"Then I shall help Storm dig in the garden," she offered sweetly, knowing full well that she had interrupted a special moment between husband and wife.

Storm smiled ruefully. "Since you have offered, I welcome your help." She handed Laughing Brook the shovel.

Seething with frustration, Grady turned and stomped off. But the look he gave Storm before he departed was more potent than a gla.s.s of fine brandy.

After supper that night Laughing Brook managed to corner Grady alone when he went to the river to fetch water for Storm's bath. She had sneaked out of the cabin while Storm was busy putting things in place in the new bedroom. Tim had wandered into the bedroom after Storm, leaving Laughing Brook free to pursue Grady. She found him standing knee deep in the river, bathing. His bronze skin shimmered with iridescent drops of water, and his hair was dripping. His back was to her and despite the coolness of the March night he was splashing icy water over his entire body.

Laughing Brook stared greedily at the taut mounds of his bare b.u.t.tocks, reluctantly moving her eyes upward to the thickly bunched muscles of his arms and torso, flexing involuntarily from the shock of icy water against his heated flesh. She licked her lips, feeling her need for Grady in every crevice and curve of her body. Then, in one fluid motion, she removed her dress and kicked off her moccasins. She stepped into the water, shivering violently but warmed by the vision of Grady's hard body pressed intimately against her own lush curves.

She had nearly reached him when Grady heard her. He whirled, stunned by the sight of Laughing Brook, naked, her supple skin gilded a tawny gold by the moonlight. He stood motionless, staring at her as if mesmerized, until she was close enough for the heat of her body to reach out and scorch him.

"Isn't it a little cold for you to be bathing in the river?" he asked, striving to keep his voice level. It was difficult with the full ripeness of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s so close to his chest.

"It's not too cold for you."

"I'm a man."

"I know. Not just a man but a mighty warrior." She looked pointedly downward. "Your loins are full and heavy. I would ease you if you'd allow it. I know your wife hasn't been a true wife to you. I would comfort you in your need." She moved closer, until the diamond-hard tips of her b.r.e.a.s.t.s stabbed against his chest.

"You shouldn't be here. If I'd known you wanted to bathe, I would have given you privacy," Grady said in a strangled voice.

Laughing Brook's answer was to wind her arms around Grady's neck and rub her body against his. "You know what I want, Thunder."

Grady started violently when she pressed her mouth to his. He felt the flick of her hot tongue against his lips and tried to step backward, but Laughing Brook refused to be dislodged. They stood suspended in the knee-deep water for the s.p.a.ce of a heartbeat before the sand beneath his feet suddenly gave way and Grady lost his balance. He fell into the water, taking Laughing Brook with him. The shock of the cold water relaxed her grip on him as she came up sputtering. Grady seized the opportunity. He turned abruptly and waded back to sh.o.r.e, leaving Laughing Brook sitting in the cold water, sputtering in indignation.

Storm was tucking Tim into bed when Grady entered the cabin. Drops of water beaded his hair, and his shirt clung wetly to his back and shoulders. He carried a bucket of water in each hand, and she a.s.sumed he had bathed in the river when he went to fetch water. Bathing in the cold river was a habit she couldn't accustom herself to, though Grady did it nearly every day except for the coldest days of winter. He set the buckets on the stove to heat before speaking.

"The water will be hot shortly. I know how you appreciate a hot bath. Take your time; I'll see to the animals."

"Thank you," Storm said, declining to look at him. She knew they would be alone tonight for the first time in months, and she wasn't certain what she would do or how she would act. But from all indications, Grady knew exactly what he wanted.

Laughing Brook entered the cabin a few minutes later, looking enormously pleased with herself. Storm frowned when she noted that the Indian girl looked sensuously bedraggled. Her hair was dripping wet and her buckskin dress damp. Had she been with Grady at the river? Had they bathed together? Had they ... Storm's lips turned down into a frown when she envisioned Grady and Laughing Brook making love in the water. The pain of it nearly doubled her over.

Laughing Brook's bubbling laughter floated to her from across the room. "Thunder was magnificent tonight. Have you ever made love in the water? No," she said, forestalling Storm's answer, "I doubt that you have. Thunder says you are a cold woman. Did you know he is thinking of making me his second wife?"

