Bittersweet Ecstasy (47 page)

Needing to have nothing between them, Sun Cloud removed her garments, then his own. As her admiring gaze leisurely roamed his flesh, his did the same with hers. There was such pleasure and excitement in merely looking at each other while yearnings increased, while fingers grew itchy to reach out and explore the other’s body, while mouths became dry and in need of quenching kisses, while arms begged to embrace the other, while loving spirits mingled and communicated, while tenderness and emotions could mount and radiate to the other. It was a time for feeling with eyes and minds and hearts, before passions blazed and took control of actions and bodies.

Sun Cloud reached for her hand and raised it to his lips, and she followed his guide. He kissed her fingertips, her knuckles, the back of her hand, her wrist, and her palm. He quivered as her matching actions sent tingles over his entire body. His lips began a snailish trek up her right arm, and she began one up his. His mouth rounded her shoulder, crossed the span to her neck, drifted up her throat—halting briefly to tease at her pulse mole and earlobe—and sensuously wandered over her cheek to capture her mouth as it completed its journey.

Sun Cloud leaned away slightly to lose himself in her enthralling gaze for a brief time. It was as if each were being drawn into potent black depths which surrounded them like very warm liquid and flowed over their sensitive flesh, sensuously massaging and enflaming them from head to toe. His head came downward as his hands cupped her face between them and his mouth melted with hers to work very gently and tantalizingly. Singing Wind’s arms slipped beneath his and her palms flattened against his back to feel his muscles as they responded to his stimulating task. His body was so strong, so sleek, so beautiful.

They fused their lips many times, and each kiss increased in pressure and urgency until both were a little breathless and trembly. Their mouths began to lock feverishly and their hands began to roam. There seemed no spot of flesh on either which did not mutely call out to be caressed and noticed, and both obeyed this loving summons.

From his own dreamy haze, Sun Cloud witnessed the height of the passion which enslaved her, the love which she felt for him, the commitment which she shared with him, and these overwhelming realities sent charges of powerful love and tenderness through him. All he could think about was wanting to give her everything he could and was.

Singing Wind’s back was pressed against a tree as Sun Cloud’s mouth roved to her breasts, to enflame the brown peaks with a greater need to be taken eagerly and constantly. When his lips left one taut nub, his fingers would tantalize it until their return from a journey to the other one. Her head leaned against the tree behind it and she closed her eyes to absorb every exquisite sensation which he was creating. The moisture on her breasts seemed to cool them as his lips began to trail down her abdomen, to tease ticklishly at
her navel before continuing its titillating journey over the area between it and her private domain. His hands grasped her buttocks and pulled her hips forward as he spread his kisses along her hip bones. A soft laugh came forth for his actions tingled and enchanted her simultaneously.

Sun Cloud sank to his knees on the supple grass. His adept hands stroked her sleek thighs, then one invaded the dark forest near his chin as he teased her flesh with his tongue. He felt her stiffen and heard her catch her breath as his fingers made contact with the bud of her womanhood. As he labored deftly upon it, causing it to become hotter and harder beneath his masterful touch, he felt her relax and heard her sigh in pleasure. He knew this task should be done slowly and carefully at first, for this tiny mound was very sensitive; later, when her passions were at their peak, he could increase his pace and pressure.

Sun Cloud nuzzled his cheek against the downy covering which concealed the heart of her sensual being. When his fingers cleared a path in her forest, his lips lavished kisses upon the straining bud. Her body and passions responded instantly to this enticing stimulation, and he thrilled to her enjoyment. His teeth playfully and exquisitely nibbled upon the tender mound and caused her to shudder with delight and a loss of control. Her thrashings, quiverings, and moanings encouraged him to continue his delectable task and to become bolder with it. Sometimes slowly and sometimes swiftly, his tongue circled the peak before he gently attacked it or engulfed it hungrily with his mouth. As he feasted upon it, one finger eased into the moist and dark canyon near it and began to travel its distance back and forth at a steady pace.

