White Owl by Veronica Blake

this—us—might not end well.” He placed her limp arm on his shoulder, and she wrapped her hand around the back of his head. Her fingers dug into his thick hair.
    “No, don’t say things like that,” she said in adefensive tone. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I refuse to believe we can’t have a happy life together just because we have different colors of skin.”
    White Owl knew that he wouldn’t be able to resist her for much longer. There were so many reasons that he shouldn’t be here—and she had just pointed out the most obvious—but there was something so much stronger ruling his actions now. He scooped her into his arms and carried her to the ladder that led up to the loft. It was only a few feet, but she molded herself against him and began to kiss the side of his neck with soft kisses. His knees were shaking by the time they reached the ladder.
    He stood her on the second rung, and she turned back around and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. She was slightly taller than him while she was standing on the ladder, so she took the initiative and let her lips cover his mouth with a hungry kiss that took his breath away as her fingers raked through his hair again. He pulled her against him, nearly taking her off the ladder before they finally parted. It took him a moment to breathe, and he could tell she was having an equally hard time regaining enough composure to turn away from him and climb the rest of the way up to the loft. He followed closely behind, thinking only briefly of the dire consequences if they were discovered here together.
    The loft was completely dark as they scooted to the back corner. White Owl was surprised to discover that a mattress awaited them. “Did you putthis here for one of your other suitors?” he asked with a chuckle.
    Rose huffed indignantly and didn’t respond to his insinuation. “This is my little brother’s hideout. But starting tonight it will be our hideout.”
    White Owl reached out in the blackness until he had her in his arms again. He had never known a woman so willing, and her optimism and passion made his heart feel as though it was going to burst out of his chest. Obviously, her introduction to lovemaking had been more than satisfactory, because she was more than eager to repeat the act now.
    Wild Rose slid into his arms without further invitation. Their kisses were more urgent now as they fumbled to remove their clothes. Unlike yesterday, there was not a moment of trepidation.
    Wild Rose leaned back as White Owl carefully pressed her down into the mattress. He heard her take a trembling breath as he worked his hips in between her parted thighs. As he entered her, he felt her body tense as if she expected to feel pain again, but instantly, she began to relax. Her hips arched up to meet his movements, and her fingers dug into the skin on his back as their passion grew in intensity. At last they clung together, breathless, satisfied, yet wanting—needing—more.
    The threat of morning sun arriving soon signaled the end of the most erotic experience White Owl had ever known. They had been like ravenous animals whose hunger had been unquenchable. He felt like a man possessed as he had madelove to his Wild Rose over and over again. To his amazement, her enthusiasm had equaled or even exceeded his at times, and he had never known a passion that even began to compare to this night.
    “You promise?” Rose asked.
    He chuckled. “I promise,” White Owl answered as he lifted her down from the ladder.
    The early rays of the sun would be peeking over the eastern horizon at any moment. They had lingered far too long in each other’s arms because they had not wanted this night to ever fade into day.
    “You must hurry back now,” he added, sounding regretful.
    A pained expression contorted Rose’s face. “I don’t think I can hurry anywhere today.” She glanced at White Owl as a fire began to burn in her cheeks. Her entire body felt