Untamed Fire (21 page)

“He won’t marry you?” she asked, ready to
find out his name and give him a good piece of her mind.

“I haven’t told him yet.”

“Why?”

“I’m afraid.”

“Of what?”

“Of him saying he won’t marry me.”

“Of course he’ll marry you, especially when
you make your offering. The Blessed Mother will not refuse
you.”

Carmen cried again and had trouble
controlling her tears this time. “I have nothing to offer.”

Gaby didn’t know what to say. She remembered
how poor Carmen’s family was and knew the girl was speaking the
truth.

“I cannot tell him, Gaby, especially
tonight.”

“You can and you will,” Gaby said firmly.
This could not be delayed. The longer Carmen waited the more
fearful she would grow and then perhaps she would never tell the
young man. “Now dry your eyes and fix your hair. You’re going to
make your offering.”

“But I have nothing.”

Gaby took her handkerchief filled with coins
and placed it in Carmen’s palm, closing her fingers over it. “You
have your offering.”

“But I canno—”

“You can and you will,” she said with tears
in her eyes. “The only favor I request is that I’m named the
godmother so I can spoil your baby.”

Carmen laughed and cried and hugged Gaby to
her. “I would have no other godmother for my child.”

“Good, then let us go and make our
offering.”

“But what will you offer?”

Gaby thought a moment, and then she slipped
the pure white blossom from her hair. “I think the Blessed Mother
would like this.”

“Yes, Gaby, I think she would favor it above
all of the other offerings.”

The two girls walked to the statue arm in
arm. The padre watched them, curious about the tears in both their
eyes. They kneeled before the Blessed Mother. Carmen placed the
coins at the statue’s feet and lowered her head in prayer. Gaby
placed the flower on her bare toes, smiled, and lowered her
head.

The padre found tears springing to his eyes.
He knew Gaby did not make the offering for herself, she never
did.

“I am off to dance, Padre,” Gaby said,
whirling around him a moment later.

He nodded his head, his throat too tight
with emotion to speak.

The music filled her ears as it drifted
toward her. It was a bright, gay tune and it filled her with
happiness. She swung her hips and hummed as she approached the
dance area and without waiting, she burst through the crowd,
joining the dancers.

Soon every young and old man there claimed
her for a partner. She was rich with natural ability. It was as
though her body was made to sway, turn, entice, hypnotize.

Gaby obliged as many as she could, enjoying
each dance no matter how skilled or unskilled her partner. The
music touched her, teased her, pleasured her; she felt alive when
she danced, she felt full of life.

“You are an excellent dancer,” Sanchez said,
finding himself entranced by her grace and skill.

“You are too,” Gaby said with a smile, a
smile that stung Sanchez’s senses and lit a fire within him.

“You are beautiful, Gaby.”

His voice was whisper soft and Gaby didn’t
care for the sound of it. She just wanted to enjoy herself tonight
and not think of men and relationships, but so far that had proven
difficult, almost impossible.

“Thank you,” she said and was glad to hear
the music end.

“Dance for us, Gaby!” someone yelled from
the crowd.

“Yes, dance,” offered another.

Gaby had wanted to do this all night. To
dance alone to the music, to feel it, move to it breathe it.

“You convinced me,” she yelled, throwing her
hands up in the air and walking to the center of the dance
area.

Everyone clapped and yelled their approval
while she readied herself for the music to begin. She lifted her
head high, her one arm bent, her hand resting a breath away from
her stomach. Her other hand was held high in the air, each finger
positioned just so. Her one foot sat firm to the ground, her other
leg she held high yet bent slightly while her naked foot arched
down.

The music started slowly, and she turned
gracefully, ready to begin when...

Rafael stood there, tall and proud, staring
at her.

She realized then for whom she had wanted to
dance all evening. She acknowledged his presence with a nod and a
quick tilt of her head, as though asking his permission to
continue.

She was telling him it was his decision
whether she danced or not and that if she did, it would be for him
and only for him even though they were surrounded by people.

Gaby waited, poised and ready. The crowd had
grown deathly silent, all waiting for the mighty ranchero’s
decision. If he didn’t wish the young girl to dance, then she
couldn’t.