Her face flaming, Storm withheld comment. What could she say? With studied indifference she tested the water in one bucket, found it comfortably warm, and carried it into the bedroom she would be sharing with Grady. She had to admit that being able to close the door on Laughing Brook gave her enormous pleasure. Too bad she couldn't do the same with Grady and banish him from their bedroom.

Earlier, Grady had placed the large bra.s.s tub Storm had purchased in town in the center of the room. All Storm had to do was fill it with the buckets of warm water. Undressing quickly, she eased into the tub and let the heady warmth envelop her. Aware that Grady would return at any moment, she picked up the soap and began to wash. She gave a squeak of dismay when Grady entered the room a few minutes later and quietly shut the door behind him.

His breath caught in his throat when he saw her, and he leaned against the door, looking his fill. Storm felt the effect of his potent stare in the way her body warmed and tingled wherever his gaze touched.

"I've waited forever for this night." His voice had a certain gravel roughness that Storm recognized immediately. Her knees jerked upright to her chest and she hugged them tightly, exposing as little of herself as possible. Grady grinned in wry amus.e.m.e.nt. "If that's meant to discourage me, it's not working, lady."

"I-I'm not through bathing yet."

"I'd hoped you wouldn't be. Let me scrub your back."

She offered a feeble protest when he took the washcloth from her hand and moved behind her. When she felt the cloth touch her back and the gentle motion of his hand against her sensitive skin, a shudder raced down her spine. The musky, masculine scent of him filled her nostrils and she gave a breathless murmur of pleasure. When Grady bent to touch his lips to her bare shoulder, she nearly jumped out of her skin. Suddenly the washcloth hit the water and Grady leaped to his feet, a growl of impatience rumbling from his throat.

"Bath time is over, lady," he said harshly. His chest was heaving, as if each breath was raw agony, and his face was stark with raw need.

When Storm failed to move he scooped her out of the water and carried her dripping to the bed. "Grady!"

"Tonight I'm going to love you the way I've wanted to, the way I've dreamed of since the day I arrived home."

When she tried to jump from the bed, he pinned her down with his body. "You're not going anywhere, lady."

"Isn't one woman a night enough for you?" Storm hissed from between clenched teeth.

"What in the h.e.l.l are you talking about?"

"Weren't you at the river with Laughing Brook tonight?"

Grady went still. "How did you know that?"

Storm snorted derisively. "It wasn't difficult to guess what went on when you both came in dripping wet."

"I admit Laughing Brook found me at the river tonight, but nothing happened."

"Ha! You expect me to believe that? I know she's served as your mistress since you brought her here, and probably before that. You warned me you'd find another woman to take my place in your bed and you did. All you wanted me for was to raise your son. What I don't understand is why you didn't let Laughing Brook raise Tim. Things were fine before I came into the picture. Tim will always resent me and love Laughing Brook."

Grady's expression hardened as he raised himself on his elbows and stared down at Storm. "Is that what you think? That Laughing Brook is my mistress? I told you my reasons for bringing her home with me. Didn't you believe me?"

"How could I believe you when I saw and heard Laughing Brook in your bed?" Storm said with brutal honesty. "She told me herself that you-you made love to her tonight. Do you think I'm a fool? Laughing Brook is smitten with you and obviously you like what she gives you. Wouldn't it be better if I left the three of you alone?"

"Lakota warriors do not lie," Grady said gravely. "If I say Laughing Brook is not my mistress, it is the truth. If I tell you I have never bedded her, you must accept my word."

Storm stared at him. His expression was harsh in the flickering lamplight. Though his blue eyes blazed hotly, she saw nothing in their azure depths to indicate he was lying or attempting to deceive her.

"But I know for a fact Laughing Brook was in your pallet that night Tim had a bad dream and awoke crying for her."

"In my pallet, perhaps, but that was all. I sent her back to bed the moment I realized who it was. For one crazy moment, I thought you had crawled into bed with me," he said ruefully. "Lord, I wanted it to be you, but the moment I realized it was Laughing Brook I ordered her back to bed."

"And tonight, at the river? Laughing Brook told me ..."

"She lied. She told you what she had hoped would happen but didn't. I may be many things, Storm, but I am not a liar."

Storm's heart soared and fragile hope took root in that sacred place where love dwells. "You've not had a woman since-since the day you left our homestead? Why, that seems incredible!"

Grady looked affronted. "I have practiced restraint many times in the past. A Lakota warrior must learn to control his pa.s.sions before he goes into battle against the enemy. It was no great hardship for me."

