Matthew sat out on the balcony. The sun was intimidatingly bright in the deep azure blue sky.

He approved of December in Las Vegas.

He could most certainly not complain about the two-story penthouse villa Michael Morton's company had booked for his three-week stint. He was to give three lecture seminars over consecutive week ends with a special list of Morton's agents and clients interested in the European markets.

The rest of the time was his own. He intended to travel around the West coast of North America to investigate real estate potential for some of his own clients as well as his own interests. He hoped to take a hop to Canada as well as he knew of some investment prospects in Vancouver.

He wished Mary could spare some time away from her business to spend at least part of the three weeks with him. But she was not sure. She'd see as he settled in for the long stay in North America.

He pulled up his sun shades and leaned back in the cushioned chair.

…..

They had managed to see each other for the week end at the Berkshire Horse Trials. His divorce absolute decreed, he traveled a day later to meet Mary at the B&B near Windsor. The meeting with Robert had disconcerted him and the conversation with his mother had sobered him. He knew at some point in the near future he would have to ask whether Robert took his advice and spoke with Mary about this land sale her father projected. And broach the subject of meeting his mother.

But not quite now.

He just wanted to enjoy their first week end as a couple.

She was already at the Trials with Jerry and the horses. He was to meet her there after putting his bags at the bed and breakfast. The room was spacious and looked out onto the Berkshire countryside. He loved not having to be secret about their relationship and hide out at Downton. They had come clean to her sisters and his mother. Her parents would know soon enough. Probably after his trip to Vegas when they could make decisions about their future.

What would that be? He had no idea. It was insane he knew that he was already considering marriage and a family with Mary. Would that freak her out? It was the last thing he wanted to do. But it was what was most present in his mind. He smiled at the very outrageousness of that dream.

He knew her career was uppermost as it should be for Mary. And he would do whatever she wanted with regards to living arrangements and marital state. As he was just divorced it would be foolish to rush into anything.

They needed to take time. Get to know each other. Live in the moment.

He'd start right now.

Throwing his bag onto the bed in their room, he changed into jeans and a light jacket and retrieved his keys. Drove over to the estate grounds where the horse trials were being held and parked in the lot. He felt an excitement build inside him as he got his badge and walked inside to the find his way to the viewing stands at the showing jumping competition.

This was his future. And he could not wait to cheer Mary on.

XX

Jellybean felt spirited under Mary's reins as she guided the horse to her position. The mare knew the competition was on. Sensing the vibe in the stable yard the horse was ready to go. Her hooves jogged in place. Her ears pricked up taking in all the sounds of the yard and the crowd.

Mary received Matthew's text that he had arrived and was in the stands. Love you. Such good luck.

She mounted her horse confidently.

It was a crisp December day. Mary never felt better, surprising even herself given the disappointment of Anna Smith's deferment of coaching her. Matthew's presence calmed and centered Mary in a way she would never have expected.

She would give it her best.

Jellybean snorted and reared her head. She was ready to go as well. The horse pranced as Mary awaited her turn. She walked her around to calm the horses' nerves.

The competitor ahead of her had deducted points for three missed rails and a time deduction. Mary had decided to concentrate on just the show jumping for these Trials rather than the entire three-day event. She still felt weak in dressage and would use time this winter and following spring to work out the details of the precise choreography the format demanded. Cross country would also wait for another day. She wasn't feeling her best, not sure the early chill in the air wasn't playing havoc with her health.

Her media support team in Downton Village had encouraged Mary to start a blog about Downton Stables and her own personal competitive goals. Processing the mistakes as well as the successes had helped Mary focus her mind and give attention to every detail. It had also brought in revenue through advertisers and connections to local businesses who bought space on the blog.

She had finished up the post regarding her arrival at Windsor and prep for the competition. Earlier that morning she and Jellybean had tracked the course of jumps and working out the height levels of the jumps. Writing that she felt confident about their potential for a win, Mary finished the blog article with a picture of the horse being groomed and plaited.

Her name was called, she guided Jellybean to the start. A whistle of support from the crowd. Was that Matthew, she mused.

The first jump on the course was a two-rail vertical. She correctly counted out the necessary strides between the start of the course and the jump and Jellybean cleared.

The next were a series of two oxers which were tricky but the horse did not faulter. Anna had said that Jellybean was a great scoping jumper, sensing the rise and fall of Mary in the saddle as well as the height needed to clear the rails. She touched Jellybean's neck with her stick to prompt her forward.

