AN: First I just want to say Wow and thank you all so much for reviews! You haven't given up on me:-) It means so much to me! Second, I couldn't think of horses names… it's strange cause when I was little I had like 9 My Little Pony ponies, and all had different names. But when I was trying to name them today, I went completely blank. So I was reading forensicsfan's He's Just Not That Into You and two names just popped out…so thanks forensicsfan for inspiring me!

Oh, before I forget, thanks to everyone who congrat-ed me on becoming an aunt:-D (Not that I had anything to do with it…lol) And just one other thing: I know Texas doesn't get much snow… but let's face it… white fresh snow at Christmas is just romantic, isn't it? Lol! Well, that is, in small amounts…rolls eyes…personally I'm sick of snow…stupid Eastern Canadian weather….grrrr… I even looked at a weather website to see what the weather in Dallas was like, and I just thought to myself, oh well, they can have a bit of snow…:-D (Oh btw, snow here is gone, but I'm still waiting for nice hot weather… at least it's a little warmer)

One last thing: Actually 2 last things: 1) I want to keep this PG-13 so there's no outright smut and stuff, but there's some pretty suggestive stuff, so, use your own discretion. 2) I've had writer's block, been busy with life in general, and all that stuff, so it looks like we'll be having Christmas in July (and later) with this fic. But everyone seems to enjoy it so I'll keep writing…even if it is a little slow…

Anyway, without further ado, I know you guys have waited long enough, so on with the story!

"So, you want to ride the same horse or different horses?" Nick asked, glancing at her every now and again as he drove out of the city, past the suburbs and out to where ranch after ranch was spread out over the land.

"Umm, well I'd say we could ride on the same one but I don't know if you could handle that." Sara said teasingly with a wink and a grin that exposed the gap between her front teeth.

He chuckled. "Okay, well my stallion Bandit can take both of us, but if you want, you can have Smokey. Bandit's her dad." He grinned.

"Gee, I wonder what your favourite movie was growing up." She said sarcastically.

They drove up the long driveway to the farmhouse. "I'm just gonna toss the keys in the house and then I'll be out again."

"Actually, I think I should change. I'm not exactly in the best clothes for horseback riding." She gestured to her black dress pants and red top.

"Okay." He leaned over and kissed her cheek before getting out of the truck and grabbing the bags of gifts for his nieces. Sara smiled and held their special package tightly against her chest, in case anyone should decide to peep in their shopping bags.

"Can't wait for tonight, babe." He winked and walked her into the house.

Several minutes later, Sara came downstairs to where Nick was waiting, and watched his jaw drop. She had on a pair of snug fitting jeans and a plaid top that tied around the waist with a white tank underneath.

"My, my, aren't you the real cowgirl?" Nick said seductively as he neared her. She grabbed the cowboy hat off the step and put it on his head.

"C'mon, cowboy." She winked and turned around, walking out of the house with Nick following her like a puppy.

Sara smirked as she watched Nick move around the barn, brushing the horses and getting them ready to ride. This required much moving and bending on his part, which she enjoyed thoroughly; as he had opted for the typical cowboy attire of tight black tee, his Stetson, and of course, tight blue jeans that accentuated his lovely bottom, and topped off with the standard unnecessarily large belt buckle. While he was picking Bandit's hoof, she tilted her head to get a better view of his ass. He glanced up and she knew she was caught. Nick grinned and winked at her, and she winked back.

Finally, she spoke. "I've always had a thing for cowboys, but damn…" Sara unashamedly eyed him up and down. "Finer than any playgirl magazine I've seen."

Nick was surprised but turned on by her boldness, and he quirked his eyebrow. "You read playgirl?" He knew she subscribed to many different forensic journals and shopping catalogues, but he never guessed that she would also be on the subscriber's list of such a risqué magazine.

She smiled innocently. "Perhaps."

"Do you?" His grin was wider now.

"I've been known to…on occasion…" She twirled a loose curl with her finger. "For the articles of course…" She added.

"Sara…" Nick chuckled deeply and moved closer to her. "If I'd known that before, I could have helped you out. You wouldn't have needed those magazines, darlin." His voice was rough as he whispered in her ear. She shivered when he gave her ear a small nip and a kiss before he stepped back and continued brushing the horses.

Sara bit her lip and decided to busy herself to keep her mind off of the sexy body in front of her that was all hers for the taking. "Um, anything I can do to help you?"

