Blaze (7 page)

Blaze did as she asked, unfastening the rope holding up his trousers. They dropped to his ankles, revealing his long legs, the thighs and calves chiseled with muscle. He also wore a loincloth, a bit looser than hers, though not loose enough to hide the sizeable bulge of his cock. As he strode into the water, she drew a deep breath. It was now or never.

Melody stood, the silky material clinging to her full breasts, her nipples hard. Her loincloth hugged her soft mound, patterned by the wiry triangular patch of curls beneath.

His gaze swept over her. Moistening his lips, he drew a deep breath that expanded his broad chest in the most sensual manner.

"I'm sorry." Melody dropped back beneath the water. "This is Glenna's way. Not mine."

"What?"

"I was never good at playing games." She waded closer to him. Though he refrained from touching her, she sensed his desire and saw it glistening in his eyes. Sighing, she extended a tentative hand

and rested it on his chest. The muscles were hard beneath his moist, hair-roughened flesh. His heart pounded against her palm. "I enjoy your company very much, Blaze. I'm attracted to you and I've never said anything like this to a man before. I must sound like such a wanton fool. I—"

"You're neither wanton nor foolish." He tenderly cupped her chin in his hand and gazed into her eyes. "At least no more than I am because since we met I have been unable to think of anything but you. I know the sort of woman you are, sweet Melody. Not only because the spirits tell me but because I can sense for myself your kindness, loyalty, and goodness. For twenty three years I have upheld my vows, but now I find I desperately want to break one. When I look at you, talk to you,

and touch you, I want to be closer than we are. As close as two people can be."

"I want that, too, Blaze." She slid her arms around his neck.

"If we do this, I warn you, my heart will belong to you forever. Are you ready for forever, Melody?

Are you ready to share your life with a man you met yesterday?"

"I know I want you. I feel that we belong together, Blaze, but we still need time to get to know one another."

"I understand."

"I have never broken my vows before."

"I would not ask you to—"

"But I am ready to break one now. Do you still want me, or shall we wait?"

He held her gaze for a long moment, his hesitation at war with passion in his eyes. Melody might be virginal, but she wasn't stupid. She knew most men would make love without hesitation, then try to escape a longer commitment. This man wanted a commitment and was holding his desire at bay.

Instinct told her to snatch him up while the offer stood, but common sense told her they needed time, no matter how great their infatuation.

"A betrothal, then. Will you agree to that?"

"Yes. Oh yes." She smiled, embracing him tightly. His arms locked around her and he nuzzled her neck.

For a moment they stood, snug in each other's embrace.

"I brought you something." Blaze waded nearer the rocks and reached for his bag.

Melody joined him, watching as he removed two lavender bottles and a cake of soap.

"For you."

"Mmm," she purred, sniffing the soap. The bottles contained perfume and oil. "Lilac. I love them.

Thank you."

He kissed her and wiped a droplet of water from the tip of her nose.

Gazing at him with the most coquettish look she could muster, Melody took the soap and said, "May I wash your back?"

"Only if I may do the same for you."

Melody nodded, her nipples tightening even more at the thought of his sculpted hands on any part of her body.

Taking the soap, she dipped it in the water, lathered her hands, and placed the cake back on the rock. Beginning at the base of his neck, she massaged his water-slicked skin with her soapy hands.

She moved slowly, lingering over every well-defined muscle of his back. Her palms roamed over the hard curves of his shoulders and swept down his ribs. Using handfuls of water, she washed the soap off his back, then stood on tiptoe and kissed his nape.

Blaze drew a deep breath and leaned his head back as she continued pressing soft kisses to his neck and shoulders. Relishing the power and beauty of his body, she ran her fingertips down his spine to his loin cloth, then followed the trail with her lips. She licked and kissed, her hands stroking his sides.

"You make the thought of waiting impossible, Sweet Music."

"I don't know if I can wait, Blaze, or if I should." She giggled and moved in front of him, looping her arms around his neck. His eyes opened and he stared at her as she edged closer and spoke against his lips. "Haven't both of us waited long enough?"

"You're such a powerful temptation." He slid his hands up her back. "How can I deny the missing part of my soul?"

Melody's entire body warmed at his words. "That's the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me."

"Yet it doesn't even begin to express what I feel for you."

"Come back to my room, Blaze. I want to be with you today. Right now."

"I want the same." In a fluid motion, he swept her into his arms and covered her mouth with his.

She giggled and clung to his neck as he waded deeper into the water.

Blaze retrieved the soap and grasped her arm, tugging her closer for the promised washing.

Sighing with delight, Melody closed her eyes. While he washed, he kissed her neck and nibbled her earlobe.

"That tickles!" She laughed when he ran his tongue along the curve of her ear. His beard scratched her neck in the most arousing manner.

Taking the soap from his hand, she turned and rubbed it over his chest. She caressed the sudsy hair, loving the sensation of it against her palm.

"You have such a gorgeous chest," she murmured.

"So do you."

Her gaze flew to his and a blush rose in her face. Glancing down at her full breasts almost completely exposed beneath the thin, clinging fabric, she smiled. "You think so?"

"I know so." His graceful fingers traced the sides of her breasts with feathery touches.

Melody wanted more. Much more. Placing her hands over his, she guided them nearer her front until his palms covered both breasts. He rolled them tenderly and ran his thumbs over the taut

nipples. Stabbed by desire, Melody drew a sharp breath. Her clit ached almost as much as her nipples, stiff beneath his attentive thumbs and fingers.

