excerpt
a source of terrible fear. Bright crosses that spoke out of the dark sky were something else again.
Caitlin’s shining hair hung across her cheek. Michael pulled it aside like a black, silk curtain and kissed her neck. She leaned her head to the side, and he kissed her ear, her cheek, her lips. He lowered the rug from off her shoulders. She allowed it to fall away, revealing her white, naked body to the glow of the fire. She smiled at the surprise that showed on his face. He had not guessed she had undressed already. Her clothes she must have hidden in the bedroom or in the closed cupboard of the dresser. His hands caressed her warm shoulders; his eyes caressed her round, white breasts. The sight and touch of her nakedness wakened him into a state of sexual arousal. She reached out her arms, slid the galluses off his shoulders and unbuttoned his shirt. His body was as white as her own. Only the arms, the neck and the face were as brown as wet clay.
“You always look as if you’re wearing a white simmet,” she said.
He lay back on the sheepskin and started to unbutton his trousers. Caitlin tugged off his boots and socks; then hauled off his trousers and his long underwear and tossed them aside on the earthen floor. She leaned low and kissed him. Then she pulled the rug over her shoulders, spread her arms on either side of his white body and lowered herself onto him, feeling him enter her, then bringing him to climax with a low whimper, like a pup. She kissed him and rolled over onto her back.
“I love you, Caitlin,” Michael said quietly, raising himself on his elbow and gazing down at her. “You know that. We’ve had good times together, you and I. Have you thought any more about us getting married?”
“Yes, Michael, but I haven’t decided yet.”
“Why not, Caitlin? Is there someone else you have your eye on?”
“No, of course not, Michael. You know there isn’t.”
“Is it because I’m not a book-learned man?”
“Not at all, Michael. You’re learned in your own business. You’re a farmer, not a schoolteacher. And you’re a good farmer. And you’re intelligent enough to be book-learned if you want to be.”
“I do, Caitlin. You know I do.”
Caitlin smiled and reached out to caress Michael’s shoulder. “Dear Michael. You’d spoil me like a lady if I was your wife.”
“You’d deserve it, Caitlin.” Michael spoke with difficulty, for a strange tightness in his throat almost choked off the words. “You work hard around this place, with little enough thanks.”
Mayanaam
vequinox
Manolis 