Michelle rolled over and listened carefully. She heard the sound again and threw the covers back. Tiptoeing quietly to the window, careful not to wake Peaches, Michelle slid the window open and glanced down to the yard below. A tiny rock wissed towards her and she ducked as it flew passed her ear.

"Hey!" She hissed, giggling.

"Oh sorry... G'day love!" Colin smiled up at her.

"Colin... it's two o'clock in the morning!" Michelle whispered loudly.

"I know... but I can't sleep, love... I'm still on Aussie time!" Colin glanced around the yard as if he was looking for something to do. Michelle sighed, shaking her head.

"Alright.... give me two minutes and I'll be right down."

"Really?" Colin looked up at her.

"What else were you hoping for?" Michelle giggled.

Colin chuckled to himself, "I don't know..." He smiled bashfully. Michelle closed the window and slipped into a pair of jeans and a sweater.

"Where ya going?" Peaches lifted her sleepy head off the pillow. Michelle came over and pulled the blanket up around her chin.

"Just out for a walk... Go back to sleep." Michelle shushed her friend and Peaches sighed softly, closing her eyes again.

Michelle opened the bedroom door and stepped out into the hallway.

"Where are you going?" Bud's voice made her jump. She turned around and smiled.

"Hi Bud!" She spoke softly. He gazed into her eyes, waiting for her answer with a raise of his eyebrow.

"What are you doing up?" Michelle bit her lip.

Bud stared at her, "What do you think?"

"Oh..." Michelle glanced away, fidgeting nervously with her sleeve "I'm just going for a walk... um..."

"A walk? It's two o'clock in the morning, Chelle." Bud narrowed his eyes.

"Yeah... I feel like some night air." Michelle avoided his gaze and glanced towards the main door. "Couldn't sleep."

"Uh huh..." Bud broke out into a smile. "Go on... he's waiting for you. He's been whining for the last hour." Michelle giggled and kissed Bud on the nose.

"You're a good man, Bud White." She stopped and sniffed, "Calamine?"

Bud nodded, "Just finished lathering it on... I'm going to try and get some shuteye if I can..."

"Alright... Sweet dreams Bud." Michelle smiled as she turned towards the door.

"Oh... I know what I'll be dreaming about..." Bud smirked as he waved at her and she slipped out into the darkness. "Revenge..."

Loria groaned as the morning sun poured in through the window and onto her bed. A knock at the door added to her morning pleasure.

"WHAT!?!" Teresa shouted sleepily from her bed.

"Ladies... I believe it is your turn to make breakfast this morning... all of us are getting a little hungry out here..." Cort's voice smirked at them through the door.

"What time is it?" Loria growled as she pulled the covers over her head.

"9 o'clock. And we're waiting!!!"

"Ah man!!!' Loria cursed under her breath and threw back the covers. "Alright already!!! Hold your horses, cowboy!!" Loria stood up too quickly and felt a sudden dizziness over take her. She slumped back onto her bed and tossed a pillow at Teresa. "Get up!"

"No!!!" Teresa mumbled. Loria stood up again and wandered over to Teresa's bed.

"C'mon sunshine," Loria pulled back Teresa's covers and gasped suddenly. "T!!!! GET OUT OF BED!!!! GET OUT! GET OUT!!!"

Teresa shook her head and sat up, "What!?!" Loria grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the floor with a thud.

"LOOK!!!" Loria pointed towards the rumpled sheets of Teresa's bed. A small garter snack slithered from the foot of the bed and fell to the floor. Teresa screamed and jumped back towards the wall.

Teresa watched the snake slither across the floor towards her. "Loria!!!" Loria reached down and scooped up the snake, quickly tossing it out the open window.

"Those bastards are going to get it!" Loria hissed as she brushed off her hands.

"Do you think it was them?" Teresa's eyes went wide. "I didn't hear them come in last night."

"I don't know... but I wouldn't put it passed them!"

Teresa stared out the window and thought for a moment, "Yeah... you're right."

