Authors: Constance O'Banyon
"I am sorry, I can't. Bob will be coming over later, and I don't want to keep him waiting," Betsy said, picking up her drawstring bag. She gave Maleaha a quick peck on the cheek and half smiled at Kane. "Maleaha, I will be in touch with you. Good day, Mr. Benedict."
"Don't you think you could call me Kane? After all I am the husband of your best friend."
"If it is your wish, I shall call you Kane. In return, I would like you to call me Betsy."
She caught her breath as he smiled at her. "Betsy, it will be my pleasure." She could easily see why Maleaha loved this man. He was charming and gallant and she was sure that, regardless of what Maleaha thought, Kane loved her very deeply. She could see it in his eyes every time he looked at her.
"Betsy I want to have Lamas ride home with you. He can stay the night and then come home in the morning," Maleaha said moving toward the door. "I will only be a moment," she said leaving the room to find Lamas.
Betsy felt uneasy left alone with Kane, and she was sure it showed.
' 'I won't bite you, Betsy. I doubt that I have ever bitten a woman."
Betsy twisted the drawstring of her handbag nervously around her finger. "I know you don't bite, Mr. Ben . . . Kane."
"Betsy, we are going to often be in each other's company because of Maleaha. How about if we call a truce.''
"I don't know what you mean."
"Oh, I think you do. I am still smarting from your carefully executed plan at the dance last summer.''
"It was no more than you deserved," Betsy blurted out.
"You are a true and loyal friend to my wife, therefore I would like you to be a friend of mine as well."
"I will be a friend to you as long as you do not hurt Maleaha," she said with a look that dared him to hurt her best friend.
"What if your friend is the one who does the hurting?" Kane asked. At that moment Betsy saw the misery and uncertainty in Kane's eyes. No longer did she have any doubt that he loved Maleaha. Betsy was grateful that Maleaha entered the room with Lamas, saving her from answering Kane's question.
When Maleaha returned to the sitting room after seeing Betsy on her way, she found Kane waiting for her.
He was looking at the sketches she had drawn. "This appears to be a wedding gown," he said, handing her the drawings.
"Yes, Betsy and Bob are to be married next month."
"I see. I apologize for my untimely arrival. Had I known the two of you were planning a wedding I would not have come home so early."
"Do not apologize, this is your home. Besides, Betsy and I had already decided what style of dress she wanted."
"
You
and Betsy decided?"
Maleaha walked over to the desk and slipped her sketches into the drawer. "Yes, Betsy and I have always consulted each other about important matters."
"Pity you were cheated out of a big wedding, then you and Betsy could have decided on a gown for you to wear.''
Maleaha turned to face him, unsure if he meant what he was saying or was merely being sarcastic. As usual, his face told her nothing. "Do you wish to bathe before dinner?"
"Yes, but first I want to see my daughter," he threw over his shoulder as he left the room.
Dinner had been an uncomfortable affair, and Maleaha was glad when it was finally over. There had been long lulls in the conversation. Kane had been unusually quiet, as if he were deep in thought.
Maleaha had excused herself and gone into the sitting room, while Kane went to his study. She stood at the window and gazed at the distant mountains, feeling lonely and sad. She supposed her sadness came from the thought of Betsy's upcoming marriage. Betsy would be so happy with her Bob, while Maleaha would continue to live on the fringes of Kane's life. She would give much to be able to know what Kane thought about anything, especially where she was concerned.
Maleaha felt something brush her shoulder, and she turned to see Kane standing just behind her.
"You have learned to walk silently. I can no longer hear your footsteps, Kane," she said, feeling strange because he was standing so near to her.
"I have been watching you for a long time, trying to figure out what you were so thoughtful about just now." His hand went to her tiny waist, and he pulled her toward him. Maleaha did not try to pull away as he rested his face against hers. "Dare I hope you were thinking about me?" he whispered in her ear.
"I was thinking about you," she admitted.
