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Luther opened his eyes and squinted at a beam of sunlight pouring into the cabin. Michelle lay sleeping on her side, curled next to him.
Flashes from last night’s argument washed over him. Dear God, what had he done? How had everything gotten so out of control? He wanted to take it all back and start over.
Michelle had looked so beautiful in her satin dress, and he had pushed her away. The dress was ruined, just like their fragile relationship. He had never given her a chance to explain, and then he’d deflowered her. How low could he get?
The cabin was destroyed. The cover of a burned book jutted from the fire, cold coffee puddled on the floor, and their clothes lay in wet, muddy heaps.
He picked up the nearly-empty whiskey bottle at his side. How much did they drink? He remembered handing Michelle the bottle. Did she know what she was agreeing to? He had stolen her virginity. What he’d taken could never be given back.
Making love to her had seemed like a good idea at the time, and she said she wanted to. After holding out for so long, it was hard, so hard, to resist her. As soon as he had entered Michelle’s tight body, he’d strained to stay in control and go slow. He had never been with a virgin before and didn’t know how much she could take.
Had he been too rough with her? He’d tried to be gentle, afraid if he gave in to his urges, he’d hurt her. But toward the end, he’d been overcome with a desperate need for release. What if Michelle hated him for ruining her and left?
Luther ran his hands across his bruised face and sighed. Michelle hadn’t been in her right mind last night. The moment she hit her head, she changed into a different woman, Kathleen. He watched her for a minute. She didn’t look like a Kathleen. No matter what, she would always be his Michelle. It didn’t matter who she was before or what had happened in her past. He was in love with her and wanted her to be his wife forever.
He closed his eyes as he recalled something else from last night. The bear. He’d almost forgotten about it. Had it really been there? Like it or not, he would have to go to the ridge today and check for tracks. A real bear would have left prints in the mud. A spirit or demon wouldn’t have.
He scratched his chin and opened his eyes. To his surprise, Michelle was looking at him.
“Morning, Luther.”
“Morning. How do ya feel?”
She licked her lips and swallowed. “Thirsty.”
“I think we drank too much.” He raised the whiskey bottle and sloshed the contents around. “I don’t remember it being so empty before.”
Michelle trailed a finger over his bare forearm. “About last night...I swear, I never... I’d never been with anyone before. Was it good? I didn’t know—”
He kissed her, grateful she wasn’t upset with him. “You think I don’t know that was your first time?” He swept a lock of hair away from her eyes. “I hope I wasn’t too rough on ya. Nobody ever gave me the honor of bein’ the first before.” He hugged her tight. “Please forgive me for everything I said. I didn’t mean it. Today I’m the happiest man on earth. You hungry?”
“Starved.”
“I’ll fetch us water.” He kissed her again and wrapped a fox pelt around his waist as he stood. “You find yourself some dry clothes. After we eat, we’ll take a walk.”
* * *
WHEN HE RETURNED A few minutes later, Michelle was sitting on the bed, buttoning her sleeveless shirt. The cabin looked like a cyclone had hit it, but cleaning up could wait. They had more important things to tend to today. He opened the windows and let in the fresh summer breeze. “Sun’s out today, it’ll—”
He stopped as he saw Michelle wipe her eyes with the back of her hand. He sat next to her. “What’s wrong? Did I hurt ya last night?”
“No. Don’t send me away,” she pleaded. “Don’t hate me. I didn’t trick you, honest. I’m so sorry I ruined everything.”
He gathered her into his arms as she sobbed. “I don’t hate you. Right now I’m hatin’ myself, and you must be, too.”
“Hate you? Why?”
Luther bowed his head and licked his swollen lips. “Because I believed them. I came back here raving like a madman, screaming and cussin’ at ya. I never let you explain. I called you horrible names and now I know what I said wasn’t true,” he whispered. “I know why you never told me the truth. You knew I’d lose control.”
