How to Return a Mail Order Bride by Susan Payne

Author:Susan Payne [Payne, Susan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: western;romance;historical;mail order bride;
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc.
Published: 2020-12-20T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FIVE

The dishes were drying, and Zeke bent to the drawer to get the checkerboard out. Gwen blew out the lamp in the kitchen and followed him to the parlor.

“Ready for a game?” he asked.

“No, no more games. I want us to get serious…if you still want to, that is.” Gwen hoped this wasn’t going to backfire on her.

He stood stiffly, his expression one of questions and hope. “What did you have in mind?” He cleared his throat as if having trouble swallowing. “I’m open to anything.”

Was he still referring to games? Like cards or cribbage? “I would like you, us, to be together. I may not get another chance. I may leave after Miss Woods is, umm, whether she dies or recovers. I will have to leave, and I don’t want to leave you without, umm, knowing you.”

His eyes narrowed, but he stood still saying nothing. She could see him thinking, see him choose an answer and discard it one after another. The waiting was humiliating and took all the wind out of her sails. “Never mind. This was a mistake. I’m sorry I asked.”

“I’m not.” He stepped closer taking her hand as if realizing she was about to run and bolt the door behind her. She couldn’t watch him any longer and stared at the rag rug on the floor.

He pulled her closer, and she went slowly, not sure if her offer was being turned down or accepted. The feelings of hope and need and excitement mixed, making her stomach feel a little sick. She tried to control her breathing but realized she kept holding her breath, waiting for him to say something that would wound her.

Instead he bent his head and kissed her. “You know this is like living a fantasy, don’t you? If I told you my most secret dream, this would be it. I’ve wanted to ask for so long, but I didn’t think I should. I was giving you refuge and shouldn’t expect anything in return.”

“This isn’t a thank-you. This is because, for once, I want to do something for me. I don’t want to get to be sixty and regret leaving here without once lying with you.”

“Quit talking. Right now, it’s me and you and our desires.”

He covered her lips with his, sucking gently as she allowed a sigh to escape, which he accepted, then brushed his tongue against hers lightly, inviting her to reciprocate. Tentatively she did and was rewarded when he pulled her tighter. Fitting her between his legs, her small feet between his larger sock-covered ones.

He picked her up without removing his mouth from hers and strode with her to her room—his room—their room. Placing her on the bed he said, “This is where we should have spent all our time together. I’ll never look at another checkerboard without feeling resentment.”

She chuckled as she was meant to do. He was trying to ease her mind, make her relax in a position he knew would make her uncomfortable. He leaned over and kissed her, trying to kiss lower than her bodice would allow.

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