by Sher Dillard
Rachel looked up to see the woman smiling at her. Her voice had left her. Betrayed her. Could Juliet be right? Was Thad interested in her? Did he see her for a desirable woman? Someone to take and hold?
No, it couldn’t be.
“I think you are mistaken. Thad doesn’t think of me that way.”
Juliet threw her head back and laughed. Little Thad, who had fallen asleep, startled and whimpered, but then settled back down as his mother rocked him.
“I notice you didn’t deny that you were interested in him,” Juliet said with a large smile.
Rachel was going to dismiss the woman’s suggestions, but couldn’t bring herself to do so. She had never been a good liar. Instead, she lowered her head and tried to hide her blush.
“You know,” Juliet said, “the door between your two rooms doesn’t lock.” She paused to let the information sink in. Then, smirked and said, “Sometimes, a man needs to be pushed to go in the direction he already wants to go.”
Rachel’s heart began to race. Was Juliet right? Was Thad interested in her? What did she need to do to find out? Suddenly the most important thing in the world was determining if Thad wanted her.
.o0o.
Rachel continued to pace back and forth in her bedroom. You would think after a long day on the road and a nice hot bath, she would be able to sleep. But, no, it wouldn’t come.
A thousand thoughts continued to race through her mind. Was Thad interested in her that way? What would he think if he knew the thoughts tumbling through her brain? Would those men follow them? And, if so, what would happen? Should she tell Thad about the coin? Would he hate her if she did? Would he hate her if she didn’t?
Her mind whirled with worry and fear, then jumped to hope and fear before tumbling into self-doubt, and then shear happiness. Face it, Rachel, she thought, you are a confused mess.
What of her future? The coin was the only thing of value she had left in this world. The only thing she could pin her hopes and dreams on.
Sighing, she turned to retrace her steps across the room.
Suddenly, she stopped pacing and removed the small gold medallion from around her neck. No, she wouldn’t tell him about the coin. She couldn’t. Not yet. At the end, just before she met with the king and made her request. Then she would tell him.
Taking a handkerchief from her pack, she wrapped the coin and necklace inside the cloth and returned it to the bottom of her pack.
Thad couldn’t know, not yet.
Frowning at her decision, she once again began to pace.
That didn’t solve her major problem, though. This burning need inside of her. This ache to be in Thad’s arms. The feeling wouldn’t go away. All day she had felt pulled towards him. As if he were a mighty force tugging at her soul.
Biting her lip, she approached their adjoining door. A small thud on the other side of the door let her know that he too was up and about.
Was he having problems sleeping also? she wondered.
Before she could stop herself, she pulled the belt of her robe tight around her middle and gently knocked at the door.
“Yes?” a hard, velvety voice said from the other side.
Rachel took a deep breath and opened the door between their two rooms.
Her heart jumped. Thad stood at the far side of the room, shaving. Shirtless, his belt knife poised near his face, ready to scrape the soap from his chin.
The man was beautiful. So handsome. Wide, bare shoulders cutting down to narrow hips. Hard muscles beneath tanned skin. His warm brown eyes locking with hers for a moment.
He raised an eyebrow, silently asking her what she wanted.
“Go ahead and finish,” she said, amazed with herself that she had been able to talk at all. “I’ll wait.”
He turned back to the small mirror and began to slowly remove the soap.
Rachel watched in wonder as he slowly ran the blade across his face. Then, quickly rinsing it in a bowl of water. Each confident stroke removing stubble.
A small part of her was saddened. She liked his stubble. The rough, manly look. Her hands ached to run across his cheek, begging to feel what it was like.
As she stood there watching, it struck her. There was something about watching a man shave his face. Especially, a man like Thad, without a shirt. It did something to a woman’s insides. Twisting them around in knots.
At last, he finished. He grabbed a small towel and wiped his face clean.
A clean, fresh, handsome Thad appeared from behind the towel. But, the real Thad was still there. That hard, confident look behind his eyes. The way he could say a dozen things with the simple movement of an eyebrow.
“Is everything all right?” he asked.
Rachel couldn’t find her voice, couldn’t answer. All she could do was stare at this man. Every fiber of her body wanted him. Every part of her soul demanded it of her. There could be no tomorrow without tonight.
“You missed a spot,” she said, as she slowly wiped away a fleck of soap from his ear.
He stared into her eyes as his hand took hers, holding it next to his face. They stared into each other’s eyes for a long, languid moment.
She could see a burning need in him. The same as the need that consumed her. He wanted her. He needed her, there could be no doubt. Her soul soared with happiness. Yes, this was going to happen. She had no family to bring dishonor. No promises nor expectations. There was only now. Only this man.
His lips creased into a small, knowing smirk, as he leaned down and kissed her.
It was as she had always imagined it would be. Soft, yet firm. Warm, inviting, and delicious.
Her lips locked onto his, as she melted into him. Her world disappeared. Only Thad remained. His lips devouring her. His tongue probing, tasting, taking.
She felt his arms slide inside her robe and around her back as he pulled her in even closer.
The robe fell from her shoulders to lay on the floor, forgotten.
