Enchanted Ecstasy (17 page)

"I can never get enough of you," he said gruffly.

Once more Kane took her on the wings of love to a world high above the earth as he made love to her for the second time. But unlike the first time, Maleaha knew what to expect, and her body readily obeyed the silent commands Kane issued her. There was such beauty and love that she felt tears running down her cheeks. He had not once said that he loved her, but for the moment it did not matter, she had enough love for both of them. This was her husband, and she readily gave him all he asked of her.

Afterwards, Maleaha lay exhausted in Kane's arms, loving the way his hands moved caressingly over her body.

Kane felt he had indeed stamped his claim of ownership on Maleaha, and even though she had not said that she loved him, he knew he had held her as no man ever had before, and he was determined that after they returned to Santa Fe he would ask her to marry him in a proper ceremony. He smiled to himself. Maleaha had accomplished what many other women had failed to do. In a short time she had wound him around her little finger and made him think about such things as settling down, building a home, and starting a family.

Suddenly he needed to hear her say that she felt as he did. Kane knew he would never want to seek pleasure from another woman. He had found perfection and total satisfaction, and he would never again settle for anything less. How strange that he, a man who had known many women, would fall under the spell of a girl hardly out of the schoolroom, he thought.

His hand settled on her smooth, flat stomach. "Did I hurt you, Maleaha?"

She looked into his eyes, unable to speak, and shook her head.

"Did you feel as I did, Maleaha?"

Maleaha closed her eyes as a tear escaped and ran down her cheek. How could she tell him that she felt she belonged to him, and after tonight she would always be his. But he must not know that. He must not know that she loved him.

' 'I feel very different inside. I am no longer a girl, but a woman now.'' It was not what she wanted to say, but she saw danger in revealing her innermost feelings to him.

Kane frowned. She had not told him what he wanted to hear. Did she feel none of the love that he felt for her? Had she merely used him to stop Mangas from taking her as his wife? The tender feelings he had for her were pushed aside by his anger. Good Lord, he thought, he had been on the verge of telling her that he was in love with her. His voice was harsh when he spoke to her. "How easy it is to arouse your body now that you have been awakened by a man's caresses, Maleaha," and to prove his words, his hand slid up her long silky leg to rest on her stomach, and Maleaha gasped.

Maleaha felt herself being crushed in his arms.

"God help me. If I die tomorrow, I have finally felt alive." He held her so tightly that she marveled in his strength. Time passed and he did no more than hold her in his arms, and soon they both fell asleep.

The next morning when Maleaha awoke, Kane was not beside her. Looking around the teepee, she saw he was sitting on the edge of the buffalo robe, fully dressed. His silver eyes moved over her beautiful body, and she felt no shame that he seemed to find her beautiful. After all, he was her husband. It was on the tip of her tongue to tell him that she loved him, when his eyes turned to silver ice.

"I suggest you get dressed, Miss Deveraux. The way people come and go around here you might find yourself in a most embarrassing situation," he said coldly.

Maleaha stiffened at his cold words. He had called her Miss Deveraux! Last night he had called her Mrs. Benedict. What had occurred to make him change his mind? She remembered the tender moments they had shared last night, and she searched his face to see if he remembered also, but his eyes were cold as he stared back at her. Oh no, she thought, as realization dawned on her. He did not feel married to her, and why should he? Last night he had been forced by Mangas to go through with the marriage, and it had been she who had sought him out. She had given herself to him without hesitation, and she felt real shame as she realized how it must have appeared to him.

Kane stood up and peered down at her as she pulled the buffalo robe over her nakedness. ' 'I want to tell you now, that I do not feel bound by the marriage performed by Mangas last night," he told her.

Maleaha wrapped the robe around her and stood up. "There is no reason that you should, major." She hoped her voice sounded calm, though she was anything but calm on the inside; she was feeling heartbreak and shame.

"I would like to thank you for helping me last night, and I think you will understand, after what happened between us last night, that I hope our paths will not cross in the future," she said, letting him go, freeing him of any obligation he might feel toward her, and praying he would not know about her golden lie.

Kane had been watching her sleep while he rehearsed how he would ask her to marry him. He had planned their future down to the smallest details. As soon as the Arapaho could be dealt with, and he had returned to Santa Fe, they would have a proper wedding.

He would look into purchasing the land Jonas had told him about, then he would have a house built on it. Maleaha would have to move to the fort with him for a while. There were quarters to accommodate the officers and their wives, and while they were not exactly what she was accustomed to, they would not be too bad. The main thing was that they would be together.

Kane watched her walk across the room to where her clothes were. Had he heard her correctly? Had she said that she did not want to see him again? Was she out of her mind? Did she not know that what they had shared last night came to few people in a lifetime? Anger and frustration carried him across the space that divided them, and he grabbed her by the arm and turned her to face him.

"What do you mean you hope our paths never cross again?"

Maleaha raised her head and give him a look of indifference that she was far from feeling.

"I do not wish to repeat what happened last night," she told him, knowing she was being very dishonest, something she had very rarely been in her whole life.

His fingers tightened on her shoulder, and he forced her to look at him. "Why do I get the feeling that you used me last night?"

She raised her head and gave him her coldest stare. It was better that he should think her promiscuous than find out that she loved him. "I admit I used you last night, but you cannot say that you did not use me as well."

"Damn you," he said, shoving her away from him. His silver eyes narrowed to tiny slits and he clenched his fists, wanting to hit out at something or someone.

"It was my pleasure, Miss Deveraux. The next time you are in need of a toss on the robe, I hope you will consider me."

