Summer Down Under

by Pensy, Alison

  “May I?” Daniel asked.

  Sam looked into his eyes. They were full of nothing but kindness and desire. Desire for her. He was asking her permission to continue. She felt no pressure, none at all. Sam could stop it right there if she wanted to, and she knew he would be fine with it.

  Sam examined her feelings and was overjoyed at the lack of fear, which usually resided in the pit of her belly. What replaced it was just an aching need to be touched by the incredible man standing before her. Her whole body was screaming at her to allow him to have his fingers explore her entire being. A smile crept across her face at the sudden realization that she felt completely relaxed in Daniel’s hands. She nodded.

  His fingers deftly worked the clasp of her bra. Within seconds, it was loose. He dragged his fingers around her sides, leaving her skin tingling in their wake. He slid his hands under the thin cotton that was no longer supporting their charges. Daniel’s hands cupped her breasts and she arched her back in response, the sensation prompting a moan of pleasure. His thumbs brushed over her nipples, and they hardened at his touch.

  He moved his hands up and slid them under the straps, pulling Sam’s bra off in one swift move. He let it fall to the floor of the tub.

  Daniel pulled back slightly, his gaze rested on her breasts for just a moment, not wanting to risk making her feel uncomfortable. The look in his eyes was still full of desire and approval. Maybe Sam wasn’t as repulsive as she had been led to believe. Relief filled her heart. He moved closer causing Sam’s breasts to brush against his smooth chest, making them tingle with joy at just the feel of Daniel’s skin next to hers.

  “One more piece to go,” he whispered in her ear. “May I?”

  “Uh-huh,” was all she could manage to squeak in agreement. The blood from her brain quite obviously servicing other parts of her body now.

  Sam felt his hands slip under the plain white cotton of her underwear on either side of her hips, and with a similar movement to how he removed her jeans, he worked his hands down taking the rest of him with them. He paused as his face reached her chest taking a nipple into his hot moist mouth, dancing it around his tongue for a second before releasing it. Sam nearly fell over, the sensation was so intense. She ran her hands through his hair and grabbed hold, trying desperately to steady herself.

  Not wanting to leave the other one out, Daniel kissed a trail across to the other side and gave her other nipple the same attention. She had never before realized that her breasts had it in them to feel that good, but then they’d never had that much attention paid to them before now, either.

  Before Sam knew it, her underwear was pooled at her feet. She stepped out of them kicking them away. Daniel moved up her body savoring every curve, of which there were plenty. At that moment, realization hit her that she was, in fact, standing stark naked. The familiar uneasy feeling started coursing through her veins.

  “Oh, God,” she whispered under her breath and took a step back, wrapping one arm over her chest and the other hand over her dark curls, in a futile attempt to cover herself up. Daniel noticed the look of anxiety spreading across Sam’s face. Instead of looking worried, like he used to when she was frightened, his expression became even softer, if that were possible.

  This time, he knew why she was so scared. He knew what kind of demon was lurking inside that pretty head of hers and had a very good strategy to deal with it, as she was about to find out.

  Daniel stepped closer to her, cupping her face again. He looked her straight in the eyes and let her see all the love that was pooling in his. He could see the shine of tears prick behind her eyes and force their way forward.

  “Oh, no, you don’t,” he said softly to her eyes, leaning down and kissing each one in turn. Forbidding the tears to proceed any further.

  “Sam, it’s alright, sweetheart,” he whispered. “Don’t panic, you’re quite safe with me.” To reassure her, he covered her face with tender kisses.

  “You, you don’t think I’m fat?” Sam asked, terrified of what his response may be.

  Daniel’s brow furrowed at her question. “No, of course not,” he said. “You have curves, Sam. You’re a woman; you’re supposed to have curves.”

  “Really?” Sam said, tentatively.

  “Really. Anyway, I prefer rounded edges and soft curves,” Daniel murmured, skimming her body with satisfied eyes before pulling her into a tender embrace. “And your curves fit me perfectly, see,” he purred.

