Free White Eagle's Touch by Karen Kay Page A

Shines Like Moonlight has tongue like crow.”
    “Tongue like—now, see here!”
    “Temper like wasp.” He smiled.
    She gasped. “Of all the impertinent, rude and…and uncivilized things to say…” She brushed his hand away. “And what does h-haiya mean?”
    He didn’t respond—just stared at her, grinning.
    “Well…are you going to answer me?”
    Silence.
    She stamped her foot. “Now listen to me, Indian, I expect you to reply to me when I address you. Not only that, but you are to listen to me carefully when I give you instructions and you are to follow what I say implicitly. You are never to walk away from me, not ever again, and you are to lower your eyes from mine so that you do not look directly at me whenever you are in my presence. Such is the manner in which a more…more…lowly person, as yourself, is to speak and act toward his betters…me…and not only that—”
    He moved closer to her suddenly, without warning, and all at once, his head swooped down to hers, his lips enveloping hers in a kiss. A kiss! She had done no more than take a breath, when…
    Sensation exploded within her, making her feel as though she stood in the middle of a raging battlefield. And to her absolute horror, her knees buckled under her, causing her to swoon toward him.
    He caught her and she couldn’t think to voice a single protest against it, not when all her wits were required to try to comprehend what was taking place within her.
    Was she sick? She could be. Her stomach churned as though she’d turned round and round, and her heartbeat…it raced faster than the last time she had been ill. Had she suddenly taken a fever?
    It did occur to her, as she stood within the Indian’s arms, that he smelled good, of buckskin and grass, of mint and smoke and a completely masculine, musky scent. In truth, it was the most intoxicating blend of aromas, and she was more than aware as she leaned in toward him, of where she was, of the comfortable tepee around her, of the feel of the softened atmosphere, the hush of the world outside the lodge. Never had she experienced so much emotion; never had she known…such excitement?
    Yes, that was it…excitement.
    And then it was over. He left off the kiss, raising his head, although he barely backed away from her as he did so.
    She couldn’t speak, not when he still held her. And so she did nothing, said nothing; unable, it would seem, to take control of herself. She did stare up at him, though, little knowing that her reddened lips bore evidence of her surrender.
    Briefly, he ran a finger over her lips; and she didn’t object. How could she, when her entire body felt as if it were on fire?
    She shut her eyes, and still the sensation didn’t cease.
    It worsened.
    Outwardly, his fingers moved over her face, stretching and smoothing over her cheek, caressing it, moving downward toward her neck.
    And even his breath, when he breathed out, felt stimulating against her skin, and a warmth rose in her as she noted that he breathed unsteadily.
    Was it possible that he, too, was moved by her? She opened her eyes to gaze at him. If he did feel the same as she, he made no move to show it. In truth, he had managed to reach around her to open the tepee flap.
    He stared down at her, his look intense, making her want to run away; though contrarily, she found herself wanting him to kiss her again.
    But he didn’t do it. He simply watched her, until at last he spoke, saying, “Haiya, I now know one thing about Shines Like Moonlight.”
    She wished she could do more than gape at him. It wasn’t, however, to be. Dumbfounded, she peered up at him. It was all the motion she seemed capable of at the moment.
    And he continued, “Shines Like Moonlight does not desire this man she is to marry.”
    She gasped. She opened her mouth to try to say something, but his lips pressed down over hers, kissing her yet again, as if to prove his point, and despite herself, Katrina could do little more than respond.
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