Maleaha raised her hand, and before he could react, she struck him hard across the face.

Kane grabbed her hand, and, pinning her arms behind her, pulled her tightly against his body. ' 'I would not ever try that again," he said through clenched teeth.

"Release me. I hate you!"

' 'You did not hate me last night. You were not very experienced, and usually my taste runs more to the older, more experienced female. Perhaps when you are more experienced . . ." his voice trailed off.

Maleaha struggled with all her might, wishing she could strike him again for his insulting words. She wondered how she could ever have thought she loved him. Her newfound love died a speedy death. Why was it with Kanen Benedict she could swing from love to hate so quickly?

Lamas chose that moment to enter the teepee, and in two strides he was across the space that divided them. "Does he hurt you?" he asked Maleaha in the language of the Jojobas.

"No, I am all right."

Lamas watched Kane carefully as he spoke to Maleaha. "Mangas wants to see you and the white man at once." His dark eyes were threatening as he looked at Kane.

"Tell Mangas we will be there as soon as I dress."

Lamas nodded and walked toward the opening, giving Kane one last warning glance as he disappeared.

Maleaha clutched the buffalo robe about her, and looked up at Kane, who still gripped her by the shoulder. "Mangas wants to see us right away."

Kane nodded and released his hold on her. Turning his back to her, he walked over to the opening and peered outside, allowing Maleaha time to dress. His anger had cooled but little as he watched a group of young Indian boys run around in circles playing some game that resembled tag. He turned to Maleaha, who was now sitting on the buffalo robe lacing her moccasins. Feeling his eyes on her, she looked up. After tying the leather strap of her moccasin she stood up.

"Major, I really am grateful to you for last night. I know at best it was an awkward situation. I had no right to become angry with you, as you only did what I asked of you."

The muscle in his jaw twitched. Grateful, damn! Again his anger ignited. He did not want her gratitude. Why couldn't she see that what had happened between them last night was special. He was afraid she would be able to read his expression, so his mask fell into place once more.

"As I told you before, it was my pleasure. If you are ready, let's see what Mangas wants."

He held the tent flap open for her to pass through in front of him. She avoided his eyes as she stepped outside. Her feelings were still too raw, and the tears were too near the surface. Today there was a deep ache inside her body, but, if she could just hold up until this ordeal was over, then later there would be time for tears.

At Mangas's teepee the flap was pushed aside by a fierce-looking warrior. "Mangas awaits within," he told Maleaha.

Mangas motioned for Kane and Maleaha to be seated on the buffalo robe across from him.

Maleaha's eyes were drawn by his dark glance. There was no recrimination in his eyes, only a deep sadness. He gave her just the slightest smile before he turned to Kane.

"White man, I have decided to help you find the Arapaho. I would not usually help a white man against my Indian brothers, but I like the Arapaho even less than I do the white race."

Mangas had taken Kane completely by surprise. After last night he expected anything but the offer of help Mangas had just given him.

"I am pleased that you offer your help, Mangas. You will not find the United States Army ungrateful."

Mangas's dark eyes rested on Maleaha, "I do not do it for the army. I do it because Maleaha asked it of me. She is a Jojoba princess, therefore I want to honor her wishes."

"I thought perhaps that was the reason," Kane told him.

Maleaha smiled brightly at Mangas. "I am so pleased that you will help drive the Arapaho from our land."

Mangas fastened his dark gaze on Kane once more. "You will deliver to me, at a designated spot, fifty horses and fifty head of beef, is that understood?"

Kane nodded. "It will be done."

"You do not haggle, white man. Perhaps I set my price too low."

"I would not insult your intelligence by haggling with you. It is a fair price."

Mangas looked at Kane suspiciously. ' 'Can I trust your word? Maleaha seems to think so."

"Yes, I will see to it at once. If you like, Maleaha can go with me to see Colonel Johnson. I know you trust her."

"Yes, I trust Maleaha to do this, but you will not be going with her. If I am to help you with the Arapaho, there will be no time for you to return to the fort. Is this acceptable to you?"

"Yes, I will do whatever you think is best," Kane told him.

Mangas turned to Maleaha. "Go and say good-bye to your aunt, Little Flower, then I want you and Lamas to leave right away. Do not fear that you will encounter the Arapaho, for they are to the east of the direction you will be traveling."

"I will write her a note to take to Colonel Johnson," Kane said standing up. "Are you sure she will be in no danger?"

"I would not send her otherwise," Mangas told him.

"I will go to my aunt now, Kane. That will give you time to write to Colonel Johnson," Maleaha said, sweeping out of the teepee.

"You are a very fortunate man, major. Maleaha is what every man seeks in a wife," Mangas said, fixing Kane with a dark gaze.

"Yes," Kane admitted. "There is no other like her."

Each man sized the other up, and then Mangas turned away. "Write your letter, major. It may be the last time you will see your wife. The Arapaho are a fierce enemy. Many will not return from the battle we go into. They are more than a hundred strong. I know you have only twenty-five men, and I will take forty warriors with me. We will be outnumbered. Does this bother you?"

"I will ride at your side, Mangas. I have no fear."

Word had spread throughout the Jojoba village that Maleaha had married the white man, and she received many good wishes. Maleaha knew that many of the young Indian maidens were happy that she was married, because they could now hope that Mangas would choose among them for a bride.

After Maleaha bade her aunt farewell, she found Lamas had already saddled her horse and was mounted, waiting for her. She saw Kane standing beside her mount. He handed her the note for Colonel Johnson. She took it and swung herself into the saddle.

Kane grabbed her horse's reins. "Maleaha, when this is all over we need to talk."