The night air was cool and much welcomed as Roger and Judy stepped out from the stuffy confines of the barn. A slight breeze wafted over them and Roger removed his hat and fanned himself off for a moment before looking around the area letting his eyes become adjusted to the change in lighting.

Lanterns, poles with torches and various candles were dotted about bringing light to some of the paths and to show where objects like the corral and picnic tables were so no one would mistakenly walk into them. Off in the distance towards the Poulet Mountains heat lightning flickered signaling a storm someplace there. With some luck it would just stay out that way and not venture to the party and spoil the evening's activities.

Roger inhaled the clean, cool air and sighed while placing his hat back upon his head. "Well, Judy, where ya wanna go?"

She shrugged and glanced at him. "It really doesn't matter. We're out of that hot place and away from the crowds so this is very pleasant." Judy looked around trying to see if there was anywhere they could go without bumping into someone. "How about just head back towards the lake? That should be a nice place at this time of evening."

"Sounds good to me," was his quiet reply and together they slowly made their way back towards the path they had earlier went down before that led towards the lake. At least this time it was going to be more of a pleasure trip as opposed to the uncomfortable situation earlier on.

They headed down the path slowly and in silence. Roger wasn't really one to start a conversation because he never seemed to say the right things in a situation such as this. Judy, on the other hand, was too filled with tons of flooded thoughts to even think of speaking right now. The dance and kiss were burning in her memories and her emotions were fighting with her on what to make of it.

As always with her it was the battle between showing her feelings for him or being prim and proper in the public eye. She cared deeply for him and after doing some slight soul searching earlier and realizing his feelings as well as hers for once, things seemed a bit different for her.

For one thing, that strange clenching in her stomach would return every time she thought about being close to him and as the images of their kiss on the dance floor flickered through her mind. She wasn't quite sure what it was exactly, but it seemed to be some sort of eagerness for contact with him. Judy wondered if Roger felt that strange sensation as well, but knew it was pointless to ask him. He'd lie no matter if it happened for him or not since the braggart was strong in him as well as arrogance and not wanting to look bad in front of anyone.

The evening so far was very enjoyable to her and she was definitely glad that Roger invited her and more glad that she accepted his invitation. He proved to her that he could be a gentleman and even though that occasional smart-assed punk would still surface, she couldn't hinder it since that was just as much a part of his being as dramatics was part of her own.

Roger suddenly started growing uncomfortable with the silence and he squirmed slightly making Judy break the silence. "You want to head back to the dance?" She mentally flinched from that, what a stupid thing to say.

He quirked a brow and turned towards her. "Nah, I think I had enough of that junk to last me the rest of my life."

Judy almost wanted to make a sharp comment back to him on that to remind him that he was enjoying himself earlier and didn't mind dancing about like some fool, but she held her tongue. The soft light flickering from the passing torches cast unusual shadows about and seemed to make her date look all the more stately and handsome than normal. She lowered her gaze shyly from him making his traditional smirk appear on his face.

"What's wrong, girly? All this mush getting to you?" he asked sarcastically, leaning closer to her.

She pushed him away and smirked back at him. "For your information I'm..." but she couldn't continue as that strange clenching came back to her insides making her softly gasp. It was almost as if every time Roger got close to her or she thought about any sort of contact with him it would happen. Hidden eagerness and desires were no doubt finally surfacing within her, but she refused to acknowledge them as usual.

"What was that? I didn't quite hear you," he asked almost mockingly.

Judy grumbled to herself. He could be so wonderful one minute and a jerk the next. Trying her best to ignore those sensations still coursing through her as well as his stupid remarks, Judy shook her head and continued their walk towards the lake. She looked at her surroundings and noticed there was another barn off a little ways from the one the dance was held in and somewhere off in the wooded fields a bonfire appeared to be burning.

"You ever think about living someplace like this?" Judy questioned, her gaze still towards the fire, wondering what it was for.

Roger shrugged. "It crossed my mind. I like where I'm at now, though. Got a great view of the mountains from my bedroom, I got a big yard and lots of peace and quiet. Guess I really don't need to worry about tons of space just yet."

"Oh? Are you thinking about moving out of your mansion someday?"

"No, but I can't exactly have a family and still live with my mom," he snickered then realized what he said and felt his cheeks redden with a blush.

Judy quirked an eyebrow at that statement and also felt her cheeks grow warm. She knew he wasn't one to talk about romantic and mushy things and marriage definitely wasn't in his vocabulary, but she did think of it from time to time what it would be like and if she had a definite future with him.

