WARNING: This chapter contains an explicit love scene. If this offends you then please skip to the end.
Cat pulled Rebel up on the side of a small rise and raised her canteen to her lips. Thirsty in the dusty heat, she took a long drink of water from the container. It was early afternoon, so the temperature was soaring. Wiping her brow, she surveyed the scene in front of her and felt a swelling of pride. The huge herd of beef cattle spread along the valley below her for almost a mile. Behind them, an enormous cloud of dust followed. As they neared San Francisco, the land got drier.
The sight was an awesome one. The drive had gone relatively smoothly and they'd lost few cattle, despite a couple of the tenderfoots slacking off. Only two more days to go, and they would reach the enormous cattle yards at San Francisco where the beef would be sold off.
She could kill for a bath. It had been a couple of days since the last river crossing. She smiled broadly as she remembered that crossing only too well.
It had been a stinking, hot day and fording the river was both a blessing and a problem. Cattle got stuck up and down the banks and they spent all afternoon hauling them out of the mud.
At the end of the day, all the wranglers were dirty, sweaty, tired and irritable. Cat got to bath in private at sundown. During the drive, Adam had assigned Hoss to her to keep watch while she washed.
Hoss was above reproach and tough enough to discourage any of the men from trying anything. Adam had included himself on that list. He didn't trust his intention enough to keep watch and not spy on her, or join her for that matter. When she was done, she returned to Hoss and they walked back to the camp site.
When they were almost back, Cat remembered she'd left her braiding leather back on a rock. Hoss went on to the camp site alone, and she doubled back to get it. In a different section of the river, she heard splashing as she passed a thick grove of bushes. Then, she heard Adam's distinctive voice, whistling then humming Early One Morning. She stopped and counted to ten. She knew the decent thing to do was to keep going but . . .
Cat moved as quietly as she could through the brush, then peered out towards the sound. There he was, fully naked in the water. He was up to his waist in liquid. Cat felt hot flushes run over her skin as she feasted on his bare chest, shoulders, back and arms. He was washing his shirt, and the sunset showered a golden hue over his body.
He was magnificent. His hard, muscled biceps flexed as he scrubbed the sturdy cloth of his blood red shirt. How she longed for them to hold her firmly against his body and feel his hot flesh against her. He turned slightly and her breathing became erratic as she gazed at the thick, dark hair that covered his massive chest. It swirled invitingly and its line disappeared into the water. She yearned to discover the secrets of his flesh that were hidden by the slow running water.
She was so wrapped up in her spying, she leaned too heavily on a branch and it snapped loudly under her weight. Adam looked up and towards the bushes. Cat retreated in panic. She tried to move without making a noise, and when she was sufficiently back far enough, she turned and hurried away.
When Adam returned to the camp, she busied herself with tack repairs. He moved casually to his saddlebags and packed away his toiletries. Cat relaxed. He didn't appear to be at all suspicious, as he went up to Hoss and started to discuss the following day's route. When they'd finished their meeting, he sauntered slowly over to where she sat and crouched down to her level.
"Got a minute? I want to show you something." His voice was level and low.
"Sure." Cat smiled, and laid down the bridle she was fixing. Adam enclosed her hand in his and walked her away from the main camp.
"What is it?" They ended up behind the store wagon in the dark.
"Just this." Without warning, he clutched her hand hard, spun her around and into his arms. He moved back against the wagon and crushed her against his body. Before she knew it, Adam's hot mouth met hers with a rush of passion so strong, it left her gasping for breath when he finally pulled back.
"Adam," she managed weakly as she melted against him, feeling the hard, sensual length of him.
"Yes, my wicked girl, I know you were spying on me." Cat was glad for the darkness because it hid her crimson face.
"I . . .I didn't mean too . . .I forgot my braid," she spluttered unconvincingly.
