A/N: Hey everyone, here is the next chapter. As I am currently on a job hunt in my new home the chapters may come a little slower than usual. For that I apologize but with everything that is going on at the moment my motivation is lacking a little. I'm still writing but I have been struggling a little to find the mojo required. Thanks, always, to mingsmommy, your words for the last few chapters have made me realize more than you know. Enjoy :)

Chapter 39

The couple walked hand in hand from the stable after Sara had changed and Dante happily trotted behind. Casually strolling to the exercise field, they stopped by the main gate and Grissom opened his arms in a sweeping gesture, indicating all that lay before them.

"I thought we would start here. It's nice, open and easier for you to try and earn some control and navigate the beast around."

"Beast?" she sniggered. "Are you trying to put me off?"

"No," he began, "but you need to remember, he isn't a pussy cat. You need to let him know who's in charge, otherwise…" He looked at Dante, "…he will seriously test you, get all his own way and more than likely throw you off."

Neighing loudly, Dante shook his head with enthusiasm.

"He is trying to deny it," Grissom sniggered, "but he can get rather moody if he doesn't get his own way and we really don't want that to happen."

"Just like his master?"

With his right brow rising, he glared at her, fighting his urge to grin at her remark. "I don't get moody," he responded.

Laughing lightly, Sara gave Dante a pat. "You don't?"

Her question was mocking him and he knew it, but he was in a good mood so, he was willing to give as good as he got. "No. I just always get my own way."

He didn't give Sara the opportunity to respond; quickly walking around to the opposite side of his horse to give him one more check over, he hid his grin as he went.

Pouting her lips she watched him. "You know I may just have to test that theory of yours sometime."

Peering over Dante's back with a heavy frown, he shrugged, "Theory?"

"Whether or not you get moody if you don't get your own way."

Rolling his eyes, he gave Dante a healthy but gentle slap on the back. "So, are you ready?"

"I am indeed," she responded on a giggle and stepped up to him.

"Alright, my boy," Grissom began looking his horse in the eye, "I'm going to help Sara board you. Be good, alright?" Although he knew Dante wouldn't purposely hurt Sara, he was still cautious. No other person had ridden the mustang apart from him.

Taking a step backwards, the horse turned his head to Sara and offered her a soft snort.

"He says he'll behave," the rancher remarked with a smile as he took his lady's hand.

"I certainly hope so," she laughed as Grissom turned her so that she stood by Dante's side and faced him.

Slipping his hands to her waist, he leaned forward and placed his chin on her shoulder. "Are you ready?"

Sucking in a deep and slightly nervous breath, she nodded. "As I will ever be I suppose."

"Alright," he began tightening his hold on her, "after three, yes?"

Nodding in acknowledgement, Sara slipped her hands to Dante's back and Grissom felt her stiffen in his grasp, preparing herself to be lifted. "One…two…three…" On the sounding of number three, he lifted and with incredible ease picked her up. With no trouble she swung her leg over the horse and within a few seconds was happily seated upon him.

Smiling contently, she stroked the top of the mustang's head, but he began to move backwards, only small steps but enough for Sara to shoot a glance to her teacher and lover.

"It's alright," he said, taking the reins to prevent Dante from moving any further. "He's just getting used to the feel of you. You are the first and only person to ever board him, apart from me."

"He seems much bigger once you're on him," Sara admitted, sounding a little anxious now.

Taking a pair of gloves from his pocket he held them up to her with a smile, but as she reached to take them he didn't let go. Looking her in the eye, "You can change your mind if you want to," he said softly. "Don't feel I'll think any less of you if you do. I told you, he is a beast."

Snorting, she pulled the gloves from his hand and slipped them on. "There isn't much I back down from, Gilbert Grissom, especially a horse, now…" She pulled the gloves tightly, "…are you coming or is this a solo ride?"

"Yes, Ma'am." He bowed his head, opened the gate to the field and walked behind Dante, taking several steps backwards. "I'm coming." With that said, he suddenly bolted forwards, jumped and launched himself aboard the horse.

Screeching in surprise as her lover landed rather heavily behind her, she turned her head and glared at him.

"What?" he asked innocently, the tiniest grin forming on his lips as Dante began to shuffle on his feet again; obviously the feeling of two riders upon him was very new.

"You could have given me some warning you were going to do that," she huffed.

Grinning, he snuggled closer in behind her and made a grab for the reins. "I told you I was coming, what other warning did you require, my dear?"

"Well I…hmmm…" Sara's reply broke as he pressed his body firmly into hers, slipping an arm around her waist to pull her back against him a little more, ensuring she was secure against him. He wanted her as close as possible should the unthinkable happen, "…you feel good," she eventually finished, tipping her head to brush her lips delicately over his.

"And so do you," he returned on a whisper, "but do we not have a horse to ride?"

