A/N: Many thanks to The MW for proofreading these first chapters for me. You are an inspiration.
Some mild M-rated content in this one…
Scarlett felt a bit lost when she walked around the hotel to reach the small meadow where Socks had stayed the night. After another lonely night, she had discreetly knocked on Rhett's door. When he did not answer she hesitantly opened the door, only to find the room empty. His bed appeared to be undisturbed. Apparently he spent the night somewhere else. Immediately her stomach tied into a knot. She shook her head to get rid of the disturbing thoughts that occupied her mind.
She went to the breakfast hall and ate a lonely meal. She was almost grateful when the waitress addressed her to ask if she preferred coffee or tea. She was in need of some comfort and hoped that Socks would provide that. The sandy coloured mare had become like a best friend. All Scarlett's hopes and dreams she shared with the horse. When she brushed the animal or provided it with some oats she whispered her deepest secrets to her. It felt good to talk to another female, albeit of a different species. Scarlett wondered if Socks had a far better understanding of the opposite sex than she. Zephyr, bold and uncontrollable, always appeared to be reduced to a meek horse whenever Socks was by his side. Scarlett wondered if horses could fall in love.
When she turned the corner and had the meadow in her vision, Scarlett's step faltered. The answer to her question was provided by a display of animal savagery. Zephyr had mounted the light coloured mare and was controlling her with his powerful body. Much to Socks' dismay, it appeared.
Scarlett forgot to wonder why Rhett did not take his horse, so mesmerized she was by the strange picture the two horses made. She had grown up at a farm, so she had seen many animals mate, many horses too. But somehow it shocked her to see her sweet horse being used by the brute that Zephyr was. But at the same time she could not take her eyes off them. Zephyr's black hair was shining in the sunlight and Socks let out a nervous holler.
In spite of seeing animals breed at the plantation, Scarlett had been shocked to find out that humans mated in almost the same manner. When she allowed Charles to enter her body she had felt degraded. It had been a painful experience and not only in a physical way. She had bullied Charles into leaving her alone most of the time and was surprised that the few times had resulted in the birth of Wade.
She did not understand why she had a silent longing inside her to repeat that nasty business with Rhett. Did his kisses make her long for him so much? Made her want him to use her like Zephyr was using her best friend? Did she hope that with Rhett it would be different compared to her nights with Charles? Different because Rhett was a more experienced lover? Or was it simply because Rhett radiated vitality and masculinity that she had not seen in any other man? Not even in her handsome Ashley? Was that simply why she was curious? Was she basically nothing more than a beast? A beast like Socks, who grudgingly let the strongest stallion mate with her?
For a long while Scarlett stood staring, disturbing thoughts running through her mind.
'So she finally conceded to him. I was hoping she would; Zephyr will make some very profitable offspring'. Rhett's voice that seemed to come out of nowhere made Scarlett jump with fright.
'Don't be alarmed, my dear, I have come with good intentions'. He grinned at her. She looked at him.
He was impeccably dressed and coifed. Even his beard seemed to be trimmed. Only the bloodshot eyes told her that he had been up all night, drinking, she guessed, next to other activities probably. Maybe he had used a woman in the same manner his horse was using Socks. Scarlett felt repulsed by the thought and held on to her belly for a moment.
'You're not feeling well, Scarlett? Is this little display of our four-legged friends a bit too much for your delicate mind?' She did not answer but put her nose up in the air, indicating to him that the conversation was beneath her.
'I would think that while growing up at Tara you would have seen plenty of an animal's behaviour. At least you knew what to expect on your wedding night, unlike somebody as Mrs Wilkes'.
'I would prefer it if you kept your filthy conversation to yourself, Rhett. I don't care to discuss such things with you. I am not one of your...', than she stopped, embarrassment started creeping up to her face.
'What did you want to say, Scarlett? Come on, out with it. You promised to always be honest with me'.
'You're the one that forgets his promises, Rhett. You promised me discretion. Have you forgotten that already?' Rhett glared at her, his black eyes combined with the dark beard gave him a frightening appearance. Than he let out a hollow laugh. Scarlett wondered if he was perhaps still drunk.
'Well, I have been very discreet. As far as everybody in this forsaken town knows, I spent the night in one of the separate hotel rooms that my wife and I occupy. It cannot get any more demure than that, my dear'.
'It is written all over your face where you have been, Rhett Butler', she hissed, practically palpitating with anger by now.
'Oh, and you would recognize the look of erotic bliss on a man's face, would you Scarlett?'
'Well, one day you have to tell me where you picked up that knowledge. From what you told me of your wedding night with Charles, he cannot have been the one to give you such an expression'.
'I think the poor boy died without experiencing a good roll in the hay'.
