Trespassers

TRESPASSERS

Category/Rating: NC17 Helm/Vera PWP
Disclaimer: Fireworks owns 'em but they're not quite sure what to do with them either. I'm just borrowing them, and even if I do dirty them up a bit they will come back clean and shiny -- promise.
Summary/Notes: Just after Dragon was shown, I was wondering how Vera managed to avoid discovering that none of Helm's doors seem to lock when he is in the bath. Sandy said, "How do we know that she hasn't?". I said, "Well...Hmmmmm." <BEG>

This is for Sandy. (Better late than never <G>)

~~~~~

Robert Helm still couldn't believe his luck. Even though a dip in the ocean was always an option, discovering a body of fresh water, no matter how small, was too rare an event in this near desert to go unappreciated. He had been making the hour ride about once a month to indulge in the luxury. The basin was fed by a cool spring, but the water moved through the pool slowly so the days heat would warm it to a pleasant temperature by evening. Bathing then also allowed for a comfortable return to the pueblo, though at this point Helm was not thinking about the trip back, he was just enjoying the moment.

The pool was large enough for him to stretch out. He could float a bit or submerge completely under the surface; he chose the later. The bottom of the lens-shaped basin curved to a depth of just over two feet at the centre. Helm let himself sink onto the smooth stone, just resting in the warmth and quiet until he could no longer resist the instinct to breathe. When he broke the surface, the sight that greeted him made him want to dive back under again. He was sure, however, that hiding would not make this intruder go away, so he controlled his annoyance and greeted the lady sitting on her horse with a polite, "Senora Hidalgo."

For a long moment all she did was look him over very carefully. The water was clear and he was sure that she was getting an eyeful. Then her faint smirk turned into a beautiful smile highlighted by a glint of mischief in her deep blue eyes. "Doctor Helm," was all she said.

Vera was not known for being reticent and her silence was making Helm more nervous than her perusal. He decided to try and make his point tactfully. "Senora, is there a tradition in this pueblo that allows women free access to a gentleman's bath?"

"There wasn't one before you arrived, Doctor." Her gaze moved over his body again. "Are you having difficulty finding privacy?"

"More often than I thought I would."

She didn't take the hint; she just grinned cheekily and dismounted. Her dress was the colour of the late afternoon sky and made a striking contrast to her hair. He hadn't realized how long the golden tresses were without the usual coif and curls; they easily reached the middle of her back. Once she had both feet on the ground, she turned to face him and began to gather up the heavy mass, twisting and piling it on top of her head. She would periodically fish a pin out of her saddle bag to secure the up sweep, but she managed to maintain eye contact with him during the whole procedure. "Then perhaps you should find your own bath," she eventually replied.

Helm had become so distracted by the attractive sight before him, he was sure that he had misheard her statement. He sat up straighter and asked, "I beg your pardon?"

"This pool is mine." With her hair out of the way, Vera began to loosen the laces of her dress. "It is on Hidalgo land and all of the rancheros know that I come here to bathe." She stepped out of the garment and placed it carefully on one of the sheltering boulders. "In fact there are two over the next rise acting as my escorts." She lowered her voice to a sly, conspiratorial tone. "They are within shouting distance, but as long as you keep your voice down they will not know that you are here."

She removed a small bundle from her saddle bag and secured her horse before she began to unhook her corset. Her highly exaggerated curves softened with the removal of the stays. Seeing her clothed in only fine silk, Helm was reminded of the pictures he had seen depicting river nymphs with their slim figures, delicate limbs, and gauze attire. Again Helm shook himself out of his musings. This situation was untenable. She was married and he was not about to make that kind of mistake again. She was also a resident of this pueblo and therefore a patient; any involvement would be awkward at best. He was the one that had to get out of this -- the pool and the situation -- for he knew that she was not about to back down. Oh, but she was lovely. He cleared his throat. "Senora, I..."

~~~~~

Vera cut off his thought and continued as if she hadn't paused, "For if they somehow became alerted to your presence it would be difficult for you to explain how you came to be in the pool with me." She dropped that last of her underclothing, and was warmed by the sweep of his gaze as she walked to the edge of the basin. By the time she had reached it, however, she noted his eyes had narrowed.

"Are you threatening me, Senora?" Helms voice was dangerously soft.

That wasn't supposed to be his reaction. Vera thought back to what she had said and realized that it could be taken as a threat with her being the one to alert the guards. She could understand his suspicion considering all of the plots and double-crosses that tended to go on in the pueblo. She had just wanted to tease him a little, coercion was not what she had meant it to sound like, and a denial would not be reassuring in this situation.

