She could feel his gaze on herback as she walked quickly over the bridge. The river was no longer a sicklytrickle but a muddy torrent racing through the gorge. The supports were holdingfirm, she noticed with relief. That's right, think about the railroad. Forgetabout how Ruel had looked standing in the rain with his shirt clinging to theridged muscles of his chest and belly. Think about her weariness anddiscouragement, not about this strange, aching emptiness between her thighs.
"Why not wait until themonsoons are over?" Ruel asked quietly. "You can't make much progressin this rain."
"We'll do what wecan." She ducked beneath the heavy canopy formed by the branches of thebanyan trees and picked up Bedelia's saddle. "The maharajah doesn't makeexceptions because of the weather, and that means we can't either."
"What a charming man. Ican hardly wait to make his acquaintance."
"Well, it won't bethrough me." Why was he just standing there watching her? Her fingersfumbled with the cinch as she quickly saddled Bedelia. "If that's what'sholding you here, then you might as well give it up."
"That's not what'sholding me. You know why I'm here."
"I don't know why—"
"Then stop avoidinglooking at me and find out."
"I don't want to look atyou. Why should I want—" Her gaze met his and she quickly closed her eyes."No," she whispered.
But she still saw him standingthere, the rain molding his clothes to his body, muscles tense, gaze intent.
"Aye," he said."It's time, Jane." His tone was soft, coaxing. "You don't wantto fight me any longer. You're tired and discouraged, but I can help you forgetall this. You want it—take it. If you don't like me, I won't bother youagain."
But she knew he would makesure she liked him. He was like one of those powerful ancient mandarins Li Sunghad told her about, effortlessly casting spells, mesmerizing his subjects.
Yet she was no helplesssimpleton. She had the strength to fight him…if she wished.
Ifshe wished? It was the first time shehad admitted to doubt, and a sudden stream of relief cascaded through her. Hewas right, she was weary of fighting him. Why not let him have his way? Onetime, and he would no doubt grow bored, as men always did when their needs wereassuaged, and she would be done with him.
He was unbuttoning her shirt.
Her eyes flew open.
"Shh." His face wasonly inches from her own, his fingers deft and quick on the buttons. "Iwant only to see you. I didn't get the chance at Zabrie's, but I believe todayyou may be in a mood to be more generous." He parted the edges of hershirt and looked at her. "Oh, yes, very generous." He bent forward,his breath feathering her engorged nipple. "Now, let me—"
She cried out, arching backagainst the mare's saddle, her hands clenched into fists at her sides assensation after sensation poured through her.
He sucked slowly, sensuously."Good," he muttered. "So good."
His hand slid beneath her beltand found the curls surrounding her womanhood, petting, tugging. "Partyour legs. That's right, now a little more."
Her knees almost gave way ashe found the nub for which he had been searching.
Her neck arched. A primal crytightened her throat as he began pressing, plucking.
He lifted his head. Beautiful,she thought dazedly, she had never seen any sight as beautiful as Ruel at thismoment, his cheeks flushed pomegranate-bright, his blue eyes glittering.
"Not here in therain." His hand left her and he quickly buttoned her shirt. "We needto go somewhere." He lifted her onto Bedelia and quickly saddled andmounted Nugget. "And, for God's sake, don't change your mind."
She wasn't sure she had a mindto change. She felt blank, dazed, responding only to touch, like an animal inheat.
He gave Bedelia's rump a slapto urge her into a gallop. "Only a little while longer," he saidhoarsely. "Hold on."
Hold on to what? she wondered.She was without a mooring, floating helplessly on the tide Ruel had ignited.
"Wait." He nudgedhis horse closer, his hand reaching out to slide up her thigh and cup herwomanhood. His nostrils were flaring, his cheeks hollowed as if from a terriblehunger. "I didn't have enough. I have to touch you. God, I wantin."He squeezed slowly and then released, squeezed again. "Do you know whatI'd like to do? I want to drag you down in the mud and strip off your clothes.I want you naked and wanting, holding up your hips, asking me for more."
The rawness of the wordsshould have offended her. They did not. A thrill of heat shot through her.
His hand fell away and hemuttered something she couldn't hear. "Let's go, I can't wait muchlonger."
