Ride The Wild Wind (Time Travel Historical Romance) (18 page)

She lay panting, eyes wide and gazing skyward. Her breasts rose and fell
with each ragged breath. At that moment he wanted nothing more than to drive
himself into her tight, silken heat, to know her untried body and make her his
woman.

Her palm lifted and skimmed lazily down his arm. Lighter skin met darker
as she touched him in a tender gesture.

“You don’t have to stop.”

He nodded. “I must.” Despite the fact he wanted her, he would not take
her virginity. Not like this anyway.

“I’ve never felt anything like that before.”

With every ounce of decency he possessed—which wasn’t much at the
moment—-he lay down beside her and pulled the blanket over them. “Perhaps it is
best that we sleep.”

Momentarily, she rolled onto her side to face him. “Were you thinking of
her while you were touching me?”

He jerked his face toward her. “Who?”

“Elena.”

He wasn’t, but at her suggestion he did. He thought her away as quickly.
“No. I was not thinking of Elena.”

“But I thought the two of you were lovers?”

“Old friends.”

“Old friends who sleep together?”

He sighed, then turned onto his side, placing his back to her. “Not
often. Ours is a most difficult and complicated arrangement.”

“Are you in love with her?”

“What?”

“Do you love Elena Costanza?”

“No, at least not in the manner you suggest.”

“Then why did you stop touching me just now?”

“You are a virgin.”

“I don’t want to be.”

He gave a half laugh and turned on to his back. “If I had no honor, you
would not be.” It was going to be one hell of a miserable night. “Rest now.”

“Hey, can I call you by your first name Antonio?”

He closed his eyes a moment. “Whatever pleases you.”

She cleared her throat. “Antonio, I was wondering about something. Do
you have another woman stashed somewhere? You know, like a wife or girlfriend?”

He stared at the vast night sky. “No.”

“Have you ever been married?”

He turned to look at her. “Why do you ask so many questions?”

“Just curious,” she answered with a shrug.

Too curious
. “I have been married, twice. I have a son by my
second wife. He’s almost nine years old. I also had a daughter once.” His
throat constricted at the memory of the baby, Mariposa. He swallowed hard,
fighting back the pain that squeezed his chest every time he thought of his
dead child.

“You’re divorced?”

“My wife is deceased.”

“Oh.” She said it as if she were sorry she’d asked.

When she began to toy with his hair, he turned onto his side, placing
his back to her again. “It is best we not touch one another again.”

She laughed softly and snuggled up to his backside. “A little late for
that, don’t you think?”

He tried not to remember how close they’d come, but it was damned near
impossible to think of anything with her soft, feminine form molding to his.
“Go to sleep. I am tired.” But he wasn’t tired. If he looked at her again—no,
if she touched him in just the precise manner, he might not be able to curb his
desires.

She eased away and was silent. He was about to doze off when her voice
awakened him.

“Does anyone ever call you Tony for short?”

He forced a weary eye open, wondering if the woman was even capable of
silence.

“No.”

“Then would you mind if I
called you Tony?”

“Yes, I would mind very much. You are to never call me Tony. My name is
Antonio.”

She drew the blanket up to cover the lower half of him, then snuggled
down beside him again. Her bony knees jutted painfully into his lower spine.
Deliberately, he assumed, and scooted over.

“Hey Antonio?”

He sat up and flung the covers off. “Must I gag you?”

She blinked, her brown eyes large and innocent looking. About as innocent
as a spider reeling him in for the kill.

“I just had one last itty bitty question is all. Sheesh. Don’t get your
buckskins in a wad.”

He doubted she’d only one question. “What?”

She nibbled at her lower lip. “I was wondering something.”

Madre de Dios!
“You have my complete attention. Speak your mind.”

“Would it be all right if I touch you like you touched me?”

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Halle awakened later that night to find Antonio kneeling at her side. She
smiled up at him, remembering what they’d been doing before she fell asleep.
They hadn’t gone all the way but she’d allowed her to pleasure him.