"Good thoughts, I hope," he murmured in her ear. He did not wait for her answer, but bent his head so that his lips were very near hers.
"I rushed home today knowing you would be here. I can't tell you how it feels to know when I come home each day that you and Cimeron will be waiting." His lips covered hers, and Maleaha closed her eyes, giving herself over to the beautiful sensation he had awakened in her.
Maleaha held on tightly to the front of Kane's shirt. She felt as if her legs had turned to jelly. Had she heard him correctly? Had he said he liked to come home to her and Cimeron? She knew that she had to put some distance between them or she would be under his spell once more.
"I…1 want to go out for a breath of fresh air," she said, voicing the first thought that came to her mind.
"Fine. I wouldn't mind a breath of fresh air myself," he told her, taking her arm and leading her to the door.
Outside, he rested his arm casually about her shoulder. "I have come to love this land, Maleaha. Look at that sky. It looks as if one could reach up and pluck the stars right out of it."
Maleaha turned to Kane and studied his profile. "Is that the reason you decided to stay in New Mexico, Kane?"
He lowered his head and looked at her. "Partly, Maleaha, my lovely little Indian princess, partly." He dipped his head and she knew he was going to kiss her.
"Kane, no, someone will see us," she told him, trying to push him away.
"You are right," he replied, scooping her up into his arms and carrying her into the house.
Maleaha's arms went around Kane's neck as he carried her up the stairs. He had been behaving strangely all evening, she thought, wondering where he was taking her. She had no time to protest as he entered his bedroom and lowered her to his bed.
Maleaha froze as he lay down beside her and pulled her into his arms.
Kane's face was in a half-light that shadowed his features, so Maleaha could not see him clearly. Suddenly she felt real fear. Why had he brought her to his room, she wondered. If he was of a mind to, he could destroy her completely. Dare she gamble that if she gave herself to him freely he would not later tear her heart to shreds? She remembered the night she had given freely of herself, only to have it thrown in her face the next morning.
Kane's hand drifted along her shoulder, softly up her throat, then tenderly he outlined the shape of her lips. When he suddenly moved his head downward, he was no longer in the shadows, and Maleaha could see his liquid silver eyes. An involuntary gasp escaped Maleaha's lips as she saw the torment in his eyes.
"Kiss me, Maleaha. Kiss me," he murmured in an agonized voice.
Maleaha knew she could no longer resist him, and her lips parted in silent invitation. She gloried in the feeling that shot through her eager body as his lips settled on hers.
Her hand slipped up to trace the lean outline of his face and her body began to tremble as Kane deepened the kiss. She felt as if she were sailing on a turbulent sea as Kane parted her lips with his tongue. A whimper escaped her throat when he drew her tightly against his body and she felt the swell of his manhood pressed against her thigh.
"You may not love me," he growled against her lips, "but you sure as hell want me."
Hearing his harshly spoken words, Maleaha tried to fight against her rising desire. She was grateful that he did not suspect her love for him. His hand drifted down to her breast to softly caress the swollen peaks, and Maleaha clamped her lips tightly together to keep from crying out her love for him. She grasped his hand when she felt him unfasten her gown front, exposing her breasts.
Kane saw the look of uncertainty on her lovely face as he gently traced a pattern around her rose-tipped breast.
"I love ... the color of your skin, Maleaha. It is soft and golden. I never saw a woman with your color skin before. You look like a golden goddess placed on earth only to pleasure a man. For my pleasure." His voice was low and caressing.
Maleaha lay as if paralyzed as he slowly moved her gown up her legs, and, raising her shoulders up, lifted it over her head and tossed it on the floor. With the same smooth movements, he removed her petticoats and undergarments, and in a moment they too lay on a heap on the floor.
