by Cindy Nord
As if a starving man, he ached for one more taste of her, one more suckle, one more thrust of his tongue…and he did just that as he swept his palms over her curves.
Her gasps of pleasure nearly proved his undoing, he adored her every whimper, her every sigh. With a throaty moan, Brennen shifted, lifting her. In a dozen strong strides, he reached her bedroom, swept back the coverlets, and laid her on the berth.
On a soft sigh, she exhaled his name, powerful and all consuming. And he obeyed, dropping a knee to the mattress, his mouth again finding hers. Brennen cupped her breast, and she arched upward, sliding her hand along his arm, her touch setting his skin on fire. The hot hard length of him begged for release as his gentling touch deepened, replaced by a driving hot need to claim this woman.
With an anxious tug, Brennen shucked off his boots, his socks, his pants. Naked, he settled next to her.
With appreciation, she marveled at his muscled frame, then her gaze fell upon his hardened length. His body throbbed as she looked at him, an edge of nerves sliding across her face.
“I love you, Annabelle,” he whispered, aching to have her, but letting her set the pace, wanting her, wanting this, forever.
Tenderness softened her features, and she relaxed against him. “And I love you, too, Brennen.”
Her confirmation purled through him. He breathed against the curve of her ear, “Never forget, that it’s you who’s my le belle maison. Not bricks and mortar…but this. This between us. Say you’ll have me?”
“Yes…yes, I’ll have you.”
On a raspy intake of breath he sealed his mouth over hers. Hunger ramped inside him as he traced his hand past the sweet juncture at her thighs, his thumb parting her soft, sweet folds. He slicked his finger into her core, teasing the warm nub that defined her very essence.
Annabelle gasped, her fingers digging deep into his shoulders.
His own pulse thundered in his ears, yet he continued to coax and taunt until she arched upward off the pillows and cried, her entire body tensing beneath her release. A wave of joy swept over him, there was still so much to teach her.
“B-Brennen…p-please…” she panted, trembling, gasping out his name as she buckled beneath his skilled touch. Her musky, sweet scent rose between them, tantalizing him until the pressure building inside him severed the last of his strong will.
With whispered words of love, he caught her chin. Their gazes connected, hers limpid pools of desire branding him hers. “No more waiting, minx…don’t be afraid.”
Her breath hitched, sliding out on a ragged whisper, “I-I’m never afraid with you…”
Brennen shifted, and, at last, settled his weight atop hers. Moonlight flooded in from the open doorway and spilled across her face. Innocent, yet eager…for her first taste of love, for this…for him. Her affection the very air he breathed. With a groan, he positioned himself against her warmth, and she welcomed him home, wrapping herself around his hard length as if they were both carved from a single slice of heaven. Her eyes widened, then narrowed as he lifted her hips, raising her upward. With a slow kiss, he slid into her slick warmth, and met her expected barrier of innocence.
Ecstasy ripped through him at her cherished gift, and with one strong thrust he drove deep, broke her virginal proof, and then stilled. Tears glittered in her eyes, and he damned himself for having put them there. “I will never hurt you again, this I swear.”
Trusting eyes held his. “I-I know.”
Heart aching with love, needing her with his every breath, Brennen rolled his hips, sliding out, then back into her scalding sheath. With deep, slow strokes, he moved…and she matched him, his whole world centered on her. As hot waves built inside, he rode her higher and higher until her name fell in garbled moans from his lips.
Her body trembled, and shock flickered within the ecstasy in her eyes. “Brennen, I’m…I’m…” She cried out her second release, the sweet agony of his climbing ever closer, rolling through him as scorching fire…until, like a man possessed and staking his claim, he dug his hands into her tresses, and arched her face upward to his.
“You’re mine, forever, minx,” he rasped against her lips. “Never forget that.”
“I-I’ll never forget…” she panted, her heat a scorching fire out of control.
His lips covered hers as he drove into her once more, a wildfire out of control. And then, on a cry of her name, he spilled his seed within her womb, filling every single part of his woman, the woman who had stolen his heart, this woman he would cherish forever.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
At the pounding on the bedroom door, Annabelle bolted upright in bed.
