Beth felt Cole move away for a moment as the waves of pleasure washed over her. She felt like her bones were water at the powerful explosion he had created in her. Her desires were overriding anything that her mind was telling her and when she felt Cole’s mouth in her most private of places, she almost launched off the bed in shock until he stroked her just right.
Now, as the crests of passion were fading she felt him nudge his body between her legs. Cole’s hot body was now sliding into hers, creating a delicious fullness that was burning her alive.
“Oh dear God, don’t stop,” she practically begged in a voice she didn’t recognize as she felt his body slip away from her. Beth let loose a gasp as she felt his heat surge forward, touching deep in her body. A different pleasure was now unfurling in her abdomen, not quite as intense as before but a building sensation that she couldn’t put a finger on. She could feel it growing and knew she needed more, arching her body to meet his as she felt a rush of heat in her womb and heard his guttural growl of satisfaction.
The silence was broken by birds singing outside as they caught their breath, each lost in their thoughts. Beth was stunned by the sensations and feelings he had drawn from her, as well as surprised by her own carnal desires. Her heart fluttering in her chest, she practically giggled thinking back over how she must have looked or sounded when she was out of control.
“What’s so funny?” Cole asked, as he leaned up on one elbow and watched Beth. She was amazing to him. There were so many facets to her personality. Each more perfect than the last. This side of her was most precious, he decided. Her flushed face surrounded by tousled hair, complete with a satisfaction in her eyes was quite heady.
Cole pleased his woman and it showed. She had such sultry lips. As she shyly smiled at him, she couldn’t quite meet his eyes.
She’s a temptress,
he thought,
and I have fallen willingly
.
“You aren’t supposed to laugh after we make love,” Cole teased. He was glad she wasn’t upset or regretting their actions. He had none and wished this moment did not have to end.
“Begging for more is fine, or thanking me for the best experience and clamoring for me to ‘
do it again’
works great for me, too,” he teased as he tickled her warm body still pulled tightly to his own.
This is where she is meant to be, in my arms,
he thought.
Beth’s suppressed laugh escaped her as she heard his suggestions. “Thanking you? Begging you? YOU should be thanking me, you know!” she replied, a bit outraged that he would even suggest such a thing. Pulling the sheet over her, trying to hide from his wandering eyes, she felt his warm, strong hands stop her.
Finally looking at him, she saw a light in his eyes that had not been present before.
Happiness! Love? He is happy with us, with
me!
she thought, amazed, as she stared at his face. Cole had teased her before, but never on such an intimate level and never with such an intense look. This was their own world and it was heady to share with him.
She watched as he leaned in and kissed her most tenderly.
Lovingly,
she thought and shooed it away. Was it too much, too fast? People don’t fall in love that quickly… or do they?
His lips were quickly causing her to respond to him yet again. The scent of their bodies as well as his warmth was doing crazy things to her body.
“We need to get ready for the social and I need time, please,” she said, trying to keep the tremor from her voice. Beth needed time to analyze this, to think it through. Why did she not fear this, fear him?
Cole could feel her pulling away as if he could practically hear the tear between them. She was overwhelmed, scared or shying away.
“Beth, it’s okay,” he said gently. He did not want her to run and was more than pleased with how things were proceeding. His little bride was skittish and if she needed a moment, he was all right with that. It might be good for her to step back, as long as she knew he was there for her when she was ready.
“You are right. We need to get ready so I can show off my wife,” he said teasing her and trying to make light of the intimate atmosphere as he stepped from their bed, knowing she would be watching him. He stretched and lazily walked from the room to start the coffee for the two of them.
Beth watched his taut body walk from the room, practically staring as her gaze drank in every muscle that moved. His tanned body would be emblazoned in her mind as if it were branded.
That is mine
, she thought, stunned, and fanned herself quickly as her face flushed. Shaking her head when he was out of sight, she quickly rose, staring at the empty doorframe.
The strange soreness in her body should alarm her. Instead, it made her feel claimed. Possessed. Where she had run before from being someone’s possession, she was more than confused that she no longer felt the urge to leave the situation.
The idea of being Cole’s did not scare her as she thought it would. The fear of losing her independence should be there and it was not. She listened to him move about their kitchen. Instead of bolting at the first chance, Beth took her time washing and dressing, almost as if subconsciously she wanted him to walk back in on her.
Beth smiled, satisfied.
There was no decision to make, she was sure of her answer already.
She had found her home… and it was in Cole’s arms.
Cole said nothing to Beth on the ride to the gathering. The church social was a large event for the community. Most people in the area that he would be remotely in contact with would be there… including those that he had known since he was a child. It would be strange seeing them all since it had been so long ago that he had attended last. The last social had been with his father after his mother’s death. It had been a solemn event filled with “I’m so sorry about your mother” as well as many offers of assistance. The congregation was family and had always accepted his father. Would they accept him as well since it had been so long? He was not his father and never had attended regularly before, nor had plans to now. However, he did plan to make Beth his bride on paper as well as having claimed her verbally.
Anxious, Beth nervously fidgeted in the wagon seat as they crested the hill. Cole had been so quiet yet ever polite. The intimate mood had been broken and he had given her the space she had asked for.
Why on earth had she broken the moment?
she thought as she peered past her bonnet towards her now chosen partner. Surely he wasn’t having second thoughts? She almost wished she could rewind the morning and do it all over again but knew it wasn’t possible. Moving forward was her only choice and making the best of it all would guide her through it.
Feeling like a princess, Beth smoothed her gown carefully over her knees and was glad she had thought to bring the shawl to place over it. The wagon was throwing up dust and gravel as they rode on in silence. “Thank you again for the dress,” she said politely, trying to get him to engage in conversation because the silence was bothering her on a deeper level.