"Of course I am, Doctor. How else could I compel you to perform the odious task of washing my back?" Vera managed to ask the question with a straight face, but she could feel the edges of a grin ruining her attempt at a stern expression. Helm must have noticed, for a smile started to play around his lips as well. He relaxed against the side of the pool as she entered the water.

He looked even better up close. She let her gaze linger on the hands that had caught her attention from the first time she saw him - they had been wielding a razor at that time. They had moved with surety and grace, and the skin of his forearms had shifted and rippled with every movement. She could now see the definition extended to all of his muscles. His long bones made him seem deceptively lean; there was real strength in his chest and arms. Unfortunately, the play of light on the surface of the water prevented any further examination of his physique. A real shame - for with his beautiful hands, she was positive that he would have very cute toes.

She hadn't expected him to stay. He had always elegantly avoided her flirtations before, politely side-stepping any suggestive flattery, ignoring with amusement the more obvious incitements. Now that he was here, she wasn't sure of what to do with him. That wasn't quite true - she wasn't sure what to do next.

"I guess I am as trapped as securely as I would be in Montoya's prison," he said with a warmth she hadn't heard from him before.

"Oh no, Doctor, this snare is much stronger. People are always escaping from the colonel's jail."

Helms laughter was subdued, but the smile on his face made up for the low volume. The green eyes sparkled under his long eyelashes. Lines that were usually only faintly suggested came into sharp relief as his whole face shifted to make room for the wide grin that showed white teeth against his tanned complexion. The crinkles that had appeared on his nose were begging to be kissed. Suddenly, Helms amusement faded and Vera had a good idea as to the cause. All of the jailbreaks usually had help. She had heard of the number of times that the lady in the lace mask had saved the doctors life and that he had managed to return the favour more than once. Vera was not one to come between two lovers without good reason, and chose to allow the gentleman a graceful exit.

"Since the local saviour is not here, however, I will play the role of a proper pueblo guard and turn my back while you escape." Vera did just that. She turned to sit on her heels, facing away from him while she made a show of arranging her toiletries on the edge of the basin. She felt the movement of the water as he rose and hoped that he would return once he was dressed to bid her farewell. She had enjoyed the way his eyes moved over her.

At the same moment she had that thought, a gentle hand came to rest softly on her shoulder while Helms other hand reached over to collect the cloth that she had just placed near the water. She turned only her head to look questioningly at him, for the light pressure of his touch held her body still. His eyes held a slightly guilty look and his lips were curled in a rueful smile. "I believe that you required someone to wash your back, Senora," he said softly and the wet flannel moved in a smooth sweep from the water at her waist to her shoulders.

"I did not expect you to stay," she said. He paused, and she quickly explained in order to assure him that he was very welcome. "You are not like most of the men that I have known."

His smile became amused. "Considering your current... attachment, I will take that as a compliment."

Vera laughed, certain that he had not been referring to Gaspar. He continued caressing her back with the cloth but the hand that had been resting on her shoulder was now slowly sliding along her rib cage. He didn't exactly cup her left breast, for his palm pushed firmly against the soft flesh with his fingertips resting on her breastbone. This did not seem like an erotic touch until Vera realized what he was doing, then her pulse jumped. "You're feeling my heartbeat." She lowered her head, surprised that she felt embarrassed by what seemed to be a relatively innocent gesture.

"Yes." His voice was low and close to her ear. His next caress along her back was without the flannel and ended with the light brush of his fingertips over the back of her neck. "You have a beautiful neck," he whispered before his lips followed the path of his fingers. Her breath caught and she was sure that he had detected her heart racing under his hand for she could feel his smile against her nape.

"If I didn't know better, I would say that you were flattering me again, Senora."

Again Vera laughed, this time it was a little breathless. "I didn't think that you would ever be seducing me, Doctor."

"It comes as a surprise to me as well. I believe you may have more experience at it - how am I doing?"

Vera turned to look at him sharply. The reference to her character had touched a sensitive nerve, but he had such a sweet smile and there was such obvious affection in his eyes that she couldn't stay offended "You have only just begun. I will reserve my judgement until I have had a complete illustration of your abilities." She tilted her head so that he could continue with the kisses along the side of her neck.

She caught a flash of white teeth from the corner of her eye before he grasped her firmly around the waist and lifted to a new seat between his legs. She could feel his penis against the small of her back - not quite hard, but full and heavy. Helm did not seem pleased with the new situation though, he was fidgeting and muttering under his breath. She didn't understand the words but the tone of a curse was universal. Then with a small sound of victory, he pulled her against his chest and showed her a sharp-edged stone sitting in the palm of his hand. He tossed it away as he made a few final adjustments and then brought his face close beside hers. "If you want a complete illustration, it is better that we are comfortable."