'Rhett Butler, you're a cad and I wish I never laid eyes on you', she screamed. 'How dare you compare what Charles and I had to… to… To whatever it is that you do with these loose women', she spat.
'Oh, excuse me, my dear Scarlett. I forgot that what you shared with Mr. Hamilton was true love. Something sacred and divine. How silly of me. My apologies'. From his face she could tell he was mocking her, like he had been during the entire conversation. She could not take it any longer.
'You low-down, no good, stinking…' She hissed.
'Oh, we are back to that again? And here I was thinking that you had outgrown childish tempers, my dear'. Scarlett's eyes had become a dark green.
Rhett knew that by now he had made her so angry that she could not speak anymore. He regretted his barbed words immediately. But somehow she always seemed to have that effect on him. He always started out with good intentions but one way or another it got all twisted in the course of the conversation. After the particularly frustrating night he had, he lacked the power to control his poisonous tongue.
Rhett shook his head.
'I think we should go inside and give these two lovebirds some privacy'.
'Lovebirds?' Scarlett said and immediately wanted to bite off her tongue. Rhett sighed.
'Oh, my pet, I see that I have a lot to teach you about what goes on between a man and a woman. Or a mare and a stallion for that matter'.
'But I have a feeling you will be an eager student', Rhett said before he put his hat back on top of his head and started walking back to the hotel. Scarlett felt unable to move.
Of all the insults… She thought.
She stomped her feet on the ground, yelling towards him the few nasty words that she picked up from Gerald. But Rhett only laughed and did not even grace her with a backward glance.
*Escape from Destiny*Escape from Destiny*Escape from Destiny* Escape from Destiny *Escape from Destiny* Escape from Destiny*
Tension was still high between them when they came to pick the horses from the meadow half an hour later. Rhett had brought a large rope that was hanging around his shoulder. He told Scarlett that he expected Zephyr to be more difficult than usual after his frolicking with Socks this morning. From a distance they could see already that Zephyr was acting erratic. He was making strange jumps in the meadow and hollered repeatedly.
Socks just stood in a corner, grazing innocently. Scarlett got a flashback to her own honeymoon. Charles had been strutting through the room like a peacock and all Scarlett had wanted to do was go to sleep and forget about the whole embarrassing episode.
Rhett was tying a knot in his lasso and Scarlett opened the gate to let him in. Her mind was absent, filled with confusing thoughts and therefore she did not see that Zephyr came charging right at her. It was not until Rhett screamed for her to get out of the way before she realised something was wrong. She made herself as small as possible against the fence, but the air shifted so much when Zephyr galloped beside her that she fell down, knocking her head against the wooden fence.
'Scarlett, Scarlett! Are you alright?' Rhett, who had managed to jump out of Zephyr's way just in time, rushed over to his fiancée. Scarlett's eyes were closed and her face looked ashen.
'Scarlett, honey, please come back to me', he said anxiously. Then he softly slapped her a few times in the face. Gradually her eyes opened. Looking into Scarlett's beautiful green eyes was always a joy for him, but never before had Rhett felt such elation as now.
'Thank God, you're alright', he whispered, while he hugged her tight, still lying on his knees in the dust.
He kissed her forehead a few times before Scarlett drowsily asked him if he caught the raven haired stallion. Only then Rhett realised that his horse was on the loose. He wished he could say 'good riddance', but he needed the horse for travelling to their final destination.
After putting Scarlett back on her two feet and dusting her off, Rhett told her he would take Socks to find the missing animal. But Scarlett refused to let him go by himself. The mood that Zephyr was in, Rhett would need all his concentration to handle him; he could not be leading another horse at the same time. So she suggested that both of them rode Socks.
They did not saddle the horse, without one it was easier to ride the horse with two people. Scarlett felt awkward at first. Not only because she straddled the horse, revealing part of her frilly pantalets to the outside world, but also because feeling Rhett's hard body pressed against hers made her feel shivers up and down her spine. His unyielding chest was providing her some support for her back and his thighs were pressed against her soft buttocks. She could feel every single hard muscle when he moved position to guide Socks the right way.
Rhett's arms were encircling her, since he insisted on holding the reins himself. Many times she felt his biceps brush the sides of her soft breasts. She tried to look focussed as if her mind was solely on finding the missing horse, but her body was in turmoil. All she wanted to do was lay against his hard chest and let her hands run up and down his beefy thighs so that she could feel his muscles underneath her fingers.
One of the townsmen pointed them towards the woods where he had seen Zephyr disappear into. Soon it was just the three of them without any onlookers and Scarlett felt all too aware of that.
