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The strength of his spirit filled her long before her eyes found him. Tamara gasped and rose to her feet in one swift movement. She watched his progress in quiet reverence for it was no mere man approaching. No, this was a proud warrior ripped from the past, transplanted into this time for her.
Lord, help her.
Dakota looked fierce and determined as he moved forward, pace steady and unhurried. He wore nothing save what appeared to be a bit of cloth covering his groin and his comfortable moccasins. The rest of his awe-inspiring body remained blessedly bare. From one large hand dangled a string of fish.
His expression was hidden from her by the bright sunlight illuminating his body from behind. Dark hair hung unbound, bouncing about his shoulders with each movement. She saw some type of strap running at an angle across his broad chest from one shoulder to the opposite side of his abdomen.
The tattoo on his arm stood out, illuminated by the bright morning light. She almost expected to see the feathers on his biceps flutter, stirred by the gentle breeze. He appeared much as she would imagine Native American warriors of another time had looked when returning home after the hunt. It was a sight she would not soon forget. Her very own hero returned with his kill.
Amazing and frightening in the same instant!
Her heart pounded, performing flip-flops within her chest. The ache of inner longing set her blood aflame. One touch and she would dissolve into a puddle at his feet, worshiping before the magnificent man.
A rush of foreign emotions filled Tamara, holding her spellbound, and she knew they emanated straight from Dakota. She felt a deep sense of wonder and pride, compassion and understanding, patience and longing. Somehow the cacophonous feelings came together in overall relief and harmony. What she felt toward him was immense yet uncomplicated. Love, pure and simple.
Never in her life had she harbored such intense impressions of belonging and unconditional love. She knew deep in her heart no matter what, Dakota would always be there offering quiet acceptance.
An intoxicating surge of elation buoyed her vitality as he stalked toward her, moving with an animalistic grace. Although she wanted to hurtle herself into his arms, she was frozen to the spot, a helpless observer.
As he drew near, broad shoulders blocking out the sun, she took in the blissful, radiant smile softening his strong features. Dakota appeared as ecstatic as she felt.
Tamara attempted to speak, but her voice came out broken, and she struggled to control her quivering arms and legs. She was determined not to dissolve into a useless blob of emotional female. Reaching deep within herself, she found a reservoir of strength and determination, and drew upon it.
She cleared her throat and began again. “There is so much I want to tell you, so much I have to share that I don’t know where to begin. And yet, I think you already know. I have the feeling if anyone can understand what is happening to me, it’s you.”
Dakota didn’t speak as he stared into her eyes. Reaching out, he took her hand and placed it over his heart, holding it captured beneath his own hand. He remained silent for a moment as she absorbed the rhythm of his life force.
“Close your eyes and use your other senses,” he said, speaking in a soft, reverent tone. “Feel the swish created by my heart with each contraction and expansion it makes. See the connection between our hearts in your mind’s eye. Feel the echo of each beat move through your hand, up your arm, into your own body. Notice the crazed beating of your own heart slowing to match mine.”
He was right, she did feel it. Almost as if they were becoming one. It was a transforming sensation, almost overwhelming. Yet having the physical connection with him grounded her, providing vibes of well-being.
“Take a deep breath and smell the air. In that breath you will detect not only both of our individual scents, but the scent of the very earth with which we are one.”
She took a shuddering breath, a sudden rush of adrenaline coursing through her veins as she appreciated how the two of them were connected to everything around them. She smelled all of those things combined together to make one whole, binding them with an invisible thread.
Dakota’s firm lips brushed against her own.
“Open. Taste me. Let the flavor roll over your tongue and fill you.”
With blind obedience she opened her mouth to receive his kiss, drinking him in, consumed by a greedy thirst for which she would not apologize. It was the same exotic, somewhat spicy taste she recognized, yet it was different—probably because she was different.
Their tongues stroked each other’s before swirling together, taking in everything the other gave and giving back more. When Dakota’s tongue withdrew from her mouth, she followed it into his, beginning her own thorough explorations, realizing he tasted like home. When he broke away, she whimpered at the loss.
“Now, open your eyes. Your spirit and your heart recognize me as your spirit mate. Let your eyes roam over my face and body. Let the recognition seep deep into your very cells.”
Following his instructions, she let her gaze move over his familiar countenance. What she had run from was unmistakable. It had been there all along—this soul deep connection both frightened and fortified her. It went beyond rational thought, requiring a leap of faith, trust. In that moment Tamara realized she did believe in Dakota.
What a strange, foreign feeling. It was a brand new occurrence. Finding sexual release was no longer so important to her now. Not if it came without the emotional connection she understood would come from making love with him. What was it he had called them, spirit mates? The words sounded right.
“Your spirit is the sixth sense. It recognizes and perceives information about your existence that doesn’t come through the five tangible senses. Your spirit responds, reacts, and filters what you experience by using your other senses. This is also what makes you who you are.”
