Chapter 21

At 0945 AJ arrived at Sarah's quarters with his guard alongside him. She opened the door and saw he was dressed more casually than she'd ever seen him. He offered his arm to her as she dismissed his guard.

On the way to the holodeck she explained that their picnic lunch would be delivered to them whenever they were ready for it. AJ grinned and suggested that riding could build up quite an appetite.

"I'm sure I ordered enough food," she told him. "But if not we could always call for more."

"Good thinking," he answered.

They stopped for a minute at the door to the holodeck while AJ programmed in the information the computer would need to recreate his family ranch in Texas. When the door swished open Mac gasped, "It's breathtaking!"

"I'm glad you like it. I hope that when we get back to Earth, I'll be able to show you the real thing."

"Oh I'd like that!"

"Now, what skill level is your riding at so I can order the right mount for you?"

"Well since the computer can change the programming when requested why don't I start out easy and go from there?" she said with a self-depreciating grin.

AJ requested a gentle mount for her, and for him, one that would better suit his experience.

Before long Mac had increased the level of her mount three times and they were racing over the pastures together. They weren't racing each other though, because it was clear that AJ's skill and mount still far out classed hers. Even so, they enjoyed a wonderful morning of riding and after deciding to stop for lunch Mac took a moment to change the computer program to her favorite swimming hole.

Their lunch arrived and they sat out the picnic near the water. It was a peaceful setting and Mac thought they might even enjoy a nap there on the blanket after their swim. She had her swimsuit on under her riding clothes, but she was just as willing to go skinny-dipping with him if he was so inclined. The problem was, she wasn't quite sure how to discover his feelings about the matter.

"Sarah what's on your mind?" he asked gently.

"How did you know?"

"I can see something is troubling you and wanted to help if I could."

With a sigh she admitted, "I'm afraid I wasn't really troubled, I was just trying to find a way…to discover…damn! This is embarrassing!"

He reached out to her and tenderly took her hand in his. "You never have to be embarrassed to ask me anything. What is it you wanted to know?"

"After the way you were so understanding and considerate about my reasons for not inviting you in last night, I realized that I'd learned what I needed to know. Not that turning you away was meant to be a test, but I guess that deep inside I might have been thinking that all along. I want someone in my life that will respect me and last night you showed me that you do. So I…well…I…"

"Are you trying to say that you'd like us to make love now?"

"I had thought about that for after our swim, but what I was so clumsily trying to find out was if you wanted to wear suits to swim in or go without?"

"That is a hard choice," he told her with a smile. "You see the problem would be that if we were naked together, I doubt we'd get much swimming done. I would either be too busy drinking in your beauty, or you would be in my arms."

Mac sighed, both those alternatives sounded just fine to her, maybe they could compromise. "You know it's said that you should wait an hour after eating before going swimming, so if we were to adhere to that principle we have fifty-six minutes to fill."

"With thinking like that you could be a politician!" he laughed. Opening his arms to her he asked, "Sarah will you make love with me?"

"Mmmmm I like the way you worded that," she told him as she moved across the blanket and into his arms.

To be continued…..