Colt by Georgina Gentry Page A

deerskin shift half torn open, gasping for air, but she wasn’t crying. “Let me go! I’ve got to get back to the camp!”
    He sat on her now, nursing his bite and staring down at her. Her half-naked breasts were clearly visible as the moon came out from behind clouds again. “Why have you got to go back? Do you love Spider?”
    She shuddered and made a face. “God no, I hate him!”
    â€œThen why—?”
    â€œIf—if I let you take me, will you let me go?” She looked up at him, still breathing hard, but not fighting anymore.
    He realized abruptly how tempting her slender, warm body was, and he hadn’t had a woman in a long time. “Why, you little tart. You’re offerin’ to have sex with me if I’ll let you go? What kind of—?”
    â€œPlease,” she whispered and her voice trembled. “I’ve got to get back to the camp.”
    God, he was suddenly tempted. And who would ever know? His manhood rose at the thought of taking her right here in the dirt. As much as he was aroused, it wouldn’t take two minutes. But he was engaged, he remembered, engaged to Olivia and he was an honorable man.
    Instead he stood up slowly and pulled her to her feet. She was dusty and her deerskin shift torn, but she still wasn’t weeping. She was defiant, blue eyes blazing like cold fire. “All right,” he said, “why is it you’ve got to get back to the Comanches if you don’t love Spider and—”
    â€œThere’s a child,” she begged. “I’ve got a little boy in the camp.”
    â€œI thought your little boy died right after birth?” Colt asked, mystified.
    â€œThat was my husband’s child. This is Spider’s son.”
    And now it all came clear to Colt. She had left a half-breed son behind, and she would do anything to get back to him. Knowing Spider, he wouldn’t let her take that child, so she had to return to her baby.
    Colt nodded in understanding. “Tell me about it.”
    She sat down on a rock and brushed the yellow hair out of her eyes. “After he stole me, Spider made me his wife.” She closed her eyes and winced as if remembering the events. “I have a son by him. He’s a little over two years old.”
    Colt remembered what he knew about the tribe. “Doesn’t he have other sons? Other wives?”
    â€œAnother wife, yes.” Hannah nodded. “But she has given him no children, so she hates me for being his favorite. I’m afraid Tariito will mistreat my son if I don’t get back to protect him.”
    Tariito , Colt thought. It meant “Claw” in Comanche, and the tribe tried to give everyone a name that fit their personality. The woman must be a terrible shrew.
    â€œI know Spider. He is my blood brother.” Colt held out his arm for her to see the scar. “You don’t want to go back; he will continue to be cruel to you.”
    â€œI know,” she said. “He tried to break my spirit, but I was as determined as I was against Luther and my stepfather. No man can make me vulnerable. Still I have to return to protect my son from Tariito.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you tell me that the night we captured you?” He sat down next to her with a sigh.
    â€œI—I tried. No one would listen to me and there was so much confusion and I couldn’t remember the words. It’s been a long time since I spoke English.”
    â€œWhere were all the warriors the night we hit the camp?”
    â€œGone on a hunt. Little Grasshopper was inside the teepee with Tariito. I was trying to reach them so you could take us both out of the camp.”
    â€œOh God, I wish I had known that.”
    â€œSo you see why I have to go back.” She looked up at him with those wide blue eyes.
    â€œLook”—he put his big hands on her small shoulders—”I can’t let you return, knowing he’ll beat you and