Harlequin Historical February 2014 - Bundle 1 of 2: The Major's Wife\To Tempt a Viking\Mistress Masquerade (14 page)

The kiss started out slow, but quickly escalated into a forceful act of passion that birthed an all-consuming fever. The delirium grew, sent his hands roaming, to explore the swells and curves and sleekness that seemed to form flawlessly beneath his fingers and palms. When at last he gathered the wits and strength to pull back, end the kiss, he lifted her into his arms and, cradling her as he had before, carried her the few feet to the bed.

With one hand, he threw back the covers, to lay her down on the crisp sheets. Her arms were around his neck and she didn't let go, pulling him onto the bed beside her.

They kissed again, by mutual consent, but she was the one to finally break it. Taking short, fast breaths, she cupped the sides of his neck. “Don't you have to take off your britches?”

Already on the brink of desperation to be inside her, Seth groaned. “Eventually I will,” he said when able.

“Eventually?”

There was such yearning in her voice, as well as a touch of disappointment, that Seth concluded it was time to start his full exploration of her body. Teach her the sweet nuances of strategic maneuvers. “Eventually,” he repeated, while parting the veil of chestnut-shaded tresses to reveal her breasts. Fanning the hair out, he spread it over both pillows before running one fingertip down her neck and then lower, tracing her breastbone.

She let out a pleasure-filled whimper when he used his lips to follow the trail of his finger, and again when he allowed himself to feast leisurely on one delectable nipple.

“Seth,” she whispered with a touch of urgency.

“Hush, sweetheart,” he said, brushing his lips over hers. “Just relax.”

“Relax?” Her brows slanted downward as if she was perplexed, while those big brown eyes held a dreamy quality.

“Yes,” he said, kissing each brow. “Just relax.”

She let out a ragged sigh as a beautiful smile curled her lips. “I'll try.”

He took his time, stroking and kissing places he knew would provide her great pleasure. Some he'd tasted before—her lips, her neck, her eyelids. But others, such as the inside of her elbows, the hollow of her hips, the silken skin near her belly button, were new. He held her hands over her head and kissed along her arms, not stopping until he found her breasts again and she was moaning his name with such desire the blood was beating in his veins as if it wanted out.

Still he held back, pleasured her with tender kisses and caresses that now focused on her legs and the moist cavern where they connected. Offering herself, she arched her back, meeting and aiding his searching fingers. His discipline was waning, but like battling an enemy—the sweetest, most desirable adversary ever—he kept forging onward.

“Seth?” she gasped. “Seth?”

Running a string of kisses from hip to hip, while keeping his hand below, he mumbled, “Yes?”

“I—I...I think you need to take your pants off now.”

Unquestionably charmed beyond measure, he grinned. “Oh, I will,” he assured her, at the same time sliding a hand beneath one knee and lifting her leg, giving his mouth access to where his finger explored.

Millie gasped at the heat and moisture and all-out pleasure of Seth kissing her in the most private place imaginable. The fever, the need, was like nothing she'd ever known. The past weeks, when she'd thought her desire was at its utmost, had been like a mere candle flame compared to the wildfire blazing inside her now. Her throat was raw, yet she couldn't stop whimpering and moaning, couldn't keep her body from twitching and thrashing while something wild and passionate built inside her.

It was a sweet, heavenly energy that had her calling Seth's name out loud as he held her to him, kissed her as deeply there as he had her mouth. The excitement grew and grew and grew until she was damp with sweat, and a frantic spasm overtook her muscles. She could bear no more and shouted his name, only to have him lift her, hold her hips up and continue to make the frenzy inside her leap to another level. It was like climbing a ladder, higher and higher, and then, when she knew for certain she couldn't go any higher, an explosion happened, sending her in a million directions at once.

Her body was quivering, responding to the sweet tension so suddenly released, and then Millie felt as if she were floating like a feather, gently falling from the sky. The calmness was beautiful, brilliant, and had her sinking deep into the mattress.

“Sweetheart?”

She lifted her eyelids, smiled as Seth's face appeared. “Oh, that was...unbelievable.”

“Yes, it was,” he said, kissing her forehead. “And there's more.”

