Dakota Dreams (Historical Romance) (16 page)

His heart sank. "Then we would both be free to do as we chose."

"What if I agree to stay with you?"

He took her hand. "Then I will strive to woo you with patience and understanding. You have my word that I will not force my attentions on you. If, and when, you decide to consummate our marriage, it will be when you come to me."

A blush tinged her cheeks and her heart throbbed. "For now, I choose to remain with you," she said through trembling lips.

His laughter was infectious as he hugged her to him, and Breanna felt happiness surge through her body. "Today we begin to know one another. You can ask any question of me, and I will endeavor to answer it as honestly as I can, Breanna. But the same must be true of you. Will you answer all my questions honestly also so we might get to know one another?"

"I will," she said with determination.

"Good." Taking her hand, he led her toward the water's edge. "Can you imagine how wide this ocean is, Breanna?" He glanced down at her, awaiting her answer.

"I know it would take many days to cross to America."

"That is true, and that is how wide the gap is between you and me. We were both forced to wed against our will. Do you think we can close that gap?"

"I don't know, Dakota, but we can try." She glanced up into his handsome face, wishing she could bridge that gap. A moment ago when he had held her in his arms, she had felt safe and secure, as if nothing could harm her. She felt that if he let her go, she would flounder like the restless waves that now washed upon the shore.

"Let me take you back to the lodge, Breanna. I have to call on another tenant who claims his house will fall down around his head if he doesn't get a new roof. It seems that since I arrived, the tenants expect me to take control just because I am a Remington."

"You will not be here to dine with me?" she asked, disappointed.

"No, not tonight. But we shall spend tomorrow together."

As they moved up the path, he assisted her. Later, as she watched him ride away, she realized she had never wanted anything as much as she wanted to be a wife to this complex man who was her husband.

15

The clouds moved away from the moon and a beam of light fell across Breanna's face, waking her from a troubled sleep. Hearing the waves crashing upon the cliffs, she climbed out of bed and moved out of her bedroom.

The night was warm, and she could feel the ocean calling to her. Glancing down at her filmy white nightgown, she decided no one would be about, so she opened the front door and made her way down the path to the ocean.

She was delighted that the hunting lodge was located in a secluded bay and surrounded by rock-face cliffs that offered complete privacy.

She hadn't heard Dakota returning to the lodge, so she concluded that she was alone. Wading out into the foamy water, she felt it swirl about her bare feet. This was something she had wanted to do since she had first arrived at Weatherford Hall.

Kenton Estate, where Breanna had grown up, was located far from the coast; therefore she had never seen the ocean before coming to Cornwall.

She found the restless waves invigorating, and joyfully she moved backward as if being chased ashore by the waves. She became so caught up in her childish play that she did not see Dakota on the cliff above her. Her foot became entangled in her gown and she tumbled into the water. Laughing at her own misfortune, Breanna scrambled to her feet.

Dakota stared at his wife as she weaved in and out with the waves. Her filmy nightgown clung to her soft curves, and the bright moonlight made it seem as if she wore nothing at all. He moved silently down the slope to stand just behind her.

Breanna whirled around, attempting to miss an advancing wave. She was startled when she slammed into someone, and stared up at her husband. The smile froze on her face, and she ducked her head to hide her embarrassment for being caught behaving in such a childish manner.

"Is the game for just one, or may I join in?" he asked, raising her chin and smiling down at her.

"I fear I got carried away, my lord. I do not usually give in to such childish antics. Am I disgraced?"

"On the contrary," he said, slipping off his boots and flinging his shirt down on the sand. "I beg to be allowed to join your game"

She smiled at him with uncertainty, while her eyes avoided his bare chest. "I should go back to the lodge," she said, only half-convincingly.

He caught her arm. "I wish you wouldn't."

Breanna looked at him through silken lashes. "You will surely think you married a child"

His laughter was warm. "Believe me, Breanna, you do not look like any child I have ever seen." His eyes ran over her soft curves, and she felt a tingling all the way down her body. She became aware that her wet gown clung to her, and she crossed her arms over her breasts.

Dakota saw the blush on her face and quickly spoke, hoping to take her mind off her embarrassment. "How would you like to go for a swim?"

"I do not know how to swim," she confessed ruefully.

"Then you must learn. An Indian maiden learns to swim almost as soon as she learns to walk."

