Hunter would never forget the sight of his slain father and sister. Spotted Fawn had told him that his father had died bravely, and that the Great Spirit had taken him instantly. His sister had not been so lucky. She had been dragged off. Her ten year old body raped and abused. The solider that had grabbed her, had killed her before their mother had managed to fight him off. Not a single soul from the white man’s army, coming to her aid. She was an Indian child, she meant less than nothing. Let their comrade have a bit of fun with her, they’d shouted in support.
Their anger at having to patrol a small band that had refused to take the white man’s surnames; names that the government was trying to hand down, making them immune to the dying cries. Twenty soldiers sent to take a census had forever changed Hunter’s life, destroying a whole tribe over something as simple as a name. To spite the monsters, Hunter had taken his father’s name as his surname after that day becoming Hunter White-Wolf.
Bethany, Hunter’s mother or as his father called her gentle dove, had her throat slashed in the process of defending her child. She would’ve quickly died, without medical attention. Hunter had done the best he could. Stopping the blood flow had been difficult, but with the help of his Mother’s god he managed. She thankfully lived, and to this day lives amongst his people. Unable and unwilling to return, to the life she’d known with the whites. Some of his people had hated gentle dove after that day. Blaming her for her white skin, blaming her for the heinous acts of her kind they rejected her. There were those however, who knew her pain, and mourned along with her. For all had loved their chief and the precious child Willow.
Guilt tore at Hunter. The scars his mother bore made only worse, by her inability to speak above a whisper. For as hard as he had tried to repair her throat, somehow he must have damaged her further. Even through her pain she’d remained strong. Gentle Dove had told him, that she’d heard the name of the solider responsible. The others had shouted his name in disgusting encouragement as he’d used her baby. Enraged and half out of her mind, his mother had done the only thing she could have done. Gentle Dove had picked up a sharp rock and ran to him. Slicing his face, she managed to push him off Willow, only to have him attack her in an angry rage. Using her, in the same manner he had only moments before used sweet Willow.
Later, before he had left with the others the man had smiled down at her. Spitting in her face, he’d called her an Indian loving whore. When the solider saw the hatred in her eyes, he’d removed his knife from the body of little Willow. He quickly plunged it into Hunter’s mother, slitting her throat leaving her to die in a pool of her own blood.
Hunter had avowed to kill the man responsible. He had promised to avenge his family, until his dying breath. When his mother had lain there bleeding silently crying, she had whispered her love for her son. Believing she was to die, she had made him promise to find a second man. One a little older than Hunter was himself.
Hunter smiled in the darkness. Remembering how odd it had felt, sharing a drink with Alec and Gabriel. Watching as the two had traded insults and mild punches, all the while laughing. There was a brotherly bond between the two men; one that Hunter had never felt for himself. Not once, amongst the other warriors in his tribe had he felt welcome. Even the first born son of a powerful chieftain, couldn’t escape the scorn of being born a half breed. Even the three years he spent living and studying, with the priests at the monastery, were spent mainly solitary.
Hunter laughed harshly, as bitterness filled his heart. How quickly the faith he’d held so dear, had deserted him. He had planned to once live his life spreading peace, now he lived only to kill.
For five long years he’d searched, determined to fill his mother’s fondest wish. Now the time had come. He’d found the man his mother so desperately searched for, her first born son. The son of Bethany’s heart, who had been raised in the white world, was near. It felt good to know he had a brother, even if the man couldn’t throw a decent punch.
A peaceful numbness finally settled over Hunter, as sleep began to once again claim him. One day soon, he would find the demon of his nightmares. Spill his evil blood, and avenge his family. Only then, would the circle of Hunter’s journey be complete.
“Tenderness in small moments;
Makes a marriage happy for a lifetime”
An Irish saying
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Good god! You’re drunk.” Frightened out of a pleasant dream by roaming hands, Melody nearly shrieked at her husband. Her heart pounded fiercely within her chest.
