“You - are - mine …” He panted letting go of her neck to kiss up her jaw line. Thrusting unrestrained, “Mine - say it!” He commanded, rocking hard against her, his pelvis hitting with every stroke. “Who…who…who do you belong…”
“Nooo…” She shook her head in denial as her body hungrily took him in, sucking at him with every grip of her muscles. He filled her and withdrew in such a pace, the bed creaked and banged against the wall; the noise unmistakable to any within hearing shot. “Say it… say - it!” He grinded hard against her, rubbing and holding before thrusting again, determined to pleasure her, both hands going down her sides and underneath to grab a handful each of her ample buttocks, squeezing and working against her.
Lena’s head began shaking, “Ohhh Manny … Manny…o-o-o-oh Mannieeeee!!” He felt her orgasm begin, as she gripped him tighter to her, locking his shoulders with her arms, and his hips with her legs as she took off, screaming his name as her body convulsed underneath him.
Manny held himself against her, letting her nether region pull and suck on him, holding back his own release until he knew she’d reached her full climax, and then he began thrusting again, on the verge now…so close. “Come here!” He grabbed her head, clamped his mouth to hers, and thrust his tongue within - filling it, as his solid erection did below. It wasn’t long before he snatched his mouth away, that Lena’s eyes opened feeling him expand within her, watching as his head went back while letting out a hoarse cry so loud and overpowering, it brought tears to her eyes.
She had put up a good fight, but - she was in love with him. Madly - deeply and irreversibly in love - she was his – and it had always been that way. It would always be that way. Mind, body, heart and soul; and for this, there was no escape. There was nowhere to run, no place to hide from it. There was no way for her to take her child to be rid of him. He would track her tirelessly, and just as he did then, he would do so again; claim her as his - and his alone - she would let him. Lena closed her eyes as he came back to earth, while his body settled down on her. The pressing weight of him was welcomed, no matter how heavy. She could feel his eyes on her, knowing that he gazed as so many times before.
Soon then followed the tender touch of his finger tips gently wiping at the tracks of her tears. The loving gesture made more gather beneath her lids to slip out and fall. His finger tips were there to catch them as well. They were both over warm, but could not move, and as if some mysterious force in nature understood, a cooling breeze blew gently in through the open windows, hovering over them, caressing their heated bodies in soothing relief. Lena felt Manny’s chest expand and ease - he then swallowed.
She opened her eyes, and looked straight into his. So close, so very close - they didn’t see what the world saw; a white man - a black woman. What they saw, was an extension of their very souls. They were two people, who were truly one…and deeply in love with each other.
Manny’s thumb caressed the corners of her eyes, and he knew that he could lay there forever looking into them. Large gold eyes that his very existence needed to see looking back at him, as they did now. He could not live without her, it was a fact that he could not deny, nor would he ever challenge that reality again. He was the first to break the silence.
“She is beautiful.”
Lena nodded as another tear rolled. “Just like you; all over again.” He whispered softly. Lena still could not speak. Manny stared down at her, his own eyes growing moist. He finally rolled off of her to his back. One hand over his face, pinching at the bridge of his nose ashamed for so many tears shed. He was a man after all.
Lena lay with her clothes askew, pulling her legs closed, she sat up and pulled her arms out of the torn bodice. Then pulled her chemise over her head and tossed it to the floor. It was ruined. Next shimmying out of her rumpled skirt that was hitched up around her hips. She glanced back at Manny, he was quietly watching her. She sighed and went to get up when he grabbed her arm.
“Please don’t.”
She was naked and felt self-conscious. But he pulled her down to him, then reached over and turned down the lamp extinguishing the flame, plunging that side of the cabin into darkness.
“Manny-…” She started, but he cut her off.
“Shhhh.”
Lena lay leaning over him, propped up on one elbow as her right hand lay on his chest. His right arm beneath her as his hand stroked the length of her back. For a moment, neither said another word, so caught up in the moment of being back where they both felt they belonged. It was Manny who finally brought himself to speak first, “I - I love you…I love you so - and - I beg you - don’t leave me. I beg you…don’t leave me…don’t leave me.”
He finally choked up and gathered her into his arms, hugging her to him so tightly her breasts were crushed between them.
“Oh Manny -…”
“Please Lena…please.”
He pulled her on top of him, then rolled her beneath him. Lena lay looking up at him, wiping the tears from his eyes as he had wiped them from hers. “Do you still love me? Do you?” He asked needing to hear it.
“With every beat of my heart…I love you. But we-…” He covered her mouth to stop the rest of what she would say. “No more. That is all that matters. I will do whatever it takes this time. I will do whatever it takes…” He promised softly, lowering his mouth to replace his hand with his lips.
Lena knew she’d lost again. This man who once again explored her body, re-acquainting himself with every nuance and curve of her, would forever be the driving force in her life. This was why she’d taken so long with Thomas, because she had known then, even before Manny’s return…that upon his return, he would claim her, and she would not be able to deny him.
Something else she knew laying there as he made love to her again.
