Chapter Eighteen Six Months Later
Chapter Eighteen
Six Months Later
“So, how is your friend, Elaina?” Chito asked with a small smile.
A smile crept up Running Wolf’s face and he quickly cleared his throat to hide it, “What are you talking about?”
“I am only asking about your friend, my dear friend. Your friend you visit every single day. Your friend who has been living in our village for over six months. Your friend who you have abandoned your vision quest for.”
Running Wolf rolled his eyes, “Here we go again.”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong, my friend. I really am not teasing you. After what I saw yesterday, it all made sense. What I cannot believe is why it took me so long to figure it out. I guess it’s because a moron like you has still not figured it out.”
“What is it again?” Running Wolf groaned. “What did you see?”
“You kissing your guest. You both were so engrossed in the activity, of course I could not disturb you,” Chito announced with a mischievous grin.
“That’s… uh...” Running Wolf fell short of words.
“You are in love with her, brother,” Chito chuckled.
“That’s not… not...” Running Wolf started saying but his eyes widened.
Chito grinned, “You’ve never been in love so it’s understandable that you won’t know it when it hit you.”
“I’ve wanted to share my feelings with you for so long, my friend.”
“But you had no idea how I would react,” Chito smiled and Running Wolf nodded, “Well, the Chief and I agree that she is good for you. And it’s been a while. Surely, if she was a threat, something would have happened by now.”
“The Chief? Oh, don’t tell me you told him what you saw?” Running Wolf groaned and covered his face.
“Well, next time don’t be so obvious. What did you expect me to do?
You had been spending so much time there, saying you were repairing your shack, how big is that shack?
Because you have been repairing it for months.
The Chief and I know there must be a solid reason behind you choosing to repair that place. You abandoned it after Fala’s death.”
Running Wolf nodded slowly. Chito smiled and patted his friend’s back, “On both our behalves, I came over to check if you needed help, and found that you had it all under control.”
Running Wolf chuckled. He looked up at the sky and smiled, “I think I love her, brother.
I am utterly crazy about her. I cannot go a moment without seeing her, talking to her, hearing her laugh.
I feel like I've known her forever. And her little girl, Jessica has me wrapped around her little fingers. I would like us to be a family, Chito. I cannot believe finally said that aloud.”
Chito was all smiles as he watched his friend. The last time he saw his friend talk with so much eagerness was when he found out Fala was with child. “But something bothers you.”
“She has been hurt, my friend. She carries scars from her past and has not been able to open up to me completely. And I really do not blame her. I have my own scars which I have still not bared to her.”
“You need to get it all out in the open if you are going to be together, Running Wolf. You have no idea if she has a man waiting for her. Hmm… have you laid with her yet?”
Running Wolf glared at his friend. Nonetheless, he shook his head and Chito grinned, “Ah, so you both have been too busy just exchanging kisses for months then. You really are slow.”
Running Wolf ignored his friend as he said, “You are right, we do need to open our scars. We agreed to go slow and understand our feelings. And now, I understand where I am and what I want. I want to be with her. I love her. I can only hope that she feels the same way about me.”
Chito patted his friend's back, “I am pretty sure she does, my brother. Now, I’m thinking, why don’t you do something special for her?”
Running Wolf quirked a brow, “Special?”
“Just you both, something private so you can talk through your feelings and everything.”
“Jessica...” Running Wolf started.
“Worry not about that. Catori and I will take care of the little one,” Chito grinned. “Just take care of creating the perfect place for her.”
“But… you can’t take her into the village. She...”
“Then, we will spend some days here in your shack, brother. It is the least we can do for you. You finally have another shot at happiness. We are going to do everything in our power to ensure there are no problems. Little Jessica has started eating solid food, am I correct?”
Running Wolf laughed as he said, “Yes.”
“Perfect. You can stay in your perfect place for a week, and we will be fine, I promise.”
Running Wolf smiled, “All right, but if Elaina does not agree to this...”
“Oh she will, I am sure. She loves Jessica but I bet she will appreciate the break.”
Remembering the previous day when Jessica had made an entire mess of the shack and sent Elaina into a frenzy made Running Wolf smile fondly. Chito was very right. Elaina would be grateful to get some rest.
