8.

Scotty awakened on his third day of shore leave to the sound of rain falling lightly against the roof of the bungalow. After their shopping expedition the day before, they picnicked on the beach, built an enormous sandcastle and sat and watched as the tide washed it away. They played in the surf as the sun went down and made love in the shower before they drifted off to sleep together in bed. They couldn't have asked for a better vacation.

Blinking, Scotty registered his surroundings, the contemporary bedroom; the warmth of Heather's back pressed against his chest. He lay quietly with his arm draped over her hip, wondering if she were awake. The slow steady rhythm of her breathing didn't change but eventually she took his hand and drew it up across her chest and held it there. He felt her heart beat under his hand and felt his own heart skip a beat with the realization that he could possibly be falling in love with her.

Gently he settled in closer and rested his face against her hair. Scotty tried to remember if there had ever been another time in his life when he felt this content to be still and quiet. No, he decided. Nothing in his memories even came close. Was that love? He wasn't sure about that yet.

They watched the rain run down the windows in silence until she sighed. Scotty murmured, "Ye like the rain?"

"Yes," she answered quietly.

"Even if it ruins yer plans for today?"

Heather nodded. "I'm glad it's raining. We never have days like this on the ship."

"Yer right about that." He kissed the tender juncture of her shoulder and neck and she shivered, scooting closer to his warmth. He drew the covers up, covering her bare shoulder and gave her a slight squeeze. "Some things are just made for rainy days."

"Yeah, like reading."

"Or sleeping in," he added.

"Or this."

"Definitely this." Heather turned in his arms and snuggled against his chest. "I say, we stay here until it stops raining. And if it rains all day, then we stay here all day."

The rain continued beating steady against the bungalow as Scotty considered her suggestion. He took her hand and kissed it, fingering the bracelet on her wrist. Her breath was warm against his neck. Her familiar scent was all around him, slightly floral and clean. Her hand moved over his hair and down his back in one long stroke. That was all it took to get him to agree with her. "Mmmmm….I think I like that idea, Heather."

"I knew you would.

He let her explore him at will, while his skin turned feverish and his breath came more rapidly. Heather spread her fingers wide and let them trail over his hips and thighs. She brought her hands up to his groin, fondling him, stroking him, gripping the length of him.

Scotty rolled to his back to allow her access and she slid her leg over his hips to straddle him.

His breath caught as he felt her hand slip between their hips and guided him into her body. His entire body prickled with excitement. Heather made a satisfied moan, her eyes closing as she seemed to concentrate on taking him deeper. She was so snug and warm it almost took his breath away. And then came the slow wonderful slide of hardness in softness.

Scotty watched her carefully find and sustain a rhythm, her body lifting and settling over his. He gripped her hips and tilted his own, adjusting the angle between them. He knew she felt the difference when she gasped. "Oh," she breathed sharply. "That's good."

He was mesmerized with the power she had over him as she used her body to pleasure him. The warmth of her thighs pressed against his contrasted with the coolness of her hand on his chest. He truly was in Paradise.

Reaching up for her, he drew her down. "Kiss me," he pleaded in a whisper, guiding her lips to his, slowly exploring her mouth with his tongue.

Heather shuddered with her release, her hips grinding against his as she took him fully. Scotty gave himself up, catching her rhythm and riding it. His breath stopped on a groan, letting her pull his climax from him in a great surge.

Heather relaxed over him and he ran his hands down her sweat dampened back, his fingertips gently traveling to her bottom.

She lifted away from him to move off the bed. "I have to get up," she said huskily.

Scotty caught her by the arm and pulled her back down, pinning her to the bed. "Ye said we could stay in bed all day and don't think I haven't forgotten that ye still owe me for that excursion ye made me submit to yesterday…."

"Scotty," she cut him off. 'I have to pee like a Russian racehorse and you're starving."

Scotty opened his mouth to protest just as his stomach let out a loud growl. Heather giggled.

He rolled off her and let her up listing his demands as she ran for the bathroom. "I want breakfast in bed….and then I'll have you for breakfast in bed….and then I want another foot rub since ye about walked me legs off yesterday…"

"You're a pain in the ass, you know that?" He heard her shout from the bathroom.

Scotty leaned back in the pillows, resting his head on his arm and shouted back, "As if ye would have me any other way!"

To: Scott, Montgomery J. ENS SFC NCC 864/ ENG

Sent: 13 July, 2246 8:03 AM

From: Weiss, Heather L. ENS SFC NCC 864/BS

Subject: Thank you

Scotty,

Just wanted to let you know once again how much I enjoyed our leave time together.

Thank you for sharing it with me and thank you for the bracelet. I will treasure it always

Affectionately Yours,

Sandi Fajina

To: Weiss, Heather L. ENS SFC NCC 864/BS

Sent: 13 July, 2246 8:15 AM

From: Scott, Montgomery J. ENS SFC NCC 864/ENG

Subject: RE: Thank you

Dearest Sandi,

The pleasure was all mine.

Always,

Sunny Backside