The mattress dipped as Brennen crawled to his feet. Sunlight poured into the room and laid a hazy beam across the mussed-up coverlet.
How long had they been asleep?
The robust pounding continued followed by Ruby’s angst-filled voice. “Miz’ Annabelle? You in ‘dere? We’s gettin’ worried; Ellie said you’d never showed fer breakfast.” The brass handle rattled. “Miz’ Annabelle? Jubal can’t find Mista Brennen, neither.”
Holy Mother! Wide-eyed, Annabelle glanced at Brennen as she clutched the blanket against her nakedness.
With a satisfied smile toward her, he bent and snagged up his pants. Denim slid into place over his muscled buttocks just as the door squeaked open.
“Miz’ Annabelle?” Ruby repeated, “A-Are yo’s sick?”
Annabelle’s heart rattled in her chest. Sick? Not by a long shot. In fact, she’d never felt better in her entire life. A bit sore, perhaps, but completely satisfied…and the man who’d delivered such joy now blocked her from prying eyes.
Ruby poked her head around the panel.
Spotting Brennen near the bed, she gasped. “I…I’s s-sorry, suh. I-I didn’t know yo’s both were…were…” The door creaked open even more. “J-Jubal,” she hollered over her shoulder to the shuffling footsteps in the hallway behind her. “I’s found ‘em. Dey’s both in here.”
Dear heavens….not Jubal, too! Annabelle wanted to bury herself beneath the covers.
On a strong inhale, Brennen straightened his shoulders. “Ruby,” he said, the low monotone greeting as relaxed as if he’d spent every single night of his life in Annabelle’s bed. With a roguish grin, he swept up the shirt that trailed across the sill of the veranda door. Jamming his arms inside the sleeves, he added, “There’s no need to wake the entire county.”
“Wake ‘em? Lord a’mighty, Mista Brennen, ‘tis near noon. Folks’ve been up for hours…” she glanced at Annabelle, then back again, “‘ceptin’ you two. We’s thought y’all was…sick, or…or somethin’.”
Jubal appeared behind Ruby, his chin brushing the top of her blue-and-white checked turban. If he’d been surprised at what he saw, Annabelle couldn’t rightly tell. On the other hand, her face blazed hot with mortification. The goliath politely looked away and centered his gaze on Brennen. “Afta’noon, suh. Got worried when yo’ didn’t show for our usual mornin’ coffee.”
“I understand.” As relaxed as Brennen seemed half-dressed and conversing with these two, Annabelle’s embarrassment spread.
“Y-You’ve no need to worry,” she stammered. Her discomfiture growing, she inched the coverlet higher. “W-We’re both…quite…fine.”
Brennen cleared his throat as he secured the buttons down the front of his shirt. “As you can clearly see, everyone’s quite fine.” He headed toward the door. “Now, off you go.”
Their smiles lifting, the two nodded, then ducked from sight. Yet, a split-second later, Ruby popped back into view. “I’d just like to add dat it’s ‘bout time yo’s two got together.”
“Yes. Thank you, Ruby. That’ll be all,” Brennen quipped, amusement flickering in his eyes.
On a muttered Praise the Sweet Lord Jesus, the woman ducked from view then clicked shut the door.
He locked the panel as Jubal’s muffled huzzah resonated in the upper corridor.
By slow degrees, Anna
belle’s discomfiture faded. She covered her mouth to stifle her strained giggle, but failed.
Brennen grabbed up his socks, his chuckles joining hers. “Good gawd, noon? I haven’t slept this late in months.”
“I’m sure we gave them a startling how-dy-do,” Annabelle said between gleeful chuckles.
Propped against the four-poster, he nodded as he slid his feet into soft wool. “Damn. I forgot all about my morning coffee ritual. See? Your beautiful body broke my routine.”
“Well your skilled hands…and your,” she glanced lower, “impressive body broke mine.” Annabelle stifled more giggles. “Poor Ellie. I’m sure Ruby’s bee lining to the summer kitchen even as we speak. How can I possibly show my face?”
He winked. “You’re part of the progressive order, remember? I’m sure you’ll find a way.”