“Shhh baby.” Gabriel murmured while nuzzling the sensitive spot below her left ear. The distinct taste of whiskey mingled on his breath, as he caught her mouth in a demanding kiss. Pulling Melody closer toward his very naked and aroused body, Gabriel groaned.
“Not drunk honey… I’m just not quite so sober.” Gabe chuckled softly at her clearly skeptical look.
Part of her was angry at him for expecting to be allowed to initiate lovemaking on his terms. The other traitorous part, never wanted him to stop. His very touch never failed to excite her beyond words.
“We shouldn’t do this.” Melody protested, as her body clung to him, contradicting her words.
The hands that she’d been dreaming of short moments before now caressed the tender globes of her breasts through the material of her thin nightgown. Squeezing and kneading with delicate pressure. Heat spread like wildfire through Melody as he inched the cotton barrier up slowly. Aching with need, as skin began to meet skin.
“Tell me, you want this Mel.” He begged, as one hand slid between her thighs, rubbing the throbbing hidden nub until she bucked with pleasure. Bringing his head down for a deep kiss was her only form of response.
Melody knew she couldn’t deny her need. She didn’t want to. Gabriel was her husband, and the passion that they shared was uncontainable. It was time to put their differences aside, and begin to build their lives together. It didn’t matter to her that he’d come to her by Dutch courage, at this very moment it only mattered that he’d come.
Shedding his wife of her nightgown was the sweetest pleasure Gabriel could have imagined. Pressing her heated flesh to him, he rolled onto his back bringing his wife astride him. Splaying her legs wide to situate his aching staff in between her lovely thighs, the sight so beautiful it nearly unmanned him.
“Please Gabe.” Melody moaned as he shifted her hips side to side, spreading her essence on the root of his cock. The very core of her burned for him, needed him as deep inside of her as he could go.
“That’s what I’m gonna do baby. Please you.” He whispered with a chuckle.
Grasping her by the hips, he prepared her for his entry. With a powerful lunge, he was surrounded by her liquid heat.
“Gabe.” She gasped at the full force of his thrust, she felt him stretch and fill her.
“God baby, what you do to me.” The whispered declaration thrilled Melody beyond words. At first Melody was awkward as she began her first slow movements. Unsure of herself, she allowed Gabe to set the rhythm. Soon however, her need demanded that she take control. Rocking against him with abandon, she couldn’t help but pant with pleasure, as he reached up and cupped the undersides of her full breasts. Raising his head, he suckled her sensitive nipples greedily. Melody’s orgasm spiraled through her fiercely. The throbbing decadence of it, nearly made her sob with joy.
Surging his hips, Gabriel gave one final shout as his own completion came upon him, pumping his release into her in violent waves. Exhausted from their lovemaking, Melody collapsed against his chest. Loving the way his strong arms wrapped her tightly.
“I love you Gabriel.” Melody whispered before she could stop herself. Keeping her head bowed low in burning embarrassment she waited for his response. Uncertain of how he would react to her admission.
“Gabriel?” She prompted when he gave no indication of having heard her. Looking up she chuckled. Her mighty husband lay fast asleep, with a satisfied grin on his face.
&nb
sp; “Only a fool would prefer food to a woman.”
An Irish saying
CHAPTER TWENTY
“My, how bonnie you look this morning. Ye’ve got a rosy glow on yer’ cheeks.”
At Fergus’s compliment, Melody felt herself blush brightly. Turning from the stove, where she was presently making Gabriel’s favorite breakfast, she thanked him. Hoping as she turned that he would mistake the kitchen heat for her flushed appearance.
“I’m wonderin’ I am what put those blooms in yer cheeks.” Pop’s laughed outright, as Melody’s blush turned flaming hot.
“Lay off, Pop’s.” Gabe spoke from the doorway. Passing Melody, he paused to give her a quick kiss and firmly squeezed her backside.