"C'mon... let's go make breakfast." Loria threw on some clothes and started for the door. Teresa was right behind her.

"Does this mean we are at war again?" Teresa's eyes lit up.

Loria and Teresa slaved over the stove and felt the gaze of everyone upon them... well almost everyone.

"Anyone seen Michelle?" Peaches sipped her at her cup of coffee. Everyone shook their heads.

"Haven't seen Colin either." Cort winked at Peaches.

"Alright... well we aren't waiting for them." Loria started dishing out the bacon and eggs, while Teresa brought over the plate of hot pancakes. Once everything was served, Loria and Teresa sat down and started helping themselves.

"Hey... where's the syrup?" Cort glanced around the table for the small jug.

"Oh..." Loria turned and looked at the far counter, "There it is.."

Sid, who was positioned at the end of the table, groaned as he pushed himself away from the table. "I'll get it." He walked over slowly, like each step was a painful movement that he would rather have avoided all together. Reaching for the jug he winced as his blue hand gripped the handle. He turned and started back towards the table.

"Jeez, Sid... take your time, will you?" Bud growled. "The pancakes are getting cold."

"Just give me a second!" Sid hissed back. "This IS rather painful!"

"Well... if you'd used the calamine lotion, like I'd told you too... we wouldn't have to listen to your whining!" Bud glared up at him.

"Listen, Copper! I don't need your crap too! Alright! I've got enough to deal with! Look at me! I'm blue!!!" Sid spread his arms and glanced down at himself.

"Well at least you could have been blue and relatively painless!"

"I am NOT covering myself with that stinky lotion!" Sid growled as he walked passed Bud's chair. Bud spun in his seat and glared up at Sid.

"Well you're going to tonight, because I don't want to have to listen to any more of your wimpering."

"WIMPERING!!?" Sid's mouth dropped open. Suddenly he tripped over Bud's feet and stumbled forward. The jug of syrup flew through the air and it's contents landed solidly on Loria's head. Loria gasped, and the room fell suddenly silent. Sid stared at Loria, his face breaking out in a huge smirk. "Well... I planned that one well, didn't I!?"

Loria glanced across the table at Teresa as she licked the syrup off her lips.

Michelle and Colin walked into the kitchen, hand in hand and stared at the scene that presented itself before them.

"What happened, mate?" Colin turned to Cort.

"Just a small accident..." Bud answered for him.

"Accident, my ass." Teresa whispered under her breath. John gave her a warning look.

Michelle giggled as she met Loria's gaze.

"Nice twig in your hair, Chelle." Loria nodded towards Michelle, who blushed suddenly and ran her fingers through her hair, pulling out a small handful of twigs and moss. Michelle bit her lip and glanced at Colin, who laughed nervously.

"Have a seat, lovebirds..." Bud waved them towards their seat. "And watch out for falling syrup on your way by..." Loria glared at him and quickly pushed herself away from the table and headed towards the bathroom.

"Hey Loria!!" Sid called after her, "It was an accident! Honest!"

"You realize this means war..." Teresa glared at Bud and Sid and followed Loria out of the room.

"Oooooooooh." Sid shivered dramatically. "I'm shaking in my boots..."

"What do you find so funny?" Sid asked glaring at her.

"All of you." Peaches answered laughing more. "

And why are we funny." Sid asked again glaring at her.

"Well I don't know, how about the fact that, oh let's see, you look like a Blue Smurf, Bud looks like something from outerspace, with his pink and red spots. Michelle and Colin look like their about ready to jump each other's bones again, Loria looked like something from the swamp." Peaches said as she started laughing again, this time joined by Cort, who was standing over the sink laughing.

"I don't find any of this funny!" Bud said as he glared at her.

"Come on, Bud, she's just trying to make light of the situation." Cort said as he looked at Bud.

"No, she's just making fun of us, and I don't like it!" Bud said as he stood up.

"Cool down Bud!" John said as he stood.