“You’d best wake up,” he said as he brushed his knuckles over her cheek.

His deep rich voice washed over her, sending a new ripple of arousal
through her body. Kicking the blanket off deliberately, she turned onto her
back and stretched long and sensuously like a happy, sated cat. His eyes
perused her nude body leisurely, much to her delight.

“We have a visitor.”

Halle snatched the blanket to cover herself and pulled herself to a
sitting position. “Who?”

“I am not certain” He caressed her cheek and jaw with the back of his
hand. “A lone rider, though probably not trouble.”

Halle grabbed the borrowed shirt and disappeared behind the rocks with
Max. Fingers trembling, she quickly buttoned it, then smoothed the hem down
over her hips. Peering around the rocks, she saw that Antonio had pulled on his
pants, his stance relaxed, no gun in hand. That meant he knew the person. She
touched her fingertips to lips which felt bruised from his impassioned kisses.
Then she smoothed the hair from her face, and clenched her thighs together to
stop the sweet ache the remembrance of his caresses aroused.

An Indian with
shoulder-length raven hair trotted into view on a multicolored horse and
Antonio called out to the man who appeared to be not much older than he. It was
apparent from their greeting Antonio knew him well. The man was clad in a pair
of buckskin pants like Antonio’s, except with fringed legs. He wore odd-looking
leather wrap-around boots fastened by a row of three polished silver buttons.
Perhaps Navajo or even Apache. It was hard to tell.

In her former
existence, she’d seen clothing like this in museums and in photographs, but it
was the magnificent necklace of brilliant turquoise nuggets that held her full
attention—an impressive piece of jewelry she supposed a man of status might
wear. The rider dismounted and the two men exchanged words in a language
unfamiliar to her. For a few minutes they appeared oblivious to her presence,
laughing raucously as if reminiscing about old times.

Antonio finally
called for her to come out of hiding.

Slowly, she
emerged with Max in her arm, embarrassed by her state of partial undress. Now
she wished she’d grabbed the blanket. Thankfully, the man averted his eyes when
he saw her. Antonio, however looked mortified. He gestured to her legs. “You
must cover yourself. Get the blanket.”

She made a face
and he gave her
the look,
the one she absolutely hated.

“This
is my
cousin, Sonny. He will be joining us tonight in our camp and in the morning we
will ride across the canyon to team up with his men.”

“Sonny?”

“His name is Son of the Old Ways, although it’s not proper to address
our people by their true name. He gestured to her bare legs again. “Please
cover yourself when you are in his presence. To bare your legs before a Navajo
man is improper.”

So he
was
Navajo. Since Antonio could speak the language did that
also mean he was part Navajo?

Halle slipped back behind the rocks, and retrieved the blanket. She
pouted a few minutes, embarrassed by his admonishment before his cousin. How
was she to know what was proper or improper? Sheesh. She wasn’t a child,
although she felt like one. When she didn’t return, Antonio appeared.

“Is everything all right?” he inquired.

“Peachy.”

“Your face and neck are flushed. Are you ill?”

She wouldn’t look at him. “I’m fabulous. Can’t you tell” In actuality, her
body was still on fire, hungering for more of his caresses, despite the
scolding. She doubted sleep would come easily, if at all. She lifted her gaze
to meet his. “Maybe I should ask how
you
feel? Are
you
ill?”

“No.”

“So you
are
feeling better after I did that special thingy for
you?”

He hesitated, cleared his throat. “Yes, much.”

“I’d certainly say so.”

Awkward silence stretched between them.

“Try and sleep now,” He drew the blanket around her shoulders. “I must
speak with my cousin, but I will return shortly.” He lingered, almost as if he
didn’t want to leave. “I did not intend to embarrass you tonight.”

Halle felt no embarrassment—absolutely none. Actually, she felt more
liberated than she had in her entire life. So it was only lust he had once
claimed to feel for her? Now she knew better. This man had a conscience, and
apparently a heart, too.

