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Ella stiffened. She had never been kissed before. Andrew had never taken such a liberty. She should stop this. Now. But she had no desire—not even a fleeting one—to end such a beautiful moment.
Raven’s lips were firm yet soft against hers. A chill rippled over her skin despite the summer heat, and the strange yet oddly pleasant flutter between her legs returned.
Raven brought his palm to her cheek, cupped it, and pressed his lips more firmly to hers. He flicked his tongue across her upper lip and then her lower.
“Will you open for me?” he whispered, his breath warm against her chin.
Icy heat speared through Ella’s body. What was happening to her? “I-I don’t know what you mean.”
“Open your mouth.”
“But…why?”
He chuckled, a soft rumble against her mouth. “So I can kiss you.”
“But…you are kissing me.”
“I want to show you a real kiss, itka.”
“I…I don’t understand what… What is going on? Raven…I…” Ella stopped and leaned backward slightly to take a much needed breath. She panted, her chest heaving, her body quivering. “What are you doing to me?”
“Do not be afraid. I would never harm you.” He raised his other hand to her face, cupped both her cheeks, and seared her with his gaze. “I want to kiss you because you are mine, Ella Morgan. I have finally found you. You are the mate of my spirit.”
Chapter Four
Raven closed his eyes against the light streaming into the dugout as the door opened. His heart jumped at the thought of seeing Ella. But it was the fair face of Wandering Bear, his brother, that met his gaze.
“You are surprisingly easy to track, Raven,” Bear said in Lakota.
Raven smiled. “You are just a very good tracker, Bear. The best in the camp. I expected you would show up soon.”
“Are you hurt?”
Raven bent his leg and winced at the slight twinge. “A bear attacked me, but the wound was not deep. I was lucky to get away quickly. Unfortunately, Golden Feather is gone.”
“Golden Feather returned to camp this morning. He is fine.”
Raven sighed. His horse was safe. “I thank the Spirit.”
Bear knelt beside him. “How did you come to be here?”
“I didn’t realize I had wandered so far from camp looking for herbs. I found the barn on this land and I took refuge. My leg was bleeding.”
Bear removed the fabric bandage and prodded the wound in the dimness of the soddy. The dull ache made him tremble.
“I am sorry,” Bear said, replacing the bandage. “But it is not deep. Can you come home with me now?”
Raven fingered the fabric covering his wound. Go home? Two days ago he’d have jumped at the suggestion. But not today. “I cannot. I will not leave this place.”
“Why not?” Bear’s golden eyes widened. “This is a white man’s homestead. You are close to the town where the prospectors drink and gamble. You are not safe here.”
“There is no danger for me here.”
“I disagree, brother. You must leave at once.”
“I cannot and I will not.” Raven set his jaw. How could he make his brother understand? “There is a maiden here. She cared for me. I will not leave her.”
Bear stood and paced the short distance to the door. “You are being stubborn.”