That no length of time, even if she had gone through with her plans, and truly escaped with Thomas, would lessen what they felt when they touched. There was something in the both of them that would never be altered. Had she left with Thomas, and Manny found her – she knew – that she would have dishonored him, Manny would have touched her, and even then, she would be, where she was right then. No. She would never be with another, because she could never be loyal once Manny found her. Through the night, he made love to her repeatedly; acting as if the following morning would bring an end to them, and once again he would find himself without her. All night long, he touched her - rubbing, caressing, tasting - nonstop - again, and again.
Just before dawn, Manny lay with Lena spooned beneath him; her back to his chest, his leg across hers, holding her as she lay dozing off to sleep now that he let her. He should feel exhausted needing sleep as well, but he wasn’t. His mind was ever active, and the main source was Thomas.
“Lena.”
“Hmmm?” She moaned half asleep.
“What about Thomas?” He asked.
Lena whimpered without an answer. “Well -…” He slapped her hip, not too hard, just enough to get her attention. She didn’t want to think about Thomas, or the heartache he would know once she had to face him and renege on her promise to marry him. He had been so patient with her, helping her through two very difficult years.
Responsible for introducing her to a whole new world, with so many possibilities for her life, and now, this would be his payment. She hated having to go to him, but there was no way around it.
“I asked you a question, what about Thomas?”
“I am going to talk to him Manny.” She grumbled, in the same position, wanting to go to sleep, becoming irritable with his prodding after he kept her up all night.
“You are going to tell him you will not be marrying him.” He demanded, annoyed with the thought of him. “Of course Manny.” She mumbled into the sheets. “When?” He continued.
“When what?” She asked in a cranky voice.
“When are you going to tell him?”
“Leave me alone, I need some sleep.” She snapped, feeling mean from the lack of it. Manny tos
sed himself on his back away from her, his hands going underneath his head. He rolled his head to the side to look at her, the sheet was riding low on her hip, leaving her long slim back bare to his gaze.
He felt worried and very insecure at that moment. There was another man who wanted Lena. He hated the idea of any man seeking to take her from him - it brought out the worst in him. ‘Thomas Sandoval…bastard!’ He thought, the man was too slick, cunning, charming… and - as Manny hated to admit - good looking. He was tall, educated, cultured, worldly and smooth.
And he was black, like Lena.
He knew it was that one singular ingredient about him that rankled Manny the most. It was that he could give her all that Manny knew he couldn’t at the time being; marriage, respectability and a new life. He suddenly grew angry at the idea - that had his daughter not come to him, Lena might have actually attempted marrying him and leaving; and would have taken his Golden Hope with them. The sun was rising with its warm rays starting to filter in through the window. It was going to be a lazy Sunday, his new day. Manny heard a few slaves up and about. Quietly he rolled from the bed not to awaken Lena. Standing he pulled on his breeches and went to the door opening it to look out, taking a deep breath to inhale the fresh morning air. He then looked toward the mansion - conjuring an image of Thomas there.
He had no desire to go back there just yet, so he grabbed Lena’s bucket from the corner, stepped outside towards the back, behind some trees and urinated. That morning call seen to he walked to the well, drawing fresh cold water, he drank a lot of it and then splashed his face and body. He filled her bucket and turned walking back to the cabin, watching the mansion’s kitchen door as he went. Back onto the porch, he went back in and sat at the table against the wall.
He leaned forward with his elbows at his knees and his fingers interlaced between his open legs, as he brooded. Staring across the cabin where Lena lay in bed, concealed behind the wall partition. He couldn’t see her with the physical eye, but the image of her laying there was strong enough that he might as well be looking at her.
“I want this done with. I want it done now.” He mumbled to himself, thinking about Thomas and his proposal. Voices pulled him from his pensive mood, he turned looking out of the window by the table to see Thomas standing out on the kitchen porch, inhaling the morning air and stretching joyously. Manny’s face drew up into a snarl, he could see the man’s white teeth from there, he smiled so brightly; as if the day held something wondrous for him as he called to Leon.
“Good morning Leon, and how are you this fine day?!”
“Ummm, fine sir!” Leon answered feeling funny talking to him knowing what he did.
“That’s good, would you know if Ms Lena’s up yet?”
Leon’s eyes widened, darting a look toward her cabin. He knew, as well as half the slaves who had a cabin anywhere near Lena’s that Manny was there. Their night of re-uniting had not been a very quiet affair. Ben and Caesar laid bets on how long it would take before Manny got her into bed…Ben won. Of the events from the day before, Thomas would not have heard, neither the events that took place in the night sleeping in the mansion as he did, nor was he warned, because he was also a part of the gossip and bets.
“Leon?” Thomas asked again, as the young man stood inattentive to his question. “Umm umm…I - I don’t know.” He finally answered nervous, “I got to go, Jordan been looking for me.” He blurted and took off. Thomas stood shaking his head at Leon’s peculiar behavior. ‘oh well.’ He thought with a shrug. ‘That lil’sleepy head should be up by now, and if she’s not, I’ll just have to go and wake her.’