After he left, she settled down but sleep was elusive. Tossing and
turning on the hard ground, she remained awake until Antonio finally joined her
and Max once again. He undressed while she watched, then indicated for her to
do the same.

On their sides, he pulled her naked body back against his, encircling
her waist with one strong arm. He brought is knees up behind hers, urging her
into a fetal position. Her buttocks rested snug against his crotch. He then
covered them with the blanket.

“I will stay with you all night,” he whispered. “Sleep now.”

Hallie shut her eyes and melted into his protective embrace. 

Yep, she could get used to sleeping with this guy. Easy.

* * * * *

 Sonny was awake and had started a small fire a few feet away when
Antonio awoke before daybreak. Hundreds of glittering stars dotted the pre-dawn
indigo sky and fragrant wood smoke filled their campsite and mingled with the
crisp, morning air.

He pondered the night’s events as he watched Halle sleep. He had not
taken her completely, but had taught her how to pleasure him. What was he to do
with her? Actually, he hadn’t many choices. He had made the decision to keep
her with him and protect her from Frank Cole. Last night, Sonny suggested he
marry her. Right now he did not want to consider a permanent union. Running
ammunition and food rations to The People
left him no time to provide
for a wife. As it was, his young son was being raised by a maternal aunt.

The idea he might be falling in love with Halle had occurred to him more
than once over the past few days. The thought troubled him. He had a mission to
fulfill, and caring for her—caring for any woman—might cloud his judgment.
There was no future for them with The People. One day, she would want to return
to civilization. Loving her would make it impossible to let her go.

Not wanting to think about his dilemma any further, Antonio slipped from
beneath the warm blanket without waking her.  He joined Sonny
who
sat cross-legged several yards away upon a massive rock overhang, keeping
silent watch of the eastern sky in preparation for the morning offering. The
horizon was beginning to lighten to a pale pink, although the sun had not yet
made its entrance to this part of the world.

Shirtless, save for his leather vest, Antonio shivered as he crouched
next to his cousin, his exhaled breath white as frost in the frigid morning
air. Respectful of Sonny’s
prayerful moment, he remained silent.

As the rim of the
morning sun crested the horizon, Sonny pulled a small leather bag containing
blessed corn pollen from a pouch tied at his waist. Bag in one hand, Antonio
watched him take a pinch between his thumb and forefinger and sprinkle it on
the top of his head. He then took another pinch and placed it on his tongue.

Silently, Antonio
recited the words in his mind, along with Sonny.

May it be
beautiful before me…may it be beautiful behind me…may it be beautiful above
me….may it be beautiful below me….may I walk in beauty.

It had been years
since Antonio made a morning offering to the Holy Ones— not since before
leaving his second wife, Ooljee, and the children to visit his dying
grandfather in California. A decision that forever altered his destiny.

Finally, Sonny
glanced over and acknowledged his presence.

“Cousin,” he began
in Navajo. “I hoped we might speak at length this morning.”

Antonio settled
down beside him. “What do you wish to discuss?”

Sonny made a gesture
toward Halle. “Tell me the truth. Why have you brought the woman with you?”

“As I told you
last night, there is cash reward for her return. At the time, I saw her as my
only hope to secure supplies for The People. But now I cannot let her go.”

“You should not
have brought her with you. Her people will follow and cause more trouble. And
then there is Doli
.
She will have much to say about this.”

“Doli has no say
in any of my affairs. She and I are no longer married.”

“When has that
ever stopped her?”

Antonio had to
agree. His first wife had caused trouble in the past.

“What is in your
heart?” his cousin asked.

It was a long time
before Antonio was able to answer for the truth was staring him in the face. He
was in love with Halle. “I have since come to have a strong affection for her.
For the time being, however, I intend to keep her. I believe no harm will come
if your men believe she is my wife.”

Sonny turned his
face toward the brightening sky. “I admire your honor in wanting to protect the
woman and I will keep silent of the truth. But you will not be able to fool the
men. I saw rope marks on her wrists. You have tied her?”