“More?” She laughed, shaking her head. “There couldn't possibly be.”

He was poised over her, and his eyes held a significant glimmer. Her hands, roaming his lower back, encountered nothing but bare skin, and an entirely new flame leaped to life inside her. He'd removed his britches.

Smiling, seeing the perceptive glint in his eyes, she whispered, “Oh, there is more, isn't there?”

“Yes,” he said, “there is.”

“Now?” she asked, her excitement growing again.

He nodded. “If you're ready.”

“I'm ready,” she assured him. “I'm ready.”

He entered her in one swift movement that took her breath and had her grabbing his shoulders at a quick slice of pain. His body went stiff, and he held her tight for a moment, kissed her softly.

She hadn't expected pain, but it had already faded, and utterly novel and dazzling sensations were once again building, promising to lead her to that ladder again, or beyond.

“Oh, sweetheart,” he whispered, kissing her cheeks. “I'm sorry. I should have been slower, gentler.”

She shook her head. “I don't think so.” Her hands on his back followed the slow rise and fall of his hips, and the friction, the way he glided inside her, coaxed her body into a splendid rhythm.

The journey was long and spectacular, taking her to plateaus and new levels that made her believe in an eternity no one else knew about. Just her and Seth. They stayed there, somehow suspended in time as the whirlwind frenzy spiraled onward. Wrapped around his hips, her legs were locked at the ankles to keep her moving with him as they climbed together, and this time when the sudden eruption happened, it was to both of them.

She shouted his name as a moan rumbled from his chest, and he held her hips, kept them linked with his while wave after wave of limitless fulfillment fanned over her body.

The soothing quiet that came next had her releasing the sheets balled in her hands, and her legs, as weak as the rest of her, released the hold she'd had on him. Kissing her sweetly, tenderly, he rolled off her, and then wrapped both arms around her as he pulled her to his side, cradling her with such affection that moisture slipped from the corner of her eye.

It wasn't a tear, couldn't be, for she'd never felt so amazing. Perhaps it was a tear of joy. She'd heard of such things, and she'd never, ever, known the bliss filling her right now. After rubbing her cheek against his shoulder, she tilted her head to gaze upon him.

He kissed her forehead. “I'm sorry, darling. I promise there won't be any pain next time.”

“Pain?” she said, still basking in the tremendous aftermath of all that had occurred. “There was no pain.” She closed her eyes. “None whatsoever.”

His hold tightened, and she spread one arm across his chest, one leg over his thigh, to snuggle as close as possible.

“I love you,” he whispered.

A real tear fell then. “I love you, too,” she answered. At least she thought the words came out. Her mind was so consumed with his statement, repeating it over and over, that she wasn't exactly sure if she'd spoken or not. A tiny part of her tried to bring to the surface the deceit she'd just made worse, but Millie refused to allow that to happen. Not now. Content and spent, she drifted into a profound slumber.

It was still dark when something drew her awareness. Stretching, luxuriating in the way Seth was once again kissing her breasts, Millie moaned and dug her hands into his hair, keeping him there until a fresh, fantastic storm of sorts had her begging him to enter her, join her in yet another journey to the world he'd created just for her.

Afterward, while mini aftershocks still rocked them, she caught Seth's shoulders before he could roll off her. “Don't!” She had to catch her breath before more words could be said.

Breathing almost as hard as she, he rose, balancing on his forearms and knees so as not to crush her. She cupped his face with her hands, kissed his lips soundly. Not knowing how to explain all she felt, she whispered, “I like who I am when I'm with you.”

Seth returned her kiss, couldn't stop himself even if he wanted to. Which he didn't. Rolling off, he folded her to his side again. “I like who you are, too.” Guilt rose inside him then, and he whispered, “Go to sleep. It'll soon be morning.”

Her giggle caught his heart, filled him with elation, while his mind, tangled in a bizarre cobweb, tried to tell him how wrong this was. He had other secrets. Army secrets he'd go to his grave with, but this wasn't one a man could live with. Pretending she was his wife when he knew full well she wasn't. And he'd taken her. Until the moment it had happened, he hadn't thought of the outcome of that.

