KeepingFaithCole

by Christina Cole

  “What is it you want to show me?” he asked.

  She didn’t answer. All she gave him was a slight shrug and a shy smile.

  When they reached the shop, Lucille fumbled for her key, quickly unlocked the door, and pushed it open. Together, they stepped inside. Although far warmer than the temperature outside, the shop felt uncomfortably cool when she removed her woolen cloak.

  “Maybe we should light a fire,” she suggested, glancing toward the pot-bellied stove in the corner.

  “Lucille, what’s going on?” he asked as they stood in the center of the quiet shop. “Why did you bring me here?”

  “You haven’t figured it out yet?” She came to him, lifted her arms, and placed them around his neck. “Do you remember what you said when came to see me? You told me we both wanted the same thing.” She pressed herself closer to him. “I want you, Tom, and I know you want me. Don’t tell me I’m not woman enough for you, or that I’m too inexperienced. Well, I am inexperienced,” she added. “You’re right on that. I’ve never been with a man before, but I know what lovemaking is all about.” She probably sounded like a frantic, babbling idiot. She drew in a deep breath, hoping to calm her nerves, then leaned back to gaze up into Tom’s eyes. “I want you to be the first. I want you to make love to me.”

  Tom reached up and stroked her cheek. “Are you sure about this? Or is this one more thing you hope to use against me?”

  She gasped. “I’d never do that!”

  “You might go to Judge Morse, tell him I took advantage of you. You could make a fine case against me.”

  “Wouldn’t you speak up and tell the judge the truth? Wouldn’t you tell him that I was the one who seduced you, not the other way around? I’d say you could make a very fine case against me. You could claim that I’m immoral, that I’m not fit to care for Faith.”

  He grinned down at her. “Somehow, I doubt Judge Morse would ever believe you’d thrown yourself at me.”

  His words hurt. “I don’t understand. I thought you wanted me.” Confusion rattled her brain. “You’ve kissed me. You’ve asked me out. We’ve danced together. And I’ve seen the way you look at me.” She gazed up into his eyes, once again seeing her own desires reflected there. “Are you saying you want nothing more than my friendship?” She reached up and put her arms around his neck. “I don’t believe you, Tom Henderson. I think you want a lot more than that.” Lifting up on tiptoes, she planted a kiss on his lips.

  “Of course I want more than friendship,” he rasped when Lucille pulled away. He raked a hand through his sandy-blond hair. “It’s just…”

  “Just…what?” Frustrated and nervous, Lucille stood before him, desperate to understand his sudden reluctance. It came to her in a blinding flash. “Yes, of course. I realize you’re concerned about…well, that is, I mean, I know you’re worried there could be…” She floundered through a verbal sea of confusion, searching for the right word. Finally, she found it. “Consequences.” Looking up, she took a deep breath. “Aren’t there ways to avoid unwanted consequences? I mean, can’t you do…something?” She shrugged. “Well…that is, before you…” Her cheeks flaming, she turned away. “This is so embarrassing.”

  “Can I pull out? Is that what you’re asking?” Tom chuckled. He came up behind her and put his arms around her. “Yeah, I can do that. And there’s no need to be embarrassed, darling.”

  With a gentle touch, he turned her to face him, then bent his head to hers. Their lips melted together in a lingering, delicious moment as they shared a long and tender kiss. Lucille moaned softly when Tom finally pulled his mouth from hers. As the tip of his tongue teased her lips, she moaned again.

  It was good. His kisses were always delicious, but tonight, kisses weren’t nearly enough. She reached for him, putting her arms around his neck and pulling him toward her. He put up no resistance, and their lips came together again. His arms went around her, strong and commanding now. She buried her fingers in his hair, losing herself completely in the sweetness of his kiss. His tongue flicked against hers. She could taste the whiskey. She drew back as her emotions jolted.

  “What about that fire?” she asked.

  “Honey, I don’t think we’re going to need one.”

  “You’re right. It does feel warm in here.”

  “Hot might be a better word.”

  “Come with me.” Nervous, but excited, she slipped from his embrace then reached for his hand. She led him toward the back of the shop, pushed open the door, and drew Tom into the little room. She pulled the old feather mattress out from the corner and spread it across the floor. “I’ve got a few candles,” she whispered. “Would you like me to light them?”

  “I’ll do it. Show me where they are, and I’ll light them while you get comfortable.”

  She rummaged through a drawer, pulled out a few tapers, and handed them to Tom. “There’s a candleholder on the table.” She pointed toward the corner.

  He struck a match, held it up, and gazed at Lucille through the brilliant flame. “If you want to change your mind, Lucille, this is the time to do it.”

  “I’m not going to change my mind.” She stepped back, watching as he lit a candle. The little room seemed filled with light. Lucille realized his eyes would be upon her as she undressed. “I didn’t bring you here to tease you, Tom. I brought you here because…” She lowered her gaze. She shouldn’t be embarrassed, she told herself. She and Tom were adults. What happened between them was nobody’s business but theirs. She was a grown woman. She had the right to experience pleasure, to decide when and where to surrender herself.

  “Lucille?”

  “Yes?”

  “I know you’ve never done this before.”

  “So? What difference does that make?” She lifted her gaze to his, then studied him closely, feature by feature. His skin was weathered from years of exposure to the sun, the wind, the spring rains, and the winter snows. She ran a finger down his cheek, touching the dimples that always gave him a soft, friendly expression, even when he was serious, as he was now.