“Mmm. Flap jacks. What’d I do, to deserve them?” Whispering the question into his wife’s ear, he wiggled his brows suggestively. “Maybe, I should do it more often. After all, it’s not every day a man awakens to such a delicious feast.” Knowing that he meant more than just the morning meal, a blaze of sizzling desire spread through her belly.
As thoughts of the night before, replayed in her mind the rest of the other occupants in the kitchen ceased to exist but for the two of them. Remembering how she’d awoken not once, but twice to Gabriel making love to her. Before he left their bed to take care of his morning chores, he’d once more brought her to pleasure using his skillful mouth and hands.
Melody knew should have felt a sense of shame, for the way she’d cried out and clung to him. She should be mortified at how, she screamed as his lips and tongue drove her blissfully over the edge. For all that she should have felt, Melody only wondered when they could make love again. It seemed to her that this marriage was turning her into a wanton!
Gabe, have you checked on Beatrice this morning?” Mathew asked, as Gabe took his seat at the kitchen table.
“Yes I have. Sorry, no babies yet.” Gabriel replied, aware that Mathew was growing increasingly concerned for his overly pregnant goat.
Beatrice had been traded to Gabe a couple years back for a mended saddle. She was at the time, intended for the supper pot. That was the plan, until Mathew set eyes upon her. One look into his baby brother’s sad puppy eyes and Gabriel had caved allowing the boy to make her his pet. Shortly after, Zeus, an abused and starving stray goat found a home at the ranch. For all Mathew’s hell raising ways, a tender heart beat inside him. After tending Zeus’s injuries, he’d begged Gabe to let him keep the ornery thing. Knowing that if he was denied, Mathew would just find a way to sneak the animal into his room, Gabe had agreed. At first, Beatrice and Zeus took a strong dislike toward each other. Butting heads and fighting over food and water. Now it seemed they were going to be parents.
“These things take time Mattie boy. Don’t they Gabe?” Pop’s said consolingly.
“Pop’s is right Mathew. Don’t worry about her. Why don’t you take some time off this morning, and spend it with her?” Watching as his brother begin to quickly rise, he amended. “After, you eat your breakfast.”
“Where, is my sweet Lily this morn?” Pop’s asked turning Mathew’s attention.
“She and Michael went to collect some fresh honey from the bee boxes.” Mathew absently replied, still worried about his beloved pet.
“Don’t worry me darlin’ Michael won’t let any harm come to the girl.” Pop’s called out hastily, as he noticed the look of sheer terror cross Melody’s face. “Michael’s been doing it for years. Built those bee boxes m’ self. Safe as could be.” He assured her.
“It’s still dangerous! Lily could be seriously hurt.” Melody protested. “Why didn’t anyone consult me, on whether or not, it was alright?” Slamming a full plate of pancakes down upon the table a little harder than she meant to, Melody showed her displeasure.
“You slept in this morning Mel.” Her husband reminded her.
“Gabe said not to wake you up. He said you needed your sleep.” Mathew explained.
“You sick or something?” When no one answered his question, Mathew went on. “We didn’t figure you’d get all fired up, about her going to watch.”
“Melody, you need to let the girl go a bit.” Gabe said gently. “You hold onto her, as if she’s a baby. A growing girl needs room to run about.”
“Maybe I do hold on to her tightly, but she’s all I have left.” Melody bit out furiously.
“We’re her family now. Aren’t we Pop’s?” the youngest of the group inquired.
“Darn right we are boy.” Fergus declared.
“I’m sorry, I misspoke. I’m just worried.” Melody assured the boy. Tears for some reason smarted in her eyes, as she heard the acceptance in Pop’s words. Trying hard not to squirm under Gabe’s unsettling gaze, she said brightly. “Well, this breakfast won’t get itself on the table. Mathew could you give me a hand?”
**********
Breakfast had turned out to be quite pleasant. By the time Michael and Lily had returned, the entire meal had been placed on the table. Though her stomach was still a bit queasy from the argument, Melody ate heartily. The added touch of fresh honey to their meal was a nice treat even though Melody still felt a tad over protective towards Lily. After, as Melody began washing the breakfast dishes, Fergus herded Lily and the boys out of the house. Gabe waved them on, and stayed behind.