Her comment several months earlier when they’d collided outside the lawyer’s office flittered through her mind. Had she only known about this moment, she wouldn’t have been so silly. On a much needed inhale, Annabelle dashed away the joy-filled tears from her eyes. So much had happened since that chance encounter in town, yet even back then this man had stolen her breath. She combed her fingers through her tangled hair. “I must look a fright.”
Brennen leaned forward and cupped her chin, his mouth inches from hers. “You’re the most beautiful woman in the world…every luscious inch.”
Desire for him filled Annabelle. “And you…you randy barbari--”
His mouth covered hers and the deep kiss left her wanting more.
On a soft moan, he broke their connection.
She lay her head upon his shoulder. “I loved every marvelous moment in your arms last night.”
“And I, in yours,” he whispered, placing a softer kiss on the top of her head.
As he bent to gather his boots, she watched the play of his muscles beneath his shirt. Her palms ached to again touch him. “I’ve truly never known such happiness,” she said, drawing up her legs and wrapping her arms around her knees.
Brennen looked over, then swept back her hair and kissed her bare shoulder. “And we shall revisit that feeling many more times, I promise.” He nipped her earlobe and she swatted his shoulder.
On a laugh, he straightened. “I guess we better get dressed if we’re to make the Wise wedding in Owensboro.”
“Oh my gosh, that’s right.” She tossed aside the covers and scooted to the edge of the bed.
With a sly smile, he laid her against the mattress. “Not so fast,” he said, leaning over her. “I’m thinkin’ there’s still time for a bit more replenishment.”
She slipped her arms around his waist and excitement swirled through her as she feigned innocence. “There is, Monsieur? Are you sure?”
He delivered a wicked grin. “I’m sure…”
Another moan slipped free as he bent to kiss her belly, her thighs, and then lower to the soft juncture of curls.
“Open for me, minx,” he whispered, his breath warm against her skin.
And with her body trembling from need, Annabelle did just that.
* * * *
The Pleasant Grove Baptist Church sat on the outskirts of Owensborough surrounded by an ancient copse of trees. The two-story behemoth gleamed bright as the late morning sun reflected off its four-up, four-down, sixteen in total, front windows that flanked both sides of a huge front door. To anyone passing by, the red-bricked structure looked more judicial than religious as smack atop the roof’s center towered an eight-foot, open-sided cupula, rather than a steeple. Built just after the war, this unique apostolic boasted a fast-growing membership proven by how every pew in the main chamber was filled as the town’s favorite lawyer married his pretty little schoolmarm.
After the ceremony, the couple signed their name in the parish register in the vestry, then followed after the guests as everyone streamed down the sanctuary’s wide front steps. The joyous affair continued at the adjacent shady picnic grove. Banquet tables bore a wide array of foodstuffs, as well as a four-tiered wedding cake. Children darted among the crowd as their mothers’ scolding voices blended with their laughter.
Laying aside his empty dessert plate, Brennen handed Annabelle a cup of punch. “It’s strawberry, I think,” he said. “I understand Cleo’s partial to the fruit.”
“Thank you.” Annabelle sipped, then smiled. “‘Tis quite delicious, like the cake.” She glanced around at the festivities. “This is so different than weddings back east. There, etiquette demands quiet and gentility, and the bride and groom have a small reception in a home, receiving guests as they stand in an elaborately decorated corner.”
“I remember those types of weddings before the war. I always did find them quite stuffy.” He gulped the remainder of his cup, then reached for another from the tray of a passing servant. “Mabel,” he said to the woman holding the refreshments. “What are you doing here?”
“I ain’t working Buster’s Saloon anymore,” the woman said with a wink. “Miss Cleo and the sheriff’s hired me to do their totin’ and fetchin’.” She elbowed Brennen and laughed. “Hell of a lot better’n spreadin’ my legs, I’m here to tell ya.”
At Annabelle’s gasp, the woman chortled, then continued on her way with the punch tray.
“I saw her at Doctor Jordan’s a while back,” Annabelle whispered.
“Guess the sheriff took pity on her and gave her a better paying job than what she had before turning tricks. You know, old whores--”
“Brennen!” She smacked his arm.
“What?” He laughed, gulping his next cup. “It’s true.”
