She was beyond flustered, and needed a few minutes away from the man who obviously knew now how to control his wife. Hannah wanted a moment to catch her breath and figure out how she could survive being Mrs. Matthew Graham.
“Nice timing, squirt.” Matt tugged on Nick’s hair. “I was enjoying myself with my wife.”
“Kissing doesn’t look fun. Lots of swapping spit is what it is.” At fifteen, he admitted that he liked girls, but also admitted he wasn’t quite sure he wanted to touch them yet.
“Well, it is fun. Now get on in the kitchen and get the dishes done before Hannah does them instead. We’ve imposed on her hospitality enough for one day.”
After Nick scurried into the kitchen, Matt took a deep breath. Then he had to lean over and put his hands on his knees. That kiss was nearly his undoing. He’d never expected to have such a strong physical reaction to kissing Hannah.
She was attractive in an unconventional way. Her lips were incredibly soft and plump. Hell’s bells, he’d completely lost control because of them. He was still hard as a hammer in his trousers. He wondered if she understood exactly what went on between a man and a woman.
If she didn’t, their wedding night would be disastrous. He wasn’t as experienced as many men, but he had been with women before, mostly away from home on trips with his father.
Now he would have a permanent woman in his bed. Matt was going to have to find some measure of control around her or she could lead him around by the dumb stick between his legs. No man in his right mind wanted to be controlled by a woman or his urges for that woman.
On the other hand, his father had loved his mother so deeply, so completely, his world had revolved around her and, as the product of that love, their children. Matt had always wanted to ask his father why he let his mother control everything. He’d never had the courage though and now, of course, it was too late.
Matt knew how incredible a marriage could be, but he also knew how dangerous it could be. He couldn’t let Hannah realize just how much she affected him.
Hannah sat on the edge of the bed wringing her hands. The lamp was turned down so low it was barely a flicker in the darkness of the room. She heard footfalls on the stairs and knew Matthew was nearly there. The rest of the family was settled in their beds, which left only one person who could be walking up the steps.
Her husband.
Oh, she’d thought she was ready for this but she’d been sorely mistaken. Perhaps if she hadn’t kissed him before, she might not have been so nervous. Now that she’d had a taste of him, of what it felt like to be in his arms, just how soft his lips were, she was a mass of quivering nerves.
The door slid open with barely a whisper and Matthew’s form filled the doorway. Hannah’s heart lodged in her throat while every small hair on her body stood up at attention.
“Good evening, Hannah.” His soft voice was probably meant to calm her, but it didn’t. In fact it was as if he had whispered in her ear, heightening the tension within her.
“Matthew.” Her voice was not her own, huskier and deeper than normal.
He shut the door and she started, nearly falling off the bed. She certainly didn’t present an air of sophistication.
“Matt, please call me Matt. The only time someone calls me Matthew is if I’m in trouble.” He smiled and she was again reminded just how handsome her husband was.
“Matt.” This time she whispered and his smile disappeared.
“I want to thank you for—”
She held up her hand to stop him. “Please do not thank me for marrying you. I don’t think I could stay in this room if you did that.”
He sat down beside her, dwarfing the bed. Lord, the man really was big. When he took her hand in his, his warmth had a calming effect on her frazzled nerves.
“I wasn’t going to thank you for that.” He kissed her knuckles. “I was going to thank you for cooking. We’re a big crew and it takes a lot to satisfy us.”
Hannah’s heart decided to pick that moment to start racing like a thoroughbred. She could barely hear him over the rushing sound of the blood passing her ears.
“Y-you’re welcome.”
He reached up and cupped her cheek, his callused thumb sliding lazily across it. “Don’t be scared, Hannah. I promise to always take care of you and keep you safe.”
In the semi-darkness of the room, hearing the soft tones of his deep voice, she fell a little bit more in love with her new husband.
“I promise to be the best wife I can be, although I haven’t had any practice.”
He smiled and pressed his forehead against hers. His warm breath mingled with hers. Although they were barely touching, it was an incredibly erotic moment. For the first time in her life, she was sharing part of herself, her very breath, with someone else. She’d never been that close to anyone before, not even Granny.
She felt she could not have picked a better husband and although she’d only known him a week, Hannah trusted Matt. He would keep his promise. When his mouth moved close to hers, she shut her eyes and let the moment take over.