"But your note said you left me because you couldn't control yourself around me. I don't understand. Why am I different from any other woman?"

"Oh, lady, if I knew the answer to that I'd know the secrets only Grandfather knows. My pride, my honor, they mean nothing to me when I am with you. I would gladly forsake them for one sweet kiss from your lips. I want you as I've never wanted another woman."

"What about Summer Sky?" Storm asked breathlessly.

"We were childhood friends and marriage to her was a confirmation of the love and respect we felt for one another. When we married we were still children who needed to grow both emotionally and physically. Unfortunately, Summer Sky didn't live to realize her full potential. You are her complete opposite in nature."

"Tell me about Summer Sky. How did she die?"

"No, not now. I need you too much. The time for talking will come later. Much later. For the first time in months I have my wife in bed with me, lying naked in my arms."

He was still resting atop her and he suddenly realized that the dampness from her wet skin was seeping through his clothing. "You're wet, sweet, let me dry you."

Before Storm realized exactly how he intended to dry her, he lowered his head and began licking the beads of moisture from her b.r.e.a.s.t.s. The pad of his thumb caressed her nipple, and Storm felt her breast swell and harden in response to his touch. Threads of fire spiraled outward, bringing a gasp from her lips. Then he took each nipple in turn in his mouth and gently laved the hardening buds with his tongue. After what seemed like an eon to Storm, his lips shifted lower, lapping the moisture from her belly and sipping from her navel. Her body trembled as his mouth drifted across her skin, his tongue flicking and soothing by turn, until his lips shifted lower and the tiny bud of her pleasure was captured by the hot sucking of his mouth.

"Grady!" Storm expelled his name on a breathless murmur of pleasure.

Abruptly Grady raised his head, his lopsided grin sending her heart spinning. "You're right, sweetheart, it's too soon." Then he rose to his feet and began removing his clothes. Storm stared in mute admiration when he stood in all his naked glory before her. She doubted there was a man dead or alive to compare with him. Wide of shoulder, broad of chest, narrow of waist, legs like twin oaks, skin the color of tawny bronze. Taut-fleshed, thickly muscled, supple, every splendid inch of him exuding raw power and masculinity. Just looking at him gave her gooseb.u.mps.

This time Storm needed no urging to reach out and touch him, for her hands moved with a will of her own. He groaned in sweet agony when the fingers of both hands closed around his powerful erection, stroking in the way he had taught her.

"Oh, lady, you do know how to drive a man crazy."

"Just the way you do me," Storm whispered in a voice made raspy with need.

"Are you ready for another lesson?"

"You mean there is more to learn than you've already taught me?" Storm asked with wonder. The thought boggled her mind.

"You have no idea." Then he grasped her wrists and pulled her from the bed, leaving a damp spot where she had lain.

Storm waited with baited breath to see what Grady would do next. She was somewhat startled when he sat down on the bed and lifted her over his lap until she straddled him and her knees rested on either side of him. "Are you comfortable, sweet?" Unable to speak, Storm merely nodded. "Kiss me."

She did, covering his mouth just as his lips opened and he thrust his tongue into her mouth. His tongue tasted her deeply, joined hers, battled hers, demanding that she yield to him all that he required. Just when Storm despaired of ever breathing again, Grady allowed her a brief respite. But her breathlessness returned when he took her swollen nipples into his mouth, laving them with the rough, wet edge of his tongue. First one, then the other. A startled cry left Storm's throat when she felt Grady's hands slip between her spread thighs. He heard her soft intake of breath as he began stroking her. When his finger slid inside her she nearly jumped off his lap. Then all thought skidded to a halt as her mind expelled everything but what Grady was doing to her and how he made her feel.

She wanted to touch him everywhere, kiss him everywhere as his sweet torment drove her high and higher. Her kisses fell wherever they could touch, his face, his neck, his shoulders, while her hands slid over the firm flesh of his back and b.u.t.tocks, glorying in his virile, masculine strength and magnificent control.

"Oh, lady, hurry, I can't wait much longer. I want to be inside you so bad I ache." His teeth were tightly clenched, his eyes closed, his face stark with anguish.

