Fated Memories (30 page)

“
Two Spirits.” Jessie sat on her horse a few feet away.

In an instant, all the strong decisions he had made moments ago flew out of his mind. “Jessie,” he voiced her name. Lifting her from her horse, he held her for a long moment before standing her on her feet. “I have missed you,” he whispered against her sun-warmed hair, his loins afire at her nearness.

“
Two Spirits, I thought I would never see you again,” she moaned, covering his hot mouth with her own.

“
I could not stay away from you.”

“
Make me your woman, Two Spirits!” she begged against his hot mouth.

For a brief moment he hesitated, trying to gain some much-needed control over his emotions. Then, with a low moan, he pulled her down to the soft ground unable to wait the few moments it would take to get the blanket.

Within moments they were in each other’s arms, their clothing thrown over the ground.

“
Jessie,” Two Spirits held her chin in his firm hand as he gazed deep into her heat-filled eyes. “If we become one, then we can never be apart no matter what happens. Are you sure this is what you want?”

“
Without any doubt in my mind, Two Spirits. I love you. I want to belong to no one but you.” She threw her arms around his neck, gazing with happiness as she saw two birds swoop down and then right themselves to fly away.

With a gentle hand, he pushed her back onto the blanket and spreading her legs wide, positioned himself in front of her. He entered where no man had been before with one quick thrust of his lean hips then stopped when he heard her low cry of pain. “I am sorry, my love. There is always pain the first time.”

“
It’s all right,” she whispered, fighting to stem the flow of tears threatening to spill from dark eyes she kept closed. Forcing herself to remain silent and not beg him to stop, she moved her body against his throbbing loins urging him to continue.

“
It has been a very long time since I have lain with a woman. I will not be able to stop my seed from spilling forth too soon.”

Not understanding his words, Jessie stared at him. Her heart filled with pain as he thrust deep inside of her once more then gave a loud groan and slumped over her to lay quiet. After a moment, he moved to lie beside her. As he lay there breathing deep breaths, one arm over his eyes, she took advantage of his stillness to look at the first naked male body she had ever seen.

His firm body was dark all over. Not at all like hers, just only tanned where the sun touched her. Her eyes glided over his flat stomach, then without hesitation to his damp loins. Surprise leaped to her mind to see his body devoid of hair. With a shaking hand, she reached out and touched him then drew back as his manhood lengthened before her eyes.

Laughing at her innocence, he drew her into his arms. “Do not be afraid, little one. He will never bring you pain again.”

Jessie could feel her face growing hot as she snuggled deeper into his strong arms.

“
The first time is always hardest for the woman. She seldom receives pleasure. When the man who is making love to her has gained control over himself,” he instructed her in his gentle voice, “he can begin to teach her the true meaning of pleasure between a man and his woman.”

“
Then we’ll try it again. I’m ready.” She sat up.

“
But I am not. At least, not yet. It takes longer for the man to be ready to love his woman a second time. The body must rest for a while. Do not worry, my love. I will not leave you unfulfilled.”

“
It’s all right, Two Spirits,” she hastened to assure him. “I’m fine.”

“
You say this because you do not know what feelings can be brought to your body.”

His heart filled with love for her. “Once you have learned the difference, you will never let me leave you until I have brought these feelings again and again.”

“
But,” she leaned over, propping herself up on her elbow to stare down at him, “if I don’t know what feelings to look for, how will I know when I have them?”

“
Believe me, Jessie,” he vowed, taking her once more into his arms, “you will know.”

With a gentle hand, he began to teach her about the feelings of which he spoke. His dark eyes never left hers as he lowered his head to one small breast. As she watched, he flicked his tongue over the tiny bud, eliciting a low moan from deep in her throat. Again and again he flicked the hardening bud until Jessie pulled away.

“
Why did you stop me?” He looked down at her, a puzzled look on his face. “Don’t you enjoy the feelings I bring to you?”

“
Yes.” A deep flush rose upward to cover her face.

