Sarah leaned her check against Peter’s back and relaxed. She let her eyes travel over the various landmarks on the large ranch, and remembered what each of the places was called. The stream gurgled off in the distance, and Sarah felt her senses lulled into a calm relaxation. She allowed herself to look over at Paul, and saw him relaxed for the first time. His eyes traveled over the land, and every now and then came to land on her. Sarah found that his gaze was as piercing as ever, and she still could not bear his eyes upon her without looking away.
As the barn came into sight, Sarah felt Peter subtly urging his horse to move faster. It was barely noticeable at first, but soon enough they had sped to a healthy trot. Sarah was getting nervous, and she held on tight to Peter’s upper body. Beside them, Paul’s horse kept pace easily. Suddenly, Peter kicked his horse, and it took off at a full gallop.
Beside them, Paul did the same. In no time, he had far outstripped them. Sarah gaped at the speed of his horse as they continued toward the barn. In front of her, Peter laughed, but still urged his horse to a faster pace. Sarah held on for dear life, and she was immensely relieved when they at last slowed down to safely enter the barn.
Once they were inside, Peter led his horse over to his stall. Sarah shook violently, and had to work hard to release her death grip on Peter’s torso. She was trying to figure out how to dismount when Paul came to stand beside Peter’s horse. He held up his hands in a silent offer to help her down.
Relieved, but still slightly leery of Paul, Sarah tentatively put her hands on Paul’s shoulders and allowed him to take her by the waist. He effortlessly lowered her to her feet, and she stood in front of him. Her hands remained on his shoulders as she looked up at him, her mouth slightly parted as thoughts and nerves raced through her mind. His green eyes bored into her blue ones as he looked down at her.
“Thank you,” Sarah said softly, and she removed her hands from his shoulders as Paul removed his from her waist.
Paul gave her a single nod, and then moved away from her. Sarah watched as he moved back toward his horse’s stall and began the process of unsaddling his mount. Beside her, Peter was going through much the same process. It did not take long, however, and soon Paul was headed back inside the house, and Peter came to stand beside her.
“Let me show you where the well is,” Peter placed a hand on the small of her back and led her out of the barn. Behind them, Caleb was returning to the barn, and Peter waved him a greeting as he led her out.
Peter led her to a small pump with a trough beneath it, as well as a small ladle. Peter stepped up to the pump and showed her how to draw the water up and into the trough. Then, he used the ladle to bring the water up to his mouth. He offered the ladle to Sarah, and she copied his actions. With their thirst quenched, Peter led Sarah back into the house.
In the time it had taken them to get from the barn to the house, Paul had already laid out four bowls on the table, and was in the process of filling them with a rich smelling dish. In addition, a small loaf of bread was set out on the table. Peter gestured for her to sit at one side of the square table. Caleb followed shortly behind Sarah and Peter, and soon they were all seated.
They joined hands and said a short prayer for the food. When they were done, Sarah took her first bite of what appeared to be a stew, and she was overwhelmed by the rich, wonderful flavor. She could hardly believe that this bunch of men would be able to cook such an incredible meal.
At length, Peter and Caleb began to talk about various problems and occurrences with the various animals on the ranch. Peter of course mentioned the race between himself and Peter.
“Well, I might have won this time,” Peter began. “It’s just that Ben had a whole extra person to carry.”
“Oh sure,” Caleb scoffed. “Somehow I think Storm would have won that race with two extra people on his back.”
Peter laughed at the comment, and across the table Paul gave a small smile. Sarah watched him, and he eventually looked up across the table, and straight at her. The smile fell from his face, and it was immediately replaced by his signature intense stare. Sarah blushed and looked back down at her food.
Caleb and Peter continued to converse, and Sarah finished her food. When they were all done, Paul began to collect the dishes, and Sarah rose to help him. When all the bows and cutlery were off the table, Sarah followed Paul outside to the pump. Sarah helped Paul to clean the dishes, and when they were clean, they both carried them inside and Paul showed her which cabinet they belonged in. Caleb and Peter were still engrossed in conversation.
