Wind Shadow Read Online Free Page B

making her knees quiver. He laughed brightly, pulling her close. “What do you think I’m doing? I’m getting off alone in the woods with my favorite lady.” One hand slid down her back to cup a rounded hip, and he moaned into her throat, “Oh, Sil, you feel so good.” He pulled her against the long, lean frame she remembered so well. She was made very aware of his aroused state and she found herself stiffening at the realization. Rather than being pleased that Rex wanted her, she felt an odd, angry knot form in her throat and a queer surge of hurt sting her eyes. How dare he come here and take her into his arms again like this as though nothing had changed between them, as though the past year of pain and loneliness had never existed!
    He’d noticed that she’d lost weight. Yes, she certainly had. For the first two months after he’d walked out, she hadn’t been able to eat or sleep. If it hadn’t been for Annie’s constantly shoveling food into her and insisting that she get out into the fresh air on all those maniacal bicycle rides—if it hadn’t been for Annie’s constant nagging that finally convinced Silky to enroll at the university—well, she just didn’t know where she’d be now. Now. She sucked her lips nervously between her teeth.
    What was she going to do? This wasn’t how she’d pictured their reconciliation at all. She’d expected an apology, a little wooing, not to befondled as though he’d only been away on an extended business trip.
    “Rex.” She pressed her hands against his red-and-yellow-clad chest. “Please.” She pushed hard, and he lifted his head.
    “Please what, darling?” His voice was heavy with desire.
    She watched him tentatively through her lashes. Never in her wildest imaginings had she thought that she’d be put in the position of fending off the very man she wanted back! But this way was no good, somehow. It wasn’t right.
    She reached behind her back and pulled his hand away from its intimate hold on her. “I—I.” She paused, unsure of what to say. She didn’t want to anger him but she needed more time. They both needed more time. Lowering her gaze, she decided to take the easy route. “Somebody might see us.”
    His face clouded. “But, honey, it’s been such a long time.” He would have taken her into his arms again but she stepped out of his reach.
    “Yes, yes it has.” Her jaw worked with the devastating memory of how long and miserable a time it had been. “Please go back to camp, Rex.”
    He dragged a hand through his hair and exhaled heavily. “Well, maybe you’re right.” He nodded gravely. “I’ll go on back.”
    She felt an odd combination of relief and sadness wash over her. “Yes, I think that would be best.”
    He reached out and tugged at one of herpigtails. His half-smile was vaguely teasing. “Later, then, pretty lady.”
    He turned away and walked back along the path, his every step deflating Silky in a way she couldn’t fathom. Her eyes filled with ridiculous tears as she finished undressing. Why? Why was she sad? She sniffed, wiping at her damp cheek as she dropped her underthings on the grass and listlessly waded into the water. It was frigid, but she hardly felt it. She was numb.
    Her dreams and fantasies of her first intimate reunion with Rex had been so—so different from this scene in the woods. It was true, he’d come to her, and he obviously wanted her. But he hadn’t apologized or fallen to his knees begging her forgiveness, agonizing about how he’d been very, very wrong and that he knew now that she was the only woman in the world for him. That’s what she’d thought—hoped—he’d do.
    As she soaped herself, she tried to shake off her depression. After all, hadn’t he proved he did want her back? That was a start.
    A few minutes later she toweled herself, feeling clean, refreshed and bolstered by a new hope in her heart. Rex would come around. She just knew he would. He had to!
    Slipping on her short,