Part 11 (1/2)

Once more she felt him breathe against her back. ”Is it? When you admire the words, and hope to G.o.d that they are not merely pretty opinions, but a true philosophy of things to come? That not just America will create a land full of opportunity, but the whole globe will ignite in revolution? Well, I suppose it is sedition, isn't it?”

Erva twisted her neck to stare at Will. ”Do you understand what you're saying?”

He smiled down at her. ”I do.”

She knew her eyes widened in alarm, because she couldn't believe he was revealing as much. ”You're a complete radical.”

He chuckled softly. ”Radical, hmm. I think I might like that term. Shall I call you as much also?”

”I-me-” she huffed, watching him as he peered at the road before them, but every once in a while he'd smile down at her. She decided it was time to tell him as much as she could without blowing his mind. ”Okay, where I come from, this kind of thought is normal, this radical thought. Aristocrats are a thing of the past, mostly. Although, we do have reality stars that seem to take their place.”

”Reality stars?”

”Oh, um, people with fame, from where I come from, are called stars.”

”And a reality star is one who is famous and real?”

”Actually, I'm not sure how real they are.” She snickered.

”You're confusing me. But, what you're saying is that somewhere in Prussia there is a land of equality, true egalitarianism?”

The fact was Germany had made as many efforts as America to have the kind of society that Will spoke of. But she had been talking about her country in her time. She couldn't tell him that though.

”Well, where I come from tries to be a land where every human has rights, no matter the color of skin, gender, age, or religion.”

”Utopia, it sounds like. Why haven't I heard more of this place?”

She was about to say that he would, in time he'd hear of it all. But he wouldn't. He would die in three days.

His dark brows furrowed. ”What is it? You look troubled.”

She shook her head as she looked forward. It was best to stay on course with her questions. ”So you like the Declaration of Independence?”

He didn't answer. Erva turned her head again, glancing up at his handsome face. He nodded.

”You like the philosophy of it?”

Again, he nodded.

”You agree with it even?”

”Yes.”

”You didn't vote for this war, but here you are.”

”Here I am.” He tugged her even closer to his warm, hard body, which, of course, made her forget her own name for a few seconds.

Finally, the clouds parted and she could think again, but only of his body. ”What do you do to stay in shape?”

”Pardon?”

”I mean, you're really...muscular. How did you get to be that way?” G.o.d, she sounded like an idiot. What she'd wanted to ask was how a guy like him, an eighteenth century aristocrat, was so cut, so wide through the chest and shoulders, and had such a defined stomach that she remembered a little too well from this morning. The man was spectacular without a s.h.i.+rt, a slight dusting of chest hair and that little black strip under his bellyb.u.t.ton. Oh, how she wanted to explore that treasure map.

But she couldn't. d.a.m.n it, her body was in serious l.u.s.t with the man, and she had to get control somehow.

”I'm muscular? Is that good or not?”

She looked forward with a shrug, hoping to G.o.d she appeared nonchalant.

He leaned closer to her ear again. ”Do you like muscular men, Erva?”

She refused to answer.

Then, shocking her, Will sucked her earlobe before biting her neck.

”What are you doing?” Her voice was breathy.

”I'm forcing you to answer me.” He kissed and nibbled down her neck.

”Someone will see you.”

”No eyes are upon us now.” He suckled at a most tender area.

She moaned, but then bucked forward, rotating to glare over her shoulder at the naughty man. ”Clever general, aren't you? But you haven't answered any of my questions. Why should I answer yours?”

He gave her leering smile. ”Clever lady, shall we have a game of it then? Quid quo pro: I'll answer your questions, if you answer mine?”

Erva narrowed her eyes.

Will's smile widened, however, the grin faded soon enough. ”I do believe America should have her independence.” He pulled her close again.

She let him. As she studied the road ahead, she was in wonder of the man at her back. ”Then, why are you here?”

”Ah-uh,” he chuckled close to her ear again, then kissed it. ”Now my turn. You've called me muscular. Do you like that?” He kissed his way down to that sensitive spot where her shoulder met her neck.

”Yes,” she responded too quickly.

He softly laughed again. ”Do you like this?” He bit her skin tenderly, and she arched her neck for him.

Then she remembered herself and the man who was kissing her. She yanked away again. The horse began to trot, forcing Erva to cling to Will and the saddle horn. Easily enough Will pulled the reins and calmed the charger back into his easy walk. There was no need to swivel her head back to Will, because she'd fastened one arm around his neck. Blinking, she couldn't believe how close his freshly shaven face was.

”Why did you shave after I'd said...?” She wanted to just kick herself. She'd gone and blurted out so much already.

His fingers touched his cheek, as if making sure he'd shaved. He let his hand fall back to her waist.

”I didn't like how my beard roughened your beautiful face. I worried I was hurting you.”