Paul appeared to think for a moment, and then turned to face Sarah. Sarah instinctively took a step back as he looked down at her.
“I’m going to take care of the animals,” he told her, his voice low so that only she could hear him.
“Okay,” Sarah breathed.
“Would you care to join me?” he asked, raising a brow.
“Oh,” Sarah blinked. She looked over at Peter and Caleb, who paid them no attention. She looked back up at Paul, who waited patiently for her answer, his green eyes always upon her.
“Yes,” Sarah finally said softly.
Without a word, Paul stepped out of the house and made for the barn. Sarah hurried to keep up with them, and gathered up her skirts so that she did not trip over them. By the time she made it to the barn, she was breathless, and Paul was already in the process of taking the bridle off his horse of the night.
Sarah watched, entranced, as he gently stroked over his horse’s face and neck. He softly sang to the horse as he ran his hands over its muscular neck and shoulders, then further down his body. Sarah couldn’t take her eyes off his hands, and it took her a moment to realize that they had stopped moving.
Sarah looked up at his face, and blushed to realize that his eyes were once again upon her, as piercing as ever. This time, though, she was determined not to look away. So, the two of them stood there, silently taking each other in for several moments.
“Come here,” Paul finally broke the silence.
Sarah nervously approached him. He turned for a moment, always keeping one hand on his horse, and retrieved a brush from the shelf. He placed it in Sarah’s hand and then guided her hand to brush over the horse’s wide, strong back. Sarah struggled to breathe evenly as she felt Paul’s chest so close to her back. She shook at his proximity and the feeling of his warm, calloused hand over her own as he showed her how to brush the horse.
“This is Storm,” Paul murmured in her ear as he ran his free hand over the horse’s body. Sarah watched it, mesmerized.
“Peter said he was unfriendly,” Sarah said softly.
“Storm is a lot like me,” Paul said, softly speaking into her ear. “He just doesn’t take to a lot of people.”
Sarah nodded, and continued to brush Storm’s dark bay coat.
“If you give him a chance though,” Paul closed his hand over hers, and Sarah’s breath caught in her throat. “He’ll warm up to you just fine.”
Sarah turned her head to look up at Paul. His eyes were practically burning, and Sarah felt that she would melt under his stare. For a long moment they stood there, Sarah looking up at him over her shoulder. Sarah’s body shook and she felt certain that she might faint. Finally, Paul lowered his gaze away from her and set his jaw.
“Here,” he released her hand and backed away from her. “I’ll tend to Storm and Rosie- that’s Caleb’s horse. And you can handle Ben and your horse. You know how to brush now. Do you know how to take off their bridles?”
Sarah shook her head. Paul moved over to Ben’s stall and slowly instructed Sarah on how to get the bridle off of the horse, and where to hang it. She nodded her understanding, and Paul moved back to Storm’s stall to finish his brushing. Sarah picked up Ben’s brush and began the process, making sure his coat was shining before she was satisfied.
As she moved over to her own horse’s stall, she looked up at Paul. He was busy brushing Rosie’s gray coat and singing a soft tune to her. Again,
Sarah felt captivated by the way his hands moved over the horse’s body, and the easy confidence with which he held himself. She vaguely wondered how he was so calming to the horse, yet so unnerving to her.
Sarah tore her eyes away from Paul and moved over to her horse’s stall. She began to remove the bridle, and the horse calmly accepted her motions. When the bridle was hung, she picked up the brush and began to run it over the horse’s body. She spoke to it softly, hoping it would get used to her voice. She ran her hand over its strong shoulders. She smiled to think that this magnificent creature belonged to her.
“Does she have a name?” Sarah jumped slightly as Paul appeared beside her. He picked up a brush and moved over to the other side of the horse, helping her with her task. Sarah fought hard to keep focused as Paul’s hands began their slow, soft strokes over the horse’s body.
“I was thinking of calling her Leah,” Sarah said softly, blushing to reveal the name.
“Leah,” Paul said softly, and again Sarah got the impression that he was speaking more to the horse than to her. “It’s a good name. It suits her.”
