The week didn't improve. Meggy woke on Saturday feeling depressed. She got on with her chores after Lucan had gone for his morning sleep and tried to keep the boys out of the house as much as she could. At ten o'clock when she brought them in for their milk and biscuits they ran loudly through the house. She shushed them but knew it was too late when she heard Lucan's bedsprings creak. He nodded to her. She nodded back. This had become their ritual greeting. Lucan ate in silence while Meggy went to peg out the washing.

"I'm taking the lads into town and down to see Margaret," he called from the back steps.

Meggy sighed in relief. Only a week ago she was happily going into town with him. Once they had gone, she decided to take a bath. She figured Lucan would be a while if he was going to Margaret's and Thaiter was at work. She filled the tub and had just finished undressing, preparing to bathe in front of the fire when Lucan burst through the door carrying a bag of flour on his shoulder. She stood naked in full view, shocked into stillness, and then quickly grabbed her dress and held it in front of her.

At the sight of her, a surge of need swept through Lucan. He stared at her, dropped the sack of flour, stepped forward but froze as she scurried to cover herself. He wanted to touch her, to keep looking at her and he couldn't stop the words leaving his lips. "I want to look at you."

Meggy backed away shaking her head. "No!"

A moment longer he let his eyes linger, though she was covered he couldn't remove the image of her smooth creamy skin, the fawn of her nipples and firm roundness of her behind, her curves shapely and flowing. So different to Kat. Lucan's body ached with desire. He pushed his palms against his eyes, took a deep breath, and then backed out of the room.

He entered the dark shadows of the stable and thought of Lillian but his mind moved onto Kat. He saw her face, but he could no longer see her body, only Meggy's. Slamming his fist on the wall, Lucan then leaned against it and slunk to the floor, rested his elbows on his knees and ran his hands through his hair. He closed his eyes and saw Meg-Anne's shape, her body, her face, her smile, her laughter and he knew for certain that she was the one for him.

He stayed away and only returned at dinner time. Meggy watched him warily and when Jacko came to walk with Thaiter to the pub Lucan scowled, made his excuses and put the boys to bed.

"What's wrong with him lately?" Jacko asked.

Thaiter made a feeble excuse to do with the tunnel and Lucan being underground on the late shift.

With Lucan having gone to bed Meggy was left to tidy up the kitchen and within the hour Thaiter was back. She gave him a puzzled look. "You're back early the night."

"I'm not feelin' so well. Thought I'd have an early night." He chuckled and said, "I must be getting old, Meggy."

Once Meggy was finished her tasks she looked at the clock, it was only eight-thirty. She thought she may as well get an early night and avoid being up when Lucan got ready for work. She changed into her nightdress and lay on the bed listening to Thaiter snoring. Something he only did when he was really tired and she wondered how Lucan could sleep with it. Meggy thought about Lucan's reaction to seeing her naked and how the pain she saw on his face disturbed her.

She was just dozing off when she felt a hand on her head.

"Meg... Meggy, I need you to come with me." Lucan stood over her. He didn't wait for her to answer but pulled her to sit on the edge of the bed.

"Lucan?"

"Come with me, Meggy. Please."

She rose from the bed and let him lead her out of the room and into the kitchen where he had a lantern lit. Lucan opened the back door. Meggy hesitated so he jerked on her hand and led her toward the stable.

"Where are we going?"

He didn't answer but pulled her behind him until they were standing in the small room that housed the hay. Lucan placed her against the wall and put the lamp down.

"I'm sorry, Meggy. Sorry I've been so moody. Sorry I walked in on you today and stayed longer than I should have."

Meggy was about to tell him it was alright. That she understood he was angry with her for walking in on he and Lillian but he stepped closer and put his hands against the wall so she stood between his arms. Meggy held her breath as Lucan lowered his head, kissed her gently, and then pulled away. She felt his warm breath caress her mouth, and then he kissed her again in the same gentle way urging her to respond. Meggy couldn't control the surge of emotion that swept over her.

When her lips spoke to his Lucan sighed, he held her head in both of his hands and pushed his fingers into her hair. He moved his mouth with more urgency. Meggy moaned against his lips. Lucan wrapped his arm around her waist, ran his hand to rest on her backside and pulled her hips towards his. "I want you, Meggy. Every inch of you, every breath, every moment, every smile that you shine on me. I want all of you and I can't stand it any longer. We gotta talk, you and me. Talk about many things."

"Lucan?" His name on her lips was a question, he didn't answer but pulled her closer.

Meggy felt every one of his muscles tight and hard against her. He moved his lips to her neck, she gasped as a shower of goose bumps had a domino effect over her body as he undid the ribbon on her night dress and opened the fabric to reveal her breasts.

Lucan groaned, "Meggy... I need to touch you. Please say yes." He cupped her face and claimed her mouth with his.

Meggy gasped and clung to him hoping he understood that her answer was yes. When he lifted her, she wrapped her legs around his waist, kissing his neck. "Yes," she whispered.

They moved in unison; their breathing well timed. Meggy had never craved for a man to be inside of her as she did Lucan. He was making her body respond to his touch as no man ever had. She felt a need deep inside. It surged ever so slowly, got more intense with each of his thrusts until it peaked. She clung to him and struggled to breathe as she felt the muscles deep within the walls of her body pulsate. Meggy shuddered as she gasped out his name, "Lucan...!"

He felt her muscles throb against him. The sensation set his body alight. His name on her lips fuelled the surge in motion and he poured into her. Lucan remained inside of her, he held her to him tightly as they both steadied their breathing.

Tears ran down Meggy's face. She felt drained of all energy and began to sob.

Lucan pulled his head away and searched for her eyes in the shadows. "Did I hurt you, lass?"

Meggy shook her head. She laughed and cried all at once as he looked questioningly down at her. "What is it, Meggy?"

"I've never felt it before," she whispered. "The others, they talked about it. Told me about the sensation but I've never felt it before. Oh, Lucan. It was wonderful." She gasped, gulped back a tear and kissed him lovingly on the lips.

Lucan responded, and then pulled away. He rested his forehead against hers and pushed her hair back with one hand. "So, you don't regret it?"

"Oh no, Lucan. Do you?"

"No, Meg. I'm where I want to be. I don't want to leave you." He kissed her and slid his large hands down to cup her backside. "From the moment I saw you again I've thought of nothing else but you, of touching you and being with you. Your laughter, your smile, your eyes. Meggy, you're so beautiful."

Lucan knew he had to leave her so released her,  and for the first time in her life Meggy didn't feel repulsed by the heat of a man's seed running down her thighs. He placed her on her feet. "I have to go to work." She nodded her understanding as Lucan bent down, kissed her breast and worked his way to her neck with his lips. He looked down at her and sighed as he pulled her nightdress up to cover her body. He dressed, lifted the lamp, took hold of her hand and led her back inside the house. She cleaned herself while he put on his boots. He came to her as he was about to leave and kissed her. Lucan brushed her hair behind her ear. "We'll talk in the morning. Proper, because there's things you need to know."

Meggy nodded and stood on her tip toes. "It's alright. Don't worry yourself now, we'll talk soon enough."

But they didn't.

Finally.  But... he didn't really tell her how he feels.  He didn't say those magic words. :(

Drawing - Duane Eells - Woman with Towel