Warrior Moon Page 16

  Her breath caught as she looked at him because he was magnificent, his wild mane of black hair touching his shoulders. She stared up at him, knowing every inch of her wanted to belong to him. She loved him and she wanted him to love her, if only this once.

  Lone Wolf gazed down into her fiery green eyes and knew she was caught in the throes of passion. His pulse drummed as he lowered himself to enter her, his shaft sliding into her softness. Her maidenhead was tight, and he would hurt her. Dimly he wondered if she would think he was doing it deliberately.

  He eased into her and felt her hips rise to take him. She gasped and closed her eyes, her slender arms winding around his neck to pull him closer.

  He moved slowly, the effort costing him as sweat beaded his back and shoulders and forehead. He braced himself on her, sliding his shaft out of her. She gasped and her hips arched beneath him and he met her, his member entering into her again to slide slowly against the tightness. And as he moved, she began to thrust more quickly. Then he covered her mouth with his when he thrust deeply, feeling the tight membrane yield and surround him.

  He made a sound deep in his throat as he kissed away her cry, feeling her body tighten against the pain and then relax slightly, moving with him.

  “Put your legs around me,” he whispered, turning his head as he moved. Her long legs wrapped around him and she slid her hands along his back and arched beneath him. He knew when the pain changed and she began to feel the ecstasy.

  Vanessa clung to his strong body, waves of pain assaulting her. She felt as if he had torn her open, but then it changed. She moved against him and the pain diminished more, transforming to a need that was greater than she had ever known. She gasped, raising her hips, wanting more of him, feeling an urgency that tore at her.

  He thrust slowly again, so carefully, and his deliberation made her wild with need. Her hips moved beneath him and she slid her hands down his smooth back and over his firm buttocks, pulling on him, wanting him inside her.

  Lone Wolf tried to hold back, fighting the urgency that was building in him. He wanted her with a hunger that dismayed him. He had to move, to feel the tightness of her around the length of his shaft. He kissed her, muffling her cries, her hips moving with his as she clung to him. Her arms tightened, and she arched against him.

  Vanessa felt as if she were drowning in the torrent of sensations that assailed her, yet the need seemed to grow. Pain ripped through her, and her cry was stopped by his mouth and tongue; but then the pain faded, replaced by a driving need.

  Her pulse drowned out all else, and ecstasy rippled through her. She moved with him and clung to his hard body and, for this moment in time, reveled that she had all of him.

  Lights burst behind her closed eyelids. The roaring in her ears shut out Lone Wolf’s cries, and her body responded to him in ways she had never known possible.

  “Please—” she gasped, arching against him, her hips moving with his; and then she felt the bursting release that brought rapture.

  “Vanessa!” He cried out, and this time she heard his words. His mouth covered hers, and he kissed her passionately while they slowed and, at last, quieted.

  She held him, still joined with him, their hearts beating together. She opened her eyes, reality returning. She had given him her virginity, given him her heart.

  And he had not taken her in anger or revenge. She had no regrets, suspecting that whatever lay ahead in her life, she would always love Lone Wolf.

  He stroked her hair and raised on his elbows to look down at her, tracing her lips with his finger. And he knew in that moment that he would never tell her goodbye and let her go south alone to Fort McKavett. He would take her with him back to his people. He was not going to give her up. She would fight him, but her sister would survive. Only an unwanted marriage threatened the sister, not death. Lone Wolf would keep Vanessa for himself. Her wide green eyes studied him solemnly, and he wondered what she was thinking. Regrets? Anger? Knowing Vanessa, she had given herself freely and was neither angry nor regretful, but he could only guess.

  “Next time you will like it better,” he said softly, kissing the corner of her mouth, thinking nothing in the world could be as soft as her lips. He settled her in the crook of his shoulder and toyed with her hair. “Don’t leave me yet. Stay here, Vanessa.”