Dante moved again as Grissom spoke and his master soon sensed his horse's impatience.

"He is getting a little irritated standing here; we should begin if you're ready."

Smiling, she turned to face dead ahead. "I'm ready," she announced, taking control of the reins.

"Then away you go; just take it nice and easy."

Nodding and exhaling a very audible breath, Sara lightly kicked the horse with both heels and off they trotted.

"Very good," Grissom commended as Dante happily plodded into the field, "but he usually behaves until you speed him up a little."

"Well," she began, "I'll do a few steady circuits, then we'll have to test whether that is true or not." She smirked and although Grissom couldn't see it, he was pretty certain she was grinning at him.

He sighed at the exquisite feeling of being so close to her again. The motion upon the horse, his body rubbing into hers with every step caused a sudden battle to control his desire for her, to take her, there, now. Not particularly practical at that point in time, which did aid his cause a tiny bit. He looked up to the sky and breathed in the afternoon air in an attempt to quash the lustful feelings stirring deep within him. His nostrils suddenly flared and he noticed how the sky was becoming rather grey. He sensed rain and although needed, it would have been rather inconvenient if it decided to fall now. They had some time, he was sure of it, so he returned his attention to his student, her body as well as her riding skills, he just couldn't help himself.

After several rounds of the field and with Dante behaving so far, Sara's confidence seemed to improve and she sped him up a little. "Do you think we can get out of the field now?" she asked.

"If you feel certain you can handle him in the open, then yes," he started, "just, don't go jumping over anything, alright?"

Peering over her shoulder to look at him she smiled. "I think I can manage to fight the urge to do that, for now."

Before Grissom could offer a response, she faced front again and kicked her heels harder into the side of their ride. "Yah!" she shouted and within a fraction of a second Dante had accelerated from a steady canter to a full grown gallop.

"Sara, be careful," Grissom warned, slipping an arm around her waist as they sped from the field towards the woodland.

"I will, I will," she grumbled. "Will you stop worrying and trust in my abilities?"

"Fine," he sighed as they entered the forest but he didn't relinquish his grip on her waist. He was keeping a firm hold on her, just in case.

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Grissom found himself pleasantly surprised in Sara's capabilities of guiding his mustang through the forest. She was much stronger than he'd anticipated and able to keep Dante running at a surprising speed as she navigated him through the trees. He was also rather astonished at Dante's cooperation. By no means had the horse been this obliging when he began to ride him.

They rode around for about twenty minutes before Sara pulled Dante up.

"Everything alright?" Grissom asked as Sara kinked her neck and sucked in a well needed breath.

"Fine," she replied a little breathlessly, turning her head so she could face him. "I just thought we could enjoy the scenery for a moment." She licked her lips. "Maybe it would have been a good idea for us to have brought some water, I'm feeling rather parched."

As Sara finished her words a sudden clap of thunder boomed from the sky, followed by a flash of lightening. The unexpected noise caused Dante to jump, as well as the two riders upon him.

"You may get your request," Grissom said swiftly making a sudden grab for the reins.

"What are you doing?" she asked refusing to release them.

Another burst of thunder came before he could respond and the horse suddenly bucked.

"Whoa! Whoa! Easy boy," the rancher attempted to soothe as he did all he could to prevent Dante from tipping both himself and Sara from his back. "He despises storms," he informed her on half a shout as more thunder came and the heavens suddenly opened. "We need to get home. Now. He needs shelter."

"Dear lord!" Sara shouted, looking up to the sky as the rain came. In a matter of seconds, they were already soaked.

"I need to take control," Grissom continued, "If he bucks again you will not be able to control him. He feels very, very unsafe right now and that's not a good thing."

As Sara nodded quickly, Grissom dismounted and she shuffled backwards allowing her teacher to take a boost from an old tree trunk and leap up onto the front.

"Easy, my friend," the rancher again spoke softly in an attempt to keep his horse calm. "Sara, hang onto me, we won't be hanging around and this could get rather bumpy."

Wiping her dripping hair from her eyes as the rain pelted down upon them she complied with haste and tightly secured her arms around his waist.

"Hold on!" he shouted and spurred his beast. Dante shot forward, causing a yelp of surprise to fall from Sara's mouth and she tightened her grip on her lover.

The ride back to the house was swift. Grissom masterfully directed his horse through the trees and any obstacle that got in their way, as well as keeping him under control through the claps of thunder which spooked him so much. It was quite a challenge on several occasions but the rancher used all of his strength and experience to keep the horse grounded and both himself and Sara on the animal's back.

"Almost there," he shouted through the storm as he felt Sara holding on for dear life, after another clap of thunder and yet another jump of panic from Dante.

Grissom spoke the truth as shortly afterwards they cleared the forest and rode back onto the estate. The rancher wasted no time and headed straight for the stable and after pulling Dante to a slow and cautious stop he quickly dismounted. Holding his arms out to Sara she was quick to swing herself over and accept the gesture. She slipped from Dante as quickly as possible and into his waiting arms.

