Whispered Kisses

by Taylor, Janelle

  The girls who served the warriors did so before the age they could conceive, a fact Leigh found distressing. When puberty ended, the young girls were circumcised, too, and declared ready for marriage.

  The women looked much different from the men. Their shaved heads shone in the sunlight. Large collars of beads and coiled wires were worn about their necks. To Leigh, the weight seemed as if it would be uncomfortable, but the dark-skinned women didn’t appear to notice. They even slept on special wooden headrests to protect their jewelry. Most were attired in kikoi, a colorful sarong like garment.

  The people greeting them were friendly and courteous. The Masai were said to make formidable enemies but very good friends. They were proud, old-fashioned people who retained their ancient and pastoral existence. They did not seem to mind the British takeover of this land, or dislike the white intruders.

  As Jace conversed with the tribesmen, Louisa declared, “I am not eating or sleeping here, Chad. We’ll probably all get sick and die.”

  Chad pulled Jace aside and told him, “None of us want to spend the night here, Jace, or join these people for dinner. I’m afraid our diets and customs vary too much. I think you understand. Let’s visit a while, then move on before dark.”

  Jace was disappointed, but didn’t argue. He had hoped to get Leigh alone tonight, after Johi used a “magical native potion” in the others’ wine, but he had realized bringing along wine would seem curious. “We’ll talk a few minutes, then find a place to make camp.”

  The Masai insisted on dancing for them. A group of near-naked warriors carrying seven-foot spears gathered before the whites now sitting on brush mats. The men bunched tightly, gave a loud whoop, then jumped into the air in unison, except for one. Their greased, ochre-coated bodies undulated to a drum beat, then leapt upward again. A Masai chant was sung by the dancers. The drumming grew louder. The jumps moved closer together and higher. The man who did not leap with the others murmured a different chant, a longer one. The dancers all sang the same two words over and over.

  It reminded Leigh of descriptions she had read of American Indian war dances and chants and their affect on the pioneers. But this was wonderful, not terrifying. It was primitive, hypnotic, and fascinating. She was enchanted by sight and sound.

  “What are they saying?” she asked Jace.

  He chuckled and replied, “They’re telling about their adventures.”

  “Men’s bawdy tales?” Louisa hinted.

  “Something like that,” Jace answered with a grin.

  Louisa leaned toward Jace and murmured, “Actually it’s very arousing, don’t you think?”

  “No, I don’t, Miss Jennings,” he said, calm and formal.

  “Well, I do,” she responded, undaunted.

  Chad was talking with Leigh. “Isn’t this marvelous? Aren’t you glad we came? Everything’s going perfectly.”

  “I’m having a glorious time, Chad, and all is well,” she said in a tone certain to get her meaning across.

  Moving closer to the blonde, Chad whispered, “I am being good.”

  “Yes, you are, very good. It isn’t too hard, is it?”

  He sent her an engaging grin. “Surprisingly not at all. Who knows? We might stay longer than planned. Would you like that?”

  “What if the others get tired or bored?” she inquired.

  “They can leave anytime they like. They aren’t captives here.” He lowered his voice even more. “We might have more fun without them. Just me and you, and our guide.”

  “That wouldn’t be proper,” she said, trying to discourage him.

  His gaze softened. “Under one circumstance, it would.”

  She laughed. “Stop teasing me, Chad.” The drums and dance ended, and so did her dismaying banter with her guardian.

  After their return to camp, it rained hard all day and night, and the bearers took cover in the jungle. A meat-and-vegetable stew was prepared by the servants beneath a canvas and brush shelter, then carried indoors and served to everyone. The others rested and played games, while Leigh snuggled up with a book. No one went outside in the storm, except Jace, who sneaked to Leigh’s tent.

  As he unlaced the secret opening, she quickly put out the lantern to prevent telltale shadows on the canvas walls. “Isn’t this dangerous, Jace?” she whispered, even though the rain was loud and heavy around them. She waited for him to seal the entrance.

