Savage Conquest (49 page)

He caught the ties of her breechclout and untangled them, to allow the triangular garment to
drift to her ankles. He straightened, then leaned away
to gain a full view of her. She was so beautiful. His
hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs caressing the
hardened peaks. When she fused her lips to his
mouth, his hands traveled down her sides and
encircled her body, grasping her buttocks and
drawing her naked body against his shuddering one.

Their tongues touched and explored the taste of
the other. The peaks of her breasts were like two coals
burning into his chest. He groaned in achingly sweet
desire. He unlaced the ties of his breechclout,
allowing it to fall to the earth at his feet. They sank
together upon the forest floor, their lips and bodies
meshed tightly.

As his lips worked between her mouth, ears, and
breasts, his skilled, aggressive hands stimulated her
womanhood to quivering need. Her hand drifted
over his shoulders and hips until it made a discovery
which enticed him to feverish pleasure. As if by
instinct, her hand encircled the swollen, fiery object
which could grant such delight. It felt so smooth and
sensual. When her hand moved up and down its
length several times, he groaned and writhed his
hips, his mouth increasing its feasting upon her
breasts and his hand working swiftly at a lower
point. An urgency to fuse their bodies assailed them.

They moved together gracefully. Her thighs parted
as he slid between them. As his shaft sank into her
moist, dark warmth, her legs encased his body. They
kissed savagely, greedily as their bodies surged in
unison toward a mutual goal. There was no time for
leisurely lovemaking; their starving senses were
ravenous.

There was no restraint or caution. Their bodies
blended time and time again until they were
rewarded with rapturous ecstasy. When every drop of
passion's nectar had been released, they lay ex hausted in a serene bed of love and contentment.
Both wished they could remain here like this for a
long time, but it was getting dark.

Reluctantly he lifted his head and smiled at her.
"We must go, Tamaha," he murmured against her
lips, then kissed her thoroughly, wishing he meant
they could go to their teepee for more lovemaking.

She hugged him desperately. "I know, my love."

She blushed when he suggested they splash off in
the stream to remove the musky odors of sated
passion. He cuffed her chin and laughed merrily.
"There is some shyness left in you," he teased.

"Perhaps in time you can conquer all of it," she
retorted coyly.

"Change nothing in you, Tamaha. I desire you as
you are," he stated honestly, kissing her palm. She
quivered. "Do not look at me so, Tamaha," he
playfully warned when renewed passion glowed
within her golden brown eyes.

"You have a strange and powerful effect over me,
Blazing Star. When I am with you, you are the only
person alive. You've cast a magical spell over me, and
I am powerless to resist you or to refuse you anything.
What will happen to us if there is no truce?" She
spoke her inner fears aloud. "How long must we live
separate lives? How long must we steal such golden
moments?"

"You will not refuse or resist my wishes; you will
stay apart from me and the war which controls my
life and destiny."

"Please don't ask such a sacrifice of me," she
begged him.

"I must, Tamaha. As long as there is war between
our people, we cannot share a life or a teepee," he
vowed.

"You want me to return home with Reis?" she
asked somberly.

"Yes," he replied almost tersely, fearing her
defiance.

She sighed heavily, knowing it was foolish to
argue. "Let's go," she conceded, feeling she had
improved her chances of winning him sooner. Now,
she merely had to wait patiently. It would not be wise
to reveal she was not as submissive and manageable
as Indian women were alleged to be.

He seemed surprised, even suspicious, at her
willingness to obey his commands. He watched her
slip away to the stream to wash off and dress. He lay
there for a time, thinking of her. When he finally
joined her, she was ready and waiting for him. She sat
meekly while he tossed water upon his body, then
dressed.

When he extended his hand to help her rise, she
smiled and declined it, saying, "Someone might
think we're too close if we hold hands. We wouldn't
want anyone to imagine I was your woman." She
laughed merrily and raced away toward the camp,
wondering if a man was more tempted by a
seemingly elusive prime.

Her mood was odd, and he mused on it. Would he
ever understand this playful creature? Would he be able to capture her, when she was as carefree and
quick as a wild wind? Her mother had left her home
during times of war; the conflicts had increased with
the passing winters. Tamaha had been born a
daughter of two enemy bloods, a daughter who had
returned to confront those warring winds.

In Sun Cloud's teepee, Miranda questioned her
brother-in-law about the council meeting. Reis told
her it was better if she did not know anything; that
way she could not drop any clues by mistake.
Miranda did not want to imagine Reis betraying her
or her people, but she was alarmed by his refusal to
discuss his mission. She persisted in asking what was
going on between him and the Oglalas. How else
could she judge his honesty and sincerity?

Sun Cloud recognized her fears and their reasons.
He smiled and consoled her, telling her to trust Reis
and to follow his orders. Blazing Star added his
encouragement and prodding. Only Bloody Arrow
remained silent and watchful.

Miranda's gaze went from one man to the next,
sensing all were in total agreement except her cousin.
How could she argue against such odds? She relented
and kept silent.

When Blazing Star smiled raffishly at her, no one
missed the warmth or power behind it. Nor did they
miss the way Miranda's eyes softened and glowed
when she returned the smile. Reis had to shake her
arm to cach her attention. She blushed and listened
as he said it was time to go.

She hugged and kissed her grandfather, telling
him she would come again if possible. The old man's
eyes were moist as he smiled. She glanced at her
cousin and politely said good-by. When she turned
to Blazing Star, thankfully her back was to the others.
Her eyes wandered over his arresting form, mutely
asking how long it would be until they were together
again. She smiled and caught his hand in a sort of
genial gesture, needing that final contact. She told
him good-by, hoping her voice did not betray her
excitement and turmoil as his thumb caressed the
back of her hand.

