* * *
The closer we got to my birthday, the more my excitement grew. It was wonderful to be able to go outside and feel the sun on my back, to smell the sweet flowers, to work with my hands in a way that didn’t include yarn. I was beginning to detest the stuff.
When the morning of my birthday arrived, I was the first one out of bed. I went to the kitchen to fix breakfast and no sooner than I was done with that, I turned on the faucet and let water fill the tub. I had a mind to take a bath before we went into town.
I didn’t hear Clay come behind me, but I felt his hands as they splayed over my bottom and squeezed. “Mornin’.”
“Mornin’. You’re up early.”
“I made your breakfast. I thought I’d take a quick bath and—” I heard the distinct sound of trousers hitting the floor, and before I knew it, Clay was pressing his hard cock against my thigh.
“Is there room for one more?”
I turned to face him with a smile. “I don’t know, Clay. There might not be,” I said, patting my rounding belly.
“Well, I don’t think you’ve ever looked prettier,” he declared, chuckling when I blushed. “I sure like your cheeks pink—both sets.”
I started to turn away, but he pulled me back toward him, kissing the nape of my neck. I threw my head back, reveling in the feeling of his lips as they kissed down my body. He took his time, kissing each shoulder in turn before his mouth slid down to my breasts. He kissed, nibbled and teased my nipple with his tongue until I was writhing with desire. The instant I moved, though, his hand came around to slap my rump.
“Stay still,” he said, his voice husky and low.
I nodded obediently and he went back to the business of pleasuring me. I moaned as he began to suckle my other nipple. As hard as I tried not to move, I could feel my thighs trembling.
When he finished teasing me to near torment, he dropped to his knees, cupping his hands around my swelling middle. “Beautiful,” he said, looking me straight in the eye until I knew he meant it. He leaned down to kiss my belly and then spread my thighs wider.
I could feel the moisture that had gathered there and was awful embarrassed to have him lookin’ at it. “Clay, what are you—”
He silenced me by inserting two fingers into my pulsing sex.
I caught my breath, closing my eyes as he worked his fingers in and out just the way I liked. Just when I thought he was like to drive me crazy, he stopped. I opened an eye to peek at him and saw him lick his fingers clean and grin lazily at me. He’d done it a few times before, but every time it made me shiver with an excitement I couldn’t explain.
“Close your eyes,” he murmured.
No sooner than I had obeyed, I felt a cool wetness mingle with the juices flowing from my pussy. I gasped, and the minute I shifted my weight, I felt his hand collide against my bottom as a reminder. It tingled pleasantly and only added to my pleasure.
“Spread your thighs a bit, darlin’.”
The feeling of his tongue in my slick folds was almost too much. I reached down and twined my hands in his soft, brown hair, groaning as his tongue flicked over my clit. He teased it again and again until I thought I would come on the spot. As he probed deeper, he reached around and grabbed both my ass cheeks, squeezing them as he pushed his head closer to my clit. The feeling of him pressed between my thighs while his tongue danced inside me made me rise on tiptoe, moaning. This time, Clay didn’t swat me, only dug his fingers deeper into my rounded cheeks.
By the time I finally came undone, every nerve in my body was humming. When I could stand it no longer, my body spasmed and I felt the warm, wet juices of my orgasm slide down my thighs. I was breathing hard, thinking my heart would surely bust from my chest, when I felt Clay lapping up the cum from the insides of my thighs.
I was still gasping from the orgasm when he grinned up at me.
“Happy birthday, darlin’.”
By the time we finished with our lovemaking, the bath water was cold. Still, I was determined to wash off—I just made quick work of it. No point in catching cold before our trip to town! I’d never forgive myself.
We ate our breakfast quickly and Clay went out to ready the buggy. I trailed behind, watching him when a thought struck me.
“Clay…”
“Hmm?”
“Might we ride Sapphire instead?”
