Volume I: The Power of Desire
Chapter One
Campfires dotted the hills and vales, twinkling in the deepening dusk of summer twilight. By each of the well-tended fires was a tent, hundreds of them in all, each crafted of leather and canvas, arranged in long, neat rows alongside the lush foliage of the desert oasis? Surrounded by harsh desert, the oasis was an island of green and blue, ferns and trees and water. The campfires of the gathered army sparkled like jewels on a necklace draped around the neck of the oasis.
Separated from the tents of the other men and officers, closer to the deep blue lake at the center of the oasis, a single tent stood alone. Made of tanned camel hide and sitting beside a roaring bonfire, the tent was far larger than the others, almost grand in its design.
Inside the tent, Delilah waited.
Chapter Two
She waited patiently for the return of her warrior-lover, watching the sun set over the desert through the front flap of the tent. Eyes closed now, she listened to the burbling spring beside the tent – the water warm and inviting, waiting for her, waiting for them both.
When Samson returned from the field of battle, she would bathe him there, soothe his brow, and tend his wounds.
Delilah smiled at the thought. She was content, eager, even happy – certain that nothing could happen to her lover. He was God's warrior on Earth, his cause was righteous, and none could slay him.
He would return to her, as he always did.
And the night would be magical.
She wore nothing at all, as she reclined against the thick furs on the floor of the tent. There was no need for clothing – the fire warmed her darkened skin, and the summer breeze was mild and sweet. As the flames flickered, shadows danced across her tanned flesh, and tiny beads of sweat trickled between her firm, full breasts.
As she thought of Samson, she felt her nipples harden. Without conscious thought, she reached down and ran her fingernails along her long, supple thighs, then gently caressed the soft skin of her flat belly. Her own touch was like electric fire, sending waves of pleasure through her.
She could only imagine what his touch would do.
In the distance, she heard the heavy beat of thundering hooves, approaching from the west.
Her lover had returned.
Chapter Three
When she heard the sound of a single horse nearing her tent, Delilah stood and waited. Outside, she could hear his voice, muttering softly to his steed as he tied the horse to a nearby tree; next came the sound of his pack falling to the ground by the far, his armor and shield laid beside his pack.
She heard his footsteps and bit her lip in anticipation.
The tent flapped was pulled upwards, and Samson stepped into the tent.
Even after their years together, the sight of him still took her breath away. He was a magnificent giant of a man, rough and sinewy, his muscled, sculpted flesh streaked with sweat and dust and blood.
His face wore a thoughtful, troubled expression, but when his eyes found Delilah his cares vanished, and a warm smile crept across his face.
"Hello, my love," he said. "I return to you again, as I promised I would."
She stepped forward and took his hand. "How went the battle, Samson?"
He grimaced. "The Philistines fought bravely and well, but once again we won the day and emerged victorious. They are routed, and are retreating as we speak. But many sons of Israel died glorious deaths on this day. The price of victory was high."
She leaned up and kissed his cheek, then whispered softly, "Let me ease your pain, take you mind off the horrors of war ..."
Suddenly, the valiant warrior and leader of an army seemed to vanish, replaced by young man filled with virility and desire. He looked down at Delilah, letting his gaze linger over her long, slim legs, her slender waist and high, heavy breasts.
"That, my love, sounds like a wonderful idea!" he declared, reaching for her lustily.
Giggling, Delilah slapped his hands away. "Not yet, you brute! Let me bathe you first, wipe the grime of battle from you body!"
He nodded and grinned sheepishly, still admiring her nubile body.
With a matching grin on her delicate face, Delilah took his hand and led him out of the tent and towards the warm waters of the waiting spring.
Chapter Four
A small bucket sat beside the bubbling waters, filled with sponges and vials of oil. Delilah led Samson to the water, nudging him forward.
"Come on, my brave warrior. Into the water so I can tend to your cuts and bruises," she said patiently.
Samson quickly disrobed, shedding his leather tunic and silk cloak; the mud spattered clothing falling to a heap on the grassy slope beside the spring. Naked, he stepped gingerly into the water where his lover waited.
"Doesn't that feel nice?" Delilah cooed.
The water was almost hot on his flesh, soothing him, bringing relief to his tired and battered feet.
"That is nice!" he agreed.
Delilah looked at him carefully, inspecting his body. "Oh, look at you! All bruised and wounded ... those Philistines did fight well today, didn't they?"
"They did," Samson said, nodding. "But I slew many of them."