She tried not to ever dwell on that topic either since she knew she always had her scripts to write and plays to perform or direct, but it did flicker through her mind from time to time. She wasn't sure how Roger felt about that, though. He most certainly did not seem like the marrying type, but on the other hand a rich guy like him would no doubt want to have his family name carried on.

Both she and Roger were extremely close, but topics like that never came up and hardly crossed their minds, but it did happen from time to time. They did have trouble showing their true feelings and Judy knew that deep down if she wanted anything constructive to come from this relationship she would have to loosen up about those feelings and no doubt be the one to make the first bold move.

Tonight, however, Judy was feeling a bit peculiar and her openness about the kiss she allowed on the dance floor only proved she was breaking down those barriers of her hidden emotions about Roger. Her thoughts shifted back to that kiss and the memory began to warm her and cause her stomach to clench yet again, this time it was strong enough to cause her to close her eyes and stifle a gasp.

Hoping Roger didn't notice that, Judy clutched tightly onto Roger's arm and together they walked down a long path parallel to the lake. However, Judy didn't stop to gaze at the moonlit water like Roger assumed she would. Instead she kept walking in the dark not quite certain where they would end up, pulling Roger with her. It wasn't a brisk walk, but it wasn't as slow and romantic as he might have liked. He wasn't going to question it since he knew that Judy would probably give him an answer avoiding the question like he would if she asked him the same thing had it been he that were changing direction.

As they continued on their unguided way they came across many party-goers walking in the opposite route from where they were headed. Judy quirked an eyebrow and watched them for a moment, slowing her pace before stopping completely. "What's going on, Roger? The party can't possibly be over already?" She asked though not really interested as her mind began to drift back to the dance.

He shrugged, "Eh, must be time for the campfire and sing-a-long junk. I think they're gonna be telling spooky ghost stories too, but I don't remember the schedule. You wanna go?"

She shook her head. "Not right now. It sounds a trifle bit mundane, but perhaps in a while I'll find myself interested in listening to such banter. As for now I just want to share some quiet time with you."

Roger wasn't going to argue with that. He had hoped almost all evening to finally get some peace and quiet with her and to be away from all prying eyes and company. Something stirred inside of him as well with that kiss on the dance floor and he knew Judy must have felt the same way otherwise she wouldn't have suggested this alone time and bypass that dopey lake as he called it.

Roger also was now having second thoughts about the master plan of his for the evening. Judy's been more open to him tonight than ever before and he felt a new found respect for her in that sense. He also felt she deserved the respect back that she was giving him and a more quiet, romantic evening was probably more what they needed instead of some selfish plot he dreamed up so long ago.

He looked around trying to see where they were headed and saw another barn looming in the near distance. He recognized it as the one Mrs. Keane kept all her wagons and hay bales in along with a few tools and old saddles. Roger had spent many hours in there helping out with forking the hay up into the loft or just helping to grease a squeaky wagon wheel. It was also the place where he gave Larry, the groomsman, his first ass-kicking, but Roger didn't want to remember that right now, though he knew Judy would want to know about his animosity towards Larry one of these days.

Judy suddenly spotted the barn and began to guide Roger towards it, a bit more determination in her stride. Roger practically had to jog to match her pace that was unexpected and almost painful for him to keep up in with his pointed boots. If he was correct the barn should be empty and there were no horses about in this area so Roger honestly couldn't think of any reason why Judy would be so interested in going towards it.

As they neared it Judy pulled him towards the side of the wall and absently began toying with his bolo tie in silence. Arching an orange eyebrow Roger looked at her curiously and slightly winded from the quick walking he just did. "What's wrong, Judy, I thought you wanted to stay by the lake? Everything ok?"

She nodded, leaned her back against the barn and gently pulled at his tie bringing him closer to her and found herself saying almost seductively, "Oh yes, everything is just fine my dear Sir Roger of Klotz. I finally found the solitude I think we both desperately need and secretly desire. Now then, shall we re-enact the scene we left back at the square dance?"

"And what might that b--" he got cut off as Judy leaned forward and took his lips in hers giving him a clumsy kiss. "N-now I remember," he murmured, slightly stunned that she would bring this on.

"What better place to continue with a much needed and longed for kiss. There's nothing but the stars above us as witness to this amorous act. Forgive me, but after all the activities today and the closeness we shared on the dance floor...well.I don't know." She shook her head truly not being able to explain.

She didn't feel much like arguing or denying her feelings now. Toying with his bolo tie Judy pondered many things, but realized they all led back to that strangely wonderful clenching in her stomach. She felt his dark eyes staring down at her and she knew he was probably confused about what brought this about. Judy wasn't quite sure herself, but she was certain she wasn't ready to stop just yet. This area was also secluded enough for her tastes so no one would interrupt them mistakenly.

