Forbidden Caress

by Colleen French

  Katelyn drank water from his hand. "But how can there be a cave out here?" She leaned to drink with her own hands this time.

  "I will show you."

  Taking Katelyn's hand, Tipaakke led her downstream, following a winding course. In a few minutes he pointed to a steep bank on the opposite side where the soil had eroded and trees had fallen into the water, their roots still embedded in the bank. "There," he told her.

  "There what?" She peered at the opposite bank curiously. "I don't see anything, Fox."

  "Look beyond the roots. The bank is hollowed out where the water has washed away the dirt. We'll be safe there; you'll be able to get some rest."

  "I don't suppose there's a bridge?" She smiled wearily.

  He shook his head, glad to see she could still smile. "No. We'll have to walk across. Give me your cloak and I'll keep it dry. We can wrap up in it until our clothes dry."

  "Not safe to build a fire?" Katelyn searched his face in the dawning light.

  He shook his head again. "Come." He took the cloak from her shoulders and stepped into the water. Katelyn followed behind, stopping in the middle, where it was waist deep, to wash her face and arms. Then she moved on, coming up on the opposite side beside Tipaakke.

  Once on the bank, Katelyn began to slip her food and water bags off her head and pull off her dress. The cool early morning breeze made her shiver as she removed the damp things. "Brrrr!" She rubbed her bare arms briskly. "I hope the sun is hot today."

  "It will be." Removing his linen shirt and loin cloth, Tipaakke slipped off his moccasins. "Give me your dress and moccasins. I will hang them in the trees to dry." He held out a hand.

  "Is it safe to leave our things hanging in the trees? What if the Mohawks come?" She looped the dress over his arm. "They'll see our clothes and know we're here."

  "If they get that close without us knowing, it would be too late anyway," he replied matter-of-factly. "Get inside with your cloak." He watched until her slim nude body disappeared through the brush that concealed the cave and then climbed the bank to hang the clothes.

  Pushing her way through the dried roots and live brush, Katelyn entered the hollow in the bank. Once she ducked to clear the overhang, she was amazed to find how large the cave was. There, beneath the stream's bank, out of the wind, was a clean cozy place just big enough for her and Tipaakke to stretch out in. Wrapping her wolf-skin cloak and headdress around her for warmth, Katelyn sank to the hard dirt floor to wait for Tipaakke.

  "Katie-girl?" Fox stuck his head in, the morning light streaming in through the hole in the brush he made.

  "I'm in here."

  Entering the cave, he rearranged the overhanging branches until they were in semidarkness again. "There isn't much food left. But I brought some dried berries and meat. We don't have time to snare anything this morning." He came to sit beside Katelyn.

  "No. I'm not hungry. You eat it." She opened her cloak to him. "Get in here, I'm cold."

  "We will both eat, whether we are hungry, or not. We need out strength." Moving over, he allowed her to drape the heavy cloak over his shoulders. "You are cold." Dropping the food bags at their feet, he wrapped an arm around her shoulder, pressing her body against his. "I'll have you warm in a minute. Want to lay down?"

  "That would be nice." Katelyn waited until Tipaakke leaned back, his head resting on the dirt bank and then she laid down, her head resting on his chest. "I'm glad that wolf was so big," she told him snuggling against his warm body.

  Tipaakke ran his hands through her hair, humming softly to himself. "Your hair is so beautiful. It feels differently than the hair of my people; it smells differently."

  "It probably smells pretty badly right now." She laughed, scratching his bare thigh.

  "I thought you were tired." Tipaakke's eyes met hers and he grinned. "You are never satisfied, are you, my vixen?" He ran an index finger over one peaked breast. "It is hard to believe that once you shunned my attention. Now you come looking for it."

  "That was a very long time ago," Katelyn whispered, tickling his ear with her tongue. "I was young and foolish. I did not know the pleasures of a man and woman." Her finger traced a grapevine pattern over the curly patch at his groin, causing a stir.

  Tipaakke groaned, his eyes resting on hers. "What a vixen you have become, my love. You tempt my very soul."

