“Where are we going?” she asked, struggling to keep up.
“You will see.”
The path rose sharply and grew rockier. It became difficult to walk barefoot. “What about your cousin? Why is he staying behind?”
“I asked him to keep watch,” Antonio pulled her alongside him.
Keep watch for what? She was pretty sure Antonio wasn’t leading her off behind the rocks to find nature’s port-a-can. Something was up. She stopped abruptly and jerked her hand from his grasp “I’m not going any further until you tell me where you’re taking me?”
He glared. “I’m taking you to the water hole to wash your muddy footprints from the seat of my breeches, woman!”
She gulped. Holy shit. He’d finally discovered her dirty deed. Actually, she’d meant to wrestle the pants from him before now and blot away the prints, but somehow she’d gotten caught up in all the festivities of being manhandled by toothless and eye-less men. But this certainly explained his foul mood all day.
“Oh, that. Yeah. I’m sorry about your pants. I was pissed off at the time if it makes any difference.”
She could have sworn she saw the corners of his mouth twitch as if he were about to break into a grin but was fighting to suppress it.
“I can explain, Antonio.”
“Do not bother with explanations. Wash my pants and I will attempt to forget this happened.”
He swept her and Max into his arms, then carried them over a small ridge and down another narrow, but rockier foot path. Soon, the most beautiful, sparkling pool of the clearest water she’d ever seen came into view.
“You may bathe now.” He set her on her feet. Max yapped, racing back and forth at the water’s edge, barking and wagging his tail at Halle before dashing off to urinate again on every dried twig and stone. She never would have imagined his little doggie bladder held so much.
Halle stared numbly toward the small oasis. Heaven! She froze. Wait, had he told her to bathe? What about his pants? Oh crap…forget the pants. He could wash them himself! There was clean water and a lot of it!
She wasted no time. Plunking down on the ground, she dipped her feet into the deliciously cool water. Ahhh! Beside her, Max lapped copious amounts.
When she turned toward Antonio, he was gone. And his clothing was no where to be seen.
Unsure of how much time he’d given her, she quickly tinkled behind a scrub brush, then undressed and immersed herself in the refreshing blue pool, dunking her head several times. The water cooled her sunburned skin and eased the ache in her weary joints.
She felt giddy, childlike, and splatted the water with open palms, laughing when the spray hit her face and tickled her nose. She splashed some at Max who waited on shore.
Swimming about leisurely, Halle tested the water’s depth at all points. As she suspected, it was fairly shallow—apparently no more than five or six feet deep at the most. This was pure heaven—paddling about in cool water and humming a tune. Finally tired, she braced her arms out on the rocks and laid her head back and stared up at the endless turquoise sky with feather-like cloud tufts, scissoring her legs in the water to keep afloat.
Max barked, signaling a visitor and she slunk into the water, immersing herself to the neck. At first she was relieved to find it was Antonio until she saw he was completely naked. Maybe he’d only come back to give her his pants. On second thought—her eyes riveted on that particular part of his anatomy—was that all he’d come to give her?
He towered above her high on the rocks as if he were a king on a mountain top surveying his kingdom below. His muscular, bronzed torso was backlit by the rays of the afternoon sun, his sculpted, body outlined in an aura of gold. She stared at his sex, thick, dark, and erect and her body responded instantly, recalling how he’d felt in her hand last night.
“May I join you?” He edged closer to the pool.
Before she could tell him no, he lunged from the rocks and dived in. When he resurfaced, he slung his hair out of his face and eased toward her. His gaze dipped to her breasts, the look in his eyes unmistakable. She slunk lower into the water—a pointless move, she realized. He’d probably been watching her all this time from his vantage point on one of the bluffs overlooking the pool
“Do not hide yourself.” He took her by the hands and brought her to her feet. “After the intimacies we shared last night you are you ashamed to bathe with me?” He hooked a finger beneath her chin, forcing her to look into his eyes.
