“Panther! Adam!” she whimpered.
Bracing her half over him, Adam whisked the gown over her head. “We never had this problem to contend with in our tipi,” he murmured as his mouth reclaimed its now naked prize. His teeth once more caught a nipple, and his tongue teased it mercilessly. Tanya gasped in delight as flames of desire raced through her. Again she drew in a sharp breath and clutched him closer as his hand feathered a path up her inner thigh and found the moist warmth between her legs. There his fingers lingered over her most sensitive pleasure points until she squirmed and whimpered beneathhim.
Her fingers seemed to have a mind of their own, for even as he brought her untold pleasure, she caressed and fondled him, urging his body to join hers in the age-old dance of love.
Not until he had brought her to wondrous heights, her body quivering, her muscles still contracting about his seeking fingers, did he move over her. His own body screaming for release, he entered her welcoming warmth, feeling her envelop him in her velvet sheath. Gritting his teeth, he willed his body to go slowly, savoring each glorious sensation. In slow, easy movements he stroked her upward along the slopes of passion, until at last his body took control. Her nails scored his back as his hands gripped her hips and held her to him. More and more swiftly he plunged into her pliant body, leading her with him until they both careened over the edge of eternity. His mind barely registered her teeth biting into his shoulder as she stifled her cries of ecstasy, his own deep moans muffled in her hair. Sweat-drenched and replete, they drifted contentedly off to sleep, Tanya’s head snuggled securely on his shoulder, Adam’s leg thrown possessively across hers.
Tanya awoke to Cheyenne love words whispered in her ear, followed by a series of kisses planted along her spine. She opened her eyes to realize it was still dark; her inner clock told her she’d slept only a couple of hours.
“Mmn,” she sighed, cuddling closer to the heat his body radiated. “This is nice.”
“About time you woke up, lazybones,” Adam teased. “I thought maybe I’d have to resort to tickling your feet the way the cubs used to.”
“What do you want?” Tanya giggled past a yawn.
“Guess.”
“A snack? A glass of milk?” she offered with an impish grin.
“I’ll have the snack if you are on the menu.”
“Hungry devil, aren’t you?”
“Absolutely starving!” He nibbled on her neck to prove his point, then made love to her with infinite thoroughness, driving Tanya mindless with desire before he finally satisfied her consuming need for him.
More than once that night he woke her, sometimes taking her gently, sometimes urgently, but always with love.
“It’s been so long since I’ve had you to myself like this, to hold and love and touch all through the night,” he whispered.
“Too long,” Tanya agreed, then teased, “but it seems you are trying to make up for it all in one night. I’ll never be able to walk properly tomorrow. What will I say if someone notices?”
Adam laughed. “At least you have an excuse! You can blame it on the long ride out here. What excuse I will give, I can’t imagine!”
“An extraordinarily long ride of another sort?” Tanya suggested provocatively.
“Shocking, Miss Martin! Truly shocking!” He gave a fair imitation of Ruth Wright, reducing Tanya to a state of giggles.
At breakfast the next morning, the dark shadows beneath their eyes caused comments.
“Tanya, are you ill?” Julie inquired solicitously. “You look as if you didn’t sleep a wink last night.”
Tanya nearly choked on her toast. “Strange bed,” she muttered shortly.
Roberto smiled wryly. “That is understandable, but why does Adam look so tired as well?”
“All that thrashing about in the next room,” he offered between bites.
“I’m sure I’ll settle in soon, Adam,” Tanya assured him. “I’d feel guilty thinking I was causing you to lose precious sleep.” She smiled demurely.
Rachel gave her guests a tour of the house, which was spacious, elegant, practical, and homey all combined, with the distinct Spanish flavor of a busy working ranch. In contrast to the Martin home, the rooms were large and airy, the furniture sturdy and built to accommodate the larger male frame. The color schemes were bold and bright, blending Indian and Spanish cultures, and there was little of the frilly, dainty effect that Aunt Elizabeth preferred.