*
Elaina leaned against Running Wolf as she listened to him talk about the family he lost. There was a moment of silence and she squeezed his hand. She whispered, “You are not alone, Running Wolf, not anymore, you have me now. I will be by your side for as long as I can.”
She leaned forward and kissed him softly, pressing up against him. When they pulled apart, he stroked her face and she smiled, “You do not have a curse and you are not responsible for the loss of your loved ones. Please let it go.”
Running Wolf sighed and placed his forehead against hers, “Ever since I met you, Elaina, I could feel the wounds closing up and I began to doubt my thoughts. You helped me see better.”
She smiled and turned back to the rain drops. They were seated at the opening of the large tepee which Elaina and Jessica had finally been able to move into just the previous day. From where they sat, they had a perfect view of the pouring rain but they were protected enough from it.
“Do you and Jessica have a home to return to?” Running Wolf blurted out. Elaina turned to him and her heart broke when she saw the fear in his eyes.
She tilted her head and said softly, “How long have you been scared to ask that question?”
“For a really long time,” he said quietly.
She entwined her fingers with his and said, “My wounds run deep and someday soon, I will tell it all to you. Though I am not ready yet, I want you to know that my home is with you, mine and Jessica’s. You are our home.”
“I want nothing else but that.” he whispered as he pulled her into a hug.
Elaina held him tightly. This beautiful and amazing man had captured her heart at a time that she thought she would not be able to love ever again.
Live well, for me, for yourself and for our baby!
Love again! She smiled as she remembered James’ words.
Back then, she had thought it was impossible.
But here she was completely smitten by this man.
She felt such profound feelings of love, and a deep connection to him, even stronger than she had felt for James.
She would tell him how much she loved him soon, when she told him of the hellhole he had saved her from, the pain he had helped her heal from.
For now, she just wanted to feel him, and be as close to him as she possibly could. She wanted to be his.
“I want to be yours….” Elaina whispered softly, looking deeply into his eyes. His eyes held a deep passion that she knew was mirrored in hers.
Running Wolf lowered his head and Elaina moaned as he kissed her bare neck.
He stood up and pulled her along with him.
They moved further into the tepee as he showered kisses over her neck and shoulders.
His hands skimmed over the blouse of her dress, over her hips and then, he cupped her round butt cheeks.
Elaina shuddered and moaned softly as he caressed her.
She was unable to control the deep desire she had for him.
She wanted him more than she had ever wanted any man in her life.
Running Wolf’s hands moved down to the hem of her dress.
The deerskin dress hunched up around her waist and Elaina sucked in a sharp breath when his hands made contact with her bare butt cheeks.
The insides of her thighs were already wet with desire.
She screamed his name and arched toward him as he stroked her wet spot.
He pulled her close to him and with one hand still stroking her, he used the other to skillfully pull the dress over her head.
Elaina stood before him, naked and moaning with pleasure as he stroked her.
“I want you now, Running Wolf!” she cried.
“Soon, my love, soon.” he groaned as he kissed his way over her face, still stroking her wet spot.
Elaina felt her legs go weak and she moaned louder as he licks her nipples.
He stepped away and she whimpered but it was only for a moment because he picked her up and carried her to the buffalo hide to lay her down gently.
He returned to showering kisses all over her body and she groaned with pleasure.
“I need you now, Running Wolf,” she cried in a strangled voice.
“As you wish, my love.”
Running Wolf pressed himself against her inner part of her legs and then, he entered her.
Elaina screamed with pleasure and begged him to go faster.
She pressed her hips firmly against him and went along with his rhythm as he pounded harder.
Their screams of each other’s names filled the small space.
She releases around him just at the same time he tensed up and they shuddered in pleasure.
They rolled apart but did not let go of each other.
Running Wolf kissed her forehead and said,
“I want to be with you forever.”
“Me too,” she whispered. She rolled on top him and sat astride.
“Hmm… We are going to have a lot of fun in the next few days,” he moaned.
“Yes, we will...” she replied just before her lips found the tip of his hard rod. His scream of pleasure was music to her ears.
*