"No, this whole situation is making me angry!" Bud snapped at him. Peaches stood and turned to both of them, then walked off. She wanted to say something, but did not want to make Bud angrier than he was.

"I think everyone is getting carried away here, we all need to talk, I want to see everyone in the living room, in one hour." John said as he walked off.

"Should I salute you!" Bud said as John walked by.

"Go to hell, Bud." John said and walked out of the kitchen.

"So how about another roll in the hay, love?" Colin asked Michelle and both started laughing.

"Oh this is just perfect!" Bud said as he walked off and out the back door.

"Gee, I think he needs some more lotion." Michelle said as she started laughing.

Loria was in her bedroom finishing up getting dressed, when Teresa walked in. "Hey John wants all of us out in the living room, in an hour." Teresa said as she plopped down on the bed.

"For what?" Loria asked as she finished drying her hair.

"He's getting tired of everyone acting the way they have been, and he thinks its time we all talk." Teresa said as she stared up at the ceiling.

"Well talking ain't gonna help, those two, boys, need to learn a lesson." Loria said as she looked down at Teresa.

"Well Loria, that was an accident, I don't think Sid actually meant to spill the syrup on you." Teresa said as she sat up.

"I don't care! He liked it!" Loria snapped as she looked at her.

"So I take it you have another plan up your sleeve." Teresa said grinning at her.

"Sure do!" Loria said as she winked at her.

Peaches was standing by the pond when she saw Bud storm across a path to the forest. Peaches bit her bottom lip, then went after him. "Bud!" Peaches called out. Bud just ignored her and kept walking. "BUD!" Peaches yelled again, then ran up to him.

"What?" Bud asked as he continued to walk without looking at her.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to make you mad." Peaches said as she looked at him.

"Yeah sure you are." Bud said as he glared at her.

"I am! Everyone was so tense in there, I just thought." Peaches said as she stared down at the ground. Bud stared at her, he could see the she really was sorry.

"I'm sorry too, its just this damn constant itch is driving me crazy!" Bud said as he started to scratch his arm.

"Well let's go get you some more lotion." Peaches said smiling at him.

"That sounds like a plan." Bud said grinning at her.

John stood in front of the fire place as he watched the group gather one by one. "So what now, oh great leader!" Sid said as he walked into the room.

"Just sit and shut up." John said as he glared at him. Everyone sat starring at each other. Bud glared at Teresa, Teresa glared at Sid, Sid glared at Loria and Loria glared at Bud. Michelle and Colin sat together snuggling. Cort sat in a chair, with Peaches sitting on the floor between his legs, resting her head on his lap. Maximus and Jeff, who decided to go on a hike this morning, just returned, now sitting patiently for the meeting to begin. "All right, the fighting has got to stop. We all came here to have fun, but no one is." John said as he turned to the group.

"Well its not our fault, they started it!" Sid said as he pointed at Loria and Teresa.

"Oh sure blame us for your stupidity!" Loria said as she glared at him.

"I'm not stupid!" Sid said as he glared back at her.

"Yes you are!" Loria and Teresa both said at the same time.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" John yelled out, his face turning red.

Everyone's eyes snapped towards John as his yell echoed around the room. "It doesn't matter who started it. What matters is that it's over and done before someone gets hurt and friendships are damaged beyond repair," John said, his voice returning to it's normal quite timbre.

Loria shoved herself to her feet and glared at John. "You're beginning to sound like a broken record. I've heard it before and it's gettin real old." She strode from the room with the sickening sweet smell of maple syrup following in her wake.

"She's so stubborn. I'd like to shake some sense into her," John growled. He knew it had been the wrong thing to say. He hadn't meant a word of it, but it was to late to recall them. In a split second Bud's face was inches from his, anger leanding a menacing sheen to the other man's eyes.

"That'd be a mistake!" Bud hissed, grabbing the front of John's shirt. "I have to agree with her Biebe. I'm tired listening to your bullshit. Who appointed you our keeper in the fist place? I sure the hell don't need you telling me what's what around here. So why don't you run along Johnny boy and find someone else that needs the help of a washed up sheriff." Bud smiled menacingly.