Manny sat watching as Leon talked to Thomas. He couldn’t hear what they were saying, but by Leon’s quick glance his way, Manny knew Thomas must have been asking about Lena. Then it came to him, the devious side, making him crack a crooked smile. “All is fair my friend…all is fair.” He muttered before he jumped to his feet, opening the door back up enough for ‘anyone’ to just stroll right on in. He then rushed back to the bed, shucking his breeches and kicking them away as he climbed in pulling Lena’s sleeping form to him, turning her, he shook her. “Lena - wake up.” He shook her some more pulling her on top of him as he attempted to wake her. “Nooo, Manny - God…not again…please.” She whimpered, her eyes closed from heavy lids.
“Kiss me!” He ordered.
“Nooo.” She whined, laying on his chest to go back to sleep.
“Yes, now! Kiss me!”
He pushed the sheet down her back to show they were naked, then grabbed her head and brought her mouth to his, kissing her passionately.
Thomas stepped up on the porch whistling happily, day dreaming about how he would spend it with the woman he loved, his beautiful Ceś alena. He skipped a step back dancing gaily, the sun was bright, the day was young, and he was in love. He went to knock on the door when he noticed it was open. ‘Oh so she is up. Emm, I’ll just have to sneak in and see if I can catch her unaware.’
Smiling and feeling mischievous, he pushed the door carefully open, and snuck quietly in, looking for her as he entered. Suddenly, the sounds within registered and the smile on his face slid as he moved further into the cabin.
First, seeing the end of the bed and rumpled sheets; then naked intertwined feet, legs, honey brown and white, until finally he was close enough for the full view.
They were both naked, so caught up in the throes of passion in their love making, they were unaware of his presence. Thomas felt sick to his stomach. His throat went dry as his world crashed down around him. He must have made a sound, because suddenly Lena pushed back from Manny grabbing the sheet up to cover her breast, fearing someone in the cabin.
She turned her head to look and their eyes met.
Smug and satisfied with the events played out, Manny placed his hands beneath his head looking Thomas right in the eyes saying, “Excuse us, but you might want to knock first, before you barge into someone’s cabin uninvited.”
This was said so smooth and calm, Lena snatched her eyes from Thomas to look down at Manny. Who had dismissed her for the moment, while his glare sent a message to Thomas that could not be mistaken. Trying to swallow his humiliation, Thomas nodded in a fashion as if to say, ‘Touché’
“No. I usually don’t…sorry to disturb.” He turned and left as quietly as he came, closing the door securely behind him.
“Thomas wait!!” Lena shouted; scrambling to get out of bed. Manny’s hand snaked out and grabbed her arm in an instant. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?” He asked sharply as if daring her to leave his side. “Let go of me! I have to explain to Thomas!” She retorted trying to pull her arm free.
“To hell with Thomas! He needs no explanation. He has eyes that see, now get back here!” He bit out. Lena glared down at him, there was a look about him close to that of a cat swallowing the canary, and proud that he’d done so.
“Maynard - Ramsey - Webster! What have you done? That door was firmly closed and latched when I came in last night. How is it, that it came to admit Thomas all of a sudden?!” She asked secure in her accusation.
“I opened it to get some fresh air. I guess I forgot to close it back all the way.” He stated calmly, “Now get back here.” He ordered pulling her down next to him.
“Oh no you don’t!” She pushed herself up from him, pointing at the door. “You deliberately opened that door so he could walk in here and catch us! That’s why you woke me all of a sudden for a kiss!”
“How in hell would I know he was coming if I was in bed with you?!”
“You probably saw him when getting your, ‘fresh air’! How could you!” She hit him in the chest with her fist.
“Ow! That hurt!!” He protested, his brows pinched in a frown. “What the hell you hit me for?” He asked rubbing the spot.
“That did not hurt! And - you make me so mad sometimes! I told you I’d talk to him. I didn’t want to hurt him like that! He didn’t deserve what you did to him! I know you did that!” Sh
e scolded standing from the bed, snatching the sheet from him to wrap around herself. Manny looked stunned, hurt and angry all at once as he sat up swinging his legs around to sit facing her.
“Ah - I’m understanding now. You can hurt me without a second thought! Just shovel me off like too much horse shit! But him, you worry about. Well thank you very kindly Ms Lena!!” He snapped. Lena sighed as she turned to him, her tone gentling. “Manny what and why I did what I did to you is totally different. You know it. Also, you know I didn’t want to hurt you…you know that.”
“Do I?” He asked gruffly.
“Yes, you do. There was no need for you to do what you did. You should have let me handle it. What you did was crude, insensitive and tacky, and quite uncalled for.”
“What I did was to make it clear! No misunderstanding - no - “hmm, well maybe?” There is no way for him to hope beyond what he saw! Now leave it at that. He’ll get over it, he’s a big boy!” Manny announced standing to retrieve his own pants. He didn’t bother with his shirt; he’d ripped it in his hurry to remove it. Lena stood staring at him as he stepped into his pants, buttoning the front. Watching as he went looking for his shoes.
“Where are you going?” She asked him, the question was followed by a yawn. “To take a bath, then I’m going to get my daughter, who is probably up and looking for us now. Just so you know it - we’re spending this day together. The whole day, so when I’m ready and come back for you…you best be ready.”
Princess Ces'alena (Webster Fields) Page 55
