"Oh babe," he kissed her hard and furious. "I'd give anything for that not to be true."
"He drove me to the brink of organism, but there is no orgasm a child only a strange sensation that it wasn't finished, but I didn't understand what was happening. And later was too ashamed to ever tell. The old man died, and in a way, so did I…until today…."
She moved away a little. "I've been so ashamed, I think that's why I've never…"
"Dammit Lacey," Sam rose up and frowned. He pulled her protectively into his arms and kissed her hair as he held her. "How could he do that to you?"
"Its okay, Sam. You've made me whole again. You've made me see that I'm not a bad person. All these years of worry, of not knowing, and of not being able to speak about it drove me to extremes."
"God babe, how could you think it was your fault, at such an age…for that to happen…If he was alive, I'd kill him. With my bare hands, and enjoy every minute of it."
She pulled him back against the bed and smiled, "My knight in shining armor. You are the only person I've ever told about this." Lacey admitted. "But I had to know, if I was normal. My mother never even knew it would have killed her. So I kept it secret, always thinking I had caused it to happen. That I was bad."
"Oh God babe, it wasn't you, don't you see, it was a very sick old man…I care about you Lacey, I don't know if this is love, or not. I've never really been in love. But what we have together, it isn't dirty or bad. Please don't ever think..."
"Sh, I don't. I've been so afraid of trying to make love to a man, I was afraid I would go out of control or something. I felt like I was marked. Dirty somehow. That's why I never. Then you came along, and the feelings swamping me. I couldn't control them. I no longer wanted to."
He stared at her now and his lips met hers in a kiss that melded. He wanted to make everything better for her now. He wanted to love her again, and show her how tender and loving it could be. He wanted so much….
Nevertheless, to his surprise she moved away and started an assault as she dipped her head and took his manhood in her mouth, covering him with the warmth of her. He moved gently against her, as his hands massaged her breast, the nipples growing taut and tender. She was giving to him now and he understood it.
This precious woman he held wanted to give him pleasure, and although naïve, she instinctively knew how.
This time was slower and easier and building the inferno that made them explode with their happiness.
It was a long time before they cuddled and went to sleep. And they slept for three more hours.
***
When he woke, she was gone.
He got up and looked out the window. She was out in the back collecting her trophy, her face full of smiles and happiness.
He marveled at what a woman she was. He never once suspected she could be so open and free with her lovemaking. His loins tightened just looking at her.
How had he managed to do that? He hadn't meant to compromise her in any way. However, the memory of their lovemaking made him weak. It confused him how quickly he had began to want her, and how deep his feelings were running for her.
She had come unto herself. She was free, released from all her problems and woes. She was a happy woman.
Still he had taken her and felt a tad bad about it. What was worse, he hadn't used any precaution. Realizing what he'd done, he was stunned. He'd never been that stupid before. Never been that carried away with a woman. Not to the point of losing all thought, and just looking at her turned him on. He had to get a grip. He wasn't some rutting stag. He had better sense. But Lacey Malone was a fireball inside him now and he wasn't sure he'd ever get enough of her.
He had to use his head. He had problems to work out in his life. Problems that didn't include Lacey. Yet, they did, because now she was a part of him. He had never been the kind of man who had sex with just anyone. He was choosy, and he knew that in his heart he had never met a woman he couldn't back off from…until now.
Whether she knew it or not, she was part of his life and always would be. Her confession needled him though. How could any man do that to a child? It enraged him and he knew he wanted to protect her forever.
What if she was pregnant? Some protection he was. Would she believe he had feelings for her? On the other hand, would she go home in shame and never come out of her beautiful shell again? What had he done? He'd made a goddess out of her, and could just as easily crush her. It was his fault. He believed a man had all the controls. However, most men hadn't met Lacey Malone.
Quickly he went into the bathroom to clean up. He showered and reprimanded himself for what he'd done. How could he have acted so carelessly? That wasn't him. He'd never compromised a woman before. Never been so out of control with a woman before.
He blamed it on the fact that he'd been with her in such circumstances that would only lead to something like this. Sleeping in the same bed.
Yet, he couldn't imagine not sleeping with her now.
What he suddenly realized is just how deeply she could hurt him.
Somehow, he had to make this all come out right…
Chapter Nine
When she returned to the room, she was all smiles, "Look, I got one."
He smiled back at her. "I told you. Hey, it's getting late, but we've still got time to get on down to the redwoods."
"There's time?" she jumped with excitement.
"Sure, let's head on out, and we'll find a place to stay on down the line."
"Okay…sounds great." She packed up the small amount of things she brought and she was ready to go.
He helped her stow her stuff on the bike and they were off down the highway.
She held on to him tight and smiled to herself as she snuggled against him. What they shared was more than a little fantastic and she didn't want to wake up if she was dreaming.
Afraid to put her feeling into words, she kept the conversation light the rest of the day.
The giant redwoods were in sight and she could do nothing but stare when he stopped along the roadside.