Socks did not seem to mind the extra load but still they rode slowly, trying not to burden Socks more with the added weight than necessary. When Socks climbed a steep hill, Scarlett could not help but fall against Rhett's chest, since she did not have anything to hold on to. But she did not move forward once they reached flat surface.
The sun was shining brightly, making Scarlett feel dozy. Now and then she felt something brush against her hair; she assumed it were Rhett's lips but she did not question him, afraid to break the spell. Being so near him, she could smell his familiar scent.
Some potent mixture of brandy, cigars and an undefined ingredient.
She recognized it from the nights she had lain in his arms. Then it always had a calming effect on her, but now it only added to the excited tension she felt. Her nerves were on high alert.
They rode in silence, enjoying the scenery and piercing through the thick forest for a sign of the dark horse. Despite his own silence Scarlett sensed that Rhett felt the same electricity she felt. He was probably also afraid to break the magic by uttering meaningless words.
A content sigh escaped her and Rhett promptly responded by putting one arm around her and hugging her close. In the end Rhett pulled Socks' reins. They stood still in a wide open space that was surrounded by trees. Scarlett waited patiently for Rhett's sign that they should descent, but he surprised her by brushing some loose strands aside and kissing the back of her neck. First gently but soon his kisses started burning her skin.
Scarlett laid her head in the hollow of his chest and offered him her mouth. He greedily accepted. Both his arms were wrapped around her waist now and he pressed his pelvis tight against her. While his mouth was drinking hers, something was undeniably growing behind her. He bent his neck and started placing kisses on the spot where her heart was hammering uncontrollably. Barely noticeable he undid the top buttons of her blouse. One big hand disappeared under the fabric in search of her soft flesh. It seemed as if he paused for a moment, as if he expected some form of protest but Scarlett only curved her spine against him and let him take possession of her breast.
His expert fingers flicked around her nipple until it stood proud and erect. He was still delicately sucking her neck and once in a while he groaned softly. Scarlett let her hands trail behind her and caressed his firm buttocks. He replied by rubbing himself against her.
Socks who probably thought her owners were behaving in a very strange manner, let out an annoyed whinny. But Scarlett and Rhett were too lost in their own world to notice. They were barely aware that they were still atop a horse. The only thing that mattered now was Scarlett's supple skin under Rhett's fingers and Rhett's warm mouth that made Scarlett feel dizzy.
Rhett's left hand let go off Scarlett's bosom which resulted in a disapproving moan from Scarlett. Rhett chuckled softly. His long arm reached down until he found the hem of her skirt. He laid his tanned hand on the white cotton of her pantalets and gradually he let his fingers follow the curvaceous shape of her calf until he reached the softer flesh of her thigh. For the first time Scarlett seemed to regain her senses and she whispered his name in objection.
'Hush', was all he said.
To distract her he placed his free hand over her partially clad breast and started kneading it until he felt her melt against him once more. He started rubbing her inner thigh in the same manner and soon he felt her upper-body tense under his ministrations. He knew she was almost ready now.
Carefully he let his fingers trail higher until he reached her centre. She moaned and he whispered reassuringly.
'Just let it go, honey. I know how badly you need this'.
His caresses sent sharp sparks through her body. A strange feeling was overtaking her mind. It was a very pleasant, comforting feeling but she felt unsure how to react. Rhett sensed her hesitation.
'I know all you have been through, my sweetheart and I am here to make you feel alright'.
'Just surrender yourself to me and I promise that you will feel better'. He whispered huskily. Meanwhile his fingers circled around her most sensitive part.
Scarlett was certain that a sudden storm had invaded the quiet forest, for there was a tremor in her ears that could only come from a raging wind.
A wind that was about to sweep her away.
For a moment she felt scared and she refused to let go. But a calming voice kept telling her it was alright. He promised to take care of her. He promised her that she was safe. And then the roaring sound in her ears became so loud that she could not hear Rhett's voice anymore.
A gush of wind swept through her, taking all the pain she suffered over the last years with it.
And just as sudden as the storm had appeared, it vanished. She kept her eyes closed but now she could feel the sun caressing her face, she could hear the birds singing in the trees and except for that everything was calm and quiet. Rhett's beard gently brushed against her cheek and he placed soft kisses on her temple.
Scarlett did not understand what happened to her, but it had made her strain disappear for a brief moment and for that she was grateful.
She leaned into him and his arms protected her.
They sat like that for a long while. Until Socks protested once more and Rhett told Scarlett quietly to let herself slide off the horse.
Standing by the side of the horse, without Rhett's sheltering arms around her, Scarlett felt a bit lost. As if he sensed her mood, he took her by the hand as soon as his own feet hit the ground. He sat down against a thick oak tree and without a word she slid into his arms again. No words were needed; they just enjoyed each other's company.
