He chuckled in amusement. “Not for long, my brave filly; a good rubbing will warm you.” Using his bandanna and sliver of soap, he moved her long hair aside and briskly washed her neck, back, and arms. Then he turned her and lathered her breasts, passing the cloth over them with tantalizing leisure. He sent her a mischievous grin and asked, “How do you like this bath, Mrs. Chapman, if you don’t mind me practicing that name?”
“Since I’ve used so many with you, my love, please do. It sounds wonderful.” She gave a dreamy sigh. “This feels wonderful, frozen and all. My hair’s soaked, so I might as well scrub it, too. I can’t get any colder.”
“I’ll do it,” he volunteered eagerly. He washed and rinsed it twice as instructed by a laughing Ginny.
She turned and murmured, “Marvelous hands, kind sir; you can use them on me any time you wish. I’m so limp I feel as if I could melt.”
“How does this please you, Mrs. Chapman?” he asked as his mouth covered hers in a searing kiss and their tongues danced playfully. He enjoyed the feel of her slippery hands on his face as she caressed it. “Or this?” Stone’s deft hand continued its delightful task and grew bolder as the soapy cloth was worked downward past her ribs, waist, and hips.
Ginny trailed her fingers over his slick body, his actions staggering to her spinning head. Despite the temperature of the water and breeze over her flesh, she blazed inside and his skin felt warm to her touch. His mouth left hers and trekked down her throat to tease her sensitive breasts. She closed her eyes a moment and her head seemed to roll around on her neck like a slowly spinning toy top. She looked down as his tongue drew circles around her taut nipples. With smoldering eyes, she watched the intimate action, feeling no modesty. The beauty of their love flooded her soul. When his mouth returned to hers, she feasted upon it.
Stone rubbed his body against hers to increase her warmth and pleasure. His gaze roamed her face before his fingers caressed the silky skin there. One thumb moved over her parted lips and he felt her tremble. She glowed with radiance from love and desire. “You’re so beautiful, Ginny. Do you realize how you get to me?” he asked, voice thick with emotion.
Her gaze took in his dripping sable hair, damp lashes encasing dark and sparkling eyes, and the clear drops running down his stubbled face. “I hope it’s the same powerful way you affect me.”
He quivered with yearning as her lips and tongue made love to his thumb, sending torrid messages to every part of his being. His soul and loins throbbed to possess her fully. His breathing quickened. “You’re the first woman who’s stolen my heart. I haven’t been able to get you off my mind since we met. It was hard understanding and accepting what you do to me. I was afraid if I ever weakened but couldn’t win you I’d be tormented for life, and I’d had my share of suffering. I couldn’t believe a woman like you—the most precious in the world—could want a half-breed bastard. I’ve almost lost you so many times, Ginny, that it scares me to think about them.”
“You’ll never lose me, my love, never. You’re the only man I’ve ever wanted, or ever will. Sò many times I was terrified you didn’t love me or would never admit it. I was afraid that I was too blinded by love to realize you didn’t feel the same way. I couldn’t bear to lose you, Stone Chapman.”
“When I’m near you, Ginny, I want to kiss you, touch you, hold you. I want to hear you laugh and see you smile and watch everything you do. I want to talk with you and be with you. I want to protect you and make you happy. If I don’t watch out, my flaming beauty, you’ll totally consume me.”
“How can fire consume fire, my love? You engulf me head to foot.”
“Shu, it’s strange hearing me say such words. I’ve never talked about my feelings before and tried to keep them bridled, but I want you to know them, all of them, all of me, Ginny. You’re the most important thing that’s ever happened to me. I never knew such feelings existed in me. But you make it easy for me to feel them and share them. You’ve been a terrible distraction, woman. You stole my attention and time and energy without even trying. My wits were so dulled I made mistakes in thinking. I’m sorry for tricking you in the past. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Those admissions sent potent charges through her. Yet he looked a little uncomfortable at being so open for the first time in his life. To help him get past the difficult moment, she smiled and quipped, “I didn’t mean to be a distraction, Stone, only an irresistible attraction.”