Sarah smiled, and ducked her head to hide her blush. She tried to focus on the task at hand. As soon as she finished, she turned around, and gasped as she saw Paul standing just in front of her. Without a word, he took the brush from her hand and placed it on the shelf. He guided Sarah out of the stall ad shut it behind them.
Sarah stood motionless as he turned back to face her. For a moment, they both just stood there. Sarah could feel her breathing coming faster than usual, and her knees shook so badly that she had no idea how she was still standing. She looked up into Paul’s eyes. They searched her face almost desperately, and his brows were knitted together in a frown as his jaw worked.
“Sarah, I…” he tried to speak, but ground his teeth together as he failed to find the words. Sarah opened her mouth to try and comfort him, but quickly found that she didn’t have any words either. Instead, she lifted a shaking hand and placed it on the rough stubble on his cheek.
No sooner had she done so that Paul released a hiss of breath and clasped his hand over hers, holding it still over his face. Sarah’s breath came in ragged gasps as he nuzzled his cheek against her hand and pressed his lips into the center of her palm. She gasped as he ran his tongue up her index finger, and then sucked it into his mouth. Sarah couldn’t help the soft whimper that escaped her throat
Paul released a growl and tore her hand away from his mouth, and seized her by the waist, pulling her body close to his. He released a deep sigh as he ground his hardness against her lower abdomen. Sarah felt her heart race. She had no idea what was happening in her body, and she felt a distinct ache between her legs, as well as an embarrassing wetness. Tears welled up in her eyes and she weakly fought against Paul’s hold on her.
At first, in the midst of his lust, Paul barely noticed. He continued to physically possess her. He brought his mouth down over hers, and buried his hands in the hair on the back of her head as he kissed her. He held her close with his other arm, and eventually moved off her mouth to trace a lone of kisses down the side of her throat. It was only when he reached the slope of her shoulder did he hear her quiet sobs.
Paul released his hold on her hair and instead gently cradled the back of her neck. He raised his hand from her waist and used his thumb to swipe away the tears that were falling down her face. She looked up at him pitifully, and he searched her clear, blue eyes for the source of her distress.
“Sarah?” Paul asked her, concerned, and drew her close to his chest in a tight, comforting hold. “Sarah, what’s wrong? Tell me.”
Sarah worked hard to collect herself, and she allowed his strong arms to comfort her as he rocked her gently from side to side. She felt much calmer, but still distressed, as the ache between her thighs had not abated, and she was still damp. By and large, she felt horribly embarrassed.
“Tell me what the matter is,” Paul urged her to speak, and he gently massaged the back of her neck.
“I don’t know,” Sarah admitted, and she sobbed as her emotions once again overwhelmed her.
“Hush now, hush,” Paul said soothingly, and rubbed his hand up and down her back. “Here, come with me.”
Paul withdrew from her and took her hand, leading her toward one end of the barn. He showed her a ladder that led up into a loft area of the barn, and gestured for her to ascend it. She did as he instructed, and he followed close behind. Once in the loft, she found and incredible bale of hay, as well as a cot and a few other bedroom style amenities.
“This is where I sleep most nights,” Paul softly explained to her. “Here, lay down.”
Paul gestured to the cot, and Sarah was too exhausted to refuse him. She lay down, and stared at the wooden ceiling of the barn, and the moonbeams that streaked across the hay. Paul knelt down beside her and gently smoothed his hand through her hair. Once again he lowered his face down over hers, and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
“Tell me what’s wrong,” he softly urged her, and his green eyes clearly displayed his concern.
“I…” Sarah tried to explain, but found herself too embarrassed. She merely turned her face away. Paul, though, was not content with her answer, and gently turned her head back to face him.
“Tell me,” he urged again.
“I don’t know,” Sarah quietly cried. “I just don’t know what’s happening to me.”
Paul shushed her as she quietly cried, and once again used the tips of his fingers to wipe away her tears. He had an idea of what was troubling her, and he knew it was a delicate situation.