Tanya loved it, and felt very much at home immediately. Also, she felt comfortable with Rachel. Unlike many other mothers-in-law, Rachel did not display any resentment toward the woman who had captured her son’s heart. If anything, she seemed relieved and grateful that Adam had found a woman capable of sharing all aspects of his unusual life. From her own sad experience, Rachel knew it took a special kind of woman, strong and adaptable, to stand up under the pressures of the Cheyenne life. She had not been able to cope, and had brought sorrow upon herself and White Antelope whom she had dearly loved. Tanya seemed to thrive in any atmosphere, and Rachel admired her ability to do so, for it boded well for their future together.
Rachel adored her grandsons. Right from the start, she took over their care, helping to dress and feed them, taking them with her about the house and yard. She brought them out to the stables and showed them the horses. Together they explored the barnyard, feeding the chickens and ducks, visiting the corrals, viewing the cattle.
At first Tanya feared she would spoil them, but Rachel did not hesitate to be firm when the situation warranted. She strictly forbade the inquisitive Hunter to visit the stables, barns, or cattle pens alone, stressing the dangers.
Another dimension was added to Hunter’s life while at the ranch. Rachel began teaching him a few words of Spanish to add to his growing vocabulary. Also, while allowed certain freedoms, he encountered his first responsibilities. It was his duty to see that Kit did not eat Rachel’s chickens or ducks, or venture near the cattle. He was to alert an adult if Kit got out of line. While Rachel accepted Kit’s presence graciously, she didn’t quite trust her to ignore her natural urge to hunt, realizing what a temptation the cattle and fowl offered. She made it quite clear to all that they were to keep an eye on the sleek cat, and that she wouldn’t hesitate to put a bullet-crease across Kit’s tail if she decided to develop a taste for beef or feathers. It was only due to Adam’s rigid training and Kit’s willing obedience that trouble was avoided in that area. The minute Tanya or Adam issued a command, Kit complied readily. The cat seemed to sense that she was walking a fine line, and certain things would not be tolerated here that may have been permissible in the wilds. She contented herself with trailing after Tanya and Adam, or guarding the boys.
Watching her one day, Tanya commented, “I think she misses Kat.”
“Probably,” Adam agreed, “but with luck she’ll see him again in a few months.”
“Will we be going back soon after we’re married here?” Tanya wanted to know, a hopeful look on her face.
Adam watched her face carefully as he questioned, “Do you really want to go back? Will you be satisfied with that way of life now that you have been back to civilization and reunited with your family; now that you realize I have the option of staying here and running the ranch or picking up my Cheyenne identity?”
Tanya gazed up at him tenderly. “Adam, I love you. Whatever makes you happy also makes me happy. I know your heart lies with the Cheyenne, and I understand. Wherever you go, I will follow and be content. I was happy with the Cheyenne and I’ll gladly return with you. It is a hard life, yes, but an honest and good one, and every day I miss it more. I miss my friends. I miss having something productive to keep my hands mid mind occupied.” She snuggled closer to him. “No longer am I content with the sedentary, frivolous manner in which I was raised, where ladies spend most of their time shopping, tatting useless, pretty bits of lace, and attending teas. There are more important things to life than deciding which gown and slippers to wear, how to arrange one’s
hair, and watching every word or action for fear of causing gossip. I feel stifled in Pueblo after the freedom of the plains, as if the very air is tainted! I feel restricted, like an eagle with a broken wing, who can only sit and dream of flying, and remember with a sad heart what it was like to soar.”
Adam shook his head in wonder. “You amaze me, little one. Black Kettle was right when he said you have the heart of a Cheyenne. Your thoughts and your words are more Cheyenne than white, even now. You make me yearn to forget all our plans, to disregard your family’s feelings, and carry you and my sons away with me this very minute. My heart sings with gladness that you feel as you do, that your wishes match mine so exactly. We are truly well-mated, Little Wildcat.”
