"Nate, Nate!" Yelling as I rushed through the front door with bags of groceries. "Where the hell is he?"

"Right behind you, Hon. Where's the fire?" Nate softly growled in my ear. Wrapping his arms around my waist from behind; nuzzling my neck. Instantly my muscles relaxed from his touch, sinking further into his arms.

Turning slowly in his welcoming arms I inhaled that warm familiar scent of pine, woods, and utter male; letting it wash over my body, furthering the fall into the abyss. I Tilted my head up meeting his lips for a quick hello kiss, that swiftly moved to a heated and passionate one. Kiss deepening, tongues in twinned; a moan escaped my throat. Slowly unbuttoning his shirt. A rumble of laughter came from Nate's chest as he started to pull my shirt from my dress pants.

"I remember now why I so enjoy walking through that door every day," purring in his ear as Nate made his way from my jawline to my ear with slow soft kisses.

A cough followed by covered laughter came from the room behind me. "Mason you grab the chairs and I'll get the popcorn," the deep rumble of the familiar voice of my brother-in-law echoes out, while laughter exploded further into the room from the others.

Nate tried, unsuccessfully, to keep the amusement out of his voice as he replied, "Shows over boys. You're too young for the X-rated version."

Calmly I adjusted my now dishevelled shirt, waiting a few heartbeats to let the heat of embarrassment fade from my face before turning. I knew the others were here but every time my husband touched me my senses got all jumbled. Annoyed with myself and disappointed I wasn't better at this after all these years being with this man and still unable to control my hormones. "Don't you boys have a home you need to be getting too?" That was a little snappy.

"Of course we do. We just needed to...um...get the plans ready for Jack's new winter storage unit for the new boat." Dmitri said.

Nate's brother, Dmitri, stood with his arms crossed, leaning casually against the wall; using those ocean blue eyes to try to portray innocents. At 6'5", 250lbs. with not an ounce of fat, muscles rippled everywhere; if he got any broader he will have to walk sideways through the door. His midnight black hair fell that just past his shoulders but had it tied back with a loose thin strap of leather today. With his rugged good looks, square jaw line, and cleft in his chin; he oozed danger and violence, and far from the innocence he tried and failed to portray.

"Really Dmitri, you're going to stand there and lie to me?" When Dmitri went to protest, I held up a hand in a "talk to the hand" gesture then continued, "Listen! All off you listen. Sam is going to be here in less than an hour and you...all of you will not be here!" Staring each and everyone to make sure they really did understand. This was not up for debate.

Hands firmly placed on my hip, foot tapping I calmed my voice. "My friend is not here to be displayed for your amusement or anything else you may have planned." Pointing to the door I forcefully said, "Get out!"

Turning and jabbed a finger against my husband chest with force. "You! Did you know what they were up to?" Growling as my temper began to slip, taking a deep breath to get back in control.

Staring into his rich chocolate brown eyes, quickly diffused my anger. Nate and his brother were built almost the same, minus 50 lbs. or so Dmitri had on Nate. The difference was in the colour of their eyes and hair; Nate being blonde and kept it short and spiky they looked a lot alike. The other more noticeable differences where their attitude and behaviour. Don't get me wrong Dmitri was great and I couldn't have asked for a better brother-in-law. The were just different. Where Nate was on the professional side Dmitri leaned more on the biker side even if he didn't ride. He just carried a dark vibe about him but he was more like a giant overprotected teddy bear. That wasn't quite right either. I would never call Dmitri a teddy bear. Maybe a teddy bear with very big, sharp teeth. That is a better description.

Wide eyed, but still amused, Nate started rubbing my arms, "I didn't tell them to come over."

The sneaky little shit did not answer my question he also thought he would get away with it. I had to focus on getting the other five men out of the house first.

"Listen guys, I don't really mean to be rude, but Sam's been on the road for a day and half now and this is all new to her. A big change. Overwhelming her even more will not be good. So please just give her a few days. Plus to be totally honest with you, I want my time with her first." I added a little puppy eyed look and bam! I got what I wanted. One of the benefits of being a female, a small female, with this group of males.

"Yeah, little sis we understand," Dmitri said, agreeing a little too easily, as they all started to walk to the door. Patting the top of my head, as usual, when he walked by. "We can wait till tomorrow at Jack's BBQ to meet her," he finished with a wicked grin as he shuts the door behind him.

"Nate, what is Dmitri talking about, what BBQ?" I took me all of 2 seconds to register what Dmitri had said.

"Hon, it's been planned for over a month now." Seeing the complete blank look on my face he went into detail. "We are helping build Jack's new boat house and having a BBQ."