The room was painted in the warm rosy glow of the last glowing embers of the dying sun. Maleaha was silent as she watched Kane stand up and begin unbuttoning his shirt. She watched his every move, fascinated as he discarded each article of clothing. As her eyes moved over his naked body, she thought Kane could easily have posed for the picture she had once seen of Michelangelo's David. He was the perfect male specimen, with his long, lean, muscular legs, wide chest and trim waist. When she looked into his handsome face she found he was staring at her, then his eyes dipped lower to take in her beauty.
Her body seemed to take on the rosy glow of the sunset. Her soft, creamy flesh seemed to invite a man's caress. Her firm, rosy-tipped breasts were perfectly shaped. Her stomach was flat and her waist was tiny. Her legs were long for a woman's, he thought. Long and well shaped. It passed through Kane's mind that never had there been a woman to rival Maleaha in beauty. She was his. She might not love him, but she belonged to him, and that was a triumph, if only a shallow one.
Maleaha could no longer stand his close scrutiny, and her body began to yearn for the touch of his. She felt tears in her eyes as she raised her arms in a silent plea.
Kane walked slowly toward her and the bed dipped under his weight as he knelt over her. He drew in his breath as he saw the passion that burned in the depth of her green eyes. With a trembling hand he reached out and took her hand and drew it up to his lips. Neither of them spoke, but their eyes sent a silent message to each other.
Maleaha reached up and brushed a dark strand of hair from his forehead.
Kane lay down and pulled her on top of him and Maleaha closed her eyes at the beautiful feelings as her body seemed to melt into his. She planted tiny kisses on his chest as his hands began to move sensuously up and down her back.
Kane was in no hurry to perform the final act of love. He had waited too long for this moment and he wanted to savor every second. Maleaha seemed to sense his mood as she buried her face against his neck and allowed him the freedom of exploring her body.
The room was silent, with the exception of an occasional sigh or a deep groan. Suddenly touching and feeling were not enough. Kane rolled Maleaha over and poised himself above her.
Maleaha raised her eyes to his. "You said you would not expect anything from me," she whispered in a painful voice, trying to make some sense out of what was happening to her.
His hand trembled as he reached out and touched her face. "I know. Would you send me away for a promise I made in a moment of weakness?" His voice came out in a raspy plea.
"No," she said moving her hips in a silent invitation. "I will not hold you to that promise."
Kane leaned forward, pinning Maleaha into the soft mattress. He was heavy, but she loved the feel of his body and her arms went about his shoulders, trying to draw him even closer.
"Hold me. Touch me, Maleaha," he whispered in her ear. He was kissing her almost frantically and she was tossing her head from side to side. "Love me, Kane. Love me," she cried.
Maleaha rubbed her body against Kane's and she heard him groan. "You are not human, but a witch who was sent to earth to torture me out of my mind," he murmured. Kane's body took command, and he entered her with a heavy forward thrust. Maleaha felt that she was a tiny boat being tossed about in a stormy sea. Wave after wave of feeling washed over her as she matched Kane's forward thrusts. It was agony and it was beautiful.
Neither of them was to remember later how long they were locked in the embrace of fiery lovemaking. Many times Kane felt Maleaha's body tremble in total satisfaction, while he kept his own desire under control. Finally he reached a point where he could no longer control his passion, and his body exploded in a hurricane of feelings.
They spent that whole night making love. Twice Maleaha fell asleep, only to have Kane shake her gently awake. Her body responded readily to his urgent touch. The whole world for the two of them existed only in this bedroom. It did not matter to either of them that they had not eaten the evening meal.
At last Kane's passion had been satisfied, and he held Maleaha in his arms while she fell into an exhausted sleep. He saw her lovely face was soft from his lovemaking, and he bent his head to kiss her silky cheek. He loved her so much, and his love cried out from inside of him to be voiced. He reminded himself that had Maleaha had any feelings for him, she would have come to see him when he had been injured. No woman who loved a man would stay from him if she thought he might be in danger of losing his life. He knew he had satisfied her body, but that was not enough. He had taken too many women over the years not to know that someone could satisfy your body without touching your heart. He wondered if she had any notion how good their lovemaking was. She could not know as he did that what happened between the two of them was a rare and beautiful experience.
