Savage Destiny (The Hearts of Liberty Series, Book 1) by Phoebe Conn Read Free Book Online Page B

anger dissolved in the heat of desire.
    Melissa reached up on her tiptoes to kiss away his frown. "I'm sorry. It took forever for Alanna to fall asleep and usually she's asleep before I've finished brushing out my hair."
    "Would she tell your parents if she discovered you'd left the house to meet me?"
    "No, I don't believe so, but I'd never hear the end of it from her."
    "What does that mean?"
    "She'd not approve and she would try to talk me out of seeing you."
    Melissa had let her hair fall free, and Hunter slid his fingers through the fair curls at her temples to keep her face pressed to his as he kissed her. He then wrapped her in an affectionate embrace. "Are you afraid she'll convince you that seeing me is wrong?"
    Melissa responded with a throaty giggle. "I already know it's wrong," she teased, "but I'm here anyway."
    She felt so good in his arms that Hunter rested his chin atop her head and continued to hold her close. "Why is it wrong?" he asked.
    The warm softness of his buckskins invited her caress, and Melissa rubbed against him with the unabashed joy of a contented cat. "Why?" she murmured seductively. "It's wrong because the envious people who want to keep lovers apart constantly say it's wrong. That's the only reason I can see."
    That she would refer to him as her lover was all the encouragement Hunter required. He relaxed his hold on her to allow her the freedom to step back slightly, and then kissed her again with the same demanding affection she had welcomed so eagerly that afternoon. He slid his hands to the small of her back and pressed her hips against his. He wanted her, and that blatant gesture made his need shockingly plain.
    Although captivated by him, Melissa knew better than to give in to Hunter, and when he ended a lengthy exchange of deep kisses to provide an opportunity for them both to take a much needed deep breath, she slipped out of his arms. "I can't stay," she whispered dramatically, as though having to leave him tore her heart in two. "Meet me here again tomorrow night."
    Shocked that she would even consider leaving him now, Hunter delayed an instant too long before reaching out to catch her arm, and she easily eluded him to escape into the night. Left too disappointed to do more than moan, Hunter vowed not to waste a second of their time talking the next evening. It would be his last opportunity to be with Melissa for several months, and he intended to leave her with such exciting memories, no other man would ever win her heart.
    * * *
    As was her custom, Alanna left the house early the next morning, but Melissa slept late and when she finally awakened, her late-night tryst with Hunter lingered in her memory with the vague sweetness of a dream. She was certain she had met him, but to her mind, the encounter had been far more innocent than the one beside the road, which was precisely how she had intended it to be. She had sought only a few passionate kisses, and surely, despite Hunter's ardor, he could not have expected her to give more.
    She was a lady after all, and he was an Indian brave, albeit an immensely appealing one. Where her mind had been the previous day on their ride home from Williamsburg she could not explain, but she was in full possession of her faculties now. A brief exchange of fevered kisses certainly made for a memorable interlude, but falling in love with an Indian would bring only tragedy, and she would certainly not disgrace herself with such an unsuitable match.
    Melissa had left her bed, but was still wearing her nightgown and stretching languidly when her mother came to her door. Completely unburdened by guilt, she greeted Rachel warmly. "It looks like another lovely day. Tell me what to do for tonight's party."
    "I'd appreciate your help in arranging the flowers," Rachel replied. "Then I'd like for you to convince Alanna to join us at supper tonight. We've had ample opportunity to observe the Indian scout, and he's no savage. Besides, Lieutenant Scott has promised