Michelle rested her head on his shoulder. “No, that’s not why. The longer I stayed, the more I found myself not wanting to leave. You liked me. I was happy. When we were at the lake I wanted to tell you I wasn’t really your wife, but I lost my nerve. I didn’t want you to find out later and hate me because I lied to you. I’m sorry.”
He kissed her temple. “I’m the one who’s gotta be apologizing. I never gave you a chance when I came back. How’s your head? You whacked yourself pretty hard and gave me a helluva scare last night when you ran off.”
“My head’s fine. What do you mean, I ran off?”
“You don’t remember?”
She raised her head and looked at him. “Remember what?”
From the tone of her voice, he knew Michelle wasn’t lying. “Last night you tripped over the chair and hit your head, then you ran outside.” He avoided telling her all the details. He didn’t want to scare her. “Your fancy dress is all muddy and ruined.”
“Oh.” She shrugged. “I know we argued, then things are fuzzy. Must have been the whiskey.”
He forced himself to smile. “Yeah, that must be it. Kathleen, I’m sorry I—”
“Don’t call me that. Never call me that again.” She pulled from his arms. “As far as I’m concerned, Kathleen Stanton is dead. She died last December. Roger killed her.”
A chill ran down his spine. So the story about Kathleen and Roger was true. “What did he do to you to make you run off?”
“I don’t want to talk about it. He was horrible. That’s all you need to know.” She squeezed his hand. “Promise me we’ll never mention this again. Let’s put that part of last night behind us and move on.”
“Of course, Michelle. I promise I’ll never call you that other name again.” He nuzzled her throat. She might not remember nearly dying, but she remembered that they had made love. “I hope I didn’t make you sore last night.”
“Not at all. I liked it. It tickled.” She giggled and kissed him.
Luther slipped his tongue into her mouth and slid his hands to her breasts. He eased one hand into her half-buttoned shirt and drew his thumb across her nipple. “Want me to tickle you some more?”
Michelle wrapped her arms around his neck and leaned back on the bed, pulling him on top of her. “Yes, hurry.”
He unbuttoned her shirt and sucked her breasts. Michelle arched her hips to him. “You sure you’re ready so soon?” he asked. He wasn’t teasing. He was afraid of hurting her.
“Yes. I want to feel you inside me again.”
He raised her skirt and ran his hand across her thighs. They parted quickly, and he stroked her slick opening. Michelle moaned and he unfastened his breechcloth. “I’ll take it slow and—”
A knock at the door stopped him. What the hell?
“Little One? You there?”
It was Redfeather.
“Oh no.” Michelle groaned.
“Damn.” He sat up and retied his breechcloth. “Get dressed and try not to look so... ready. As soon as he leaves, I promise I’ll pick up right where I left off.”
He crossed the cabin and stepped out into the yard. The shocked look on Redfeather’s face told him his brother was surprised to see him.
“You have returned early.”
“Yeah, the sheriff was kind enough to let me walk home in the rain.” He gestured over his shoulder at the door. “Michelle’s gettin’ dressed.”
Luther cleared his throat and tried to regain his composure. The stiffness in his aching cock was fading. He shot Redfeather a quizzical look. “Wait... how did you know I was gone?”
“I came to speak with you about the rendezvous and found the little one alone. Did she not tell you I came?”
“I slept most of yesterday. I needed rest. You can see for yourself what the whites done to me.”
The cabin door opened, and Michelle came out carrying a bundle of wet clothes. “I’ll be right back,” she said as she headed to the creek.
“Come in.” He entered the cabin and studied Redfeather’s reaction to the disorder.
Redfeather’s gaze traveled to the puddle of coffee on the floor, the pile of pelts near the fire, and the smashed trunks. “Some storm last night.”
“Yeah.” He bowed his head, ashamed of himself. Redfeather wasn’t stupid. It was obvious from the disarray that there had been a fight last night. There was no point in trying to fool him about what had happened. “You want coffee or something to eat?”