Helms deep voice at her ear sent shivers down her spine, she was tempted to have him entice her with words alone. Then his hands started to move and she changed her mind. When his lips resumed their attention to her neck, she decided to stop thinking altogether. It was wonderful to be the one being seduced for a change. Just to allow herself to feel rather than having to plan a step or two ahead.

His hands were magical, but she knew they would be. They were moving over her torso in a seemingly random pattern but the nature of the touch would change. Over her bones - ribs and hips - they demonstrated their strength, moving roughly sometimes squeezing her, confident that she would not break. The caresses over her belly were firm but gentle, sometimes increasing in pressure when she tensed the muscles in her abdomen. At her breasts his touch was feather light. The backs of his fingers along the side, his warm palm cupping underneath, the brush of his thumb over her nipples, now hard with the cooling effect of the water and the anticipation.

She closed her eyes and let her head rest against his shoulder. That allowed him greater access to her throat. Soft kisses worked their way down to the base of her neck. They were interspersed with gentle nips as he moved along her collar bone and a few swift licks in the hollow above it. When he reached her shoulder, he began the return trip along her back, pausing again at the nape of her neck.

It was then that she reopened her eyes. Helm had raised his legs slightly, placing his feet flat on the sloped bottom of the pool. It brought his knees just above the surface. Vera found herself smiling at the thought of running a wet finger over the smooth skin peeking from the water. Then she began to notice the feeling of his thighs pressed against her hips. She shifted them... because she had to. That movement brought a twitch of response from the growing erection at her back and his legs tightened around her hips, holding her still. She had this urge to touch him, run her hands over his flesh. Both of his hands were at her breasts for the moment, leaving hers reasonably free. She slid them to his hips and started a long caress up his thighs. Like the rest of him, the length of his muscles was deceptive, he had powerful legs, well developed and defined. She ran her hand along the shallow valley at the outside of his thigh enjoying the feeling of skin roughened slightly by fine hair. At the end of her reach, she began to draw wet spirals on his sun-warmed kneecaps. She had only made a couple of turns before both her hands were caught in his and removed from their play.

"Who's doing the seducing here?" he chided gently, kissing one of her palms. "Am I boring you that you have to find your own entertainment? Is there something that you would prefer?"

Vera turned slightly to look at him in surprise. He was asking her! She was not shy; she would suggest, and at times direct, but no one had ever asked her what she wanted. His voice tempted her again, but it was the way that he had laced his fingers between hers that decided the issue. She brought his hands to her lips. She held his gaze as she kissed the backs of both. Letting one go, she gently massaged the one still remaining in her grasp.

"I have always thought that you had lovely hands - strong, sensitive... skilled." He understood her, she could tell by the way his eyes darkened and by the fact that his free hand had moved from his thigh to hers. She continued with her ministrations to the hand in her possession, cradling it in her fingers while running her thumbs over the open palm. His fingers were long and straight, she threaded hers between his from the back and reveled in the sensation of sliding along their length. When she tried to bring his hand to her mouth again, he gingerly tugged it away.

He cleared his throat before saying in a rough voice, "This is my seduction. You behave yourself." He had dropped one leg and was guiding her body to lean more fully against his opposite shoulder. His arm came around her to hold her secure. She felt very safe, languid almost, until he ran the supporting hand over her breast, allowing each of his spread fingers a rough caress over the taunt nipple in its turn. What had started out as a purr of contentment turned into a growl in Verbs throat. Helms casual caresses along her thigh became firm as he coaxed her leg over his. This shift in her hips produced strong pressure along his cock. Helm inhaled with a hiss through his teeth.

Vera gazed up at him, batting her eyelashes. "Harder than you thought?"

He met her eyes with an indulgent expression. "I am quite aware of the complete situation. Thank you for your concern." She shifted a little again, just because she could, and she felt the silent chuckle behind her back. "Minx," he muttered, as his lips came down to meet hers.

The kiss was soft and pleasant, but Vera found herself distracted by the movement of his fingers. He was stroking, very lightly, at the curling hair in the crease of her thigh while traveling ever so slowly toward the centre. When he eventually moved so that there were two fingers on each side of the cleft, she moaned against his lips and surged against him, impatient for more than just the teasing. A finger slid in between and Vera was sure he discovered there were things wetter than water. His tongue followed his hands example and she relaxed her jaw in welcome to the intruder. He plundered her mouth as roughly with his tongue as he was gentle with his hands.