"I . . . have always wanted to learn, but it is immodest for an English girl to—"

"Nonsense." He took her hand, slowly leading her to waist-deep water. "Everyone, even properly brought up English girls, should know how to swim."

She was frightened of deep water, and yet she wanted very much to please Dakota. Even more, she wanted to be with him, to come to know him . . . to become his wife . . .

When a wave splashed against her body and salt water stung her eyes, Breanna gasped to catch her breath, clinging to Dakota's neck as if it were a lifeline.

"Easy," he said soothingly. "I am going to turn you on your back so you can float. You trust me, don't you?"

"Yes, but-"

He eased her onto her back, noting the fear in her eyes. "Relax, Breanna. I can assure you I am a very good swimmer and I would never allow anything to happen to you. Do you believe this?"

". . . Yes." She willed her body to relax and finally succeeded because she could feel his firm grip about her waist.

Dakota needed to concentrate on what he was doing, so he tore his eyes away from her soft curves that were visible through the transparent nightgown. His deep voice lulled her into a state of tranquility. "Close your eyes, Breanna, and think of something very pleasant. You are floating, floating on a peaceful sea of dreams."

Cradled by the warm water, and soothed by the sound of his voice, she was unaware of when he released her, and she remained afloat on her own.

"I knew you could do it, Breanna. Now open your eyes slowly." When she did as he instructed, she saw she was indeed riding the waves without his aid.

"Don't panic," he urged. "I am going to turn you over on your stomach, and I want you to relax as you are doing now. I warn you that you will be submerged, but remain calm and you will not sink."

With ease, he rolled her over. For a moment, Breanna felt panic, but his hands were firm on her waist, and she began to relax again, her desire to please Dakota giving her the courage to follow his instructions.

"You are doing well, Breanna." He lifted her out of the water. "Now I want you to continue to float, but this time kick your feet and use your arms." He demonstrated by moving her legs and showing her what to do with her arms. "Now you are ready. I will stand right here and you can swim toward the shore."

She nodded eagerly, and before he could give her further instructions, she went underwater. When Breanna kicked her feet, she lunged forward feeling a surge of accomplishment. She giggled to herself, knowing how a fish must feel. When the water became too shallow for her to swim, she stood up and glanced back at Dakota.

"You did it," he called out. "You learn quickly. Now swim back to me."

Warmed by his praise, she dove under water and paddled toward him. Now she was able to raise her face out of the water. When she reached Dakota, she was so overcome with joy that she jumped up and threw herself into his arms. I did it! I can swim!" she cried.

His laughter was warm against her cheek as he drew her tighter against him. "Yes, you did it. If you aren't careful, someone will mistake you for a mermaid."

She tossed back her wet hair and smiled up at him. Suddenly their eyes locked, and she no longer thought about her accomplishments. She became aware of the hard muscles that were pressed against her and the way his eyes drew all the strength from her body, making her feel like a limp rag. Surely if he had not been supporting her, she would have sunk to the bottom of the ocean.

Primitive feelings of ownership shook Dakota. He held the world in his arms and the law said she belonged to him. Dare he take her? He could easily break down her defenses—she was ripe and so ready for a man to love, her eyes told him that. Shaken by a feeling of protectiveness, he crushed her against his body, molding her curves so they fit against his hard frame. Breathless with wanting and needing her, he ran his hand down her back, pressing her tighter against him.

Breanna felt Dakota's warm breath against her cheek and she arched her neck back, as new and unexplored feelings moved through her body like waves advancing on the shore. The moon and stars merged with the silvery water of the sea and she wasn't sure which way was up, and which was down. Shaken to the very core of her being, she felt his lips move down her arched neck to plant feathery kisses in the hollow of her shoulders.

A whimper escaped her lips when he moved her wet nightgown aside and pressed soft kisses on the tips of her exposed breasts. Her hand slid through his ebony hair and she arched to get closer to the heat of his body. Yes, his body was promising her fulfillment and oneness. She ached to be possessed by him completely.

Breanna had not been aware that Dakota was carrying them both toward the shore until he walked out of the water with her in his arms. Blinded by starlight, she felt him lay her on his shirt that he had earlier thrown on the sand. As he hovered above her, water from his wet hair dripped onto her face and she tasted the saltiness on her tongue. His eyes were asking her a question and her body was begging to respond.

