Jodi Thomas (37 page)

Chance’s hands touched her shoulders and he pulled her back against him. She felt the warmth of his body from her knee to her shoulder. His fingers moved slowly down the front of her gown, unbuttoning each button as though unwrapping a precious gift. When he reached her waist he pushed his hand inside and spread his fingers low across her stomach. Anna leaned her head back against his shoulder and sighed as his touch spread a hot glow over her skin and a need began to grow deep inside her.

His lips trailed fire down her neck as he pulled the gown from her shoulders and let it fall; then, at last, his hands owned her flesh, and he moved his fingers from her hips to her breasts. The feel of his body pressed against her back and his hands moving across the front of her drove Anna mad with pleasure. When she would have turned to return his touch, he held her fast and chuckled at the need he’d kindled inside of her.

Spreading his hands wide, his touch moved over her. “You feel so wonderful,” he whispered as his hands molded her against him. “I’ve never held anything so soft.” He cupped her breasts in his hands and felt her melt against him with a sigh.

Anna curled her face against his shoulder and treasured the pleasure his fingers brought her as they moved over her skin. His mouth descended to her throat and his touch grew bolder with each caress until there was not a place on her body he hadn’t touched and explored. He shifted her head to his other shoulder and pushed her hair away from her neck. As he brushed warm kisses over her throat, his hand cupped her breast, now half covered with her cascading hair.

“Anna, be mine.” He stroked her hair away from her breast and gently circled its fullness. “Be mine tonight and forever.”

Anna arched her body against him as his hand slid below her waist. She wasn’t sure if she whispered his name aloud or if only her heart was singing it. All she knew was that what he offered was far more than something physical and for this moment she wanted everything. She wanted this man and all he offered; she wanted there to be no past, no future, but only the now of his embrace.

Turning to face him, she felt their flesh touch full-length and marveled at the way his chest pushed against the softness of her breasts. “Love me,” she whispered against his lips. “Teach me.”

His kiss was gentle as he lifted her into his arms. Walking to the stream, he waded in until the water was past his waist. He lowered her into the cool water with a laugh and he silenced her squeal with a kiss.

Anna felt the water circling around her hips and waist as his kiss deepened. The moist fire of his mouth and the cold water circling about her legs sent a thrill through her. His arms held her tightly as the stream parted and rushed around them. He lowered them both into the water until her breasts floated like polished ivory in the silvery liquid. Then he reached and lifted her legs to his waist. Anna wrapped her legs around him as his face sank to her breasts. He buried his face in their fullness. The night was liquid velvet around her. She’d never felt so free, so wild, so cherished.

When she lowered her legs, she felt his manhood. He gripped her hips and pushed himself between her legs with a powerful force that could no longer be restrained or tamed. She opened her mouth in surprise, and he answered her with loving kisses as the center of his need pressed deep into her.

She tensed, then slowly relaxed as the water whirled around them and he moved inside her. There was no pressure smothering her, no drunken slobbering, no apologies. There was only Chance with his tender ways and gentle loving. All about her was fresh and clean and wild. All was new and tender, whispering to Anna that she’d only now come alive.

Leaning back, she floated on the water as he pulled her hips again and again against him. She’d never felt so free, so fulfilled. The water circled and splashed around them as if nature were pleased with their coupling. She tasted the clean water and smelled the freshness of the world around her. The pressure of him inside her seemed a part of it all as she floated, her arms above her, trusting him to hold her above the water.

Finally, she felt his hands tighten on her hips, then relax. He cried aloud as though the pain of a lifetime of loneliness were passing from him in one mighty, shuddering jolt.

Drawing her up close against him, he warmed her with his body, embracing her so tightly that she could barely breathe. Without a word, he lifted her into his arms and carried her to the moonlit grass. He laid her gently on the blanket, then spread his damp body beside hers. He seemed as though he couldn’t get enough of her touch, and she was amazed that she felt the same way. The closer he was to her, the closer she wanted him to be.