His lips were almost hot on hers, moving slowly across from one side to the other, nibbling and kissing. She was lightheaded from the sensations bombarding her, but it didn’t matter.
Before she realized what was happening, he laid her back on the bed and they were pressed together again. This time the sensation didn’t frighten her—it excited her. He was as hard as he’d been before, a sharp contrast to the soft plumpness of her own form.
His hands moved down her neck to her chest. She should have been frightened but she wasn’t. When his hand closed around her breast, her nipple immediately popped against his palm. She groaned and he echoed the sound. Her nightdress was nothing but a thin layer of cotton between them. He pinched the nipple right through the cloth and she felt an answering thrill between her thighs.
Matt made quick work of the buttons and soon the cool night air caressed her heated skin. He kissed his way down her neck, moving closer to her aching breasts. She didn’t know what she wanted, just that she needed him to do something. And he did.
His mouth closed around one turgid peak. The hot wetness of his mouth made her back arch toward him. His tongue swirled around while his teeth nipped at her. She had never known the pleasure to be had from the plump breasts she had always wished away. What a fool she’d been.
As his mouth feasted on one breast, then the other, his hand crept down her body to the aching core between her legs. Although she was inexperienced, Hannah opened her legs, eager for some relief. He inched up the nightdress until the darkness caressed her bare flesh.
His fingers touched her gently. “You’re already wet.”
Hannah had no idea what that meant, but didn’t much care either because he started touching her. Her nipples had proved to be an exciting place when she was in bed with her husband. The place he had his hand now proved to be ten times more intense. Bolts of pleasure shot through her entire body as his nimble fingers rubbed and teased her.
She couldn’t get a breath in as sensations bombarded her. A coil wound tight within her. His thumb pressed against the magic spot as his fingers moved lower. When they entered her, she almost sighed with relief. That was what she wanted.
He moved in and out, inching deeper with each thrust of his fingers. She pushed against him, needing more.
“Hang on, darlin’.” He stood up leaving her in the cold air alone. She could have wept for the loss of sensation, of the ecstasy found with just his hands and mouth. Hannah didn’t even feel like herself anymore. She was someone else, a wanton woman aching, throbbing, and pulsing for more of what a man could give her.
It was probably only seconds, but it felt like hours before he joined her on the bed, and this time, he was nude. She wished she had been smart enough to leave the light on so she could see him. Yet alas, it was too dark to make out anything but his general shape. But oh, her hands found his warm skin, the crinkly hairs on his chest. She touched him because she had to.
He kissed her from above as he positioned himself between her legs. When his thumb found the hooded button of pleasure again and his mouth closed around her nipple, Hannah closed her eyes and leapt into the abyss.
His cock nudged her entrance and she opened her legs even wider. As he slid in, he felt enormous, but strangely good. The slow slide turned into a friction that sent sparks through her. She wanted to tell him to go faster, but thought he would wonder why. Perhaps she truly was a wanton.
When he was finally embedded deep within her, Hannah took a breath and realized this was the closest she’d been to anyone. It was amazing, it was life altering.
He kissed her. “Okay?”
She murmured a yes and tugged a bit on his back. Hannah needed him to move and joyfully, he did. At first his pace was slow, giving her time to adjust to the sheer size of him. Then she raised her knees and he groaned above her.
Hannah knew he was holding himself up with one arm as he pleasured her and thrust his cock within her. She wanted to kiss him but couldn’t. She whimpered as the coil within her wound so tight, she couldn’t even think.
Then something crashed over her, stealing her breath and stopping her heart. The wave spread out from her center and through her body, an ecstasy that was almost unbearable. She thought she shouted his name, but realized she couldn’t tell for the ringing in her ears.
He leaned down and kissed her then, his body finally covering hers completely. She clenched around him as he thrust faster and faster, his breath coming in grunts against her cheek. She opened her mouth to his questing tongue, just as her body was open to his staff.
Matt’s fingers bunched the coverlet beneath them as he thrust in so deep, she saw stars. The pleasure that had been ebbing within her began again. She held him close as he whispered her name in her ear, filling her with his seed.
Tears formed in her eyes so she shut them tightly. She had never known what it meant to be close to someone, to have a mate.
She’d never known.
Hannah had become Mrs. Matthew Graham.
