Brazen Ecstasy

by Janelle Taylor

  Tepees were gradually taking their conical shapes once more, standing like pointed mounds against the cobalt skyline. This area was beautiful and tranquil. Grass and wildflowers were plentiful, generously offering their beauty and abundance to anyone who needed or appreciated them. A variety of trees and scrub-bushes dotted the landscape and cluttered the nearby forest. Countless shades of green revealed the harmony and artistry of Mother Nature. The sky was intensely blue, traveling far beyond where the eye could see. Lofty plateaus and craggy peaks could be noted in the distance. Other rocky slopes colored the vista with their blacks, browns, tans, and an unusual blood-red.

  They were setting up camp in an immense clearing about eight hundred feet from a wide and untroubled river. In several spots, small streams ran off in various directions, two forming small, round pools that would be perfect for bathing and swimming. The water in those natural pools was so calm and clear it reflected the harmonious beauty above them like two mirrors.

  Insects and butterflies abounded amongst the wildflowers, stealing their sweet nectar while sharing their music and beauty with those who observed them. Birds perched in the trees, singing heartily as they furtively watched for opportunities to swoop down and devour careless insects. Shalee inhaled the fresh and invigorating air, then slowly expelled it once its essence had been savored. She walked over to the site chosen by Shining Light to observe the task of putting up the tepee, hoping to learn something.

  Later, she watched others before seeking out Turtle Woman. She smiled fondly as she approached the genial woman, who was steadily making progress without complaints or bitterness. Turtle Woman grinned in pleasure as Shalee asked if she could assist her to learn how this task was done. The gentle-spirited woman nodded, smiling cheerfully, knowing Shalee was sincere in her request.

  Together, they finally had the poles attached and standing. They positioned them to form a wooden pyramid. Looping a heavy rawhide rope through the thick strip that secured one side of the attached skins, Turtle Woman tossed the rope over the top of the poles where they separated to point in different directions. It required several throws before she passed the rope through the center of the poles. She laughed in satisfaction as she headed around the cluster of cottonwood saplings to seize the rope. With her twisted hand, this task was the most difficult and strenuous. Shalee grabbed the rope and helped her pull the heavy weight near the top of the poles. As she held tightly to the burden, Turtle Woman reached for the two dangling strips and yanked upon them with all her might to close the opening around the junction of poles. As Turtle Woman used a stick to straighten the laces, she continually pulled upon them to secure the two sides. When this task was completed at the ground, she knotted the two strips and tucked the raw edges beneath the skins.

  She smiled at Shalee as she took one end of the rope and yanked upon it until it fell free of its duty. They headed around the conical dwelling in opposite directions securing the joined hides to the bottoms of the poles. When they met again, they laughed joyfully as they eyed their success. Shalee thanked the woman for her instructions and patience. To her pleasure and appreciation, Turtle Woman insisted upon helping her assemble her tepee. She smiled in gratitude, telling the unselfish woman it wasn’t necessary to repay her, for she had needed those lessons.

  Still, Turtle Woman insisted. Within two hours, the larger and more colorfully decorated tepee of Wanmdi Hota was positioned upon his chosen spot like some proud warrior watching over the camp. Shalee hugged Turtle Woman and thanked her. The older woman smiled and walked away. Shalee hastily began carrying their possessions inside their new home, except Gray Eagle’s weapons and other tabu items. She beamed in satisfaction, knowing how surprised and pleased her husband would be when he returned. More, she warmed to the thought of the long-missed privacy that this tepee represented. Then, she recalled their son. She scolded herself for wistfully thinking she yearned for solitude with her husband. She sighed in resignation. Tepees certainly didn’t offer any privacy for couples! Her body ached to taste those heady delights again. But how could they make love when their son was sleeping within feet of them? Since the others had also been denied closeness with their mates, she couldn’t expect one of them to allow Bright Arrow to spend the night in their new tepee. Besides, their son should be in his new home with his parents.