Rafael’s head descended in a slow nod.

The crowd roared and Gaby smiled.

Gaby lifted her leg higher and the music
began.

Rafael couldn’t move. His body was rooted to
the spot, his eyes transfixed upon Gaby. She danced with wild
abandonment, not a thought hampering her movement.

Her swaying body captivated and he felt
compelled to watch her every move. She glided in a primitive
motion, her hips swaying slow and easy at first, and then bursting
into a rhythm that was frantic and all-consuming. It heated his
blood, arousing him.

He had trouble focusing. All he could
imagine was Gaby naked beneath him, moving in that wild rhythm
against him... wet and hot.

Breathing became difficult for him as she
continued. She dropped her head back as she swung around exposing
her slim neck, bare and waiting for his tongue to enjoy. He could
taste her flesh, feel her throbbing vein. Even her breasts beckoned
him. Unrestricted, firm, full, he ached to touch them. Her hips
swung forward then quickly back, to the side, round and round. He
could almost feel himself deep inside her, growing harder with each
skillful thrust.

The beat quickened, her movement matched it,
threatened it. He had never seen anyone dance such as she did. It
was though her soul was possessed with an untamed fire.

Her long dark braid whipped about her head,
her hands flew, her legs moved, her hips swayed and all eyes
watched her. The thought angered and excited him at the same
time.

When he thought he could bear no more, when
he wanted nothing more then to burst forth, grab her, and take her
beneath him, the music stopped.

Applause shattered the warm, silent air.
Cries of delight and praise were heard from men and women
alike.

Gaby looked about her. She wanted to hear
and see only one person’s reaction, but all she saw was Rafael’s
back as he walked away.

“That was wonderful, Gaby.”

“
Maravilloso
.”

“Beautiful.”

Gaby smiled and thanked everyone, never
taking her eyes from his departing back.

Rafael slipped between two booths into the
cover of darkness. He had to regain control of himself. He had to.
His heart beat frantically and he felt as though he was on fire,
the throbbing between his legs unrelenting. He wanted her badly. He
wanted to take her, strip her bare, and bury himself in her again
and again.

He had never wanted anyone with such
fierceness, such emotion. It frightened him.

He took a deep breath, drawing the night air
down into his lungs, filling himself with renewed strength. This is
foolish, he kept telling himself. You are not a young boy unable to
control your sexual appetite. You’re a man, an experienced man.

He found his control returning and he
straightened his jacket, dusted his shirt, and held his head up. He
walked back amongst the bustling activities with a smile and a
thought.

