Delectable Candy
By Lady M. Harris
Chapter 5
On the Twelfth Day, the Indian Ocean gave way to the shores of Mombassa, Kenya of Africa. Mr. Johnson was on the docks awaiting their arrival with a friendly and familiar face among the sea of strangers that crowded the docks and plank walkway. They piled their belongings onto the old carriage that had seen better days on the rough roads. Candy could not seem to get enough of the scenery. It was a two-day trek to Albert's ranch located about twenty miles from the Loita Plains, part of the Serengeti area and the inhabitants of that area who were known as the Maasai tribes. It is also the closest area of Mara where the area was widely renown for its variety of large animals such as the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino and of course, the plains animals. It was also known, during certain times of the year to reveal the migration of the wildebeests.
The heat was tremendously hot and dry to Candy, but she was assured that most the days were not always like that in Africa, especially when the rains and monsoons came in April and May. Candy was glad that they had already missed that part of the season as they were already into late fall season.
Since the incident within Candy's cabin, Albert took great pains to steer clear of her. He went back to having supper within the captain's cabin and gambling every evening. Candy was relieved to some extent, but the notion of having Albert as her lover had caught on within her forbidden mind. She knew eventually that they would have to face the inevitable. She was quickly beginning to understand why Albert roused such wanton demons within her, but did not understand why he choose to ignore those within himself.
Why could she not have the best of both worlds as men were often allowed she thought as the hot air blew into the carriage from the open windows. The ride was bumpy enough that Mrs. Jenkins and her had given up any conversation in favor of just watching the passing scenery.
Sooner or later, if Albert did not make the move and do something about this continuing attraction, she knew she would. Candy did not believe she could hold out for very long as Albert did. Her heart was calling to her, telling her to listen to the voices within her. It was sweeping into the scene like a quiet whisper, that something other than lust was controlling them, even though she knew that Albert thought otherwise.
They arrived at Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, late that evening and stayed in their finest, the Fairview Hotel. The city was very cosmopolitan having been established by the British colony. There was very much a Victorian touch among the homes and businesses.
Candy did nothing more than eat the simple meal that was brought to her room before retiring tiredly to her bed. The ride had been more grueling than she had previously believed, as her backside seemed to ache with pain. She wondered briefly how Albert had faired, considering he had chose to ride openly on his horse the entire way. She wrinkled her nose to no one particular in the darkness but the dark wall, as her eyelids slowly closed over her eyes, sleepily. She understood even then, why he had chosen his mount as opposed to being forced to ride next her in the crowded carriage.
They left the modern trapping of the Nairobi City to brave the rough roads toward Albert's ranch the following morning. But it was not to say that Candy did not enjoy that day, for she had glimpsed the statuesque elephants and lions at a nearby watering hole from a distance on their way to their new home. She stuck her head out of the carriage to point at the wild gazelles that grazed the brush lands to Albert in her excitement. He had grinned at her delight, her excitement catching. Albert told them along the way, that they would most likely arrive at the ranch later that evening. And as his prediction foretold, those who attended his ranch that evening noted their evening arrival.
The sprawling ranch was beautiful upon Candy's first site. The building blended in naturally with the background of the golden grassy scenery. The servants were on the doorsteps awaiting the return of their owner. Candy met the housekeeper, Mrs. Chandler, the older butler and valet of sorts, Mr. Potts. There were also two other ranch hands and Mrs. Chandler had a maid to help her out with some of the more mundane chores.
Miakia was a young Maasai; her skin was a silky, light-colored, chocolate brown tone and her eyes the same beautiful color. Thick coils of colorful beads adorned her long neck and small ears in a display of her marriage and womanhood. Mrs. Chandler told her that Miakia was newly married woman but came in from her village to help out at the ranch. Underneath her breath, she whispered to Candy that Miakia also helped out in other forms. Candy went red, her cheeks flaming as the implications dawned on her. Mrs. Chandler went on to explain that their master was not impervious to Miakia's charms either.
"I dare say, that will change very soon now that Candy is aware of the situation!" Mrs. Jenkins huffed, indignantly and winking merrily at the same time to Candy. Candy's eyes went wide as it dawned on her that Mrs. Jenkins had caught wind of the attraction between her employer and charge.
Mrs. Chandler nodded her head in understanding toward Candy, already liking the beautiful girl they called Candy. She seemed sweet and genteel as most young ladies of her age but her eyes glowed with intelligence and spirit. "You cannot fault Miakia though, as a young Maasai bride she has been given leave by her husband to enjoy other men of her husband's age!" She finished over the shocked gasps that followed her announcement.
"You mean, its okay to fornicate with others beside their intended?" Candy's eyes grew even wider. "But it is not my place to know Albert's business--at least not that business!" Candy whispered, her face still flaming. She felt something else stir within her, a natural jealousy for this unknown Maasai maid.
Mrs. Chandler shook her gray head, "doesn't matter really. Besides, Miakia doesn't need anymore lovers. She has more than enough to keep her busy," her nose wrinkled in distaste. "Still, she's always been a very good worker and is certainly respectful to me and Mr. Potts. I cannot fault her in that," Mrs. Chandler finished. Although she liked Miakia as an employee, her way of upbringing did not suit well with her. She knew it was not Miakia's fault as to ways of Maasai, but she did make it known to the young woman, that she disproved such ways of between men and women at Albert's ranch. She explained that such ways were not allowed and even frowned upon within an English society and that those rules applied at the ranch.
"Come this way, as I'm sure you're probably looking forward to your baths," Mrs. Chandler said, walking towards a suite of rooms on the second floor. "Dinner will be served in about an hour," she said opening a set of doors for Candy into a lovely set of rooms.
Candy gasped at the furnishings, enthralled. Her bedroom balcony opened to a large terrace that overlooked the entire surroundings of the Serengeti. In the vast distance, she could make out a group of elephants slowly lumbering through a group of cluttered trees. Behind the trees, the lowering sun blazed a glowing, orange-purple backdrop on the horizon. Her porcelain tub, full of hot water steaming from the rim, sat near the open balcony so that she could enjoy her bath along with the scenery. There was a large, four poster bed set two steps high off the cream, marble floor near the left of her, piled generously high with a thick, white brocade bedcover and huge pillows. Mesh netting surrounded the entire bed, to keep the bugs out at night, giving the room a voluptuous feeling. Various matching wood pieces of furniture, candles of different sizes, priceless pictures of far distance land and potted planets native to Africa were scattered through out the room.
Candy quickly divested her self of her clothing, sighing with relief as she got into the hot tub. She closed her eyes and wondered for the hundredth time what Albert was doing at moment. She knew earlier when they first arrived, that he had enclosed himself in the ranch's library with Johnson. But as they move past the library on their way to their rooms, she had saw that the library door stood open and that the library was empty.
Oh, you're just too noisy, Candy thought to herself grabbing a sponge and lathering it with the rose scented soap. She could not dismiss the fact that the Maasai girl was probably on the premise and that she may already be in contact with Albert. Candy promptly tried to squash the feelings of jealousy that arose like a sleeping serpent. Alas, she could not, and had good reasons for those feelings as the woman in question was already encased within Albert's chambers.
"What are you doing my chambers, Miakia?" Albert asked, lighting his cigar. He took a deep inhale of the distinctive cigar. He blew out the smoke leisurely, enjoying his relaxing bath. Of the last couple weeks, he had had nothing but sponge baths. There was nothing like a real bath, he thought still watching Miakia through the veil of swirling smoke.
"I thought you would be pleased, my lord," Miakia smiled, winsomely. She sauntered over to him, a sponge in her hands before sitting gracefully down beside him, smiling slowly, purposely.
"As you know, in the past, I invite you--not the other way around. Are you not a married woman now, Miakia?" Albert asked, his dark brow coming up in query.
"It's true, but my husband has married again to another, younger bride," she shrugged her shoulders, her brown eyes downcast, not displaying the anger she felt toward her own husband. "He does not care what I do with my own free time," she stated reaching into the water to wet the sponge, then dropped it in favor of touching Albert's bronze, wet skin beneath the water. She could feel his body go rigid, his jaw twitching in irritation.
Albert's head fell back against the tub as her searching hands encountered his erection. He closed his eyes slowly as her hand closed around his aroused member and imagined a certain green-eyed witch with a tantalizing mouth touching him the way the hands of another did now.
"Oh, I would say you are very pleased, my lord," Miakia replied, huskily as her hands moved up and down on the hard flesh that strained underneath the steaming water. She could not know that Albert's thoughts constantly involved Candy, his body nowadays in a perpetuate state of arousal every time he thought of the young lady.
Miakia licked her lips; her body readily responding to the excitement of having the master once again encased within her after a year of his absence. Albert was the one of the few men in her womanly life who could give her pleasure the way a man should. She gasped with startled fright when Albert abruptly gripped her hands, stilling their movements on him.
"I have been most pleased with your past services--Miakia," he breathed out, slowly, "but you cannot ease this ache--at least no one you know can." He pulled her hands up from the warm water and kissed them each. "I have no wish to hurt you as you have served me well, as well having saved my life once," he began releasing her hands as she sat staring at him with disbelief itching her face. "But you can longer come to my chambers," he slowly smiled, leaning back once more against the tub, "call it properness--obtuse if you want, but the situation has changed between us."