Water glistened in the golden highlights of his damp hair and ran in rivulets down his deeply bronzed face and chest. He was a beautiful man, one she could only compare to a work of fine sculpture. She stared openly at him now with curiosity, her eyes exploring the rugged, yet masculine angle of his jaw and chin, the hint of dark stubble on his upper lip. She recalled how it felt to smooth her hand across his muscled chest, to brush her fingertips over his dark nipples. To kiss his soft mouth—to really taste him deeply.
Last night was the first time she’d touched a penis. He’d been steely, yet with skin that encased him like the softest velvet. The remembrance of how she’d pleasured him made her warm with new arousal and she clenched her thighs together as a twinge caught her unaware. She wondered what he would do if she leaned forward and sucked at his nipples the way he had hers, if she curled her hand around his sex and brought him to release again.
Almost as if he sensed her thoughts, he released her abruptly, then moved away and began to swim around disinterestedly. She turned away too, fearing she’d revealed too much. She dunked herself in the water again, then surfaced, smoothing the wet hair away from her face. She did it over and over, hoping to cool her sexually heated body, failing. When she came up a final time, he was waiting.
And he had the look. That look.
She squealed and splashed away but he grasped her by the ankle and reeled her back against him. One muscular arm imprisoned her midsection. His erection pressed against the small of her spine. Halle sucked in a breath at the erotic feel of his aroused, wet body pressed to hers.
He brushed the wet hair away from her nape with one hand and kissed the back of her neck softly. She shivered at his touch as her desire for him intensified. If he kept this up much longer, she knew exactly what was going to happen.
“You are the most beautiful woman I have ever known,” he whispered, his breath warm against her cool, wet skin. “I wanted you last night, Halle. More than you can ever know.”
Halle closed her eyes, melted against his moist body, feeling her weakness for him rise again. She couldn’t remember a time when anyone wanted her, let alone said she was beautiful. But Antonio had. She wished he’d say it again.
His lips brushed her cheek, then he turned her to face him. His palms caressed her shoulders. Hands so strong, yet so warm and gentle.
“Why do you tremble in my arms?” He lowered his mouth within inches of hers. “Surely by now you know I would never harm you.”
She pressed her palms to his chest to keep him at bay, but her hands decided they loved the feel of his skin and began their own gentle exploration. His tight, beaded nipples were her first stop. Her eyes lifted to his as she swirled a fingertip around one, Tentatively, she teased the next, drawing her hand away at his audible intake of breath.
“It is all right. Continue.” His eyes twinkled devilishly. “Having a beautiful woman’s attention is quite enjoyable.” He drew her hands into his, then placed her palms against his chest again. “Do as you wish.”
Halle’s throat constricted, unsure of what she should do first. What did he want? She licked her lips, trying to discern his thoughts but to no avail. Finally, her eyes zeroed in on one delicious looking chocolate colored nipple.
“Anything?” she asked.
“Whatever you desire.”
It was now or never. She ducked her head and latched on. He jerked and she pulled away, thinking she might have hurt him. “I didn’t mean to—”
“It’s all right. I gave you permiss
ion to do as you wish.”
Halle bent forward again and snaked out her tongue, tentatively flicking it across the tiny bead. “Do you like this Antonio?”
He moaned his approval deep in his throat.
“And how about this.” She targeted his other nipple, grazing it with her teeth.
“Ouch!
“Oops. Sorry about that. I got carried away.”
“You’re feeling playful today.”
Well, he had said she could do anything she wanted.
He reached up and gently caressed her cheek with his knuckles. “For an innocent you’re adventurous. Much like the other night.”
Slightly embarrassed by the memory of her bold behavior, she bit down on her lip and looked away. He must have sensed her discomfort, for he quickly hooked a finger beneath her chin and turned her face back. “Do not be ashamed of anything that has transpired between us,” he whispered. “The intimate moments we’ve shared have been beautiful.”
His smoldering gaze locked with hers and she drew in a deep, dizzying breath as a wave of desire threatened to consume her. Oh, God. What was it about this man that turned her into a woman she didn’t recognize? His devastating good looks? His deep, sensual voice? Or her pathetic need for affection? “I guess it’s pretty obvious from my behavior last night that I’m easy.”