“Need any help with those?” He asked as he came up behind her. Wrapping his thickly muscled arms around her waist, he began kissing the side of Melody’s neck. His tongue darted out to trace lazy patterns on her skin.
“I can manage them.” Melody replied breathlessly.
“While you’re managing those, why don’t I make you more comfortable?” He asked, as he began unbuttoning the top of her dress. Sliding his hand inside her top, he found a tightly puckered nipple through the light material of her shift.
“Gabe!” Melody squeaked, as he gently squeezed the sensitive nub. Dishes slid back into the sudsy water, as her hands became useless to her. Turning her to fully face him, he nipped at her earlobe while one hand played havoc on her breast.
“You like that don’t you?” He whispered in her ear, adding a few colorful details on what he wanted to do to her. With her. On her. By the time he finished his description, he didn’t believe he’d ever seen anyone as red as his wife had become.
“Why don’t we go back up to our room, and finish what we started this morning?” He propositioned.
“We can’t….” She began to protest. It would be just too embarrassing if Fergus or heaven forbid Lily and the boys came back into the house.
“Why not? We’d both enjoy it. I promise you.”
“What about your work outside? Won’t the ranch hands be expecting you?” She asked.
“Baby, on rare occasions it’s good to be the boss.” Kissing her deeply, he gave her no time to object.
Swiftly lifting her into his arms, he carried her up the stairs and into their room. He placed her gently on the bed and smiled down at her wickedly.
Clothing became an obstacle, which was quickly dealt with. With every article of clothing she lost he replaced it with a kiss. Laying his body upon hers, Gabriel worshipped her with hands and mouth turning her over onto her stomach he kissed a path down her spine, tickling and teasing her. A hand beneath her belly found just the spot that she needed to have stroked.
She was wet and eager rocking against his palm. Melody mewled in protest as he removed his hand and cupped her hips with both hands instead. Forcing her to her knees Gabriel held her in place as he slowly started to enter her from behind. A shocked gasp escaped her. His cock filled her almost too fully causing Melody to tense up. The position was shocking to her; she almost protested but stopped herself. His first stroke as he glided back into her, made her glad she had kept quiet.
Her tight walls squeezing him so wonderfully that he groaned.
“It’s ok sweetheart. You’ll like this, I swear it.” He whispered as he kissed her spine.
Reaching one hand underneath and downward between her legs,
his other hand sought out a breast. He played with her until she was thrusting backward onto his shaft on her own accord, milking him.
“That’s right baby. Just like that.” He encouraged his wife’s movements.
Soon after, Gabriel kept his promise. They both enjoyed themselves immensely.
“The person of the greatest talk is the person
of the least work”
An Irish saying
CHAPTER TWENTY ONE
“I’m telling ya’ Marlon I seen him myself!”
“That don’t prove anything Stubs. I had words with Claymore myself, right a’fore he died.” Marlon shrugged, pouring another shot of whiskey into the drunkard’s glass.
“Yeah, but you ain’t no injun are ya? You don’t know how to scalp nobody. Do ya?” Stubs shot back.
Marlon eyed the cow poke warily. Both short on intelligence as well as height, “Stubs” could be one pain in the rear. He always had a knack for stirring up some kind of trouble. If he wasn’t Marlon’s second cousin, as well as one of the Rot Gut’s best customers, he’d be out on his ear in the blink of an eye.
“I heard tell, he was asking ‘bout some man who’d just come to town.” Stubbs added.
“Who told you that, cousin stubs?” Harlan questioned, from the next barstool over.
“Claymore hisself’! After I seen them talkin’, I just walked up and asked ol’ Clay what that injun wanted.” Stubs boasted. His fat stomach swelling so much, that he looked like a well fed tick.
A Bargain Bride (Brides of Liberty, Texas) Page 12