Excerpt: Surprising Secrets

Buck stirred the stew as it simmered over the fire. He thought about asking if Cody would mind if he kept in touch with Julia. He was trying to figure out exactly how to approach the subject when Cody said, “Besides, I’d really rather not have Julia getting involved with one of my friends. The last time that happened things didn’t end too well.”
Buck decided not to ask his question. He once more stirred the simmering stew. As he did so, he contemplated the situation and realized it didn’t really make sense to try and start anything. There were so many reasons not to – she was white and well respected, Cody didn’t approve, she lived more that a day’s ride away from any place he’d ever have reason to go, and she was related to his employer – and besides his attraction to her, only one reason to – the note she’d given him as they’d said their good-byes.

Buck’s Dream
As Buck contemplated his situation he let his mind drift back over the past 24 hours…

Buck realized the Cody had asked him a question. “I’m sorry,” he said.
“Will you please not mention anything to the others? Not even Ike.”
Buck nodded. “I won’t mention anything,” he said as he dished out the stew. They ate in silence. As soon as they were finished, Buck went and checked on the horses. He once again spoke to Warrior Spirit before turning in for the evening.
As he drifted off to sleep, Buck let his mind go back to this morning and the pleasant surprise he’d found in his coat pocket. He replied the wonderful news in his mind as he closed his eyes. He knew that Cody was right, it would never work, but still it was nice to dream…
Julia moved from Cody’s horse to Warrior Spirit; Buck followed her. As she handed him one corner of the blanket, Julia leaned in so her head was close to his. As she let her corner drop onto Warrior Spirit’s back, she moved even closer. She moved onto her tiptoes and closed her eyes. Buck settled his edge of the blanket over his mount’s back and turned to face her. He moved his lips closer to her, and then gently brushed his lips against hers.
As he started to pull back, Julia put her hand behind his head and held him captive. She ran her tongue across his lips. Buck shuddered, but somehow managed to pull out of her grasp. “I’m sorry,” he said. “I shouldn’t…” he stopped speaking as Julia stepped closer and once more covered his lips with her own.
She ran her tongue across his lips and then released him. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” she said. She took his hand and started walking.
Buck simply followed her; the emotions he was feeling making it difficult for him to think straight. Soon they were in an empty stall, and Julia was pulling him down to the ground next to her. “Now,” she said as she once more leaned in to kiss him, “we can be more comfortable.” This time when she captured his lips and ran her tongue over them, Buck opened them just enough for her to push her tongue inside. Buck once more shuddered as Julia explored the inside of his mouth. As she continued to deepen the kiss, Buck’s courage grew. He moved his hand to touch the side of her face.
Julia placed her hands in Buck’s hair and ran them through it. She then broke the kiss and moved her lips to Buck’s neck. Buck moved slightly, and Julia took her hands from his hair to his shoulders. From here she, helped Buck shrug out of his jacket. She then started to undo the buttons to his shirt.
When Buck felt her hands on his chest, he woke from the trance her touch had put him in. He reached up and stopped her before she could undo more than a couple of buttons. “I’m not sure…” Julia cut him off by once more capturing his lips.
Buck managed to keep his thoughts collected and broke the kiss. “I’m not sure,” he began again, “that this is such a good idea.”
Julia sat back. “Why? Don’t you find me attractive?”
Buck reached up and stroked her cheek. “You’ll never know how attractive,” he said. “I would like nothing better than to continue this, but…” he had to stop speaking as Julia leaned in and brushed her lips across his as she placed her hand over the evidence he was speaking the truth and gently squeezed.
When she released his lips, she asked breathlessly, “So why are you stopping me?” She leaned forward only to have Buck move just out of reach.
“We’re not alone,” Buck reminded her. “Your family is just across the yard; don’t you think someone will miss us soon.”
Julia sat back with a small sigh. “Probably,” she agreed, “but we’re both adults so it really shouldn’t matter.”
Buck simply shrugged. “If I lived in town, and we were courting, I’d agree wholeheartedly,” he said. “But, since it’s possible we’ll never see each other again, and we’ve only just met…” he let the sentence drop. Julia once more leaned in and kissed him as she again rubbed her hand across his desire.
“If that’s really what you want,” she said looking at him hopefully.
Buck placed his hand on hers and moved it away from his manhood to his mouth. He kissed it tenderly. “It is,” he said with a sigh. “I have to live with Cody, and I don’t think he’d approve of my taking advantage of his sister like this.”
Julia sat back and faced Buck. “I suppose you’re right,” she said. She quickly leaned in and once more kissed his lips. “Maybe later,” she said with a wink as she stood.