Disclaimer: The following chapter contains a description of sexual act. Proceed at your own risk ;-)

Chapter 24

Buck searched Louisa's face, recognizing the yearning he had seen too often on his own countenance. How could this be so wrong, Buck wondered as he lifted his hand and with his work-roughened fingers, traced the shadows the candles cast on Louisa's brow, her cheeks, her moist and unpainted mouth. The slight abrasion sent shivers down Louisa's spine. Desire shot through her when Buck skimmed the pad of his thumb across her bottom lip. Just one night, he thought. Maybe, just this one night.

"I could get used to this," Buck said softly. 

"Get used ...?" Her voice quivered and Louisa fought to clear her suddenly tight throat. "Get used to what?"

"Watching you come alive." Buck replaced his thumb with his mouth and absorbed Louisa's sigh of acceptance. He took. He gave. He tasted and sampled. He nibbled on her bottom lip then soothed with his tongue until Louisa thought she'd go mad. The shirt he had in his hands was now a forgotten heap on the floor. Unhampered, her arms roamed the muscled expanse of his back. Buck's breath hitched when her hand glided over the scars on his back, afraid she might reject his body, reject him, but Louisa's feverish touch continued and a warm glow suffused his heart.

Buck captured her mouth with his own, his possession utterly complete. His hands cupped her face as his tongue slipped between her lips taste her deeply. There was no coyness, no hesitation in her response. She took as much as she gave and when his lips nipped her jaw in tiny, gentle kisses, she arched her throat to give him more access. 

Her blouse gave way to his questing fingers so easily a part of her wondered about his expertise in divesting women of their clothing. But the next thought was forgotten when Buck sucked then soothed with his tongue that vulnerable spot between her neck and shoulders and she felt slivers of pleasure rush through her.

His lips seared a path of kisses down the column of her throat, across her breastbone. The flimsy strap of her undergarment was no match for his eager hands. Louisa's fluttered shut when Buck's hand spread over one breast, and she stifled a moan as his lips closed over a nipple and he suckled until it was a tight, rosy bud. 

She stifled a gasp, then a laugh when Buck suddenly swung her into his arms and, very gently, laid her down on his bed. Her eyes flew open when she felt him withdraw but he only sat up to divest himself of his clothes. The speed with which he undressed made her giggle but her amusement ceased when she saw his magnificent nude body for the first time. There was strength and power in the long lean muscles, heat in the golden skin. His long, unbound hair streamed down a broad back like a waterfall of silk. There were traces of scars on his chest, the vestiges of a bullet wound on his arm but the marks only enhanced, reminders such male beauty was indeed real. 

Louisa sat up to remove her own clothing but Buck's hands stopped her. Gently and slowly, as if unwrapping a precious gift, he slid her skirt from her waist. With the same tenderness, he removed the rest of her undergarments until she lay naked beneath him. Buck kissed her eyes close and then slowly traced her delicate features with a finger, a whisper over her eyes. When she opened her eyes and reached out to pull him closer, his hands stopped their meandering travel. Confusion knitted her brow, only when she lay back again and closed her eyes did she feel a silken glide over her lips, a feathery caress down her throat and over her breast. 

His touch was searing a trail of fire down her body but any restless movement quieted Buck. Louisa could hardly breath and she thought she'd go mad as she felt that gossamer touch slide across her torso. She gasped as his hands stilled over her quivering stomach and then brushed across the soft golden red curls that covered her womanhood. His touch was gentle, and insistent, and a ragged moan nearly escaped her lips when his probing fingers found her slick, heated center.

He swallowed her cry as he covered her lips with his own. She encircled him with her arms with surprising strength. Louisa was hardly aware of her hands kneading his muscles, her nails digging into his back, tangling in his long hair She was conscious only of the wild sensations he was making her feel. 

He brought her to the brink before settling between her thighs, his hard length sinking into her tight body. And then they were one. 

"Manyi," he whispered against her sweet skin.

"Stay," she murmured. 

He knew he should go back to the main house. Kid and Jimmy probably needed help. But the temptation to prolong the night just a little longer was greater. He pulled the blanket that had been kicked during their frenzied lovemaking and covered Louisa and himself. He gathered her into his arms and smiled when she snuggled closer. He was drifting to sleep when he heard her ask sleepily, "What does it mean?"

"What?"

"Manyi."

Buck smiled gently, "My woman." At least for tonight, he sadly thought.

Buck woke up sometime later and quietly slipped out of Louisa's arms. She stirred a bit but didn't wake and Buck was glad. He needed time to think.

Buck pulled on the pants he had dropped on the floor earlier and didn't bother to button them before going out of the door. He stood at the cabin's tiny porch, inhaled deeply and exhaled, trying to clear away Louisa's scent, his scent -- their scent together.

His fingers searched the low beam above and his mouth curved into a cheerless smile when he came upon the cheroot he had hidden there. It was a nasty habit he picked up from Hickok and indulged in occasionally -- or when he needed to think. He searched his pockets briefly for a match stick and triumphantly came up with one. Striking the match stick against the post, he lit the cheroot and inhaled the sweet, rich flavor as the guilt he had frantically fought to keep at bay finally broke through.

He had taken another man's wife. 

He loved her yes and he believed she had feelings for him but that didn't make it right. What's not right, a voice whispered in his head. You are both consenting adults. 

But she belongs to another man! 

You could just enjoy this while it lasts or have an affair, the devilish voice piped up again.

Buck shook his head. He was a simple man with a simple life and simple values. He wasn't made for affairs, secret or otherwise. Besides, he'd long realized he was a selfish man. He didn't want to share with other men.

But that's exactly what you're doing now, the irritating voice murmured into his ear, sharing a woman with another man. But what can you do? What could you offer her? Marriage? She is already wedded. You could run away together but Cody will probably track you down and the family won't be too happy.

With unrestrained fury and frustration, Buck punched the wooden beam nearest him. He felt a flash of pain, then a dull throbbing in his hand, but the ache failed to soothe the agony of his heart.

"Buck?" came the quiet call from inside the cottage.

Buck snatched the cheroot from his lips, dropped it on the floor and furiously ground it with his boots before turning toward Louisa. His heart warmed at the sight of her wearing his shirt. Overly large on her slight frame, her hands lost in the long sleeves, it covered her adequately.

Buck was about to beckon her closer when the voice whispered again, she'll never belong to you.

Buck's expression became bleak and the hand she had extended toward Louisa dropped to his side.

Louisa had seen the desolate look that crossed his face and knew instinctively what it meant. She quickly walked toward him, wrapped her arms around him and pressed a gentle kiss on his lips.

It was meant to assure but to Buck it felt like good-bye.

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