Outside, Sun Cloud presented her with his
"surprise" from the Cheyenne camp. "He's beautiful, Grandfather," she cried, nuzzling the pinto's
nose. "But I can't take him with me. How would I
explain him?" she fretted in disappointment. "Will
you keep him a while longer?"

Reis solved the dilemma by suggesting that he say
he purchased the horse downriver. All agreed. After
her saddle was switched to the pinto, Miranda was
helped to mount. She bid them all farewell, her gaze
lingering on Blazing Star. Just before they were out
of sight, she glanced over her shoulder and waved.

Blazing Star turned to find Bloody Arrow's wintry gaze on him. "Why did you lie to her about Black
Buffalo Woman?" he demanded.

Even amidst the knowledge of Bloody Arrow's
envy and spite, no one realized the extent of his
hunger for power and revenge. No one could
imagine the heights to which he would reach to
obtain his wishes, or the depths to which he would
sink if denied. He deceitfully said, "Because you trick
her. Because you pull her into your arms when she
cannot remain there. What of her feelings, Blazing
Star? What of the moon when she learns the truth?
What of Sun Cloud when he learns of your deed?
Who will kill you for taking her body when you will
not share her life-circle, Sun Cloud or Miranda
Lawrence? Your lust for her blinds you to your
cruelty and evil. Do you forget she carries the s..ane
blood as Sun Cloud and Bloody Arrow? Do not force
us to protect her from you. I wished to end her
feelings before she was harmed by them."

Blazing Star knew he was lying but rashly allowed
it to pass. This was not the time or place for a private
battle between kin. There was a greater matter at
hand. "I will end it when the time is right, Bloody
Arrow. I would not harm Tamaha. I have spoken
words of truth to her. Do not interfere," he warned
ominously.

Miranda and Reis repeated their arduous journey,
arriving home near three in the morning. Reis
unsaddled their horses and placed them inside the
small corral which he had constructed and attached
to the side wall of the cabin. He tossed hay into one corner and carried in two buckets of fresh water from
the well. Then they went to the cabin door.

When Amanda answered their summons, she
hugged each one tightly, telling them how relieved
she was to have them back. She wanted to hear
everything, but Reis and Miranda were exhausted.
Miranda collapsed upon the cot and fell asleep
without undressing. Amanda was nettled when Reis
gave her a light peck on the cheek and did the same in
the bedroom.

Amanda struggled to remove his boots and pants.
He mumbled his thanks, then rolled to his side and
went limp. Amanda was very quiet that morning, not
even building a fire for coffee. She knew they needed
to sleep as long as possible. She sat in a chair reading
or sewing to pass the time. But as noon came and
went, she became anxious to hear about the daring
trek. And she was getting hungry.

She went into the bedroom and sat down on the
edge of the bed. She watched her husband sleep for a
long time, relieved he was home safe. She wondered
why his mission had to be kept secret from her. Had
he confided in Miranda? A note of discord struck her
at that insensitive thought. But how could Miranda
help Reis if she did not know what was going on out
here? If this case were as dangerous and timeconsuming as the previous one, he would damn well
confess matters soon!

When would Reis realize that ignorance did not
provide safety or prevent worry? Why could others
know facts or assist Reis, but she could not? It was almost as if being his wife was nothing but a cover for
his assignments! After all, she only had Reis's word
that he was a government agent! For all she knew, he
could be a sly criminal!

Amanda scolded herself for being so silly and
dramatic, but she was tired of secrecy. She wanted to
meet her grandfather, too. She wanted to join in the
excitement and suspense. She longed to be a part of
this mission, and she yearned for Reis to trust her
implicitly.

He stirred and opened his eyes, his keen senses
detecting a presence. He smiled faintly as he rubbed
his eyes, yawning and stretching. He sat on the side of
the bed opposite her. He stretched his body several
times and massaged his sore neck. "Any coffee left?"

"I haven't made any. I was afraid of disturbing you
two. Do you think it's all right to awaken Randy?"
she inquired hesitantly.

"What time is it?" Reis asked before replying.

"A little past one," Amanda responded. "I missed
you."

He flashed her a smile, then stood up to flex once
more. "We could both use more sleep. But I think it
should come later. Why don't we fix some coffee and
food, and talk? Your grandfather's quite a man. And
so is Randy's warrior," he added playfully.

"You met them? You liked them?" she pressed
eagerly.

He stretched and yawned a final time, then
splashed his face with tepid water. While drying
it, he nodded and grunted affirmatively. "What's Grandfather like Reis?" she probed, coming to stand
near him.

He fluffed her golden hair and remarked, "A real
chief. Let's get that coffee, then I'll tell you all about
him." As she turned to obey, he reached for her,
pulling her into his arms. "Don't I get a welcome kiss
and hug first?" he jested, grinning beguilingly.

As the kiss lengthened and deepened, Reis drew
away and murmured, "I think we should close the
door for a while."

His implication was clear, and the feeling shared.
But before he could do so, Miranda sat up and caught
sight of him, telling him good morning. He
responded, then turned to Amanda and stated
ruefully, "Randy's awake. We can prepare that coffee
and breakfast."

When Amanda came to his side and embraced him,
she teased, "I do believe my husband has acquired
modesty from some place. The more I lose, the more
you find."

Arm in arm, they entered the front room. While
Miranda freshened up, Reis helped his wife with
their meal, and as they consumed it, Miranda and
Reis went over their trip. Both women were perturbed when Reis withheld the motive for his visit.
Amanda questioned her sister about this secrecy.