It was when he started to brush her nipple again that she broke the kiss, moving her face away from his to bury it in his neck. Maintaining the kiss would have been too much stimulation, for he had also found the nub at the top of her opening and had established a steady rhythm. For a time she just rested there, secure against his broad chest, his breath at her temple, his hands at her command, but then something shifted and she knew the end was approaching.

He must have sensed a change too, for he gently spilled her off of his lap to have her recline against the side of the pool. She thought that he would move on top of her, and she would have received him eagerly, but all that he did was adjust his position so that both hands could complete the process. Two, then three fingers entered her, spreading her, stroking from within. The other hand kept up the stimulation to her clitoris. He managed to find a position where he could also continue to provide attention to her breasts. Kissing, licking, gently biting her nipples, sending electric shocks down her nerves to her groin. For a time, that is where her world was focused.

As the contractions started, the fingers at the small, sensitive organ stilled, providing only a steady pressure. The movements into her body also ceased but his fingers remained a presence for her muscles to contract around. Vera would have liked to thank whoever had taught him that. When the waves faded, he moved away from her. He rested on one elbow, sliding that hand under her to support her back. The other hand came to rest on her abdomen while he continued to softly nuzzle at her breast. It was not quite an embrace, but the presence of the strength and solidity of his hands on another part of her body made her realize how far away he had been through the event. Now she wanted him close to her. She slid her fingers into Helms damp hair and gently pulled him up to look into his eyes. "Can we say that your seduction has been successful and take it from there?"

~~~~~

Helm met her gaze; there was just a halo of blue visible around her large pupils. He could also feel the small residual shudders, the restless movements of the rest of her body. Part of him had hoped that she would dismiss him after attaining her own pleasure, then he wouldn't have to make the decision that had been running around in the back of his mind. He knew better than to get involved with a married woman. It wasn't as if they were starting an affair; he was not going to compete with Grisham for her. It was just this one opportunity. But then it only took once to find disaster. He put the choice firmly in her hands, she was the one with the most at risk. There were many words that could be used to describe Vera - fool was not one of them. "You are the goddess of this spring, milady. I'm just a humble mortal at your command."

The glorious smile that filled her face was worth the small submission, but the feral glint in her eyes gave him a moment of panic. He had expected some post climax lassitude, but there was none evident here. It took him a few minutes to remember to breathe as she pulled him into a very passionate kiss. The last one he had given her had been more of a release of his own frustration, and she had just accepted it as she had everything else he had done. As she rose to her knees, it was obvious that she was going to be full participant from now on. This was a woman who knew what she wanted and how to get it. He had wondered about her relationship with Grisham -- why she allowed him to take advantage of her. Helm now had the feeling it was the captain being led around by his . . . noses.

She brushed up against him -- past him - pulling him into deeper water. The movement of the water against his skin helped him keep his passion in check but it was obvious that her plan was to make him loose control. She seemed determined to touch every inch of skin. It wasn't always the same hand moved down his back, over his buttocks, up his chest, for there was always one hand near his face. One gently squeezed the back of his neck, her fingers threaded through his hair, then it left and she used the other to run her thumb along his jaw, lightly scratch down the side of his throat. Then the first came back, fingertips feathered along his cheekbone, over his closed eyelid, caressed firmly down his hairline. All the while she was kissing him. Soft, wet, deep kisses -- that seemed to slow down time.

They had stopped near the centre of the pool, both on their knees, the water reaching just below his ribs. Helm gave in to Verbs lead and pulled her close. His hands had been resting at her waist, but now he moved them to cup her behind, pressing her hips firmly against his. He quickly slid his fingers between her thighs and roughly caressed the heated folds. She broke the kiss with a gasp at the stimulation of still sensitive flesh.

"Bad boy," she chided with a very attractive pout. The pout became a small smile as he slowly, firmly moved his hands up her back, forcing her tightly against him. He reached her shoulder blades and the press of her breasts against his chest created a sight familiar to anyone who had seen her in her corset. He had expected her to drop her head back and allow his mouth free access to her throat and chest, instead she took a handful of his hair and made it clear that it was his skin that was going to be tasted.