Antonio’s jaw
clenched as disgust rose like bitter bile in his throat. “Only once, and I
regret such.”

Sonny shook his
head. “You cannot fool the men if treat her like a captive. You must change
your ways. Be a lover.”

Antonio blew out a
breath of exasperation. “She is a maiden.”

Sonny turned,
quirking a brow. “Last night when I came upon your camp, I believed I had
interrupted you.”

”I exercised much
control. More than you can know.”

“You must like
torture.”

Antonio chuckled.
“I must. It is difficult to lie with her night after night and not act upon my
desires.”

“Then I say you
should not sleep with a maiden if you do not wish to make her your wife. You
will be miserable.”

“I am already
miserable,” he muttered

The humor was not
lost on Sonny. “As I said, you should not lie with the woman. Her nearness will
have an unpleasant affect.”

“How else am I to
keep warm?” he joked. “She wears my shirt.”

“You would be warm
if you took back
your shirt. You have given her all your power.”

Antonio laughed.
“Yes, but since she has no other clothes, she would also be naked and cold.”

“I will not ask
why the woman has no clothes. That will be a story for another day.”

Antonio saw a
smile tilt the corner of his cousin’s mouth. “She has pleasing legs,” the other
man said after a quiet moment. “If I did not already have two wives, I might
consider taking her as my third.”

Antonio scoffed.
 “Looking at my woman, are we?”

“I admire beauty
when I gaze upon it.”

“Perhaps you
should turn your ‘gaze’ in another direction, my cousin. You have a difficult
enough time handling two wives and their continual squabbling.” Antonio thought
back to the unfortunate disfiguration incident between the two women only
months before. “Have the women’s hair grown back?”

His cousin nodded.
“And there is less arguing.”

 “Now you see
why I do not want a wife.”

Sonny offered the
pouch of blessed pollen to Antonio. “It is not too late for prayer.” Antonio
declined.

“Do you pray to
the
bilagaana’s
God now?” Sonny asked

 “I have not
prayed in a long time. The
Dine’
gods do not listen. The white man’s God
has abandoned me as well. My pleas go unanswered.”

“You are a man of
medicine…of healing, cousin, just as I am. True, we walk different paths, but
we both desire good for The People. Perhaps you ask the wrong things of the
gods?”

Emotional healing
for his scarred son? Food for a starving people? A free existence for the
Navajo? What god—
Dine’
or otherwise—would find those requests wrong?

He had no time for
Sonny’s riddles, nor the argument that would surely follow, but as his cousin
returned to silent meditation, Antonio watched intently with a longing for
something he could not explain.

At times like this
he felt distanced from his Navajo roots, from his cousin and best friend. He
and Sonny were as close as brothers, had grown up together on this harsh yet
beautiful land, and played the same games and heard the same stories passed
down from the elders. But Antonio
changed once he grew up and returned
to his father’s relatives in California where he lived for many years. Although
the same blood ran through his and Sonny’s veins, other than the tie of blood and
clan, they were vastly different men, often with opposite points of view.

Sonny spoke. “Your
heart is clouded. I fear darkness has settled upon you. You need a sing to
bring you back into balance.”

Antonio shook his
head. “A sing will not help me. I am in too deep.”

His cousin nodded,
not in agreement Antonio recognized, but out of respect. It wasn’t the Navajo
way to impose one’s will or beliefs on another. Sonny remained silent a moment.

“Is it justice you
seek or revenge, my cousin? Both are different, and a quest for neither will
ever bring you peace.”

“I do not know
what it is I want anymore.” It was the truth. When Antonio began the fight,
revenge for the murder of his family fueled his actions. He realized that now
and it gave him no pride. Time had healed most of his emotional wounds,
although he had never forgotten the baby, Mariposa. All he had ever wanted was
justice, as well as freedom for The People. He wished for that even now.

Sonny turned to
face him. “I know you do not wish to speak of marriage with the Star Woman.”