Miakia sat back on her heels, her mouth hanging open at the sudden announcement. Coming to a decision, she shut her mouth, stating, "if that is your wish." She had known such things would come to pass and so she sighed with regret. Then she smiled, her spirits already returning.
"What is that impish smile on your face for?" Albert countered, the physical ache still bothering him. He suddenly wished to be alone with his thoughts.
"Oh, but there is one who can ease your ache--is there not?" She asked smiling, mischievously. When a dark, black brow inched up once again, she shook her head. "You cannot fool me, milord. The golden one, is she not the one who causes such ache within you?"
Albert barked with laughter, unable to contain his mirth, "you are far too perceptive for your own good, Miakia--especially when it come to the matters of a man needs," he continued to chuckle.
"Then I will go and fetch her for she is enjoying her bath as well. I know this, as I spotted her from one of the rooms. It would not but take a minute for the you two to be together as man and woman!" She said getting up from her sitting position.
Albert closed his eyes, again the image of a sleek Candy, naked and within her own bath blazed across his mind, causing him to nearly shudder with repressed desire. If only--he thought sighing, it was that easy! Instead, he laughed again, enjoying Miakia's frankness in sex.
"You cannot do that Miakia. I doubt she would trust you and your ideas," he tried to explain. "Now, get out of here and leave me be to my demons," he finished, dismissing her with laughter still alighting in his eyes.
Miakia sighed, nodding and smiling in the process. She understood what her employer was trying imply. The golden one they called Candy did not have the haughty air that she was most accustom to dealing with of her kind. Miakia took heart that maybe she could convince the young woman to help ease Albert's mental and physical needs. Especially since she knew deep inside that it was she--this Candy who was the only one who could accomplish such a feat.
It was nearing the second week of their stay at the ranch, when the Maasai woman approached Candy. The sun had set and supper had already been served. Candy briefly saw Albert at dinner before he quietly slipped out of the house and into the darkness of the wilderness with his ranch hands. Candy was at her wit's end. Although she enjoyed helping out with the daily chores around the ranch and adjusting to her new life, she felt she was at a stand still. She couldn't quite place it, but she knew her feelings were being bottled up and that anytime soon they would explode at any moment's hesitation. She enjoyed listening to Mrs. Jenkins and Mrs. Chandler's prattle, but they were older and Candy was missing the companionship of someone her own age to converse with.
As Candy opened her door to Miakia's knocking, it was nearly a relief to see someone young standing outside of her bedroom door. She had wondered when the woman would visit her. She felt a certain apprehension and wariness as the woman who stood before her was indeed, very beautiful in an exotic way. Her apprehension was quickly dispersed as she noticed the friendly earnest expression on the other woman's face.
"I'm sorry for intruding on you so late, my lady," Miakia began politely, as Candy opened the door wider to let the Maasai woman into her bedroom.
"That's quite alright, Miakia--right?" Candy asked.
"Yes, " Miakia nodded and answered, still nervous.
"Was there a reason for your visit?" Candy asked directly, getting straight to the point. There was no use dallying, she thought.
"Ah...yes, I've come to talk to you about Albert, " she began as Candy motioned her to one of her chairs. "I don't know how to begin, as I don't know if this is a delicate subject for you..." Miakia trailed off, looking up into Candy's face questioningly.
Candy's eyes blinked, her face flushing, wondering at what the girl trying to explain. "A-are you saying that Albert and you have a 'relationship'?" She asked slowly, taking a deep breath.
Miakia nodded hesitantly, then seeing the consternation and anguished that crossed Candy's face; she quickly shook her head in denial. "I mean, you see, we used to.... Since I recently married, Albert does not think it's right for me to couple with him," Miakia bit her lip, still seeing the frustration on Candy's face and she was at a loss to explain the situation. "Albert would not touch me, Candy---even though he has an ache within him," she continued, trying to explain how the situation had changed between and Albert and her.
"An ache..." Candy mouthed with surprise, not quite understanding. She had felt her heart slam to ground at Miakia's first announcement that her and Albert were intimate. But hope returned when Miakia explained that their relationship was over. She wondered what Miakia's feelings were for Albert.
"Yes...he aches for you was what he told me in so many words. I told him that I would fetch you and you could ease this ache for him." Miakia replied, getting up from her position and tried to implore the other woman.
Candy's face continued to flame, understanding exactly how Albert felt, for she ached as well, in her heart. "Tell me, Miakia...how do you feel about me upending your position? Doesn't it bother you in the least?" She asked, curiously watching the Maasai's woman, closely.
Miakia smiled slowly, shaking her head negatively, her beaded earrings moving gently to the sway of her head. "I saved Albert's life when I was no more than a young girl. My family was traveling through the many areas of Kenya when we happened upon some shooting near the beaches by the ocean," she began her story. "My father yelled at me for running like a coward rabbit. I ran straight into Albert, lying on the grass, bleeding. His friend, Johnson bent down to pick up him up and I could not stand by and watch a man die before my eyes. I helped him and Albert. I took them straight my family and we nursed him back to health." She sighed, and continued, "He has been very good to me because of that. He employed me from my village, gave me an education, and brought a good income to my family so that I could be offered to the wealthiest man in our village. Life has been very good for all of us. But I have many lovers to keep me occupied, including my own husband." She giggled at Candy's wide gaze of astonishment. "I'm very fond of Albert, but I don't love him."
"I see," Candy replied, she turned to look out of the window and into the evening. She was curious as to why Albert was shot and why they--him and Johnson--were on forbidden grounds, but she kept her mouth closed. She was sure that when the time came, she would learn.
The evening crickets sung quietly to each other in the darkness that filled the vast Loita Plains. An occasional hyena yelped in the far distance, echoed by another following its lead.
"But you must go to him and ease the pain you both feel!" Miakia added to Candy turning toward her, a tiny smile on her face.
"I can't do that, Miakia! It's not that simple!" If only it was that easy, she thought wanting to laugh at the thought of her bursting through his rooms unannounced.
"Of course, it is! A Maasai woman never denies her body and it is no different with any other woman." Miakia nodded her head with finality, trying to make the other woman understand. "It is the way Mother of Nature intended. You cannot deny what is in your heart or what your body's yearning! You must go to him, Candy," she implored, then added, "you are a beautiful woman from what I can see and he would not deny you anything."
"I can't just go into his rooms like that!" Candy grinned again.
"Oh yes, you can! When you can no longer deny yourself, you will go!" Miakia stated, folding her arms over her chest, smiling. "You will see."
Somehow the following weeks found Candy and Miakia within constant companionship. Candy rather secretly enjoyed the frank, young Maasai woman with her sexual exploits with men of her age. However, Candy came to understand that despite her many lovers, there was only one who could come calling and snap his hands for Miakia's attention and that was her husband. Miakia had told her that she was upset with her husband for marrying another, younger bride. And now she would have to share her husband and his wealth to another of their household.
Of course, the notion shocked Candy, for she didn't know such marriages could exist. Miakia had laughed at Candy's expression, but quickly assured her new friend that it was part of the Maasai tradition and that it did not bother Miakia. How could I, she had laughed with delight, when I have so much variety to choose from, she had added to Candy's flaming ears. Candy wondered briefly if her husband envied the many men Miakia slept with, for she was very beautiful with her light, chocolate skin, slanting, wide brown eyes as opposed to the more darker, Maasai women of her kind. And perhaps she wondered, if the new bride was some sort of retaliation. Candy had shrugged her shoulders after trying to figure out the intricacies involved, stating to herself that she was just a bystander in the whole situation. She suspected that even Miakia had come to that conclusion, but could not do anything about the situation now that another bride was part of their household.
Miakia showed Candy her small village and Candy learned to enjoy the enchanting, welcome singing every time she entered the village. Their homes were low loaf huts consisting of composed clay and cattle dung. The Maasai believed in protecting their cattle at all cost. They considered the cattle a literal symbol of the Enkai or sky god.
The women were gracious to her and the men seemed a bit reproachable. Miakia assured her that the men were usually reserved about those who were new to the area. Candy watched the dances the Maasai performed with fascination as the warriors tried to attain such altitude with each jump.
Miakia then presented Candy with a lovely red, shawl that wrapped over one's shoulder, leaving the other shoulder bare. A two piece dress with a tank top and skirt that halted above her slim ankles in the traditional Maasai colors for women. Miakia also presented Candy with a small coil of beads for her neck. She told Candy that her bead necklace would be smaller than Miakia's own as Candy was not a married woman. Candy wondered where she could wear the outfit, since she knew she could never wear it in front of either Mrs. Jenkins or Mrs. Chandler or the rest of the servants, for that matter. Miakia whispered to her that the dress could always be worn within her own rooms and when she spent time to herself. Candy agreed, smiling and thanking her new friend for the wonderful presents.
Miakia then reminded Candy that Albert would surely be pleased seeing her in such an outfit. Candy would only wrinkle her nose at the girl and laugh softly at the thought.
Of Albert, Candy saw little of him. He spent most of his days in the nearby town, Nanyuki trying to address the poaching on his lands and to enlist the Kenya government to intervene. Candy understood that his ranch was sort a refuge for the wildlife and that he did not particularly care for any type of poaching or hunting on his lands for the big game that roamed freely within his boundaries.