  Sam closed her eyes. She was officially in heaven, she had never been held so tenderly before. Daniel was right, she did fit him perfectly. Her soft curves molding against his hard plains as if they had always belonged there.

  They stood in the shower for the longest time. The warm water cascading over their bodies like a waterfall over smooth boulders. Sam suddenly had the urge to wash him. The notion came out of nowhere and took her quite by surprise.

  “Can I wash you?” Sam asked, expecting him to say no.

  “Will you let me wash you back?” Daniel answered her question with one of his own.

  Ooh, she hadn’t expected that reply. “Um, I guess,” she replied.

  “Then, be my guest,” he said a hint of triumph in his voice. “I’m all yours.”

  Sam leaned over and grabbed the washcloth and soap. After getting a good lather going, she gestured for him to turn around.

  “I want to start on your back first,” she stated.

  He smiled, gave her a nod of approval and obligingly turned to face in the opposite direction. Sam enjoyed herself washing every inch of his body. Parts of it still reacting to her touch even though she was doing something quite perfunctory. When she had finished, it amazed her that he was still so aroused. She gave it a little pat, now that it was all clean. Daniel jumped at her touch, garnering him a chuckle.

  “Your turn,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eye. He grabbed the washcloth from her and picked up the soap. He languished her with soapy circles all over, not leaving an inch uncovered. Sam pondered that it felt odd that such a routine task would feel so intimate when performed by someone other than yourself.

  “All clean,” Daniel announced when he had finished rinsing off every last soap sud from her skin.

  “Thank you,” Sam whispered. “And not a moment too soon, the water is starting to go cold.”

  The old taps squeaked in protest as Daniel turned them off. He turned back to Sam. For a moment, they stood looking at each other with unspoken longing. Sam was unsure of what to do next, but didn’t need to think any further on the subject when Daniel’s mouth swooped down and possessed hers. The tender kisses from before were replaced by raw hot passion. Sam wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned into him, opening herself up to him, enjoying the desire rising within her. Daniel’s hands roamed all over her body, searching, exploring. She dug her fingers in his hair, the passion igniting fires all over her bare skin.

  Without warning, he placed his hands under her bottom and scooped her up until she had her legs wrapped around his waist. They were still kissing as he stepped out of the shower, carrying her down the hall to his bedroom. Daniel pressed Sam up against his closed door, and she fumbled blindly for the doorknob, never once parting her lips from his.

  Finding it, she wiggled a little dance of victory on his hips, garnering her another deep-throated growl. They almost fell through the door, such was Daniel’s impatience to get inside his room. He carried Sam to his bed and leaned over to lay her down on the soft cotton comforter. They were still soaking wet, but neither seemed to notice. As Daniel pulled away from her, Sam could see his skin glisten in the glow cast from the light in the hallway. His eyes burned with a passion more intense than she had ever seen before. He kneeled astride her, took hold of her hands and placed them above her head.

  “I am going to love you like you have never been loved before.” His voice was like velvet, caressing her skin.

  Sam’s body shuddered with excitement at the mere words.

  He let
go of her hands. She left them where they were as he slid his fingers down the inside of her arms and along the sides of her torso. His head was above her chest and he took each pert nipple in his mouth one at a time. She squirmed beneath him, the pleasure increasing with every lick, every touch. After paying homage to her breasts, he laid a trail of kisses, snaking a path down to her belly button, skimming his fingers down either side of her waist, as he did. Her muscles danced beneath his touch. He moved down the bed and with one swift movement he pushed her thighs apart and settled between her legs. Without warning, he bent over and caressed the very center of her being with his tongue. Sam sucked in a breath. Her body bucked beneath him. A fleeting feeling of shock and embarrassment skittered over her, but was quickly pushed away by the sheer intensity of the sensations Daniel’s tongue was creating.

