Naomi started to say that she couldn’t imagine how scary that had been, but that wasn’t true. Shecouldimagine it—and it horrified her. “How awful for all of you. I’m so glad Winona was okay—and Bear and Lexi, too.”
“The town came together for us. I think everyone in Scarlet brought a casserole.” He chuckled, a deep, warm sound. “Our relatives drove down from Pine Ridge. Our grandfather held aninipiceremony—a sweatlodge—to help Winona heal. Even with all of that, those first weeks afterward were tough for her. I know this is difficult for you. You don’t have to pretend with us. If you need to talk, my sister and I are here to listen. You’re not alone.”
His words, so unexpected, put a lump in Naomi’s throat, tears blurring her vision. “Thanks. I … I am trying to be strong.”
Chaska released her hand and cupped her cheeks, his thumbs wiping her tears away, dark eyes looking into hers. “Hey, youarestrong.”
Then he leaned down and kissed her.
Chapter 9
Chaska hadn’t meantto kiss her. Oh, but now that his lips had touched hers, he didn’t want to stop. She tasted sweet, her body soft and pliant. Any doubts he had about her wanting this were swept away when she arched against him, her arms sliding behind his neck.
Oh, hell, yes.
Lust hit his blood in a rush, his pulse spiking, the soft press of her breasts against his ribs making him burn. He reined himself in, did his best to take it slowly, giving her time to get used to the feel and taste of him. He caught her lower lip with his lips, tugged on it, traced its fullness with his tongue.
She shivered, whispered his name. “Chaska.”
Wanting more, he slid his fingers into her hair, angled her head, and took her mouth with his. She yielded, letting him shape the kiss, her arms drawing him closer, as if she, too, couldn’t get enough.
His tongue found hers, stroked it, teased it. She responded with strokes of her own, her fingers dug into the hair at his nape, her breath mingling with his. His cock strained against his jeans, his blood thrumming hot and fast through his veins.
This wasn’t like any other first kiss he’d known. How did she do this to him?
He drew back, looked into her eyes for the answer, and saw the same confusion there, her pupils dilated, her breathing rapid.
He claimed her lips again, but this time he didn’t hold back. With just enough presence of mind to be careful of her injured shoulder, he crushed her against him, plundered her mouth, groaning when she kissed him back with the same ferocity. Her body moved against his, and he knew she wanted him, too.
He fisted a hand in her hair, forced her head back, and went for the sensitive skin of her throat, kissing her, licking her, nipping her with his teeth.
She whimpered, her pulse pounding against his lips.
“Where are you guys?”
The screen door opened, making Naomi jump.
“Oh! Oh, sorry!” Winona ducked back inside, but the moment was lost.
Damn.
Naomi tried to pull away, but they weren’t teenagers who’d been caught doing something naughty. Chaska wasn’t about to let this end on an awkward note.
“Hey, it’s okay.” He held her until the tension left her body, then pressed his forehead against hers and looked into her wide blue eyes. “Don’t think I’ve gotten enough of you, because I haven’t.”
He let her go and stood and walked with as much dignity as a man with a raging hard-on could back inside the house and into his office. He closed the door, leaned back against it, his pulse still racing.
What the hell had just happened?
Naomi tookthe top off her silver pot with tongs and set it down on the concrete where it could finish cooling. She picked up the earrings she was making and held them out for Winona to see. “The real aspen leaves have burned away.”
Winona looked unimpressed. “They’re still white.”
“Let’s get back inside, and I’ll show you.”
Winona took the fired PMC leaves from Naomi and held the door open for her as she made her way back inside the house and into the kitchen.
Winona hadn’t yet said anything about what she’d witnessed on the porch this morning. She didn’t seem to be upset about it either. This was a huge relief to Naomi, who had no idea what she would say should Winona confront her.