"Candy!" Candy heard Albert shout to her from below her bedroom window, one early evening. She ran to her balcony to stare down at him questioningly, from her bedroom balcony. Behind him, in the distance horizon, huge, dark clouds filled the sky and the air was unnaturally humid and warm. There was a devilish look about Albert, a tilting smile playing about his lips that was catching. She was helpless but to smile back at him, wondering what he was up to. He sat on his caramel mount, insolently controlling the large beast with infinite care and ease. His hair was ruffled by the warm winds, his face bronze from all the time him and Johnson had spent underneath the blazing, hot sun. A cream, finely made linen shirt open at his throat, beige trousers with brown boots adorned his magnificent body.
"What is it?" She asked suddenly puzzled, her heart racing at the sight he made before her.
"There's something I want to show you. I've already ordered a mount for you," he grinned up to her, the excitement playing in his eyes that she immediately wanted to know what it was he wanted to show her. Before she could even open her mouth to question him, he shook his head, smiling mysteriously. "Hurry up, before you miss the entire thing!"
"Okay! I'll be there in a minute, Albert! Don't you dare leave me!" She threatened, disappearing into her rooms to throw off her heavy underskirts and grabbing her dark, brown riding jacket in the process. She quickly doffed her house slippers in favor of the more, practical riding boots. She fairly flew down the staircase, passing by a startled Mrs. Jenkins, the pretentious, Mr. Potts and Mrs. Chandler in the process.
"Come on, slow poke! Or we're going to miss everything!" Albert laughed at Candy's frowning expression as she mounted her mare, quickly and gracefully. The movement was not lost on Albert as he admired the brief, flashy show of her shapely limbs as she threw herself onto her mount. He gathered the reins of his own mount and they turned, galloping towards a cluster of trees.
Sometime later, they neared a large area of downed trees and scattered bushes in the high grassy area of the Loita Plains. It was the sound of a thunderous roar that made Candy and her mount jump with a jolt, startled by the nearby sound.
"Look over there---" Albert quietly pointed out to large group of lions, further from them, near more shrubbery as he came up close to her and her mount.
Candy's breath stilled, for she had never been this close to a group of lions and a pack of hyenas. Her heart thudded loudly within her ribcage and she suddenly had the urge to flee. They were definitely much larger and fiercer up close, she thought, nervously. She pulled the reins of her mare closer to his, noticing the widening grin on his face. She flashed a nervous, grateful smile back at him, having missed his close company of late.
"Don't worry, they already know that there are specters watching them. They could careless about us...so long as we don't interfere," Albert continued to grin, reading her mind, that she flashed her green gaze at him. "See that one--the one lion in front?" Albert pointed to a regal lion, its body massive with muscles, an ample mane framed his head in a burnished, red color. At her nod, he continued, "I call him--in Swahili--Fire with Storm--he's one of the two lions that are part of this pride." He pointed to another lion with a golden mane beside the group of lionesses. "That one, is Heart of Sun--he guards the lionesses while his brother--Fire with Storm normally patrols the borders of their marked land."
"How do you know so much about these lions?" Candy asked, fascinated with the scene taking place before her and how he knew so much about the lions.
"This pride roamed my lands before I purchased this ranch. I used to track the pride when I was younger. You see that pack of hyenas?" He asked.
She nodded, staring at the first hyena. It was in front of the rest of the hyena pack. It was bold enough to stare back at the lion, Fire with Storm. "It's almost as if they're at a stand off or something," she thought aloud.
"That's right.... The first hyena in front has just risen to her position of high monarch. Hyenas are packs led by hierarchy females. Her mother was killed a couple of weeks ago by Fire with Storm. Like her mother, this hyena has ascended to her throne. This is the hyenas' first match with the new monarch leading the pack. This particular pride of lions hates this pack of hyenas that live in this area. They are always fighting over territory." Albert finished still watching the scenery of the lions and hyenas that faced each other, tensely. "It goes from one generation to another."
Suddenly, Heart of Sun sauntered fearlessly close to the tense, monarch hyena, he turned his back on her and marked the ground with his back paws. And then walked back a few paces back, near his brother to stare at the hyena, as if to taunt her. In return, the new monarch, feeling the eyes of her pack on her, took a few bold steps forward. Without turning her back on the lions, she defiantly marked her paws over the lion's recent marking. She pounced slightly to the side of her markings, then guffawed at the lion in that strange, hooting laugh that hyenas are aptly named for. Her fellow hyenas yapped along with her in favor of her actions.
However, like her mother before her, the young, monarch hyena did not see the paw of death before it was too late. Having tired of the playing games with this far too audacious hyena who did not know her place in the chain of domination. The short-tempered, Fire with Storm leaped with death-defying speed at the young hyena and with one, large swoop instantly felled the much smaller animal. The lionesses, once so intensely quiet, leaped forward as if to charge at the pack of hyenas. The hyenas yelped excitedly at their fallen monarch as if not believing their eyes. Heart of Sun decided at that moment of confusion, to roar through the crowd of hyenas, effectively scattering them within an instant around the tall grasses. Fire with Storm slowly and boldly strode back toward the lionesses, glancing casually over his shoulder as if to say that he was done with his duty of protecting his pride and that the king of lions still ruled this part of the plains.
The hyenas hesitated a moment longer in the area, still staring at their own lying motionless in the tall grasses before tucking their tails underneath their bodies and retreating from the fearsome lions. There would be another monarch to replace the one they had lost and then soon, they would return to the lions' lair in hopes of besting them in another duel of territory, but that was for another day.
"Oh my God," Candy's breath exploded from her chest as the last of the hyenas disappeared from their sight. "That was incredible!" She stared at Albert, her expression of excitement mirroring his own.
"It is, isn't it?" Albert grinned, gathering his reins together again. "We better scatter too, before the pride decides to turn their attention on us. And with the adrenaline still running through their veins now, who knows what could happen," he finished, glancing toward the lion pride that was now beginning relax.
Candy nodded her head in agreement, her gaze going toward the sky as the dark clouds darkened the sky, hovering like an ominous tolling. "Looks like its going to rain soon, too," she added, following Albert quietly out of the lions' area.
Glancing over his shoulder at her, he said, "yeah, I can practically taste it in the air." Just as they cleared the area of trees, the rain began to fall heavily. Candy shrieked with laughter as she was soaked within minutes, the rainfall was so heavy that Albert had to purposely slow his mount down so that she could stay close to him. He grinned at her upturned face enraptured by the delighted expression on her face.
Within moments, the ranch loomed in front of them and then they were on the front porch trying to wring out the water that was dripping from their clothing. They laughed like children, drenched wet and soaked to the skin. Mrs. Jenkins came out and onto the porch, a horrified expression on her face as she fussed at the both of them; abolishing Albert for allowing his charge to become soaked to the skin and that she could catch a dreadful cold. Candy giggled underneath her breath as Albert rolled his eyes up to ceiling when he thought Mrs. Jenkins wasn't paying attention to him.
The excitement of watching the lions and the hyenas lingered upon both of their minds. From time to time, as if he could not get enough of gazing at Candy, he would boldly stare at her. This only caused Candy's limbs to tremble and her back to shiver in response to his warm gaze. Likewise, she could not know how lovely she looked even though she was drenched in water. With the riding jacket off, her wet, white shirt molded the definite shape of her full breasts and the skirt softly clung to her shapely curves. It was a sight no man could turn from. She blatantly gazed back at him as they neared their own rooms, her green eyes aflame with crackling fire. She followed Mrs. Jenkins silently into her rooms as the older woman threw open her amour, pulling out her evening clothes. Her balcony doors were still open, despite the heavy rains that continued to fall. The large house stayed humid and warm even after the fall of the rain.
"No, I'll wear this!" Candy replied suddenly, impulsively, pulling out Miakia's gift. Mrs. Jenkins eyes went wide with disapproval, a frown marring her brow. "It should be okay since dinner's already been served and had planned on eating in my rooms," she smiled patiently as Mrs. Jenkins blew out a sigh of relief.
"If that's the case...you can, of course, wear whatever you please in here, my dear," Mrs. Jenkins smiled, Turning toward the door, she asked as an afterthought, "do you need some help disrobing?" Miakia was at home and would not be returning for another week.
"No, thank you, I think I can mange fine," Candy smiled gratefully to the older woman, taking off her wet shirt in the process.
"Then I'll leave you be.... Mrs. Chandler will leave your dinner outside of your door, if you don't want to be disturbed," Mrs. Jenkins added again before exiting her rooms.
Candy pulled the rest of her wet clothes off, hanging the clothes over her chaise, knowing that Mrs. Chandler would probably fuss in the morning. But she wasn't up to going downstairs and facing the older woman as she had just faced Mrs. Jenkins. She slipped the short tank top and wrap around skirt on her. It left her mid-drift bare showing off her slim stomach and her shapely hips, enticingly. Out of fanciful thoughts, she even slipped on the small beading necklace, leaving off the lovely shawl that normally draped off a Maasai woman's shoulder.
She carelessly smoothed her damp hair that was beginning to dry into a halo of thick, golden tendrils of curls. Her mind seemed elsewhere as she slowly walked to her open balcony, pushing aside the white, gossamer drapes. The drapes shifted against her legs as if it had a mind of its own, fluttering to the warm breeze that caressed her cheek. She stared at Albert's open balcony with a wistful expression on her face, the inside of his room, seeming dark.