He nibbled at her lips, grasping her thoughtful ruse and appreciating it. “From here on, woman, I’m keeping a keen eye on you. If I don’t, you’ll be leading me around like a mustang on a rope and have me too tamed to keep my mind on other things when it’s necessary.”
“We certainly can’t have that, now can we?” she teased. His touch and nearness assailed her head to foot. “I’ve missed you and wanted you so much, Stone.” She placed her hands around his neck, drew down his head, and covered his mouth with hers. The moment she had craved—and feared lost—arrived in glorious splendor. She yearned to taste and share his tender and torrid passion. He was such a powerful force. When he kissed her, he stole her breath away. When he touched her, she lost her will to him. She became shameless with him, a wanton and greedy creature.
He groaned in desire and tightened his hold on her. He kissed each feature on her face as he murmured over and over that he loved her. His hand renewed its prior task and eased the soapy cloth between her thighs to bathe and stimulate the core of her womanhood.
Ginny felt as if the very essence of her being was under beautiful siege, and she willingly surrendered. Every inch of her was alive, aware, eager, aflame. Her secret place enticed, summoned, begged him to conquer it and enslave her. “You’re driving me mad, Stone. I need you now.”
Stone hurriedly rinsed the soap from their bodies, lifted her, and carried her into the cabin. He lay her on a bunk and took a position half atop her on the narrow space. His mouth and hands went to work to brand every part of her as his. He trembled with need as soft moans escaped her throat and she writhed from the flames he kindled. He wanted her so badly and quickly that he feared to enter her too soon and lose mastery over himself.
Ginny pulled him closer. “If you don’t feed me now, I’m going to starve from hunger for you.”
Stone obeyed her urgent command, each stroke and thrust evoking another and another. He tried to take deep breaths and think of other things to help retain his control, but it soon became impossible. Ginny made it impossible by responding to him with such ardor that his mind couldn’t think straight. When he halted a moment to recover himself, she continued to drive him wild. He cautioned in a husky voice, “Be still a minute, love. I’m barely restraining myself.”
Entrapped in a swirling vortex of desire, she coaxed, “No need to wait, Stone. I’m more than ready for you.”
That was all the invitation and encouragement he needed.
Ginny thrashed upon the bunk and kissed him with total abandon. Love’s music wafted over her mind and body, rapidly increasing in pace and volume. As if the most magical violin in the world was playing, passion’s strings struck the sweetest notes she had ever heard. Its stirring and romantic chords touched her very soul with harmony and pleasure. Faster and louder the strains flowed over her until a crescendo thundered in her ears. She clung to him in rapture.
Blood pounded through Stone’s being like drums during an Apache victory dance. “I love you, Ginny Marston, I love you.”
They kissed deeply and then, breathless and sated, they nestled together to share their contentment and joy. At last, they were one in mind, heart, and body, and a bright future awaited them.
Stone held her and kissed her with such tenderness, gentleness, and possessiveness that she almost cried with happiness. He belonged to her now of his own free will and admission.
As if reading those thoughts and sharing those conclusions, Stone murmured, “You’re all mine, Ginny. We’ll never be parted again. I promise, never another secret from you
.”
They rested and relaxed for a while, then Ginny’s stomach growled as breakfast was far behind her. Stone smiled and said, “Suppertime’s calling. Let’s rinse off and dress. I’ll make a fire in the stove and we’ll cook together while you dry your hair before you get too chilled.”
“If I freeze again, I know somebody who can heat me up in a delightful manner.” She kissed him seductively.
“He will be more than willing to obey after supper and a rest.”
“This is wonderful,” Ginny murmured as she ate a hot meal and sipped coffee, snug in a blanket and cozy cabin with the man she loved.
“Yep, it surely is, woman. I can get used to this kind of living. I know the perfect spot on the ranch to build our house.”