  Katelyn lowered her eyelashes, pushing him onto his back until her wolf hide cradled them. "You are a most handsome man, do you know that?" She brushed her lips over his, drawn by his hot breath.

  Tipaakke wove his fingers through her bright hair, forcing her mouth down hard on his. They kissed greedily, both fearing there would be no tomorrow.

  Breathless, Katelyn pulled away, dropping her head onto his shoulder to inhale his mysterious masculine aroma. "Touch me," she murmured, running her fingers over his broad chest, lingering to tease his hard, male nipple.

  Tipaakke joined in the rivalry, teasing her senses until his own soared. He watched her eyelid flutter as he brushed his fingertips over her budding nipple, coaxing her breast to a full peak. Sighing, he lowered his mouth to take the hardening bud, tugging at it with his teeth until she whimpered with pleasure. Arching her back, she ran her fingers through his long, sleek hair, guiding his head to the other breast. Running her hands over the wide expanse of his back, Katelyn explored each muscle, every tendon, massaging, kneading, sending shivers of delight down his spine.

  "You are my heart," Tipaakke rasped, rolling her onto her back. He could feel her body hot and pliant beneath his as he lowered his head over her, drawing in her dark eye's. "You are my life." His lips met her softly. "How did I ever live these years without you?"

  Katelyn pressed her lips to his fingertips, guiding his hand with hers. "You are my savior. I'll love you until the end of time for that."

  "Hush. There will be no end of time for us. We live together in this world and then the next. Now love me, Katie. Love me."

  Her eyes drifted shut as his kiss deepened, his hand spanning her stomach. Taking his sweet tongue in her mouth, she taunted it, sucking on it, tugging at it with her teeth. When his hand passed over her thighs she moaned softly thrusting her hips. "You are a tease," she murmured.

  "It is what you like," he replied, slipping down. Planting soft, feathery kisses over her breasts and abdomen, he lowered his body until his chin rested in her patch of downy hair. With his tongue he made moist circles as she writhed beneath him, crying out his name. Twisting her fingers in his hair, she moved her hips to that ancient rhythm she'd come to know so well. Finally, when she could no longer stand the searing flames of desire that coursed through her aching body, she tugged at his arms. "Please," she begged, intoxicated by his love, "I need to feel you inside me. I need to feel a part of you."

  Pressing his hard body to hers, he brushed aside the damp hair that clung to her face. "Shhh," he murmured, moving against her. "You have been a part of me since that first day. We are one."

  Katelyn reached to run her palm over his cheek and then guided his mouth to hers. She moved her hips against his male hardness, fueling her own throbbing hunger. All conscious thought slipped from her mind as their legs twisted and their breath came faster.

  Probing, Tipaakke guided his manhood to the hot, wet heart of her femininity and Katelyn arched her hips to welcome him, crying out with pleasure. At first, they moved slowly, letting the waves of building desire wash over them, but then she became more anxious and speeded up the rhythm. The two moved as one, and together they climbed higher, meeting at each crest of the building wave. Then, suddenly, a shudder coursed through Katelyn and she cried out, her fingers tightening on Tipaakke's shoulders until her knuckles turned white. When she relaxed, he picked up the rhythm again, pressing kisses to her damp face and shoulders. She threw back her arms, half laughing as she was caught up in the tide of love again.

  Then, when Tipaakke could hold back no longer, he moved against her, hard and demanding, thrusting her towards another peak of ecsta
sy. Half sobbing, Katelyn clung to him, calling out with intense pleasure as her body convulsed again and again. With one more thrust and a euphoric shudder, Tipaakke collapsed on Katelyn, resting his head on her shoulder.

  Together, the two rested in silence. Tipaakke shifted his weight to move beside her and laid his head on one rounded breast. Katelyn ran her hands over his back and buttocks, massaging his sleek muscles until she felt his wet tongue teasing her nipple.

  "What do you think you're doing?" She scratched his head with her fingernails and he moved it with encouragement.

  "I'm doing nothing." His voice was laced with amusement.

  She giggled, pushing back his head. "Stop! That hurts." She tried to sound angry.

  "It does not hurt." He stuck out his tongue to lick one hard, pink nipple. "You didn't mind a few moments ago."