Somehow, she found her own hand twisting the connecting doorknob from her room to his own. She slowly turned the knob, surprised that she found it unlocked. She had always assumed that he kept his side of the door locked the way she did hers. It was as if another person walked within her, filling her with a presence that she suddenly sensed with comforting ease for the unknown. She sighed, taking a deep breath and opened the connecting door, silently slipping in like a thief in the night. Had she made a sound from her entry she would have jumped back into her rooms, fleeing like a coward. But something else was creeping throughout her, edging her, pushing her forward toward the mesh netting that surrounded his bed.
Albert spotted her as she slipped into his rooms, silently. He had been lying down on his bed, not quite dozing but not quite awake either, after having discarded his wet clothing. He listened to the heavy rainfall outside of his balcony, his eyes halfway closed in meditation. His perilous, forbidden thoughts of Candy as usual on his relentless mind and their latest time together on the Serengeti. His eyes had blazed with some unknown emotion as they quickly and boldly assessed her scantly, clad body. To say that was he was pleased with her finally coming to him did not even touch the icing on the cake. She stood before him like a Thompson gazelle, delicate and agile, ready to flee at a moment's hesitation. But she was beautiful beyond belief and his heart stirred at the sight of her in the traditional Maasai young woman clothing, knowing that Miakia had personally picked out the outfit to please him and to flatter Candy's figure. He pushed back the mesh netting slowly, hoping the thin sheets wouldn't slip down to reveal his completely nakedness and cause her to flee from him.
Candy's gaze caught and held with Albert's smoldering gaze. She stepped hesitantly forward, held spellbound by the power of his hypnotizing, blue gaze. She knew finally, without a doubt that there was no turning back. She didn't even know if she had the power to stop herself, even if she had wanted to. The promise of experiencing intoxicating, sweet delight in his arms stirred her forward, not wanting to waste anymore time in speculation or anxiety. She paused, not really realizing what she was doing or knowing the tantalizing picture she made as she slowly pulled the tank top off of her. She could see the fire flare brightly within Albert's gaze as he stared at her full, creamy breasts that moved ever so gently to the sway of her breath. Rose tipped nipples crowned each full orb, erect to his searching gaze.
He reached out and took her hand that lay limp against her thigh and pulled her forward to him, slowly, as if in a dream. He looked up into her eyes, as if questioning her to stop him, he gently tugged at the strap that held the bottom part of her wrap skirt, letting it gently fall down to the floor beside his bed. His eyes grew torrid and searing as he saw that she wore nothing underneath the skirt but herself.
"Candy...." He breathed out, shocked by the tilting beauty that stood before him in all her splendid glory. She was far more beautiful than he had ever dreamed as he stared at her lovely breasts that heaved softly from each breath she took. Her slim stomach quivered at his gaze, and then lower to the downy mound of golden curls that peeked up at him to the long, luscious limbs that seem to beg for his touch.
She smiled tentatively, her hands reaching out to touch his broad shoulders as enthralled as he was feeling. Her fingers skimmed over his shoulders, her caress soft and exploring before flaring over his muscle-bound chest with wonder. "I never believed.... Your skin.... It's so soft and hard," she softly whispered, her hands fluttering over him.
He could not resist the feel of her soft hands kneading his flesh as he closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, perturbed to find her wide eyed gaze on his lower anatomy. He followed her eyes and realized that the sheet had slipped down and off of him.
"Oh my...." Candy softly gasped out; her eyes riveted on him. She could feel her legs quivering like jelly, wondering if she'd be able to keep standing before him. She could not tear her eyes away from that mysterious part of him that strained up at her, almost as if it begged to be touched. She wondered briefly how that part of him could possibly fit within her and she nearly moaned at the forbidden thoughts that gripped at her insides. An unfamiliar, but pleasing warmth flooded her lower belly in response to gazing at him.
"Come...." she heard him say, smiling gently at her as he pulled her onto his bed, once again closing the netting around them. It was almost as if the only world that existed was that of only them.
"Touch me....Candy....anywhere you want," he commanded and requested at the same time to her. With hesitate hands she did, first softly, tentatively and then with more boldness. Her reward was the sounds of his intake breaths, the powerful quivering of his body as she touched him with increasing delight. When her hands reached that part of him that she so curiously wanted to touch earlier, they floundered, until he gently guided her hands on him. Her eyes grew wide, feeling his velvety length that seemed pulse with a life of its own. Her mouth parted softly as she watched him groan and shudder underneath her ministrations, exploring hands. Finally as if not being able stand anymore of her exploring touch on his flesh, he gently took her hands, kissing each finger, softly, gently.
"If you don't stop, I fear that I won't be able to pleasure you...." he replied huskily to her, feeling that pain of restraint continuing to flare through him. It was no easy feat to accomplish, holding himself back where she was concerned. He had been very close to spilling himself in her palms. At her questioned, searching look, he grinned lazily at her, explaining, "you'll understand soon enough, my love," he said to her and her lying back down against his pillows.
Candy closed her eyes as she felt his hands begin their quest upon her, learning her curves and touching her where she didn't know she could be touched. When his mouth covered a puckered nipple, her eyes flew open with astonishment, her mouth parting in a low moan. She looked down at the dark head at her breast as his tongue lavished one nipple with exquisite finesse, his tongue leisurely flicking slowly over the nub before he moved on to the other breast, not wanting to ignore the other. Her hands reached up of their own accord as if guiding him toward the other breast. He cupped the abandon, creamy mound within his hand, actively kneading the nub within his palm and then, gently began to tug and suckle at the other breast like a babe.
When she thought she could take no more pleasure, he trailed more heated kisses along her arched throat before finally slanting his mouth over hers for a deep and searing kiss. His hands continued their exploration, touching her everywhere on her heated flesh, causing moans of delight to escape from her and their entwined lips. When his fingers delved between her thighs to gently caress her womanly petals, their kiss ended abruptly. She stared into Albert's fiery, blue gaze, huskily crying out at the sheer rapture his caressing fingers initiated. They tugged and gently pulled at her insides until she thought she would exploded into a million pieces.
Her hands reached out to again touch him, blindly, as if to guide him toward her, toward something she didn't quite understand, but needed. It was then, that he decided they no longer needed to wait. He settled his big body between her soft thighs, poised to enter her, murmuring, "This is going to hurt..." at her questioning look, the fires aflame her burning gaze, he continued for her benefit, "but it'll only be once...and after that there's only pleasure...I promise"
And then he drove into her, penetrating her deeply and swiftly so that she cried out at the sharp pain that seared through her body. It engulfed her for only a moment, tears escaping from her clenched eyes and then the pain was gone, only leaving a slight tingling in its awake. But he was already moving in her, slowly, purposely, as if testing the smoothness of her warm channel, so that she could barely catch her breath. She put her tremulous arms around his broad neck as if to bring him closer to her, wondering at the creeping languor that was filling her insides and wanting, needing to follow his lead. As if responding to his thrusts, she surged forward, lifting her hips forward to meet his, causing the fires to flare brightly that were only beginning to burn within her with ever increasing speed.
"Candy...too fast...next time--it'll be slower," he groaned into her hot ears, his hands catching onto the tumbled mass of her golden mane as he felt her limbs cross over his hard-muscled thighs, bringing him even deeper into her than he thought was possible. She was too damn tight, that he knew he was going to explode from the sheer pleasure of being encased within her warm folds. He could her soft panting; her feathering breath against his shoulder further igniting the fiery, feverish fire within him. Then, incredibly before him, he could feel her convulsing, tightening around him like a hot, moisten glove. He heard her crying his name on tip of her tongue as the force of her climax overtook her. He joined her, his own hoarse cry echoing her name, his body shuddering, powerfully against her own. It overtook them, spiraling them upwards into that blazing, kaleidoscope of splintering, blistering colors before finally releasing them and sending them floating, fluttering down on the gentle wings of reality.
With his arms still holding her close to him, Candy dozed for a while. The mesh netting continued to close off any sense of reality, making it seem as if time stood still for them. The heavy rains slowed to a light sprinkle outside of his open, dark balcony. Finally the warm air gave way to the refreshing, cool morning breeze, but it unnoticed by the occupants on Albert's bed. Softly, murmuring to her the love words, his hands and lips once again exploring the shapely curves of her sprawled body over his, he rolled her back onto her back, once again impaling her with resurgence of his desire. She twisted her body with mounting eagerness, her body a recipient to the tides of their rising desire. This time, they slowly explored each other; the sounds of soft gasps of delight could be heard from within his rooms.
It wasn't until the fiery orange, filtering light peeked through Serengeti trees on the distance horizon did they lay satiated, amongst a tangle of arms and limbs, their passion temporarily slaked of each other. Kissing the top of her tousled curls, he lifted her from his bed, opening the door to her rooms and depositing her gently onto her own bed. She sleepily opened her eyes, protesting at the loss of his warmth, before dropping off back into a deep sleep. She was oblivious to the fact that he covered her slumbering body with her covers, returning to his rooms as quietly as he had left them.
Stay tuned to the next part!! Coming soon!
