I got home later than expected yesterday and didn't find time to update, so here I am. I hope this makes up for interrupting Jack and Sue's moment.

Enjoy!

Linny

Two Worlds

Chapter Twenty One

"Where's Sue?" Jack asked Bobby as nonchalantly as he could, though he knew his tone was not very convincing. He couldn't help but be a little worried about her. He'd gone to see her this morning only to discover that she'd been up since dawn.

He was helping Bobby acquire some firewood. They could smell rain in the morning air and they would need an abundance of dry kindling to last them for a day or so. The rains could be very unpredictable and could continue on for days.

Bobby examined the stick in his hand as if he was looking for imperfections in the bark, but he was really trying to avoid Jack's annoyed gaze. "Uh, she went off with Tara this morning. Wouldn't tell me where, though." The morning had been met with awkward silences between the two men and this was just another to add to the list. "Look, Jack, about last night..."

Jack held up his hand to silence his old friend. "Save your breath. It's all right," he said sincerely as his gaze finally met Bobby's.

"It's just... if I would have known..." He'd never meant to interrupt them last night, but he'd started calling for his friends before he could see them and by the time he did, it had been too late.

"Crash, enough," he urged, picking up another stick and shoving it into the pack slung over his shoulder. "You don't have to apologize, although I have to say you have really bad timing... really bad timing." A chuckle rumbled from deep within his chest and soon Bobby joined in. Patting his good friend on the back, Jack turned away and started down a shallow beaten path, collecting more wood on the way.

He ducked through a thick brush, knowing that the best pieces would have been tossed from the path for carriages and wagons to pass through. On the other side, he was greeted by a bright and colorful clearing that overlooked a stream of sparkling water. It must run straight through the hillside, he concluded when he noticed the water coming from nowhere. Kneeling down at the edge, he scooped up a handful and brought it to his mouth to drink. It was cool and refreshing and he went for another handful.

He halted when he heard the familiar, lazy snort of a horse. Slowly, he crept to the edge of the stream where it lowed down in a miniature waterfall. His heart was in his throat. Had the king's men already caught up to them?

He felt his body relax at the sight of the beautiful white mare lazily laying at the edge of the water, letting whatever visible rays of sun to warm her still tired flesh. Stargazer. Which meant Sue wasn't too far away. His eyes traveled the land, but he caught no sight of her. Yet, what he did see made a large lump form in his throat and his heart pound with the frantic beating of war drums.

Her dress lay strewn about on the shore, her damp undergarments lying beside it, allowing the humid breeze to dry them. He wiped his suddenly sweaty hands upon his pant leg and carefully leaned over the side.

His breath felt like it had been thrust from his lungs and his knees felt too weak to hold him upright. There she was, under the fall of the water, her skin bare to the rest of the world, though his eyes were the only ones to see her pure and natural beauty. This spot was very well hidden from view and a part of Jack thanked his lucky stars for stumbling upon it, while the other part chastised himself for looking upon her without permission.

She was just as beautiful as he'd imagined. Her body was a flawless piece of art; every curve was perfectly proportioned and in the correct places. Her contours looked even more delectable than the curves themselves. He ached to know what it would feel like to run his hand upon him, his lips coursing across her entire body while he discovered those special spots that could drive her wild.

Jack's mouth felt dry as he watched the droplets of water trailing down her body, between the valley of her breasts, caressing places that he'd only dreamed of touching. His dreams would be no comparison to the real thing, though. To have the real Sue in his arms, to make her his in heart, mind, soul, and body... it would feel like he'd gone to Heaven and back.

Oblivious to her audience, she turned under the spray of water and let the rivulets run down her back, the water giving enough pressure to aching muscles she hadn't even known she had. When Tara had suggested this, Sue had looked at her friend as if she'd gone crazy. She'd never bathed in public before, but then she saw the vast clearing and the small opening in the rock wall where this miracle of nature happened to it. It was just what she'd needed to start the day afresh.

Wringing her hair, she waded to the shore where she promptly began to dress. Her undergarments were still damp, but dry enough to wear, she concluded as she made quick work of the ties before slipping into her dress.

Jack had dropped closer to the ground, just in case she happened to look up and then quickly began thinking of excuses as to why he'd been watching her bathe. He couldn't think of a single one that she would actually believe, even the truth seemed farfetched right this moment.

He could just imagine her embarrassment when she discovered that her private wash hadn't been so private after all. She'd probably hit him again and the first time hurt bad enough.

No, he couldn't risk it. The moment he was certain she wouldn't turn around, he sprang to his feet and hurried back the way he came.

Tara smiled at Sue when she saw the other woman climbing from her horse, looking much more refreshed now that she was clean. "You're looking better," she commented with a smile as she dumped the dirty breakfast dishes into a large wash basin settled over a low fire to keep the water warm.

"I'm feeling better," she nodded with a content sigh. "You were right. That did feel good."

"Nature's magic at work."

