by Mary Wine
The hands on her bottom tightened and a hard rasp rattled through his clenched teeth. There was no control in either of them and she let the moment drag her down with him. Pleasure broke through her as she felt the spurt of his release. It crashed into her womb, shaking her like a leaf in a stormy wind. She clung tighter to her lover as her lips couldn’t contain the moan of delight that rose from her. It mixed with the harsh, male sound of enjoyment shaking him as she clung to him.
“Was I too rough?” Her face burned. Brianna marveled at her body, because she sure didn’t understand why a question was any cause for blushing when she was still impaled on his cock with a wall against her back.
“Look at me.” Command was back in his voice. Her eyelashes fluttered as she tried to look at him, but felt her blush deepen instead. A soft chuckle shook him and she raised her face to investigate the change in his mood. A firm kiss landed on her mouth before he lifted her free and set her feet on the floor.
“Talking to your partner is one of the best parts of having a lover.” Brianna felt her eyes widen. Talk? About sex? Now that was certainly something she had never dared to fantasize about. People simply did not do that. At least not decent folks.
Sloan turned and swiped her knickers off the floor. He held them out to her as his expression went blank again. Determination flickered in his eyes once more and she recognized it now. Sloan was about to demand his way with her.
“Get dressed. We’ll practice pillow talk after we go into town.” With her heart slowed down, she felt the chill in the air. Shaking her head, she moved towards her dresser. “I need clean ones.” Picking up her ruined bodice from the floor she frowned at the waste.
“Put on a Sunday dress.” Sloan was working the buttons on his fly closed. He only gave her a firm glance when she lifted an eyebrow at his direction. “You’ll need to sign a complaint at the sheriff’s office.”
His gaze dropped down her nude length, making her shiver as she realized
how vulnerable she was to him. It didn’t seem very fair that nature could simply rear her head one moment and sweep aside her good intentions. Sloan McAlister tempted her beyond her resolve to remain on the straight and narrow path. But it happened every time she was alone with him. Every scrap of selfcontrol she owned deserted her in a flash. The only thing that made it bearable was the evidence that she affected him in a similar fashion.
“Why a Sunday dress? Sheriff Kindle isn’t that important to my way of thinking.”
His eyes rose back up her body, hesitating at her breasts before locking stares with her once again. Solid determination blazed at her, tempered with anticipation.
“As much as I’m glad to hear that, put the dress on for me. We’re going to stop at the church and get married.”
Chapter Nine
“I sure don’t need any man marrying me because he feels sorry for me being alone.” The words crossed her lips before she thought about them. Gaining a husband through pity felt worse than being broken by hunger to warm Joseph’s bed.
A low sound of amusement came from Sloan. But there was nothing pleasant about it. He moved across the floor without a sound and cupped her chin in his hand. “Trust me, honey, pity isn’t on the list of reasons why we’re going to see the good parson.” His lips pressed into a hard line before she felt his opposite hand cup one bare breast.
“I’m going to spend tonight, and tomorrow night, and every night after that between your thighs. So, unless you want the gossips in town counting up the months between your wedding and the birth of our baby, get that dress on before I climb back on top of you.”
“I never thought about a baby…” Fear traced a path through her head for the first time.
She’d never considered anything but herself. Horror flooded her as Brianna choked on the possible reality of a tiny little life growing inside her. Oh, she sure was stupid at times. There were a lot of things that might be overlooked in the West, but “bastard” was still a harsh title for a kid to shoulder. Making her own choices was one thing, branding someone else with the title of illegitimate was quite another.
“Considering how we affect each other, I’d suggest you get dressed for your wedding. Now.”
He released her chin and moved towards the door. Brianna watched him reach for his vest and shrug into it. “But we don’t know each other.”
A wicked grin lifted his lips as his eyes roamed over her nude body again. “We know a lot more than some couples. The rest can come along. But no child of mine is going to be born without a name.” His eyes flashed at her as he buttoned up his vest. “Get into that dress, honey, before your sweet little nipples tempt me past any good intentions.”
Brianna felt a lump form in her throat. He did feel sorry for her. Regret could make a person do a lot of things, but she sure didn’t like the idea of Sloan marrying her because of some misplaced guilt over taking her virginity. Letting a chemise drop over her head, she blinked back the two tears stinging her eyes.
“You don’t have to marry me, Sloan. You didn’t seduce me.” It was by far one of the hardest things she’d ever said. But he was worth the effort, even if it meant that she was handing him permission to walk out of her door forever. A twist of pain went through her at just the idea. So sharp she almost moaned out loud. Her pride held the sound back, because she didn’t want him if he didn’t want to be standing beside her. A lot of folks said plenty of stuff in church that they never practiced at home. Even if she did find herself with child, better an honest bastard than a deserted unwanted wife.
That grin lifted his lips once more as he crossed back to where she stood. A hard arm encircled her waist, pulling her against his body. She shivered as she realized how slight she was compared to him. The grin actually lit up his eyes for a change, making her heart light.