He reached up and brushed a strand of wet hair from her face. “I don’t think you are easy at all.” His gray eyes twinkled merrily. “You, in fact, are probably the most difficult female I have ever encountered.”
She smoothed her hands down his torso and under the water, resting them on his lean hips. “I’ve never wanted to make love with anyone except you.”
His brow lifted. “Never?”
She shook her head no.
His palms softly skimmed up and down her damp arms, sending shivers of desire coursing throughout her body. “Do you recall how I touched you last night, how you cried out, the relief you felt afterward? Do you remember how I felt in your hand when I took my own release?”
Oh yeah, she remembered…all too vividly, his hands and mouth upon her body, and hers upon his. She wished they weren’t in the water for she might like a repeat performance. Her nipples tightened in response to the memory and she glanced down at her breasts, shocked to see her blatant reaction.
“Uh-oh.”
“You are ashamed that you desire me?”
She avoided his eyes. “I’m not ashamed.” And she wasn’t, but merely felt inept. Halle knew what she wanted, but didn’t know how to go about asking for it. Although he claimed she’d pleasured him well last night, she wasn’t certain. Maybe he didn’t want to hurt her feelings.
Hooking a finger beneath her chin, he tilted her face up to his again. “You are not a shy woman. Speak your mind.”
“I’ve never even considered having sex with anyone until I met you. I can just think about touching you or kissing you and I’m all hot and worked up. How do you do that to me?”
“Even for a virgin, desiring a man is normal. Don’t be ashamed of your new feelings. Your woman’s body aches for mine.”
Hallie swallowed hard, a bit embarrassed by what she was about to ask of him. “Um, Antonio…”
“Yes?”
“I really liked the way you touched me last night.”
A smile lit his eyes, though it never reached his lips. “Did you, now.”
“Um…yeah. But I was wondering if…you know…you could um…do that again sometime. Maybe soon. Like…now would be a really good time.”
His hand sought her out and she sucked in her breath and clung to his upper arms as he stroked her intimately. She wished she possessed a stronger reserve, that she could shove him away and not want to make love to him. It would only make her leaving hurt even more.
“Look into my eyes,” he whispered, and she did. “I want to watch your desire for me when you come.”
A wave began to swell within her and she shifted her legs apart to accommodate two thick, seeking fingers. He stretched her uncomfortably at first, but soon the stinging became sweet and pleasurable, the rhythm of his hands natural and inviting until the ache buried deep within became unbearable, building until she thought she might burst.
“Yes, that’s it,” he whispered, as she began to move her hips in rhythm to his thrusts. She slipped her arms around his neck and clung to him, her hips undulating against his pleasuring hand.
She rocked softly, half of her shocked they were doing this out in the open and the other part of her not really caring. At least all the excitement was happening under the cover of water. She cried out as the first wave of passion broke, a sort of sputtered, gasp that startled her.
“Shhh,” he said. “It’s all right. Take pleasure for as long as you need.”
And she did. Hallie closed her eyes and rode the wave again and again. His hand stilled eventually and he pulled her against him, held her tightly a moment. She listened to her own deep breathing, his heartbeat thumping in his chest. Or was that hers?
“How many nights must we lie side by side, never fully making love?” he whispered against her forehead. “How long before Sonny’s men realize we are not truly lovers?”
She pulled back to look at him. “If we’re not lovers, then what were we just doing?”
“Despite what you know of my reputation from Elena, I am an honorable man. I cannot have you completely unless you agree to be my wife. To do otherwise would dishonor you.”
Her heart leapt in her chest, but only for a moment until the reality of what he’d said sunk in. He wanted her body, and obviously pretty bad to offer marriage. But he hadn’t said he loved her, only that he couldn’t make love to her unless they were married. “Okay. Let me get this straight. You want me to get married so we can have sex?”
He sighed. “That is not the only reason. I am a man with many needs. Such is obvious. You know I have a son who needs a mother. And you need a man to protect you in this harsh land. A woman cannot survive alone out here, Halle. Besides, Sonny feels you and I are a good match.”