He had been surprised when she had given in to him so easily. He knew one thing for sure—now that he had taken her to his bed, he did not intend to allow her to sleep in a separate bedroom.
He rested his chin against her sweetly scented hair. Maleaha, Maleaha, he thought, you have me where you want me, if only you knew it. With you I am very vulnerable. I would rather die than give you up.
He felt the softness of her body curled up contentedly against him in sleep, and he closed his eyes. His last thought was to wonder how anything could ever be the same between them, after tonight.
Maleaha awoke the next morning and stared about her in a daze. It took her a moment to realize where she was. Lifting her head upward she saw that her head was resting on Kane's shoulder. Remembering the night before she blushed and lowered her head. She had abandoned her virtue and responded to Kane with animal like pleasure. She knew if he made the smallest reference to her behavior she would die of shame.
He tilted her head up and smiled ever so slightly. "It would seem I taught you well, Maleaha. You could cause a man to want to spend his life in your bed."
Maleaha was stung by his words, and she felt her shame melt away into anger. Anger not at him, but at herself, for allowing him to make her forget last night what their relationship was.
"I was glad to accommodate you, Kane. I suppose we could say I performed my wifely duty."
His eyes blazed and the hand that had been resting on her arm tightened. "Oh, you have more than done your duty, Maleaha. You tend my house, care for my daughter, and come willingly to my bed. What more could a man ask for?" he said in a biting tone.
Maleaha watched as he pushed the covers aside and sat up, leaning back against the mahogany headboard. He gazed at her with detached boredom written on his face. She tried to harden her heart against him, but her heart was a traitor to her. She knew all Kane would need to do to have her in his arms would be to reach out and touch her..
She was being foolish, she knew, but she had hoped that Kane would feel that last night had been special, just as she had. Why should he think that she was special, she thought bitterly. The woman he loved was not the woman he had married.
She slipped out of bed and picked up her discarded gown, very aware that Kane watched as she slipped it over her head. Her hands were trembling so badly she could not fasten the buttons. She drew back a pace as Kane slid out of bed and performed that task for her without a stitch of clothing on.
Kane smiled at Maleaha's discomfort. He knew she was trying to avoid looking at him. When the last button was securely fastened, he raised her chin and smiled down at her.
"It is useless to pretend maidenly shyness, Maleaha. You already know every inch of my body, as I do yours."
She flung his hand away and turned her back on him. "I will see to your breakfast."
"Maleaha, wait a moment, there is something I want to say to you."
She turned at the door to face him. "Yes," she said, knowing already what he would say.
"Maleaha, you will move your things into this bedroom today. There will be no question of our having separate bedrooms. Is that clear?"
She did not bother to answer him as she turned and left hurriedly. After she had gone, Kane closed his eyes. It was one thing to possess her body, but quite another to have her heart. All during their lovemaking Maleaha had not uttered one word of love. He had wanted to tell her of his love, but the indifference she showed toward him afterwards had served to seal his lips.
When Kane reached the dining room he found that Maleaha was not there. Mrs. Higgens was cheerful as she served Kane his second cup of coffee.
"Where is my wife, Mrs. Higgens?"
"She told me to tell you, should you ask, that she has gone riding with Lamas. Said to tell you she would be home before lunch."
That evening when Kane came home he was told again by Mrs. Higgens that Maleaha was not at home. It seemed she had ridden over to see her father and wouldn't be home until late. Kane ate a solitary meal and brooded silently. After he had eaten he went up the stairs to his room to see if Maleaha had moved her belongings to his room. He became angry when he discovered that she had not done as he had told her to. He lay down on his bed fully clothed, waiting for her to come home.
When Maleaha finally did come home she went quickly upstairs to check on Cimeron. Seeing that her daughter slept, she undressed and slipped under the covers of the bed she had been using. She was grateful that she had not run into Kane. She had no idea how he would react to her disobeying his orders.