"I can think of a few things you can do to help me…" He looked at her suggestively and winked. "But if you want to help with the horses, could you grab Smokey's and Bandit's saddles? They're over there on the wall, their names are on the pegs." He gestured to where the saddles where kept on large wooden pegs on the far wall of the barn.

Nick paused from his work as he admired her ass in her jeans as she walked away from him. He knew he was caught when she turned around and winked. "Get back to work." She told him.

"Yes, ma'am." He chuckled and finished brushing Bandit's shiny liver chestnut colour. Despite the fact that he'd been away from Texas for six years, his stallion remembered him every time he came home, and was always glad to see him. Bandit flicked his tail and stamped his hoof on the ground, excited to be going out for a ride. "I know Bandit, Sara's getting your saddle…" He told the horse.

"Who're you talking to?" Sara said from right behind him, causing him to jump.

"Bandit." She raised her eyebrow. "I'll have you know I've had this horse since I was sixteen."

"Wow, most kids get a car when they turn 16. I guess out here it's a horse?"

"We're not Amish, Sar." She stuck out her tongue at him. "I've grown up around horses all my life. But by the time I was 16 I was too big for the ponies I rode before then."

"Yeah, he is kinda big, isn't he?"

"Uh huh. I wouldn't let you ride him by yourself. He's not always easy to handle, are ya boy?" The horse snorted. "He wants to get going."

"Here's his saddle. Smokey's is there on the fence."

"Okay. I can show you how to saddle her up in case you want to take her out again sometime."

"Alright." She gave him a quick kiss and he quickly responded, pushing her lightly against the door of Bandit's stall. They broke apart when Bandit got up on his hind legs, neighing loudly. Sara giggled. "I guess he doesn't like me taking you away from him."

"He'll have to get used to it." Nick shrugged and kissed her once more before letting go of her.

Finally, the two horses were ready for the ride, and Sara was standing beside Smokey. She was much smaller than her father, but Sara still couldn't figure out how she was supposed to get up there. The chestnut horse's back came to about her chest, and even with her long legs she knew she wouldn't be able to get up there. "Nick?"

"Yeah?"

"How do I get up there?"

Nick chuckled. "I'll help you." He bent down and linked his hands together. "Step up."

"Here goes." She grabbed the saddle and the horn in each hand and put her foot on his hands. He gave her the initial push up, and then stood up, placing his hands on her butt to help her the rest of the way onto the saddle. His hands stayed there a little longer than necessary, but neither of them minded. Once she was settled, she watched him go over to Bandit. He effortlessly put his foot in the stirrup and pulled himself up with his strong arms as his other leg swung over to the other side.

"How did you do that?"

"I've been riding since before I could walk." He told her with a grin. "Now, little lady, follow me."

"How do I make her go?" She called out to him, as he had already started walking away.

"Give her a little kick."

"Won't that hurt her?"

"Nah, she won't mind." He turned Bandit to look at her. "Smokey's gentle. Just give her a kick and she'll go. And she's not too fast, either."

"Okay…" Sara gave the horse a quick kick and Smokey began to walk towards Nick. Once they were side by side, Nick manoeuvred Bandit so he could get as close to Sara as possible.

"Now, just pull on the right if you want her to go right, and left if you want to go left. But you don't need to worry much about that; she'll follow Bandit everywhere."

"Good." He grinned at her and leaned in to give her a quick kiss.

"Ya know, in the old days, women used to ride side-saddle."

"Yeah well I don't have twenty petticoats on and I don't want to slide off. Not to mention, with all this time I've been spending with you I'm used to riding something."

Nick raised his eyebrows at her. "You know what they say, Sar…save the horse, ride the cowboy." He winked at her.

"Later I just might." She winked back, causing him to let out a low whistle.

"Darlin you're gonna drive me crazy."

"I aim to please." She gave him another quick kiss and then went back to concentrating on riding Smokey.

They were riding silently for a while, Nick enjoying the scenery that he missed so much while he was in Vegas, and Sara concentrated on getting used to horseback riding. She hummed beneath her breath.

"You say something, Sar?" Nick asked.

"Just thinking." She giggled and began to sing, "On top of old Smokey…."

Nick burst out laughing. "That's all I'm gonna be able to think of now when I see Smokey."

Sara laughed along with him. When the laughter subsided, she looked at him, a little embarrassed. "Nick?"

"Hmm?"

