Chapter 27 #2
Hattie hesitated, not sure she wanted to explain to him what happened to Belmira, what they were doing to her. Instead, she said-
“She was going to kill herself. Kill as many of them as she could and, if she couldn’t escape, she was going to take her own life rather than let them keep her against her will.”
She turned back, interested in seeing his reaction. She expected anger, dismay, or maybe sorrow. What she wasn’t ready to see was shining pride.
“What a warrior,” he said with approval.
She broke into laughter, relaxing back against him. She should have known that a domini would approve of that kind of plan. Shaking her head, she changed the subject to something less sensitive.
In between conversations, Tuvo fed her various things from the platters in front of her. She took turns feeding him as well, putting pieces of the raw meat against his lip, prompting him to suck her entire finger as he took it.
And no one cared. They might send her looks, but they were all knowing and amused.
She was hardly the only one acting that way.
Inacio and Marica weren’t being as openly affectionate, but they were still leaning against each other, speaking quietly as they stared at their daughter who, in turn, was sheltered under the arm of her man.
Keith was posing and had finally seemed to catch the attention of a young girl who was smiling at him as he spoke.
The look on her face made Hattie think she didn’t understand a word of English, but she was happy to entertain him as he babbled while she admired his body.
Girls flirted with guys; guys showed off for the girls. Someone, somewhere, had started banging a drum, bringing a thumping, primal sort of energy in the air that prompted people to dance.
It was fun and exciting. Hattie gave herself over to the atmosphere completely, finding herself dancing with the other girls, deliberately moving in a way to excite the boys. And she knew it was working by the way Tuvo was staring at her every time she looked over at him – hungry and dangerous.
Belmira left the party first. Though she went with her man, neither of them appeared amorous. Instead, she just looked tired. Clinging to him like a drowning woman in a storm. She had been through much worse than Hattie. It wasn’t surprising that she needed a chance to rest.
Hattie and Tuvo stayed longer. Eating and chatting and dancing.
It was long past sunset when things began winding down.
Inacio and Marica showed the two of them to one of the empty houses.
It was usually used for storage, but during the day, the men of the village had cleared out most of the crates and set up a bed and a storage box for them.
Their supply bag had been placed beside the box, his jaguar pelt folded on top of it.
The bed had been made up with a blanket, two pillows, and surrounded completely by netting.
“Make sure to close the netting when you get in bed,” Inacio said. “And again, thank you. Sleep well, you two.”
“Thank you,” Hattie smiled, waving them off before shutting the curtain placed over the door. It, and similar ones over the wide windows along one wall, provided them with some privacy while a candle burning on top of the box illuminated the space.
The moment the others were gone, she turned eagerly to face Tuvo.
He was right there behind her. Looming. Blending into the shadows. Teal eyes flashing.
“Are you ready?” He asked, sending a shiver of delight over her skin.
Grinning, she took his hand and turned, tugging him towards the bed. He didn’t protest, didn’t resist, as he followed her.
She released him as she picked up the jaguar pelt. Her fingers trailed down the bright colors before she gently laid it across the bed. The nights could get cool, and it would help keep them warm. And it looked just right laying there. Like it was exactly where it belonged.
She stroked the pelt flat before turning and sitting on the edge.
The bed was low, only a few inches off the ground, making it easy to reach her sandals.
Before she could touch them, however, Tuvo kneeled in front of her.
His big hands took hold of her feet. He was slow and careful as he pulled apart the ties around her ankle, loosening them before sliding the sandal off.
She shivered as his fingers gently cupped her heel and placed it on his thigh before turning his attention to the other foot.
Her second sandal hit the ground and he put that foot on his opposite thigh. Doing so opened her legs as she leaned back on her elbows. Spreading herself for him.
He slid his hands up her thighs. Big, strong hands squeezed as he pushed her skirt up. She could feel the air, cold against her panties, damp from desire.
Tuvo caught his finger around the crotch and pulled. Obligingly, she lifted her hips, and let him tug them off and throw them away.
He hesitated then, frowning.
“What’s wrong?” She asked.
“You’re so little,” he muttered, fingers clenching on her thigh. “Can you even take me? Without pain?”
Hattie chuckled. “Tuvo, you’re big. You’re not as big as a baby, and that’s what it’s designed to push out. I can take you.”
“Just because you can doesn’t mean it won’t hurt. The last thing I want is to harm you, Hattie.”
She smiled, reaching for his hands. Once again, he didn’t resist as she pulled, leading him onto the bed and laying him out before her. She shut the netting behind him.
“Do you trust me?” She asked, straddling his thighs.
He hesitated, but eventually said, “I do.”