Her body rested against his hard chest. It felt like a solid wall of warmth and safety. A barrier against the world. Her hands ran down his back, across muscle and bone that felt as solid as a castle wall.
His lips left hers to travel down her neck, nipping, caressing. She moaned as her knees grew weak.
Rachel could feel him smile at her moan, but she didn’t care. It didn’t matter, nothing mattered except the joy he was bringing her body.
Backing away, he stopped and looked down into her eyes.
“Oh Sweetness,” he said, and her soul melted at the endearment. “There are things you don’t know about ...”
“Shush,” she whispered, as she held a finger to his lips. “I know all I need to know. I know I want you. I know that you want me. That is all that is important for now.”
“Are you sure?” he asked.
“No,” she answered. “But, I don’t care. The fire taught me that I can lose everything in a moment. I do know I want to live while I still can. I want to know everything there is to know. I want to learn.”
He stared into her eyes for a long moment, questioning, probing. At last a fiery look crossed behind his eyes, as he smiled that death-defying smile of his, and took her into his arms and carried her to his bed.
Chapter Nine
She stared up into his eyes, as he slowly lowered her onto the bed. Standing over her. This large man dominated her world. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him.
He placed his thumbs into the waistband of his pants and pushed them down. He stood before her, fully naked.
Rachel gasped, he was beautiful. Her eyes were drawn to his manhood. She could not look away. Large, thick, powerful. He pulsed with need. Ready for her.
She felt her insides become soft and aching with want.
Smiling at her he said. “I want to see you, all of you.”
Rachel gulped, this was real, this was going to happen. Here, with Thad. Her first time. A positive sureness passed through her. It was right. It was what should happen.
&
nbsp; Closing her eyes so she could not see him watching her, she reached down and raised the hem of her shift. Lifting her bottom off the bed, she pulled the shift higher. Taking a deep breath, she quickly pulled the light cotton fabric over her head.
The cold night air brushed across her body as she lay back on the bed. Pulling together her courage, she slowly opened her eyes to see what he was thinking.
His eyes slowly worked their way up her body. Sending a tingle through her each time they stopped in pleasure and admiration.
He stared for a long moment at her sex, devouring her with his eyes. She swallowed and fought not to hide herself from his intense scrutiny.
Say something, she thought furiously. Please let me know what you are thinking.
Looking into her eyes, he smiled.
“You are beautiful, Rachel. As beautiful as a midsummer sunset. As sweet at a waterfall’s rainbow, and as enticing as a dragon’s treasure.
She ached for him. Raising her arms, she silently begged for him to join her.
He smiled and lay down next to her. His hardness pressed into the side of her leg as his hand came to rest on her tummy. He stared into her eyes, then leaned into her and took her lips with his.
She became lost again. Falling once more under his spell, as his hand slowly moved up to caress her breast. She gasped with pleasure.
His lips left her to take a nipple. Slowly tasting, sucking, and teasing her. She felt herself grow warm and wet with need as his hand trailed down to touch her at her very core.
Arching her back, she pressed herself against his finger as he slowly parted her folds and touched her very center.
“Yes,” she whispered.
Her world twisted and turned as his fingers played with her very soul. She became lost to everything, but his touch.
He continued to caress and stroke. More, she thought. I need more.
Her hand reached down to take his, pressing a finger into her. She could no longer wait. She must feel something inside of her now.
His lips returned to kiss hers as his finger entered her.
A deep rumble echoed through his chest as she called his name.
“Thad,” she moaned, as she felt his touch inside of her. “Please,” she begged.
Slowly, he lifted up to stare into her eyes. Making sure to himself that this was what she wanted.
The look of hungry need in his eyes let her know that he wanted her as much as she wanted him. That he burned for her. The thought sent a thrill of pleasure through her as she reached to pull him over her.
Thad smiled as he placed himself between her legs. His eyes continuing to stare down at her.
He was so large, she thought. How would she ever accommodate him? “Please take me,” she whispered before her fears could take control.
He smiled and placed himself before her opening.
Slowly, he began to press against her. He never looked away. Always staring at her. Holding her in place.
She stared back, up into those gorgeous eyes. Into his very soul.
Her insides grew soft and demanding as he gently parted her.
“Yes,” she said as she looked up at him. “Yes.”
He continued to enter her, taking it slowly, allowing her body to grow and expand for him.
It was wonderful, this feeling of wholeness. This feeling of being one with him. Of being filled.
He reached her barrier and halted. Leaning down he took her lips with his then thrust forward.
A sharp pain flashed through her, then was gone. All she could feel was Thad. Inside her, covering her, taking her.
He held there, holding his body in place as she grew accustomed to him and his large size. Then, he moved, and Rachel’s world changed forever.
The pure pleasure of his stroke. The feeling of tingly joy that passed through her each time he moved into her. Everything was different.
Thad began to pull back, then thrust again. Over and over, driving her higher. Taking her to a place she didn’t know existed.
Reaching up, she pulled him down to lay on top of her. Her nails biting into his back as she demanded more of him. Arching to meet him.