Delilah ignored his boasting and began tenderly cleaning his wounds, wiping the dust and dried blood from his forehead, then tenderly washing a long laceration from his forehead.
"Have I tended to all of your wounds?" Delilah asked.
Samson grunted in response.
Delilah smiled warmly. "I'll take that as a yes ... now let's bathe you! Come on, now, under the water ..."
Treating him roughly, like a mother with a reluctant child, she put her hands on his massive shoulders and shoved him under the gently bubbling surface of the water. Samson came up sputtering.
"Did you have to dunk me under like that?" he demanded.
"Oh, the big strong warrior is being bullied now?" Delilah asked, looking up at him with a twinkle in her crystal blue eyes.
Samson grunted again. "Somehow you weaken me, Delilah ... a dozen Philistine warriors are no match for my power, but one look at your bare flesh makes my arms heavy and my knees weak."
Delilah smiled and kissed him softly. "I think they call that love, Samson. Now sit down in the water so I can bathe you!"
He sat down cross-legged on the sandy floor of the desert spring, the churning water reaching up to his chest. With a rough brush, Delilah began scrubbing him all over, lathering his flesh with a strongly scented square of soap. When his shoulders and chest were covered in soapy suds, she instructed him to stand – and began quickly lathering the rest of his body.
As she began washing his stomach and thighs, Delilah dropped to her knees in front of him. Her soft, strong hands caressed him, reaching around to the backs of his thighs and firmly muscled buttocks. Samson looked down at her ... at her firm breasts, her full lips just a few inches from the tip of his long member.
The image was intensely erotic, and he suddenly ached to slide himself into her mouth, to feel her warm lips around his shaft, her tongue working its magic on his stiffening flesh. The thought aroused him fiercely, and he felt himself begin to harden.
Chapter Five
Still kneeling in front of him, sponge in her hand, Delilah giggled.
"Oh, my!" she said. "It looks like someone is enjoying their bath!"
Samson smiled down at her warmly. She was gazing at his half-erect cock with admiration, softly licking her lips. "I can't help it, my love ... just looking at you excites me. You're so very beautiful, a treasure ... and your touch sets my body on fire."
It was her turn to look up and admire him now. "And a beautiful body it is, my lord. I love to look at you, every inch of you ... your broad shoulders and strong arms make me hunger to taste you!" she purred.
Teasingly, he thrust his hips forward, the head of his cock brushing against her full lips. "Go ahead then!" he suggested.
Delilah reached up to tease him, fondling his balls lightly, then running her sharp fingernails along the length of his shaft, one finger gliding around his now pulsating member. "Oh, that is tempting, my love!" She grinned now, her smile wide and shameless. "But we are not done bathing you! Now come kneel beside me!"
With that she reached up for his hand, pulling him down into the warm waters. He sat beside her as she gently rinsed the soap from his aching body, sponging his shoulders tenderly, warm water trickling over his flesh. Beneath the surface of the bubbling spring, her magical hands massaged his battered muscles, kneading the sinews of his thick thighs and calves, her thumbs working their way up his spine as she slowly eased the tension in his body.
When the back of her hand brushed his still throbbing cock, he gasped involuntarily.
Delilah smiled at him wickedly. "Oops!" she said.
He returned the smile. "I wasn't complaining, my love."
"In that case ..." This time she reached purposefully for him, finding his engorged member, wrapping her slender fingers around his shaft and squeezing lightly. For several long, delicious seconds, she stroked him, teasing him with her talented fingers and soft palms.
With that, the disciplined warrior lost all of his discipline and reached for her desperately, his hands groping for her slick, wet breasts. "I must have you now!" he declared in his most military of voices.
Giggling again, but with a hint of impatience in her voice, Delilah slapped his hands aside once more. "Not yet, my love! We are far from finished with you!"
Samson sighed in frustration and sank back into the water. Delilah maneuvered around behind and pulled another vial of liquid from her basket, then dribbled the thick contents into Samson's long, golden hair. She lathered him quickly, expertly, washing the battlefield dust from his golden mane.
"Careful now, love," Samson said softly. "Be gentle with my hair!"
She leaned close and kissed his cheek, then bit his earlobe sharply, teasing him with her tongue. "I know, my lord – it is the source of all your power. Only by cutting it can your enemies weaken you ... and I certainly don't want you weak!" she said.
Samson chuckled. "But you make me weak, my lover. I am weak right now, weak with desire for you!"
