Free Enchanted Ecstasy by Constance O'Banyon Page B

almost believe you. I have never wanted a woman as much as I want you." He was raining kisses over her upturned face, and Maleaha fought the battle that raged inside her. His lips were making her body want to surrender, but her anger held that desire at bay.
    He thought she and Mangas had spent the night together!
    Maleaha pushed against him and whirled out of his arms. "How dare you insult me! I would not let you kiss me if you were the last man on earth."
    Kane gave her a mocking smile. "Your eyes say otherwise, as did your desirable body when I held you in my arms. What game do you play, Miss Deveraux? Do you want me to beg for your favors before you bestow them on me? I can assure you that will not happen. I could easily have a more willing partner with much less effort."
    Maleaha did not doubt his words. There must be many women who had succumbed to his charms, as she almost had a moment ago. Raising her head proudly, she gave him a scorching glare.
    "You must think more of your power over women than I do, major. I believe I can just manage to save my virtue," she said insultingly.
    His deep laughter made her nerve ends stand on edge.
    “I doubt that you have any virtue left, Miss Deveraux. How many men from the fort have sampled your charms, and how many from the Jojoba tribe, notwithstanding the chief, have you had? Do not misunderstand me, I am not condemning you, I am merely asking what difference one more would make? I can promise you pleasure," he whispered in a deep voice.
    Maleaha tried to cover up her confusion. Hurt and anger once more battled for supremacy. He thought she had lot only been with Mangas last night, but with many others as well. She could feel the sting of his accusations in the very depths of her heart, and the unfamiliar sting of tears just behind her eyes. She would not let him see the weakness of tears, nor would she allow him to see how much he had wounded her. Her pride came to her rescue.
    "Major, you do think a great deal of your power over women! Perhaps in the past you have had many successes, but let me set you straight on one point. I will never be one of the women you love!" Her anger carried tier one step farther. "You seem to think you are a gift put an this earth to please women, but I do not find you in the least to my liking."
    His eyes narrowed, and the muscle in his jaw twitched. 'Let me set you straight on a few points, too, Miss Deveraux. I have never loved the women I have been with, and lone of them seemed to prize themselves as highly as you do. As for liking me, it is not a requirement. I only want to bed you, not win your affection!"
    Maleaha was at a loss for words. She had no idea what Major Benedict was talking about. She had been raised on a ranch and was not ignorant of the way baby animals were conceived, but in her wildest imaginations she co not fathom what love between a husband and wife would be like, nor had she ever given it much thought. She 1 always thought that one day she would fall in love and marry, but what the major was suggesting was degrading and insulting! Did he think that because she was half-Indian she was promiscuous? She was ready to set him straight when she heard Salador returning. The major, however, had not heard the quiet moccasin footsteps.
    "Everything we have said to one another does not amount to anything," Kane said. "I felt you yielding in my arms a few moments ago. I have been with enough women to know when one is ripe for making love, and you, Miss Deveraux, are overripe."
    Salador stepped in front of Maleaha, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his knife. "Shall I carve this man’s heart out, Maleaha? I heard the words he spoke to you. Your father would kill him if he knew of this."
    Maleaha answered him in the language of the Jojoba as he had spoken to her. "Leave him alone, Salador. I will find an effective way to satisfy my honor, never doubt it. One day I will bring the proud and arrogant Major Kanen Benedict to his