Matt stared at the ceiling, his mind a jumble of thoughts. What he’d intended as a simple introduction to the ways of men and women had turned into something completely different. He’d lost control.
Again.
Hannah wasn’t anything special. She was an ordinary woman with plain features. He had never noticed her before even if they had been in town at the same time. It was only through sheer coincidence they’d met in the store a week ago.
Then why? Why did he fall into some kind of spell every time he touched her?
He sure as hell didn’t understand it, and if he were honest with himself, he didn’t like it. Matt was the oldest, the one who had to be in charge and in control at all times. Hannah threw him off kilter, made his body react in ways it never had. And he lost the ability to think when he was with her.
It was disconcerting and maddening. It was also frightening.
Matt knew his parents’ marriage had been one based on love. They were affectionate and had always respected each other. That wasn’t a bad thing, but his father had also kowtowed to his mother’s wishes. Matt wanted his marriage to be based on mutual respect and not this loco physical reaction he was wholly unprepared for.
Of course, at this point they were well and truly married, and there was no way to reverse that particular event. He still didn’t know exactly what had happened after that first kiss. It was as if his mind took a nap while his body thoroughly tasted, teased, and joined with hers.
Just thinking about what they’d done made his cock hard again. It twitched beneath the covers at the memory of being with Hannah. Hungry again for her only minutes after their first time together.
She couldn’t know how much she affected him. Ever. Matt wanted to hold the reins in their marriage and if Hannah knew she could control him with her body, he’d never touch those reins again.
He finally closed his eyes, the grit in them uncomfortable. Perhaps he would sleep or perhaps not. His wedding day had not turned out as he’d expected, that was for sure. As Matt began to drift off, he was vaguely aware Hannah had snuggled up beside him, her touch giving him the extra comfort he needed to finally sleep.
C
HAPTER
S
IX
H
annah was awake and out of bed long before the sunrise. She could hardly put two thoughts together but she managed to make coffee. The first mouthful of the strong hot brew helped make her feel a bit more grounded.
Yesterday morning she’d drank coffee from the same cup in the same room. Today she was a completely different person, wedded and bedded, a girl no more. She was a little sore, but ignored the discomfort. After all, it was probably normal. She had other things to worry about.
She had made a batch of biscuits and still had jerky. That and coffee would have to do for breakfast. Now she had to convince Granny to come with them to the Graham ranch. Hannah could not allow her to stay at the boardinghouse alone.
“Good morning.” Matt appeared in the doorway, wearing the same clothes he’d worn the day before.
Memories of the night’s activities flooded her thoughts. She was suddenly hotter than the coffee and distinctly tingly between her legs. Was this supposed to happen when she saw her husband?
“Morning.” Hannah jumped up and poured him a cup of coffee. She couldn’t sit still for more than a few moments. If she did, she might grab him and kiss him until neither one of them could see straight.
He sat at the table and reached for a biscuit. When she set the coffee down, he smiled up at her. “Thank you, Hannah.”
Her tongue had ceased to function so she just nodded and stepped back. To her relief, the rest of the Grahams started filing into the room, each of them quiet and sleepy-looking.
“Caleb, you and Nick go get the team hitched up. The road is still muddy but it ain’t a lake anymore.” Matt took a bite of his biscuit. “Girls, make the beds upstairs and make sure everything is clean.”
This time when Matt glanced at Hannah, the smiling seductiveness of last night was gone. He was as serious as she’d ever seen him.
“How soon can you have everything packed so we can leave?”
“Um, I’m already packed. I need to talk to Granny though.” She had to do more than talk to her—she had to convince her.
“Then get to it. I want to be on our way in fifteen minutes.” He finished his biscuit and rose with a piece of jerky in his hand. “I’ll make sure the outside of the house is secure.”
There it was again. That bossiness she’d noticed the night before. He had been in charge at the ranch only a few months so it must be something he’d always done. That didn’t mean she had to like it though.
She left the Grahams to eat what they wanted of the humble meal. The hallway was deserted as she walked to her grandmother’s room. She heard her talking aloud as Hannah knocked.
“Who is it?” her grandmother called from inside.
“It’s me, Granny. It’s time to go.”
“So go.” She sounded as grumpy as normal.
“I mean both of us need to leave with the Grahams,” she said through the closed door.
“I ain’t leaving until this place is sold. That’s that.”
Hannah waited a minute before speaking again. She needed to find a way for her grandmother to think it was her own idea to leave.
