Read Online Silken Savage by Catherine Hart - Free Book Online

body over her, parting her thighs with his own, and she felt the heat of his passion throbbing against her. “Tell me you want me,” he whispered against her lips.
    She understood and answered in kind. “I want you, Panther. Please, I want you now.”
    There was a moment of pain as he entered her, making her his own, but he cut off her surprised gasp with a searing kiss that set her senses reeling. His mouth devoured hers and his hands excited her as he introduced her to a world of sensuous pleasure. As she surrendered herself to him completely, his thrusts became faster and deeper until her passion flared into an all-consuming desire, and she met his thrusts with her own. Her body was aflame, consumed and fed by his, and his needs became her own. Together they climbed from one plateau of passion to another, even higher, until at last the sky broke open and they soared on wings of ecstasy to the stars. Rip- ples of rapture shuddered through them as they clung together, savoring the delight of their mutual release.
    He held her close to him afterward, stroking her and murmuring to her in words she could not comprehend. But one thing she knew. She now belonged to him totally, body and soul. There was no turning back after this; there would never be any escape for her now.
     
    For a week afterward Tanya found it hard to meet Panther’s gaze. She felt unaccountably shy around him, and the slightest move on his part could set her blushing furiously. During the day she worked with the other women, diligently applying herself to her tasks and improving her language skills.
    Tanya now had full responsibility for Panther’s tipi. Walks-Like-A-Duck no longer came to the lodge, except to instruct Tanya in some new skill. Dutifully, Tanya cleaned the lodge, cooked Panther’s meals, and sewed and cleaned his clothes. Each night she shared his sleeping mat, and only there did her painful shyness melt away under the flame of shared passion.
    Never again did Panther place the detested leash about her neck. Now she was free to come and go from the tipi as she pleased. The new freedom was exhilarating, but Tanya was not so much a fool as to think she was not watched.
    The possibility of escape was remote at best, but Tanya found herself barely even entertaining the idea these days. She worked long and hard, but was content at the end of the day, especially when she could look forward to a long night enfolded in Panther’s embrace. And she did look forward to the nights, as much as she tried to berate herself for it. A part of her grieved for a while over her lost way of life, but another part openly and willingly accepted and adapted to her new life, gradually overshadowing any residual sadness with a blossoming joy.
    Sometimes she wondered at her growing happiness, failing to understand how she could possibly enjoy her life here. She was a slave, Panther’s woman. He had but to command, and she obeyed without question. She cooked and cleaned, tanned and sewed, and satisfied his desires — but he also met her desires.
    As the days wore on, Tanya finally stopped warring with herself and admitted to herself that she was in love with Panther. He was everything she desired and admired in a man, Cheyenne warrior or not. He was brave, wise, noble, extremely handsome, and strong enough to be tender when the situation warranted.
    Her brain warned her that she was merely his slave, and that he could at any time decide to trade or sell her, or take a wife who might mistreat her and have her beaten every day of her life, but her heart refused to be discouraged. Tanya now loved him irrevocably, and she would take him on any terms. Her pride was humbled before this devastating love.
    Panther’s first clue to all this was when he entered his tipi one day to find Tanya plaiting her usually unbound hair Indian fashion into two long braids across her shoulders. Neither of them commented on the fact, but he caught the shy smile she threw in his