"Mmm, and then what?" He moved his hands down her back and then to her firm, round buttocks. She panted as he pushed her firmly against him. There was no mistaking his arousal, or hers, as her hips gyrated against him almost of their own free will.
"I just took a peek," she admitted between kisses. She flattened her breasts against his chest, ran her hands along his robust shoulders and nuzzled her face into his nape.
"And what did you think?' Adam nipped a line of bites along her neck.
"I thought . . .you were the most handsome man I'd ever seen." She threw her head back as he claimed the skin at her throat with his scorching lips. "And I ached inside," she admitted honestly as he groaned and took her mouth again.
"You don't know what you're doing to me," he answered in a pained voice.
"Maybe not, but I'm beginning to learn." She moved away and smiled seductively at him before slipping back to the camp, leaving Adam by the wagon smiling wryly.
Back on the rise, Cat smiled at the sexy memory. Over the next few days, the tension between them seemed to increase ten fold. She was ready to turn her mount back down the hill and rejoin the rear of the herd, when a vivacious sight took her eye.
Adam rode flat out along the length of the herd, bunching the cattle with skill and flair. His rhythmic motion in the saddle made Cat's body shiver with unbridled lust.
Adam had been wonderful about all her fears and problems. Cat went through her own private hell after dredging up all the memories of her family's demise. As Adam predicted, the healing process for her was not easy.
During that first week staying in the main house, the nights were the worst. It was hard for her to sleep as the old nightmares resurfacing to haunt her and test her sanity.
When she could sleep, she always awoke, covered in sweat, screaming. The vivid horror of her brothers twisted and rotting bodies hanging from the ranch entry sign plagued her dreams. On those occasions, Adam was down the stairs and into her room in mere seconds.
On reflection, she wondered how he'd gotten any sleep himself. He would fly to her side, wake her gently, and then gather her close to his chest. She would tremble in fear, clinging to him for dear life. Then, after a long time, would eventually fall into an exhausted sleep in his arms.
During the days, they worked side by side, preparing the cattle. There wasn't much time to be alone, but Adam would always try and work in some small part of the day where they could escape the other men and be alone.
Adam would cautiously coax her into talking about the nightmares and about how she was feeling. The more they talked each day, the better Cat began to feel. Especially since he had taken her side of her family's innocence. It worked and after a week, she'd slept straight through until almost dawn. She was awoken by the slightest touch on her cheek. She stretched, yawned and looked up into Adam's eyes.
"Hi," She croaked sleepily.
"Hi." He settled his weight on the side of the bed, leaned down and kissed her full on the mouth. After drawing back he added, "Just checking to see if you were still alive."
Cat smiled up at him, and realized that he'd been waiting for her to have a nightmare, as she had done every other night.
"I'm alive, and well," she replied and twisted her fingers around his, drawing them to her lips. She moved his index finger into her mouth and teased the delicate surface with her teeth.
"Careful, Cat, you might bite off more that you can chew." He lowered his head again and nuzzled the delicate flesh of her ear lobe, which caused an arrow of desire to shoot through her veins.
She'd wanted him to stay with her then, and he knew it. Turning her face to his, he kissed her lightly, then left her wanting. She was almost well. The cattle drive started that day, and he knew she would be his very, very soon. Adam smiled with the knowledge.
The drive started out slow. It was a big job, making sure the herd stayed together. Adam and Hoss rode lead; Joe and Cat rode drag. Over the course of their chess games when Cat had been injured, she'd gained over eight days worth of rear guard duty. But she didn't mind, as she she enjoyed Joe's sunny attitude to his work.
Between the four of them, they directed the other fifteen or so hands that were spread out evenly amongst the cattle. The days were long and trying. One of the men was particularly incapable. He lost more cattle than all the others put together. Joe and Cat were constantly doubling back to round up strays.
Ben had gone ahead to San Francisco to start the negotiations on the sale. They would all meet up in a few days time hopefully after a successful drive.