Lady M. Harris
By Lady M. Harris
Chapter 5
On the Twelfth Day, the Indian Ocean gave way to the shores of Mombassa, Kenya of Africa. Mr. Johnson was on the docks awaiting their arrival with a friendly and familiar face among the sea of strangers that crowded the docks and plank walkway. They piled their belongings onto the old carriage that had seen better days on the rough roads. Candy could not seem to get enough of the scenery. It was a two-day trek to Albert's ranch located about twenty miles from the Loita Plains, part of the Serengeti area and the inhabitants of that area who were known as the Maasai tribes. It is also the closest area of Mara where the area was widely renown for its variety of large animals such as the lion, leopard, elephant, buffalo and rhino and of course, the plains animals. It was also known, during certain times of the year to reveal the migration of the wildebeests.
The heat was tremendously hot and dry to Candy, but she was assured that most the days were not always like that in Africa, especially when the rains and monsoons came in April and May. Candy was glad that they had already missed that part of the season as they were already into late fall season.
Since the incident within Candy's cabin, Albert took great pains to steer clear of her. He went back to having supper within the captain's cabin and gambling every evening. Candy was relieved to some extent, but the notion of having Albert as her lover had caught on within her forbidden mind. She knew eventually that they would have to face the inevitable. She was quickly beginning to understand why Albert roused such wanton demons within her, but did not understand why he choose to ignore those within himself.
Why could she not have the best of both worlds as men were often allowed she thought as the hot air blew into the carriage from the open windows. The ride was bumpy enough that Mrs. Jenkins and her had given up any conversation in favor of just watching the passing scenery.
Sooner or later, if Albert did not make the move and do something about this continuing attraction, she knew she would. Candy did not believe she could hold out for very long as Albert did. Her heart was calling to her, telling her to listen to the voices within her. It was sweeping into the scene like a quiet whisper, that something other than lust was controlling them, even though she knew that Albert thought otherwise.
They arrived at Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, late that evening and stayed in their finest, the Fairview Hotel. The city was very cosmopolitan having been established by the British colony. There was very much a Victorian touch among the homes and businesses.
Candy did nothing more than eat the simple meal that was brought to her room before retiring tiredly to her bed. The ride had been more grueling than she had previously believed, as her backside seemed to ache with pain. She wondered briefly how Albert had faired, considering he had chose to ride openly on his horse the entire way. She wrinkled her nose to no one particular in the darkness but the dark wall, as her eyelids slowly closed over her eyes, sleepily. She understood even then, why he had chosen his mount as opposed to being forced to ride next her in the crowded carriage.
They left the modern trapping of the Nairobi City to brave the rough roads toward Albert's ranch the following morning. But it was not to say that Candy did not enjoy that day, for she had glimpsed the statuesque elephants and lions at a nearby watering hole from a distance on their way to their new home. She stuck her head out of the carriage to point at the wild gazelles that grazed the brush lands to Albert in her excitement. He had grinned at her delight, her excitement catching. Albert told them along the way, that they would most likely arrive at the ranch later that evening. And as his prediction foretold, those who attended his ranch that evening noted their evening arrival.
The sprawling ranch was beautiful upon Candy's first site. The building blended in naturally with the background of the golden grassy scenery. The servants were on the doorsteps awaiting the return of their owner. Candy met the housekeeper, Mrs. Chandler, the older butler and valet of sorts, Mr. Potts. There were also two other ranch hands and Mrs. Chandler had a maid to help her out with some of the more mundane chores.
Miakia was a young Maasai; her skin was a silky, light-colored, chocolate brown tone and her eyes the same beautiful color. Thick coils of colorful beads adorned her long neck and small ears in a display of her marriage and womanhood. Mrs. Chandler told her that Miakia was newly married woman but came in from her village to help out at the ranch. Underneath her breath, she whispered to Candy that Miakia also helped out in other forms. Candy went red, her cheeks flaming as the implications dawned on her. Mrs. Chandler went on to explain that their master was not impervious to Miakia's charms either.
"I dare say, that will change very soon now that Candy is aware of the situation!" Mrs. Jenkins huffed, indignantly and winking merrily at the same time to Candy. Candy's eyes went wide as it dawned on her that Mrs. Jenkins had caught wind of the attraction between her employer and charge.
Mrs. Chandler nodded her head in understanding toward Candy, already liking the beautiful girl they called Candy. She seemed sweet and genteel as most young ladies of her age but her eyes glowed with intelligence and spirit. "You cannot fault Miakia though, as a young Maasai bride she has been given leave by her husband to enjoy other men of her husband's age!" She finished over the shocked gasps that followed her announcement.
"You mean, its okay to fornicate with others beside their intended?" Candy's eyes grew even wider. "But it is not my place to know Albert's business--at least not that business!" Candy whispered, her face still flaming. She felt something else stir within her, a natural jealousy for this unknown Maasai maid.
Mrs. Chandler shook her gray head, "doesn't matter really. Besides, Miakia doesn't need anymore lovers. She has more than enough to keep her busy," her nose wrinkled in distaste. "Still, she's always been a very good worker and is certainly respectful to me and Mr. Potts. I cannot fault her in that," Mrs. Chandler finished. Although she liked Miakia as an employee, her way of upbringing did not suit well with her. She knew it was not Miakia's fault as to ways of Maasai, but she did make it known to the young woman, that she disproved such ways of between men and women at Albert's ranch. She explained that such ways were not allowed and even frowned upon within an English society and that those rules applied at the ranch.
"Come this way, as I'm sure you're probably looking forward to your baths," Mrs. Chandler said, walking towards a suite of rooms on the second floor. "Dinner will be served in about an hour," she said opening a set of doors for Candy into a lovely set of rooms.
Candy gasped at the furnishings, enthralled. Her bedroom balcony opened to a large terrace that overlooked the entire surroundings of the Serengeti. In the vast distance, she could make out a group of elephants slowly lumbering through a group of cluttered trees. Behind the trees, the lowering sun blazed a glowing, orange-purple backdrop on the horizon. Her porcelain tub, full of hot water steaming from the rim, sat near the open balcony so that she could enjoy her bath along with the scenery. There was a large, four poster bed set two steps high off the cream, marble floor near the left of her, piled generously high with a thick, white brocade bedcover and huge pillows. Mesh netting surrounded the entire bed, to keep the bugs out at night, giving the room a voluptuous feeling. Various matching wood pieces of furniture, candles of different sizes, priceless pictures of far distance land and potted planets native to Africa were scattered through out the room.
Candy quickly divested her self of her clothing, sighing with relief as she got into the hot tub. She closed her eyes and wondered for the hundredth time what Albert was doing at moment. She knew earlier when they first arrived, that he had enclosed himself in the ranch's library with Johnson. But as they move past the library on their way to their rooms, she had saw that the library door stood open and that the library was empty.
Oh, you're just too noisy, Candy thought to herself grabbing a sponge and lathering it with the rose scented soap. She could not dismiss the fact that the Maasai girl was probably on the premise and that she may already be in contact with Albert. Candy promptly tried to squash the feelings of jealousy that arose like a sleeping serpent. Alas, she could not, and had good reasons for those feelings as the woman in question was already encased within Albert's chambers.
"What are you doing my chambers, Miakia?" Albert asked, lighting his cigar. He took a deep inhale of the distinctive cigar. He blew out the smoke leisurely, enjoying his relaxing bath. Of the last couple weeks, he had had nothing but sponge baths. There was nothing like a real bath, he thought still watching Miakia through the veil of swirling smoke.
"I thought you would be pleased, my lord," Miakia smiled, winsomely. She sauntered over to him, a sponge in her hands before sitting gracefully down beside him, smiling slowly, purposely.
"As you know, in the past, I invite you--not the other way around. Are you not a married woman now, Miakia?" Albert asked, his dark brow coming up in query.
"It's true, but my husband has married again to another, younger bride," she shrugged her shoulders, her brown eyes downcast, not displaying the anger she felt toward her own husband. "He does not care what I do with my own free time," she stated reaching into the water to wet the sponge, then dropped it in favor of touching Albert's bronze, wet skin beneath the water. She could feel his body go rigid, his jaw twitching in irritation.
Albert's head fell back against the tub as her searching hands encountered his erection. He closed his eyes slowly as her hand closed around his aroused member and imagined a certain green-eyed witch with a tantalizing mouth touching him the way the hands of another did now.
"Oh, I would say you are very pleased, my lord," Miakia replied, huskily as her hands moved up and down on the hard flesh that strained underneath the steaming water. She could not know that Albert's thoughts constantly involved Candy, his body nowadays in a perpetuate state of arousal every time he thought of the young lady.
Miakia licked her lips; her body readily responding to the excitement of having the master once again encased within her after a year of his absence. Albert was the one of the few men in her womanly life who could give her pleasure the way a man should. She gasped with startled fright when Albert abruptly gripped her hands, stilling their movements on him.
"I have been most pleased with your past services--Miakia," he breathed out, slowly, "but you cannot ease this ache--at least no one you know can." He pulled her hands up from the warm water and kissed them each. "I have no wish to hurt you as you have served me well, as well having saved my life once," he began releasing her hands as she sat staring at him with disbelief itching her face. "But you can longer come to my chambers," he slowly smiled, leaning back once more against the tub, "call it properness--obtuse if you want, but the situation has changed between us."