“It was inevitable that I belong to you, Panther,” she replied softly, her golden eyes glowing with love. “It was written in the stars and blown on the winds that we would meet and fall in love. Now tell me when we can return to our people and live as we both desire.”
“As soon after we are married as we can possibly arrange to do so,” he promised. “I cannot imagine telling your family the truth, so we must make it look as if we wish to reside elsewhere for the time being. Perhaps they will not be too hurt if we promise to return for visits at decent intervals so they can see the children.”
Tanya nodded. “Yes, perhaps during Christmas holidays and the like.”
“They will be disappointed,” he warned.
“They’ll learn to live with it,” she assured him. “At least it won’t be the way it was before, when they worried so about me. They never knew if they would see me again. This time they’ll know I’ll be back.”
“That’s not altogether true, Tanya,” Adam disagreed. “The life we live is full of perils, and there are no guarantees from day to day. Danger could befall us at any time. You know this as well as I.”
“You are right, but our days on this earth are listed in the heavens and when our time is up we will be called away. That day could be tomorrow for any of us. It could happen anywhere; here, in Pueblo, or on the plains, and nothing could prevent it. I might step in front of a carriage on a busy street, or die peacefully in my sleep in my feathered bed. It matters not where we are when it happens. If we stayed here, tragedy could still befall us. We cannot hope to prevent the inevitable; to stem the tide of fate.”
Adam smiled. “How wise you have become in the ways of life, my woman.”
“I have learned well from your people; ourpeople,” she corrected. “They have taught me much about patience and mystery, and the futility of trying to fight against things over which I have no power.”
“You have much power over me,” he breathed, as his lips touched hers, “yet you do not fight me.”
“That is because you have greater power over me,” she responded on a whisper. “You hold my heart forever captive.”
Chapter 21
TANYA THOROUGHLY enjoyed every minute of her ten-day stay at the ranch, though there were a couple of disturbing moments. Being with Adam during the day and enclosed in his warm embrace each night, was heavenly. Here, there was no one constantly peering over her shoulder to make sure she was behaving properly, and it was relaxing to be free of Jeffrey’s irritating presence and sudden appearances.
Julie had little time to oversee her sister’s behavior, for she had her hands full fending off a very determined Roberto. Undaunted by Julie’s rejections and sharp tongue, he delighted in teasing her, laughing heartily when he roused her temper.
“Ah, my prickly little cactus,” he chuckled. “When are you going to pull in your sharp needles?”
“Never!” Julie assured him adamantly, her lower lip protruding in a pout.
“Do you know how alluring you are when you are angry, my pet?” Roberto asked with a broad grin, his white teeth flashing. “Your lips beg to be kissed, especially that lower one you are constantly thrusting at me. I believe you are teasing me to arouse my desire even more.”
Julie stamped her foot angrily. “How conceited you are! How many times do I have to tell you that I’m interested in another man? Have you no pride?”
Robert’s dark eyes gleamed. “Pride has nothing to do with it. Is this other man your lover?”
“Of course not! What kind of woman do you take me for?” Julie exclaimed.
Roberto’s smile widened. “Are you betrothed to him?” he persisted.
Julie hesitated a fraction too long before she replied, “No, not yet.”
“Then there is no reason why I should cease to pursue you, is there, my dove?”
Before Julie fully realized his intentions, Roberto swept her into his embrace, his dark eyes searing hers for just a second before his mouth came down to cut off her surprised exclamation. His warm lips claimed hers as if to set his seal forever on her soul. While it was not the gently seeking kiss she’d often dreamed would be her first, neither was it brutal. Roberto was merely staking his claim to her in a most definite, undeniable manner.
Even as she strained against the hand that held her head still, Julie fell prey to the wonder of the moment. His warm, firm lips upon hers were conjuring up feelings she’d never dreamed possible. Though her mind shrieked warnings and resisted his dominant force, her body began to melt under his expert touch.
At last she ceased to pull away from him, her hands feathering across the fabric of his shirt, feeling the rapid beat of his heart beneath her palm. At the urging of his hand on the small of her back, she leaned against him, letting him support her weight as her knees buckled. Tingles raced up her spine as his hand splayed itself across her back.