  She sat upon the ground to dig a small pit for their fire, then lined it with flat rocks. She shoveled the dirt upon a square of tanned hide to take outside and dump. As she stood up and brushed off her clothes and legs, she was startled to find her husband standing behind her. “I didn’t hear you come in,” she remarked in surprise.

  His ebony eyes locked upon her flushed face, filled with life and spent energy. He reached out to lovingly push aside a lock of hair that had strayed from her braid during her work. His contact with her face was wonderful; she nestled her cheek against his palm. The hand slipped around her neck and drew her head toward his. His lips captured hers and stole their nectar as the bees did to the black-eyed Susans and the Pasqueflowers. His other arm went around her back and pulled her tightly against his lean and lithe frame.

  She groaned in need of him and this intoxicating blending of love. Her arms encircled his waist and she pressed even closer to him. Their passions flamed to an incredible and overwhelming level. Her hands wandered over his back and shoulders, delighting in the feel of him. Lips burned sweet and tormenting messages over her closed eyes, satiny face, and creamy neck. Enflamed beyond reality or reason, she pleaded for him to vanquish this hunger that raged within her. When he cupped her breast, the protruding nipple loudly shouted her need to his roaming hand. In wild abandonment, her hands dove into the midnight mane and held his mouth against hers as she almost savagely responded to his kisses.

  Adrift upon this turbulent sea of emotions, no sound reached her spinning head and no will remained within her submissive body. Enthralled by him and his passionate siege, only Gray Eagle and her urgent needs existed. Lost to reality himself and drugged by his desire for her, he whet her love-starved appetite with fever and skill. Beyond fearing an intrusion or caring what anyone would think about her wantonness, she struggled with the ties at his sides to loosen his breechcloth. When it fell free of his virile body, her hand encircled the flaming shaft that could end her torment.

  At her touch upon his manhood, he shuddered and groaned in irrepressible need. Her garments were nearly ripped from her body, but neither cared nor minded their destruction. His mouth devoured the strained tip of her bosom. Flames seared through her womanhood that even the moisture flowing there could not douse. When his hand sought out her throbbing peak, she trembled and opened her thighs to permit his easy entrance to the place that brazenly pleaded for the ecstasy that only he could grant. The gentle stroking of his deft hand was tantalizing, and his feasting at her breasts feverishly blissful.

  “Make love to me now or I shall surely die of pain,” she urged.

  Her voice sparked a brief return to reality. He groaned in fierce need and the thought of an untimely intrusion. Still, it was too late to halt the fires that threatened to consume them. He left her to lace the flap, an indication of privacy. He had sighted their son playing with the other boys. He hurriedly returned to her and carried her to their sleeping mat. He resumed where he’d left off. Dazed with desire, she hadn’t moved or spoken, noting his actions and their insinuation.

  “There is little time for teasing you, my love. We must sate our needs before our son returns. Another moon and I will pleasure you slowly.”

  She smiled, her eyes limpid with fiery longings. “I want you too much to wait. Enter me now,” she coaxed him. “You don’t need to entice me; I feel like my body is afire with need for you.”

  He gently plunged his manhood into her body. Stimulated to boldness, she arched to meet his entry and moved seductively beneath him. Her legs crossed his to hold him tightly within her. She pressed his mouth to her swollen, taut bosom. She matched the rhythm he set as her head
thrashed upon the mat. Her eyes closed dreamily, and her quickened breathing passed through parted lips.

  It was a terrible strain upon Gray Eagle’s control to plunder her body without taking any booty until she had claimed her first prize. His mouth closed over hers to prevent the cry of shattering release from leaving her throat as she ground her body against his to extract every ounce of pleasure and relief he was offering to her. As her fires burned at their brightest, she opened her glazed eyes and entreated, “Come ride with me, my love.”

  Her provocative words had the desired effect. He swiftly and feverishly strove to simultaneously match her climax, claiming his treasure as his body shook with the forceful release of many moons of pent-up cravings. As he had done to her many times, she savagely ravished his mouth and held him tightly against her, nearly driving him wild with the increased intensity caused by her unbridled actions. He exploded as a dam bursting after a deluge of water had weakened and overpowered it, crashing against it and destroying it with great power and determination.