Okay, she got it. She saw how all these things were interconnected with the whole—how the two of them were connected together. What a wonderful concept. Tamara had not felt a true link to anyone or anything in the past. Yet here and now, she shared an indelible union with this magnificent man. Her heart felt ready to burst with the abundance of new feelings bombarding it.
“Now that you’ve allowed your spirit and heart to heal, you can begin to live and love once again in peaceful harmony between body, land, sky and spirit.”
A bit of fear still lingered. Did she dare allow herself to hope the love and tangible bond she shared with this man was a good thing, something she’d be able to count on? Dare she hope to give up all her hang-ups? The strength of the unfamiliar outlook bewildered as much as it gave hope and inspired her. Every instinct she possessed was leaning in the same direction. Dakota was the one man alive who would love and accept her, help her to be everything she was meant to be.
Could she accept such a foreign idea?
She had a powerful, overwhelming need to be with him in every way possible a woman could be with a man. Not in the ways she had fucked others. This need was different. She needed more than the physical release his body would bring to hers. Tamara wanted all the emotional trappings which went along with making love. The one problem—she had no idea where to even begin. She had never made love with anyone before. The entire concept was alien to her. The ache created by her needs went much further than her physical body, and she had no idea what to do about them.
“Dakota,” she whimpered. Her voice conveyed a small measure of the desperation she felt.
“Shh. I know, princess. I will help you. It’ll be all right now,” he soothed.
Taking her hand and raising it to his lips, he pressed a gentle kiss against her fingers before leading her toward the shelter. Once there, he made a quick survey of the supplies, making note of how little she had used.
“First thing we need to do is feed you.”
Tamara’s entire body trembled with the needs she was unable contain. “But, Dakota…”
Returning to her s
ide, Dakota guided her to the palate and sat her down. “You have used up your energy reserves, princess. When we come together, you’re going to require all the strength you can get. So first you will eat, then we’ll make love and join our spirits.”
The husky, raw quality to his deep voice reached right into her body, spreading a wave of arousal from the roots of her hair all the way down to her toenails. “Hurry, please!”
Sitting on the primitive bed, she watched him move around the small space after removing the pouch from his back. Each action was performed with an economy of motion. She was mesmerized by the play of hard muscle under dark cinnamon skin. The desire to run her fingers over all that glorious, bare male flesh made her palms itch. She wanted to rip the scrap of loincloth from around his hips, freeing the rest of him to her hungry eyes.
Dakota was focused on preparing the food. In no time flat he had a fire going with the fish filleted and sizzling away. In another pan a mixture of fresh vegetables was simmering along with some exotic smelling seasonings, which he had taken from the pouch. One of the ice chests became a table when covered with a piece of cloth. Before she had time to contemplate the preparation of such a meal, Dakota had a veritable feast spread out before them.
As soon as she began nibbling at the delights overflowing the large plate, Tamara realized she was ravenous. Everything tasted so fresh and flavorful. In part it was due to having foods fresh from the earth instead of coming from cellophane-wrapped packages in the grocery store. Part of the flavor also came from Dakota’s cooking skills. She figured a good portion also came from her new appreciation for the simplest of things.
The feel of sunlight caressing her skin now created a warm glow spreading throughout her entire being. She found a great enjoyment in watching the small animals that used to frighten her as they scurried around. A whole new world was opening up before her, and Tamara didn’t want to miss a single thing.
They discussed these new revelations as they ate and for the first time in her life, she didn’t feel the need to fill pauses in conversation with frivolous chatter. There was no longer a fear of pondering things over in her mind because the past no longer ruled her.
She felt liberated and unburdened, free and right with the universe. Incredible!
After eating their meal, they washed the pans, dishes and utensils in the stream. They even shared some playful antics in the water, laughing with one another. Whatever came natural was what they allowed to happen, but still the longing and sexual need grew within her until she couldn’t stand it anymore. She knew this man wanted scary things like love, commitment, and forever from her. She would gladly give all that and more just to have him make love with her.
Looking up at him from under thick, lush lashes, she whispered, “Dakota, I need you…now.” Her look of desperation punctuated the plea, letting him know the extremity of her craving for him.
Chapter Eight
The time was right. Dakota felt almost nervous and shy. Yet the anticipation of making love with his spirit mate, making their bond permanent, chased away all other thoughts. He meant to cherish every second. Before he was done, he’d know every inch of her body and all its sweet contradictions. From her thin arms with their firm biceps all the way down to her dainty yet sturdy feet. He would leave no part of her undiscovered.
The heated look in her beautiful green eyes, their dark pupils enlarged with desire, sent blood rushing straight to his cock. He wanted to rip off her clothes and sink into the warmth of her body, but somehow he would find the restraint to lavish her with his love. By the time he was finished, Tamara would have no doubt he’d made love with her and they would always be together. Even if maintaining restraint killed him.