"Are you well?" he asked his lover with concern, slipping his fingers to her face to wipe away the wet hair so he could get a good look at her features.

"I'm fine," Sara replied with a hearty smile. "Just not quite the ride I was expecting."

Returning her smile, Grissom turned his attention to Dante for a moment. "It's alright, my boy, we're home." He tenderly stroked his horse's nose before giving him a gentle pat on the back. "Let's get out of this rain shall we?"

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The couple ran hand in hand into the stable just as the storm died down and all that remained were tiny drops of rain falling from the sky. They were drenched, their clothing dripping forming tiny puddles of water at their feet but they laughed hysterically as they just about fell into the building. Dante trotted behind and headed straight for Pandora's stall and after a good shake he waited patiently as his riders struggled to control their giggling.

Finally, their eyes locked and their laughter faded. The only thing audible was the echo of their heavy breaths mingling through the air. It took mere seconds before Grissom lunged forward, cupped her face in his hands and devoured her mouth with his own.

Hot, desperate, passionate, the kiss seemed endless and as Grissom gloried at the sensation of her tongue tangling with his he caught the sight of Dante out of the corner of his eye, pining for his own lady. He slowly raised his hand behind him without breaking the kiss and unbolted Pandora's door. The instant her stall opened Dante turned on his heels and trotted back outside and the filly followed him in a flash.

Grinning into his love as the horses disappeared; the rancher slipped his arms around her waist, yanking her to him. They moaned simultaneously as their bodies roughly connected and Grissom found he was already well and truly aroused.

As their lips finally pulled apart, the couple gazed into each other's eyes.

"Do you…" Grissom began sucking in a needy breath, running his hands down her back to come to rest on her rear, "…have any idea what you do to me?"

Smiling softly, she placed her palm on his right cheek, her thumb gently brushing over his damp beard. With a ruffle of her nose she gave his wet lips another quick peck before offering her reply. "Probably…" she said as her wanton mouth brushed over his, "…the same thing that you do to me." Slipping her lips to his ear, she sucked gently on the lobe and he groaned. "I can feel it between my thighs, you make me burn there. I burn so badly it hurts. Make it stop…"

Upon her request, she pulled her head back and Grissom felt the urge to just slam her up against the wall, tear off her clothing and take her past that point of ecstasy that she so craved. But no matter how much he desired to do that, he knew he could not.

"We can not risk becoming one again," he whispered. "The possibility that you could conceive is just too dangerous, we can not take that chance." Tipping his head forward he rested his forehead upon hers and sighed.

"I know," she admitted. Tilting her head she kissed the tip of his nose and smiled. "But is that the only way we can love each other? I want to feel you and I want you to feel me." Licking her lips on a sly grin she again turned her attention to his ear lobe. "Touch me, Gil…taste me…teach me…"

Upon hearing her alluring plea, a short, low growl fell from his lips and the wicked thoughts he had experienced just a few moments before, about taking her right then and there returned with a vengeance. He craved to be inside her again but he knew at this point in time that wasn't a possibility, he just desired her way too much and knew he would not be able to control himself. He would just have to satisfy her in another way and he couldn't wait another moment to show her how.

Dipping his head forward he claimed her mouth in such an intense and powerful kiss it made his whole body tingle as she moaned deeply into his mouth. He slowly slid his hands down her back and they came to rest on her buttocks. After several delicious moments of squeezing the delightful softness through her bottoms he lifted her from the ground and with a cry of delight she wrapped her legs firmly around him. He carried her; the few short steps required to the small work bench by the wall and gently set her down.

As he placed her onto the wooden surface she made a sudden grab for his shirt. Her eager fingers desperately fumbling at the buttons in an enthusiastic attempt to remove the garment from his body.

"Would you…" he began but stopped, closing his eyes on a sigh as his shirt fell open and she ran her finger nails over his now exposed chest. Oh it felt good, heavenly even and his hands came to rest on her thighs as he enjoyed her attentions.

Smirking at him, "You were saying?" she asked as she continued to scrape her nails over his skin.

"I…" His eyes flicked open as he sucked in a deep intake of air, "…was going to ask if you would prefer to continue this in more comfortable surroundings."

"Not especially," she replied, sliding her hands down his body now to pull the shirt from his waistband. "That would just take too long and I want you now. Let's live a little, while we can, shall we?"

He smiled at her confidence. It most certainly was growing with each moment they spent together. But it was her desire, the plain and simple yearning she had for him that made him feel amazing. He was by no means special, he knew that. He was simply an ordinary man who had to work hard for every cent that he earned and for someone like Sara to actually want him, want to be with and love him, it made him feel like the richest man alive. She made him feel alive and he was prepared to give her whatever she wanted despite their current location…