The sun had set, leaving only a golden trace along the ragged edges of the mountains. Its heat still radiated through the valley and it warmed Sam and 
Emma as they sat together on the porch swing outside her home. Sam had his 
arm comfortably wrapped around her shoulder, holding her close. Emma's head rested against his and they quietly took solace in each other's company while 
they watched the skies darken and the stars appear. 

Tonight was the night of Sweetwater's spring dance and the boys had all gone into town with Teaspoon. Sam had planned on escorting Emma, but that was before he had wrenched his ankle trying to break up a drunken free-for-all at the Wild Horse Saloon. He could get around all right, but dancing was out of the question. Still, Sam reckoned his injury couldn't have come at a better time. His job left him little enough time to spend with Emma and more often then not; he had to share her with the express riders. A little pain was a small price to pay for an evening alone with the woman he loved. 

Emma shifted against him, moving her hand to wrap it around the inside of Sam's leg, just above his knee. She heard his quick intake of breath and felt him shudder under her touch. Lifting her head back a bit, Emma smiled innocently up at Sam. 

"Is it too cool out here for ya, Sam?" she asked, slowly moving her hand back and forth. 

Sam cleared his throat. "Ah, no. It's just perfect." he answered, his voice deep 
and slightly husky. Sam slipped his hand around Emma's waist, pulling her closer. She snuggled her head into the crook of his shoulder and started to make tiny circles with her finger on his pants leg. As she moved her hand slowly up his thigh, Emma felt the rise and fall of his chest increasing the higher she went. Sam 
shifted his hips forward slightly, pressing his leg against her. She traced her finger along the seam of his pants to the juncture where his thigh met his hips. A low moan escaped his lips, bringing a smile to Emma's face. She gave his leg a gentle squeeze. 

Sam took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. "Don't stop." he whispered. He tilted his head back so that it rested against the back of the swing and closed his eyes. Emma gazed up at his handsome face. She ran her hand lightly over his crotch, seeing the muscles in his jaw tense. His lips parted, a contented sigh escaping. A spark of pleasure coursed through her body and she wanted, more than anything, to taste his kiss. Turning towards him, she slid her arm around his waist, tucking her hand into the waistband of his pants. She kissed the hollow of his throat, tasting the saltiness of his sweat on her tongue. 

Sam lowered his head and brought his mouth towards Emma's. He kissed her with tiny nibbles, gently sucking on her lower lip. She opened her mouth to him and he eagerly slipped his tongue past her lips. Sam brought a hand hand around to hold the back of her head. She giggled as his thumb lightly tickled her ear. Trailing her hand down his chest, Emma traced a finger over his belt buckle and down along 
the fly of his pants. She cupped him in her hand, caressing him, rubbing gently, feeling him grow hard beneath her touch. He groaned against her lips, kissing her harder. 

Releasing his lips, Emma brought her hand from behind his back and worked at loosening his belt. Sam rained tiny, kisses along her neck while she pulled his belt slowly through their loops, dropping it on the porch. Slowly, Emma undid the buttons of his pants one at a time. Sam squirmed under her touch, enduring the sweet agony for as long as he could. When he could stand it no longer, he brushed her hands away, fumbling with the last few buttons, straining to release himself from the constraints of his pants. 

Emma sat back and laughed softly, waiting for him to finish. He grinned at her, raising his hips so he could work his pants down a bit. She leaned forward, kissing his lips tenderly. Bringing her hand down again, she ran a finger along the length 
of him. The heat radiating from him sent a warm surge through her own body. Emma tickled him lightly, running him through her hand with long, slow strokes. 

Emma pulled her lips away from Sam's, staring into his clear blue eyes. He smiled and reached out a hand to touch her face lightly. "I love you." he whispered. 
Emma returned his smile, knowing in her heart and seeing it in his eyes, just how much he did. Sam traced his hand down along her throat to the rise of her breast. Cupping one in his hand, he ran his thumb over the nipple, feeling it harden beneath the cotton of her dress. Emma tilted her head back and sighed. 

His hand moved down her dress, running over her thigh, until he got down to the hem. He slid his hand under the lightweight material and retraced his path up to the waistband of her pantaloons. With his free hand, he pulled her face to his and captured her lips. Sam's tongue explored her sensuous mouth while he inserted first one finger, then two more into her undergarment. Moving his hand back and forth, he slowly worked the garment over her hips. Reluctantly, Emma pulled back from his lips and got up from the swing. Smiling sweetly at her love, she stood in front of him. Sam slipped his other hand under her skirt, quickly sliding the pantaloons over her hips and down her legs. 

Stepping out of the garment, Emma kicked it off to the side. She grasped his 
broad shoulders and lifted one knee, placing it next to him on the swing. Then she brought her other leg up so she was straddling him. Sam held her by the waist, supporting her while she pulled her body forward. Emma felt the hardness of his desire touching her and a shiver of anticipation ran through her body. Sighing his name, she lowered herself slowly, feeling him slide easily into her. For a moment Emma sat there, gazing into his eyes, savoring the sensation of him filling her 
with his love. Then Sam raised his hips, pushing himself deeper into her and she started moving with him, the swing squeaking in a strange musical 
accompaniment to their lovemaking. 

Slipping his hands under her skirt, Sam ran them up her silky, bare thighs and around her hips to grasp her buttocks. He squeezed gently each time he raised his hips to meet her. Lowering his head to the space between her breasts, Sam breathed in the light lilac scent of her skin, concentrating on the movement between them. Emma lovingly ran her fingers through his hair, staring down at 
the top of his head. 

Sam raised his head, meeting her dark gaze, drowning in the love he saw in her eyes. Leaning forward, Emma placed a soft kiss on his forehead before finding his lips again. Sam closed his eyes, accepting her kiss, opening himself up to her. He lost all awareness of everything but her mouth until his entire world had been reduced to just the two of them and their passion. 

Emma whimpered against his lips, her movement against him becoming more urgent. He released her mouth and looked up at her. Her fingers gripped his back, digging into his flesh as Sam thrust himself deeper, increasing his own rhythm. Emma arched her back, her breath coming fast and shallow. He felt her body 
begin to shake and her thighs tensed around his hips. She cried out her pleasure 
as his next push sent her over the edge. 

As Emma trembled against him, Sam kept moving inside her, feeling his own 
desire building to a climax. Burying his face between her breasts, he gripped her waist, pulling her against him until, with a moan that came from deep inside him, he released himself into her. Emma wrapped her arms around him, continuing to rock gently against him as he slowly relaxed inside her and the sweet ache of 
their passion faded. 

Carefully easing off of him, she sat back on his legs and looked into his smiling eyes. "You're quite a dancer, Sam Cain." 

Laughing, Sam kissed her lightly on the lips. "Next time, I'll lead."