Maybe he had changed his mind now that he had his way with her
, she thought, bringing a flush of heat to her face as well as her body thinking of how he touched her. Remembering his sultry looks, she banished the doubts from her mind.
No, she knew better.
Cole was doing his best to keep from pulling off the side of the dirt road and having his way with Beth. She looked ethereal in the dress he had bought her and the most vibrant pink stained her smooth cheeks. He wanted to touch her soft skin and sample her lips to see if it was as sweet as he had tasted not long ago. Not wanting to bother her, Cole wanted her to enjoy the day he had promised her. It wasn’t a fancy party in Indianapolis, but the gathering was sure to be festive with music, laughter, and food aplenty. She deserved an outing and to feel welcomed in her new homeland. “Nothing to thank me for, Beth. I want my bride to shine,” he said with a smile. “We are almost there. It’s just over the ridge.”
As promised, the small steeple was the first thing Beth saw over the green hills. It was strange how some areas would be barren and dry, but others would be lush and filled with small trees. If there was water nearby, you knew it by the vegetation. The church was a stark contrast against the landscape, almost gleaming in the whitewash paint that covered it thickly. Tables and benches were spread everywhere along the yard near the steps of the entrance. People surrounded each other, hugging and embracing each other with smiles. It was heartwarming to see such open joy on their faces.
Beth spotted the clerk from the mercantile as they pulled the wagon forward and came to a stop not far from the rear of the churchyard. It was nice to at least know one person in the grouping as she nervously wondered if she would be welcomed as warmly. Beth leaned towards Cole, happily, announcing that she saw Sam in the distance and pointed as she lay her hand gently on his.
Cole looked at her hand and glanced at her smiling face. He was glad that he had accepted the invitation. Having Beth open up towards him was a bonus. Grinning at her expression of happiness, he instinctively pulled her forward to swoop in for a quick moment alone as he captured her lips. God, she was still as sweet to taste as he had imagined and was thrilled when she reached up to cup his face and caress it tenderly.
Surprised by Cole’s quick movement, Beth eagerly fell into his arms for the swift, heated kiss in the shade of the church. She was a bit shy at the lack of privacy but quickly forgot it all as his tongue met hers. He was so very good to her and so tender. These were things to treasure and look forward to with him in her life. She softly touched his face, smoothing his rough cheek as he finally broke the kiss between them. Her eyes still closed, she gently continued her tender ministrations settling on the back of his neck as if to hold him close to her face. Oh, she liked his kisses and the way he made her feel.
She wanted to savor the moment instead of ending it, but could hear the welcoming from the group and a few whistles teasing them. Opening her eyes so close to his, she could see the crinkling at each corner, indicating that he was pleased and smiling. She felt her own face mirror his as she heard him whisper for her alone, “There is time enough for that later.” There was a promise to his voice that made her catch her breath. She watched him exit the wagon and hold out his hands to assist her down so she didn’t muss her dress. Cole was always ever so careful with her and she liked being treated as if she were precious to him.
As she exited the wagon, they were quickly enveloped by a small throng of people. Names and faces blurred as she smiled at each, shook hands, and was hugged by a few. For Beth, it was overwhelming to be so quickly accepted when growing up she had always been judged first by her appearance or her name by society.
The parties her family attended had soft, lilting music that made you want to swirl about lightly. Here, everyone smiled and the music was boisterous. It made you want to fly about and stomp your feet to the quick beat. It was night and day- and she felt like she had stepped into the sunlight. They were lively and exhilarating. She felt like she fit in as she was pulled away by several ladies to help set up the large tables for luncheon.
Glancing over her shoulder at Cole, she saw his proud smile and nod as he waved. Beth laughed joyously at his salutation. She was quickly ensconced in the ladies’ tales of their husbands, children and their lives as they each put themselves to task. One of the older ladies quickly tsked when Beth claimed she didn’t know how to cook. They all swooped in and promised recipe cards and lessons for their newest parishioner. Beth said nothing. She wasn’t sure if Cole attended and realized there was still a lot to learn about each other.
Smiling, she set to work putting out plates, cutting breads and other items as the tables began to fill. The conversations never ended, they just swirled from one subject to another when finally settling on her. Beth smiled shyly, explaining that she had met him while traveling and had agreed to be his wife. Many of the ladies crowed with laughter at her blushing face and congratulated her on her new husband. Grinning and embarrassed at how frank the women could be away from their husbands, she silently adored the bunch and their company already.
Cole watched as Beth was swept away by several of the ladies as he received congratulations from several men. He was clapped on the back repeatedly and hugged by several. He was repeatedly told how much he looked like his father, bringing a lump to his throat as he thought of his dad once again. Cole wished his father could have met Beth and knew he would love her as much as he did. Smiling satisfied, he watched his young bride talk and mingle with the group. She was truly lovely to watch as he admired her.
Elias Barney watched as the wagons had begun to arrive. A church social was quite quaint and very low-key compared to the social events he had attended in the past or would attend as he began his practice. He hated the heat and dirt everywhere and missed the activity of the city. Texas seemed so foreign and he wondered if Elizabeth was even worth all this trouble. The expensive train ticket he had purchased in order to quickly find her had proven to be not worth the trip. While it was faster, he would be in no hurry to return as fast and they would just travel by coach.
Her dowry was certainly nice and was quite unexpected from her father. Modern times had practically done away with the old practice but when John Pierce had offered the money, he had accepted it graciously. A society wife, a well-established name, and money to start his practice were nothing to look down upon. He had accepted the funds and signed the contract happily without even meeting her in person. Studying her from afar had satisfied his curiosity. She would do nicely.