Like a small bird’s claw, a soft scratching noise rasped against the teepee wall near my head, easing me out of my slumber. I pushed up to lean on my hands, cocked my head, and listened.
More scratching followed, along with a whisper.
“Olivia.”
“Roman? Is that you?” I whispered back, glancing at Emily’s sleeping form.
“Yes. Come outside,” Roman said in a low voice. “I’m desperate for your touch.”
He didn’t need to ask me twice. I’d tossed and turned all night, missing his warmth, comfort, and love. But I’d felt obliged to care for Emily, so I’d stayed in this dwelling.
Scrambling to my feet, I was met with a brisk morning chill, even though I was still dressed in my buckskin attire. I grabbed one of the bison furs I’d slept in, tugged it around my shoulders, and tiptoed outside.
Dawn had barely broken, and a cacophony of birdsong filled the air. The pale sky was obscured by hundreds of geese as they lifted into the sky for their autumn migration.
Roman rushed toward me and captured my face in his hands. He pressed his lips to mine, practically devouring me in a kiss filled with longing that took my breath away.
As I responded to Roman’s hunger, the fur fell away from my shoulders. The hide crumpled in a heap around my calves and bare feet, enveloping my lower legs in warmth. But nothing could touch the searing heat of Roman’s skin as he plunged his tongue into my mouth the way I wished he could do with his cock.
My body ignited, wet and wanting, as we deepened the kiss, our mouths grinding against one another, our bodies pressed close.
Roman eased back slightly and murmured against my lips. “Olivia, my beautiful flame… it was hell to not be with you last night. I intend to be with you every night when we are married.”
The word “married” sent a cascade of goosebumps all over my skin. Roman and I were going to be married! I couldn’t believe it! But a sad little voice in the recesses of my mind mourned being unable to share this joyous occasion with Papa or Moon Lee.
“I missed you as well,” I whispered.
Roman drank me in with his gaze as if memorizing my features. He pushed my hair away from my face with his thumbs and gazed intently at me. “I found you again, my love. I really did it.”
“Yes, we found each other. Our love is too strong to be denied,” I said.
Roman lowered his mouth to mine, claiming me with a voracious kiss.
Our passion was interrupted by footsteps and a man clearing his throat.
Roman and I turned to see who was intruding on our stolen moment.
Marcellious came into view.
Water dripped from the ends of his long hair as if he’d bathed in the creek. He regarded us impassively as if he were the mailman dropping off today’s mail.
“Grey Feather needs to speak with us at once. He says it’s urgent.”
“What’s he want?” I said, jerking away from Roman.
Marcellious shrugged. “How should I know? I’m only the messenger. I was sent to fetch you, so I’ve accomplished my directive.”
He spun on his heel and tromped away from us.
“God, that man can get under my skin like no one else,” I said to Roman as I watched Marcellious’ retreating form. I picked up the furs and tossed them into the teepee.
“I know. It’s like he was born to ire. Still, we’d better go see what the chief wants.” Roman drew my hand to his lips, kissed my knuckles, then laced his fingers with mine.
Hand in hand, we made our way through the quiet encampment. Only a few teepees showed signs of smoke wisping from the tops.
“I think I shall ask Grey Feather if our marriage can occur here, and he can bless our union,” Roman said.
“Oh,” I said, feeling giddy at the idea. Never in a million years could I have imagined marrying in the middle of a Native American tribe in the 19thcentury. Nor could I have dreamed of marrying someone as powerful as Roman Alexander.