“No, I didn’t seduce you. For the record, I don’t want your father’s mill. But having a husband will put an end to every out-of-luck mongrel that does want it.” The grin faded as hunger took command of his gaze. “That’s just an excuse though. I want you, honey, and I’m going to spend the night deep inside you. I did have a mother once who taught me a manner or two. So, we are going to get married before I take you back to bed.”
His eyes flashed a warning at her that made her body surge with renewed heat. His hand clasped one side of her bottom, pressing her against the bulge of his cock. It was already hard again and her mouth went dry as she stared at the face of a man who wasn’t going to forget what he’d just promised her. In all honesty, she loved the idea.
“All right.”
Warren surveyed her in silence as they waited in the church aisle. Jed, the half-breed, was along as well, waiting to serve as witness to her wedding. Her intended husband introduced both men while Brianna plucked at her blue calico skirt with nervous fingers. Somehow, the fact that everyone in town was about to know Sloan was warming her bed made her jumpy. Her curious mind poked at that little bit of information. Why was sex so unspeakable? Everyone sure was happy to see new babies baptized on Sunday morning.
Reverend Pilkerton enjoyed any reason to put on his black preacher’s robe. His wife was ruby cheeked as she fussed with the back of it to make sure it was straight across his shoulders. Their eight children lined up to watch the bustle, the oldest daughter holding the hand of the youngest child. She flashed Brianna a sweet smile that looked a little misplaced because she was still wearing a dress meant for a girl when her face had blossomed into a lovely young woman. She gazed longingly at Sloan while her father turned to face the bride-to-be.
“Well now, my children. Are you sure you’ve considered entering into holy matrimony with proper respect for the Almighty?” The reverend rolled the word “holy” taking three times as long to say it as he needed. A gleam twinkled in his eye as his wife handed him a large Bible. He ran loving fingers over the worn edges before opening it. He paused for a moment and looked at Brianna, his smile fading.
“Is there any news of your father?” B
rianna straightened her spine. Firm belief in her father’s good heath still remained in her heart. “No, sir, but I’m certain there’s a good reason for his absence.”
The reverend transferred his harsh glare to Sloan. “I don’t recall your face among the congregation, son.”
Only a man of the cloth could get away with labeling Sloan “son”. Brianna fought to control a smile before it got the reverend’s attention back on her.
“No, sir, you haven’t.” Sloan shrugged his overcoat aside to display his badge. “The lawless don’t respect the Sabbath.”
“A sad truth.” Every one of the reverend’s children nodded in unison with their parents. The girls’ pigtails bobbed along with their chins. A large smile appeared on the reverend’s face. “Well, I’m happy to see you respecting the Lord’s law. Very happy indeed to see you standing in front of the altar. Marriage is a ho—ly estate, you know.”
Brianna felt a lump swell up in her throat. Her eyes locked onto the big black Bible as she felt her collar bite into her neck. Maybe she’d always accepted the idea that one day she’d marry, but today she felt her heart race as she faced the reverend. The row of grinning faces behind the altar captured her attention. Sloan really did have the right idea. Children needed the good favor of the town. She’d made the choice to share her body with a man, but it would be the fruit of that labor that bore the stain if she refused to wed her lover.
A large hand spread wide on her lower back. It was such a tender touch that she shifted her eyes to look at the man becoming her lawfully wedded husband. His fingers rubbed gently across her hips as the reverend’s voice bounced off the back wall of the church.
Twenty minutes later, they were married. Sloan turned her towards the door as the Pilkerton family offered a round of applause. The reverend slid the five-dollar gold piece Sloan offered him beneath his robe and into a front vest pocket for safekeeping. She stepped into the evening gray and gasped as Warren swept her up against his chest.
“Got to kiss the bride.” His mouth pressed against hers in a far more passionate kiss than she’d ever witnessed at any wedding. Jed stole her from him before she regained enough sense to push him away. A low rumble escaped Sloan’s mouth as he glared at his friends. Twin smirks appeared on their faces before she watched them shoulder their rifles as devotedly as any mother handling her babe. The guns had been left in the coat rack for the ceremony, but they served as a harsh reminder that Silver Peak didn’t respect Christian values a lot of times.
“Time to see the sheriff.”
There was a note of firm enjoyment in Sloan’s voice. Glancing at her groom, Brianna shivered. Possessiveness tightened his features as he stared at her. She suddenly felt like his next meal, the promise he’d made back at her cabin to spend the night inside her echoing through her skull.
Sheriff Kindle was cradling a steaming mug of coffee when they arrived. He looked harassed as Joseph and his father started yelling the moment they recognized who had come into the jailhouse.
“I told you to be quiet. There ain’t nothing you can say that will change what I witnessed with my own eyes. You’re staying behind bars until Ambrose ships you off to the quarry for hard labor. There’s no room in Silver Peak for kidnappers of women. Not while I wear this badge.”
The sheriff touched the brim of his hat in respect before he ground his teeth with frustration over the whining from his prisoners.
“Go ahead and let them loose.”
Brianna stared at her new husband in shock. Sloan had turned so that his voice made it into the cells Joseph and his kin occupied. Silence instantly fell over them as he fingered the trigger of his rifle. The weapon still lay against his shoulder, but the slight motion of his finger, gliding over the trigger, was unmistakable.