By the evenings, all were tired and hungry. Cat and Adam would sit together, but there was rarely an opportunity for intimate moments, so they talked at length about everything and anything. Adam learned a lot more about Cat's childhood. There were a lot of parallels in their growing up. They'd hunker around the fire, talking, laughing and joking and sometimes singing the night away, until it was time for sleep.
They kept close at night, but not close enough for temptation. They were careful to uphold their moral standards in front of the men. During the days, Cat could feel her burdens falling away. She felt stronger mentally than she had for years. The love from Adam and his brothers was serving to heal her. She felt like a human being once again. She found herself laughing, teasing and throwing herself into her work with pride and determination.
Hoss and Little Joe would often comment to each other on how she and Adam had changed in the last couple of weeks. They could see she'd been hurting before, and now was recovering.
They attributed this to Adam's commitment to her. He also seemed to have lost the fears he accumulated after Michelle. Their father had quietly mentioned Adam's initial apprehension, after everything settled down. He also had been easier to get on with. They were determined to help in any way possible.
Now, as Cat thought back, she felt strong once again. She could imagine her own brothers down amongst the longhorns, working and laughing.
She was finally becoming free of the past to start her new life in the Nevada Territory. She was free to become Adam's wife and to return the devotion he had unselfishly shown her.
Adam turned in the saddle and spotted her watching from above. He tipped his hat in a gallant gesture. Cat smiled and returned the acknowledgement. She moved down off the rise and broke Rebel into a canter to approach her man in black.
"Well. Mr Cartwright, so forward of you. I do declare, I think I will have to write your father about you being too fresh with me. I'm just a little 'ol farm girl from Arizona, you know."
Adam broke into a wide smile, then returned the jest. "My father taught me everything I know. I doubt he's going to save you." Sidling Sport up beside Rebel, he leaned over and touched her lips with his. A shiver of raw pleasure moved through her body.
"Who says I want to be saved?"
Adam didn't get to reply to that, however, as Hoss approached from the rear of the herd.
"Big brother, we've got problems again."
Adam released Cat and turned, momentarily annoyed with his sibling.
"Hoss, can't you take care of it?"
"You know I wouldn't interrupt without good reason, Adam." His face was down, his expression hurt.
"Sorry, Hoss, I guess were all getting a little uptight. We'll be in San Francisco in two days. The rest will do us all good." Adam rode over to Hoss and slapped him encouragingly on the shoulder. "What's the matter, is it Wally again?"
"Yep, he done let about two dozen head stray back into them hills a few miles back."
"A few miles! And he only just told you now? That's it Hoss, I've had it with him. He's off the job! Joe will take his place and he can ride up here with me until we get to 'Frisco."
"Sure thing, Adam. You want me 'n Little Joe to double back and get 'em?"
Adam sighed. "It's going to take the rest of the day to bring those cattle back. No, you stay with the herd. I'll go."
"Okay, I'll tell Wally." Hoss looked at his elder brother and Cat. "Adam, I think you're gonna need someone else to go with ya. They might have spread out up there. Why don't you and Cat both go? We can look after things here. It's only a couple more miles 'till camp."
Adam turned to Cat and raised an eyebrow. "How about it? It means a few extra hours in the saddle."
Cat didn't hesitate. It meant spending those hours alone with Adam. "I think I can take it."
They shared a knowing look. Hoss watched them with satisfaction. They needed to be together for a while. He understood that, and so at last did they.
"All right, Hoss, you take control. You know the camp site, down by the river. We'll cross in the morning. We should be back pretty late, so don't bother to wait before you eat."
"You don't have to worry about that, Adam. First in, first served tonight."
They all chuckled, and the tension melted away.
As they prepared to ride away, the pair noticed a storm front gathering over the hills where they were headed.
"Looks like we might even get a little rain." Adam wiped the back of his neck with his bandanna.