Frozen in place while I really registered the information in front of me before pulling a Sam. "FUCKSHITGODDAMMIT!" Pinching the bridge of my nose I started to pace, panic in full mode. This was not good. Not good at all. "I completely forgot. You can go but I can't. I will not put Sam through that a day after she gets here. Shit maybe a month from now. You know what they will be like! She doesn't know anything Nate!" I was breathing heavy. Maybe convincing Sam to move her was not a good idea. A very selfish idea but not a good one.

"Hey," Nate put his hands on either side of my face as soon as I stopped pacing, "Listen to yourself. You're doing it again. Deciding what's best for Sam. She might want to go. Hell, she may even have a great time."

I was shaking my head before he was finished. "You don't understand. Sam doesn't like big crowds, especially if all eyes will be on her. You know that will happen." Oh my god I think I was going to have a panic attack! Does are kind have panic attacks?

"Whoa, whoa, first of all calm down. Mady breath! Second, let's not worry about that till after she gets here and relaxes a bit before you bring it up." He was using his calm reassuring voice but the words would not penetrating through my thick skull. "Mady, it's been five years since you have seen Samantha last, people change, their needs change. You of all people should know that."

Ha! I did know that all to well. But this was Sam we were talking about. The same Sam I have known for years. The same Sam that would not go out to a bar without drinking to relax from the crowd. But he was right, people do change. Hopefully Sam has...at least when it came to big crowds. The rest can wait till later. Much, much later. I still felt a little sceptical, but also knew he was right. My shoulders slowly started relax. My breathing started to slow and my heart didn't feel like it was pounding in my chest.

Noticing I had calmed down, he snapped my attention back to him. "I'm going to go grab a shower before she gets here. Go get yourself a glass of white wine and sit on the porch and enjoy the fresh air and sun set."

"Nate...thank you," reaching for his hand giving a light squeeze as he laid a kiss on my cheek before heading for the shower.

* * *
Sam

"Hey girl, I'm about one hour away, according to the GPS that is. Hit some traffic so running a bit behind," I had to make yet another stop. My bladder demanded it, plus my body was killing me. "Great. Beers cold and waiting so hurry your ass up, but don't speed too much. Oh and do you need or want anything else for when you get here?" Mady asked.

There was no hiding her excitement over the phone. I think I have smiled more in the last day then I have in months. Thank you Mady. "Beer sounds fantastic, a shower too and maybe if you have someone on speed dial who gives great butt massages. I have been driving ten hours straight, minus a washroom stop, and my ass is numb!" Doing some stretches in a gas station parking lot was not doing much. It didn't help when I took in a deep breath and was reward by a nose full and exhaust fumes, tar, and smoke.

"You know I love ya and all, but I am not going to massage your ass." Mady's laughter rang through the phone. It was contagious. "I may have a number or two that can help you with your little problem."

"After a couple beers I just might take you up on that, but I do have stipulations on what hands will be touching me. I very much prefer the tall, dark, handsome, and quiet type. You remember? Just want to see the pretty package not what's inside; no talking just good strong hands," It should have been a joke but unfortunately it wasn't. My expectations and views on the opposite sex died many, many years ago.

By this time, we were having a laughing fit on the my views on the male population. The excitement and exhaustion played a large part of the silliness of the change of topic.

"Sam, stop I'm going to pee my pants," Mady got out in between breaths, "One of these days you have to tell me what you have against the male population."

"Ok, Ok," I, too struggled to catch my breath. Maybe the gas fumes played a part on my giddiness as well. "I don't have anything against men, just not a lot of use for them either. Not all of us can find prince charming. Hell, it would be nice to find Mr.-I-have-a-job, and know-how-to-use-utensils," I explained. It was all true for the most part. "I will be there soon."

"Drive safe, see you soon," she replied before the phone went dead.

Jumping back in the car with a smile from ear to ear, I thought to myself "Yep, I think I definitely made the right decision to come up here so far. Mady is exactly what I need."

As two guys walked by, they looked at over my way and started to laugh. I realized I once again was caught talking to myself out loud instead of having the internal conversation I thought to be having.

"What, you never seen anyone talk on speaker phone before?" Yelling out my window, covering up the embarrassment of being caught once again. I really have to stop talking to myself, especially out in public, Ahh!

* * *

Driving through what I assumed was downtown I was surprised to notice how clean and very much alive it was for being such a small town. It was around seven at night and people, no make that a lot people, were still out shopping, having dinner and what not. This was not like back home at all. Not that I would know these days since I can't remember the last time I actually went anywhere besides the grocery store. Hell I even ordered books offline instead of stopping at a bookstore. One of my favourite things I used to do.