“I guess sleep is a part of sleeping, isn't it?” she asked, plastering her body against his like a second skin.

He liked that, too, her skin meshing with his. They'd declared their love to one another. Shared that love as intimately as two people could. It had been the greatest, most fulfilling thing he'd ever encountered. Yet in a dark cavern of his mind, a single thought kept leaping forward. She wasn't his wife. Whether he loved her or not. Whether he wanted to be or not, he was married to someone else.

Chapter Eleven

M
illie stared with tremendous longing at the bed she'd left less than an hour ago. Not because she was still tired; she awoke every morning more refreshed than the day before. But because she wondered if she'd ever see this bed again. Their bed. She sighed and closed the clasp on her traveling bag before moving to the door. Glancing over her shoulder, she found tears stinging her eyes. It had been ten days since the night he'd ridden into the darkness and she'd vowed to do whatever it took to become his wife in every way upon his return.

And she had. Except for the one way she really wanted. The truth.

The heaviness in her heart grew as she made her way down the stairs. The entire house was full of remarkable places she and Seth had created memories—the parlor sofa, the bathtub, the kitchen—and it was about to end. She was leaving, going to Washington, where she'd have to fess up to who she was, and he was going to hate her.

“Ma'am?”

Pinpricks of embarrassment stung her cheeks. Russ couldn't know her thoughts, yet her deceit was so close to the surface, she felt as if it was written across her skin.

“Yes, Corporal Kemper?” she responded, stepping off the last stair.

“The major says it's time to go.”

Millie took a deep breath. Needed to. She'd told Seth she'd stay here, wait for him, even dreamed he'd just go to Washington and return, having never learned of the deceit. He wouldn't hear of it. Said he couldn't be separated from her for that long. She'd cherished the statement, for she didn't want to be parted from him, either, but a deep intuition said the trip would change everything.

Corporal Kemper crossed the room and held out one hand. “I'll carry that.”

“Thank you.” She handed over the bag and pulled down the hem of her once-pale-green traveling suit jacket. The color was an odd mixture now, a not overly flattering gray-orange, but it had washed up better than she'd imagined. The white underblouse with a large ruffled collar was tinted orange, as well. At least the shades matched, and there really was no sense in ruining another gown. The trip was bound to be long.

Seth met her on the porch, which had her heart drumming and a smile bouncing onto her lips. He was so handsome, dressed in his full uniform, yellow scarf and all, and she loved him so much it hurt.

“You look as beautiful as ever,” he said, bending to brush a kiss to her cheek.

Compliments from him always made her blush. Taking his arm, she said, “I missed you when I awoke this morning.”

“I had things to see to, but I'd rather have been there with you.” He turned then, escorting her down the steps. “We want to make it as far as possible today. Hopefully, we can cut the trip to Tulsa down to four days.”

That wasn't what Millie hoped for. She wanted it to take forever. Yet knowing he was attempting to shorten the trip on account of her made her love him all the more. “We'll be together,” she said, “so whether it's four, five or fifteen days, it doesn't matter to me.”

His lips brushed her temple before he nodded toward the courtyard. “There are a few folks who'd like to say goodbye.”

So engrossed in Seth, she hadn't noticed the line of people flanking a pathway that ended at two loaded wagons and several saddled horses. “Goodness.”

“I think you're going to be missed while we're gone,” he whispered in her ear.

Tears pricked her eyes, but humor sparkled in his. So did pride, so she tried to smile.

“I've left a dozen times over and never had this happen before.” He waved a hand for her to precede him along the pathway.

It was early, so she'd imagined half the fort would still be sleeping, but they weren't. Besides army men, and the three other wives she'd come to know well, Briggs Ryan and all four of his maidens, as well as Mr. Jenkins and Wind wished her safe travels and a speedy return. Mr. Ryan, right after a bear hug that left her cheeks stinging, and may have broken a rib, handed her a small pouch.

“Tea leaves,” the big man said in his gusty voice. “Drop a few in boiling water and let steep for five minutes. No longer, though, or it'll get bitter. No?”

“Yes, yes,” she answered. “Five minutes, thank you.”

Wind, with his tiny shoulders protected from the cold by a red-and-blue-plaid shirt, handed her a peppermint stick that was no longer white. “For Major's wife.”

