Chief

That second evening was an unusual one for the Mansion. After eating, Actor had settled down to battle Diesel at chess. The Mohawk had improved a lot over the months and he now had to work hard to win. If it continued this way he would have to start studying again to maintain his edge.

Millie had bicycled over from the farm and had then spent a raucous time playing Casino and Goniff at Snakes and Ladders. She'd had to leave early as she was on morning milking so Goniff had gone to escort her home and probably sneak a few kisses, thought Amber. Their friendship seemed to be developing nicely.

The reason for Casino's early return hadn't been discussed. He'd seemed his normal self whilst Millie had been there, but with her departure some of the melancholy had returned and eventually, a glass of bourbon in his hand, he'd headed for an early night.

Chief had sat in the common room for a little while after they'd eaten, but he found the chairs uncomfortable on the bullet wound and didn't stay long. Amber had stayed in the common room, trying to master the knitting pattern that Mrs McDonald had found for her. Goniff had demonstrated what was required, but at the moment her fingers weren't quite getting the hang of things. She would probably find tomorrow that the little Cockney had pulled out what she'd done so far and re-knitted it whilst she was at work.

With the fire dying down, eventually Amber called it a day and headed for her room. She would stay there until everyone else was settled before going to Chief. In the meantime she would prepare for bed. Collecting clean pyjamas from her chest, her hand encountered a small bag. Thoughtfully she picked it up and took it with her to the bathroom.

A little later, with the house now silent, Amber crept down the stairs. Every step she took she was sure would result in someone leaving their room, but if any of the men heard her progress they did nothing. Chief had left his door open a fraction. Carefully Amber slipped through and closed it behind her. The only light in the room was coming from the glowing coal fire.

"Thought you weren't coming," came the voice from the bed. The Indian was lying on his side, with his back towards her. He'd thrown back the sheets to make life easier, but they still covered his lower body.

Taking the hint, the nurse walked around the bed.

"You'll be too warm dressed like that," commented Chief. The voice was gentle, encouraging.

Embarrassed, Amber turned her back and removed her heavy robe and practical cotton pyjamas. With the fire still burning the room was pleasantly warm, but still she shivered. She barely knew this man, yet she'd known from the first that if he asked her, she would.

Carefully she backed to the bed and sat down. A hand softly stroked the base of her spine, sending tingles through her nerves.

"I won't hurt you, I promise. Just lie here and let me hold you."

Still somewhat stiffly, Amber dropped her shoulder to the bed and brought her legs up under the sheets so that she too was lying on her side. The stroking hand had moved to her flank. Did cats feel this way when they were stroked, she wondered. It would have been all too easy to purr. She could smell soap and toothpaste. He'd obviously taken pains to ensure that he wouldn't be an unpleasant bedmate.

Gradually the distance between them decreased until their bodies touched, skin on skin. She was spooned against his body, the stroking hand had moved to breast and stomach, the arm held her closely. All the fear had gone. She felt safe and cocooned.

Amber lay still, letting Chief take the lead. He was nuzzling her neck, the hand stroking her body moved to exploring in more intimate places. She'd somehow expected him to be inexperienced, but that clearly wasn't the case. Maybe she shouldn't have been surprised. She'd overheard Actor and Casino both discussing the importance of leaving their ladies satisfied. Why shouldn't Chief be the same? She tended to forget that the man was in his mid twenties. Of course he should have acquired experience in that time.

The ministrations were having their effect and soon Amber gave up on thinking of anything except the waves of pleasure that cascaded through her.

Chief had barely moved, he was still pressed tight against her back and Amber could feel how excited he was, but he made no move to satisfy himself.

"Chief?" She still couldn't call him Rainey, even in this most intimate of moments. Should she touch him? Encircled in his arms the way she was it was almost impossible to place a hand any higher than on his thigh. She wriggled to turn in his arms so that she was lying on her back, encouraging the Indian to move above her.

"Can't. Got no protection."

"It's taken care of," advised Amber, turning her neck and shoulders so she could initiate a kiss that she knew would be reciprocated. One arm was still trapped, but the other was free to stroke and explore in its turn.

Chief caught her hand and stopped it wandering. "No self-control," he explained huskily.

Amber moved her hand away, leaving the Indian to move himself into the place where he wanted to be. "Just don't hurt yourself," she whispered, gently.

Chief was disappointed in himself, his self-control hadn't been what it should have been and he was afraid he'd disappointed his new lover. Not that she appeared disappointed, but it wasn't something that was easy to discuss - and even if it had been, with Casino sleeping next door they were being as quiet as mice.

Tired and relaxed, both fell into a comfortable sleep, lying entwined in each other's arms. They awoke again a while later and this time Chief was much more satisfied with how things went. There was a naturalness to their lovemaking that both surprised and pleased him. He knew this wouldn't be a one-night stand.

The sound of Diesel's steps on the floor above woke them both again in the morning. "Six-thirty," whispered Amber. "You can set your clock by him. I need to get up and go back to my room before I'm found out."

"I am up," replied the Indian, demonstrating, with a grin. "B'sides, you gotta stay 'til Diesel leaves. There's no hurry."

"He'll see I'm not in my room."

"He knows that anyway. He's no fool."

So Amber did what she'd wanted to do and stayed for a while longer before gathering her things and tip-toeing back up the stairs to shower, dress and, hopefully, behave entirely normally when she met the guys later. If she could keep from grinning like a Cheshire Cat that was.

All in all, Amber got off pretty lightly with just a smirk from Casino. It looked as though it was their way of making sure Chief hadn't lost out on his 48-hour pass. She knew it wouldn't be something they could repeat, not in the house. If the others couldn't bring women back then it wouldn't be fair. If it was something she and Chief wanted to continue - and she thought they did - other arrangements would need to be made.

Well, they had a few days to think it through before her next day off. In the meantime she'd promised the man a shower and she needed to give him his clothes back before she left. She headed off to do just that.