“No. I came to see if the little one was safe. Now that you are home, I will go.”
Luther clasped Redfeather’s arm. “Please stay. I need to talk to you. I saw something on the ridge last night during the storm.” He frowned. “At least... I think I did. I want to ask you about it when—” He stopped as Michelle walked into the cabin.
Redfeather cleared his throat and looked at Michelle. “Luther told me about the sheriff.”
“Let’s not start with that again.” Luther righted the table and chairs, then returned the whiskey bottle to its place on the bottom shelf. He dared a peek at Redfeather and saw him frown. “After we eat, we’ll walk to the ridge.”
“That sounds like fun. It’s beautiful out today,” Michelle said.
“Yeah, it is,” Luther agreed. Michelle seemed content, and she had no idea she almost plummeted to her death the night before.
* * *
TWO HOURS LATER, MICHELLE walked hand in hand with Luther as they hiked to the top of the ridge. She watched as he kept stopping every few feet to study the muddy ground. When they finally reached the sloping rocks, she started to follow him out onto the edge of the cliff.
“Stop.” He put out his arm and blocked her way. “Go sit down.”
“Why? I—”
“I don’t want you anywhere near these rocks. Wait for me under the tree.”
“Yes, Luther.” She walked to the trees, sighing. The morning had started out nice, but what had she done to make Luther angry?
“Michelle, come back here.”
She turned back and Luther draped his arms around her waist. “Don’t think I forgot what we were doin’ before Redfeather came,” he whispered. “Now go sit down and think of wicked things for me to do to ya.” He winked and swatted her behind.
“I will.” She sat on a stump under a pine tree and squirmed. Muscles she never knew she had in her privates ached from last night.
She basked in the sun and smiled. Birds chirped in the distance. The summer sky was a bright blue. Today was the best day of her life. She had become a woman last night, and it was wonderful.
Redfeather sat next to her and started picking his teeth with a twig.
“What’s Luther doing?” she asked.
“I do not know.” He spit on the ground. “He has much on his mind today. Do you feel better now that Luther is home?” he asked, wriggling his eyebrows.
She giggled. It was obvious Redfeather knew what they’d done last night. For a moment, she felt embarrassed, but she quickly pushed aside her shame. “Yes. I feel better, much better. You were right about everything. I can’t believe I was afraid.”
“Fear wastes energy, Little One. But I do not wish to intrude. I came to see if you were safe. Luther wants to speak with me and I will not stay long. You two have practice to do.” He chuckled.
She laughed and looked at Luther. He was frowning and holding a scrap of something in his hand. “What is this rendezvous you mentioned before?”
“It is a big event near the fort on the lake. A one-week ride. Men come from far away to trade, sell skins, and buy supplies.”
“Luther goes every year?”
“Yes. He sells pelts, coats, gloves, and whatever else he makes. He will explain it to you.”
“Redfeather, come over here and see this,” Luther called out.
“Wait here,” Redfeather said as he stood and walked out onto the rocks.
* * *
LUTHER FINGERED THE scrap of yellow cloth in his hand. This piece of Michelle’s dress had been snagged on the tree root. He searched the muddy ground for a sign of bear tracks. Nothing. If a bear had been here, it would have left deep imprints in the mud.
“What are you searching for? What is that?” Redfeather asked.
“A bit of the dress Michelle wore last night,” he answered in Algonquin. He didn’t want Michelle to overhear them.
Redfeather scowled. “She came up here in that storm? Why?”
“We had a fight and she ran off, but she doesn’t remember being here.” His stomach lurched as he peered over the cliff. The fall would have killed Michelle. It was a miracle she had grabbed the tree root and held on long enough for him to pull her up. He closed his eyes and whispered another prayer of thanks. A cloud blocked the sun, and a chill passed over him.
Despite the bright, sunny day, he had a bad feeling about staying here. “Let’s go back to the cabin. We can talk there.”
