Every time Dominic threw his leg over the edge of the bed to get up, Leslie would wiggle closer to him. Just the inches his body would move away from her, she could feel the heat seeping away. Her hands would always reach across his chest in a slow caress coming to a stop with her fingers tucking themselves tightly about his waist. Even in sleep she'd somehow find him slipping out of bed and pulled him back to her.

It turned into a game that continued throughout the day. Not once did they leave the bed. She'd always find a way to entice him closer. Her mouth would land hotly against his neck and he couldn't resist but to slip his hand over a breast and hold it there until her mouth was on his.

Repeatedly they'd fall asleep and then awake to make love only to fall asleep again. It was the most rested and exhausted that Dominic had ever felt. He never wanted this day to end. Yet somehow, the sunlight that had bathed the room with light earlier in the day had given way to dark shadows. The heat of the day had calmed to a coolness that was even cold for July. Perhaps it was because their activities had pushed all the bedding to the floor or perhaps a different wind was starting to blow. Dominic shuddered slightly. He wasn't sure what this feeling meant but there was uneasiness.

He glanced over and watched the slow rise and fall of Leslie's shoulder's as she slept. She lay on her side turned away from him. Sitting up on his elbow, he traced the contours of her body with a finger as she lay there completely exposed. He slowly trailed along her skin – not touching but the small hairs on her body reacting to his closeness, goose bumps forming upon her skin.

Dominic leaned into her back and kissed her shoulder as his hand slid around her waist. Pulling her close up against his body, he could hear her sigh deeply and feel her writhe even closer so her bottom was firmly pressing against his hips. Reaching for his arm that still squeezed about her stomach, she lifted it in a warm embrace and rested it between her breasts.

He nuzzled against her neck and opened his mouth against her skin. The sensation of his kiss, even in slumber, led Leslie to instinctively grind her hips back into his. Dominic felt the all too familiar pressure begin to mount deep within him. Half between sleep and consciousness, Leslie turned her face to return his kiss.

Lips and tongues entwined. Deeper they kissed as his hand broke free from her embrace and traveled to her legs and pulled her thighs open. Sleepily she moaned into his mouth as he laid his palm against her. Rhythmically he slid his hand back and forth, adding pressure between her folds until his fingers found the center wet and steaming.

Thrusting against his fingers, the feel of her bottom rubbing against him, Dominic strained from the throbbing tightness of his erection. Wider she opened for him until he could stand it no longer. Pushing his leg past her bottom he slid into her from behind. Slowly thrusting against her back, his hand returned to his favorite spot over her breast. In silence, they rocked in unison. The only sound was the labored gasps that escaped their lips as they climaxed together. Tightly he held her until she drifted to sleep again – this time he could slip away.

Weary and exhilarated, he stumbled from the bedroom zipping his trousers closed and making his way to the fireplace. The cabin had grown quite dark. He lit a small fire for light and sat back in the rocking chair with a heavy sigh.

Quietly he sat there pondering. His mind was consumed with thoughts of her. She was all that mattered any more. He thought how he could make this hide-away theirs forever. But then his eyes fell upon the satchel that lay in the corner of the room. Inside were the dispatches that Lt. Corporal Jackson had pleaded with him to take to the first regiment he could find.

Silently he cursed that messenger bag. He cursed the army and he cursed his sense of duty. With a frustrated growl, his fingers swiped through his hair. Damn it to hell.

Leslie's hand fell over the side of the bed where Dominic once lay. She felt the coolness of the sheets under her palm and opened her eyes quickly. The room was darkened. She strained to see where he could be and felt a panicked jolt in her chest. The glow from the fireplace flickered through the opened door and she relaxed with a sigh.

Her footsteps were light and stealth. Dominic didn't hear Leslie as she tiptoed from the room. He continued to keep his gaze upon the messenger bag wondering what he should do. Leslie crept around the chair and threw her leg over his lap and straddled his hips. Her flaxen hair spilled over her shoulders, fell into her eyes and hung in wisps over her breasts. Dominic's eyes widened and his distant stare was now focused on her smiling face.

Leslie gripped her hands around his neck and pulled herself closer to him. Dominic slid his hands around her hips with a squeeze. "You, uh," he began with his eyes falling from hers to her bare legs riding him, "ever going to get dressed today?"

Leslie bit at her bottom lip and playfully squeezed his lap with her thighs. "Today is almost over," she responded. "It's almost time for bed." She had a twinkle in her eye that he hadn't seen before. Sure, he hadn't known her very long but he taken the time to notice that something was different now. He returned her smile and kissed her softly.

"Today…." He paused & exhaled deeply, "has been amazing." There was that breathy, raspy voice that she loved.

"Yes, it has," Leslie said sighing deeply, her lips falling onto his once more. They held each other in a tight embrace, Dominic's hands roamed across Leslie's back, side and hips. Her fingers fell to the waist of his trousers.

Dominic pulled his lips away hesitantly.

"What is it?" She asked.

He rubbed at his eyes in frustration. "It's those damn dispatches," he exclaimed motioning to the corner of the room where they sat inside that haunting messenger bag.

"What about them?"

"I still have them! I'm supposed to find the nearest regiment and give them to the commanding officer," he said in exasperation.

"What if you don't?"

Dominic's lips caved inward, he bit down in frustration, his jaw set firmly and he shook his head. "I dunno. I'd face discipline for sure."

"Do they even know they're out there, Dominic?" She quizzed. "For all they know you died along with the others and those dispatches are lost."

"Yes, I know. But I know they're there. It could be really important."

Leslie stood up. Her hands fell to her hips – her fingers tapped lightly as she looked over at the satchel and then back at Dominic. His eyes followed her as she walked across the room. His gaze lowered to witness the sway of her backside as she teasingly gave him a little show. She returned back to him in a seductive saunter with the strap of the messenger bag swinging from her outstretched finger.

She stopped within inches of his face – her breasts at eye level. "I think you should read them for yourself," she said matter-of-factly, "just to make sure it's nothing you have to rush off to find the army for."

Dominic could smell her. She was a mixture of yesterday's bath water and today's love making. He leapt to his feet and grabbed her about her waist backing her against the dining table and lifting her upon it.

"To hell with the army," he groaned as his tongue dove into her mouth and pulled her legs tightly around him. The messenger bag fell to the floor unnoticed.

Morning was breaking again. Dominic and Leslie awoke together, wrapped in a tight embrace and sighing contentedly. His hand softly messaged her back as she lay her head against his chest.

"I can hear your heart," she whispered.

"I feel like it only just started beating for you," he responded.

She turned her face, looked up at him and smiled. "Private Perelli," she giggled, "You never told me you were a poet."

His eyes rolled upward. Dominic let out a laugh and swiped a hand over his sleepy eyes. "I'm not," he said firmly, "I assure you." He turned and looked out the bedroom door towards the dining table. His eyes stopped on the fallen messenger bag.

Leslie followed his stare. "Go get it," she urged, "Read what's in it."

Dominic hesitated momentarily and then eventually stood when she nudged him out of the covers. He returned quickly and sat on the edge of the bed. Leslie sat up and pressed herself against his back and slid her legs around his hips. She clasped around his shoulders and kissed his back softly as Dominic opened the bag and pulled the contents out.

Leslie's kisses continued on the back of his neck, her face buried in his shaggy hair.

Dominic's lips moved as he read the contents intently. His eyes fell down the paper and narrowed.

"What in the hell?" he exclaimed.