"That would sure be good. I can't wait to get to the city, so I can relax back in a long, hot bath." Cat closed her eyes to the sun, and tipped her head back. Adam watched her simple movement. He had noticed it was a habit she had, as if she were drinking in the sun's rays.
"Only if I can scrub your back." The reply was low and sexy. Cat opened her green eyes and flashed them with pleasure.
"That could be arranged." Their frustration building, the pair clicked their horses and cantered away from the group. It was going to be a long two days.
They had a wonderful ride for the next couple of hours. They talked and laughed and enjoyed just being on their own.
On reaching the pass, they went in different directions and quickly surveyed the area. Cat found most of the cattle on the north side of the pass, and Adam found the rest on the south. It was late afternoon before they had them all back together.
By that time, the approaching storm rumbled loudly overhead. The clouds were low and very dark. Because they were on a ridge top, it was inevitable that they were about to get very wet. The wind started to whip as the storm gathered its strength.
"We're going to get wet, Cat. Did you see any shelter around back there?" Adam called across. His voice was almost drowned out by the thunder.
"There's an old settler's hut further up that looks abandoned, but I don't mind getting wet. It'll wash this dust off. I've been waiting for it." She beamed at him and lifted the hat off her head. Pulling at the plait tied at her nape, she shook her hair out and waited for the cleansing rain to fall.
Adam laughed as he watched her preparing to enjoy the simple pleasure. Just then, the icy needles arrived. Large cold droplets tumbled from the sky and splashed on the animals and humans alike. Cat squealed with delight as the water began to cleanse her dusty body. Adam too, reveled in the sharp cold sensation.
But the rain was heavy, and soon the pair was soaked to the skin. After a while, Adam could see it was not going to let up. He knew they should take shelter, as lightning was always a concern. He urged Sport across to where Cat was.
"Come on, we'd better get out of this weather. Let's go back to that hut you saw."
Cat realized he was right and nodded. The rain was mixed with tiny hail now. It was dangerous, and she was getting quite cold. They found the hut quickly and were grateful for the rotting, but useful, cattle corral beside it. They herded the stock into the pen, dismounted, grabbed their bedrolls from the horses and ran for cover. They found the door to the hut jammed. The ancient timbers that formed it were swollen shut. Adam took command and kicked in the door. It gave way with the strength of his purpose and swung unevenly on it's hinges. They hurried inside, finally out of the heavy raindrops. They stood in the center of the room, laughing and dripping profusely all over the floor.
Cat tried to shake the water from her body, but it was no use. Her clothes were drenched and stuck to her frame. She looked over at Adam; he was sodden as well. His clothes were molded to his body. The taut maleness of his torso was severely outlined. Cat licked her moist lips as she unconsciously feasted on his masculinity. She was not prepared for the overwhelming urge that attacked her very being. She lusted for him with her eyes. A primitive and fierce hunger for his body overcame her.
Adam too was suddenly captivated by her sensual predicament. Droplets of water fell lightly from her hair and followed a path down along the ridge of her now transparent shirt. He could clearly see the outline of her nipples that were swollen and hard from the cold shower. Then, as he looked up into her eyes, he recognized her true desires. She'd been undressing him with her eyes and her cheeks were aflame. He groaned with unbridled lust as he crossed the room in an instant.
All of a sudden, they were together. Their bodies merged as one and their mouths plundered deeply. Their need for each other was urgent. Cat felt her being tremble with desire as Adam's powerful arms encircled her hips and lifted her from the floor. As he carried her over to the old worn cot in the corner of the room, she wrapped her legs wantonly around him. Cat trailed hot, breathless kisses all over his cool damp neck as they moved. Her shaky hands found the front of his shirt. With a measure of desperation, she fumbled with the buttons and almost ripped the material from his chest, so eager was she to touch the maleness of his flesh and explore the flow of muscle and sinew beneath her fingers.