  “Yep, but I couldn’t wait any longer to get my arms around you. I’ve missed you, woman. You don’t know what pleasure I get from kissing you and touching you. It’s driving me wild.”

  “Me, too,” she confessed as he joined her. “You’re soaked. Why don’t we get you out of these dripping clothes?”

  Jace trembled with desire. “I didn’t come here to seduce you, love. I can settle for kisses and hugs and talk.”

  “But I can’t. I want you, and you’ve seen to it that I need you.”

  “What a clever man I am,” he teased, kissing her.

  Leigh’s arms banded his body and she nestled against him. “I’m getting you wet, love. Sorry,” he murmured against her ear.

  “I don’t care.” She unbuttoned his shirt and removed it. As Jace took off his boots and pants, Leigh slipped out of her garments.

  Jace pulled the bedroll to the floor, knowing the single cot couldn’t hold their combined weights. He drew her down beside him. They kissed deeply as they cuddled.

  Leigh thought it would spoil the romantic mood by questioning him about the secret entrance and by revealing Chad’s overture, so she held silent. “This feels good. I like having you near me.”

  “I love having you near me, woman. These past days have been terrible. Half the time I’m scared to look at you for fear of exposing my feelings. The other half, I can’t keep my eyes away. What have you done to me? I’ve never felt so helpless and frustrated. I can’t wait to win our bet and get you all to myself. Which reminds me, you owe me a kiss for breaking rule one.”

  She laughed softly. “You only have one point, my irresistible guide, so don’t get cocky yet. If it’s payment you demand, I’ll gladly comply.” She sealed her mouth to his and tantalized him with her tongue.

  Jace’s hands rubbed up and down her sleek back as she lay half across him. Her tawny mane fell around his head and tickled him in spots. With her so near and steadily consuming his being, revenge and exoneration —all wild perils—seemed far away or nonexistent. He was caught up in a beautiful dream where only sweet passions dwelled with them. He groaned as his arms tightened around her waist.

  Leigh’s fingers wandered into his brown hair, and damp curls clung to them. She kissed away the raindrops on his face, then drifted down his neck to do the same there. Even the furry covering on his chest was wet, and her fingers played there a while, making tiny curls. His flesh was cool, slick, and firm beneath her roaming hands. She needed and wanted to explore him and felt brave enough to do so. It was as if the driving rain pelted against her tent like a primitive drumbeat, creating a mesmeric force that compelled her to perform this ancient ritual of love.

  Leigh’s lips journeyed along his chest. Her tongue circled the small but taut peaks on his virile landscape. Her hand drifted along his sides, over his stomach, and into a thicker covering of soft fur. It, too, was damp. She moved her hand lower still, savoring the evidence of his desire for her. Her courage did not desert her, as she was too enchanted by love’s task to be sway from this new adventure. She felt Jace stiffen in surprise, heard him moan in delight, and felt him relax once more. With leisure and care, her hand traveled up and down the lengthy domain where heat and strength met her.

  Jace didn’t know if he wanted to lie still or wriggle in pleasure, or if he could even control his actions. Leigh seemed in a provocative mood tonight, as if she boldly sought a treasure. She was a novice at love, but she was learning fast. He felt tense and afire. His head was dazed by hunger, and his body ached with it. As her hands and lips worked at mapping her easily conquered terri
tory, he shuddered in arousal.

  When he thought he could last no longer, Jace rolled Leigh to her back and assailed her breasts with his greedy mouth. His hands and mouth began an intoxicating expedition of their own over her beckoning ground. He called on all the knowledge, experience, and skills he possessed to stimulate and pleasure her, and himself.

  When they joined together, it was nearly shattering to both. They labored with love, yearning, and urgency. Their victory came within minutes, so high was their arousal and need.

  In the dreamy aftermath, Jace held her against him. “Every time I take you, it’s like the first time, the best time. How is that?”

  “It’s the same for me. I think nothing could be better, but it always is. It’s like a hunger that’s never satisfied for more than a while. I suppose it’s because you whet my appetite and keep me starving for you all the time. That’s a mean and naughty trick, Jace Elliott.”