His words came to her as if from a great distance. But she understood enough of them to know that Grady needed her as much as she needed him, that he was deliberately withholding himself in order to bring her pleasure. Lifting herself slightly, she shoved aside his hands and slowly impaled herself on his rock-hard erection. He groaned so loudly Storm was certain Laughing Brook could hear him in the next room.

Gritting his teeth, Grady let her set the pace, watching her pa.s.sion-glazed face as she grasped his shoulders for leverage and moved slowly up and down his hardened length. Trying to concentrate on anything but the profound need to explode inside Storm's receptive body, Grady took a nipple into his mouth and began suckling. Then, suddenly, he could wait no longer. The time for delay was long past; his body demanded satisfaction. Grasping Storm's hips, he worked her up and down furiously, his breath harsh as it exploded from his lungs.

"Oh, Grady!"

"Now, Storm, now!"

He could feel it coming from his toes and working upward, traveling through his entire body in wave after wave of incredible sensation. The moment Storm felt the hot stream of fluid spurt against the walls of her womb her own tremors began, so violent she screamed out once, twice, then collapsed in a boneless heap on Grady's lap. After several minutes Grady eased her down on the bed, lying beside her and pulling the coverlet over them. It was a full five minutes before either of them could speak.

"Allow me a few minutes and I'll teach you another way in which to love," Grady whispered into her ear. He chuckled when her honey brown eyes grew round and her mouth flew open.

"How can you? Again, I mean. Buddy never ..." Her face flushed and she looked away, suddenly recalling one of the reasons she had resisted making love with Grady. Buddy had never made her feel the way Grady did.

"Storm, look at me." His commanding tone brought her head swiveling around. "I'm not Buddy. Buddy is dead, just as Summer Sky is dead. But we're alive and life goes on."

"I loved Buddy."

"And I loved Summer Sky. But she was the love of my youth. I realize that now and I will treasure that love always, just as I will treasure the son she gave me."

"And I will treasure Buddy's love," Storm said slowly. It suddenly dawned on her that she and Grady were much alike. That they had both loved and lost mates dear to them. And Grady had been right about their mates being the loves of their youths. She had never felt the wild, abiding pa.s.sion for Buddy that she did for Grady or experienced pleasure such as Grady gave her. But a voice inside her whispered that she'd be foolish to believe Grady's words meant he loved her.

"I-I don't want to take Summer Sky's place," Storm said hesitantly.

"No one can ever take Summer Sky's place," Grady said fiercely. "She was the mother of my son." His words were like a knife thrust to her heart and as close to a denial of love as any Storm had ever heard.

"I hope this pa.s.sion we share will be enough to build a marriage," she said wistfully.

Grady looked at her sharply. In her own way, was Storm trying to tell him she could never love him? he wondered bleakly. It didn't matter, he tried to tell himself. She would make a wonderful mother for his son, and obviously she cared for him a little or she wouldn't respond with such pa.s.sion to his loving. Better to accept what Storm freely offered, he reasoned, than to long for what could never be.

"If pa.s.sion is all we will ever have, then I will settle for that," Grady finally said, "as long as you are content."

Content? Storm thought bitterly. Hardly that. Why couldn't Grady love her as deeply as he had loved Summer Sky? It would be so easy to love Grady if only he wanted her love, she reflected sadly. Though he gave every appearance of accepting the white man's life, she knew that deep in his heart he still harbored bitterness and resentment for the white race. Until he learned that violence begat violence and that a heart filled with hate soon withered and died, there was little hope of their finding love.

"For the time being I am content," Storm said. "But the first time you go courting violence or allow another woman to come between us, I will leave you and Tim."

"I am done with violence. Avenging Summer Sky's death has turned me from my family and friends. I pray someday they will forgive me for the abrupt way in which I left six years ago."

"Have you ever thought of returning for a visit?"

Grady remained silent so long Storm thought he hadn't heard the question. She started to repeat it, but his soft words forestalled her. "Many times, but I am afraid."

"Afraid," Storm scoffed. "I didn't think you were afraid of anything."

"Sometimes the bitterness in my heart frightens me." His strangled words sounded as if they were torn from his soul, but Storm heard them and was stunned by the anguish he was suffering. It was also the first time he had truly opened up to her about his past.

"Perhaps if you told me about Summer Sky's death it might help," Storm suggested hopefully.

Silence.

"Grady? I truly want to help you."

Silence.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry."

"No, I will tell you. It happened six years ago ..."

Chapter Thirteen.