  Wave after wave pounded against her womanhood until only a calmed river remained behind. Spent and breathless, he could only roll half off of her. Tenderness and confidence flowed over her, for she had pleasured him well. When his respiration slowed and his thundering heart relaxed, he lifted his head to gaze down at her in wonder and tenderness. She smiled up at him, then kissed him soundly.

  “You demand much, woman, but you give much,” he complimented her efforts. “It is never the same with you. Each time we join, it is new and exciting. How can my heart hold so much love or my body accept such pleasures? Surely I will burst with fullness,” he teased in a mellow voice.

  “If you do, I will gather the pieces and put you together again. Then I will fill you until you burst again.” She hugged him possessively. “I love you so much,” she suddenly exclaimed.

  “Shalee, Shalee, my beautiful and desirable wife, how I love you,” he vowed in a husky tone.

  Her breath caught in her throat at the look in his eyes and the stirring quality in his voice. “My God, how is it possible to want you again right now? Yet, I do. Surely I am wicked to feel such things,” she concluded playfully, pulling his head down to take another kiss from his lips.

  They kissed longingly several times, until he unwillingly pulled away and advised seriously, “We must not build a fire we cannot light.”

  She giggled and mischievously replied, “The fire is already built, my love. What we cannot do is put it out in the best manner. It must smolder until another time. Perhaps my people have one definite advantage over yours; they build many rooms in their wooden tepees to allow such fires to burn freely at will,” she playfully jested.

  “At dark when little eyes cannot see clearly, such does not matter. Only the fires that burn when Wi fills the sky must be carefully tended,” he smiled, adding his two cents.

  “You have taught me to build such fires and to enjoy them, but you have failed to show me how to tend or douse them,” she chided him, laughing merrily.

  “And I never shall, wife. Then, you will not be tempted to tease me with a fire that consumes only me.”

  “Ah lass, you would allow me to suffer from such pains?”

  “If I share such suffering, then you must endure only your half.”

  “You are too wise and cunning, my noble warrior. I fear I cannot match wits and words with you.”

  “Then match only my love and desire,” he suggested beguilingly.

  “Impossible. Mine already exceeds yours.”

  “Impossible. Mine has lived longer than yours.”

  “Impossible. Time has nothing to do with the depth or power of such feelings.”

  He chuckled in amusement. “You match my wits and words too well, wife. I accept this because you also match my love and desire.”

  “Just as it should be. Your prowess is matchless, for it has conquered me twice. I love you with all my heart.”

  He embraced her, then kissed her. “To leave your side is harder than fighting a fierce battle with enemies. Have mercy and help me find the strength of mind and body to do so.”

  She pursed her lips in thoughtful consideration. “If I say no?”

  He fell backwards upon his back, throwing his arms above his head. “Then do with me as you desire,” he stated, as if resigned to defeat.

  Her eyes gleamed with mischief and anticipation. She tapped each wrist and ankle, saying seductively, “You are tightly bound, warrior. You are my captive and I will sate my lust upon your helpless body.”

  She laughed at the smoldering gaze that glowed within his obsidian eyes. “What manner of captive are you?” she playfully scolded him. “I see no fear and respect in your eyes for your master. You will obey me or I shall punish you.”

  “What is your command, Princess Shalee?” he inquired, forcing a grave expression to his face, a beguiling grin threatening to shatter it.

  “I command you to love me, to please me with every skill you possess, to come to me whenever I have need of you,” she listed her orders.

  “I love you now, Princess. I will answer your call each time. To please you, you must free my bonds,” he said, playing along with her stirring game.