Miakia sat back on her heels, her mouth hanging open at the sudden announcement. Coming to a decision, she shut her mouth, stating, "if that is your wish." She had known such things would come to pass and so she sighed with regret. Then she smiled, her spirits already returning.
"What is that impish smile on your face for?" Albert countered, the physical ache still bothering him. He suddenly wished to be alone with his thoughts.
"Oh, but there is one who can ease your ache--is there not?" She asked smiling, mischievously. When a dark, black brow inched up once again, she shook her head. "You cannot fool me, milord. The golden one, is she not the one who causes such ache within you?"
Albert barked with laughter, unable to contain his mirth, "you are far too perceptive for your own good, Miakia--especially when it come to the matters of a man needs," he continued to chuckle.
"Then I will go and fetch her for she is enjoying her bath as well. I know this, as I spotted her from one of the rooms. It would not but take a minute for the you two to be together as man and woman!" She said getting up from her sitting position.
Albert closed his eyes, again the image of a sleek Candy, naked and within her own bath blazed across his mind, causing him to nearly shudder with repressed desire. If only--he thought sighing, it was that easy! Instead, he laughed again, enjoying Miakia's frankness in sex.
"You cannot do that Miakia. I doubt she would trust you and your ideas," he tried to explain. "Now, get out of here and leave me be to my demons," he finished, dismissing her with laughter still alighting in his eyes.
Miakia sighed, nodding and smiling in the process. She understood what her employer was trying imply. The golden one they called Candy did not have the haughty air that she was most accustom to dealing with of her kind. Miakia took heart that maybe she could convince the young woman to help ease Albert's mental and physical needs. Especially since she knew deep inside that it was she--this Candy who was the only one who could accomplish such a feat.
It was nearing the second week of their stay at the ranch, when the Maasai woman approached Candy. The sun had set and supper had already been served. Candy briefly saw Albert at dinner before he quietly slipped out of the house and into the darkness of the wilderness with his ranch hands. Candy was at her wit's end. Although she enjoyed helping out with the daily chores around the ranch and adjusting to her new life, she felt she was at a stand still. She couldn't quite place it, but she knew her feelings were being bottled up and that anytime soon they would explode at any moment's hesitation. She enjoyed listening to Mrs. Jenkins and Mrs. Chandler's prattle, but they were older and Candy was missing the companionship of someone her own age to converse with.
As Candy opened her door to Miakia's knocking, it was nearly a relief to see someone young standing outside of her bedroom door. She had wondered when the woman would visit her. She felt a certain apprehension and wariness as the woman who stood before her was indeed, very beautiful in an exotic way. Her apprehension was quickly dispersed as she noticed the friendly earnest expression on the other woman's face.
"I'm sorry for intruding on you so late, my lady," Miakia began politely, as Candy opened the door wider to let the Maasai woman into her bedroom.
"That's quite alright, Miakia--right?" Candy asked.
"Yes, " Miakia nodded and answered, still nervous.
"Was there a reason for your visit?" Candy asked directly, getting straight to the point. There was no use dallying, she thought.
"Ah...yes, I've come to talk to you about Albert, " she began as Candy motioned her to one of her chairs. "I don't know how to begin, as I don't know if this is a delicate subject for you..." Miakia trailed off, looking up into Candy's face questioningly.
Candy's eyes blinked, her face flushing, wondering at what the girl trying to explain. "A-are you saying that Albert and you have a 'relationship'?" She asked slowly, taking a deep breath.
Miakia nodded hesitantly, then seeing the consternation and anguished that crossed Candy's face; she quickly shook her head in denial. "I mean, you see, we used to.... Since I recently married, Albert does not think it's right for me to couple with him," Miakia bit her lip, still seeing the frustration on Candy's face and she was at a loss to explain the situation. "Albert would not touch me, Candy---even though he has an ache within him," she continued, trying to explain how the situation had changed between and Albert and her.
"An ache..." Candy mouthed with surprise, not quite understanding. She had felt her heart slam to ground at Miakia's first announcement that her and Albert were intimate. But hope returned when Miakia explained that their relationship was over. She wondered what Miakia's feelings were for Albert.
"Yes...he aches for you was what he told me in so many words. I told him that I would fetch you and you could ease this ache for him." Miakia replied, getting up from her position and tried to implore the other woman.
Candy's face continued to flame, understanding exactly how Albert felt, for she ached as well, in her heart. "Tell me, Miakia...how do you feel about me upending your position? Doesn't it bother you in the least?" She asked, curiously watching the Maasai's woman, closely.
Miakia smiled slowly, shaking her head negatively, her beaded earrings moving gently to the sway of her head. "I saved Albert's life when I was no more than a young girl. My family was traveling through the many areas of Kenya when we happened upon some shooting near the beaches by the ocean," she began her story. "My father yelled at me for running like a coward rabbit. I ran straight into Albert, lying on the grass, bleeding. His friend, Johnson bent down to pick up him up and I could not stand by and watch a man die before my eyes. I helped him and Albert. I took them straight my family and we nursed him back to health." She sighed, and continued, "He has been very good to me because of that. He employed me from my village, gave me an education, and brought a good income to my family so that I could be offered to the wealthiest man in our village. Life has been very good for all of us. But I have many lovers to keep me occupied, including my own husband." She giggled at Candy's wide gaze of astonishment. "I'm very fond of Albert, but I don't love him."
"I see," Candy replied, she turned to look out of the window and into the evening. She was curious as to why Albert was shot and why they--him and Johnson--were on forbidden grounds, but she kept her mouth closed. She was sure that when the time came, she would learn.
The evening crickets sung quietly to each other in the darkness that filled the vast Loita Plains. An occasional hyena yelped in the far distance, echoed by another following its lead.
"But you must go to him and ease the pain you both feel!" Miakia added to Candy turning toward her, a tiny smile on her face.
"I can't do that, Miakia! It's not that simple!" If only it was that easy, she thought wanting to laugh at the thought of her bursting through his rooms unannounced.
"Of course, it is! A Maasai woman never denies her body and it is no different with any other woman." Miakia nodded her head with finality, trying to make the other woman understand. "It is the way Mother of Nature intended. You cannot deny what is in your heart or what your body's yearning! You must go to him, Candy," she implored, then added, "you are a beautiful woman from what I can see and he would not deny you anything."
"I can't just go into his rooms like that!" Candy grinned again.
"Oh yes, you can! When you can no longer deny yourself, you will go!" Miakia stated, folding her arms over her chest, smiling. "You will see."
Somehow the following weeks found Candy and Miakia within constant companionship. Candy rather secretly enjoyed the frank, young Maasai woman with her sexual exploits with men of her age. However, Candy came to understand that despite her many lovers, there was only one who could come calling and snap his hands for Miakia's attention and that was her husband. Miakia had told her that she was upset with her husband for marrying another, younger bride. And now she would have to share her husband and his wealth to another of their household.
Of course, the notion shocked Candy, for she didn't know such marriages could exist. Miakia had laughed at Candy's expression, but quickly assured her new friend that it was part of the Maasai tradition and that it did not bother Miakia. How could I, she had laughed with delight, when I have so much variety to choose from, she had added to Candy's flaming ears. Candy wondered briefly if her husband envied the many men Miakia slept with, for she was very beautiful with her light, chocolate skin, slanting, wide brown eyes as opposed to the more darker, Maasai women of her kind. And perhaps she wondered, if the new bride was some sort of retaliation. Candy had shrugged her shoulders after trying to figure out the intricacies involved, stating to herself that she was just a bystander in the whole situation. She suspected that even Miakia had come to that conclusion, but could not do anything about the situation now that another bride was part of their household.
Miakia showed Candy her small village and Candy learned to enjoy the enchanting, welcome singing every time she entered the village. Their homes were low loaf huts consisting of composed clay and cattle dung. The Maasai believed in protecting their cattle at all cost. They considered the cattle a literal symbol of the Enkai or sky god.
The women were gracious to her and the men seemed a bit reproachable. Miakia assured her that the men were usually reserved about those who were new to the area. Candy watched the dances the Maasai performed with fascination as the warriors tried to attain such altitude with each jump.
Miakia then presented Candy with a lovely red, shawl that wrapped over one's shoulder, leaving the other shoulder bare. A two piece dress with a tank top and skirt that halted above her slim ankles in the traditional Maasai colors for women. Miakia also presented Candy with a small coil of beads for her neck. She told Candy that her bead necklace would be smaller than Miakia's own as Candy was not a married woman. Candy wondered where she could wear the outfit, since she knew she could never wear it in front of either Mrs. Jenkins or Mrs. Chandler or the rest of the servants, for that matter. Miakia whispered to her that the dress could always be worn within her own rooms and when she spent time to herself. Candy agreed, smiling and thanking her new friend for the wonderful presents.
Miakia then reminded Candy that Albert would surely be pleased seeing her in such an outfit. Candy would only wrinkle her nose at the girl and laugh softly at the thought.
Of Albert, Candy saw little of him. He spent most of his days in the nearby town, Nanyuki trying to address the poaching on his lands and to enlist the Kenya government to intervene. Candy understood that his ranch was sort a refuge for the wildlife and that he did not particularly care for any type of poaching or hunting on his lands for the big game that roamed freely within his boundaries.