  “I didn’t want you to know that Abbot Sutherland was my father,” she said, the words coming out in a rush, her voice low and urgent. “I didn’t know what his men had done to your wife, but I knew that my father offered a ten dollar bonus for any dead Indian because the Indians were interfering with his building a railroad. We had a fight about it, and he was so angry. He slapped me—he has only done that twice in my life—and he said I didn’t know anything about Indians or railroads and I was not to talk to him about his business. He locked me in my room.”

  “Your father is cruel. How long were you locked in your room?”

  “Only that night. I climbed out a window and stayed with a friend, then went back before Papa was up in the morning.”

  Lone Wolf rolled on his side and propped his head on his hand and regarded her as she ran her fingers across his chest, touching the red scar on his shoulder. “You’ve finally healed; I was so frightened those first nights until we found a doctor.”

  Solemnly he reached for her hand. “Vanessa,” he said, “I understand why you told me your name was Sutton. And I’ve lost my anger toward you, but I haven’t lost it toward your father. Some day our paths may cross.”

  “I realize that. His feelings won’t change either,” she admitted, growing equally solemn as she faced again the great differences in their worlds.

  She ran her fingers down his arm over the bulge of firm muscle. “I should bathe and dress. Muaahap will soon return with White Bird.”

  He picked her up easily. He was warm, a solid bulk against her, his strong arms holding her. He crossed to the tin tub that still held water to the brim.

  “What are you doing—”

  Ignoring her question, he sank down in the water. Vanessa yelped, struggling in his arms. Suddenly, they looked at each other and she laughed.

  Lone Wolf felt his heart twist. Her laughter was like sunshine, and the last shreds of anger burned away. He grinned at her, shifting and settling her over him, their warm bodies slippery with water.

  “This is the way you should be, Vanessa. Laughter lights your eyes.”

  “This tub is too small,” she teased, but her smile was gone and her hands played across his chest, her fingers touching his firm muscles. In minutes he was aroused and he shifted and moved her, pulling her down on him, relishing her gasp of pleasure.

  Later, she gathered her torn clothing. He stopped her, his large hand closing on the pink muslin. “I don’t carry money to have more made for you.”

  “I have two other dresses, and this wasn’t a good one to travel in. Besides, I can repair it.”

  “You looked beautiful in it, Vanessa,” he said. Then he reached behind him and picked up the flyer he had tossed aside. He held it out to her. Holding the pink muslin in front of her, she took the flyer from his hand and looked at it.

  “A thousand dollar reward is enough to make many men search for you and make anyone turn you in the moment he’s found you.”

  “I’ve been in several stores this afternoon and nothing happened.”

  “That doesn’t mean it won’t. We must leave town before daylight. If we can go while it’s dark, we’ll be safer.”

  “I have to go downstairs to order our dinner.”

  “I’ll get dinner sent up for us,” he said firmly, and she nodded.

  “I should go dress.”

  He caught her wrist and held her, pushing away the pink muslin to caress her. Tilting up her chin, he leaned down and brushed her lips with his. Her heart beat wildly, and she returned his kisses, amazed by the swift rush of desire she felt.

  She turned away reluctantly, going to the other room and closing the door. She dressed in the
patched gingham and brushed her hair, tying it behind her head with a ribbon, staring at her image and seeing Lone Wolf’s dark eyes, his virile naked body poised above her.

  “I love him,” she whispered, knowing she had given him more than her body. She had given her heart as well. And now when she parted with him, it would hurt more than ever.

  She closed her eyes, refusing to think yet about parting, anticipating tonight when she would again be with him.

  Hours later, as they ate dinner together in Lone Wolf’s room, over plates heaping with golden roasted duck, fluffy potatoes covered with cream gravy, and hot cornbread, Lone Wolf held out the flyer to Muaahap, conveying to her in sign and Comanche that men would be watching for Vanessa and that they should ride out of town before daylight.

  Muaahap took the flyer from his hand to study it, and then she reached over to squeeze Vanessa’s hand. She gestured, and Vanessa understood that she had Muaahap’s sympathy.