Adam groaned as she splayed her hands along his exposed chest. She intertwined the soft hairs with her fingers, causing his blood to rage through his veins. As he lowered her down on the small bed, he grazed the delicate skin at her throat with stubble. Cat shivered, loving the wholly masculine scent and feel of him. The cot was hard and narrow but they didn't notice any discomfort. The necessity to become one was too strong for them both. They shut out the whole world, as they began to make love to one another.
Adam eased the buttons on her shirt undone. With every parting, he sensuously kissed the newly exposed flesh, causing her to gasp with excitement. His touch left a trail of heat across her skin. As he parted the wet material, he drew a deep unsteady breath. She was beautiful; her silken breasts were almost exposed to him, as the calico corset she wore beneath her riding cloths became loose. He reached around to her back, and untied the laces. Cat arched against him. She was desperate for him to touch her. The slip of cloth fell away and at last, unveiled her creamy flesh. Adam sighed as he gazed on her lovely naked breasts for the very first time.
Overcome with desire, he moved his lips back to hers and seductively yet smoothly sought the delicate inner recesses of her mouth. He kissed her thoroughly and ardently. Then, when he pulled away, he spoke.
"Cat, you are exquisite, do you know that?" His voice was coarse with craving.
"No . . . I" she whispered unsteadily. She half closed her eyes with bliss and her heart pounded in her chest as he trailed his lips down her throat and across her collarbone. She tipped her head up, wanting to watch him as he slowly kissed his way towards her aching breasts.
Cat didn't know what to expect. Her daydreams and the brief encounters they'd had fully clothed were all she had to go on. Nothing prepared her for the erotic, sensual feeling of Adam's mouth, as he reached one rosy pink nipple and encircled it with his hot, moist tongue.
"Oh!" Cat hissed sharply as the foreign but extraordinary sensation took her by surprise. It created an agonizing throb at her core.
Adam raised his eyes to watch her as he gently suckled on her sensitive flesh for the first time. She was completely helpless and overcome by pleasure. Her eyes pleaded for more as he left one tingling nipple to seek out the other. As he descended again, he lifted his hand and gently fondled its twin. He cupped its weight in the palm of his hand and let a throaty moan escape his lips, as his arousal became almost unbearably painful. He had to take her soon, or he'd lose control completely.
But still, he continued to kiss and caress her breasts. He'd dreamed of making love to her like this a thousand times, and Cat was everything he'd hoped and more. She was so responsive. One tiny touch from his lips or fingers sent her panting and writhing against him with desire.
"Adam!" She said again, as he pulled one nipple more firmly into his mouth. The frustration was almost too much. He reluctantly left the swollen peaks and returned to her mouth.
"What is it, sweetheart?" He kissed and nipped her neck and ear with increasing urgency.
"It feels so wonderful. I didn't know it could be like this." She moved her hands back to his shoulders and ran them along their solid length.
"This is just the beginning," he murmured and took her mouth with a burning need.
Cat wanted to learn and matched his ferocity.
"Tell me what you want me to do, what you like. I want to please you too." Her hooded emerald eyes shone with hunger for him. He raised his hand to her cheek and delicately stroked her heated skin.
"You know how to please me. Unleash your passion, Cat."
Cat trusted in him and followed her instincts. She pushed him back from her face with a shaky hand, and moved her hands shamelessly over his chest. The hard fiber of his torso shuddered with delight. Then, she boldly rubbed her thumbs over his hard, flat nipples and watched the pain and pleasure of her touch show in his face. She then moved her fingers lower and looked to him for guidance.
"Do you like this?" Her eyes glowed like a tiger's, as she unfastened the silver buckle on his wide belt. His dark, thick lashes lowered languidly as he drowned in her unashamed exploration of him. Cat's hands shook as she undid the belt, pushed it back, and then reached for the buttons on his trousers.
He stayed still as she worked to slip the fastenings from their holes. The material seemed way too tight. Then as the cloth pealed away, his under draws revealed the problem. His sex, huge and swollen, strained to get out. Fascinated, Cat boldly ran her hand down and touched him through the silk of his underwear.