  She squirmed beneath him. "That was different."

  "Oh, it was, was it." He caught her nipple with his teeth and tugged on it gently.

  Katelyn arched her back, a faint flicker of desire running through her body again. She ran her hands through his black hair, a hum of pleasure coming from her lips. "You're insatiable," she murmured.

  "I don't know this word, insatiable, but I know I never tire of you." He moved up until his face hung over hers, entwining his fingers in hers. "Come ride with me again, and this time we will take it slowly." He grinned devilishly.

  Another hour passed as they satisfied each other's hungers, calming each other's fears, safe in their dark cave. And then they slept, content in one another's arms.

  Chapter Twelve

  It was nearly noon by the time Katelyn and Tipaakke dressed themselves and got back on the trail. As much as he hated to wake her, he knew that every moment counted if they were going to stay ahead of the Mohawks. Though he'd tried to convince himself the Indians might not even have come after them, he knew the chances of that would be slim. They were fierce warriors, and they didn't like being made fools of. If the Mohawks caught the Delaware brave and his wolf-woman, they would torture and kill them both.

  With the sun beaming high overhead, Tipaakke headed south. Single file the two walked saying little. What was there to say? They were running for their lives and they knew it.

  Desperately, Katelyn tried to keep up. She didn't want to slow Tipaakke down; she couldn't bear the thought of being responsible for his death. She wanted him to live, even if she couldn't.

  "Keeping walking, Katie-girl. You are doing well." Tipaakke glanced over his shoulder, giving her encouragement.

  "You, my love, are a liar." She tried to give him that saucy grin she knew he loved.

  Tipaakke dropped back, draping his arm around her shoulders. The deer path they were following barely accommodated them side by side. "It is not wise to call a Lenni Lenape brave a liar. He might slit your throat for it."

  "But only if he was not a liar." She smiled weakly, forcing herself to put one foot in front of the other. She was so tired; she could have slept for a week. She felt as if she'd barely closed her eyes this morning and Tipaakke was shaking her awake.

  "I am sorry that this has happened. I wish that I could change what has passed." He fingered her hair.

  "But you cannot." She shrugged her shoulders. "It's in the stars. Now will you please get back in front of me and keep the branches out of my face?" She tried to keep her voice light. She didn't want him to know how truly exhausted she was.

  Into the afternoon they walked, cutting from one deer path to another, crossing streams, and climbing over fallen trees. Katelyn was amazed at how far she was able to walk when she didn't think she could take another step. But Tipaakke always coaxed her back on her feet, teasing, laughing, kissing her, giving her a reason to go on.

  As the sun began its bright-orange descent over the horizon, Tipaakke began to search for a place to camp for the night. Had he been alone, he would have continued on until he reached his village another two days away. But Katelyn would never make it. She needed food and a place to rest. She needed a whole night's sleep.

  Stopping near a stream, Tipaakke leaned to drink, motioning Katelyn to do the same. Flopping down, Katelyn took her fill.

  "I think we will rest here for the night." Tipaakke stared into her tired brown eyes.

  "No!" She grabbed his arm. "We can't stop. We've got to keep going. They'll catch us! They'll kill us! They'll kill our baby," she sobbed.

  "Shhhh," he hushed, taking her in his arms. "It's all right. I won't let them, Katie-girl." He kissed her tear-streaked cheeks. "I would kill you myself before I would let those animals touch you."

  Katelyn sniffed, leaning her head on his solid chest. "Let's just rest a little and then move on. I just need a little sleep."

  Rocking her in his lap, Tipaakke rested his chin on her head. "Yes," he soothed. "We'll just rest a little while and then we'll go. Now come and lay down here under the trees." He got to his feet and swung her into his arms.

  "Put me down, Fox. I can walk." Her eyebrows furrowed.

  "I know you can, you feisty vixen. But is there anything wrong with a man wanting to hold his woman?" He kneeled beneath a tall oak.

  "No, I guess not," she answered sleepily.

  "Now you wrap up here in your cloak and go to sleep." He tightened the closure on the wolf headdress. "I'm going to see if I can find us something to eat."

