He shrugged, not knowing what exactly she'd said, but determined he would understand it all, and soon. He wanted to know what she was saying when she spoke without translating her words into sign.
She didn't comment further, causing him to become silent as he listened to the howling wind outside and the crackling of the fire inside. He breathed in deeply and recognized the smoky scent of the fire, but also the sweet aroma of her body which delicately filled the air. He felt almost mesmerized by it and thought he might never forget her fragrant feminine scent.
At last, she said, "I am ready to eat my supper with you. You may turn around now."
Because he was recognizing more and more of her words, he understood what she'd said and changed his position without asking for a translation. As he came to sit before her, he watched her closely, for she held on to the robe covering her body with one hand while she ran the fingers of her other hand through her hair.
He signed, "Shall I comb and braid your hair for you?"
"Comb my hair?" she signed. "Have you brought a comb, then?"
"Yes," he said in English.
"I...I would be pleased if you might do this task for me," she signed, then added in English, "I am certain my hair is a tangled mess."
He grabbed hold of one of his bags and, from within it, withdrew a wooden comb. It was one he'd made himself. Securing it in his hand, he scooted toward her.
"Do not move," he signed. "I will sit behind you and comb your hair from where you are right now."
"Yes," she said. "All right."
As he settled onto his knees behind her, placing his knees and thighs around hers, he realized too late this was not the optimum position for him if he wished her to remain unknowing of his desires. He changed position until he was sitting with his legs crisscrossed, his left leg under his right, as a man should. Then, bringing up his comb, he began the task of carefully taking the knots out of her hair, strand by strand.
"Hmmmm," she murmured. "This feels so good." Using one hand, she signed the words.
He didn't respond since his position didn't allow him to speak in the gesture language and, thus, allow her to understand him. However, bending forward, he couldn't resist pressing a kiss against the back of her neck.
She responded with a shiver, but he wasn't certain if this were a good sign or a bad one. Slowly, and with great pains taken, she turned around until she faced him and said, "Mr. Eagle Heart, I fear your embrace, and I'm sorry I threw myself into your arms earlier this afternoon. I'm sorry, too, that I wanted your kiss and enjoyed it so much that I would like more of your kisses. But, what would come of it if I asked you for more, and if you gave in to me? I can't go with you to your home. You can't return to my home with me as your wife, for I am still engaged to another man. Then, there is my father who would never recognize a marriage between us. And yet, I want you to kiss me again."
This was torture. Utter torture, for he had basically understood what she'd said, only he couldn't give in to her or even let her know he understood. Or could he?
Taking his comb in hand, he turned her gently around so her back was to him again and said in English, "Say...what...you...I...understand."
"What? You spoke in English again?" She looked over her shoulder at him. "Are you telling me you understood what I said?"
He nodded, then said, "Little."
She turned her back on him. "Well," she said, "you already know I love you like I might a brother. No, that's not right. I would never kiss a brother like I kissed you. How is it I love you, I wonder? If not like a brother, then ...?"
"Kiss...want...you. Kisses...many?"
"No, I don't want many kisses. We are alone, and I think further kissing between us might lead to my being unable to return to the fort with my maidenhood still being untouched."
"Kisses...no?"
She nodded. "Kisses. No. How do you say 'kiss' in your language?"
"Sonai'sskip."
"That means ‘to kiss’?"
He leaned forward and pressed a kiss against her cheek, saying, "Sonai'sskip.Kiss...means.Sonai'sskip aká.Kisses many...means."
She turned her face so her lips were only a fraction of an inch away from his and whispered, "One should say it this way: it means ‘kiss’ or ‘many kisses.’"
He was unable to help himself as he pressed his lips to hers. Suddenly, desire flamed to life within him, the spark causing a very physical and male reaction.
But, it couldn't be; he could not act on it. And so, he backed up quickly away from her, and, putting an arm's distance between him and her backside, he repeated, "It means ‘kiss’ or ‘many kisses.’"