Taking the candy, which had obviously been hidden, saved for a special moment, Millie felt her heart tumble in her chest. If only she'd known, she'd have saved a coin to give in exchange, but her money—what she'd chosen to take with her—was in her wrist bag inside her traveling satchel, and Russ had already put that in one of the wagons.

“I believe you dropped this, dear.”

She turned to Seth, and seeing the coin in his palm, met his gaze with all the love bubbling in her chest. Squaring her shoulders, trying to act as poised as a major's wife should be, she nodded. “Thank you, Major.” Taking the coin, she handed it to the boy. “Thank you for the sweet stick, Wind. May I give you this in exchange?”

The boy bowed his head respectfully. “
Haa
. Yes.”

After he took the coin, she leaned down and kissed his cheek.

“I'd have given you a peppermint stick if I'd known that was the exchange,” Mr. Jenkins said, rousing a chuckle from many of the people standing nearby.

At her side, with a hand on her back, Seth replied, “I may have something to say about that, Jenkins.” His retort brought more laughter from the crowd.

Jubilance tussled with a hint of embarrassment as Millie glanced up, saw the mirth in his eyes. Rubbing her back, he nodded, directing her to continue along the pathway.

Ilene Ketchum stepped forward from where she stood next to the wagon as they made their way to the end of the line. After giving her a solid hug, the woman said, “I'm assuming you have my list.”

“Yes, it's safely packed away,” Millie answered.

“Feel free to substitute if you need.” Ilene had been to Washington several times and had created a list of very specific items, with substitute options, to be purchased at just as specific stores.

“I'll do my best,” Millie promised.

The woman gave her one more hug. “I'm going to miss you,” she said. “But I'm glad you're going. You've become the perfect major's wife, and I'm very proud of you.”

Millie had to squeeze her eyelids tight to keep the moisture in.

Mrs. Ketchum turned then and gave Seth a long hug. “Godspeed, Major. I'd tell you to take care of your wife, but I know you will. We'll all be joyous to celebrate your return.”

“Thank you,” he said. “I leave knowing the fort is in most capable hands, both your husband's and yours.”

The woman nodded, and Seth took Millie's elbow, leading her around the first wagon. “Would you prefer to ride in the wagon or on horseback?”

Stunned, she looked down at her traveling suit and then up at him. “I didn't know I had an option.”

“My apologies,” he said, with a solemn expression. “I should have told you. Are you able to ride in that outfit? We have time if you want to change.”

“No, I can ride in this,” she assured him, noting the wide width of the skirt. “And I'd like to, for a ways at least.” Bouncing for miles upon miles in the wagon hadn't been something she'd been looking forward to, but she would have done it without a word of complaint.

“I'd assumed that,” he said, gesturing toward a small buckskin mare. “Allow me to assist you in mounting.”

“You are so very thoughtful,” she said, placing a foot in his clasped hands and a hand on his shoulder. “I fear I've become spoiled since I arrived here.”

Once she was settled in the saddle, with her skirt flared to cover her ankles, he handed her the reins. His thumb caught her chin then and tugged slightly, encouraging her to bend toward him.

“And what,” he asked, “is wrong with that?”

He kissed her briefly, and she was still recovering, knowing the entire crowd had witnessed the action, when he walked around her animal and mounted his.

Moments later they led the procession out the wide gates, side by side. The pride Millie felt for Seth had her spine straight and her shoulders squared. As if he knew she was thinking of him, he turned and gave her one of his sweet, heart-teasing winks.

A short time later Seth held up a hand, his elbow squared, to stop the men and wagons behind them as they approached Per-Cum-Ske and four of his braves, who were ready to mount their horses.

Stepping out of the crowd nearby, Leah-Widd-I-Kah smiled at Millie, but walked straight to Seth and spoke in a hushed tone.

Nodding, he dismounted and then walked around the head of the buckskin to arrive at Millie's side, where he grasped her waist. “Leah-Widd-I-Kah has a gift for you.”

“Goodness, I certainly didn't expect all this,” Millie whispered, resting her hands on his shoulders as he lifted her to the ground.

