"I think I'm going to die," Samantha moaned as she dropped to the ground in front of the fire. Her feet ached and she wanted nothing more than to get out of her hiking boots and damp, sticky clothes.

"City girl," Brian replied rolling his eyes. "That was a pleasant little hike, nothing more."

Samantha could feel a thin trickle of sweat slowly traveling down the small of her back. "Pleasant little hike? We must've gone a zillion miles today!" she replied wearily.

Brian laughed and brushed a loose strand from Samantha's ponytail back behind her ears. "Only about six, but I bet you worked up quite an appetite."

Her stomach rumbled at the mention of food and her mouth watered as she thought about the hot dogs they had planned for dinner tonight.

"I'll take that as a yes," Brian said as he started supper.

After they ate and Samantha washed their plates, Brian beckoned for her to join him. "Come here Sami."

"Why?"

"Because I have a surprise for you," he replied with a gleam in his eyes.

Samantha walked over to Brian, sat on his lap, and with only the slightest of protests allowed him to tie a bright yellow bandana over her eyes.

Once Brian made sure it was secure, he unfastened her shorts and slowly turned Samantha over his knee. "Ohhhhh," she gasped as she felt her shorts slide to her knees. Brian tugged her panties down as Samantha squirmed. The whole world could be watching for all she knew. That thought added to her anticipation and excitement.

"Smack!"

Brian's hand landed crisply on her bare bottom. Cool air mixed with the hot, stinging spanks that covered her firm, rounded cheeks.

"Smack . . . smack . . . smmmaaaaaccccck . . ."

Finally Brian gave Samantha's bottom a last pat, then set her on her feet. "Keep your eyes closed," he commanded as he pulled off the bandana and tilted Samantha's chin skyward.

"Ok Sami, you can look now."

Samantha opened her eyes and saw a blanket of shimmering stars. "It's beautiful!" she exclaimed.

Brian smiled at the hundreds of glow in the dark stars he'd spent the last week adhering to the ceiling of their loft. A rainstorm CD blocked the hum from an endless sea of taxicabs that sped past their windows day and night. The oscillating fan blew a gentle breeze across the room, while a hint of pine drifted from the row of candles on the mantle. Their hike through Central Park was as close to the country as you could get on a Saturday in Manhattan.

Brian carried her to the sleeping bag he'd laid before the fireplace; then stripped off Samantha's shirt and bra as he trailed a line of hot kisses down her bare flesh. When he reached her thighs, he parted them and settled in. Samantha moaned and opened her eyes wide as Brian flicked his tongue against her clit.

All she could see were stars . . .

If you'd like to email Mary Catherine about this story or Saint Francis, write: marycatherine@saintfrancis-sfg.net