Windows rolled up against the chill of the dropping temperature as the sun started to descend and the exhaustion that raked through my body, I sat patiently and waited for the light to change. Doing a quick look around I swear I felt people watching me. It was so intense a shiver went down my back. This time I looked around and noticed that it was not just one set of eyes but several that turned my way. I swear people all down the street stopped what they were doing to glare in my direction. I actually looked behind me to see what was there. Before I could pinpoint what had the attention of the glare squad I was startled by the car horn behind me. The light had turned green when I was looking around. Quickly turning around, hitting the gas, a little too hard, to get off the street and away from the unwanted attention. A moment later when I risked another glance in the rear view mirror all seemed to be normal. People enjoying the night. Ok that was just a little weird. Come on Sam you're tired and just being paranoid. New place, new people, plus you have been on the road for a day and half. My little pep talked helped a bit.

Finally I made it through town, the knots in my stomach begin to ease from my paranoia. By the time I reached the windy road with the most amazing scenery, all traces of unease was replaced with pure adrenaline and excitement. The lush greens of the trees and the wild flowers acted like a wall on both sides of the road, only allowing slivers of the falling daylight through the sparse branches, giving the trees a halo effect. "Definitely have to get back here and take some shots." I said out loud. Come to think of it I can't remember the last time I took some pictures never mind even held a camera. The idea of just doing that put a smile on my face.

Making the final turn on a well-hidden road that I almost missed due to watching everything around me instead of where I was driving. The place was absolutely breathtaking. Soon as I turned the trees slowly started to recede farther back, giving it a slightly more open feel. All of a sudden, the air grew thicker, moist almost; with that, a strange feeling of ants crawling up my skin that sent a shiver down my spine and goosebumps up my arms. The sensation passed so quickly, I chalked it up to exhaustion and nerves. If it ever happened at all.

A half-mile or so the first house appeared. The houses seemed to be around a half mile apart, ranging from ranch style, two storey, and Victorian style homes. Every property had manicured front lawns, amazing landscapes with a variety of different colours and types of plants and flowers. It really gave off the impression of a gated community, of course without the gates.

Pulling into the address that Mady had gave, stood a huge, elegant, but simple two-storey, grey brick home, with a deep red front door, and four square shaped columns reaching up to the second storey. Sunlight reflecting from semi-tinted floor to ceiling windows on both floors gave a blinding rainbow effect. The front porch and balcony wrapped around to the far side of the house that displayed white sophisticated wicker furniture. Flowerbeds of bright yellows and purples strategically placed around the porch as well as the side yard.

"Whoa, this place is absolutely amazing." I took a moment to admire the house while I pulled to the side of the driveway so I wasn't blocking them in. Stepping out of the car I had to stretch out my back before grabbing my bag from the passenger seat. Not even halfway out yet I heard an earth-shattering squeal coming from the direction of the house. Dropping the bag I stood up straight just in time to have Mady slam into me with a bear hug that almost landed us both on the ground.

"Oh my god you're finally here!" Mady screeched, almost blowing out an eardrum.

"Can't…breathe," I managed to squeeze out while the ringing in my ear started to fade. Mady relaxed her bear hug grip and stepped back a foot. "Damn, girl I think you might have cracked a rib," Bouncing in place, "Sorry, I am just so excited that you're finally here." Mady gave me another quick hug with less force. How did I forget she was a hugger? "I've missed you so much that words can't even describe."

"I've missed you too. Damn you have one hell a place here Mady." Taking my eyes off her and admired the house again.

"Thanks, we like it," Mady dismissed the compliment quickly, "So do you need any help getting anything out of the car?" She asked while peeking into the car.

"No I'm good. It can wait till tomorrow," Turning my attention back to her, "Shit, girl you look fantastic! I'm glad to see you put some weight on those bones of yours. You don't look so damn breakable," waving a hand, gesturing for her to do a 360. "You didn't even age a bit either. You so have to share your secrets with me." Mady's smile faltered a bit and something passed through her eyes, but it happened so quickly that I could not get a read on it.

"Well that's an easy one. I married the most amazing man in the world and," she lowered her voice to a whisper, "a lot of great sex," smile broadening and winked.

"Well, that is so one of the main topics tonight, no leaving out the juicy details at all. " Mady turned a nice shade of red which made me laugh harder. "But first I really need to get these kinks out of my body and circulation back to my ass and legs." I ;looked over my shoulder and noticed five ATV's with their riders sitting on each relaxing and staring in our direction. "Are they the ones I get to choose from for that butt massage?" I jerked my head in the direction where they sat.

Mady finally noticed our little audience and didn't seem pleased. Growling as she narrowed her eyes and placed her hands on her hips. "No, they were told that they will not be meeting you today and to go home," back to all smiles, Mady grabbed my arm and dragged me towards the house.

Walking toward the house, I noticed that our audience was leaving too. Waving their goodbyes all I could do was laugh. Men..