"I might be a washed up sheriff but you obviously need somone to rein you in. Tell me Bud, has acting like a child got you everything you hoped for?" John fumed, shoving Bud away from him. The rest of the room sat in stunned silence, waiting and watching.

Bud's anger snapped and he took a hard jab at John. Peaches was on her feet pushing her way between the two brawling men. " STOP IT!" she screamed, as a table toppled to the floor. Cort and Colin managed to pull the two apart and Bud stormed from the lodge.

"You are NOT gonna believe what just happened," Teresa said rushing into the room. Loria looked over her shoulder at her, hands pausing in her still damp hair. Teresa stopped looking confused." You took another shower?" she asked.

"Yeah, I can't get rid of this smell. I can't stand it anymore. It's driving me crazy!" she complained.

"Oh," Teresa smiled and continued where she left off. "Guess," she demanded.

"What?" Loria asked.

"Guess.....Guess what happened," she continued to demand.

"I don't know. Sid's turned a even more sickening shade of blue and Bud's head has started spinning around 360 degrees?" she giggled.

"Close," Teresa hinted. "John and Bud were just sluggin it out. It took Peaches, Cort, and Colin to break it up," she supplied.

"No way!" Loria sputtered, completely stunned. She sat down on the bed crossing her legs as Teresa relayed the whole scene.

Michelle and Colin strolled hand in hand along the well worn path at the water's edge. Both were lost in there own thoughts. Colin broke the silence. "Have any idea what that was all about back there?"

Michelle shook her head. "Not really. It's hard to believe it was all over some silly practical jokes. I mean Bud has a short fuse but to just go off on John like that, it was weird," Michelle answered. The sound of feet hitting the path behind them made the two turn. Loria sprinted down the path towards them.

"I'm going for a ride. There's stables about a quarter of a mile down the trail. Wanna come along?" Loria's eyes darted between the two.

"A ride sounds sweet but I'll pass on the horse," Colin replied leaning towards Michelle to nuzzle her neck.

"Fine, I know when three's a crowd" Loria giggled, sprinting ahead down the trail.

Peaches slowly kicked her legs back and forth as the porch swing gently glided into motion. She looked toward the door, hearing the screen slam shut. Cort smiled as he moved to her, taking up a place beside her on the swing.

"Are you ok?" he asked. Peaches smiled over at him.

"Sure. I just hate seeing those two fight." Cort pushed a stray tendril of hair from her cheek.

"That's all well and good, but next time I wouldn't suggest getting between them," he smiled.

Loria took the reins of the bay mare that was saddled for her and patted the horse's neck gently. Looking up she noticed Bud enter the stables. Crossing her fingers in the shape of a cross she held them up in front of her, a teasing smile on her face. "Back! Don't make me go for the wooden stake." Bud shook his head walking over to her.

"Going for a ride?" he asked. Loria rolled her eyes.

"What, you figured that out with those great detective skills of yours?"

"Might say that," Bud growled.

"Good. I would hate to think they've gone to waste out here," she mocked him. Bud followed her into the clearing beside the stable and watched her climb onto the mare's back. "By the way White, I heard you and John had it out earlier. Not a smart move," she commented, turning the horse towards the thick growth of the forrest.

Teresa was just finishing up a third mopping of the kitchen floor, still finding it sticky with traces of maple syrup, when Sid appeared through the door. "Better you than me," he said smiling, looking at the floor. Teresa glared at him but said nothing. Moving across to the fridge he opened it just as she swung the mop in his direction, hitting him with the soaking wet head of the mop squarly in the back. Had she realised he was standing on the newly mopped floor she would never have dared hit him but it was to late. The momentum of the mop at his back knocked him off his feet, his head striking the edge of one of the metal shelves inside the fridge. Teresa starred in mute horror as Sid hit the kitchen floor, unconscious.