Mary's eyes focused on the next jumps. A wall and another two-series combination followed by a water pool. Jellybean bobbled coming out of the water but she kept her stability and they moved on. Striding confidently past the next set of 5'3" towards the highest jump on the course, the 6' triple bar. Mary bit the side of her mouth as she coaxed the horse around the bend.

She cleared it but felt the horse initially hesitate, thus perhaps losing some time. Another water jump and another series of combinations and she was done.

Across the finish in 42.65 seconds, she could not have asked for more from the mare. Giving the horse a couple of friendly slaps across her shoulders and rising in the stirrups as she moved out of the way of the other riders, Mary was happy.

She dismounted and guided the Bean back to her stall. Jerry was there to cool down the mare.

"Good ride Mary." He said, clicking his tongue and patting the horse. "Jellybean cleared all the rails."

"She was terrific." Mary was beaming as she took off her helmet. "I thought she was a bit hesitant at the water, and bobbled after but she kept her stride and kept going."

"Good time, though. You might just win." Jerry got out his brush and started his work.

"We'll see." Her eyebrows flickered. "Tom Burleson is up now." And she stepped out to watch as Tom cleared the water in two strides.

Where was Matthew? She looked around and saw him walking towards her, a matching grin on his face.

"Darling." He kissed her cheek lightly. "You were marvelous. Jellybean cleared everything. I don't think I've ever been more tense watching something."

Mary's cheeks were still flushed from the ride. Matthew could not keep his eyes off her. His hands rubbed her arms up and down. He kissed her lips. The smells of horse and sweat filled his nostrils.

"I must look a fright." Mary pulled back, pushing some stray hairs behind her ears.

"Atrocious." Matthew retorted cheekily. "Can hardly stand to look at you."

They both chuckled as he hugged her, clasping her hands after as he didn't want to let go.

"When will we know if you've won?"

Mary noted Burleson's time was slightly behind hers. A confident smirk flashed across her face. One of hope. Of anticipation. "After about five more competitors."

"I'll leave you to it then." Matthew said, "I know you have tasks to do." And he let go of her hand.

"Meet you in about forty-five minutes. I just need to make sure the Bean has settled down. I'm sure Jerry has it well in hand." Mary glanced as the next competitor was called.

"But you just want to make sure." Matthew pursed his lips in approval. They were both the same in that. "I'll meet you later then."

Mary turned back towards the stalls and Matthew returned to the viewing stand. He could hardly hold a normal breath during the rest of the competition. All the riders were so good. The horses sharp. He kept an eye on all the times. Mary was still on top.

And at the end she won.

"Brilliant." He muttered under his breath. "Good going." She'll be thrilled, he thought as he made his way over to the winner's circle.

Mary received her blue ribbon and a silver plate that would later be engraved with Mary's name. She looked cool and under control as she accepted the award and the applause. Her eyes darted around the edge of the crowd to see Matthew catch her eye. He held up his mobile and snapped a couple of photos for her blog and for their own private memories.

Later she received the congratulations from the Berkshire Horse Trials president. They were both invited to the winner's table at dinner later that night. After Mary saw Jerry off back to Downton with Jellybean, she met Matthew back at the bed and breakfast to celebrate and get ready for the awards dinner.

He was rummaging through his overnight bag, finding his shaving kit.

Mary threw herself on the bed, reaching out her arms to embrace him as he leaned his knee over the edge of the bed, and pushed off his leg towards her.

"I need to get a shower." She groaned as his arms snaked around her.

"Not now." His nose tickled her neckline. He snuggled up close, his nose making his way across her cheek, his lips brushing. "Later…"

"Later eh?" Her nose skimmed along the ridge of his.

"Hmmmm…." His voice whispered deeply. "Later…"

Their lips met. Crashing. Soft. Concentrated.

"I want to take my time…" Matthew's hand released the buttons of her jacket. Then her blouse. She lifted up so he could unhook her brassiere. She groaned into his mouth as his tongue played with her palette.

His hands came alongside her face and clasped his fingers through her thick hair. He entangled his fingers around her tresses, losing control and pushing her more heavily and deeply towards him. His lips hurt and felt bruised as her teeth gnashed against his and her tongue thrust deeper and deeper down his throat.

His hands roamed under the blouse until he felt each nipple rise to his touch. Her moans increased in pleasure as he squeezed and tugged, cupping the breast. They swayed under his touch, making him even more in need of possessing her.