Looking up at him only served to intensify her feelings and her doubt and hesitation were quickly cast aside. Judy leaned her back up against the barn wall and dug her boot heels into the dirt to support her position. She then clutched his black vest tightly in her fingers and pulled him close up against her.

Roger shuddered slightly, not just from being anxious, but from fear she was going to say "Ugh, forget it!" and roughly shove him aside or pinch his nose tightly between the knuckles of her index and middle finger like she did once before. Roger was just about to ask her if everything was still all right when his eyes slowly began to close feeling her fingers caressing the back of his neck.

"J-judy," he said softly. "You sure you wanna do this out here? I mean, normally you like the privacy and junk. We could always go back to my limo. I mean this ain't exactly private."

She slowly shook her head and gently kissed the tip of his nose. "No, the chances of someone disrupting another kiss are less likely to happen here than near the lake. Besides, I just want to spend some peace and quiet time with you and perhaps we can head back and participate in another dance or go to that campfire gathering if it's still going on later."

Roger flinched at the thought of going back to dance. He wouldn't mind another slow dance, but not another hokey square dance. He had enough of that for one night! However, the campfire did sound interesting. He wasn't exactly enthused about the ghost story part, but the s'mores and roasted marshmallows and weenies did appeal to him at least.

Glancing to the side at a few of the guests still heading to the campfire in the woods someplace, Judy made sure no one was watching before she pushed Roger's face down close and took his lips with hers, kissing him tenderly. At first Roger tensed, but slowly relaxed as the kiss continued while Judy began to caress the back of his neck once more, soothing his fears and doubts.

He sighed suddenly feeling very relaxed and content while cautiously putting his hands on Judy's hips to keep her close to him. Roger cracked open an eye to make sure she wasn't going to hit him before he returned the kiss causing her to sharply inhale as her stomach suddenly clenched yet again. It was almost as if her hidden desires towards him were doing all they could to burst out and let themselves be known.

As the kiss continued she could almost see the pages of her life script falling away for once and allowing her to follow her heart and not do what she considered to be proper and planned. She also could only hope that she wasn't encouraging something wrong in all of this because she knew Roger all too well and when given the go-ahead he would take all he could take and then some.

Judy softly sighed, slid her hands from the back of his neck and clutched his shoulders tightly and tried to shift her position to bring him closer without losing her balance. As she did so her hips rubbed up against his causing a wave of heat to shoot through her. Roger must have felt it too for a soft moan escaped his throat and he pulled from her mouth and gazed down at her. He said nothing, but instead nuzzled against her neck brushing his lips tenderly on her skin giving Judy a chance to moan as well.

Like with the kiss they engaged in on the dance floor, Judy's moral judgment was trying its best to protest her actions in public, but things just started feeling too wonderful for her to ignore. Roger's breath was warm upon her neck sending shivers down her spine making her squeeze his leather-clad shoulders tighter. He began to lightly kiss her neck and along her jaw line causing her thoughts to become clouded. He also repeated the accident she caused earlier by gently rubbing his hips against her getting a soft moan of approval.

Suddenly Roger yanked his head quickly from her and pulled back. She opened her eyes and saw him glaring off to the side, bristling with anger. It was then that she heard a few whistles and shouts like "Ride 'em cowboy!" or "Go for it, pardner!" coming from some of the guests heading over to where the bonfire was in the woods. Roger mumbled something foul under his breath and removed one of his hands from Judy's waist to give one of the passers-by the one fingered salute. "Why I oughta go over there and cream some of those losers for not minding their own beeswax!"

Judy sighed and pulled his head back around to face her. "No, Rog, just ignore them, please. They're not worth the bother." Giving him a tender kiss on the tip of his nose Judy hoped to get his attention back to her. When his dark eyes finally turned back to her she softly commented. "Now then, shall we continue with our rendezvous?"

With a thankful nod Roger once more took her lips with his and tried to relax and forget about the disruption. Swallowing hard she pushed his head down against her neck hoping that he would continue what he was doing before. Nuzzling against her Roger could smell the faint hint of incense lingering in her soft hair. The scent made Roger nuzzle against her more, his mind becoming intoxicated with desire, his hips rubbing gently up against her causing her to gasp loudly from feeling his eagerness for closeness.