Tears streamed down Teresa's face as she rushed through the lodge bumping into John as he came through the door.

"Oh my god, Sid" she sobbed.

"What about Sid?" John asked, holding her gently in his arms.

"Sid....it was an accident....I didn't mean to..." she stumbled over the words. John released her and headed for the kitchen.

"Teresa?" Peaches called after her, but she had disappeared into the trees. Cort glanced back through the window into the house.

"Holy sh..." Cursing, he was on his feet and in the door before Peaches had turned around. She followed after him, terribly confused.

On the kitchen floor, John hovered over Sid's limp body, cradling his head. The two of them were surrounded by the spilled contents of the fridge. John turned as Cort and Peaches rushed to his side.

"What happened?!" Peaches touched Sid's forehead lightly.

John shook his head, "Teresa just took off running, saying something about Sid and it being an accident..." He looked at Cort, nodding to the fallen fridge shelf. "It looks like Sid fell and hit his head on the shelf."

Suddenly Sid moaned beneath them, they all started, staring down at him. He groaned louder and lifted his head.

"Whoa there, Sid..." John cautioned him, "take it easy."

"Where am I?" Sid glanced up at them, his eyes glazed and a confused look on his face, "Who are you?"

The three onlookers looked at each other, their mouths dropping open.

"Sid?" Peaches turned to him, "It's me, Peaches..." She pointed to the others, "... and John and Cort."

"What are you doing in my house? And what happened to me?" Sid looked at them blankly.

"You hit your head, Sid." John took control of the situation.

"So that's why it hurts?..." Sid groaned, "Damn... and why do you keep calling me Sid... my name's Alex. Alex Ross."

"Alex?" Peaches blurted it out, Cort and John shushed her.

"You think you can get up, Sid...?" Sid gave John a wary glance, John stammered before continuing, "I mean Alex...ah hell... do you think you can get up, buddy?"

Sid struggled to stand, and was helped by the others. They led him over to the living room and lay him out on the sofa. Minutes later Cort offered him an ice bag and Sid rested it on the back of his head.

Maximus entered the room and at the sight of Sid, he began to laugh.

Bud paced the stables, his mind whirling as he thought of the last half hour. He glanced into the trees again. Cursing himself, he reached for one of the saddles nearby and saddled up the black stallion that had been watching him all this time. That done, he hopped on and followed Loria's trail into the forest.

Loria guided her bay mare through the dense forest, enjoying the feeling of powerful horse beneath her and the smell of pine in the air. She paused for a few minutes to watch a gathering of eagles circle above her. A noise behind her caused her to turn and she was surprised to see Bud and his black stallion appear among the trees.

"You don't learn, do you White?" Loria grinned back at him. She kicked her horse forward, giving Bud a glance from head to toe. "Didn't know you could ride..."

"You'd be surprised how well I can ride." Bud's eyes sparkled at her. Loria laughed, blushing slightly.

"We'll see about that!" She shouted, forced her bay mare into a trot and darting off into the trees once again. Bud smiled to himself and followed after her.

"This is heavenly..." Michelle sighed as her feet dipped into the cool water as she and Colin settled onto the dock. He lay down beside her, his head on her lap. He gazed up at her face, and she giggled at his insolent look, slapping playfully at him. "Stop it!"

"Stop what?" He gave her an innocent and confused look. "I haven't done anything wrong..." He grinned up at her.

"You're definitely too full of yourself!" She laughed.

"What?!" He gasped and then reached down into the water, splashing her liberally. Michelle screamed and pushed him away. He laughed as he fell off of her lap. But it was Michelle's turn to laugh as he rolled off her lap and teetered over the edge of the dock and into the water below. He fell in with a large splash and Michelle sat in momentary surprise, her hand covering her mouth as Colin came to the surface sputtering. She giggled as he wiped the water from his eyes.