“I need your help, Granny. I ... I can’t go to the ranch with all of those strangers. At least one of them doesn’t like me already.” She pressed her forehead on the door, feeling every word for the truth it was. “I feel lost and I need you with me. Please.”
The door opened so suddenly Hannah fell in the room. She landed on her hands and knees with a painful thud. At least she didn’t land on her face.
“What are you doing, child?”
Hannah’s wrists throbbed as she got back to her feet. “Trying to break my arms, apparently.”
“Well, get up then. We’ve got to pack my things, I reckon.” Granny grinned at her. “How much time did that handsome husband give you?”
“Fifteen minutes.” Hannah knew her wrists would hurt like the dickens later, but for now she had no time to think about it.
“Best get crackin’ then.” Granny pointed at her traveling bag, open on the bed. “I already started.”
Hannah hugged her grandmother so hard, she felt her own bones creak. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet. I may fight so much with Eva, you will send me back here on a mule.”
They both laughed as they made quick work of packing Granny’s belongings. There wasn’t much, most of it sentimental pieces from her parents, husband, and daughter.
Hannah started when she saw Matt standing in the doorway, hat on his head and a scowl on his face.
“We were just, uh, finishing up in here.” She took her grandmother’s hand. “Granny is going to come with us.”
“Fine then. We need to get back to the ranch. There’s a lot of chores and animals that need tending to.” He gestured to her traveling bag. “I took your things to the wagon already, Hannah. Is that everything you need, Mrs. Dolan?”
“Yep. I’m leaving everything else here for now. Maybe whoever buys the old place will want the furnishings.” Granny tucked Hannah’s elbow in her own.
Matt picked up the bag and led them out of the room. Hannah didn’t know what to think of his brusque behavior other than that he was worried about the ranch. He hadn’t acted like this with her before. Maybe now that they were married, he had dropped the kind and soft-spoken mask. She hoped not because that would make fifty years seem like an eternity.
As they walked toward the front door, Hannah found her steps slowing. This boardinghouse was the only home she knew. Her parents had died when she was young enough that she’d forgotten their small farmhouse almost completely. When they reached the front door, she stopped.
Granny patted her arm. “I know how you feel, child. It’s time to go to your new home though. No use looking back.” She pointed at Matt, who was currently putting the bag in the back of the wagon. “Look instead at what’s ahead.”
Matt bent down, giving them an unobstructed view of his behind. It was a very nicely shaped rear end, something she hadn’t noticed before. Staring at it made her cheeks flush and a hint of memory from last night whipped through her.
“Are you ready?”
The sound of Granny’s voice cut through Hannah’s distracted thoughts. “Um, yes, I’m ready now.” No need to let her grandmother know exactly what she had been thinking about.
They walked outside, the sound of the door closing behind them a final thump on the first chapter of Hannah’s life. She wouldn’t dwell on what could be or she’d drive herself loco. The truth was, she had no idea what waited for them at the Graham ranch. There was only one way to find out.
The wagon was full of the Grahams, all staring at her and Granny. Hannah didn’t know whether to be scared or excited.
“We made you a seat, Mrs. Dolan.” Catherine jumped up and down beside them. “Matt said you can’t ride like we do so we made you a special seat.”
“Is that so? How thoughtful of him.” Granny allowed Matt and Caleb to help her up into the wagon.
Catherine hopped up beside her and took her hand, leading her to the front. “Right here, Mrs. Granny.”
Hannah smiled as her grandmother settled down on the seat made of what appeared to be blankets draped over something, perhaps a couple crates. Catherine perched beside her, her hand firmly clasped with Granny’s.
“You want to ride up front with me?” Matt asked from behind her, his warm breath gusting past her cheek.
She closed her eyes for a moment at the unfamiliar sensation. “Do you want me to?” she blurted. “I mean, yes, I’d like to.”
Matt took her elbow again. This was a familiar touch and she found herself enjoying it. A lot. In that moment, it was as if they were a regular married couple sharing casual touches, with no boundaries between them.
Hannah couldn’t help the smile that spread across her face at the thought. Perhaps there was a future for the two of them, regardless of the challenges coming their way. If they were as compatible emotionally as they were physically, then it was going to be a good life.
