Page 21 of The Last Warrior

“There is also this fact: we know little of each other. We have not grown up with one another. How do you know you can depend on me to be a good husband? How do I know you will make me a good wife?”

“Yes, yes. You are right. It is awkward, and we should think about this in greater detail. There are so many problems, and I must—” She spun away from him and stepped slowly to a far corner of the room.

He followed her, coming up behind her. “But know this: If you need a husband for your baby, as well as for you, I will be this for you, since it is best to bring a child into the world as part of a family. To not do so might haunt the young life you carry for all of his or her existence. Tell me, how many months along are you?”

“A few. Perhaps four.” Her voice caught on a sob.

“The babe will not look like me,” he said, the observation meant to lighten her mood.

“Does it matter?”

“Hiya.”

“What does the word, hiya word mean?”

“It means no, it does not matter to me. If you truly mean to accept⁠—”

“I have said so already: I accept.”

“Li’la tanyan, very well. When shall we commit this act?”

“Tonight.” She looked at him defiantly.

He swallowed. “Very well. We will marry tonight.” To his surprise, with the utterance, every male instinct within him gained life. He became aware of her, truly aware of her—of her beauty, her scent, her sensuality.

Moments ago, he had wanted only to comfort one so beautiful, but now he could think of nothing more than taking her into his arms and imprinting himself upon her. Intending to put his thoughts into action, he took the steps necessary to close the distance between them. “Shall we seal the arrangement with a kiss?”

“A kiss?” The contempt in her voice was unmistakable. Was it contempt for him?

He was not left long wondering, however, as she said, “I think it is a kiss which has served this trouble upon me. Perhaps in the future I shall avoid kisses in any form from any person.”

“Hau, I can understand you would think this to be so. Yet still I would like one, if you are willing.”

She raised her chin. “Willing? Mayhap it would be wise if I tell you that I do what I do out of desperation. Therefore, you should be apprised of the fact I may never voluntarily kiss you.”

“Hau. This is to be regretted.” In a most typical American Indian gesture, he jerked his chin swiftly to the left. “This will be a strange marriage, I fear.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “It will indeed be a strange marriage.”

Before the last word left her lips, he bent toward her and pressed a kiss upon her mouth.

Chapter

Seven

When his lips met hers, she knew she was in trouble. It wasn’t in her mind to respond. Yet she did. One moment, the man was all but a stranger to her, the next, he was an undeniable part of her.

His hands came up to cup her face, his fingers massaging her neck, her cheeks, her ears, the back of her head, her shoulders, as though only by the sense of touch could he come to know her.

She breathed in, and his masculine scent, fresh and musky, filled her senses. Her head spun as she inhaled again, committing his clean fragrance and this instant to memory. Briefly, he ended the kiss to press his cheek against hers, and absentmindedly, she noted his lack of a beard. Was this an American Indian characteristic?

She had no chance, however, to debate the observation. His breathing was deep and ragged, and the knowledge she was affecting him in this way made her pulse race.

She scooted in against him. She couldn’t help herself. It was madness, pure madness, for she knew nothing of this person, and yet…

Once again, his lips captured hers, only this time his mouth nudged hers open. It was not in her to refuse, and when she consented, he invaded her senses, his tongue sliding over her teeth, the inner makings of her lips, her own tongue. It was as though he would commit the very act of love with her using no more than a kiss.

But this was no mere kiss. Certainly, William’s affectionate embraces had been nothing like this. This was different from anything in her experience. This was soul-stirring, an awakening of spirit to spirit, being to being.