"Do you want a hand?" Sue asked as she pointed to the large basin filled to the brim with dirty plates and utensils. As a young girl she'd helped in the kitchens of the palace once or twice and made certain to continue doing so to this day. Even when she would be queen, she would make certain to have enough time to assist. That is, if she ever decided to return.

"Yeah, that would be great." Tara smiled as Sue rolled up her sleeves like a professional and dug right into the bubbly water. "So, how did it go with Jack last night?"

Sue instantly blushed at the question. It had been on of the most wonderful nights of her life. Being held in such a gentle embrace was everything she'd dreamed of and more. It had been almost perfect.

She didn't get a chance to explain how Bobby had decided to interrupt them at the wrong moment. Jack and Bobby chose that exact moment to ride passed them, their wood packs full. Sue's attention was diverted instantly to Jack. Her cheeks flushed an even darker shade, presenting a beautiful glow about her skin, her pulse pounded quickly through her veins, her mouth was suddenly dry and it was difficult to breathe. They were all the symptoms she'd been told to expect when she found love.

"Hi, Jack," she greeted cheerfully, but didn't receive the same treatment as she'd expected. A dark pink infused his cheeks as he only glanced at her for a moment before giving a slight nod and nudging Quickshot into a gallop.

She frowned in confusion at Tara who merely shrugged her shoulders. She was just as puzzled as Sue. Her attention turned to her husband who couldn't hide the mischievous glint in his eyes nor the slight quirk to his lips. Placing her hands on her hips as she frowned at him, she asked, "What did you do?" A smile finally curled at his lips and that was all the answer she received. Tongue in cheek, she excused herself before following him to the wood shed.

He placed both his pack and Jack's into the small enclosure, along with a third he'd strapped to his saddle. A gentle wind blew and he caught Tara's scent on the tail end. She was most likely standing right behind him with that familiar stern glare upon her beautiful face. He chuckled to himself and turned. "Now, before you get all huffy, Luv, don't look at me like I did anything wrong."

"Bobby Manning, what did you do?" she chastised with her hands planted firmly upon her hips. "Sue's finally trusting Jack and now he can barely... oh, God, you didn't!" Her eyes went wide and a gasp escaped her as she covered her mouth with her hand. She was greeted by an even cheekier grin from Bobby for which he was slapped on the arm for.

"Ow! What was that for?"

"I know what you did and if Sue finds out, do you realize how embarrassed she'd be?" If she'd been in the same position, she knew she would be... then again, she had been in that same position before.

"Well," he crooned as is arms snaked around her small waist and pulled her close, "I seem to remember you enjoying it when I did it." He was pleased when a rosy tint graced her soft, feminine cheeks.

"Yes," she agreed shakily as she stared up into those gorgeous green pools she could just stare into for hours and know without words how much he loved and desired her. He'd been the first man to ever make her feel like a real woman and she would never take back any of their early encounters if given the option. She wasn't sure what Sue would do if she ever found out. "But, I seem to remember you pushing me into the stream." She poked him playfully in the chest, her lower lip being captured between her teeth as she gave a saucy wink.

He groaned softly at her less than innocent gesture and lightly covered her lips with his, savoring the familiar, yet thrilling taste of his wife. That, mixed with the memory of seeing her standing under that familiar spray of water as he made love to her brought ideas into his head. Ideas he was sure she couldn't argue with.

"What can I say? I saw an opportunity and I took it... In fact..." he deliberately left his statement open-ended and gave a sly waggle of his eyebrows.

"Later," she promised with a suggestive wink and a sexy little giggle. A thought struck her suddenly and she was too curious to not ask the question that had come to mind. "Why did you do it anyway?" She had never understood it, but felt so incredibly loved on that day when he kissed her for the first time underneath that waterfall and under which they celebrated a few more firsts together.

He smiled as he lightly brushed his lips against hers in a easing manner, pleased when she whimpered for more contact and even leaned into him in search of it. "That's my little secret, Luv," he finished playfully as he gently flicked her on the nose and walked away. He'd only gone a few feet before turning to her again. She couldn't help but look up hopefully, wishing he would kiss her with all the passion and desire she'd witnessed flash behind his eyes like a heated summer thunderstorm. "So, are we on for tonight?" His eyebrows waggled suggestively again.

She rolled her eyes in exasperation. That man had only one thing on his mind, but when he looked at her like he just had and gently teased her with his lips, she found her mind wandering to those same thoughts. "I'll... think about it," she replied saucily before walking back to Sue and the wash basin, sashaying her hips seductively as she did.

Sue giggled at her antics, having been able to only catch bits and pieces of their conversation. Bobby was staring at Tara's behind, his eyes moving left and right, following Tara's hips in the same rhythm. She sighed softly. She wanted what they had; an everlasting love that nothing in this world could destroy. The feeling of knowing that her heart truly belonged to someone and she didn't want it with just anyone. She knew deep down that the only man she could ever have that with was Jack.

Nudging Tara lightly on the arm with a dry elbow, she waited for her friend's hazy gaze to settle on her before asking in a hushed tone, "Can you teach me how to do that?"