“Anna.” His voice was low with passion. “You are so wonderful.” He slid his hand over her wet flesh. “You are so beautiful. Anyone who ever called you plain was lying. I can’t imagine anything more perfect in the world than that which is in my arms now. Tell me, my love, how to make you happy.”

“Hold me,” she whispered, and he pulled her into his arms. “I want you to hold me.” He silenced her whispers with sweet kisses.

They lay watching the moon pass over them as though its journey were for their amusement alone. Anna thought about how wonderful this time had been. He hadn’t hurt her as William had. Chance’s loving was a gift, not a price to be paid. All her life she’d remember the sweet feeling of floating on the water while he moved inside of her.

Anna was almost asleep on his arm when she moaned with pleasure as his thumb circled her breast. She hadn’t been aware of when he’d stopped just holding her and begun to touch her, yet with sudden pleasure, she lay back on the wool blanket and stretched her arms above her head, allowing him full access to her body.

His fingers played along her flesh like a magical tune, circling, pressing, loving. He seemed to be experimenting, exploring ways to bring passion to the surface. Each time she sighed, he repeated the action that had brought her pleasure.

“I want to make you happy, my love.” His words warmed her heart as his touch warmed her body. “There will be nothing in the world for you tonight but my touch, my lips. I want you to cry for joy and only be able to measure time by the pounding of your heart against mine.”

She felt her pulse speed up and her blood begin to follow his hands. Her body twisted and moved to his touch, craving his every caress. He kissed her until her head felt as though it were floating again; then he moved his mouth over her, tasting each inch of her flesh until every part of her body begged for more.

Kneeling above her, he covered her with long, wide strokes of his hands, and he laughed as she moaned when he stopped. The fire inside her was building with each touch. Her blood felt like it had turned to lava, spreading warmth all over her. She couldn’t get enough of his igniting touch; her body told her there was more pleasure just beyond. There had to be more or she felt like she would explode with need for him.

He leaned over her, pressing his chest against her full breasts. His tongue circled her ear as he whispered, “Tell me how to love you.” His voice was low, whispering an excitement that rumbled through her blood like the promising first wind before a mighty storm. “Tell me how to give you pleasure.” He moved slightly, his chest molding her soft mounds against him.

Crying aloud with delight, Anna closed her eyes and relaxed as his body continued to brush over her.

“Tell me!” he demanded as he lowered his weight.

She opened her mouth, but he silenced her with his kiss, deep and seeking.

When finally he freed her lips and began kissing her face, Anna stretched against him. “You are pleasure.”

He brushed her wet hair away from her throat. “I want to climb to a mountaintop with you.” He moved his hand over her. “We’re going together this time, my love. Don’t be afraid; just let go and climb with me.”

“I’m not afraid,” Anna whispered as she drowned in the pleasure he stirred to life inside her. “I’m not sure what to do.”

Chance laughed. “I’m not either, but if dreams count as experience, I should be an expert guide.”

Brushing her hands over his shoulders she savored the warmth of him. “Tell me how.”

“Touch me the way you did in the barn tonight.”

Anna followed his order but knew the action brought her even more joy than it did him. She knelt beside him as he placed his arms behind his head and watched her. She loved the way his eyes turned to blue fire as her hands moved over him. His gaze boldly raked over her nude body and she felt the warmth of a blush travel over her. For the first time in her life, Anna knew she was beautiful.

“Tell me more,” she urged as she lay back down beside him.

His mouth covered hers with more passion than she thought was possible. He kissed her while his warm hands lay claim to her body. After several minutes he pulled away and whispered, “Ask me to love you.”

Her heart told her to linger, but the words raced to her tongue. “Love me,” she answered as his heart pounded against her own.

He moved until his body covered hers. He pressed his knee down, nudging her legs apart. “Ask me again, my love.”

Excitement had risen inside her until she felt she might go mad with pleasure at any moment. As she moved her legs slowly against his body, tears rose in her eyes. “Love me, Chance. Please, love me.”