"Oh, glorious rapture, thy name is Roger!" Judy exclaimed, fingers tightening on the back of his vest, pulling him close. However, her own rapture was halted and reality came back to smack her in the face as she heard a snide comment of "Hey you pervs, go get a room!" Blinking behind her sunglasses Judy suddenly realized where they were at and what they were actually engaging in.

At first, anger with herself burned within quickly followed by humiliation. "Come!" she growled, roughly pushing Roger away from her and yanking him by the wrist. "I will not subject myself to such banter and interruptions by riff-raff such as they!" With a nod in the direction of the rowdies that said the comment, but were continuing on their way towards the fire with laughs and whistles, Judy led a bewildered Roger away from the wall and towards the large barn doors that were open wide, practically inviting them inside.

Upon entering the barn Roger's thoughts about it were confirmed for this was definitely the place where Mrs. Keane kept her wagons and things and it was completely empty. Judy stood her ground firmly and was glancing around the entire building as if looking for something or someone, her face screwed up in concentration. Hoping to keep out of her sights, Roger stood quietly kicking at the dirt floor with the pointed toe of his boot.

Before long Roger began to fidget, he didn't like the sudden tense vibes he was getting off of Judy. She was standing a few feet away from him, her hands planted firmly on her hips, her lips pressed tightly together as she gazed about. With a satisfied click of her tongue, Judy reached out and snagged Roger by his wrist and pulled him over to a ladder leading up into the hayloft.

"Head up there," she snapped almost angrily making Roger flinch again. "It's probably the only place for us to have privacy and besides, I seriously need to discuss something with you and can't exactly have with those immature voyeuristic rich red-necked hicks annoying us constantly."

The rich punk was truly nervous now. By the tone in her voice she sounded highly annoyed and very agitated. He was scared to even go up into the loft for fear of a severe scolding from Judy for not stopping her or for not controlling his own actions. Climbing the ladder Roger had a sinking feeling in his guts like he was going to a death sentence. What could Judy possibly want to discuss with him anyway and in such a strange place as a hayloft? He was certain it had to be bad otherwise she could have just yelled at him on the ground.

Hoisting himself through the trap door, Roger turned to offer Judy a helping hand which she waved off saying she was fine. As she joined him and began to brush hay dust off her skirt, Roger began to drift away, nervously rubbing the back of his neck. He looked around at the bales of hay that weren't stacked neatly like when he does it, but Mrs. Keane hasn't had him around much while she was preparing for the party.

"So, uh, nice roomy area Mrs. Keane got for her hay, huh?" Roger said nervously, still not sure how to read the stern look on Judy's face other than something bad.

Judy inhaled deeply and stared at him. Though her eyes were covered with those ever present sunglasses of hers, Roger could feel her gaze and he began to fidget all the more becoming self-conscience about what she was going to say or do. "Well, then," she started, "do you have any clue as to what you have been doing? I mean honestly, did you think I couldn't see what you are trying to pull? I saw your plan right from the start!"

Roger gulped and felt suddenly warm while a sick feeling began to build in the pit of his stomach. She knew what he originally had planned, but how? He changed his mind a long while back realizing that wasn't how he wanted that part of their relationship to go. Well, he did yearn to further things along, but not in the crude plan he originally thought of.

Tugging at his collar, Roger mustered up a weak, nervous smile and choked, "Wh-what ever d-do you mean, girly...uhh...J-judy?"

"You can't honestly say you didn't think I'd notice how tight those pants of yours are?" she demanded, glancing down at his crotch.

Roger shuddered and suddenly grew self-conscience of his jeans and he felt his cheeks warm with a blush. He was just about to answer when Judy stepped towards him and put her hands on his shoulders, her tone of voice and the look on her face suddenly softening. "Couple your manner of dress along with that refreshing new attitude of yours, well, let's just say it was very hard to maintain myself and I nearly lost it inside your limo on the way here. That kiss was electrifying and so was the one on the dance floor. It was then I knew I couldn't keep resisting you any longer."

"So, what're we gonna do about it?" Roger asked, stepping back a bit so he could embrace her fully seeing now she wasn't going to smack him or bitch him out.

"Use your imagination," she softly replied before she leaned up and gave him a firm kiss on the lips.

Roger sharply inhaled by this and then let out a slow, relaxed sigh as he reveled in the kiss, his arms drawing her near. Judy deepened the kiss, her fingers tightening on the back of his black vest. She shuddered slightly knowing she had to keep her emotions in check, but it was becoming more and more difficult the longer their kiss continued. She wasn't exactly sure what she wanted at this moment, but she was a firm believer in letting things go as they may and was in no mood to deny any of it from happening.

To be continued...