He would have her.

~~~

“You look tired, Gaby,” Lupe said. “Here,
put your head down on my shoulder. We still have a while before we
reach the hacienda.”

Gaby took the offered shoulder, her head
bouncing against its plumpness each time the buckboard wheel hit a
rut or rock.

“Too much food or too much dancing?” Lupe
asked softly.

Gaby couldn’t tell the woman the truth. How
could she tell her that she had danced for Rafael until her body
was filled with the want of him? “Both, I guess.”

“I heard you danced like never before
tonight.”

Gaby was hesitant. She didn’t want to reveal
her feelings. They were too fresh and still hurt. “It was because I
haven’t danced in so long.”

“Many said you danced beautifully.”

“They are being kind.”

“No, I think honest. Did Sanchez see
you?”

“Yes, he told me repeatedly how much he
enjoyed my dance. He asked to meet me after we get back to the
hacienda.”

“You didn’t agree, did you?” Lupe asked with
alarm.

“No, I’m tired and I don’t wish to fight off
a man’s attention tonight. I also know what my dancing can do to
some men. It is best I keep my distance from him for a while.”

Lupe patted her arm. “You are a good girl
and understand much for one so young and innocent.”

“I thank my mother for that. For some reason
she felt I should know things that young girls do not learn until
after their wedding. I think she wanted to protect me.”

“She was smart. Other mothers should be so.
Some young men talk fancy and promise things, and young foolish
girls listen. Then they are left with a big belly and no one to
care for them. Some are smart though, like Carmen.”

“Carmen?” Gaby asked, sitting up.

Lupe grinned. “A happy story. Carmen’s
boyfriend demanded she marry him tonight, on the Holy Day. He
insisted Padre Jose perform the wedding before midnight. The padre,
after making certain he was not drunk, agreed.”

“Then she told him of the baby?”

Gaby smiled. “I didn’t expect my offering to
be answered so fast.”

Lupe huffed and muttered beneath her breath
before speaking. “You didn’t make an offering for yourself?”

“I didn’t need one.”

“If you are to survive around Don Rafael,
you need one.”

“Don’t be silly. I can handle him.”

“No, you can’t,” Lupe warned with a
seriousness to her tone.

“He’s only a man,” she whispered, not
wanting to be overheard.

Lupe kept her voice low. “He is a very
powerful man, one who can take what he wants when he wants it.”

“I have nothing to offer, therefore, there
is nothing he can take from me,” Gaby said, not believing her own
words.

Lupe’s whisper was harsh. “You know what he
can take. Do not be foolish.”

“I will be careful, Lupe,” she promised with
a touch of her hand to the older woman’s arm.

“Be very careful. I have seen Don Rafael
when he is determined.”

“And is he determined?” Gaby said
half-kiddingly.

“Yes!”

Gaby shivered from the intensity of the
older woman’s tone. She returned her head to Lupe’s shoulder and
closed her eyes against all thoughts.

The buckboard entered the hacienda and tired
servants wandered to their quarters. Gaby made her way to Dona
Maria’s room to help her undress and retire.

“You had fun tonight, Gaby?” Dona Maria
asked.

She was growing tired of that question.
“Yes, much fun.”

Dona Maria turned so Gaby could assist her
in getting out of her dress. “I heard you danced quite well
tonight.”

“So people have told me.”

She helped her into a nightdress and then
brushed out her hair. All the while Dona Maria remained silent.

“You are tired,” Gaby said as she braided
her hair.

“Deep in thought,” Dona Maria answered, her
eyes remaining closed as Gaby worked. “I think Rafael is finally
realizing what a wonderful wife Louisa will make. They did so enjoy
themselves tonight.”

Gaby didn’t say a word.

“He bought her a lace handkerchief and a
lovely pink flower. Louisa wore it in her hair. She looked
stunning.”

“All finished,” Gaby said, trying hard to
ignore Dona Maria’s words.

“Good,” she sighed. “I’m so tired. I just
want to go to bed, for I know my eyes will close as soon as my head
touches the pillow.”

Gaby helped her into bed and pulled the
light blanket over her. She was asleep before Gaby extinguished the
candles.

The house was quiet, all the servants in
their quarters asleep. Even Lupe who sometimes could be found in
the kitchen late at night wasn’t about. She was sleeping
contentedly in her bed.

Gaby wasn’t that lucky. She didn’t feel
tired any longer. She felt wide awake, and she felt urgency—for
what she didn’t know. What was even more puzzling was that all
thoughts had vanished and all she could focus on was this strange
feeling that consumed her.

She walked through the silent house, knowing
yet not knowing where she was headed. She pulled at the ribbon in
her braid and then the braid itself, freeing her long dark hair,
letting it fall to her waist. Her bare feet carried her to the
enclosed courtyard and the soothing sounds of the night. She walked
near the brick adobe wall and stared out into the darkness.

The night air cradled her in its warmth
while the night birds sang and the bugs joined in chorus. A distant
coyote added his tempo and Gaby soon found herself swaying to their
strange, hypnotic rhythm.

She closed her eyes and became lost in the
cadence, her body moving of its own accord. She raised her hand to
her face, running her fingers up along her cheeks, her temples,
into her hair. She raised the long strands up and away from her
face, swaying the whole time. Then she released her hair to fall
wildly about her face and shoulder... and began to dance.

Rafael had been on his way to his room,
hoping to fall mercifully into a deep sleep, where thought could
not enter, when he caught sight of Gaby walking out to the
courtyard. He didn’t hesitate, he followed her.