“Ah, Miss Swan, how nice to see you.” Doctor Jordan stepped over and shook Brennen’s hand. “Benedict. Good to meet up again.”
“Same here. We were just talking ‘bout you, Doc.”
The albino widened his pink eyes. “Is that right?”
“Yes…about Mable.”
At his confusion, Annabelle smiled. “I happened to mention I first saw her at your office when I was there inquiring about the nursing position.”
“Ah yes, that’s right. Heard she’d been hired to help Cleo out, as well as deliver food to the prisoners when the jail has any.”
“Speaking of changes,” she asked, “how’s Sister Marie working out for you?”
“She’s marvelous, and the abbess said she may continue nursing for us until the orphanage is finished. Good for the community, she said.” Jordan took a sip of punch. “I’m one happy doctor now, since my mother doth approve. Well, I guess I better go mingle. Good for my practice, you know.” With a grin, he tipped his hat to Annabelle. “Ma’am.”
“Doctor,” she acknowledged, watching as the man drifted into the crowd. “Such a nice fellow.”
“Yes. And level-headed, too.” Brennen snorted. “Unlike me the afternoon he and I first met.”
Annabelle leaned against him and patted his upper arm. “Things were different back then, darling.”
“Yes.” He glanced down and tapped her nose. “Much different.”
She ached to kiss him and he must’ve read her mind, for he complied, his mouth sliding over hers.
“Hey, you two. This is ‘sposed to be my day for doing things like that,” Wise joked as he sidled up next to Brennen.
Embarrassment heating her cheeks, Annabelle pulled back. “Monsieur Wise, I-I did not hear you approach. Forgive me.”
“Nonsense,” her lawyer said, shaking Brennen’s hand. “I’m all for true love. And speakin’ of that, I’d like to introduce my bride.” He indicated a fair-haired, bewitching belle in ivory brocade standing at his side. “Mrs. Davina Wise meet Miss Annabelle Swan and Mr. Brennen Benedict, my clients and friends.”
Annabelle curtsied as she clasped the bride’s outstretched hand. “’Tis a pleasure, mademoiselle. Brennen tells me you’re from Evansville.”
“Newburgh, actually…a small port town just a piece downriver, but Wallace and I shall be residing in Owensborough since his practice is here.”
“And you’re a teacher, too,” Annabelle said. “How wonderful.”
She nodded. “I’m hoping to find employment in Daveiss County.”
“Check with the Sisters of Mount Maple,” Brennen added. “I’m supplying bricks for a school they’re building.”
“Yes,” Annabelle agreed. “Perhaps you could teach there. I know one of their nun’s has gone to work for Doctor Jordan, so there might be an opening.”
The bride smiled. “I shall certainly pay the Reverend Mother a visit when I return from our honeymoon.”
Wise glanced toward Brennen. “By the way, your bricking machine just arrived this morning. They’re holding it at the dock awaiting your signature and delivery instructions. Turned everything over to my partner to handle while I’m gone, so he’ll help you finish the necessary paperwork back at the office.” He dropped a key into Brennen’s hand. “Just leave this there when you’ve finished up with things.”
“Works for me.” Brennen pocketed the piece. “Can’t wait to get a look at the machine. Thanks for all your help, Wallace. How long will you two be gone?”
“A month. Taking the Water Queen down to Memphis.”
“I’ve family there,” his wife explained. “The riverboat is set to sail at 3:00 p.m., so we should probably be leaving soon to get our trunks down to the dock.”
“There you are, Wallace,” boomed a deep voice. An elderly gentleman with a well-dressed couple in tow joined them.
“Archie, glad you could make the trip.” Wallace turned and introduced the new arrival. “Meet my law partner, Archibald Wissner of Louisville. We’ve opened another office over there and he’s agreed to man the place. And who do you have with you?”
“Greetings all,” Wissner said. “I’ve brought along Milton and Abigail Williamson for the weekend.” His gaze narrowed on Brennen. “And you, sir, are just who they’ve come to see.”
Surprise lifted Brennen’s brows as he nodded to the new arrivals. “Me?”
“Indeed.” Wise’s partner clapped him on the shoulders. “These fine folks’re willing to take that rattletrap estate off your hands at an even better price than your previous request.”