  “Oh, God,” Sam groaned. She had never felt anything like this before. She grabbed the comforter either side of her and clenched it in her hands. Within minutes, the powerful wave of tension and contractions that was building up in her core gave way to an explosion of light so intense she thought she would shatter into a million tiny pieces.

  As she came down from her ecstasy, Daniel lay a few feather light kisses on the already sensitive part of her that, until that moment, she had no idea could make her feel so incredible.

  She let go of the comforter and grabbed hold of Daniel’s silky hair that was now tickling the delicate insides of her thighs. She wasn’t sure if it was possible to go into sensory overload but she sure felt close. Daniel looked up and gave her the smuggest of smug male grins. Sam’s breathing was still ragged as he lifted himself up and sidled his way up her body, like a panther stalking its prey.

  Sam watched, mesmerized, as he started kissing a trail up her stomach. His eyes fixed on hers, searching for any sign she didn’t want him to continue. When he reached her face, Sam felt his hardness resting between her thighs, waiting for permission to enter.

  Daniel took his weight on his elbows and looked into Sam’s eyes. “Are you alright?” he whispered. “Do you want me to continue?”

  Sam’s smile reached all the way to her eyes. She nodded, her brain incapable of forming words. She’d never been more sure of anything in her life.

  Passion exploded behind Daniel’s eyes. His hands embraced Sam’s hips as slid into her slick wetness with care, allowing her muscles time to stretch around him, watching her for any signs that she did not want to continue. He’d taken her this far, he wasn’t about to hurt her now, however unintentional.

  Sam drew in a slow breath as her body accepted his intrusion, never once taking her eyes from Daniel’s. His searching gaze continued until she reassured him she was okay. She smiled again and it was all the signal he needed. He lowered his head and covered her mouth with his.

  The delicate parts of her that were still sensitive from his prior attention, burst into life again as he moved inside her, finding a rhythm they both fell into naturally.

  Daniel’s ragged breath fanned over her face. Their bodies twinned with an unmistakable connection. His rhythm increased as their skin became slick with moisture again. He released himself just as Sam cried out, once more consumed in a heavenly rapture she didn’t even know existed.

  They lay still for a few minutes, allowing their breathing to return to normal. The tiny aftershocks that were still enveloping Sam’s body slowly abated.

  “Wow,” Sam gasped. “That was incredible. You are incredible.”

  Daniel propped himself up on his elbow. The smug male smile returned. Then, without warning, he grabbed hold of her and rolled them both over until Sam was lying on top of him. She let out a little shriek of delight. Sam moved herself down his body slightly so she could rest her head on her hands on top of his chest to get a better look at him.

  He looked contented and Sam felt more at peace than she had for years. The storm was still raging outside, but the one within her had subsided, and the sun was beginning to shine.

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  “What for?” he asked, raising a dark brow.

  “For loving me that way.”

  He smiled once more as she laid her head on his chest and drew tiny circles on his collar bone. His hand found her hair and he ran his fingers through it in long languid strokes. Sam’s eyes grew heavy and she let out a sigh. She was so at ease, so relaxed, and it was all thanks to the man lying beneath her.

  “I love you in more ways than you could ever know.” The whisper seeped into her brain just before she slipped into a blissful sleep.

  Sam woke a little while later to the feeling of Daniel’s chest rising and falling underneath her. She enjoyed the feeling and brought her head up to rest on her hands to look up at his face. He was not sleeping, just watching her with an air of contentment.

  “Hello,” she said with a smile. “Was I asleep long?”

  “Only about half an hour.”

  “I don’t know about you, but I am famished.”

  “Me, too. Shall we get up and find something to eat?” Daniel asked.

  Sam thought about it for a moment. Decisions, decisions, she thought. Lay here against this incredible man’s chest, or put a stop to my stomach’s persistent nagging. She nodded and pushed herself up.

  Sam grabbed one of Daniel’s shirts and put it on. They padded barefoot down the corridor to the kitchen to see what culinary delights they could cook up.