Dakota's hand trembled as he pushed her gown off her shoulders. "Breanna, I gave my word I would not take you against your will. Are you willing now?" he asked in a tight whisper.

"I . . . I . . . surely not here!" Her throat was dry, and she was having difficulty breathing.

With a smile of understanding, he traced a pattern down her neck, across her shoulder to circle a throbbing breast. "There is no one about save the two of us, Breanna. All the servants left hours ago." Shivers of delight danced across her skin when he moved his finger around her nipple.

"Breanna," he murmured, stirred by her sweetness. "Breanna . . ."

Caught up in earth-shattering emotions, she moved forward and clasped her hands behind his neck. With the offer of her parted lips, she felt his mouth touch hers, while her body exploded with urgent needs.

Dakota lips were soft and firm, and his hands moved along her leg and thigh, pushing her wet gown upward. When he pulled away from her to lift her gown over her head, she watched his eyes darken with desire as he stared at her nakedness.

His green eyes reflected the moon as they moved over her body, taking in the long legs, the rounded hips, the tiny waist. Breanna felt no shame as she saw appreciation in his glance.

He watched her firm young breasts sway with her every movement. This time when he lowered his head, his lips parted and he took the rosy tip in his mouth.

"No, Dakota, no," she whispered, beginning to be frightened, not of him, but of the wild abandoned feelings she was experiencing.

Dakota immediately released her and sat up. Taking a deep steadying breath, he wrapped his shirt around her and helped her stand. "I am sorry, Breanna. It would appear I got carried away by my little mermaid."

She stared into his eyes, wishing she could explain how she felt, but unable to reason out her feelings even to herself. "I should go in now," she said in a trembling voice, not really wanting to leave him but needing to be alone to think about what had happened to her tonight.

Dakota tried to beat back his passion and stepped back from her. He stooped to pick up her wet gown and held it out to her.

She had thought he might be angry with her, but he looked at her with a half-smile. "I gather from your reaction to me that you have never before been with a man, Breanna."

"Of course I haven't. You should know that."

"I thought not, but as I told you before, I am unfamiliar with your English customs." He was gladdened by her words because he would be the first with her. Oh, he would have her, he knew that now. Nothing could stop this aching hunger in his body but her.

He realized it would be easy to overcome Her resistance tonight, but the time was wrong. He would not take her in the sand. He would wait until she was driven out of her mind by desire as he was. Their coming together would be like an explosion, and neither of them would have any doubts or hesitations.

Holding her dripping gown in her hands, and trying to look dignified with nothing but his shirt draped about her, Breanna had an answer for him. "Surely you did not think that your grandfather had chosen a woman of soiled reputation to be your wife?"

He turned her toward the house, and as they walked along, he tried to clear his mind. "I had hoped not, but I couldn't be sure until tonight."

She stopped, glancing at him questioningly. "Would it have mattered to you if I had been . . . ?"

"Soiled?" he supplied. "Yes, and no. I would not have abandoned you had you been with another man, but I must confess that I will be honored to be the first to be with you."

Her legs went weak at his sensuous words, and she clung to his arm. She watched the moon trace patterns across his face, and Breanna knew she had to ask the question that was on her mind. "Have you ever loved a woman, Dakota?"

He thought before he answered. "I told you that I would answer all your questions, so you must not be offended by the answers, since the questions are yours.

If you are asking if I have been with a woman, the answer is, of course. But if you are asking if my heart has been engaged, I have to answer that I am not sure what love between a man and a woman feels like. I will tell you that I have not been with a woman since I became your husband."

Breanna didn't want to think about him holding another woman the way he had held her tonight. To keep her hands from trembling, she pulled the shirt across her breasts. Warm color stained her cheeks when she discovered he was watching her with amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Do not distress yourself, Breanna. You have done nothing wrong."

She had the strangest urge to bury her face against his wide chest and have him hold her until her tilted world righted itself. "I know I am your wife, and I am aware of what is expected of me, but I . . . I . . ."

"Do not torment yourself, Breanna. Remember, we struck a bargain, and you have my word that I shall honor that bargain."

As he helped her up the path, she stopped on the edge of the cliff and asked him the question that had bothered her since she discovered he was her husband. "I have not stopped wondering why you did not tell me you were my husband that first afternoon we met?"