* * *
AN HOUR LATER, LUTHER and Redfeather sat in the yard in front of a smoky fire. He’d told Redfeather the entire story while Michelle was in the cabin making lunch.
Redfeather furrowed his brows. “She did not know who she was, or who you were?”
“No. But she settled down after a bit and came back fine. It was as if she was caught up in what had happened to her in the past, reliving it. It explains the nightmares.”
Redfeather gazed into the fire. After several minutes, he spoke. “There is more she has not told you. Since she does not recall almost dying or seeing the bear, you should not tell her.”
“I won’t. Remember the bear tooth you found at the lake? Could this be related, a sign?” Luther asked. “I don’t know what to think. I know I saw a bear, but there were no tracks. And the Sauk were here awhile back, looking for a bear.”
“The Sauk? This is out of their territory,” Redfeather replied. The fighting between the Sauk and the Ojibwa was something they both took seriously. “What did they want? How many?”
“Three. I was out hunting and came up on them.” He picked up a handful of stones and pitched them into the fire. “They were looking for a rogue bear, or so they said. I chased ’em off. I didn’t tell Michelle. I didn’t want to worry her.”
“These are signs from the spirit world, brother. I do not know for certain what they mean, not anymore.” He paused. “The bear is to be her test, her challenge.”
“I know.” He leaned close to Redfeather. “That’s why I’m spooked. If there was a real bear on the ridge, there would have been tracks. But there weren’t any. Why would a bear be out in that storm? Was it a spirit? I know I saw it, and Michelle might have, because she screamed. But only I remember it.”
Redfeather squared his shoulders. “You have been given a sign to be alert and prepare.”
Luther frowned and asked the question that had been plaguing him all day. “A bear is coming for Michelle, ain’t it?”
Redfeather nodded slowly. “I fear something is.”
* * *
“WHEN DO WE LEAVE FOR the fort?” Michelle asked as she cleared the table.
“We?” Redfeather looked at her. “It is not a place for—”
“She’ll be fine,” Luther interrupted. “I’m sure as hell not leavin’ her alone again.”
“As you wish.” Redfeather stood and gathered his deerskin satchel, half a loaf of bread, and a chunk of venison Michelle had wrapped for him. “I must prepare for our journey. I will return in three weeks.” He patted Luther’s shoulder. “Be well.”
“You too.”
Redfeather walked to the door. “Thank you for the food, Ayasha.”
“What did you call me?”
“Ayasha. It means Little One.” He chuckled. “Enjoy the rest of your day.”
She giggled. “Goodbye, Redfeather.”
Luther heard Michelle close the door and cross the cabin. She stood behind him and massaged his bare shoulders.
“What’s wrong? Why shouldn’t I go with you?” she asked as her cool hands worked his tense muscles.
“It’s a dangerous place. I’ve seen nasty things happen there, things that made my skin crawl. Last year, two men poured kerosene on another man and lit him on fire.”
Luther pulled Michelle onto his lap and kissed her. “But let’s not think about that. I’m trying to remember... what was I doing before Redfeather got here?” he teased as he ran his hands down the front of her shirt.
Her heart raced faster and she squirmed on Luther’s lap. Although she was new at lovemaking, her body craved his touch. While she was waiting for Redfeather to leave, she had replayed last night in her mind and got excited just thinking about Luther touching her. Now that she had tasted forbidden pleasures, she couldn’t wait to have them again.
“What did you think of your first time?” Luther asked, nuzzling her neck. “Was it like you thought it would be?”
“I loved it,” she admitted. “But did you? I thought you were enjoying it, but then you stopped.”
Luther chuckled. “I stopped because it felt so good I couldn’t hold on. I finished too soon for you to enjoy yourself completely.” He kissed her. “But next time I promise I’ll keep going and stay with you, give you a thrill like you never had.”
She kissed him. “And when is the next time?”
“In about ten seconds.” Luther helped her off his lap and stood.
She glanced at his breechcloth and couldn’t ignore how it jutted out in front.