"No."
"Does it hurt?" She asked innocently as she felt its heat and power.
"Right now, it's hurtin' real bad," he chuckled with frustration, then pulled her hand away and smiled lovingly at her. "It wants you . . . I want you." He pulled her close again, and kissed her thoroughly. She contentedly sighed against his mouth, as the excitement built.
He moved his lips back down to her aching breasts and took one of the hardened tips back into his mouth. Cat gasped once again. She found herself wantonly twisting beneath the weight of his body.
"Adam." His name was a mere sigh on her lips. He continued his journey and removed the soaked trousers and underwear from their bodies. Finally, they then both lay together, naked. Their hot skin fused with longing.
Cat was no longer coherent. She pulled Adam's weight down onto her and passionately curled her legs around him. Her thighs spread wide and tempted him with their hidden delights. She enticed him with a primeval hunger she never knew she possessed until now. Her sexy plea was one of sheer desperation.
"Adam, make love to me, please. I need you inside me. I can't stand it anymore."
He too was barely in control. But he wanted to be sure of her. She would feel pain. He didn't want that.
"I could hurt you, my love." He feathered his fingers along the flatness of her stomach, letting them settle on the delicate flesh of her inner thigh. She almost cried out as the sensation caused a riot inside her.
"Adam, please." She moved her hand down to convince him. Adam sucked in a sharp breath as she closed her fingers about his hardness.
His control all but gone, Adam wanted to be sure of her readiness. He let his fingers trail lightly along her thigh then slowly he inched them up to the soft curls between her legs. Cat instinctively parted her thighs to his warm, sensual touch. He moved up to kiss her as his tapered fingers stroked the delicate folds of flesh that would give them both such pleasure.
Then, as she moaned against him, he cautiously explored her depths. She shuddered and clutched at him as she felt the astonishingly erogenous sensation of his fingers inside her. Adam smiled against her mouth. She was hot and wet and ready for him. He considered bringing her to climax before he made love to her, but he just couldn't hold back any longer.
He removed his hand, then covered her body with his. He entered her soft essence with infinite care. Cat curved to meet him, savoring the first moment they would be joined.
She was taken aback for a second, when a sharp pain stabbed through her abdomen. He was there for her in a moment. Whispering encouragement, he held back until she was ready again. As quickly as it came, the pain subsided and she unconsciously began to move against him once more. He lifted her head from the hard board of the cot and cradled it in his hand. His own eyes were dark and heavy with the heat of desire. As they moved as one, they drowned in urgent kisses.
Cat rubbed her entire body shamelessly against his, heightening her awareness of him. The soft curls of hair on his chest tickled against her rigid nipples. The power of his muscled thighs met the firmness of her own, as if they belonged against one another. The flatness of both their bellies rubbing together caused a friction so deep in her soul; it almost made her want to cry. And best of all was the incredible, stimulating feeling being created by his hot swollen manhood, as Adam gradually worked his way inside her and towards her womb. She strained to let him in further. He was large, but she was overcome by the extraordinary sensation.
"Oh, my . . . love," she trembled, and Adam kissed her as he entered her more and more deeply.
"Let it take you over, Cat. Let go, lie back, relax." Adam watched her try and follow his instructions. She was too taut, and he feared he might let go before she did. He wanted her first experience to be unforgettable. He slowed and felt her tension ease off. He watched her soft pink tongue as it flicked out and encircled her lips with delicious longing. Adam couldn't hold out any longer. He moved hard and fast inside her, no longer in control of his actions.
A powerful, but unfamiliar tension started to build in her body. As he filled her to capacity, sharp tremors of agonizing pleasure flashed through her body. She clung to him; their flesh was now covered in sweat, their bodies ached for release. Cat gripped his back, wanting to hold him as close as she could. She willed the frantic pace to consume her.