“Don’t you think we should ask your father’s permission first?”
“He’ll agree. He’ll be happy to have his son and new daughter settle down there. And he’ll be after us to give him grandchildren quick. So will Mother. I told her how I feel about you and she spoke in your favor.”
That news pleased Ginny. “If we keep practicing, I’ll be with child before we say ‘I do.’ “
“Not if we get married in Denver. Why not do that? Why wait any longer?”
Her pulse raced with anticipation. “Are you sure you’re ready to give up the trail for a demanding wife, confining home, and noisy children?”
“Sounds more than appealing to me, woman.”
“My goodness, you have changed, my once-skittish guide,” she teased, slipping a morsel of bread into his mouth.
Stone captured her fingers and licked them clean. His dark eyes glittered with strong emotion. “You changed me, Ginny. Thanks. You made me show my best side around you. I didn’t even realize I had one until you pulled it out of me. If anybody had told me in March I would be getting married in July, I’d have thought him loco.”
“I can say the same thing. I never expected to meet anyone like you. Steve Carr swept me off my feet and Stone Chapman kept me there.”
“We’re perfect for each other, Ginny,” he said in a serious tone.
“Yes, my love, we are. Fate must have believed the same thing because she kept throwing us together. Isn’t it wild how coincidences work sometimes? First the wagontrain, then the ranch, and now here.”
“Amazing. My guiding spirit is showing me favor this year.”
“You’ll have to tell me all about your mother’s people one day.”
“Soon they’ll be gone. White men will wipe them out or imprison them on confining reservations that will slay their spirits and bodies.”
“I’m sorry, Stone; that must be hard for you and your mother.”
“It’s the way of life, Ginny, for the stronger to survive. The whites have more people and better weapons for the battle to possess all.”
“And more greed. Maybe things will change and peace will come.”
He shook his head and lowered his cup. “Never.”
“That’s what you said not long ago about yourself changing. And look at me, a pampered southern belle making it through the wilderness alone because of all I learned from a tough scout. Change is possible. Anything is possible; we’re proof of that.”
Stone grinned and nodded. “You’re right, woman.”
They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Ginny asked, “What will we do next about settling matters here?”
“Let’s rest tomorrow and leave for Denver on Thursday. I’ll telegraph Father to see if a letter from Matt came for you. While we wait for his answer, we’ll get married and set our mining plan into motion. A lot of big companies are in that area. We won’t have trouble finding investors and someone to run it for us if we have to leave for home.”
“Perfect. We’ll be safe there, too, from Frank. Maybe Father will…”
“Many signs indicate Matt hasn’t been here in a long time. I’ll look around tomorrow to see if anyone else has been nosing around the claim. Nobody can get to you up here while I’m gone for a few hours.”
“I would scrub this filthy place while you’re out, but we’ll be leaving the next day so no need to waste energy better spent on other things.”
“You’re right again, woman. Yep, I lassoed me a smart filly.”
“I’ll get the dishes done and the beds freshened. Too bad they’re nailed to the walls and can’t be pulled close together; and they’re so narrow.”
“That wouldn’t be smart anyway. If Matt returned, it would be hard to explain that to a protective father.” He chuckled, then suggested, “I’ll do the dishes and you get us ready to turn in. We’ll have to shut the windows soon; storm’s almost atop us. Not much oil in the lantern to keep it burning much longer. I guess we’ll have to sit in the dark until we go to sleep.” He chuckled again and winked at her.
Ginny adored seeing him so relaxed and happy. “Sit, indeed,” she quipped. “I lie down to rest—and to do other things.”
“Don’t put me in a fire like a branding iron, woman,” he warned, “or I’ll be all over you with my mark.”
Ginny looked at her arms and legs, then peeked down the blanket covering her naked body. “You mean you missed some places earlier? I was certain every inch of me had a tiny S. C. on it. Of course, I could be wrong. You’ll have plenty of time to examine me and correct any oversights.”