Luther caught her staring and smiled. “Come to bed and I’ll let you look at me all night long.”
Michelle crossed the cabin and stood next to the bed. A twinge of nervousness flashed through her. She was going to make love to Luther, but this time it would be different. She wasn’t already naked and half-drunk on whiskey.
Luther sat on the bed and stripped her out of her shirt. He stroked her breasts, then sucked each one for a minute. She groaned and clutched his head, drawing him closer. He toyed with her nipples as he unfastened her skirt and let it fall to the floor. Before she knew it, she was naked.
Luther trailed his hand down her belly and eased it between her thighs. Without hesitation, she parted her legs wider, eager to feel his touch. A wet heat spread through her as he rubbed her.
“How’s that feel?”
“Good, ahh... I like it.”
“The secret to making love is to get you warmed up and ready. The best way I know is some touching and tickling here.” He stroked her again and rubbed her mound in small circles.
A shockwave ran up her spine, and she cried out. “Ooh... That’s good.”
“You feel ready?”
“Yes.” She was ready, more than ready, to pounce on him and take charge—although she wasn’t quite sure how.
“Good. I want you to touch me,” he said.
She glanced down between them. Luther had removed his breechcloth. His pink cock stuck out in front of him. The sight of it startled her. “I... I’m not sure how...”
He took her hand and slid it down his chest and stomach. “I’ll show you.”
Michelle closed her eyes, too nervous to look. She had never seen a man’s penis up close before, and Lord knew she had never touched one.
Luther guided her hand around his cock. It felt hot and huge.
“Squeeze it a little.”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
“You won’t, trust me.”
She gave his penis a gentle squeeze and Luther let out a low groan.
“That’s good, real good. Now, rub it. Give it a few strokes. Like this.” Luther covered her hand with his and moved it back and forth. “Don’t be afraid. Men like this, a lot.”
Michelle sneaked a peek at Luther’s penis in her hand and grinned. What would her prim and proper mother think about this? She worked his member a few times, getting a feel for the length and thickness of it. How did this huge thing ever fit inside her last night?
After a minute, Luther moved her hand away. “That’s enough for now,” he said, pulling her close for a kiss. “I don’t want to get too excited and not be able to have fun.”
Michelle kissed him and gave him another squeeze. “I don’t think you have to worry about that, this feels perfect to me.”
“Come lie down.” Luther got into bed and patted the space beside him. Michelle lay on her back next to him, anxiously waiting for what would come next.
“Want more touching?” Luther asked as he glided his hand between her legs.
“Ahh, yes,” she murmured as he caressed her. This was nice, but when would he get on top of her?
Luther leaned forward and licked her privates. She groaned and arched her hips. “Ohh, Luther.”
He kept licking her, his hot tongue probing and tasting, swirling around her hard nub. She writhed on the bed. “Ahh, yes, keep going.”
“I know you like this, but how about I give you something better?” Luther asked as he knelt between her legs.
She opened her eyes and grinned. “Hurry, I want it.”
“It’s all yours,” Luther said as he entered her.
She braced herself for a sharp pain, but instead, her body tingled as Luther filled her. “Ohh, that feels good.”
“Glad to hear it,” Luther replied as he pumped into her.
Michelle curled her arms around Luther’s ribs and held on as they moaned and rocked in unison. This was heaven. The bed bounced and creaked under them as they gave into their long-denied passion. She clung to Luther as he drove in deep, then pulled out slow.
A few minutes later, a strange prickling sensation built inside her. “Don’t stop,” she begged. She bucked hard, desperate to keep the feeling going. “I’m... something’s happening...”
“Let it come, Michelle. It’ll feel good, I promise.”
She rocked her hips faster. The next thing she knew, a powerful explosion overtook her. She grunted and tensed as everything came alight with ripples of pleasure. “Yes, yes... Luther, oh God!” She held him tight as she trembled and tensed, her body shuddering beyond her control.
As the feeling faded, she relaxed back on the bed.