"Serves you right, mate!" She laughed as she stood up and backed away from him. He leapt up on to the dock and she screamed with laughter as he chased after her. He caught up to her quickly and tossed her over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes. Ignoring her kicking and screaming, he threw her into the lake. In their glee, neither of them noticed Teresa running towards them.

Sid growled and stood up slowly, still holding the ice bag to the back of his head. He glanced down at himself and grimaced.

"What the hell is with these outrageous clothes!?" He scoffed at his brightly colored shirt and pants and glanced at Maximus, who had been left to watch him while the others cleaned up the mess in the kitchen.

"I don't know friend, I've often wondered that myself." Maximus couldn't help but smile at the situation.

"Where's my room?" Sid raised an eyebrow. Maximus chuckled and stood up, leading Sid down the hall to the room he was sharing with Bud.

"This is your room, Sid... Alex." Maximus pointed towards the far closet, "Those are your clothes."

Sid squinted at the bright array of clothes and colors that hung in the closet. "You've got to be joking..." He hissed. Maximus shook his head. "Good God! What was I thinking when I bought those clothes?!" Sid stepped forward and glanced at Bud's suitcase that lay tucked in the corner. "What about this?"

"I wouldn't touch that if I were you, Alex..." Maximus warned, silently chuckling to himself as he played along.

"Why?" Sid raised an eyebrow.

"Bud is very protective of his stuff."

"Oh bullocks!" Sid scoffed. He reached for the suitcase and started rummaging through the various clothes items. He pulled out a starch white t-shirt, "This is more like it." Clothes started to fly as Sid undressed and pulled on a pair of Bud's gray pants and the white T-shirt. Maximus just stood enjoying the spectacle that played out before him.

"What the hell do you think your doing, White?" She spat, sparks glowing in her eyes.

"Anything I damn well please!" He replied, an antagonistic smile on his lips.

"Not here your not!" She hissed.

"AND your gonna stop me, is that it?" He chuckled, eyebrow raised.

"If I have too. I'll do what it takes!" She replied.

"In that case I guess I should expect an attack the next time my back is turned. Hell, that's what you're best at, isn't it? You aren't exactly one for fair fights, are you?"

Loria glared at him, her lips pinched into a thin line of rage. "You're an ass, Bud!"

"Oh come on, you can do better than that. Let me have it. I know your just itching too." He gloated.

"Screw you! I'm sick of your bullshit! Go find someone else to harass!" Her words hung in the air between them as Bud's horse took a nervous side step and bumped roughly into her mount.

"God damn it, White! Control your horse or I will!" She yelled, tightening her hold on her horse. With the long length of her reins she struck out at the blacks hind quarter. The leather fell short of its mark and made stinging contact with Bud's thigh.

She hadn't meant to hit him. Had meant to hurt him, not really. But it was done and her pride wouldn't let her admit that is had been an accident."Is that a fair enough fight for ya?"

"Not even close," he growled, his hand reaching out to grab the reins from her.

"Fine! I've got plenty more, White." Lifting her arm the leather snapped across the short distance that separated them. His chest was delivered a slash of fire as the leather made contact. Another snap of pain opened up a thin cut across his cheek. Bud's raging temper boiled over as he slid to the ground from the horse's back, advancing towards Loria as she sent another blow snaking through the air.

"Remember Bud you're the one that wanted a fight." She smiled down at him, a malevolent glint to her eyes.

"I haven't forgotten anything!" Reaching up, he jerked her roughly from her horse.

Loria's horse jerked it's head, startled by the quick movement. Suddenly finding itself free as the reins were dropped onto the dusty trail, the horse galloped off into the tree line.

"What the hell are you doing?" She screamed into Bud's face, struggling as his arm clamped around her waist. He lifted her easily carrying her off the trail.

"Teaching you a lesson. It's time you learned when to fight and when to just walk away." His voice thick with the eruption of anger that pulsed through his veins.

Her eyes locked with his, warring. "Kiss my ass!" She spat.