“Are you aching, Sarah?” Paul asked her quietly, and he tried to fight the rate at which his own arousal was increasing as he had this discussion with her.
Sarah looked up at him, and nodded meekly. Paul relaxed slightly. At least he was making some progress.
“So am I,” he said, and she looked up at him, puzzled. “Right here.”
Sarah watched as Paul lowered his hand below his waist to cup between his thighs. Her eyes widened to think that he was experiencing the same torment that she was.
“And you don’t feel sick?” Paul pressed. Sarah shook her head. Paul exhaled shakily.
“This is called arousal, Sarah,” Paul explained, working hard to keep himself calm as he explained this topic. “This is what happens when a man and a woman feel extremely attracted to one another.”
Sarah looked up at Paul, and she could see that his words were obviously true. She loved his graceful, strong hands and his broad chest. She was captivated by his piercing green eyes, and the way they sent chills all over her body. She dearly wished she knew what to do about the intense ache he was obviously causing inside her. She wished he had more experience in this area.
“I can help you to feel better, Sarah,” Paul said gently, still running his fingers soothingly through her hair.
“How?” Sarah looked up at him, desperation clearly displayed in her eyes. She was practically squirming from the throbbing between her legs at this point, and she was desperate to get relief.
“I’ll have to pleasure you,” Paul explained softly. She had no idea what that meant and she couldn’t help but notice that his hand had started shaking as it stroked over her head.
“Pleasure me?” Sarah asked tentatively, wondering what exactly he meant.
“Yes,” he nodded. “When men and women feel this ache, they pleasure one another to relieve it.”
“How?” Sarah pressed, eager to obtain the relief that he spoke of.
“Touch,” Paul breathed, and he lowered his hand from her head to gently cup her cheek. Sarah nuzzled her face into his palm, and Paul released a ragged breath as his erection throbbed.
“I must warn you,” he fairly growled as he slipped his thumb into her mouth. “It’s going to get worse before it gets better. But I promise I can make you feel better.”
Sarah searched his eyes, and she saw the genuine truth in his words. Slowly, and nervously, she nodded.
Paul sighed, and slowly lowered his hand to her neck. Sarah flinched as he ran his hand over her bare skin there, and then moved lower, beneath the collar of her shirt. She struggled to stay still as his fingers ran over the tops of her breasts, and she gasped when his fingers lightly pinched her nipple. He stretched out his fingers over her breasts and lightly squeezed, massaging the flesh there. Sarah felt overwhelmed by the sensations he was causing, and she gripped his wrists tightly as her hips arched off the bed.
“Oh please Paul,” she managed to say through her rapid sobs, shaking her head frantically from side to side. “I can’t do this. Oh please make it stop!”
Paul shushed her as she struggled, and she stilled the motions of his hands on her breasts.
“Calm down Sarah,” he soothed, rubbing his thumbs over her nipples, causing her hips to jerk up, and a fresh series of cries to escape her throat. “Calm down and breathe. I’m not hurting you, am I? I’m being very gentle. There, that’s a girl. Calm down…”
As Paul spoke, Sarah felt her body begin to relax. The ache continued to build between her legs, but at his words, she began to realize that it was less painful than pleasurable. She realized that she had mistaken the newness and intensity for pain, when it was really just a very intense, acute longing- a longing for Paul’s hands. Tentatively, she arched her back up into his hands, and she released a moan when Paul gave her breasts a soft squeeze.
“There you are,” Paul smiled from above her as he continued his ministrations. He loved to see her squirming beneath him, finally deriving pleasure from his touch. Paul felt his cock pulsing within his pants, but worked hard to ignore his own needs in favor of Sarah’s. He moved one of his hands away from her breasts and began to drag it down her body, getting closer and closer to the apex of her thighs.
Sarah anticipated where his hand was going, and she felt a sudden rush of terror. While this was the place she most desperately wanted to feel him, she was still incredibly aware of the wetness that had accumulated there. She did not want to face that humiliation, so she seized his wrist with both of her hands.
Romance: Seducing The Quarterback Page 27