She started her feast at his chin, nibbling along his jaw to his ear. Then she kissed her way along the hollow underneath and down his throat until she reached the notch at the base. There she started to lick. The subtle yet sure strokes prompted him to speculate on how they would feel on other parts of his body. He moved against her, turning pressure into friction. She nipped him in response but she also adjusted their position. Using her hands on his shoulders as leverage, she lifted herself so that his cock slid between her thighs. They were cool from the water but everything quickly warmed as she pressed her legs tight together, and she continued to brush her lips along the base of his neck. When he tried an experimental thrust, she sucked hard on the tendon that joined his shoulder to his neck. This would be a perfectly way of completing the encounter.

He wrapped his arms around her, holding her close and taking some of her weight off her knees. Vera clung to him, clutching him around the shoulders and burying her head in his neck. She continued to randomly lick, kiss, and suck at whatever skin was in reach as he ground his hips against hers. The variation in sensations made up for the lack of pressure. There was a slight catch in the slide against her thighs whereas her own slick fluid had almost eliminated the friction against the top of his cock. Even the water's cool caress as the tip peeked from between her cheeks was just added enjoyment. He gave himself over to the growing tension.

She pulled away suddenly. "What the hell...?" Helm started to protest but Vera wrapped her hand around his cock, squeezing hard.

She placed her other hand on his chest and pushed. "Back up," she commanded and started to stroke him. "Up on the edge." She was starting to get an evil little grin on her face and the reckless sparkle was back in her eyes. Helm had no choice but to obey.

Four steps back and his bum was on the warm rock at the edge of the pool. Vera knelt between his spread thighs and graced him with full force of that evil grin before swallowing him. He fell back on his elbows, mindless of the sand and gravel, as she sucked him hard enough to pull his teeth out. He made an effort not to groan. She may have changed direction on him suddenly but she was making up for it by not teasing. Steady suction, regular strokes deep into her mouth and very light pressure as she cupped his balls guaranteed that it didn't take long for the tension to build again and release in long, hard contractions. The water hadn't even dried on his skin when he lifted his head from where it had fallen back between his shoulders to look at the woman resting between his legs.

She had hooked both arms over his thighs and was watching him with a quizzical expression. "Was that all right?" she asked.

That brought breathless laughter from Helm. "More than all right. Couldn't you tell?"

"I wasn't sure. You were eerily quiet. Not even a sigh."

"I was making sure not to alert the rancheros."

Her brow furrowed in confusion, then it cleared and she started to giggle. She moved from between his knees to sit with her back against the side of the basin. He dropped off the edge to join her in the pool, but instantly regretted it as the relatively cool water hit his blood-warmed genitals. He took a deep breath at the almost painful shock, managing to withhold the undignified yelp. Verbs giggles turned into laughter.

"I'm sorry," she said, while trying to stifle her snickers behind her hand. " And I was teasing about the rancheros. Do you think that there wouldn't be a dozen of them on the high ground with spyglasses if they knew? The pool is on Hidalgo land, but no one knows I come here." She must have seen some of his disbelief in his expression for she added seriously, "You are the only one I have shared it with."

"Then I am honoured." He raised her hand to his lips and she laughed lightly at his chaste kiss. "But what if someone has followed you."

"Then he would have to tell my husband that he spied on my bath. These men may not be educated, but I think that they would appreciate the story of Actaeon." Helm smiled at her allusion to the misfortunes of a young man who had spied on a bathing virgin goddess. "It is not as if anything really happened. If this were a wedding night, there would be no blood on the sheets."

"But Vera, I donut think..."

"Your problem, Robert, is that you think too much. Just enjoy it for what it was and donut worry about it." A sly look started to appear on her face. "If you prefer, we could make it official, and your guilt worthwhile."

Helm took a look at his crotch and raised his eyes meaningfully to Verbs. "I think you've scared it."

She turned to lean against him, her breast pressing into his arm, and she purred in his ear, "I can be very persuasive. I know I could coax it into the world again."

He couldn't help but be a little dismayed at his easy acquiescence as he said, "I've always wanted to make love under the stars." He tried to draw her into an embrace but all that greeted him was a blur of frantic limbs and a cascade of falling water.

Vera scrambled for her clothes and her horse. "Dios mio! Now wonder Gaspar thinks that I am a feather-brain. I cant believe I let it get this late."

He just relaxed against the side of the pool. The golden light from the setting sun played on the water running off her skin. That water was quickly absorbed by a towel and she collected the rest of her supplies. He had never seen a woman dress so fast, but then she must have had practice. He watched, amazed, as she slid into her dress, tightening it with a quick tug to the laces and tying them expertly behind her back. She sent him a kiss and a smile as she mounted her horse. "I hope you will join me for lunch in the cantina the next time I am in town, Doctor," she suggested.

He just smirked, ruefully shook his head, and casually waved her away. He was going to take her advice and not think about this too much. Vera responded with another wide smile, then kicked her horse into a brisk canter.

Again Helm was alone with the sky, sand, and water. Somehow the peace and solitude were no longer as comforting as it had been earlier. He rose from the pool to dress.

END