Page 81 of Master of Paradise
Then came such a melting, flooding,overflowing sensation, Amanda thought she might drown. She clung toNicholas and felt the pounding of his heartbeat against her nakedbreasts. She felt as if they were fused into one being that wishednever to be separated.
Though he couldn't bear to withdraw from her,he relieved her of his weight and rolled until she was on top ofhim. He was exultant that she had responded to him so richly intheir first sexual encounter. Her eyes gazed down into his withwonder.
"Golden witch," he murmured, "I'm mad in lovewith you."You're more woman than I ever dreamed.His breathcame raggedly as his senses returned. "God help me for this night'swork."
Mandy traced a loving finger along the strongline of his jaw. "Whatever are we to do?" she whispered.
"My love, I shouldn't have let it happen, butI did, and you know I have no regrets." He lifted a curl thatbrushed his chest and brought it to his lips. "Amanda, what hashappened between us is totally private. No one will know, until youare ready to tell them."
"We broke our promises," she whispered. "Wemustn't let it happen again."
"Too late," he said hoarsely, "it's alreadyhappening again." He pulled her beneath him and silenced herprotests with his lips.
This time he made love to her slowly,tenderly, drawing out each moment and savoring it to the full.Every inch of her silken skin received his worshipful caress, andhis lips played on hers until she was floating in a warm, sensuallotus lagoon on the shores of Paradise.
Long after, as she slept dreamlessly,Nicholas slipped from the warm bed and left by way of thegallery.
At dawn's first rays she was awakened byCleo's presence in the room. As she came fully awake and realizedthat Nicholas was gone, she threw back the covers and retrieved hernightgown from its silken pool on the carpet.
Cleo said low, "Ah'll change yore bed linen,Miz Mandy, fore Mammy Lou come wid yore breakfast."
Amanda's eyes flew to the sheets with theirtell-tale smears on the pristine whiteness. "Thank you, Cleo."
Chapter Seventeen
All through the following day, Nicholas foundhimself lusting for Amanda. It was as if he'd been denied too longand now that he'd tasted her, he knew he'd never have enough.
Amanda floated about in a trance. Never hadshe felt so beautiful, so special, so beloved. The great storm hadbroken the heatwave and there was a definite nip in the air thatsent everyone scurrying to bring out their warmer clothes.
It was a busy time on the plantation. Themonth before Christmas was devoted to providing for the winter.Hogs that were not to be carried through the winter had to beslaughtered, and the hams smoked and cured.
Nicholas was up at first light to hunt deerso the venison could be cured in the smokehouse alongside the hams.The day seemed endless and he anticipated the evening meal allafternoon, when at last he would see Amanda.
The moment she entered the dining room theacknowledgment of what had happened between them began. He told herwith his eyes that he remembered last night's splendor and longedfor tonight's possibilities.
Amanda glowed with the heady knowledge thatshe lingered in his consciousness. It was the epilogue that madetheir cycle of lovemaking complete.
As Nicholas observed her delicate beauty, henoticed the smudges of fatigue beneath her eyes and his consciencesmote him. Selfishly, he had robbed her of her night's sleep.
After supper when she went upstairs, shefound his love note on her pillow:
My heart's desire:
Though it will be difficult for me, I willleave you to rest tonight.
Nicholas forced himself to stay in his ownchamber. He held himself in check with one word:Patience!No dreams came to assuage his sorely tempted desires, but twice heawoke in a cold sweat with the familiar ache gnawing at hisbelly.
The next day, clothed in a velvet gownagainst the wind's chill, Amanda went to the stables to take MissLouise a fall apple from the orchards. Her eyes widened as shenoticed her little mare seemed to be in foal. She ran her hand downthe satin belly and was thankful the filly was in superb condition.I'll ask Nicholas about it.
Outside she felt herself lifted bodily instrong arms as her husband took her up before him on Sunblood. Herode from the yard toward the cypress grove. "My God, I had to holdyou, if only for a moment."
Her arms swept up about his neck and shelifted her face for his kiss.
"I must be with you tonight," he said withthe intensity of a man in agony.
She whispered against his mouth, "I will cometo you. Your room will be safer. By the way, did you know MissLouise is carrying a foal?"
He nodded. "I'm pretty sure it was Sunbloodhere. I saw him serve her once, months before we were married. He'sas hot-blooded as I am."