Singing Wind felt as if her flesh were burning and itching all over, and her legs felt weak and shaky, as if
they would soon give way beneath her. This new pleasure was mind staggering; she felt in a fiery trance, from which she did not want to ever awaken. Her body felt as taut as a bow string, but as limp as a freshly skinned pelt. It felt wonderful and satisfying; yet it caused her to hunger for more, for a total contact with his body. It made her feel daring and wild, and she wanted to try this new pleasure upon him. She felt a strange tension building rapidly within her and she instinctively knew something different and rapturous was awaiting her. The tiny mound and its cave both throbbed and blazed with desire. She tried to relax to allow the flow of this powerful river of passion to carry her wherever it willed. Suddenly it happened, and she was stunned by the force of her release. Her hands buried themselves in his hair and she arched forward to offer all of herself to him as he drove her to mindless bliss. When the spasms ceased, she was trembling uncontrollably and breathing erratically.

Before these sensations and her hot glow could vanish, she pushed him to the ground by his shoulders and, without warning or hesitation, her mouth rapaciously covered his tasty shaft and she seemingly feasted wildly and enthusiastically upon it. He was surprised and elated by her bravery and ardor. As her fingers skillfully caressed and stroked every inch of his manly loins, her lips and tongue fervidly lavished his manhood with kisses and swirls, and her mouth gently encased it fully time and time again. Her head moved up and down as she delighted in the bliss which she knew she was giving him in return, as he was now the one who was squirming and quivering and moaning in the throes of bittersweet ecstasy, for that was exactly what it was: a blend of torment and rapture which ravished the very soul with its demands and pleasures.

Ensnared by feverish intoxication, Sun Cloud
battled to keep his control over his demanding flesh. She was driving him wild, dangerously near the point of no return. He had to stop this maddening bliss or it would be too late. He called upon all of his strength and will and grasped her shoulders to force her to her back. His flaming manhood entered her receptive womanhood, which was fiery and pleading and did nothing to help him retain his mastery over the perilously quivering shaft. He felt it pulse and twitch threateningly, and he concentrated fiercely to prevent it from spilling forth its release too quickly. He murmured precautions into her ear, but she seemed too entrapped by hunger to hear them or to heed them.

Singing Wind pressed her body against his and shifted to take all of his manhood within her greedy body. She wiggled seductively beneath him and ravenously sought his mouth. Her hands roughly fondled his back and shoulders and tried to pull him more tightly to her.

Sun Cloud realized how aroused she was and was amazed by her intense craving for him. As he felt her body working with his to obtain a mutual victory, he cut his tight leash and raced for passion’s peak. He felt her match his pace and quickly increase it. They rode freely and happily as they covered the short distance to their destination. As they seized their victory together, they kissed and hugged joyously.

Later, they snuggled together on his sleeping roll as their fingers lightly and lovingly grazed the flesh of the other. A refreshing breeze played over their sated bodies which were cooled and relaxed now. Shafts of moonlight filtered through the trees to dance mischievously on their naked skin and to display it to the other. The fragrance of wildflowers and the heady odor of pine and spruce mingled and teased at their noses. Tree frogs and crickets sang merrily at the pond. Owls
and bobwhites persistently called to their mates. For a time, all else was pushed aside and they existed only in a world of peace and love.

As Singing Wind’s fingers trailed up his stomach to his chest, they abruptly halted as she recalled what he had endured so recently. She felt the snug band of rawhide which the shaman had wrapped around his torso to hold his severed flesh in place until it reunited and healed, then leaned her head back and looked into his handsome face. “I am very proud of you, my love, but this could have taken you from me. I am glad I did not know of it before you faced such a dangerous task, and too soon after the Sacred Bow race. The hanging ritual can take a man’s life. Can you speak of them to me?” she inquired.

Sun Cloud smiled and hugged her against him. “I can speak of all things to you, my love. But why do you wish to hear it all again; you sat near as Thunder Spirit told Strikes Fire and Jumping Rabbit how I challenged the Sacred Bow race and Sun Dance on the same sun? I had to do these things to prove myself to Grandfather, to my people, to my brother, and to Sun Cloud.” Yet, he patiently and proudly related his experiences— physical, mental, and emotional—to her.

