his manhood, Chris understood the blatant, significance of her request. They were joined… but they had not truly shared…

Wrapping one arm around her tightly, the blond held her securely and leaned back. Using their combined weight to propel himself forward, he flipped his legs under his body and reversed their positions. Trusting her to hang on, he put both hands firmly on the floor and gently lowered them back to the ground.

She grinned broadly at his accomplishment but her smile was quickly taken as the gunslinger kissed her amorously. In her explicit trust, she had given him the power to let go… Chris wanted nothing more than to make love to this woman like he had done no other… He wanted to share her completely, once and for all…

And, she could see this in his eyes. Athena felt it in his touch and sensed it deeper than she had every perceived anything before.

In this moment in time, Chris and Athena were truly one…

Unwrapping her legs from his thighs, the woman closed her eyes as he began his slow, purposeful strokes. The kisses they shared were hard and passionate. Her arms released him as he moved off her to attain a better position. He drove himself into her with all the power and strength that she had given him.

And, Athena basked in the feeling of being taken, as never before… of wanting a man to share her… like never before.

Unguarded desire pushed them on. The blond’s deliberate strokes pressed ever faster into her body. The woman urged him on with soft moans of longing and want. She had an unequaled need to feel him take control. An unparalleled impulse to let her own life go…

Their lovemaking continued for endless minutes as they lost each other in the feelings they shared. Their eyes never wavered as sweat grew on their bodies. His paced quickened at their mutual request. They exchanged their touches, their kisses and passion. Each of them intent on drawing the best from the other, this man and woman exchanged everything they possibly had to share.

Her breath was heavy when the first, telltale signs racked her body. She moaned as her eyes fluttered, first open, and then closed. Yet, Athena didn’t want to take her eyes from his. She wanted to share this moment with him. More than unbridled, carnal pleasure, they were truly sharing one another’s spirits.

Chris felt her grip tighten as his own undulating motions drew him ever closer to orgasm. Her eyes fluttered again before she forced them open wide. A contented scream sprang forth as another powerful stroke moved her over the edge. Her pulsating ecstasy brought him to his own.

His body shook with a unique pleasure long forgotten as she forced her body up to meet his advances.

Holding Athena so tightly in his arms, he continued his unrelenting strokes until he had drained every ounce of energy from two sated bodies. Long minutes passed as their motions finally stopped. Gently they smiled at one another and kissed. It was a long, burning embrace. One that was uniquely defined the threshold they had both crossed.

Unmoving, the couple lay quietly as their fevered bodies fought to return to some state of normalcy. Eternities passed, as they lay spent in the firelight.

Neither of them wanted to move.

Lifting his head from the comfort and warmth of her shoulder, Larabee nuzzled his way to her lips and kissed Athena again.

She responded so completely to his touch… and then, she let him go...

Sitting up to retrieved a pillow; Larabee smiled for her as he slid it under her head. Snuggling his way in beside her, he pulling a sheet over them and took another deep breath. They kissed once more and the blond sighed heavily. His contentment was so natural. His smile so beautiful that it lit up his entire face.

His eyes sparkled and Athena could see peace in their warmth. She knew without a doubt… that he had let go. She cradled him in the crook of her shoulder and took her own peaceful breath. Her eyes fluttered and she easily drifting off into her own quiet sleep.

For one evening, she had allowed herself to be the woman that she kept locked away inside. Athena would leave this place before he ever woke. He would finally be able to move forward with his life and she would return to the confines of her ordered world. But, …she would never forget this night…

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