A deep grumble from the back of his throat greeted her, making her want to laugh. He sounded like a mighty beast. Her beast.
“Yes,” she yelled as she arched up into him. “Yes.”
He continued to thrust, she began to meet him. Moving with him in time. Her warmth taking his hard strength.
“God, Rachel,” he moaned as he continued to move inside of her. “I can’t ...”
He exploded inside of her, filling her with warmth. His throbbing, pulsating body pushed her over the edge as she erupted into passionate joy.
And still, he thrust into her, over and over.
“YES!” she screamed as her body began to quake with happiness. Every muscle tightened, every nerve tingled. “Oh, Yes.”
Rachel fought to regain control of her world. Fought to remember how to breathe. Struggled to understand the feelings flowing through her.
At last, the world slowly returned. Thad had collapsed on her. His weight pinning her to the bed. She marveled at the feeling of oneness. Of the feeling of completeness.
This was what life was supposed to be like, she thought, as she wrapped her arms and legs around him. Holding him in place. Taking his strength and warmth and holding it to her heart.
She could die now, she thought. It would never get better than this moment, this now.
Growling under his breath, Thad rolled to the side. A sudden emptiness filled Rachel with a sense of loss and abandonment.
Her lips pursed in a pout as she fought against the end of her joy.
Thad glanced at her with one eye and laughed then pulled her into his arms.
“Don’t worry, Sweetness, the night is young, and you are too tempting to ignore for long.”
She snuggled down into his arms as a sense of security and safety washed over her. What was it about this man that tore her into little pieces, then put her back together again? Better, more whole, happier.
Resting her head on his arm, she allowed herself to think about what had just happened. There was no regret, no shame or sadness. Just pure happiness.
The night was young, he had said. Damn right, she thought. And tomorrow is far away. I have now, she reminded herself. And, I have him. At least for tonight.
.o0o.
Rachel woke to a soft yellow light peeking through the window curtains and a hard, callused hand caressing the insides of her thighs. Swirling in small circles, sending warm thrills to her very core.
Smiling to herself, she spread her legs and let him in.
Thad quickly made her ready and once again entered her.
Would this ever stop being so wonderful? she wondered as once again he filled her.
Once more, he brought her to full release. Once again, he shattered her world then held her as she came together again.
When they were done, he held her in his arms until she once again fell asleep.
.o0o.
Rachel slowly rocked little Thad, as she stood in the back room with Juliet while Thad and Joseph prepared the wagon. Her body felt tender and sore and desperately wanted more.
What now? she wondered. How was she to sit next to this man on the wagon all day? What would they talk about? What would he expect from her?
The worry of the unknown pulled at her insides making her want to run. As far and as fast as she could.
What if it meant nothing to him? Surely, Thad had dozens of women in his life before her. And, surely, he would want to have dozens more after. Why should she be any different from any other woman he had been with?
Her stomach clenched up into a tight ball. Nothing in any book could prepare a person for this moment of doubt. There was no knowledge on a written page that could ease her concern and worry.
“Thad seemed awful happy this morning,” Juliet said with a knowing smirk.
Rachel’s cheeks blossomed
with a blush, as she quickly looked away unless this woman saw the truth of what they had done.
Juliet laughed and said, “You seem rather pleased with yourself as well.”
Rachel focused on little Thad and tried to ignore her flaming cheeks.
“I wish we didn’t have to leave,” Rachel said to the little boy as she tickled his cheek. It would be very easy to fall in love with this baby she thought. Perhaps as easy as it was to fall in love with the man he was named after.
“I know,” Juliet said, “but it is the way of our life. People always coming into our lives and then leaving again. But, you and Thad are different. You will always be special to us.”
Rachel smiled and nodded her thanks.
“Besides,” Juliet said, “now that I know Thad has found someone like you. I can relax and stop worrying about him.”
Rachel gasped. “We ... I mean ...”
Juliet smiled and patted Rachel’s arm. “Don’t worry, I understand. But, be careful Rachel. Thad is not like other men.”
“I know.”
“No, more than the devilish good looks. More than just the strength, and size of him. Much more. There is something deep inside of him. Some dark secret that he won’t share.”
“What could it be?” Rachel asked, for she too had thought that there was something different about the man she loved.
“I don’t know. But, whatever it is. I can promise you that it is not as bad as he fears. Thad is a good man. Nothing can erase that.”
Rachel nodded slowly, as she handed the baby back to his mother. Thad had secrets, she was sure of it. But, then, so did she. What would he think of her if he ever discovered she had hidden the coin from him? How much could a man hate a woman?
The fear grew inside of her. Oh, how she prayed that he never found out.
Chapter Ten
Thad placed his sword in the back of the wagon where it could easily be reached, then waved to Joseph and Juliet one last time and flicked the reigns. The wagon began to roll, and they were once more on the road, headed south. South to some unknown destination that Rachel continued to refuse to tell him about.
He glanced over at the woman next to him. She had scooted to the far side of the wagon’s bench. Her shoulders were hunched and face pale. She looked as if the world was about to crash upon her.