“
Then why did you stop me?” he persisted.

“
Breasts are for suckling babies, not for...” she grew quiet unable to finish.

He grinned at her, unable to halt the laughter in his voice. “They are also a source of great pleasure for a man and his woman.”

Lowering his head, he again nuzzled the little buds growing harder and fuller with each touch of his hot mouth. Sliding his hand down between her thighs, he entered her with one gentle finger, withdrawing his own fluid to moisten her womanhood. Finding the hard little nub hidden within the soft folds, he rubbed it. Jessie’s sharp nails dug into his bare back, drawing blood. He could hear her harsh breath coming in pants faster and faster. Then, her strong thighs locked on his hand as she moaned out her pleasure.

He pulled her beneath him to enter her body. With each thrust his young hips made, he drew another deeper moan from the small girl he held in his arms.

Without warning, her world seemed to explode into a million different pieces. At almost the same time, she felt him shudder then relax. Looking down into her awed face, he smiled at the wonder filling her dark eyes at what they had shared together.

“
Now you know the difference, my love,” he whispered, kissing her face.

Her young heart filled with such love right at that moment, she could only bask in the afterglow. “I want to say so much right now, but I have no words. Except to say, I love you, Two Spirits.”

“
I love you, my Jessie. My woman.” He kissed the side of her face. “Now, we can never be parted again.”

“
I will never let you go,” she told him, wrapping his long black hair around her throat and smiling. “I will be with you always.”

“
What are you thinking?” he whispered, watching the sun shining through the heavy boughs of the tall pines play over her body.

“
I’m thinkin’ how very blessed I am to know you.” Jessie closed her eyes, basking in the afterglow of sated love. “Someone must love me very much to bring you into my life.” She rose up on one arm, peering down at him. “I will be forever grateful.”

Throughout the long afternoon they made love many times, surrounded by the smell of warmed pine needles. Giving and taking their comfort and satisfaction with an almost frenzied appetite, as if they knew their days together would soon be but a memory.

***

Two Spirits returned to the Thornton ranch. After what happened between them, the lovers could not bear to be parted even for one day. Jessie knew the hands watched her. Each time she walked anywhere near the corrals, one or more of them always happened to wander by.

“
All right, Johnny Two Spirits,” Jake called out in a loud voice from his seat atop the corral fence. “This is your big chance to show the boss what you can do. Don’t blow it.”

“
That’ll be enough shit outta you, Jake,” Eathen growled. “I don’t see your lanky ass dancin’ with them wild sons-ah-bitches.”

“
And you won’t either,” he called back. “I got more sense’n that!”

“
Or less balls,” Tom snickered to the other hands.

“
Watch your mouth, Tom,” Eathen nodded in Charlotte’s direction.

“
Sorry, Miss Charlotte.” Tom touched the brim of his hat. “I didn’t see you walk up.”

Nodding, she turned her attention to the young man in the breaking pen with a large paint. The skittish horse nipped in anger at the rope tying him to the snubbing post.

“
Why is this horse hobbled?” Two Spirits called out above the neighing and loud snorting of the almost out of control animal.

“
It was my idea, Johnny Boy,” Jake spoke up. “You got any objections?”

In a calm stride, Two Spirits walked over to the bucking horse and, taking the bridle in both his hands, shortened the rope until the animal’s head butted right up against the post. When at last he had him subdued, he bent down removing the hobbles.

“
Just what the hell do you think you’re doin’, injun?” Jake bellowed, hopping off the fence and stomping towards him as he busied himself with removing the hobbles as if Jake had not spoken.

“
I said,” Jake growled, jerking the younger man around by his arm, “what the hell do you think you’re doin’?”

Before anyone knew what had happened, Two Spirits whirled and Jake found himself flat on his back in the dust. “Do not ever put your hands on me again, white one,” he warned.

“
Why you red son-of-a-bitch!” Jake howled, rolling to his feet and pulling his knife. “I’ll teach you to come up against me!”