When he turned toward me, his eyes were serious. “Maggie, I recall tellin’ you—”
“You said I couldn’t ride alone,” I interjected softly. “Please. It is my birthday.” I batted my eyelashes at him, like I’d seen Libby do to my brother at least a dozen times before. And I’ll be darned if it didn’t work! Right before my eyes, I saw the certainty in his face waver. I’d have to thank Libby next time I saw her.
“Alright, but I’m makin’ this a one-time affair, y’hear?”
“Yes, sir,” I said sweetly, biting down on my lip so I didn’t whoop with excitement.
It took far less time to simply saddle the horse and in no time we were headin’ for town at a trot. I’d asked Clay if he’d make the stallion gallop, but that was where he drew the line, birthday or no. Still, I enjoyed the feel of the wind in my hair and any reason to wrap my arms around my handsome husband was fine by me.
“We’re a little early for dinner,” I remarked as my husband tied Sapphire down.
“Sure are,” he returned with an easy smile. “I thought we’d stroll for a bit. It’s been a few weeks since you’ve been to town, I thought you might like a look around.”
“That was very thoughtful,” I commented, dropping my eyes. If I kept looking up at his full, red lips, I was going to do something to embarrass my husband; he didn’t hold to public embraces.
“Come along, then. Watchin’ you spend all my money will surely work up my appetite.”
“Should have brought some eggs,” I quipped. “Maybe Mister Park is in a trading mood.”
Clay snorted at my jest before offering me his arm. Once I’d tucked my hand inside, off we went.
It was a funny thing—like Clay said, I hadn’t been to town in a few weeks, but people seemed to be actin’ mighty strange today. Every man that saw me stopped to tip their hats and say howdy, every woman I passed smiled at me and asked if they’d see me at church on Sunday. It seemed powerfully odd to me. Most days, no one seemed to even see me as I walked past.
I bobbed my head politely and Clay tipped his hat to the ladies, but I couldn’t shake my feeling that something had changed. Whatever could it be?
“Somethin’ the matter, darlin’? You’re not feelin’ ill, are you?” he asked in a low undertone.
“No, thank you kindly. I’m feelin’ fine.” When I smiled up at him, it struck me what had changed: I had. Clay had changed me, bit by bit, when he’d taken me for his wife. Perhaps town folks were nicer to me because I was married now, or maybe being married changed how I saw the world. As I held onto his arm, my swelling belly protruding our every step, I took a deep breath and savored the air in my lungs. I savored the way I was feeling, right this moment.
“You’re awful quiet. You sure you’re feelin’ okay? Maybe we should go to Miz Watson’s so you can sit down and have a glass of water.”
“I really am fine, Clay. I was just thinkin’.”
“What about?”
“How much better turning thirty is, ‘specially compared to what I thought. It feels almost nice.”
We had a nice dinner at Miz Watson’s. True to Clay’s prediction, my buyin’ things had worked up quite the appetite for us both. I’d gotten some clothes for the baby, and some bolt cloth so that I might start making a few dresses with a wider waist. I’d wanted to get some groceries, too, but when Clay said, “I knew we should have taken the buggy,” I let off after procuring a promise to come along on his next trip into town.
During dinner, he’d surprised me with a beautiful silver brooch that he’d had made—the real reason we’d come into town. He’d gone to retrieve it while I wa
s lookin’ through cloth.
I was feelin’ a mite tired after all as we rode home. Clay’s order for four hours rest still stood, even on my birthday, but I found I wasn’t minding it much here lately as I seemed to tire easily. Not that I was plannin’ on mentioning it to my overprotective husband.
“Maggie, I was thinkin’, how ‘bout after the baby comes, we get you your own horse?” Clay asked as he walked Sapphire into the barn.
“Did you buy me a horse?” I nearly squealed.
“Not yet, naughty girl. You can’t go ridin’ alone, remember?” He turned to pierce me with his warning gaze.
“I remember, I just thought—”
“It would be fun to ride together. And any child of ours will be sure to love ridin’.”
I nodded my agreement even as I wondered if he’d change his mind after the baby came. It wasn’t somethin’ I was going to put voice to just now, however.
“I hope you’ve had a good birthday, darlin’.”