  “No more than the trick you play on me, woman. You tempt me day and night to lay permanent siege to you, knowing I can’t.”

  That statement worried Leigh. Was this all he had in mind for them? Because he was a wanted man? Or because she only affected him sexually? She wanted more, much more, from him.

  “Unless,” he murmured, kissing and nuzzling her ear, “you trick Chad and sneak to my plantation.”

  “You know I can’t, Jace. Chad would never agree to a voyage to Texas just months before my birthday.”

  “He will if he thinks you trust him and you’re turning your affairs over to him,” Jace refuted. “You don’t have to tell him you’re returning in December. I don’t want you going there as long as he has such power over you. And we can use more time together.”

  It was tempting, but would it work? Should she even consider more time without wedlock? She loved this man, but how well did she know him? He was eager to keep her here until November, but why? He couldn’t get revenge on Chad without exposing them, and Jace would not hurt her that way. What would her love feel and say when she was free to make her own choices? Would he offer marriage even if he couldn’t exonerate himself? Was this a test of her feelings for him? “It’s crazy, but who knows what will happen?”

  His fingers stroked her hair and bare skin. “You’re right. I might decide to hold you captive and enjoy you for a very long time.”

  “I could always escape.”

  “Not through the jungles around my place. It’s very secluded.”

  Leigh’s fingers teased over his parted lips. Her teeth nibbled playfully on his cleft chin. “That sounds intimidating, Mr. Elliott. Who is around to help me if you turn into an uncontrollable beast?”

  Soft chuckles sounded in his throat. “No one. My housekeeper, workers, and friends would never take your side against me.”

  “What if we wind up on the same side and I don’t require help?”

  “That’s what I’m scheming for, woman. How did you guess?”

  “Do you hear that?” she whispered, sitting up beside him.

  “Hear what?” he asked, coming to alert.

  Without hurting him or leaving a mark, she bit his shoulder. “Nothing is what. It’s stopped raining. Someone might check on us. You’d better go.” She kissed him as if saying farewell.

  “Before proving my stamina and desire?” he jested, pulling her back to the bedroll. His mouth fastened to hers, as eagerly as if he hadn’t taken her in days …

  Leopard was on their schedule next. As they walked, Jace instructed the group on the species. “The leopard’s a solitary animal, except during mating season. He hunts in the bush and woodlands, but he loves to climb trees to sleep and to bask in the sun. He normally hunts at night, but he’ll carry his kill into a tree with him to keep other predators from stealing it. He mostly stalks smaller animals, like waterbuck, but one of his favorites is baboon. If you haven’t seen pictures of him, he’s tawny with black markings, almost like little squares. He’s big, mean, and powerful. He’s bloodthirsty, fast, and cunning. And vindictive. He’ll. attack without provocation, and kill for the sheer pleasure of it—one of the few animals with that trait. Sometimes he doesn’t even devour his victim, just leaves the body lying there. Naturally we can’t stalk him at night, so we’ll try to find one sleeping or chasing baboons.”

  They had left camp two hours ago. Leigh was feeling strange. She was lightheaded and thirsty. She felt tense, but very drowsy. She surmised it was the climate, or lack of sleep.

  As the women excused themselves in the bush, Louisa watched her closely, then asked, “Leigh, do you feel all right? You look dreadfully pale and your cheeks are like red roses.”

  Leigh drank from her canteen. “I’m tired and stiff. I read too late last night and didn’t get enough sleep. I won’t do that again, rain or not. It’s terribly hot today.” She mopped at the beads of perspiration on her face and neck and swatted at insects.

  “No hotter than usual,” Louisa refuted. “Why don’t I suggest we return to camp? I’ll tell Jace I’m exhausted and feeling sick.”

  Leigh was annoyed, because it sounded as if the redhead was trying to prevent her from being the reason to break a wager rule. She assumed Chad had revealed the thousand-pound bet with their guide and had ordered the redhead’s aid. It rankled that Chad couldn’t keep promises and secrets. More sharply than intended, she said, “I’ll be fine after this break. Don’t worry about me, Louisa.”