He wanted to lay her down right where they stood. Instead, he drew on his inner calm, walking her back to the pallet bed. Standing there, sheltered from the sun’s harsh rays, he became lost in the emotions he read in her expressive eyes. There was no doubt in his mind she knew how special this first time would be, and was anticipating it as much as he did.
Using the pad of his thumb, Dakota caressed the curve of her pouty bottom lip, relishing the small tremor coursing through the soft flesh. Bending his head, he maintained eye contact, cupping her precious face in his hands and moving closer until their breath mingled.
Sharing the same air was a heady experience. Their breathing quickened. Neither of them wanted to wait for the next shared breath, the next touch driving their need even higher.
Framing her face in the warmth of his hands, he let his thumbs caress her prominent cheekbones. His entire body trembled. Dakota felt as though their spirits had brushed up against each other and the world stood still in silent observance of the magnitude of emotions generated by the brief but monumental touch. Knowing the moment lasted no longer than the space between one heart beat and the next did not lessen its impact.
When he moved in and their lips met, time slowed and the world held its breath. Everything about the moment would forever be imprinted on his lips, his flesh and blood—the spirit driving him. Her soft sigh of appreciation made his blood sing. His attention was held rapt by the tiny catch in her throat as her breathing stopped. When it picked back up she was breathing twice as fast, and he reveled in the racing of Tamara’s pulse beneath the fingers trailing down her slender neck.
At first he simply pressed his lips to hers, enjoying their warmth and texture, his entire focus narrowed down to the sweet, delicate point of contact. With gentle pressure, he sucked her bottom lip between his. Great Spirit…it felt so right. His knees shook as first chills and then a wave of heat surged through his body. A tremor of equal parts ache and ecstasy began in his abdomen, quickly spreading outward. It was so unbearable and sweet Dakota had tears forming at the corners of his eyes.
The sound of a wise spirit’s voice trailed through his head.
You will cling to this moment in time for the rest of your days. Joining with your spirit mate will forever more be the memory you draw strength from. Let it seep into you, becoming part of the very fabric of your being.
That was exactly what he did. Every nuance of the way she responded to him was so natural, giving everything she was. These moments would sustain him in the leanest of times. The sweet, distinctive taste of her lips would forever be his greatest craving.
When the tip of his tongue caressed the succulent treat he’d captured, her soft sigh let him know how profound an effect the light contact had on her. A tender nibbling had her opening for him. Even when her lips parted in an attempt to deepen their connection, Dakota maintained the tender caress until he was no longer able resist temptation, immersing himself in their kiss. With the thoroughness he reserved for the most important tasks, he began a deliberate seduction of the warm haven he found.
Every fine hair on his body stood on end as he took her into himself with methodical care. First he learned the texture and taste of the sensitive flesh between her lips and teeth. With a gradual progression, he explored each tooth where slick, smooth areas contrasted the ridges and peaks. Every sensation, taste and texture was burned indelibly into his memory as his tongue slid along each delicious new discovery.
Tamara met every caress of lips and tongue, pouring herself into the mating of their mouths. The rapid rise and fall of her breasts as she pressed in close against his chest made him ache with a need like nothing else he’d known, stirring desires difficult to control. He mustered every ounce of restraint to maintain the tortuous slow pace, but what a sweet torment it was. She put so much of herself into the soul deep kiss, she had to lean her weakened body into his for support.
Letting his hands glide down her arms until reaching her waist, Dakota lifted her, easing the crick in his neck from holding the stooped-over position for so long. For someone with such an abundant spirit, her body was so small and fragile within his grasp, reminding him to take care. As he eased his grip, the siren brushed her hardened nipples over his chest, causing him to reflexively tighten his hold o
nce again. His fingers flexed against her hips, a drawn out purr reverberating through his chest and into her mouth.
They engaged in an age old dance of advance and retreat, each following where the other led while devouring every nuance of the rapturous joining. Their passion became more fevered with each caress, bodies plastered as close as possible. When he lay her down on the pallet, both of them took great gasping breaths before sinking into each other once again.
He’d never known such incredible bliss like he experienced when her small hands began to learn his body, touching everywhere within reach, giving even more than she took. With each delicate, potent caress against his inflamed skin their shared passion rose to new, dazzling heights. Angling their hips, he pressed his painful erection against the blazing heat between her thighs. Tamara wrapped her legs around him, holding on with improbable strength.
She whimpered as he lifted his torso, grabbing hold of her thin top. Dakota drew out the task and let his gaze devour each inch of creamy flesh revealed as he slid the garment up her body. He delighted in the way the hoop through her navel jiggled with the trembling of her abdomen. The material rasped over swollen nipples, and he thrilled with the resulting hissed intake of breath between the tight clench of teeth. The sensual sound sent shivers racing through him.
Nicole Austin Page 11