“It’s been wonderful, from beginning to end,” I told him, standing on tiptoe.
He obliged by taking me in his arms and giving me a deep, intimate kiss that stole the breath from my lungs. “It’s not over just yet.”
“What are you plannin’ now, Clayborn?” I asked, nearly dizzy with the kiss he’d laid on me.
“You get to go on in and have a nice birthday nap.”
I rolled my eyes at him and was rewarded with a slap to my rump. “Ow! Clay!”
“Best get movin’ then.”
I scurried for the door, but he followed just behind, delivering another playful smack every few feet. When I finally made it to the door, I was laughing so hard I could hardly stand it.
“Bed,” he repeated, his eyes laughing at me.
“Join me?” I suggested, lowering my eyes demurely. I was borrowin’ every trick I’d ever learned from Libby today.
“We’ll see. I said I wanted you to rest.” He reached his hand around me and pushed the door open.
I walked inside, still humming with happiness and trying to think what I could do to persuade him to lie with me when the shout of “surprise!” nearly startled me to death. “What the…” I spun around to see my family popping out from behind their hiding places. Wesley had chosen the couch, Trent the kitchen. Abby had slid behind the rocker—she was such a slip of a woman, really. And Libby and Mabel peeked at me from the hall.
“Say something,” Clay said, laughing from behind me.
I spun around, my mouth agape. “You… you knew about this?”
“‘Course I did. Now go say hello to your brothers.”
It was Abby and Libby who came to me first, their faces about to split with the size of their grins. I gave them both big hugs and kissed little Mabel on the cheek. “Remind me to tell you somethin’ later on,” I whispered to Libby, who arched an eyebrow.
“There’s cake,” Abigail squealed.
“Why, don’t you think I’m getting’ plenty big all on my own?” I asked, feigning exasperation.
“Not hardly,” Libby laughed. “You’re not nearly as wide as me yet. Fatten ‘er up, Abby.”
I shook my head at Libby. She still looked lithe and willowy to me. There might be a bit more meat on her hips, but that was about all the difference I could tell.
“It won’t be as good as yours, but—”
“Oh, shush,” I scolded lightly as Abby made her way to the kitchen. “You’re too hard on yourself, Abby darlin’.”
“You have the right of it,” Trent agreed, stepping in for a hug. “Happy birthday, Mags.”
I thanked him and kissed his cheek before Wesley came for me. I was still so shocked to see them all there, but so happy that they had come.
We had cake—which, despite Abigail’s modesty, was wonderful indeed—and sat around the table pokin’ fun at one another and laughing. Then, to my further delight, Wesley passed over a wrapped package. I laughed when I unwrapped a bag full of stick candy.
“You really are tryin’ to get me big around as a horse!” I exclaimed, throwing my head back and laughing. My brother wisely said nothing to attest to my growing girth.
Trent presented me with a saddle of his own making—I was very impressed indeed at the beautiful handiwork—and I knew then that Clay must have spoken to him about gettin’ me a horse.
I was already tearing up when Abby gave me her gift. It was a beautifully knitted shawl, with a wide sleeve to put the baby in so that she could lay against my chest. “Thank you kindly, Abby!” I exclaimed, fingering the clothing. She certainly had finer hands for knitting than I did. “Thank you all. It means more to me than you know.” I stood up hastily, before I started crying in front of them. “I should really get these dishes to the kitchen.”
“Oh, no, it’s your birthday!” Abby scolded. “I’ll see to it.”
Without giving me a chance to protest, she began collecting the dishes and the men moved into the parlor to talk. Libby sidled into the chair Clay had left and pressed a book into my hand.
“What’s this?”
“My gift to you,” she said with a smirk.
It only took a look at her face for me not to inquire why she hadn’t given it to me earlier. I looked at the leather-bound cover and turned it over in my hands, noticing there was no inscription on the cover. “What is it?”
“Read it alone,” she suggested in a low voice.