"They are magnificent. They seem to go to heaven," she breathed in a sigh. "It's like they swallow you or something."
"For sure they are God's creation." Sam smiled, craning his neck to find an end to the trees that dwarfed them.
"Wow, I feel like Alice in Wonderland." she twirled about, looking up.
He stared at her long and hard. But said nothing.
"It'd be heaven to live close to this, to be able to see them every day, and the ocean." She went to stand beside one and he took her picture with her camera. He showed her approximately where the tallest redwood in America was, and she shook her head.
As they got back on the bike, she hugged him, "Thanks for showing me all of this. It has been a beautiful day."
He smiled, "I'm glad you enjoyed it, now let's go see if we can find a place to eat and sleep."
She nodded, and hung on.
They stopped at a seafood place along the coast, had lobster, and shrimp with a light wine. The restaurant was packed and they had to wait nearly a half-hour to be seated but the food was worth the wait, they both agreed.
Sometime later he pulled into a circle drive in front of a beautiful log cabin.
She looked a little puzzled.
"This is where I live," he said matter-of-factly.
"Are you kidding?" she questioned, as she looked about the place. It was immaculate; the grounds were well cared for, there was a shed not far away, and a lean to. The cabin interested her most, a combination of redwood and cedar.
When he opened the door, she gasped. Real logs made the walls, and the living room had high ceiling so that the bedroom was like a balcony above it.
"It's kind of small right now, thought I might add on eventually. When I first came, I wasn't sure how long I was going to stay. But I liked it so well, I bought the place." Sam explained.
"It's yours then?" she gasped again.
"Yep, all mine." He nodded and threw his hel
met on a nearby chair.
"I remember you telling the older man in the restaurant you lived in Northern California but I had no idea, it was right here…" she blinked as she kept looking at everything. Then she looked at him again. "But there's something I don't understand."
He shrugged, "Okay, what?"
"Why were you staying at the resort hotel up the highway, when you only live less than a hundred miles away?"
Studying her with a curious intent his smile deepened, "I guess that does seem funny. I was going on vacation. I needed to get away from everything familiar. I had plans to go on up into Canada, but I kept circling back here. I couldn't seem to go anywhere. Therefore, I decided at the very least I'd stay at a hotel and not go home. I felt foolish for doing it, but it seemed important not to go home just yet..."
"You were going to go to Canada?" she sounded amused.
"I'd thought about it. I wanted to take the scenic route too, see some stuff. Get close to nature sort of thing. But I never got that far."
She nodded. "Wow, I don't know why I came up this way for a vacation, except I wanted to see the redwoods and enjoy the pacific coast a little. Northern California and Oregon are beautiful."
The kitchen was full of modern appliances, and clean too. "Oh Sam, it's gorgeous here, I don't blame you for not wanting to wander too far. You have a haven here."
"I liked it. Besides, I really am a forest ranger. And I've got to get back to work next Monday, believe it or not." He announced distractedly.
"What does a forest ranger do, exactly?" she asked as she sat on the leather couch and kept looking at all his furnishings and decorations.
He smiled at Lacey. She liked it here, a little too much. "We keep an eye out for fires of course, people moving in and out of the area. Check on any traps that might have been set for the animals. Make sure that things run smooth up here. But I'd say fire is our worst nightmare."
"Then you're like an outdoor fireman too?"
"Sort of. We try to nip the real fires in the bud before they get to the point of no control though. Makes some of the campers a little irate to tell them to stash a fire, when they just built it, but that's our job." He said joining her on the couch. "Especially in this area, the redwoods are an asset to this country and would be a real loss. So fire is our number one priority."
"I can imagine. All the campers and visitors you get. Seems pretty dangerous."
"It can be…but most of the time it's all just like any other job, routine." Sam smiled at her.
"We provide guides and answer questions for tourists, respond to emergencies in the forest, like accidents, missing people. We form missing persons search and rescue teams. Sometimes we have to investigate campsites, make sure they are safe and watch the noise control. A lot of my job consists in checking for disease control, I'm like a pest control worker at times. If a certain area of the forest needs burning, I let my superiors know. Sometimes we get the dirty job of notifying tourist that they can't have a campfire in certain areas, that's my least favorite part. Fire control is the biggest thing though and it's a full time job too. Especially during the tourist season. I guess I was lucky getting off this time of year to vacation. It's one of the worst times."
"I never realized there was so much to your job, but it still sounds like a lot of fun. So how did you manage getting off at this time of year?"
"Actually, it's late summer when things really get bad, it's hotter, more tourists then, and more fires. Actually, I got off by not missing work a day. And asking for this particular time when no one else would." He smiled, "I like my job. It's better than sitting behind a desk all day, that's for sure."
***
Work reminded her of the reality of the situation and she couldn't stop the loneliness that assailed her at the mention of getting back to a routine, back to Texas, away from him. A job she had once loved now seemed so unimportant to her. It was as though these past few days had completely changed her life. Yet the reality was she didn't belong here.
"At least you enjoy it." A tremulous smile wavered over her lips.
