Chương 7: Chapter 7

"Maiden dancer," he repeated. "After the beast is offered to their god, the maiden dancers, who are unwed females looking for mates, dance around the statue. It's similar to a coming out party and they each pray as they dance to find a strong man who will provide for her and the many children he will sire on her. Apparently, the Undines have accepted you but think you need a mate."

Samantha felt her eyes open wide as saucers and forced herself to close the surprised O shape of her mouth. "Oh no! I didn't know. I can't do that. I don't even know how to dance."

"You can't refuse or you'll hurt their feelings. Don't worry, just follow the other dancers."

She looked at him dubiously but had no more time to argue because some female villagers, each wearing a garland, came and took her by the hand and dragged her along to take her place in a circle around the statue. Samantha looked back in panic at Sinclair who waved and grinned. Green webbed hands firmly grasped each of hers and Samantha stood there, shifting nervously. From somewhere in the village, a drum started tapping slowly and the circle began to move.

Samantha watched the other dancers and tried to shuffle her feet like them in time with the simple beat. When the tempo increased the females holding her hands let go and the dancers all brought their hands up in a swaying motion, Samantha copied them, letting her body undulate to the faster cadence, her arms waving like branches in the wind and then following her fellow dancers, hopped and shuffled around the statue.

The drum tempo increased, and Samantha valiantly kept up with the others. To her surprise, once she got the hang of the simple pattern, she discovered she was having fun. She hopped and swayed, her hair and skirt fanning out around her, feeling the heat of a flush on her cheeks, while the rhythm of the music thrummed through her body. How alive she felt and full of vibrant energy. What a heady feeling. She laughed aloud with the pure joy of it.

One by one, the other dancers, clad in colorful sarongs, started spinning out of the circle, dancing and gyrating up to male members of their tribe who stood just outside the circle in a ring of their own. Together, the new couples left the dancing area, hand in hand, having made their choice.

Samantha spun with the dancers still left and at the end of her spin she saw Sinclair just outside the circle in the ring with the other men, his dark eyes glittering as he watched her. The look in his eyes set her heart pounding and her breath came faster. She kept her eyes locked on Sinclair's, and as they stared at each other she felt pure, molten heat flowing through all her limbs. It seemed only natural when, still dancing, she left the circle and swayed right up to him.

Saying not a word, he grasped her hand tightly and led her through the crowd, which parted for them and they walked down to the beach. The bonfire still burned weakly and in its feeble light she turned to face Sinclair, her pulse racing, her body hot with expectation. He did not disappoint.

Still silent, he let go of her and brought his hands up to cup her face before leaning down to kiss her. As soon as their lips touched, an electric shock coursed through her body and an instant warmth ignited low in her tummy. His lips, so firm against her soft ones, coaxed them open and she moaned when she felt the tip of his tongue touch hers. She leaned into him and pressed her hands to his chest, feeling his racing heartbeat. His arms wrapped around her and he lifted her so she didn't have to crane her neck to kiss him. A good thing since Samantha's whole body had turned to boneless mush.

Their kissing turned frantic and she didn't protest when he lay her down on the sand and covered her body with his own. Even through their layers of clothing she could feel his arousal against her, and she arched into it, moaning softly as an ache spread through her lower body.

Sinclair seemed frenzied himself as his lips left hers and trailed blazing kisses down her neck to her cleavage. His teeth tugged at the bodice of her gown until one of her breasts popped free. He covered its erect tip with his hot mouth and she cried out as she arched, the intense pleasure almost too much. She grabbed his hair and bucked under him while his mouth sucked, his teeth grazing and nibbling the hardened nub of her nipple. Samantha could feel a pressure building and when he responded by grinding his groin against hers, she had to bite her lip so as to not scream.

His lips left her swollen breasts and captured her lips while his hand tugged at her skirt until her legs were bare to the waist. Up her leg his hand slid until he lightly touched the curls at the top of her thighs. Samantha moaned against his mouth, wiggling her hips, urging him on. Wanting more.

A wave of water soaked them.