Luther kissed her cheek, and she opened her eyes.
“How was that?” he asked.
“Amazing. What was it?”
“Your first climax. But don’t worry, it won’t be your last, by any means,” he replied as he thrust into her.
“You’re... not done?”
“Nope. I’m still hard for you, darling. So hold on to me. We’re not leaving this bed until we’re both exhausted.”
* * *
LUTHER LAY AWAKE, STARING at the ceiling. So many nights he’d lain in this bed aching for Michelle. Finally, he had made love to her. Had the last twenty-four hours been nothing but a wonderful dream?
No, what they’d done all afternoon was no dream. They had made love twice, and when his ribs hurt too much to let him go at it again, he’d buried his head between Michelle’s legs and licked her until she screamed.
All these years of not having a man had made Michelle wild, and her raging fires would be hard to contain. Well, he’d just have to do his part to keep his wife satisfied all night, every night.
He stroked Michelle’s golden hair. Now that they had been intimate, he owed it to her to explain more about his past. He hoped she’d understand.
Michelle stirred and opened her eyes. “Is it time to get up already?”
“No. The sun won’t be up for hours yet.”
She nestled against his chest. “I love you, Luther.”
“I love you, too, Michelle, more than anything.” Deep down, he was still afraid of losing her. Although she was his, he wanted to make it official. All through supper he’d tried to gather up enough courage to say four little words, but demons from the past haunted him. He took a deep breath. Say it fast and be done with it.
“Will you marry me?”
Michelle raised her head and smiled. “Yes. Of course I will.”
“Even though I’m dirt poor and can’t give you store-bought finery like you’re used to?”
“Yes. Besides, today you gave me the nicest gift I’ve ever had.” She sighed and draped her arm around his waist.
He kissed her forehead. Now would be a good time to confess about Clyde’s. “I have to tell you something. Remember when I said I used to go to Clyde’s and there was a big fight?”
“Yes.”
“Remember how I said there was one girl I always went to? Her name was Julie.” He paused. “I loved her and I wanted to marry her.” He felt Michelle stiffen beside him, and he continued. “I thought she loved me. At least that’s what she had me believe. I saw her every time I went into town. We lay together a lot.”
“And?” Michelle’s voice sounded strained.
He closed his eyes and kept talking. The faster he told Michelle the story, the faster it would be over. “One time I got up the nerve and asked her to marry me. You know what she said?”
“What?”
“She said she’d sooner slit her throat than marry a half-breed. She said she’d been pretending to like being with me the whole time, every time. But it disgusted her. She said she lay there waitin’ for me to finish and get off her so she could have her money.”
“That’s terrible.”
“I know.” He pushed the memory of Julie’s curly brown hair and gentle blue eyes from his mind. “She told everyone in town that I’d asked to marry her. They all laughed at me. The half-breed wasn’t good enough for a common whore.” He paused. “That’s what started the fight.”
Michelle stroked his chest. “Is Julie still working at Clyde’s?”
He flinched at the question. “No. I went back to town about six months later. One of the men at Clyde’s told me Julie was dead. He said she’d learned she was carrying an Indian baby and cut her wrists.”
“Dear God.” Michelle propped herself up on her elbow. “You don’t believe that, do you?”
“She did slit her wrists. That’s a fact. As for the baby, I wouldn’t know,” he finished, his voice barely above a whisper.
“Luther... Even if she was carrying a child, she’d had other men besides you. It probably was one of theirs.”
He nodded. Michelle was trying to soothe his pain. “I know it’s over and it doesn’t matter anymore, but I wanted you to know. And I wanted to ask you to marry me proper. I was nervous about it.”
Michelle kissed him. “I’d be proud to be your wife, Luther. But only if we make love like that every day.”
He laughed. “Don’t worry, we will. Now settle down and get some sleep. We have a lot of work to do tomorrow.” He closed his eyes and hugged Michelle close. She was his, now and forever, body and soul.