“My apologies, Kindle. Forgot to mention that Miss Spencer did me the honor of becoming my wife a few minutes ago.” Sloan never took his eyes off Joseph as he spoke. The sheriff’s chair skidded backwards as he stood.
“Is that a fact?”
Sloan turned his attention to the lawman and leveled the same hard stare at him. “It is. The good reverend was real pleased to see me respecting the holy teachings.”
“I bet.” Kindle aimed his gaze at her. “Sure you like that promise you just made in church, ma’am? It can be annulled.”
Her respect for the sheriff suddenly tripled. He stood firm in the face of Sloan’s displeasure, ready to place himself between them if she breathed a single word of protest. Her pride didn’t care for the battle being waged over her father’s property, but she still valued the stand the lawman was willing to take to ensure that she wasn’t being strong-armed into a marriage.
“I find myself quite fortunate to have so devoted a husband.”
Kindle shook his head. “He’s firm in his actions, all right. But it could still be annulled.”
A little stain of heat touched her face as she recognized that Sloan had already consummated their vows. She’d enjoyed it, too, so marching off to the church to plead for an annulment was rather dishonest. She might be a slave to lust now, but she wasn’t a liar. She shook her head and watched Sloan’s lips twitch. He never let the smile show, but she caught the glimmer of enjoyment in his eyes. It sent a bolt of heat through her. It tempted her to suspect there was more than lust driving his decision to wed her. Oh, it might be a foolish daydream, but she hugged the idea close and refused to think about annulments. She was going to enjoy her wedding night.
“Thank you, Sheriff Kindle. However, I am very content with my promise before the reverend. I trust you will recall that if anything unfortunate happens to myself or my new husband?”
Kindle glared at Sloan before inclining his head towards her. “Yes, ma’am, my memory is real good.”
Joseph let out a curse that turned her face red. Sloan stared at the sorry excuse for a boy stuck in a man’s body. His father had allowed him to strangle on his own selfishness. Children didn’t achieve without a parent expecting it of them. Silver Peak was full of lazy men who flooded the area looking for an easy life.
“You won’t find stealing from me so simple, Corners. Keep your hands off my wife.”
Joseph actually stepped away from the cell door that he was holding onto. He sputtered as he recognized his own cowardice. Sloan stroked his rifle once more before turning his full attention back to the sheriff.
“If you’ll excuse us, it’s our wedding night.”
Brianna resisted her husband’s pull. With a gentle hand, she unhooked his fingers from her arm and moved towards the cells where Joseph stood fuming at her. She forced herself to look at him. He spat on the floor in front of her and a smile lifted the corners of her lips.
“My husband is correct, it is our wedding night. I do hope you enjoy it as much as we shall.”
She caught a low snicker from Kindle before she turned and joined Sloan. A gleam of appreciation twinkled in his eyes as she rested her hand on his forearm and proudly stepped out into the sunlight. News of their wedding traveled fast and shop owners waved as they walked down the plank boardwalk.
“Congratulation, Brianna.”
“Be happy, dear!”
“Your father would be proud.”
He would be. Brianna waved back as she tightened her hold on her husband. Yes, she did believe that her daddy would approve.
Sloan leaned down close to her ear. “Just think, they all know exactly what we’re planning to do when we get back to your place.”
Her face turned scarlet as she glared at him. Sloan’s lips twitched with amusement as she sputtered and blushed some more.
“Sloan McAlister, you’re incorrigible.”
He growled softly for her hearing alone. “And you love it, hard and fast.”
Heat hit her and consumed every inch of her body. She was suddenly in a rush to get home as that spot at the top of her sex throbbed. Her knickers bothered her when she looked into the eyes of her husband and felt her mouth go dry. Hunger, raw and uncon
trolled, blazed back at her.
Chapter Ten
His new wife blushed all the way back to her cabin. He should have felt guilty for annoying her but the flat truth was…he didn’t. Brianna cast him a furious look the moment Warren and Jed bid her good night. Her hips swayed and sent her petticoat swishing away from her ankles as her temper fired her step.
“You did that on purpose, Sloan McAlister.” Her new husband didn’t answer, but moved across the floor to stand his rifle against the wall next to the bed. Her throat tightened as she recognized the significance of the placement of his weapon. But she still propped her hands onto her hips as he turned back to face her.
“That’s right, I did.” He shrugged out of his duster and laid it over the back of a chair. Her throat grew tighter as she watched his fingers begin to unbutton his vest. “Marriage means a whole lot of things to different folks. To me, it means I can stop trying to avoid every single impulse you inspire in me.”
“I see.” It was an odd compliment. One that she had never considered before, but it sounded so completely right. Sloan wasn’t some example of gentlemanly idealism. In truth, she didn’t want him to be. It was his hardness she craved, not a chaste kiss on the back of her hand.
He folded his vest and placed it on top of his duster. A soft chuckle filled the cabin as he moved towards the stove. He pulled the front cooking plate up and dropped a scoop of new coal into the belly. A few turns from the poker and he replaced the plate as the coal sparked and began to burn, filling the room with more heat.