  Chapter Twenty-One

  The next few days passed with Daniel and Sam blissfully unaware of the total chaos that was lurking its ugly head just around the corner.

  They had heard from Daniel’s dad. Aunt Marge seemed to be getting better, so it was all looking set for his parents to be back in time for shearing. Much to their relief.

  The day after the storm had been spent mostly in bed, if the truth be known. Daniel continued his mission of making Sam feel comfortable in her own skin. Sam had to admit it was working, thus far.

  The torrential rain made it too muddy to do anything outside, anyway. Until it dried up a bit, they were going nowhere fast, either on foot or wheel. They spent a delightful day either in Daniel’s bed, or in the kitchen shoving naughty food in each other’s mouths.

  But all good things must come to an end. The next day they decided it was probably dry enough to go out and retrieve their bikes and finish off lamb marking the sheep that they had been so rudely interrupted in doing by a major thunderstorm.

  They did some more training with Jess. With Daniel’s help, she was really starting to shape up as a sheep dog. Sam persuaded Daniel to let her go with them, instead of taking Archie, when they spent the next few days going out all over the property and mustering the thousands of sheep closer to the shearing shed in preparation for when the shearers arrived at the end of the week.

  Sam was so proud of Jess. The young dog was becoming a real pro. Not once did she cut through the flock and send them scattering. Instead, she was a real asset, pushing the sheep on and helping get them through the gates into the paddock nearest the shearing shed.

  Daniel turned to Sam one afternoon as they watched the dog zigzagging behind the flock, pushing them through an opening.“You worked wonders with that dog,” he said, an air of pride in his voice.

  “You helped,” Sam stated.

  “Yes, but if it wasn’t for you caring enough to spend time training her, she would not have come this far.”

  “I was only doing what came naturally. At least now your father won’t have an excuse to get rid of her.”

  “No, he won’t.” Daniel paused. “Thanks, Sam. You truly are a natural out here. You seem to take things in your stride, and at least have a go at everything, even if you’re not comfortable with it.”

  Sam smiled. “No worries.” She had to admit she was feeling quite proud of herself, too. It was good to see Jess working the sheep and know that she was now safe from the bullet.

  Thursday evening rolled around. Daniel and Sam were once again scavenging through the
‘general store’ in search of something that wouldn’t take too long to cook. They were famished after a long day’s work. They grabbed their spoils and headed back to the kitchen. Just as they stepped inside the door, the phone rang.

  “Hello,” Daniel said into the receiver.

  Sam could hear the voice on the other end and recognized it as belonging to Mr. Miller.

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Dad. I thought she was getting better,” Daniel continued. “No, I understand. We’ll be fine. Honestly. Okay, Dad. Well, give Mum and Aunt Marge my love, and don’t worry, we’ll get through this.” He hung up.

  Sam’s stomach fell to her feet. “They’re not coming back for shearing are they?” she croaked, panic rising in her throat.

  Daniel looked at her and shook his head.

  “Nope. Looks like it’s just you and me, Hun.”

  Sam’s chest felt like it was being squeezed in a vice and all the color drained from her face. If there was one thing that scared her almost as much as being naked in front of someone, it was cooking for someone. Now she was faced with cooking for at least twelve people, including themselves.

  Mr. and Mrs. Miller’s livelihood for the whole year rested on this shearing and the wool that would be sold. If the shearers got angry because they weren’t being fed to their standards, they could just up and leave and go to another station. It was hard enough to get a good team in the first place; they were always in high demand. To add insult to injury, Mrs. Miller’s cooking was legendary in those parts. Unwittingly, Sam started to hyperventilate and little white spots appeared before her eyes.

  “Oh, God,” she moaned into her hands. “We’re doomed.”

  “Come here,” Daniel said, putting a soothing arm around her shoulder. He led her to the dining room and sat her down. He kneeled in front of her and looked into her panic stricken eyes. “It’ll be all right, Sam.”