"Do you think we could take a break?" He furrowed his brow. "I mean, uh, my thighs are a little sore." Nick looked at her for a moment and decided he'd better keep quiet about that one.

"Okay. There's a spot just up here we can stop."

They reached it and Nick jumped down off of Bandit. Sara looked down at him from her saddle. "How do I get down?"

"Here, swing your leg over and jump. I'll catch you. Just trust me."

"You know I trust you." She smiled at him and swung her leg over so she was sitting sideways. She slid down and he wrapped his arms around her waist, reluctant to let her back down on the ground. When her feet were back on solid ground she wrapped her arms around his neck and looked into his eyes. "Thanks."

"Anytime." He leaned down and kissed her soundly.

They traded kisses for a few long moments until Nick pulled back. "Hold on a sec." He went over to his horse and opened a saddlebag. He pulled out two beers and a blanket. He set the blanket down on the ground and sat down cross-legged.

Sara grinned and moved to sit next to him, but when she was standing over him he pulled her down into his lap. Giggling, she turned so she was sitting sideways. "You're sweet." She said, sincerely.

Nick just grinned back at her and gave her a kiss. "You're amazing." She blushed and looked away. "I'm serious. You're beautiful, you're smart, you're funny… you're amazing." She opened her mouth to protest, but Nick soon shut her up as he captured her lips with his.

Sara moaned into his kiss as he licked at her lips. She opened her mouth and their tongues danced together. Nick groaned and slid his fingers through her hair, holding her close to his body. Together, they rolled until Nick was lying on the ground with Sara on top of him. She planted her hands on his chest and lifted up slightly to look in his eyes.

"Trying to take advantage of me, cowboy?"

He grinned. She was the only one who could call him that and get away with it. In fact he found it a major turn on when she used the nickname. "Well you're the one that's on top of me."

"So you don't plan on taking advantage of me?" She feigned disappointment.

"Well if that's what you want…" He sighed, pretending to be bored. However, in the blink of an eye he flipped them over and had her pinned down on the ground.

"How did you do that?"

"I'm stronger than you." He leaned down and kissed her deeply, taking control of the kiss.

"Mmm…" She licked her lips when he let go and looked at her with a triumphant smile on his face. She leaned up and kissed his nose. "Not now."

"Huh?"

"Not right here. I can't do it with horses watching in broad daylight." He chuckled. "Later, baby. We'll lock the bedroom door and have the entire night to ourselves."

"Hmm, I like that idea." He sat up and pulled her up to sit in his lap again. "You want that beer now?"

"Sure."

He opened the beers and handed her a bottle, and was rewarded with a peck on the lips.

"It's beautiful here." Sara told him as she admired the scenery.

"Yeah. I miss this in Vegas."

"I would say. Those bright neon lights aren't exactly picturesque. I'd take this any day." From where they were they could see the entire ranch, including the house, which was over on the other side of a hill.

"Yeah. But then, all my friends are in Vegas. And my girlfriend." He added with a grin.

"Well, I'm right here now. Unless you're talking about your other girlfriend." She raised an eyebrow.

"Yeah, well, she's in Vegas right now. But shh, Catherine doesn't know about me and you, okay?"

Sara's jaw dropped and she started smacking him on the arms and the chest as he laughed out loud. "That's not even funny!" She tried to yell in between her laughter. "You bastard!" He caught her fists against his chest and kissed her.

"You know I'm joking." He told her.

She pretended to huff, but as he caressed the back of her hand with his thumb she grinned. "You better be, or you'll be singing soprano." She looked down between his legs and back up to his eyes to make her point.

"Yes ma'am." He mock saluted her.

Sara rolled her eyes and cuddled up against him once more as they sipped on their drinks. "I love…this…" She bit her lip. She had almost let it slip. There was no doubt in her mind that she was now in love with Nick Stokes, but she wasn't ready to tell him, and she wasn't sure if he was ready to hear it."

"Hmm, I love it too." He had picked up on the pause, but decided not to say anything. He wanted to tell her that he had fallen hard for her and he was in love with her, but he wanted to wait until the time was right. He kissed her hair.

Suddenly, a low rumble in the distance made Sara look up at him, her eyes wide. "What was that?"

He shrugged. "Just a bit of thunder." He could sense her fear as she put her arms around his neck, pulling closer to him. Even though Sara had done a lot of things in the past few days that surprised him, this still threw him for a loop. It wasn't very often that she openly showed fear, but now she was clinging to him. "It's okay, babe. It was far away. Besides, we're safe here. We get it around here all the time."