I glanced toward the parlor to see the men were still talkin’ amongst themselves and not payin’ any mind to us. Tentatively, I opened the book and peered at the first drawing. My mouth dropped open. It was very crude indeed, but I could make out its purpose just fine. “Libby!”
“Shh!” she snapped. “Keep it down.”
“Where did you ever get such a thing?”
“Don’t ask questions, just read it, alright?”
I slipped out of the room and went to the bedroom as fast as I dared to find a place to hide the book. I closed the door behind me and slowly flipped through its pages, looking a bit closer at the drawings. Far as I could tell, it was a bunch of lewd drawings depicting men and women in an array of poses copulating. A proper lady would have thrown it out straightaway, and while I was sufficiently shocked, I still hid it in the bottom of my treasure box. One of these days, when Clay was in the field, I planned to have a proper look at it.
I could feel my cheeks warm as I joined the others back in the parlor. I swore each of them looked at me and knew, right then. Oh, well, I thought to myself. I suppose no one ever up and died from bein’ a tad bit wanton. And so long as it was with my husband, what was the harm?
After a short spell, I calmed down and Libby and Abby joined me on the couch. We talked for a while longer, until Mabel began to fuss.
“I reckon we best be ridin’ for home,” Wesley announced.
“Sunrise comes early,” Trent agreed.
“Thank you so much,” I said, beaming at every one of them. I was well and truly blessed to have such a family. Even Libby. As it turned out, maybe Abigail had been right—maybe we were just a little alike, after all.
“Y’all better hit the road so you can get abed at a decent hour, and besides, I still need to give Miz Maggie here her birthday lickin’.”
“Clay!” I gasped as my brothers guffawed loudly. I dropped my eyes, murmuring goodbyes with my cheeks burning.
Embarrassed or not, the minute the door closed behind them Clay ordered me over his lap for the promised birthday spanking. I feigned going toward him, then took off as fast as I could for the kitchen. I didn’t make it very far before I felt him grip my waist and turn me to face him.
“Bedroom, now,” he ordered, his voice deep with longing.
I obeyed, giggling, but made him work for it once we were inside. I twisted and kicked, laughing all the while.
“I suggest you settle down unless you want a real lickin’,” he scolded, but I could tell he was havin’ as much fun as I was.
I lay still and Clay began to pepper
my bottom with light swats, each one in turn becoming a bit harder. When he finished, both my cheeks were tingling in just the way I liked.
He must have known it, too, because before he sat me down on his lap, he stripped my drawers off and threw them to the floor. Then his fingers slid inside my pussy. He grinned at the wet noise it made. “Such a naughty girl,” he growled. “Whatever am I to do with you?”
I leaned over and whispered in his ear, bold as you please, “I can think of a few things.”
Epilogue
I was asleep when the pains first hit and so deep was I in my dream, I thought I was reliving my miscarriage all over again. Only when they got harder did I awake, gasping loud enough to jolt Clay awake beside me.
“What’s a-matter, Maggie?”
“It’s time.”
“It’s time?” he echoed. “Time for… the baby?” he said in a voice filled with such wondering panic that I felt my heart seize with fear.
“I’m scared,” I admitted as pain twisted my gut. “It… it hurts.”
“I know, darlin’. Be strong for me, for our baby.” He pulled me to him, hugging me tight, before he sprang from the bed and ran for the parlor. He’d been havin’ our farm hand sleep on the couch every night for the last month, waiting for this moment. The boy would ride for the farm to collect Libby and Abby and then the real work would begin.
I cried out as another pain hit me, hard enough to make me lie back down flat and curl into myself. I was beginnin’ to wonder if I was up to the task.
I said the same to Abigail the moment she walked into the room, but she waved me off.
“Every woman feels that way when their time comes,” she assured me. “Come on, we’re gonna help you get outta that bed.”
With Libby on one side and Abby on the other, they managed to push me up. Only when I was sitting up did I see Clay standing in front of the doorway.
Libby must have seen him ‘bout the same time I did, because I heard her sharp inhale. “Clay, listen, you’re gonna hafta wait outside. We’ll come for you, when—”
Maggie Meets Her Match Page 19