"Oh, God! Adam." She was free falling, tumbling from a high cliff. Every nerve in her body jolted with ecstasy. Waves upon waves of rapture washed through her. She heard Adam call to her, as he too found sweet release at almost the same moment. She felt his hot seed flood her body, and she sighed with contentment and wonder.
The emotion of the moment drained their energy. They both sank down onto the hard surface of the cot and held each other tight as their bodies continued to shudder with the aftermath.
Cat couldn't think for a long time. She was too exhausted, too shocked, too much in love. When her limbs recovered some of their strength, she cuddled into him. She didn't wish to let him go, ever again and held onto him fiercely, possessively. Adam wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close. He wanted her again almost immediately.
Cat quickly fell asleep in his arms. Adam accepted her slow even breathing, and tried to move away without waking her. It was getting cold in the cabin and he knew he had to start a fire and dry their clothes. He gently placed her down and covered her body with one of the blankets they'd brought inside. He wrapped the other around his waist, then crossed to the old fireplace and gathered kindling and logs from the timber box.
As he worked on lighting a fire, he was overcome with emotion from the love they'd just shared together. A very special love, the likes of which he'd never experienced before.
But his practical mind knew he had to warm up the room and dry their clothes. Thank goodness there was still wood from the last inhabitants. A dusty, almost empty bottle of whisky served as a good fire lighter and a blaze soon warmed the small, square room. He then went outside and found an old water barrel, which was half filled with fresh rainwater. He washed up, then brought it inside.
He lay their clothes out to dry, then returned to Cat's sleeping form. He was finally complete, he realized as he gazed at her loveliness.
Never had he felt so much love for one person. He'd never wanted something so much. Lifting a hand to her face, he possessively smoothed a wayward strand of soft hair away. She was wonderful. He knew she truly loved him. It wasn't the surroundings he had been hoping for with her first time, but then, in the end it hadn't mattered. They were joined now, for eternity. His happiness was complete.
Much later that night, Adam donned his dried cloths and woke Cat with a shower of kisses. She blinked sleepily at him, and held her arms out to him. He pulled her up from the cot, and enclosed her in his arms.
"Come, my love. I've dried your clothes, and I've let you sleep as long as I could. We better be starting back, otherwise we won't make it before dawn."
He laid his cheek on hers and gently stroked the smooth skin of her back. He was grateful the blanket covered her, as another glimpse of her naked flesh would surely inflame his desire once more.
"Adam, did I tell you?" She drew back and merged her eyes with his.
"What, sweetheart?"
"That I love you." Her voice wobbled with feeling. He drank in the honesty from her eyes, and he knew it deep inside to be true.
"I know, Cat, I know. I love you, too. More than you can know."
They kissed for a long time. Finally they broke apart, when they reluctantly realized they were out of time. Adam allowed her to wash and dress in private while he readied the animals.
When he came back inside, he asked awkwardly whether she was hurt, but she smiled warmly and assured him she was in one piece, although she'd surely be a little sore and sorry in the morning, she thought quietly to herself. She'd received more damage from the unforgiving cot then from their passion. Cat didn't think she'd ever see the world quite the same way again. Adam had lovingly turned her into a woman, and she felt whole at last.
As they kissed and left the cabin, they fought a rising desire to make love again. Then, at around 2:00 a.m., they mounted their horses and headed with the cattle back to the main herd. Luckily, the storm had cleared, and a full moon shone brightly, lighting their way. They spoke little. They shared a small glance here, a touch there. Sometimes, they would stop for a moment and steal a burning kiss in the moonlight.
It was just before dawn when they finally joined the camp again. Fortunately, no one was up. No one, that was except for Hoss. He'd been concerned that they might have been caught in the storm, and was worried about their safe return. As he saw them approach the camp, he could tell his concerns had been in vain. They both looked blissfully happy. He could finally dose off, content with that knowledge.