By the time he released her, she was limp with a desire she’d never imagined before. His dark eyes studied her soft features, her dazed blue-green eyes, her kiss-swollen lips.
“Now I have an idea what you will look like after I’ve made love to you; all soft and dreamy, your hair spread out across my chest,” he whispered softly.
Reality jolted through her like a spear as she realized what she had done; what he had made her do. Her face flamed as she recalled how she had responded to him, and she stiffened with injured pride and pushed herself hastily out of his arms, frowning with disapproval of both herself and him.
“You will nevermake love to me, Roberto! This was just a temporary lapse on my part. You took me by surprise. It won’t happen again.” She delivered her message across her shoulder as she stalked haughtily away from him.
“Run, little rabbit, run!” His laughter followed her as his humor reasserted itself. “Just make sure you don’t run in circles, for the fox will catch you yet, and what a dainty morsel you will make!”
“I’ll poison myself before I let you touch me again!” Julie shot back.
He merely laughed the harder. “The fur is already starting to fly!” he taunted. “You have lost — you just don’t know it yet!”
It was mid-May in the Colorado hills, and the fresh spring breezes seemed to be affecting all of nature. The countryside had shed its white winter coat for a new one of vibrant green. Wildflowers were in abundance, showering the rolling hills with every color conceivable. The willow trees, the first to produce their leaves, spread their long fronds gracefully to the ground, creating shady bowers along the riverbanks.
The call of spring brought life to its fullest crest. It instilled the urge to mate in all creation. Small animals darted about with renewed zest, and the bees searched out the nectar in the fragrant flowers. New life abounded in the form of newborn calves and colts. Baby chicks and ducks waddled awkwardly behind proud mothers, peeping and quacking uncertainly as they struggled to keep up on wobbly legs.
Jeremy particularly favored the colts, darting about on their long, spindly legs. “They sure stick close to their mothers,” he commented to Adam. “Are they afraid they’ll get lost?”
Adam laughed and draped an arm over the boy’s shoulder. “There is not much chance of that. Their mothers would find them soon enough. The foals just don’t want to be far from their next m
eal, that’s all.”
“They sure look funny with that fuzzy hair and those short, wispy tails,” Jeremy grinned in delight. “Looks like someone put part of a broom on their backsides!”
Just before bedtime one evening, Jeremy burst into the house, bubbling over with excitement. “Tanyal Adam! Come quick! There’s a mare in the barn about to foal. Josésent me to tell you.” He spun about, retracing his steps toward the door at a lope. “He says I can watch if I’m quiet!” The back door slammed shut behind him.
Tanya and Adam exchanged an amused look with Rachel.
“Qué torbellino!”Rachel declared with a chuckle. “What a whirlwind!”
“He’s all boy,” Adam grinned in agreement. “Surely you haven’t forgotten what Justin and I were like at his age.”
“Dios mio!How could I? What one of you could not think up to get into, the other one would. You were terrors!”
Justin faked an offended stance. “Why, Rachel! Adam and I were angels!”
Rachel skewered him with a skeptical look. “Si! The only thing supporting your lopsided halos were your devilish little horns!”
Melissa’s giggle was contagious. “Please tell us more, Rachel,” Tanya begged. “This could prove very interesting.” She slid a sidelong glance at Adam.
“Never mind,” he told her, helping her to her feet. “Jeremy is waiting. You can exchange sordid tales with Mother later.”
Jeremy was awed by the miracle of the foal’s birth. Never had he witnessed anything to compare with it. He sat quietly mesmerized by the heaving sides of the mare, watching as Joséand Adam soothed and aided her. His breathless exclamations upon the final arrival of the fuzzy, wet newborn foal brought tears to Tanya’s eyes. Jeremy’s smothered giggles as the spindly-legged babe tried out its legs for the first time brought chuckles all around. His marvelous, wide-eyed delight infected them all.
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