His mouth down deep on hers, his tongue pushing its way towards her throat. Mary arched her back and pulled forward pulling him down on top of her. She heaved his shirt loose from his jeans and then fumbled with the zipper. She jerked the jeans and boxer briefs down his arse cheeks. Her hands then squeezed and kneaded each in time to his driving actions down onto her mouth. The harder he pushed his tongue down her throat, the more she put pressure and pushed him towards her. She shoved her fingernails in. Dug in. The redness making streaks in his skin.

Mary felt his hard shaft press against her jodhpurs. She reached down to possessively stroke his enlarged member between her fingers. His eyes rolled back of his head at the pressure she gave his arousal.

"You know…" He lifted his head to speak hoarsely in her ear. "Those …those riding breeches are very…" His words paused. "…very tight."

She flashed a slow smile. "Would you like to take them off?"

"God yes." She felt the heat of his breath as he spoke the words. He pushed himself reluctantly off her body, but began to unzip and unbutton the leggings. He slid his hands inside, his fingers traveling down her inner thigh and touching her as his mouth once again traveled to her mouth. Their motions became one as she met his rhythm touching her in all the right places.

Her body freed they intertwined limbs and mouths and tongues. He mounted her and thrust inside. She wrapped her legs around his backside and shoved him in deeper so that she could feel him all the way up. Her grunts met his own in staccato bursts.

He looked down at her, her skin slick. She teased him, curling around him to get better balance. They rhythmically moved in time. They claimed each other.

Possessed each other.

Body and soul.

"Take me." She demanded in his ear, "Fuck me hard. You do know how?" She teased, nipping his lower lip. She pulled it out and sucked it into her mouth. The pressure made him move down even harder on her lips. He felt her skin, hot and sweaty. She squealed out in surprise as his body's weight came down onto hers. "Is this better…" His voice, gravelly and demanding. His body thrust upwards into hers. She shuddered in ecstasy. Clutching at his sweaty arms, her fingernails dug into his skin.

"Yes…Yes…" screaming, it was all she could utter as her mind turned off to everything but the waves of sensuous pleasure coursing through her body.

His body was so taut, so hard. Their tongues tasted the other's salty breath. Their bodies slid and jerked in purposeful and yet erratic movements to please and pleasure each other.

Their breaths ragged and short, their skin hot, their need powerless to stop, she enjoyed the spiked groan of desire that erupted from her mouth. "Oh…Oh..,yes. God yes Matthew." His own hips buckled and his head rolled side to side and his arms kept his weight atop hers, even as the muscles were visibly twitching under the skin. He stiffened and thrust one last time and shuddered in spent passion.

It was all. Everything.

They were finally together.

Matthew lay down beside her. Mary's hands still shaking she pulled herself close to him. He kissed her hair, felt it tickle.

"I love you my darling, so very very much."

She never wanted to let go.

XX

Matthew remembered every moment of that love making.

He wanted Mary here with him in Vegas so bad. What was the point in being in Sin City without the woman who made all his sinful dreams possible?

His erotic reverie was broken up by the buzz of his mobile.

It was as if Mary read his thoughts.

He answered. "Hello. I was just thinking about you." His voice sounding as wicked as his thoughts.

Mary loved hearing that tone. "Darling. I think I'll be able to make the trip after all." But then she paused making Matthew worry.

"Is something wrong?" He sat up in the deck chair.

"No." But she wasn't convincing him.

"Not wrong exactly." Her voice crackled from across the international time zones. "As a matter of fact it could be very very the opposite." Mary was being evasive.

Unsure still, Matthew asked, "May I know what you mean?"

"I'll tell you when I get there." She would say no more. "I don't want to talk about it until we're together."

He glanced at his watch. It was 4pm Las Vegas time, meaning it was just past midnight in London.

"I'll meet you at the airport?" He asked, thinking he could if the timing was right.

"No. I can't get an immediate flight. You will be in the middle of your sessions by the time I'm landing. I will find my way to the Aria and meet you in your rooms." Matthew had texted her his information earlier upon his arrival.

"I can't wait to see you."

She clicked off without saying another word, leaving Matthew to put the phone up his mouth in consternation.

What could be so important to tell him, she was flying in and leaving her business obligations?

All speculation would have to wait, however. He had to prep for his presentations tomorrow as well as get ready to meet Michael and some of his clients for dinner that very night.

Putting on his suit after taking a shower, Matthew was still trying to work out what possible information Mary had to divulge.

Had Robert finally talked to her?

Let her in on his secrets? His affair? Her half-brother?

Or was it something else entirely?

He could not work it out.

XX

Hope you like it!

It's a bit of a tease perhaps. But this chapter didn't fit well in either the one before or the one after. So here it is! A little mid-week treat I hope!