She felt him gently ease himself inside her. As his body pressed her against the earth, his mouth covered her lips and his tongue pushed into her mouth, making their oneness complete. There was no more time for words or instructions. Anna knew she had found her own happiness for the first time in her life. She’d made him happy, but she’d never expected to be caught up so completely in the avalanche of emotion. He’d predicted correctly: There was no measure of time except in the beating of his heart against her own.

She joined him in his dance of desire, and with each move wanted more and more of him. She wanted him closer, his hands everywhere on her body, his kiss to last forever. Now, his measured strokes released the eternity of her love.

The volcano of sensation exploded suddenly inside her as he pushed deep into her being. A flood of joy washed over her unlike any she’d ever known existed in the world. She clung to him as her body took the shock of happiness she felt. She was floating, floating on a cloud of joy and belonging.

His body tensed above her, then he relaxed into her waiting arms. She slid her hand over his back and felt the thin layer of sweat. Had this wondrous joy they’d shared affected him as completely as it had her? She felt as though she’d exhausted every muscle in her body all at once; there was no energy left.

Rolling to his side, Chance pulled Anna with him in his arms. “God, I love you.” He held her tightly.

Tears of joy spilled onto her cheeks. She lifted her hand to brush them away but Chance touched them first.

He pulled away slightly. “What is it? Did I hurt you? Oh, no, Anna, don’t tell me I hurt you.”

Anna tried to laugh as more tears rolled down her cheeks. “No, you didn’t hurt me. It was wonderful. I’ve never felt anything like that before.”

“I know.”

“But I never thought I would. When I came out to the barn I was curious, but I never dreamed it would be anything like this. I was just hoping it wouldn’t be painful. I never thought about the pleasure.”

He kissed the top of her head. “I’m glad I made you happy.”

“More than just happy. You made me feel whole for the first time in my life.” She couldn’t believe she was telling him her feelings, but somehow, lying there in the moonlight, it was impossible to lie. “Hold me,” she whispered.

Chance kissed away the tears. “All night, my love. All this glorious night.”

T
hey made love again in the enchanted light of early dawn, then Chance carried her all the way back to the settlement. When Mrs. Basse stepped out of the house to greet them, Anna explained that they’d been bathing, but the smile on the older woman’s face left no doubt that she knew exactly what they’d been doing.

She waved their excuses away and told Anna in German, “Now don’t you worry. Little Cherish woke up a few minutes ago. I quieted her down, but she’ll be wanting her breakfast soon.” Mrs. Basse continued to chatter, knowing that the two lovers before her probably weren’t hearing a word she said. “You should think of taking her completely off the breast as long as you have a cow. I’m just keeping my youngest nursing till the lady three houses down has her baby. Last year she gave birth and didn’t have enough milk. I aim to help her out when she delivers this time.”

Mrs. Basse finally wandered back into the house, talking more to herself than to Anna. She closed the door behind her as if she sensed they wanted to be alone.

Pulling Anna under his arm, Chance kissed the top of Anna’s head. “It’ll be full light soon. I’d like to get an early start.”

Anna leaned against his chest. “I’ll be ready in an hour.”

As she turned to follow Mrs. Basse, he pulled her back against him. “I don’t want to let you go. I wish this night would never end.”

“I know.” She stretched and kissed his cheek. “It’s been the best night of my life.”

Hugging her against him, Chance thought of all the things he wanted to say to her. He wanted to tell her how much he loved her, but when he’d said the words before she hadn’t answered. What if she didn’t feel as he did? He knew not all people who enjoyed loving were in love with one another. The thought that Anna might not return his feelings kept him silent.

Anna slid her fingers over his shirt. “It was wonderful. I’ll treasure it always in my memory.”

“You sound as if we won’t be together again.” Chance didn’t want to talk. He only wanted to hold her. Yet even now, he could feel Anna stiffening in his arms, pulling away from him even while her eyes were still warm with the glow of his loving.