"Just when I was starting to like Texas." She teased, trying to use a little humour to lighten the situation.

Nick chuckled. "It'll be alright. You wanna head back?"

"On that horse? Where I'd be the tallest thing around? No thanks."

"Okay, well how about you get on Bandit with me? I'm taller than you, especially when we're sitting. So if anyone gets hurt, it'll be me." He joked.

"Oh and that's supposed to make me feel better?" She raised an eyebrow. Just then, they heard another low rumble, this one louder than before. Smokey neighed and reared up on her hind legs. "What's with her?"

"She's just a little spooked. She's younger than Bandit." The larger and darker stallion just pawed at the ground as he ate out of the feedbag that Nick had tied around his nose.

"So I'm supposed to be riding on a spooked horse in the middle of thunder and rain!" Sara was starting to get even more nervous.

"Sar, calm down, it's okay." He rubbed her shoulders. "Smokey's young, I only broke her in last year. While she's a good slow, steady horse, she can get spooked. But she'll follow Bandit wherever he goes, so you just come with me on him and she'll follow us back. It's okay. The thunder and lighting is far off. You got nothing to worry about."

She sighed and looked up at him, his deep chocolaty brown eyes showing utmost sincerity. "Okay." She kissed him. "I guess I can trust my big strong hunk of a boyfriend to keep me safe." She teased.

Nick laughed at her. "Sar I know you can be quite strong and independent when you want to be, but I will protect you." He kissed her softly.

"I know you will." They traded several soft but innocent kisses. They both knew if they did anything more they would probably loose track of time and the world around them.

"We'd better get going if we want to beat the rain though." He could see the darker clouds way off in the distance.

"Alright." She stood up and took his hand as he got up. He grinned and kissed her before bending down to pick up the blanket and beer bottles. She made a quiet approving sound from behind him, and he stood back up to look at her. "It's nice… that's all." She said innocently. Nick laughed at her and kissed her lips before taking her hand as he led her to Bandit.

After helping Sara up into Bandit's saddle, Nick flung himself up onto the horse's back, hooking his feet into the stirrups. They shifted slightly until they were both comfortable, and he wrapped his arms around her and took the reigns. Smokey soon fell in line behind her father once Nick commanded her with a click of his tongue.

Sara leaned against her boyfriend as they rode silently up the path that led to the stables. Nick handed her the reigns and put his hands on her hips. "Just keep him on the path." He whispered before softly kissing her neck.

"Hmm…Nick…" She leaned back further to allow him easier access.

"Don't close your eyes." He knew she tended to do that whenever he did this. He mumbled against her skin, slowly licking and nipping along her throat.

"Ahh…" Nick shifted against her, and her eyes widened when she felt something distinct against her back. "Nick?"

"Mmm hmm?" He mumbled.

"Do you always get like this when you're riding?" Not that she minded.

"Only cause you're with me." He took his mouth off of her neck long enough to speak. "It's this rocking motion, I can only rub against you for so long before I get excited." He told her knowingly, not a bit ashamed or embarrassed about his body.

"Is that so?"

"You know it is."

"Well I'm just glad my body isn't as obvious as yours." He shifted against her, trying to get comfortable. "What--?"

"These jeans are tight." He sighed.

"Okay." She pulled the reigns, causing Bandit to stop walking. "Get down."

"What?" His mind was racing with possibilities of what she was going to do to him right there. This only made him more excited.

"You can't control yourself."

"Oh and you can?"

"Better than you." He nodded, he couldn't really fight her on that one. "Okay, so hop down."

"Why?"

"Just do it." He did as he was told and she moved back to make room for him in front of her. "You're getting in front of me."

"Okay." He tried not to show disappointment in the fact that he wasn't getting a surprise of some kind right there.

Once the two of them were comfortable, and Sara had her arms wrapped around his waist, they started moving again.

While Sara could control herself a lot more than Nick could, she was still very tempted. In this position she could really feel his muscular back and stomach. Her hands slowly made their way down to his ridiculously large belt buckle. Suddenly he gasped, his voice making a small squeak. "Sara?"

"Just…looking for the saddle horn…" She said innocently.

"Oh…you found it alright."

"It wasn't hard." He tried to look back at her. "To find." She added with a giggle.

"Just wait till I get you up in our room." He all but growled.

"I can't wait…cowboy." She kissed his ear.