Then she caught sight of Olivia in the corner of the wagon. Her gaze was full of dark emotions and anger, all directed at Hannah. She had no idea what would make her new sister-in-law treat her as if she had committed a crime. It destroyed her good mood, wiped the smile off her face, and made her lose her footing.
Matt grabbed her arm, his grip tight on her wrist. She winced at the pain, sucking in a breath.
He sighed. “Are you okay?”
“Oh, I’m fine. Sorry about that. I, uh, can be clumsy.” Avoiding her new husband’s gaze, Hannah put her foot on the wheel and hauled herself up into the wagon.
When she got herself settled, she realized Caleb was waiting for her to move to the center. It appeared she would ride between Matt and his brother. They were both big men and their shoulders and legs touched hers. Another new and decidedly strange sensation.
When the ranch came into view, her stomach quivered and her heart followed suit. She was about to arrive at her new home.
Matt squirmed in the wagon seat. He had woken up that morning expecting Hannah to be next to him, but she had left him alone in the bed. For a reason he could not understand, it had put him in a foul mood. He should be ecstatic. After all, he was married and could now claim the acreage from Texas.
He was far from being happy though, bordering on downright grumpy. The ride out to the ranch took twice as long as usual because of the muddy condition of the ground. The horses pulled them through, albeit slowly, and they arrived by late morning.
Everything looked fine, and he knew there was no reason to worry about the ranch. Yet as soon as the wagon stopped in front of the house, he tossed the reins to Caleb and jumped down.
“I’m going to check on things. Take care of the wagon.” Without a word to Hannah or Mrs. Dolan, he walked to the barn.
“That wasn’t very nice.” Catherine’s voice followed him across the still muddy ground. She was right, of course, but he wasn’t about to change his mind.
Matt needed to be alone for a bit. He missed his morning rides, that peaceful time when he could be completely by himself. It would be harder to do that with a wife, he realized. Now was the time he truly could not stop himself from escaping. Later he would explain why if Hannah asked.
Obviously Javier or Lorenzo had already cleaned the stalls that morning. It was usually Nick’s job, but the ranch hands did what they had to. They were good people as was their mother, Eva. Without her helping with the young’uns, Matt didn’t think they would have survived after their parents’ deaths and Ben’s disappearance. The Vasquez family was linked with the Grahams, and he hoped when they did get the land, to give some of it to them. He knew it was the right thing to do, and his father would have approved wholeheartedly.
Matt walked farther into the barn and the familiar surroundings made him feel better immediately. Winston poked his head out of the stall and nickered when he caught sight of Matt. With a grin, Matt scratched the big gelding behind his ears and endured the snuffling of his pockets for treats he didn’t have.
“Sorry, boy, I’m just back from town. Later I’ll bring you something.” He leaned his forehead against the horse’s neck and tried to calm down.
Something was making him so tense, his teeth were beginning to ache from clenching them. He thought it might have to do with bringing Hannah home and moving into his parents’ room. It was also a significant adjustment to suddenly have someone who was legally bound to him, and yet another person he was responsible for keeping safe.
It wasn’t her fault, of course. He had to place all the blame right where it belonged, on his own shoulders. Hannah was a good person. She’d accepted his loco proposal although she should have kicked him out of the boardinghouse. Now she was not only married but bedded, and there was no turning back.
His stomach did a funny flip at the thought of sleeping with her every night for the rest of his life. He was not prepared for that kind of intimacy, especially sharing everything with her. Even though he was part of such a big family, Matt knew he was something of a loner. He spent time with his family, but most times he kept his thoughts and feelings to himself. Maybe it was because he was the oldest, but no matter the reason, he kept himself to himself. Hannah might put a kink in that whole approach to life.
Matt wasn’t looking forward to that. There was a reason he was a loner, it kept him solid and focused. A wife would be a completely new element in an already complex situation. Too many siblings, too much tragedy, and a ranch to run. A ranch that was about to grow ten times bigger. He would also never give up the quest to find his parents’ murderer and locate his youngest brother. There was a big goddamn hole in his heart and it wouldn’t be filled until he accomplished both those tasks.
As he brooded over the significant changes in his life, Matt saddled Winston and then led him out the back of the barn. He mounted the horse, briefly considering the idea of showing Hannah around the ranch, introducing her to Eva, Lorenzo, and Javier, but then he dismissed it. His sisters and brothers could take care of that. Matt needed to think.