Singing Wind listened carefully as he spoke of his meetings with Mind-who-Roams, Bright Arrow, and the Oglala Council. “Soon, my love, all will be as Grandfather revealed to you. When you leave the war council on the coming sun, return to my side for one more touching of hearts and bodies before this new battle begins,” she entreated.

“The war council will be held as
Wi
sinks into the body of Mother Earth on this coming sun. The talk will be long; then we will share food and sleep. If I meet you here and linger for a time, the others will reach camp long before me and will wonder where I am. It is dangerous to arouse suspicions and angers against us
at this critical time.” As he watched the sadness and disappointment cross her features and he imagined it could be their last meeting for a long time or on Mother Earth, he relented slightly, “I will try to sneak away before the others break camp. If I do not come before
Wi
sits overhead, return to your camp and safety. If Silver Hawk returns from council and notices you are gone and remembers I left early…”

There was no need to complete his intimidating statement. Sun Cloud inhaled deeply and frowned as he realized that his enemy could grasp this secret and ruin his life. They were too close to victory to take such risks. “I will come only if it is truly safe and wise. There is another matter which worries me: Little Flower,” he hinted, then explained his meaning and requested her help in investigating the problem.

Singing Wind was embarrassed by her brother’s apparent new evil. Yet, she asked herself, had she not already suspected this wickedness? She had known the flirtatious and lively Little Flower for many years, and this was not the same female who had arrived with Silver Hawk. It was not newly joined nerves or modesty which had changed her. Even Shining Feather had appeared distant and afraid for many moons; Singing Wind scolded herself for ignoring such warning signs and for thinking only of herself lately. Something had to be done about her mean and selfish brother, for his heart was growing blacker each sun. “I fear you are right, my love. I will see to it. I will come here when the sun sits there,” she told him, pointing to a height which made it ten o’clock in the morning. “I will wait for you until it sits over me, then I will return to camp if you have not come. Promise you will come to me as often as you can; your council’s vote was set for one full moon and only half of it has passed. It was not easy to wait for you, and after having you completely, it is impossible.”

He covered her face with kisses and embraced her. “It is the same with me, my love. The more I have you and come to know you, the more I crave of each. This powerful bond and secrecy between us make it harder, not easier, to wait. I grow careless and rash. I should not have asked you to meet me here this moon. What if others find you gone? My heart clouds my head when I am near you.”

She caressed his cheek. “I closed the flap on my tepee, so it is forbidden for another to enter or to call out to me. I will return while others are busy with chores; no one will see me or know I was gone. It will be the same on the coming sun. I will be careful and cunning. Where is Thunder Spirit?” she asked, suddenly remembering him.

Sun Cloud laughed mirthfully as he related his friend’s suggestion and help, astonishing and pleasing her. “It is good to have such a special friend, and more so to have such a rare woman.”

She smiled and concurred. “Yes, it is very good to find and to capture such a unique man. You alone can fill my heart and life.”

They made love once more before they slept in each other’s arms, to awaken at dawn to part reluctantly. Glancing backward as her horse weaved through the trees, Singing Wind seized every sight of him as she headed for her camp.

Sun Cloud watched her departure until she vanished from view, then joined Thunder Spirit to head home. It would be only a few hours before it was time to ride to the war council; then their crafty plans would be put in motion. He could not help but wonder where Silver Hawk had gone and what was taking place within that warrior’s head.

Silver Hawk knew he could not linger near the fort much longer or it would look suspicious. He was vexed with Smith for not leaving him a message since the soldier obviously could not meet him this morning. He scoffed, what did it matter? He did not need the white man’s help; he was only playing with the bluecoat for amusement.

As Silver Hawk and his band rode toward their camp, they encountered Chief Flaming Bow of the Cheyenne Red Shields Band. They halted to speak. The Blackfeet chief remarked, “We were seeking fort scouts or work parties. No bluecoat showed his face beyond their camp around the wooden tepee. I wished to slay the one who wears a red cloth around his neck; he is the one who killed my second father Gray Eagle and I seek vengeance upon him,” he lied convincingly.