“With a temptation like that, I’d better do my chore fast or it’ll have to wait until morning. Get to work, woman.”
They shared laughter and exchanged smiles, then got busy.
Twenty minutes later, a storm broke overhead. Stone closed the shutters to keep out the slanting rain and latched them against the wind yanking them open. He bolted both doors, though he doubted anyone could get to the cabin, especially with the hidden pull rope curled on the landing and the ladder out of reach. To make certain no one could lasso it and lower it, he had tied it securely in the raised position.
“We’d better put out the lantern or we won’t have any oil left for tomorrow night. You ready to turn in?”
Ginny grinned. “Yes, sir. I removed the musty bedding and put ours down. Which one do you want, right or left?”
“To start with, the one you’re in.”
Ginny loosened and dropped the blanket around her to her feet. She sat down. “We’ll try this one tonight and the other one tomorrow night.”
Stone smiled as he removed his pants. He walked to her and placed the lantern on the floor. He doused it and joined his love for the next hour…
Ginny stirred and stretched like a contented feline. She realized what had awakened her: the smell of food and coffee. She sat up and her loving gaze found her future husband working at the stove. “Good morning,” she greeted him.
Stone turned, smiled, and responded, “And a beautiful morning it is, but not as beautiful as you are. Breakfast is almost ready.”
The shutters and doors were open. The storm had ceased and bright sunshine flooded the cabin. She heard birds singing and the waterfall and stream gushing from their recent refills. A fire crackled in the stove and food cooked upon it. “How did you do all this without awakening me?”
“You were exhausted from lack of sleep on the trail. You got plenty of exercise yesterday and a relaxing bath. A hot meal filled your belly, and I was quiet as a mouse stealing corn from a crib.”
“You’re marvelous, Stone Chapman. Most men would have pushed the woman out of bed to do these chores. Thank you.”
“That would be silly and selfish when I can do them just as well. I’m used to tending myself and you needed your rest. But if you take a nap while I’m gone, you can stay up later tonight.”
“Yes, sir,” she responded amidst laughter, securing the blanket around her. She washed her face and hands in a basin that was bent in several places. She pushed saddening thoughts from her mind of her father doing the same thing. She brushed and braided her hair, then asked how she could help.
“Pour the coffee and take a seat, ma’am.”
S
tone served her biscuits, fried ham that was cured to perfection, and red-eye gravy. He took the chair across from her.
Ginny leaned forward, closed her eyes, and inhaled the delectable odors rising from her plate and cup. “Paradise, my love.”
Stone ate while he observed her savoring every bite as if it were the best food she had ever put in her mouth. Shu, how he loved watching her, being with her, talking with her, and doing things to make her happy. She appreciated and warmed to the smallest kindness from him. He realized it wasn’t the size of a deed or gift that made it special; it was the love and thoughtfulness behind it. He was impressed that for a woman who had possessed so much in her life, it didn’t require wealth or pampering to satisfy Ginny. Without a doubt, they could be content anywhere together.
As she sipped the last of her coffee, she asked, “What are you thinking about?”
“Daydreams…” he murmured. “I never put any stock or hope in them until you came along, Ginny. You fill my head with plans for us. Do you know how much I love you and how proud I am to have you? You make every part of me feel alive.”
She rose, rounded the table, and leaned over to hug and kiss him. Stone pulled her down into his lap. His fingers roamed her face with a light touch and snailish pace. She nestled her head against his bare chest and listened to the pounding of his heart.
Her eyes widened. “You shaved.”
Stone laughed with amusement. “About time if I don’t want to scratch this pretty face again.”
She stroked his jawline and added, “Or cover this handsome one.”
They kissed and caressed until passions blazed and had to be cooled with a heady bout on the bunk.
Both were bathed and dressed and saying good-bye for a while. Ginny raised the ladder after Stone reached the ground and secured it as he’d shown her. She watched him check the cliffside to make certain there was no way anyone could get to her during his absence.
Midnight Secrets Page 44