Chapter 10

Dismounting from Lady, Sam walked along the north ridge. She had been coming up here since Nick had left two weeks ago. The view was wonderful, so peaceful, and serene. Letting Lady graze Sam sat down against the tree and thought about the plan she had come up with. She was nervous about it. As with other times in her life when Sam became nervous about something she distanced herself from the emotions and looked at her decision logically.

She knew Nick was attracted to her. His reactions to her were proof enough. His breathing, the way his eyes darkened, the sweat that formed on his upper lip. All of those told her that he was not indifferent to her. She knew the mechanics of sex. You can't be raised on a ranch without being exposed to the breeding of bulls, cows, stallions and mares, nor talk to a former Madam without learning a few things. Taking a deep breath and standing, Sam wiped the leaves and grass off the back of her riding skirt. Retrieving Lady, she mounted, smiling, she headed back to the house.

Arriving back to the house and walking Lady into the barn, Sam noticed Diego in his stall. Butterflies started in her stomach at the thought of her husband home. She knew that lunch would be soon, so if Nick were anywhere he would be in their room cleaning up. Removing all of Lady's tack, Sam brushed her down, nervous at the prospect of seeing Nick. The repetitive motion of the brush on Lady's coat calmed the butterflies in Sam's stomach. Placing the brush down she smiled at Ciego as he finished tending to Lady.

Walking into the house Sam did not hear or see Nick. Victoria was sitting in the living room. The look she sent Sam told Sam all she needed to know. Smiling at Victoria, Sam climbed the stairs ready to greet her husband.

Victoria watched as Sam went upstairs to greet Nick. Smiling, she wondered if she should prepare a tray for later. Remembering the glint in Sam's eye Victoria chuckled to herself, 'No a tray would not be needed.'

Opening the door to their room Sam stood and marveled at the site of her husband. His broad shoulders slim waist, long legs combined with almost black hair, large hands and hazel eyes caused her breath to catch.

Walking up to him, she slid her hands up the broad expanse of his back, trailing her fingers across his shoulders until she stood in front of him. Standing on her tiptoes she brushed her lips across his, once, twice before pulling away. Tilting her head to the side Sam waited. Gathering her into his embrace, Sam's arms between them, Nick kissed her until they both were breathless. Trailing kisses from her lips to her ear Nick continued on his journey to her neck. Enjoying the sensations that Nick's lips incurred Sam decided to do a bit of exploring herself.

Shifting her hands just a bit Sam trailed her fingers over the front of his jeans. Smiling at his sharp intake of breath Sam flipped open his belt buckle, letting gravity pull the ends apart. Reaching for the buttons of his jeans she opened each one slowly. She could feel his hardness under her hand. Running her fingers over him, she molded him with her hand. His response was immediate and vocal.

"Oh Gawd", he moaned, locking his knees to prevent him from falling, his arms dropping to his side.

With a hint of a smile she rubbed him a bit harder through his jeans feeling his breath hitch at the obvious sensations that her touch created. Slipping her hand into the space created by his open jeans she felt the silky hardness of him. Running her thumb over the head of his penis she smiled at the fluid she felt. Taking her hand out she brought her thumb to her lips and tasted him, her eyes never leaving his. She saw how his eyes darkened until they were almost black.

Moving away before he had a chance to recover Sam walked to the door saying, "You don't want to be late for lunch, now do you?"

Closing the door behind her and making her way down the hall, Sam grinned at the bellow that came from her husband.

Lunch was an interesting affair. Sitting next to Sam, Nick found he was unable to taste the food he was eating much less follow the conversation that was going on about him. All thanks to his wife! While Sam calmly ate her lunch with one hand her other hand was boldly tracing patterns over his thigh. When she tired of tracing she shifted a bit and he felt her hand squeeze his thigh, her fingers just caressing the bulge in his jeans. He almost swallowed his tongue when he felt the tip of her finger glide directly over him. She continued this teasing throughout the whole meal. Nick never knew when she was going to touch him. By the time lunch was finished Nick could feel himself throbbing, begging for release.

Victoria had watched her middle son remain still throughout the whole meal. Having a good idea of what Sam was subjecting her son to, Victoria calmly announced that she, Sam and Audra would be going to town after lunch! Seeing the look of disbelief cross her son's face Victoria schooled her face to remain impassive. Before rising Victoria reminded the men that the dance was this evening. She also reminded them that the ladies would be getting dressed at the hotel rather than traveling all the way back from town. Taking pity on her son Victoria motioned for the men to remain seated as the ladies left.

Turning to kiss Nick goodbye Sam whispered, "I will see you this evening."

Waiting until the ladies had left Jarrod turned to Nick and asked, "Are you alright little brother?"

Not getting an answer from him, Jarrod asked a bit louder, "Nick are you alright?"

"What?", Nick answered clearly confused. "Yea, I'm alright. Umm Jarrod….", Nick asked.

"Yes?"

"Nothing…nothing", answered Nick sipping his coffee, watching Jarrod retreat to the library.

"Well, I am going to get some work finished", Heath announced. "Coming Nick? You know this is a working ranch", teased Heath, using his big brother's favorite saying.

"Umm…yea …I'll meet ya outside", answered Nick.

Nodding his head, Heath grabbed his hat, another roll and walked out.

"As soon as I can stand without embarrassing myself", Nick muttered. "What are you playing at Samantha Barkley?", Nick wondered, waiting for his problem to go away.