"If you insist!" His lips crushed hers in a brutal kiss. Loria struggled against his hold, pushing hard against his chest, until the warm taste of him filled her head and with it a horror born of understanding as she realised this is where she wanted to be. The only place she had wanted to be. Her lips timidly opened to him as his kiss turned hot and demanding, eager to absorb the feel of her mouth. The erotic sensation of his tongue as it dipped into her mouth sent a wave of liquid heat surging to the pit of her stomach. With the rough feel of bark at her back Loria found his lips weren't enough. She wanted to taste the saltiness of his skin. Reaching for the buttons of his shirt her lips moved to his neck, the tip of her tongue tracing a path slowly downwards. A soft sigh came from her as she felt his hands slip into her thick hair. One by one the buttons slipped free and the skin below begged to be touched. Unrestrained, her lips travelled to the hard plains of his chest, drinking in the heady moisture left from the afternoon's activities. Her tongue flicking out to trace the thin whelp that marred the perfect flesh of his chest. Cutting her eyes up to meet Bud's she felt his strong hands travel her rib cage and her t-shirt being pulled from her. She quickly lifted her arms for Bud to pull the shirt over her head.

Rubbing her naked torso against him she whispered, "I think I like this lesson..."

"You're not gonna get an argument from me, doll." He smiled seductively.

"That surely would be a first, Bud White." She sighed against his lips, pushing his shirt from his shoulders.

Bud starred into her eyes, wanting something from her he never imaged he'd need."Say it," he demanded.

"Say what?" she asked, eager to comply.

"My name....say it like it means something to you," he whispered.

Loria fingers lightly traced the outline of his jaw. "Wendell," she sighed, wrapping her tongue around each letter until it felt as familiar as a heartbeat.

He crushed her lips with his, a deep growl of pleasure rumbled through his chest. "Again," he instructed, pulling from her.

"Wendell...Wendell...Wendell," she breathed against his lips, her restless hands roaming his chest. Moving lower across the tight expanse of his stomach, her fingers slipped into the waistband of his trousers, teasing with tiny stokes across the indentation of his navel. Her head thrown back against the tree at her back, his feasting lips traveled along the pulse at her neck to the sensitive lobe of her ear. His rough hand at her breast, lightly pinching her hardened nipples pushing her to brazenly follow her impulses. Nimble fingers released the hard length of him from his trousers, wrapping her hurried hands around the silken steel of him. The questing feel of her fingers nearly finished Bud, taking a deep breath he fought for control over his raging need. Pulling her to the pine scented ground with him, what remained of clothing was quickly disguarded in favor of the erotic feel of heated flesh against flesh. Bud covered her willowy body with his, mouth sealing against her aching nipple. His tongue running roughly against the puckered skin and teeth biting ever so gently, it made her wither beneath him, eager for that ultimate joining. Arching her hips up to meet him, as with one quick thrust Bud entered her tight warmth to the hilt. Their bodies striking the perfect rhythm between frenzied need and the wonders of newly discovered passion.

Bud stared down into the turbulent blue of her eyes as he withdrew from her only to plunge back inside, he watched the play of passion across her face as their bodies mingle. Dropping his head to her neck, he sucked gently at the heated skin there, until she was branded. A deep purple molded her skin where his lips had been. Moving lower he began to mark her again, their touch growing erotically intense as he felt Loria's hands travel slowly across the hollow of his back and lower to the base of his spine. Impatient fingers dug into his skin as she tried to pull him harder against her, rushing him to bring her to the brink of completion. As whimpers of pleasure broke from her throat. With her demanding hands urging him on he began to slam into her, feeling the first constricting tremors of her orgasm. Her body suddenly stilling below him as wave after wave of pleasure tore through her, centering where they were joined. Bud was beyond any vestige of control as he pushed deep inside her a final time, spilling his hot sticky essence inside her and with a moan of satisfaction he felt her body drain him of the last drops. He rolled to the ground at her side and pulled her against him.

"Lesson's over," he smiled teasingly.

On to Part 16-20