Sinclair cursed loudly and jumped to his feet, grabbing Samantha and pulling her along with him. Disoriented, Samantha held on to him to keep herself steady. Her body throbbed, aching for more of his touch, but now also shivered from the wet and cool night air.

While they'd indulged in their passion the tide rolled in, bringing an end to their tryst. Of all the bad luck.

He tossed her a rueful grin. "What is it with you and water, my little sea nymph?" he said wrapping his arms around her trembling body. Samantha didn't answer. Now that reality had set back in, shyness and uncertainty returned to taunt her. How could she have forgotten herself like that, out here in the open, where anyone could have stumbled upon them? She'd lost control like a cat in heat. A sobering thought.

Sinclair must have sensed the change, because he simply scooped her into his arms, a nice habit that she had gotten used to, and carried her back up to the castle and her room. As they reached her door, Samantha wondered if he would resume their lovemaking from the beach, but he just kissed her lightly on the forehead and told her to take a warm bath before going to sleep.

What a stupid, gentlemanly thing to do. And I'm a coward for not inviting him in, she thought as she watched him close her door. Her body still ached and she was sticky in a most embarrassing place. A part of her wanted him to come back and finish what he'd started, while another part of her recoiled, appalled at her wantonness. She still couldn't believe she'd had the nerve to dance up to him like she did. And their lovemaking in the sand. Such passion. Such fervor. He'd definitely wanted her.

But doubt still plagued her. Three years was a long time to go without a woman. Does he truly want me, or is he just looking for some sexual release? Would he react the same way with another woman? While Samantha had made out with boys before, she'd never gone all the way. She'd imagined the moment, though, and in her mind, she always assumed her first time would be for love, a love that was reciprocated. Had her raging hormones changed her so much that she would settle for just casual sex?

Except it wasn't just sex or hormones. At least not for her. Despite their short time together, Samantha cared for him. He brought her to life, made her feel beautiful and special. Around him, her usual shyness evaporated for the most part. While she couldn't definitely call it love yet, she was definitely falling for him.

However, could she say the same for him? She wasn't naive enough to expect him to instantly love her. Especially considering the last woman he'd cared for had cursed and exiled him. She knew enough about his story to suspect he had trust issues. She doubted he'd allow himself to easily fall in love again. And if he did, it sure wouldn't be with her, plain ol', four-eyed Samantha. Okay, maybe not four-eyed anymore, but still plain ol' Samantha.

Even if he did care for her a little, what about once he found a way out? Samantha had no doubt he eventually would, he seemed positive she was the key. Then what? She certainly couldn't see a powerful and attractive man like him staying with her, not when he could have his pick of any woman he wanted.

No matter which way I look at it, I'm going to get hurt.

Samantha fell asleep, troubled thoughts running in circles inside her head.

* * *

Upstairs in his own room, Sinclair stared out the window at the ocean in the distance and cursed the tides.

Samantha had tasted so sweet. Her innocent kisses and passion firing him into a frenzy he'd never known with any woman, even Melisante. He'd never so completely lost control before or been so unaware of his surroundings. What if, instead of a wave, another Black Undine had interrupted them? She had him completely bewitched and he didn't know what to do about it. He could tell that the passion he'd introduced her to was new. She'd looked upon him with such wonder after their first kiss. Reacted clumsily yet fervently to his overtures. Despite his indication he'd like to take things to a new level, she'd shied from him, blushed in that adorable manner of hers making him want her even more. Suspecting her innocence in the intimate matters between a man and a woman, he'd wanted to take things slow, but as soon as she'd danced up to him, her hair swirling and her eyes shining, he'd lost all control. I feel like a kid again in the throes of his first crush.

Sinclair sighed and raked his hand through his hair. What to do? Love her, a small voice whispered in his head. Sinclair shook it. No, what if he was wrong again? What if she betrayed him? He couldn't stand to live through that again. But then again, even he knew Samantha was different. How he felt differed.

Sinclair stared up at the stars and said aloud, "How do I know it's love?"

To his surprise, a faint voice replied, carried on the ocean breeze.

"Take a chance."

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