  “I think you have a grandmother as well as a daughter,” Lone Wolf remarked.

  “I never really knew either of my grandmothers very well. My mother’s mother died young, and my father’s mother was back east. When we visited her a few times, she seemed cold and I didn’t like her.”

  “I find it difficult to imagine you disliking anyone, Vanessa,” he said, his hand brushing her shoulder. She smiled at him and he smiled in return and suddenly she felt as if they were alone. She remembered their lovemaking and blushed beneath the steady gaze of his dark eyes.

  Tearing away from his scrutiny, she glanced at the flyer again. “My hair is up on my head in the picture, so maybe people didn’t recognize me today.” She studied her image. “Do you think we should go now and not sleep here?”

  “No. If someone had recognized you today, we would know it by now unless they have sent for your father. If that’s the case, you’ll still be safe tonight. And you were with Muaahap and Tainguato. No one is looking for a woman with a family. Still, it’s a good likeness.” He folded the flyer and tossed it on a chest of drawers.

  Soon after they ate, Muaahap took White Bird to their room, closing the door behind them. Suddenly shy, Vanessa watched Lone Wolf as he crossed the room to wrap his arms around her.

  “I wanted you here tonight. We won’t be alone on the trail, so this may be the last time we’ll be together,” he said in a husky voice, brushing her lips with his. His mouth settled over hers, and then he lifted her and carried her to bed. He took his time, stroking her, his large hands caressing her slender legs, moving up over her thighs. He took the hem of the dress in his fingers, eased the garment over her head and tossed it to the floor. He sat up beside her to remove his shirt.

  Caressing his broad chest, she wanted his love, knowing she had given her heart to him as completely as she had her body. Too aware that they would part soon and she would never see him again, she wound her arms around his neck.

  “This time will be better, Vanessa,” he said quietly, looking at her as his hands cupped her breasts. He leaned down to kiss one. His tongue was moist and warm on her flesh, and she arched against him. Pleasure radiated from his touch and kisses.

  Bending over her, his dark hair falling forward, he trailed kisses across her stomach down to her thighs. His breath was hot and erotic on her flesh.

  She stroked his shoulders, moaning with pleasure as he pushed her legs apart, his tongue seeking her soft folds.

  Vanessa gasped and arched her back, her body tightening as he took her to a dizzying brink. Release burst in her, her body shuddering while she clung to him.

  He stripped away the rest of his clothing and slipped between her thighs. She felt the hot, velvet tip of his shaft press against her then slide into her, and waves of pleasure drove her to move wildly with him. As she moaned softly and cried with pleasure, she wrapped her legs around him, stroking him, feeling his firm buttocks and smooth back.

  He covered her mouth with kisses and they rode each other, the rhythm increasing until she felt the burst of rapture and heard his hoarse cry. His large body was heavy as he thrust swiftly, his hot seed spilling into her; and then his weight came down and she held him tightly, wishing that he would be in her arms every night.

  She shut her thoughts to parting and stroked his back.

  “And this time was better, wasn’t it, Vanessa?”

  “Yes. I don’t want to tell you goodbye, but I know we have to go our own ways.”

  He turned his head to kiss her, and she held him closely. Later, she lay in his arms, suspecting it would be the last time they would be together like this. Sleep didn’t come easily because she wanted to hold him and touch him, to let her fingers glide over his smooth skin and strong body while he slept.

  It was still dark when he woke her with kisses and said they should go. She slid out of bed and dressed, moving around the darkened room with him. As she brushed her hair, he came up behind her, then turned her to face him as he leaned down to kiss her one more time.

  His arms banded her waist, pulling her up against him. He smelled of soap and buckskin, his hair still damp from bathing. She wound her arms around his neck to hold him, feeling his long length while he bent over her, his arousal pressing against her.

  He held her tightly, his hand winding in her hair, and finally he released her. Both of them were breathing raggedly, and his dark eyes devoured her as he gazed into her eyes her and rubbed his knuckles lightly on her cheek. “We must go,” he said.