"Candy!" Candy heard Albert shout to her from below her bedroom window, one early evening. She ran to her balcony to stare down at him questioningly, from her bedroom balcony. Behind him, in the distance horizon, huge, dark clouds filled the sky and the air was unnaturally humid and warm. There was a devilish look about Albert, a tilting smile playing about his lips that was catching. She was helpless but to smile back at him, wondering what he was up to. He sat on his caramel mount, insolently controlling the large beast with infinite care and ease. His hair was ruffled by the warm winds, his face bronze from all the time him and Johnson had spent underneath the blazing, hot sun. A cream, finely made linen shirt open at his throat, beige trousers with brown boots adorned his magnificent body.
"What is it?" She asked suddenly puzzled, her heart racing at the sight he made before her.
"There's something I want to show you. I've already ordered a mount for you," he grinned up to her, the excitement playing in his eyes that she immediately wanted to know what it was he wanted to show her. Before she could even open her mouth to question him, he shook his head, smiling mysteriously. "Hurry up, before you miss the entire thing!"
"Okay! I'll be there in a minute, Albert! Don't you dare leave me!" She threatened, disappearing into her rooms to throw off her heavy underskirts and grabbing her dark, brown riding jacket in the process. She quickly doffed her house slippers in favor of the more, practical riding boots. She fairly flew down the staircase, passing by a startled Mrs. Jenkins, the pretentious, Mr. Potts and Mrs. Chandler in the process.
"Come on, slow poke! Or we're going to miss everything!" Albert laughed at Candy's frowning expression as she mounted her mare, quickly and gracefully. The movement was not lost on Albert as he admired the brief, flashy show of her shapely limbs as she threw herself onto her mount. He gathered the reins of his own mount and they turned, galloping towards a cluster of trees.
Sometime later, they neared a large area of downed trees and scattered bushes in the high grassy area of the Loita Plains. It was the sound of a thunderous roar that made Candy and her mount jump with a jolt, startled by the nearby sound.
"Look over there---" Albert quietly pointed out to large group of lions, further from them, near more shrubbery as he came up close to her and her mount.
Candy's breath stilled, for she had never been this close to a group of lions and a pack of hyenas. Her heart thudded loudly within her ribcage and she suddenly had the urge to flee. They were definitely much larger and fiercer up close, she thought, nervously. She pulled the reins of her mare closer to his, noticing the widening grin on his face. She flashed a nervous, grateful smile back at him, having missed his close company of late.
"Don't worry, they already know that there are specters watching them. They could careless about us...so long as we don't interfere," Albert continued to grin, reading her mind, that she flashed her green gaze at him. "See that one--the one lion in front?" Albert pointed to a regal lion, its body massive with muscles, an ample mane framed his head in a burnished, red color. At her nod, he continued, "I call him--in Swahili--Fire with Storm--he's one of the two lions that are part of this pride." He pointed to another lion with a golden mane beside the group of lionesses. "That one, is Heart of Sun--he guards the lionesses while his brother--Fire with Storm normally patrols the borders of their marked land."
"How do you know so much about these lions?" Candy asked, fascinated with the scene taking place before her and how he knew so much about the lions.
"This pride roamed my lands before I purchased this ranch. I used to track the pride when I was younger. You see that pack of hyenas?" He asked.
She nodded, staring at the first hyena. It was in front of the rest of the hyena pack. It was bold enough to stare back at the lion, Fire with Storm. "It's almost as if they're at a stand off or something," she thought aloud.
"That's right.... The first hyena in front has just risen to her position of high monarch. Hyenas are packs led by hierarchy females. Her mother was killed a couple of weeks ago by Fire with Storm. Like her mother, this hyena has ascended to her throne. This is the hyenas' first match with the new monarch leading the pack. This particular pride of lions hates this pack of hyenas that live in this area. They are always fighting over territory." Albert finished still watching the scenery of the lions and hyenas that faced each other, tensely. "It goes from one generation to another."
Suddenly, Heart of Sun sauntered fearlessly close to the tense, monarch hyena, he turned his back on her and marked the ground with his back paws. And then walked back a few paces back, near his brother to stare at the hyena, as if to taunt her. In return, the new monarch, feeling the eyes of her pack on her, took a few bold steps forward. Without turning her back on the lions, she defiantly marked her paws over the lion's recent marking. She pounced slightly to the side of her markings, then guffawed at the lion in that strange, hooting laugh that hyenas are aptly named for. Her fellow hyenas yapped along with her in favor of her actions.
However, like her mother before her, the young, monarch hyena did not see the paw of death before it was too late. Having tired of the playing games with this far too audacious hyena who did not know her place in the chain of domination. The short-tempered, Fire with Storm leaped with death-defying speed at the young hyena and with one, large swoop instantly felled the much smaller animal. The lionesses, once so intensely quiet, leaped forward as if to charge at the pack of hyenas. The hyenas yelped excitedly at their fallen monarch as if not believing their eyes. Heart of Sun decided at that moment of confusion, to roar through the crowd of hyenas, effectively scattering them within an instant around the tall grasses. Fire with Storm slowly and boldly strode back toward the lionesses, glancing casually over his shoulder as if to say that he was done with his duty of protecting his pride and that the king of lions still ruled this part of the plains.
The hyenas hesitated a moment longer in the area, still staring at their own lying motionless in the tall grasses before tucking their tails underneath their bodies and retreating from the fearsome lions. There would be another monarch to replace the one they had lost and then soon, they would return to the lions' lair in hopes of besting them in another duel of territory, but that was for another day.
"Oh my God," Candy's breath exploded from her chest as the last of the hyenas disappeared from their sight. "That was incredible!" She stared at Albert, her expression of excitement mirroring his own.
"It is, isn't it?" Albert grinned, gathering his reins together again. "We better scatter too, before the pride decides to turn their attention on us. And with the adrenaline still running through their veins now, who knows what could happen," he finished, glancing toward the lion pride that was now beginning relax.
Candy nodded her head in agreement, her gaze going toward the sky as the dark clouds darkened the sky, hovering like an ominous tolling. "Looks like its going to rain soon, too," she added, following Albert quietly out of the lions' area.
Glancing over his shoulder at her, he said, "yeah, I can practically taste it in the air." Just as they cleared the area of trees, the rain began to fall heavily. Candy shrieked with laughter as she was soaked within minutes, the rainfall was so heavy that Albert had to purposely slow his mount down so that she could stay close to him. He grinned at her upturned face enraptured by the delighted expression on her face.
Within moments, the ranch loomed in front of them and then they were on the front porch trying to wring out the water that was dripping from their clothing. They laughed like children, drenched wet and soaked to the skin. Mrs. Jenkins came out and onto the porch, a horrified expression on her face as she fussed at the both of them; abolishing Albert for allowing his charge to become soaked to the skin and that she could catch a dreadful cold. Candy giggled underneath her breath as Albert rolled his eyes up to ceiling when he thought Mrs. Jenkins wasn't paying attention to him.
The excitement of watching the lions and the hyenas lingered upon both of their minds. From time to time, as if he could not get enough of gazing at Candy, he would boldly stare at her. This only caused Candy's limbs to tremble and her back to shiver in response to his warm gaze. Likewise, she could not know how lovely she looked even though she was drenched in water. With the riding jacket off, her wet, white shirt molded the definite shape of her full breasts and the skirt softly clung to her shapely curves. It was a sight no man could turn from. She blatantly gazed back at him as they neared their own rooms, her green eyes aflame with crackling fire. She followed Mrs. Jenkins silently into her rooms as the older woman threw open her amour, pulling out her evening clothes. Her balcony doors were still open, despite the heavy rains that continued to fall. The large house stayed humid and warm even after the fall of the rain.
"No, I'll wear this!" Candy replied suddenly, impulsively, pulling out Miakia's gift. Mrs. Jenkins eyes went wide with disapproval, a frown marring her brow. "It should be okay since dinner's already been served and had planned on eating in my rooms," she smiled patiently as Mrs. Jenkins blew out a sigh of relief.
"If that's the case...you can, of course, wear whatever you please in here, my dear," Mrs. Jenkins smiled, Turning toward the door, she asked as an afterthought, "do you need some help disrobing?" Miakia was at home and would not be returning for another week.
"No, thank you, I think I can mange fine," Candy smiled gratefully to the older woman, taking off her wet shirt in the process.
"Then I'll leave you be.... Mrs. Chandler will leave your dinner outside of your door, if you don't want to be disturbed," Mrs. Jenkins added again before exiting her rooms.
Candy pulled the rest of her wet clothes off, hanging the clothes over her chaise, knowing that Mrs. Chandler would probably fuss in the morning. But she wasn't up to going downstairs and facing the older woman as she had just faced Mrs. Jenkins. She slipped the short tank top and wrap around skirt on her. It left her mid-drift bare showing off her slim stomach and her shapely hips, enticingly. Out of fanciful thoughts, she even slipped on the small beading necklace, leaving off the lovely shawl that normally draped off a Maasai woman's shoulder.
She carelessly smoothed her damp hair that was beginning to dry into a halo of thick, golden tendrils of curls. Her mind seemed elsewhere as she slowly walked to her open balcony, pushing aside the white, gossamer drapes. The drapes shifted against her legs as if it had a mind of its own, fluttering to the warm breeze that caressed her cheek. She stared at Albert's open balcony with a wistful expression on her face, the inside of his room, seeming dark.
