She knew, but tried to ignore, the words used for a woman who was considering the possible pact she was considering making with Stands Strong. And, she didn't wish to be regardedin this manner, especially by him. But, did she really have an option?
No. There was no easy way out of this. Without Stands Strong's help, she and all her family would surely perish. She needed a man—a man who knew this country and who could give them the support and the aid they would require.
Stands Strong was such a man.
Still, she wondered: if he did agree to her terms, would she ever outlive the shame of even asking him? Quickly, in less time than it takes to think it, she reflected on the lives of her younger brother, her baby sister and even Liliann. If she didn't act to secure their futures when she at least had the chance to do so and something terrible happened to any one of them, would she ever outlive the knowledge of having once had the opportunity to keep them safe?
Deciding it was better to act than to remain silent and ineffective, she realized there was only one action to take, and, mustering up her nerve, she inquired, "Perhaps now is not the time to ask this of you, Mr. Stands Strong, since we have not known each other very long, but considering your question to me and in light of my upbringing, if I were to agree to expand our friendship to include love, but not marriage, would this be enough for you to agree to stay with us and guide us to my cousin?"
Without even a moment of hesitation, he asked, "'Love' meaning of the heart or of the body?"
She, however, hesitated answering his question because she wasn't certain she could say the words she knew she must. But, also there was a note of unpleasantness in his tone. Nevertheless, at last she said, "I suppose this would be up to you."
"Then, let us do them both," he said at once. "But, you must give me an example of what I might expect if I accept your offer of expanded friendship as a means of pay for my taking you into the Backbone-of-the-World Mountains."
"What? What is it you are saying?"
"I mean this: if this is to be the pay you are willing to give me, then do it. Let me decide if it is good enough for the trouble of taking you to your cousin. Come here where I will allow you to kiss me, and we shall see how you do."
"What? Did you say 'allow'?"
"I did. I am asking you to give me a sample of this…'love' you have spoken about to me."
"A sample? Would just a kiss be what you're asking me to give you?"
He nodded. "For now," he added.
"I see." She shot him a quick glance, but he looked about as helpful as a bull in heat. She asked, "Perhaps you could help me?"
"Is this to be part of the agreement, too? Must I do all the work?"
"But, Mr. Stands Strong, even in your society, isn't it the man who kisses the woman first?"
"Not always," he answered. "Now, come here, and let's have your best kiss." He crossed his arms over his chest, looking as if he were as approachable as the stars overhead.
"Oh, very well. But, it will only be one kiss."
He didn't answer, and not even by way of a gesture did he offer her any assistance. Worse, as Czanna scooted toward him, he looked to be as kissable as a skunk.
But, she was going to do it anyway. She had made the offer; she wouldn't take it back. Coming up onto her knees, she leaned forward and gave him a gentle peck on his cheek, noting how smooth his skin was and how clean and alluring was his scent.
Oddly, in reaction to him, a sensation much like an explosion flooded through her bloodstream, and she felt an overpowering—and sexual—excitement take hold of her. For a moment, she wished she possessed the courage to ask him to do more than share a sweet, simple kiss.
Would he say yes to broadening the kiss into love making tonight?
She was, however, confused when his reaction to her kiss was to say "And, this is the best you can do?"
"You said only a kiss, sir. And, I have kissed you. What do you say now to our agreement?"
"Humph!" He held up a hand and snapped his fingers. "You expect me to be moved by little more than your lips against my cheek?"
"What? What was wrong with the kiss?"
"Ha'!Heap big work! That's what is wrong."
"Sir! I don't understand."
"I mean this," he said, his arms still crossed over his chest. "The man who would take you to his sleeping couch would need big and much patience because he would have to do all the work of teaching you about love. Much work. Too much work for nothing except a few moments spent under the sleeping robes. No treaty. No agreement."
And, with this said, he came up onto his feet and walked away from her as though she weren't this moment aching for him to touch her.
Much work? Oh my, what I have done? I have offered him the best I have to give, and he has refused it. Will he now cease to even be my friend?
As though he were privy to her thoughts, he turned back slightly toward her and, looking over his shoulder, said, "You may try again tomorrow, and we shall see how you do then."
"See how I do then? Sir!"
But, if he heard her, she didn't know it. He was already gone.