  Reluctantly, she broke away from him. “Shall I wake Muaahap now?”

  “Yes. I’ll get the horses and bring them behind the hotel. Vanessa,” he said quietly, his voice sobering, “if anyone starts after us, ride quickly and I will follow. I don’t know if Muaahap can keep up, but she isn’t wanted and doesn’t have a reward offered for her.”

  “I won’t wait.”

  He left, closing the door quietly. She moved into the next room to awaken Muaahap. Within the hour, they were saddled and riding through the sleeping town. The air was still and cold; she felt chilled and wished she had one of the buffalo robes they had left behind at the camp.

  Lone Wolf rode next to her and she glanced at him, feeling safer with him by her side, not wanting to think about traveling without him. His back was straight, his black hair touching his shoulders, his jaw set. He looked commanding and handsome, and she had to curb the urge to reach over and touch his hand.

  Buildings were dark; and even though no one stirred, her back tingled. A flyer fluttering on a post was a reminder her father had men searching for her. His anger would know no bounds and he would kill Lone Wolf if he caught them. She looked at Muaahap and White Bird and wondered if he would pay men to kill them as well.

  They left town and rode east all day, camping that night on hides and riding the next day until noon. As the sun moved across the sky in the late afternoon, they stopped to water the animals and Vanessa gazed at the long shadows cast by the slanting sun.

  Muaahap and White Bird meandered farther along the creek bank with Lone Wolf standing close to her. Vanessa stood up slowly and studied the sun, looking back in the direction they had come. She looked at it again carefully because the sun was setting to her left.

  They were heading north!

  Twelve

  When she looked at Lone Wolf, who was straightening the load on the sorrel, anger flooded her. She thought how enraged he had been when he had discovered she had lied to him, yet here he was riding north without telling her!

  She calculated again, wanting to make certain, shocked by his duplicity and doubly furious when she thought how he had acted about her deceit.

  “Damn you,” she said quietly, clenching her fists.

  His head swung around, and his eyes narrowed. He yanked at the saddle and turned toward her, looking around as if to spot Muaahap and White Bird.

  “Keep your voice down,” he said quietly, and her rage flamed until she shook.

  “You were so angry with me for lying to you! Yet, you have deceived
me all day. We’re riding north toward your people. You’ve turned north without telling me.”

  He looked hard and tough, as he had when she had first met him, and she drew a deep breath, feeling the first flicker of worry and uncertainty about him.

  “Yes, we’re riding north. Your sister will survive, but there is no way you can rescue her and your youngest sister then escape from a fort filled with soldiers.”

  “Damn you for not telling me!” She shook her fist at him. “That’s worse than what I did!”

  “You cannot rescue her and you should face that fact, Vanessa,” he replied firmly. “You’ll be caught and placed in a convent. Is that what you want?”

  “Of course it isn’t what I want, but I don’t intend to be caught.”

  “You can’t get her. All the soldiers know you on sight, and your father will be watching her like a hawk. He may suspect what you plan to do.”

  “How long have we been riding north?” she asked, feeling betrayed, her rage growing.

  “Since mid-morning.” Lone Wolf’s tone was grim.

  “I’m going back. I don’t care if I have to go alone. I won’t abandon Phoebe, and you’re not going to stop me,” she said, turning to look at the western sun again.

  He drew closer until he caught her, encircling her wrists with his hands. She tried to yank away, but he held her firmly and shook his head again. “You’re not going. You wouldn’t get half-a-day’s journey without encountering someone. And the first white men who found you would take you; the first tribe would make you their captive.”

  “You’ll not take me with you!” she snapped, trying to wriggle free, her anger soaring.

  He withdrew a strip of rawhide from beneath his shirt. She saw what he intended and kicked, struggling to get away from him. He held her calmly, turning slightly so her kicks had little effect.

  “Don’t stop me! I’ll hate you for it! And I’ll run away the first chance I get!”