  When she pretended to loosen those imaginary bonds, he seized her and imprisoned her body beneath his, pinning her wrists to the ground on either side of her chestnut braids. “Your lust is so great it steals your wits, my beautiful enemy. Now, you are my captive. Never trust a cunning foe. I will hold you captive forever. You will come to me when I call and you will obey my commands. You will please me greatly, or I will punish you like this,” he intimated, his tongue circling her breasts to tantalize them.

  “And I will torment you like this,” he added, ravishing her mouth until she was breathless. “Then I will torture you like this,” he roguishly warned, slowly entering her and slowly withdrawing. Each time he withdrew, he grinned at her as he hesitated before gently plunging into her again. When his sport became serious, he withdrew and demanded, “Do you promise to obey me in all words and ways? If you do not speak wisely, I will torture you by leaving your side.”

  “I will do anything you say,” she responded hoarsely.

  He slipped within her again, pulling a moan of exquisite pleasure from her lips. Yet he began his deliberately intoxicating game once more. Each time he faltered before returning his manhood into her, she arched upwards to seek it. When it skillfully drove into her, she sighed in rapture. His teeth worked gently upon her breasts between frequent savorings of the whole tip. When she reached a frenzied state, he knew it was time to halt his loving torment and sate her needs, which he did, then his own.

  Exhausted, she curled into his arms and sighed contentedly. “If that is how you torture and torment a disobedient captive, I shall be defiant and bad every day.”

  “If you obey me, my sweet slave, I will reward you better than I can torment you.”

  “What could be better than this?” she asked incredulously.

  He chuckled. “There are many sides to love. I will teach them to you.”

  Without shame or modesty, she asked, “Like we shared that day in the forest?”

  He nodded. “But there are others too, if you are truly brave and obedient to my commands.”

  She locked her gaze with his. “I am brave and submissive to you.”

  He warmed and grinned. “Soon, you will enjoy new lessons,” he ventured.

  “How soon?” she probed in excitement and abandonment.

  “Two more moons and I will take you into the forest for a walk.”

  “For only a walk?” she impishly teased.

  “A lover’s walk. I will walk upon you, and you will walk upon me.”

  She trembled with suspense and intrigue. “Two moons.”

  He nodded and grinned. “You must learn patience, wife.”

  “Impossible with you as my husband,” she informed him.

  His finger trailed over her chest, around each breast, then up
to dance upon one erect point. “If you don’t stop that, your walk will begin right now,” she threatened, half in jest and half in utter seriousness.

  “Then I will stop until later,” he readily agreed, kissing her before getting up. “We must find a place to bathe. Soon we must join the feast.”

  “Bathe in the forest?” she murmured suggestively.

  “Bathing only, woman, no walking today,” he stated, grinning.

  “If I am to obey your every command, then bathing only.”

  They dressed, then headed for a place to bathe, walking hand in hand. He called to Bright Arrow to let him know their plans. The boy waved and smiled, then returned to his game.

  The feasting and merriment lasted until midnight. Despite the fatigue of everyone, an air of elation and expectancy filled the crisp air and the joyful hearts of the Oglala. Small children, exhausted from their games, had gone to bed earlier. Other youths sat in groups talking excitedly about the days when they would become either wives or warriors. Unwed braves clung together as some social clic, discussing wars and adventures and great hunts, past and future. Couples sat with mates, making plans and rehashing the good times they had shared or the bad times they had endured. Others swayed or moved to the rhythm of the music supplied by several older Indians. It was a good moment to be alive and free, to have no worries or perils to trouble their cheerful minds.

  Shalee sat between Gray Eagle and Running Wolf near a large campfire, enjoying the tranquil sights and sounds of her people; for that was how she viewed them now. The strangeness had worn off; she felt an intricate part of this impressive group. Gone were the feelings of loneliness and insecurity; gone were the doubts and suspicions. She was Shalee, wife to Gray Eagle, half-breed daughter to Black Cloud, member of the Oglala Tribe of the mighty Sioux Nation: the Dakota Oceti Sakawin, “Seven Council Fires of the Sioux.” Life was wonderful. Only the return of her memory could make things better and happier for her… and them.