  They crossed a veld, which was open country where grass and scrubs grew. They were heading for a thornbush area, then a thin forest with plenty of baboons: leopard country. They had seen many animals but hadn’t stopped to hunt.

  The farther they traveled, the weaker Leigh felt. She did not want to alarm Chad and Jace, or to lose another point. Not that she didn’t intend to make Jace her future, but a deal was a deal. It had to be won fairly. She staggered, and caught a tree to steady herself. The bearers nearby called out to the leader, a few feet ahead.

  Jace halted and looked at Leigh. As surreptitiously as possible, he had observed her at each stop. She had a tight grip on a tree limb and her head was lowered. If only she were closer so he could have kept an eye on her, but the women were journeying behind with the bearers. “Leigh, what’s wrong?” he asked, going to her side.

  Chad joined them. “Are you ill, Leigh?” He tested her cheeks and forehead for fever as his blue eyes examined her.

  Her pretense was in vain. She leaned against a tree and said, “I’m just tired and hot. We’ve been walking a long time. I’m used to riding horses, not traveling afoot. Can we take a break?”

  “Certainly,” Chad said before Jace could. “Sit down and rest. Drink some water. You’re sweating. That makes you weak and shaky. Jace, how about a fire and bracing tea? It might help.”

  “No, please don’t fuss over me. Just water and rest,” Leigh implored weakly.

  Chad held the canteen, as Leigh’s hands were quivering. He knelt beside the blonde, who leaned her head backward and closed her eyes. He glanced at Jace, looking worried. He saw that Jace was concerned.

  “We’ll rest here, then head back when Leigh feels up to it.”

  “I think that’s an excellent idea,” Chad agreed. He passed his canteen to Leigh, because she had emptied hers.

  They lingered over an hour. The others strolled and took pictures. Jace and Chad stayed near Leigh, who dozed. Johi watched all of them.

  Finally, Leigh opened her eyes and said, “Let’s go. I’m fine.”

  Chad studied her. “You look better. You were mighty pale.”

  “Whatever it was, it’s gone now. Why don’t we continue?”

  “It’s too late in the day. We should return to camp,” Jace said.

  That night, Jace could not check on Leigh because Louisa stayed with her, at Chad’s insistence. Jace hoped her spell earlier in the day was nothing more than fatigue and heat. He knew he should have let her get more sleep the night before. He wouldn’t overtire her again.

  As Leigh claimed her canteen and
weapon for today’s trek, she whispered to Jace, “That’s two points I owe you.”

  “Even though it was my fault you were too exhausted to go on?”

  “You got as much sleep as I did, so that made us even yesterday.”

  “Not really. I’m accustomed to this climate and terrain. You aren’t.” He took her weapon and checked it. “But I’ll accept the point. I might need it to win. You aren’t cheating, are you?”

  “Me? Certainly not,” she said, then grinned.

  This time, they didn’t even make it to the veld before Leigh experienced the same symptoms. The group halted once more.

  “Why don’t you go ahead with the hunt?” Chad suggested. “I’ll stay here and guard Leigh. I don’t want her traveling like this.”

  “I’ll stay,” Reid said. “You’re the one who wants the leopard.”

  “You take the kill and glory. I’m worried about my ward.”

  “Why don’t we all rest for a while?” Jace said. “If Leigh can’t continue, we’ll carry her back to camp.”

  “No,” Leigh protested. “I don’t want to spoil everyone’s fun.”

  “She’s right. Go get us a leopard, Reid.”

  “If that’s what you want, fine with me. I feel lucky today.”

  After the others departed, Leigh took a nap. Chad laid his gun in his lap and watched her. He wished he could curl up beside her, make love to her, then sleep himself. His fingers stroked her damp hair as she slept. He smiled, then frowned. He didn’t like the way Jace and Leigh were becoming friends. He wanted to get her away from the man and back home. If she made it necessary to end the safari, he could work on her in London. The trip had been good so far. They had gotten closer. Without Jace’s distraction, his task would be easier, and Jace couldn’t pursue her in England. If so …