"Sit up there." He guided her to a rock by the edge of the pool. Grasping her beneath the arms, he lifted her onto it and stepped between her legs. From this position, his face was level with her

breasts. Melody shivered at the thought of what would come next.

Blaze kissed one of her breasts through the fabric, pressing his lips over the fleshy globe, carefully avoiding her nipple and areola. This denial of her breast's most sensitive area had Melody tingling with anticipation. When he finished with that breast, he did the same to her other. She threaded her fingers through his hair and closed her eyes, loving each and every magnificent sensation evoked by his kisses.

Suddenly he covered one of her nipples with his lips and sucked it through the vest's thin, wet fabric. The tip of his tongue gently caressed the nipple and Melody gasped and moaned.

While he nibbled and sucked the taut bud, Blaze untied the front of the vest. He lifted his head only for a moment to slip off the vest and place it aside.

"Oh, Blaze," she murmured, trembling with passion. Any second his mouth would be on her bare breast. How could she stand it? The feeling was going to be too wonderful to endure!

Again those tender kisses covered the fleshy part of one breast. They were more than just ordinary kisses, but a lush pressing of his lips against her flesh. His soft, moist lips covered her nipple.

Melody gasped, clinging to his head as his tongue lashed the hard bud.

"Oh, by the Spirit!" She gasped, her legs locking around him and dragging him closer. "Blaze, oh!

Blaze!"

Giving the nipple one last tug, he licked across her breasts to the other stiff nub. He lapped it with the flat of his tongue, then used the tip to circle it. To Melody, the world had become a dark haze of passion. Her belly clenched and her legs trembled. Heat and sensation filled her pussy. A shudder ran through her as he sucked harder on her nipple and she rubbed her stiff, aching clit against him.

Another second of attention on her nipple and she was going to explode.

"Blaze, I—Oh!" she cried, clinging to him hard as waves of climax broke over her.

His arms tight around her and his body pressed to her clit, he continued licking and sucking her nipple until she relaxed against him. Melody smiled, her head resting against his shoulder and her arms and legs draped loosely around him.

Finally she giggled.

"What?"

She lifted her head and met his gaze. "This was certainly worth the wait. It was so fantastic I wonder if I'll be able to survive actual lovemaking with you."

Leaning closer, he kissed her throat. "This is lovemaking."

"You know what I mean!"

"I know." He grasped her arms and kissed the tip of her nose. "That is something I can scarcely wait for."

"Then I suggest we return to my room. As beautiful as it is here, this rock is not very comfortable."

She stood and retrieved the towels while he hoisted himself onto the rock. As Melody handed him a towel, her gaze riveted to his cock that stood so thick and ready between his legs. Being a healer, she'd seen nude men before, but this was altogether different. He aroused her completely. Like the rest of his magnificent body, his big, ruddy, well-veined cock was the epitome of male beauty.

"Thank you." He accepted the towel and dried himself. She did the same, then they slipped on clothes and headed for the fortress.

By the time they reached the gate, the sunny weather had turned to rain.

"Feels like we've just had another bath." Melody giggled when they stepped, drenched, into her herbarium.

"Sometimes unexpected showers are pleasant."

"I like the rain, too. Especially when it's warm, like this."

She was glad that no one awaited her or had stopped by to help themselves to supplies. To ensure privacy, she beckoned him into her room and closed the door. Everyone knew that when the door

was closed they were to knock in case of emergency. She hoped no other crisis would occur for at least the next hour.

Blaze drew her into his embrace and kissed her. Closing her eyes, Melody slipped her arms around his neck and stood on tiptoe to better reach him. Nudging her against the door, he kissed her cheek

and neck. She ran her fingers through his thick auburn hair, then tugged at his shirt.

He stepped away, his gaze fixed on hers and a half smile on his lips as he removed his shirt.

Walking to the bed, she discarded her clothes. For some strange reason, she felt a bit conspicuous and kept her back to him. At the lake, she'd been practically naked in his arms, but somehow being alone with him in her bedroom seemed even more intimate.

Slipping beneath the blanket, she glanced at him. He'd discarded his clothes and walked toward her in all his male splendor.

Reaching the bed, he stretched out atop her, supporting his weight on his forearms. He gazed at her, their faces so close that she felt his breath on her lips and could almost see her reflection in his clear blue eyes.

"You are so beautiful, Sweet Music."

Melody stroked his back, enjoying the sensation of warm skin over hard muscle. "I feel like I've waited all my life for you, Blaze."

"I want to make you happy."

"You do. You…" Her words faded along with her thoughts as pure feeling encompassed her. He'd inched lower, covering her breasts with feathery kisses. Finding a sensitive place on the underside of her right breast, he used his tongue to lick and tickle it.

"Mmm." She squirmed, gripping his shoulders as his tongue trailed down her belly and circled her navel. His long, gentle fingers swept up and down her side and danced over her hip.

Though she sensed the passion within him and felt the hardness of his cock against her, his movements were slow and savoring. He seemed in no mood to rush or sate his desire with a few quick thrusts.

His large hands slipped beneath her buttocks, lifting her bottom as he settled between her spread thighs.

"By the Spirit," Melody breathed, her pulse racing out of control and her entire body aflame. His breath fanned the soft, sensitive flesh between her legs. Her clit tingled and her pussy flooded with

passion, though he had yet to touch either place. Thoughts of what he was about to do combined with his tender kisses had her teetering on the edge of passion.

"Oh, Blaze."

He kissed first one thigh, then her other. Using the tip of his tongue, he traced the joining of her thighs and pelvis while reaching up and stroking her breasts. Her nipples tightened, coming alive