A story for the Spirit of this season…Happy Thanksgiving

7th in the FLAME Series - Too Close To The Flame

Chapter 1

Willigers Pond

Matt pulled the buggy up into a grassy spot beside the pond. He jumped out and ran around to the other side. Kitty stood up and started to take his hand to step down, but the Marshal had other plans as he slipped his hands around her waist and pulled her into his arms. He knew the best way to start this date was with a kiss and from the way Kitty responded, she was in complete agreement. His lips released hers slowly, as he pulled her closer, caught up in those sapphire eyes.

"What is this all about?" Kitty made no effort to escape Matt's embrace; if anything she snuggled deeper into his arms. "Whatever it is, I like it."

He touched the tip of her nose with his finger, "I told you. I'm taking you on a date." Matt slipped one arm around Kitty's waist, to gently move her aside; then, with his free hand, he reached into the back of the buggy and grabbed their favorite outing blanket. "This way, ma'am, if you please." His attempt to play waiter made Kitty laugh, but she followed along anyway.

Matt spread the giant-sized, plaid blanket on the ground beneath a flourishing elm tree. He knelt down, smoothing out the center and neatly straightened the corners. "Your table is ready." Matt held out his hand to ease his wife down onto the ground. Kitty laughed again, but accepted his hand, allowing him to seat her. She watched as he hurried back to the buggy in order to retrieve a large picnic basket from behind the front seat.

"Tia packed this with you in mind. All your favorite things." He sat the basket off to the side, after pulling out a bottle of wine. "I'll just put this in the water to cool off."

Kitty folded her legs beneath herself while watching him walk over to the pond. She had known him too long not to notice all the signs. He had something that he desperately needed to tell her, but just as desperately didn't want to. "Why did you pick Willigers Pond?" She asked with a coy smile.

"Well, I…uh, just-" Matt stopped stammering and looked straight into Kitty's eyes. They both knew that the first time they ever made love…it was right here…almost on this very spot.

Matt also knew that Kitty was way ahead of him and most likely, she knew he had bad news; but still, the Marshal was hoping to salvage some of the day. "I picked it because it's such a beautiful spot and I'm with such a beautiful woman." He lay back onto the blanket and pulled his voluptuous wife down with him. "Sometimes you just talk too much."

Again, he resorted to letting their bodies do the communicating. The spark that started with a kiss soon spread like wildfire. Their lovemaking had always brought their two worlds together. Although they had the luxury of two decades of knowing each other's bodies, needs and wants, time had done nothing to diminish the intensely erotic craving they felt for one another—almost constantly.

It was that knowledge that they put to use today—now—in this intimately special place. Soon clothes were cast aside into a careless pile, as both were anxious to feel the sensation of skin-against-skin.

The sun trickled down through the branches, warming the two naked bodies; but Mother Nature was kind enough to bless them with a gentle breeze to offset the heat. Their kisses were no longer the sweet, innocent exchanges from when they had first arrived, but the kind of kisses that ignited a fire, deep in Kitty's belly. Her soft, silky skin only served to heighten Matt's senses. His lips found their way to those secret places that always caused Kitty to gasp for air. Her body squirmed and twitched as she reached down, running her fingers through Matt's thick, brown curls. Some part of her feared that her body would explode if he continued, but she couldn't stop him; even if she wanted to.

Kitty screamed Matt's name, desperate for him to complete her. He rose above, their eyes locking blue to blue; neither could look away as he gently merged their bodies. He moved slowly at first, both savoring the feel, but soon it wasn't enough. They became more intense, more frantic, until together attaining that pinnacle point of release—that place of explosive sensual pleasure, devoid of all else.

She kissed him soundly, curling into his arms. "I know this isn't the only reason you brought me here; but it better be the main one." Kitty teased.

Matt kissed her again and with a sigh of defeat, began his confession. "You know that Bethany is going to be spending a lot, if not all, of her time in Boston, until the twins are born."

Now it was Kitty's turn to assume an air of disappointment, in both body and spirit. "Thad doesn't want to take over as Marshal yet?" She searched her husband's clear blue eyes, "And you volunteered to stay on until he was ready to accept the position, so that he wouldn't lose the appointment."

While she was disappointed, she was also proud that Matt had stepped up to help the young couple in their time of need. She reached up and cupped his cheek in her hand. "You are the sweetest man I have ever, ever known, Matthew Dillon."

She pulled his face closer until their lips met. As the kiss ended, he brushed his lips along her cheek and whispered in her ear. "I'm sorry, Kitty, I know you've been counting the days and I didn't want to go back on my word..."

He held her away from him to be able to see her face. "I remember how scared I was when you were pregnant. Thad's place is with Bethany."

"I know that. What I don't know is… are we done here?" She smiled shamelessly, as she stretched out on the blanket; her naked body still flushed from making love.

Matt knew they had been talking about something, but for the life of him, he couldn't remember what it was. All he could see was this gorgeous woman stretched before him, as he realized how much he was starving. for seconds...

TBC