“Excuse me, but you’ve been consulting with Sonny about this?”
Anger rolled through her like a fireball. What other intimate details had he divulged? She eased from his embrace. “You and your cousin have my future all figured out, don’t you? Except for one thing Antonio. I didn’t ask to be kidnapped from Elena’s. I also didn’t ask to be dragged into the middle of this insane situation between the Indians and the U.S. government. And I certainly didn’t ask to fall in lo—” Her breath caught in her throat, the pain in her heart so great at the reality of what she’d almost revealed—not only to him, but to herself.
Thankfully, he didn’t appear to notice.
“Do you believe you would have been better off in Elena’s brothel? She was preparing to auction your virginity to the highest bidders, then toss your abused body at Frank Cole’s feet when she finished. I had no other choice but to take you with me.” He gave her a gentle, but sobering shake. “You know what I say is true. You read Elena’s letter from Cole. ”
Halle had read the letter, probably ten times, and still disbelieved Elena would betray her. It was difficult to accept even now. “Even so, I’m not some helpless waif who needs rescuing” She turned away but he grasped her arm and reeled her back to him.
“Don’t pull away. Not now. We are being watched.”
She slunk into the water to her chin to conceal her nudity. “By who?” She scanned the horizon. “Sonny?”
“No. Quick. Put your arms around my neck again and pretend to hug me.”
“Are you out of your mind?”
“Very well. We do this my way.” He lifted her and carried her from the water, depositing her on her back on the warm, hard ground.
“Oh, my God! What are you doing? Stop right now! They’ll see us.”
“Be quiet,” he growled, then shoved her legs apart. “That is exactly what I want. Then, they will believe you are truly mine.”
&nb
sp; “Antonio! No!” She could not believe he was so bold. “You’re a perve! We can’t do this out in the open in front of people!”
He moved between her thighs and she gasped softly as he thrust his erection against her. One hand slid beneath her buttocks. “Cry out as if you are enjoying yourself.” He gave her butt cheek a sharp pinch and she yelped. Max raced over to check out the situation.
“What the hell was that for?”
“Cry out in passion.”
“I’m going to kill you for pinching my ass, Antonio!”
“Fine. Kill me later, but for now do as I ask.”
She released a wail that sounded more like a lamb being slaughtered than a cry of a woman in the throes of passion.
Antonio stilled and frowned at her. “What the hell are you doing?”
“Crying out like you told me to.”
“Make it sound genuine.”
She let loose another wail, more impressive than the first. So she thought. Max also let out a high pitched whine, too.
Antonio brushed the dog aside. “Go chase a rattlesnake,” he muttered under his breath.
Halle finally belted out a yodel to rival Tarzan’s.
“Be silent, woman,” Antonio whispered through gritted teeth as he rocked himself against her. “You are supposed to sound as if you are enjoying my attention.”
She blew out an exasperated breath. “Well what do you expect? I’m not enjoying myself, and if I actually were experiencing pleasure I might have something to scream and carry on about.”
Before she could protest, he eased down her body and ducked his head.
Halle bucked at the first touch of his tongue, utterly shocked. She tried to pull herself into a sitting position but he could not be deterred. Ohhh! Myyyy. Gawwwwd. She lay back on the ground again, panting. Clawing fists full of dry dirt. Her hips arched involuntarily. Her eyes rolled back in her head. What the fffff….what was he doing? Through slitted eyes she glanced down at the dark head nestled between her thighs. Oh, yeah. That. A sigh of pure pleasure escaped her lips, followed by a low moan. Hers? His? She wasn’t certain.
Acquiescing, she closed her eyes against the intense glare of sun, scarcely able to breathe or think as rippled waves of pleasure pulsed and spiraled with each deft stroke of his tongue. She’d read about oral sex in women’s magazines, and had listened to the ladies at Elena’s discuss it, although she had no actual experience. But this was definitely something she wouldn’t mind exploring further. And often.
Ride The Wild Wind (Time Travel Historical Romance) Page 19