“
Oh my God, Eathen!” Charlotte screamed, grabbing Eathen’s arm. “Do somethin’!”

Eathen stood, one leg braced against the fence, smoking his cigar and watching. “I got fifty bucks on the Indian. You in?”

“
Eathen, he ain’t even armed!” Charlotte whispered.

“
Yes he is,” Eathen told her, his watchful eyes never leaving the two men squaring off in the enclosed area. “Just watch.”

“
What’s goin’ on?” Jessie asked, walking up to see what all the commotion was about. At the sight meeting her eyes, she jumped up on the fence.

“
You should never pull a knife unless you mean to use it,” Two Spirits told the other man in a calm voice.

“
I intend to use it, injun!” Jake growled. “I plan to cut your belly open just to see what you’re made of.”

“
When all the fire is in the words, the man behind them is really no man at all, Jake.” Two Spirits laughed. “Just a big mouth spouting hot air.”

“
Kick his ass, Jake!” one of the hands called out.

“
I intend to do more’n kick his ass!” Jake yelled back. “I can guaran-goddamn-tee you that!”

“
You just stay put, little girl, and watch what happens,” Eathen told Jessie, taking a long drag on his cigar. “Jake’s had this comin’ for a long time.”

“
You ready, injun?” Jake grinned, switching his knife from hand to hand.

“
I have been ready, Jake.” Two Spirits stood in the enclosure; his legs spread wide, arms crossed over his chest. Waiting.

With the quickness of a striking snake, Jake attacked, but his knife struck air. Again he lashed out and again missed his mark. “You red nigger,” Jake panted, “you’re gonna get stuck, so you might as well give up and take it like a man.”

“
Again with the words, Jake. I am getting tired of waiting. I have work to do.” Two Spirits stood, his arms once more crossed over his chest. “Mister Eathen does not pay me to play games. Do what you are going to do, so I can return to my duties.”

Losing all control, Jake ran at Two Spirits, his knife arm poised and ready. In a flash, Two Spirits kicked out one long leg, catching Jake in the side of his head to send him sprawling once more into the dust. Before he could move, the younger man knelt behind him, his knee pressed into his back. With one hand filled with Jake’s hair and the other filled with his knife, Two Spirits growled low in his throat, “Which shall it be, white man? Should I cut your throat or just scalp you?”

“
Mister Eathen,” Jake squealed like a cornered pig, his eyes bulging with fright, “you better shoot this crazy son-of-a-bitch, ‘fore he scalps me!”

Eathen chuckled, taking another draw on his cigar.

“
I will not scalp you, Jake,” Two Spirits told him with great humor, pulling him to his feet. “Here, take your knife. I do not have time to play anymore.”

When Jake slapped the knife-hand away, Two Spirits threw the knife point-down in the dust.

“
Too bad nobody wanted to bet,” Eathen laughed, “I woulda had fifty bucks.”

“
Two Spirits look out!” Jessie screamed.

Jake’s knife whizzed by Two Spirit’s back, just missing him as he walked away.

“
That does it, Jake, you sneaky bastard.” Eathen jumped the fence and strode in anger across the pen. “You’re outta here. Pack your shit then pick up your pay. I want you off this ranch in ten minutes. If you ain’t gone by then,” Eathen walked up to him, “I’ll shoot you myself for attempted murder!”

“
Yeah, I’ll go.” Jake sheathed the knife, stooped to pick up his hat. As he straightened, he eyed the older man with a smug glare. “I should tell you somethin’ you need to know, but since you fired me over this worthless trash,” he nodded towards Two Spirits, “I’ll let you find it out on your own.”

“
Right at this moment, Jake, I wouldn’t believe anything you had to say, anyway. So I guess it’s best you keep whatever it is to yourself.”

“
You remember that down the road,” Jake warned him. “It’s gonna happen. Mark my words. It’s gonna happen.”

“
What was that all about, Eathen?” Charlotte asked as she and Jessie came up to stand beside him.