"Most of the time, yeah, but it has its moments too," he shrugged as his expression grew more serious.
"I guess we'll both have to be getting back soon," she said, her eyes going around the room, not daring to land on him.
"Let's don't rush it," his voice lowered to a husky tone as he leaned the distance to kiss her.
"What are we getting into Sam?" she whispered when his lips moved to her cheek.
"I don't know. I know I should stop, but you look so cute, with your feet folded under you and relaxed. I guess we should use our heads and not go there, huh?" he countered, kissing her quick and pulling away.
"It'd be wise," she cried the anguish showing on her face.
He nodded. "Maybe we should go out."
"A walk through the woods would be nice," she countered. "I used to walk every evening. It's great exercise."
"Okay, but stay close," he warned.
The air felt terrific as they started up an old tracked path. He held her hand, tightly, feeling an awkwardness that wasn't there before.
Suddenly Sam stopped his body tensed.
"What's wrong?" Lacey asked, feeling the tension in him rising.
"I smell smoke," he sniffed.
Lacey sniffed, but still didn't smell anything. "I don't smell anything."
"You will, come on," Sam insisted. He pulled her as he quickly began climbing up the hill. Lacey kept up but wished she'd had hiking boots instead of tennis shoes.
In a few minutes she began to smell it too, and told him.
He nodded his attention riveted, "It's coming from over on that ridge. Look, Babe, you should go back to the cabin and I'll take care of it. I won't be long."
"I will not. I'm going with you!" she insisted clasping his hand tighter.
"Honey, sometimes the campers are a little rough around the edges. I'd feel better if you'd go back." Sam insisted.
"I wouldn't. I want to be with you, Sam. I'd just worry."
Elated by her loyalty, he smiled, "Remind me to tell you how much I like you worrying about me."
"I will, now kiss me and let's go," she demanded, as she pulled his head down to hers and kissed him.
***
It was almost too much. It sidetracked him. He wanted her here and now but it was neither the time nor the place. He envisioned them on the earth's floor, making love. And he groaned as his body echoed the same sentiments.
He pulled away, breathless, "Don't do that to me when I have to take care of something."
His voice sounded tense.
"Why?" she asked innocently.
"Because it makes me forget everything else, that's why." His gaze was like a caress.
She chuckled. "Okay, that's enough for now, let's go."
"You are a persistent little cub, aren't you?" he laughed.
"I'll prove that later." she promised with a giggle and took off ahead of him.
Within a few minutes they were only a few feet away from the campsite. Sam saw the men around the fire. The campfire was roaring, sparking at times. He didn't like this. He wished Lacey would have gone back to the cabin.
With grim determination he marched into their camp, asking Lacey to hold back out of sight for a while.
"I'm sorry gentlemen, but you are going to have to put out the fire. This is a restricted area, and we can't have that large a fire going, too easy for sparks to fly and start something in these heavily congested woods." Sam said, hoping it was dissuading them with his stern face and harsh voice.
However, these were not ordinary campers. These were bikers and they obviously weren't used to having someone tell them what to do.
One big man came up to Sam and threatened, "Hey buddy, we were just minding our own business. We ain't botherin' nobody, what got your panties in a wad?"
Sam didn't back down or away, "Well, I'm the forest ranger for these parts. And it's my job man. If you want to camp a couple
miles east of here, that would be fine, but not here. The timber here is drier and apt to catch. For your own safety I'm warning you. Please put out the fire."
Another heavily tattooed man came up to him, displaying a mouth full of dirty teeth, "Look, we cain't eat our fish if we put out the fire, now can we?"
"Ever ate it raw?" Sam asked trying to be a bit funny. He used any tactic that would work, and with the different variety of people that camped out these days sometimes humor was the best medicine
"Raw?" the other big guy studied him. "You serious?"
"Sure, it's better for you raw."
"You're joking right?" the other one asked.
"Nope, the Indians might smoke a few, but mostly they eat them raw. They have the best teeth and skin in the territory." Sam replied.
"No kiddin'?"
"Try it," Sam suggested. "Here, let me show you how to do it, right." He took the knife one of them was using to scale the fish, and took the fist away from the man. In seconds he skinned it. He pulled the bone out of it in one piece and both men looked impressed. Then he lifted up the raw fish and after salting it, ate it.
"I'll be damned. Come on Avis, we got to try that." The other one laughed.
"Okay, I'm game, and if I like it, I'll put out the fire, how's that?"
"Deal," Sam said satisfied he'd settled the problem without a fight.
When Avis copied Sam's actions, he also pulled out the bone of another fish and then he laid back the meat and salted it good, then put it in his mouth. For several minutes he didn't say anything.
"Well….how was it?" the other one asked.
"Not bad, not bad at all."
Sam nodded, "Some like to spice it with pepper sauce, or lemon, but salt isn't bad."
"Put the fire out, Curly, he's right, we can eat it raw tonight. Might put a little more hair on your chest." Avis laughed.
Curly frowned at him. "I don't need no more hair."
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