Somehow, she found her own hand twisting the connecting doorknob from her room to his own. She slowly turned the knob, surprised that she found it unlocked. She had always assumed that he kept his side of the door locked the way she did hers. It was as if another person walked within her, filling her with a presence that she suddenly sensed with comforting ease for the unknown. She sighed, taking a deep breath and opened the connecting door, silently slipping in like a thief in the night. Had she made a sound from her entry she would have jumped back into her rooms, fleeing like a coward. But something else was creeping throughout her, edging her, pushing her forward toward the mesh netting that surrounded his bed.
Albert spotted her as she slipped into his rooms, silently. He had been lying down on his bed, not quite dozing but not quite awake either, after having discarded his wet clothing. He listened to the heavy rainfall outside of his balcony, his eyes halfway closed in meditation. His perilous, forbidden thoughts of Candy as usual on his relentless mind and their latest time together on the Serengeti. His eyes had blazed with some unknown emotion as they quickly and boldly assessed her scantly, clad body. To say that was he was pleased with her finally coming to him did not even touch the icing on the cake. She stood before him like a Thompson gazelle, delicate and agile, ready to flee at a moment's hesitation. But she was beautiful beyond belief and his heart stirred at the sight of her in the traditional Maasai young woman clothing, knowing that Miakia had personally picked out the outfit to please him and to flatter Candy's figure. He pushed back the mesh netting slowly, hoping the thin sheets wouldn't slip down to reveal his completely nakedness and cause her to flee from him.
Candy's gaze caught and held with Albert's smoldering gaze. She stepped hesitantly forward, held spellbound by the power of his hypnotizing, blue gaze. She knew finally, without a doubt that there was no turning back. She didn't even know if she had the power to stop herself, even if she had wanted to. The promise of experiencing intoxicating, sweet delight in his arms stirred her forward, not wanting to waste anymore time in speculation or anxiety. She paused, not really realizing what she was doing or knowing the tantalizing picture she made as she slowly pulled the tank top off of her. She could see the fire flare brightly within Albert's gaze as he stared at her full, creamy breasts that moved ever so gently to the sway of her breath. Rose tipped nipples crowned each full orb, erect to his searching gaze.
He reached out and took her hand that lay limp against her thigh and pulled her forward to him, slowly, as if in a dream. He looked up into her eyes, as if questioning her to stop him, he gently tugged at the strap that held the bottom part of her wrap skirt, letting it gently fall down to the floor beside his bed. His eyes grew torrid and searing as he saw that she wore nothing underneath the skirt but herself.
"Candy...." He breathed out, shocked by the tilting beauty that stood before him in all her splendid glory. She was far more beautiful than he had ever dreamed as he stared at her lovely breasts that heaved softly from each breath she took. Her slim stomach quivered at his gaze, and then lower to the downy mound of golden curls that peeked up at him to the long, luscious limbs that seem to beg for his touch.
She smiled tentatively, her hands reaching out to touch his broad shoulders as enthralled as he was feeling. Her fingers skimmed over his shoulders, her caress soft and exploring before flaring over his muscle-bound chest with wonder. "I never believed.... Your skin.... It's so soft and hard," she softly whispered, her hands fluttering over him.
He could not resist the feel of her soft hands kneading his flesh as he closed his eyes for a brief moment before opening them again, perturbed to find her wide eyed gaze on his lower anatomy. He followed her eyes and realized that the sheet had slipped down and off of him.
"Oh my...." Candy softly gasped out; her eyes riveted on him. She could feel her legs quivering like jelly, wondering if she'd be able to keep standing before him. She could not tear her eyes away from that mysterious part of him that strained up at her, almost as if it begged to be touched. She wondered briefly how that part of him could possibly fit within her and she nearly moaned at the forbidden thoughts that gripped at her insides. An unfamiliar, but pleasing warmth flooded her lower belly in response to gazing at him.
"Come...." she heard him say, smiling gently at her as he pulled her onto his bed, once again closing the netting around them. It was almost as if the only world that existed was that of only them.
"Touch me....Candy....anywhere you want," he commanded and requested at the same time to her. With hesitate hands she did, first softly, tentatively and then with more boldness. Her reward was the sounds of his intake breaths, the powerful quivering of his body as she touched him with increasing delight. When her hands reached that part of him that she so curiously wanted to touch earlier, they floundered, until he gently guided her hands on him. Her eyes grew wide, feeling his velvety length that seemed pulse with a life of its own. Her mouth parted softly as she watched him groan and shudder underneath her ministrations, exploring hands. Finally as if not being able stand anymore of her exploring touch on his flesh, he gently took her hands, kissing each finger, softly, gently.
"If you don't stop, I fear that I won't be able to pleasure you...." he replied huskily to her, feeling that pain of restraint continuing to flare through him. It was no easy feat to accomplish, holding himself back where she was concerned. He had been very close to spilling himself in her palms. At her questioned, searching look, he grinned lazily at her, explaining, "you'll understand soon enough, my love," he said to her and her lying back down against his pillows.
Candy closed her eyes as she felt his hands begin their quest upon her, learning her curves and touching her where she didn't know she could be touched. When his mouth covered a puckered nipple, her eyes flew open with astonishment, her mouth parting in a low moan. She looked down at the dark head at her breast as his tongue lavished one nipple with exquisite finesse, his tongue leisurely flicking slowly over the nub before he moved on to the other breast, not wanting to ignore the other. Her hands reached up of their own accord as if guiding him toward the other breast. He cupped the abandon, creamy mound within his hand, actively kneading the nub within his palm and then, gently began to tug and suckle at the other breast like a babe.
When she thought she could take no more pleasure, he trailed more heated kisses along her arched throat before finally slanting his mouth over hers for a deep and searing kiss. His hands continued their exploration, touching her everywhere on her heated flesh, causing moans of delight to escape from her and their entwined lips. When his fingers delved between her thighs to gently caress her womanly petals, their kiss ended abruptly. She stared into Albert's fiery, blue gaze, huskily crying out at the sheer rapture his caressing fingers initiated. They tugged and gently pulled at her insides until she thought she would exploded into a million pieces.
Her hands reached out to again touch him, blindly, as if to guide him toward her, toward something she didn't quite understand, but needed. It was then, that he decided they no longer needed to wait. He settled his big body between her soft thighs, poised to enter her, murmuring, "This is going to hurt..." at her questioning look, the fires aflame her burning gaze, he continued for her benefit, "but it'll only be once...and after that there's only pleasure...I promise"
And then he drove into her, penetrating her deeply and swiftly so that she cried out at the sharp pain that seared through her body. It engulfed her for only a moment, tears escaping from her clenched eyes and then the pain was gone, only leaving a slight tingling in its awake. But he was already moving in her, slowly, purposely, as if testing the smoothness of her warm channel, so that she could barely catch her breath. She put her tremulous arms around his broad neck as if to bring him closer to her, wondering at the creeping languor that was filling her insides and wanting, needing to follow his lead. As if responding to his thrusts, she surged forward, lifting her hips forward to meet his, causing the fires to flare brightly that were only beginning to burn within her with ever increasing speed.
"Candy...too fast...next time--it'll be slower," he groaned into her hot ears, his hands catching onto the tumbled mass of her golden mane as he felt her limbs cross over his hard-muscled thighs, bringing him even deeper into her than he thought was possible. She was too damn tight, that he knew he was going to explode from the sheer pleasure of being encased within her warm folds. He could her soft panting; her feathering breath against his shoulder further igniting the fiery, feverish fire within him. Then, incredibly before him, he could feel her convulsing, tightening around him like a hot, moisten glove. He heard her crying his name on tip of her tongue as the force of her climax overtook her. He joined her, his own hoarse cry echoing her name, his body shuddering, powerfully against her own. It overtook them, spiraling them upwards into that blazing, kaleidoscope of splintering, blistering colors before finally releasing them and sending them floating, fluttering down on the gentle wings of reality.
With his arms still holding her close to him, Candy dozed for a while. The mesh netting continued to close off any sense of reality, making it seem as if time stood still for them. The heavy rains slowed to a light sprinkle outside of his open, dark balcony. Finally the warm air gave way to the refreshing, cool morning breeze, but it unnoticed by the occupants on Albert's bed. Softly, murmuring to her the love words, his hands and lips once again exploring the shapely curves of her sprawled body over his, he rolled her back onto her back, once again impaling her with resurgence of his desire. She twisted her body with mounting eagerness, her body a recipient to the tides of their rising desire. This time, they slowly explored each other; the sounds of soft gasps of delight could be heard from within his rooms.
It wasn't until the fiery orange, filtering light peeked through Serengeti trees on the distance horizon did they lay satiated, amongst a tangle of arms and limbs, their passion temporarily slaked of each other. Kissing the top of her tousled curls, he lifted her from his bed, opening the door to her rooms and depositing her gently onto her own bed. She sleepily opened her eyes, protesting at the loss of his warmth, before dropping off back into a deep sleep. She was oblivious to the fact that he covered her slumbering body with her covers, returning to his rooms as quietly as he had left them.
Stay tuned to the next part!! Coming soon!
Lady M. Harris