  She stretched out a hand to him. "Please don't leave me. It'll be getting dark soon." She clasped his hand tightly, feeling like a small, lost child.

  Tipaakke kissed her hand. "I won't, now hush. Go to sleep. I will wake you when the moon is bright and we will move on. Will that suit you?"

  "Not too long." She held up a finger. "You come and rest too."

  "I will, now go to sleep." He got to his feet and disappeared into the forest.

  Snuggling down in the cloak, Katelyn drifted off into an exhausted, dreamless sleep.

  "Katelyn." Tipaakke shook her shoulder vigorously. "Katelyn, wake up!"

  Groggily, she opened her eyes, trying to focus. It was dark now, and only the light of the moon lit Tipaakke's face. "Is it time to go?" She yawned, stretching stiffly.

  "Yes, hurry." He tugged insistently at her arm.

  "Fox, what's the matter?" She got to her knees, peering into his hardened face. "They're coming." It was not a question, it was a statement. She could feel the chill that ran through his bones. Getting up, she pulled her cloak off the ground. "How far behind?"

  "Very close. There's a scout party leading the way. The others are close behind." He took her face in his palms. "Listen to me, my love. We must do something."

  Katelyn's eyes widened, but she said nothing. She was afraid to hear what was coming.

  "We must separate."

  "No," she breathed. The sound of the crickets and night birds filled her head. The trees rustled overhead. "I can't go on without you. I won't. They'd catch me." She shook her head frantically.

  "Katelyn. We do not have time for this," he said sternly. He then regretted his tone when the tears welled in her eyes.

  "You said you would care for me. You said you'd never leave me." Her voice was barely a whisper.

  "I'm not leaving you and they won't get you. We're going to separate and meet back at the village." He shook her shoulders. "It's our only chance. I can lead them away from you."

  "They'll catch you."

  "They won't. I will lead them in the wrong direction and then I will disappear. I will take on the spirit of my totem, the fox, and I will vanish before their eyes. Then I will double back. I will meet you at my village in less than two days."

  Tipaakke's words numbed her. She didn't know how she could make it alone, but she knew this was the only way. "How do you know they will follow you and not me?" She dashed away her tears with the back of her hand.

  "I will leave the trail of two. They will think we are together." He smoothed her hair with his hand, breathing in her scent. He wanted to remember every word, every touch. If he was killed, h
e would take the memory of her into the next life.

  Katelyn nodded her head. "All right. I suppose you're right." She sniffed, holding back the tears. "Promise me you'll be there at the village when I get there." She wrapped her arms around his neck, laying her head on his shoulder. "Promise me you won't let them kill you."

  "You find your way home, and I will be there, Katie-girl." He ran a hand over her rounded stomach. "Our child will have a father. Now you must go." The thought of letting her go alone tore at heart, making it difficult to breath. But it was the only way.

  "Yes, I'll go. Which way?" She put up a hand helplessly. "I don't even know which way." She ran her hands over her meager supplies she carried in her bags, checking to be sure Tipaakke had filled the precious water bag.

  "Go to the south half a day. Then into the morning sun. This is all Lenni Lenape land. You will come upon my people. They will know you are there before you do. Nothing happens on our land that we don't know about. Mekollaan may already be searching for us." His lips moved rapidly as he searched his brain, wishing he could give better directions. He had lived in these forests all his life. He just knew how to find his people.

  "Here," Katelyn held out a small bag containing dried fish and berries. "Take this."

  "No. I won't need it. I can find something in the forest to eat." He pushed the bag back at her.

  Grasping his hand, Katelyn handed him the bag. "Take it. I have more than enough. I will be back in the village with Won in two days. How much can I eat? I will keep my water bag. You are better at finding water than I am." She tried to smile. Will I ever see this face again, she wondered.

  "Now, go, Katie-girl. Don't worry about me. Be careful, and remember all I have taught you." He clasped her hand tightly, not wanting to let go.

  "You've taught me much, Tipaakke Oopus. I will find your village. I will go home and wait for you." She brushed her thumb across his lips and pressed a kiss to it. "I will see you in a few days." She leaned until her lips met his and ran her fingers through his midnight hair, kissing him hungrily.