Others, including the leader's additional wives, followed as Leah-Widd-I-Kah walked forward, holding out a necklace that had Millie pressing a hand to her chest. It was a bride's necklace, the Indians' equivalent of a wedding band. The woman had shown her hers.

Seth took the necklace and placed it around her neck, lifting the braid she'd styled her hair in— given what the wind did to combs and coiffures—and letting it fall down her back again once the thin leather strap was around her neck.

“In every way it matters, you are my wife,” he whispered softly in her ear. “And I'm very proud of that.”

Her eyes closed as his lips brushed her cheek, and she had to swallow at the welling of emotions blocking her throat before she could look up at him. “I'm proud to be your wife,” she whispered just as softly.

An intricate design of beads and delicate feathers had been sewn on the leather pendent that settled between her breasts. Lifting her gaze to Leah-Widd-I-Kah, and knowing this time a coin from her husband wouldn't be sufficient, Millie unpinned the dragonfly brooch from the front of her suit jacket. Stepping forward, she kissed her friend's cheek and then handed her the brooch. “Thank you.
Ura
.” she said, placing a hand over the necklace. “This means more to me than you'll ever know.”

Pinning the dragonfly to her dress, Leah-Widd-I-Kah nodded.
“Ura.”

Seth assisted Millie onto her horse again, and soon not even the tall stockade could be seen when she glanced over her shoulder. She missed it already, but when she caught her husband's gaze, she smiled, even though her heart had never felt so heavy.

That night, Millie was overly surprised to see a tent come out of one of the wagons, because when she'd traveled to the fort they'd simply draped a canvas over the wagon and she'd slept beneath it. Now she crawled under the top blanket of several that created a soft pallet for her and Seth to share, wearing nothing but her new necklace.

Being in a saddle most of the day had left her inner thighs sore and her behind achy, but not so badly their nightly routine should be interrupted. At least those were her hopes, for it was then, when they were alone together, that she forgot the rest of the world existed. If the look on her husband's face a few minutes ago was anything to go by, her hopes would be fulfilled.

They'd stopped shortly before dark, in a spot two men had ridden ahead to find and prepare. The soldiers had set up a total of four tents, while others cooked a meal that thankfully didn't consist of beans—that had been a true fear of Millie's. One of the men had set a kettle to boil on the fire, and she'd added some of the leaves Mr. Ryan had given her. While she'd seen to that, Seth had assisted in erecting their tent, and carried her travel satchel in after asking what she'd need out of the wagon.

The bag now sat near her feet, for the shelters were small, with barely enough room for the blankets creating their bed. She'd undressed while on her knees, but the accommodations were more than adequate.

The makings of a tepee had also been carried in one of the wagons, smaller than those outside the fort. She wondered how all five Comanche would sleep in it.

A breeze had picked up and was making the sides of the tent billow as it seeped in below the canvas, and she snuggled deeper beneath the cover, wondering how long it would be before Seth and the others turned in.

He didn't make her wait much longer before crawling through the split-flap opening. “Hello, my sweet.”

The endearments he called her were never ending, and she loved each and every one. “Hello.” Voices could still be heard outside, so she kept hers extra quiet. “I was hoping you'd be in soon.”

Removing his boots, he answered, “I wanted to give you time to get undressed.”

When it came to this man, and her love for him, her boldness seemed to grow daily. Sometimes it even surprised her. Lifting the edge of the blanket, showing him her state of dress, she whispered, “That didn't take long.”

He let out a low growl, and shrugged and scooted out of the rest of his clothes with additional speed. She was still giggling when he slipped beneath the covers and caught her hip, pulling her against him.

“You never cease to amaze me,” he said.

She stretched and arched, aligning her body with his while digging her fingers into the silkiness of his thick hair. “That's what I think of you,” she said, making a point of moving her hips against his in a now familiar rhythm. “That you're amazing.”

His kiss was long and tantalizing, one that had her desire quickening. When his lips left hers, roamed down her neck in a way that made her want to groan, she pressed her lips together. Her body was already responding to him, yet she whispered, “Do you think the men out there know what we're doing in here?”

“Yes,” he said, rolling her onto her back. “They know.”