'Are you alright, my dear?' Rhett finally asked. Scarlett sighed.
'Yes, I feel wonderful, Rhett. But… I don't really understand what happened just now'. She was glad he could not see her face, because she felt very ashamed. But at the same time she just had to know. The way her body had responded to Rhett's caresses almost resembled witchcraft
'I was under the impression already that your mother neglected to tell you about this part of the male/female relationship'.
'You know by now that a man can find satisfaction when he is with a woman. Or so I presume since your short marriage resulted in the birth of your son'. Barely visible Scarlett nodded her head.
'As you have just experienced a woman can find the same satisfaction if a man pays her the proper amount of attention'.
'I told you it could be magic between a man and a woman, Scarlett. Do you believe me now?' She did not answer but crawled deeper into his arms.
'You mean, it could always be like this?' She then asked innocently.
'Like this or even better, my darling. Even better', he said hoarsely.
'But Rhett I have not, er, given you your satisfaction. I thought you said you always made sure you got paid'. The last line was her clumsy attempt at a joke.
'Seeing your own joy was reward enough for me, my pet'. Rhett said reassuringly. A thousands questions were popping up in Scarlett's mind and she was no longer too shy to ask them.
'Is this what you meant by taking precautions against pregnancy, Rhett?' Rhett's chest rumbled with laughter.
'My little ignoramus, no of course not!'
'As much as I enjoyed our little play, it won't be enough for me in the long run, my darling. I can assure you, you will have cravings of your own too; once you have experienced that marriage could indeed be fun'. Rhett sighed.
'That means we will engage in similar acts as Charles performed on you'.
'Oh', Scarlett said, a lot less enthusiastic now.
'But don't use his awkward lovemaking as an example, my dear. Open your mind and be free to enjoy the wonderland I will take you to'. His words held so much promise; goose bumps erupted all over Scarlett's still sensitive skin.
'How come you know so much about these things, Rhett? Have you been with many women?' She asked bluntly
'My, you have shed your mask of modesty quickly, haven't you, Scarlett?'
'I'm sorry… I did not mean to…' Scarlett stammered, blushing now.
'It's alright, my dear, you can ask me anything you want. Honesty remember?' Rhett cupped her face and his thumbs caressed her cheeks gently.
'Well, Scarlett, you know I am certainly not an adolescent. I have travelled the world and experienced many adventures. Some more thrilling than others, I have to admit'.
'And to answer your question: Yes, I have met a few women on the way. But you are the first woman I have met that has made me believe she is made from the same cloth as I'.
'Oh Rhett, why do you always say that? You are a renegade and a Scallawag, while I am a decent widow who has never done anything illegal'.
'Yes, you tried to put on a nice façade, but that's all it was my dear: A façade'.
'If you where so wholesome you would have never come on this trip with me. Do you think somebody like Mrs Wilkes ever would?'
'And you would not have surrendered to me the way you did just now'. Rhett's voice sounded a bit hoarse when he spoke the last few words.
Scarlett decided to change the subject.
'Did you bring any food, Rhett? I am a bit hungry'. Rhett laughed.
'No, sorry my little glutton; in the rush I did not pack anything. Maybe we should give up looking for that damn horse for now and…' He ceased speaking because his eye fell on Socks. She was not alone. Zephyr was standing by her side, acting as if nothing had happened.
Scarlett wanted to cry out in surprise but Rhett quickly put his hand over her mouth. He gestured to her that she should keep quiet. Automatically Scarlett rose from his lap and Rhett grabbed the rope that was lying in the grass.
He approached the black demon slowly, almost like a panther. But Zephyr was not stupid. His ears indicated that he was well aware of Rhett's movements. But he stood calmly and without much trouble Rhett managed to throw the rope around his neck. Just to be safe Rhett tied Zephyr to a nearby tree. Than he scratched his head. He had a deep frown on his face.
'What is it, Rhett?' Scarlett asked.
'This horse is acting strange. One moment he is this uncontrollable beast and the next minute he stands there as if he were a good little pony. I have never seen this kind of behaviour in a horse before'.
'Its Socks: He adores her', Scarlett said. Rhett smirked at her, but to his surprise Scarlett was not joking. She looked at him with a serious expression on her face. Her next words surprised him even more.
'It takes a special kind of woman - or mare in this case – but even the wildest stallion can be tamed. And once he meets such a woman he will go through great lengths to keep her', Scarlett mused.
Rhett had a feeling she was no longer talking about Zephyr and felt slightly uncomfortable.
'So how about that meal, Scarlett? You ride Socks and I will try to bring Zephyr safely back to the hotel'.
He quickly turned on his heels and missed the satisfied smirk that lay on Scarlett's face.