  Her hands reached up. With eager fingers, she traced his eyebrows, caressed his cheeks, then moved down to touch his lips.

  He closed his eyes. His breath, soft as a whisper, touched her face. She leaned closer and drank in the scent of him. He smelled of leather and whiskey and musky desire. A low growl escaped from his throat as his arms closed around her, drawing her nearer still.

  Their bodies melded together as their lips met. With slow, seductive movements, Tom slid her dress off her shoulders, pushing it downward to expose her heavy, swollen breasts. His probing fingers sent flames of desire shooting through her. When he deepened the kiss, the flames turned to a raging fire.

  She had imagined this moment many times, but never had she dreamed the feelings would be so intense. Her head spun, her body quivered, and her legs seemed to melt beneath her. She could not resist him, even if she wanted to.

  “I want this, Tom. I’m not asking you to make any promises, just give me this one night.”

  Together, their bodies sank down to the softness of the thick feather mattress. Tom stretched his long legs out, then pulled Lucille down on top of him so that she was straddling his hips. His hands continued to explore her breasts. He cupped them, squeezed them, then rubbed the nipples between a finger and thumb.

  Lucille gasped as a tingle surged from her breasts, down through her belly, to end in a pool of liquid fire between her legs.

  “Beautiful breasts,” he said grinning up at her, desire rampant in his gaze. “You’re beautiful, Lu, and I want to see you. All of you.”

  He reached up and pulled the pins from her hair. She shook her head, letting her long tresses spill against his chest.

  “This isn’t fair,” she rasped. “You’re looking at me. I want to see you, too.”

  She let instinct take over. Still straddling his narrow hips, she set to work undressing him. He kept staring at her breasts, and she bent forward, grazing his lips as she
unfastened the buttons of his shirt. Although inexperienced, she recognized the obvious desire in his eyes. Her fingers trembled. His hands reached down to tug the shirt tails from his denims. As she worked at the buttons, he fumbled with the fly of his pants. He shrugged the shirt from his shoulders, groaning as Lucille ran her hands over his bare chest. He got to his feet, slowly removed his trousers and underdrawers. Freed from its confines, his erection jutted out, thick, long, and hard.

  Boldly, she reached up and clasped one hand around him.

  “You’re making me crazy, Lu.”

  “I like it when you call me that. And I like touching you.”

  Tom reached down and moved her hand. “Not yet,” he said, pulling her up to stand beside him. “You’ve got too many clothes on. We have to do something about that.”

  She gazed into his eyes. “Will you help me?”

  Slowly, he undressed her, letting the gown fall in a heap around her feet. She stood before him, naked from the waist up with only her drawstring panties left to cover any modesty that might remain. He reached out, grabbed the string, then looked up into her eyes.

  “This is it,” he whispered, pausing. “Once I pull this string, there’s no going back.”

  “I know.” She exulted in the heat rippling through her body. She placed her hands on his, then pushed them away. She would do it herself. She pulled the drawstring, and pushed the drawers down a few inches over her hips.

  * * * *

  Tom buried his face in the silken softness of Lucille’s hair, breathing in the floral fragrance he’d come to know and love. He ached to be inside of her, but he would not rush. He sucked in his cheeks, biting down to distract himself.

  Go slow. Go slow.

  He needed to be sure, very sure that Lucille wanted this as much as he did. He hoped like hell she did.

  He’d been with a lot of girls, but this felt different. This wasn’t a quick roll in the hay or a fast lay with a sultry saloon girl. He’d taken girls like that because they were easy, a convenient opportunity to get off and feel good.

  This was lovemaking as it was meant to be.

  He wondered if she knew how hot she made him. Earlier, with her straddling his erection and his hands on her breasts, he’d felt like he would explode. He’d felt like a randy kid again, hot, horny and no sense at all.

  She snuggled against his chest.

  “Come sit with me,” he whispered, sinking down onto the feather mattress. He turned her back to him, then guided her to sit in front of him. “Just relax and enjoy.”

  She sighed and leaned back against him.

  Gratefully, he felt his erection soften slightly as he massaged and stroked her neck, her shoulders and her back. He knew it would take only a single kiss to once more set him on fire. He wanted to linger over her, to take his time and fully savor every moment.

  His hands moved downward, reaching around to rub her knees and her calves, then moving up to her breasts again. His fingers gently squeezed and stroked both nipples, drawing them to pebble hardness. She moaned softly as his hand trailed a path over her abdomen then came to rest on her thigh. He paused, giving her time to grow accustomed to this more intimate touch. Inch by inch, he then moved his hands inward, slowly stretching his fingers to caress her mound. His heartbeat quickened as he touched the sweet nectar of her inner folds.

  He stroked gently, his fingers sliding over the slickness between her legs.

  “You’re so wet, sweetheart. Wet and hot,” he whispered in her ear. He began a sensual massage, his fingers moving in slow, steady circles.

  She placed a hand on top of his, gently pushing his fingers deeper inside. He obliged, and her knees parted. Opening herself up to him, she leaned her head back, breathing heavily as he plunged first one, then two long fingers into her, stroking slowly at first, then faster as she began to rock against him.

  He nuzzled against her neck, his tongue teasing an earlobe as he continued pleasuring her, bringing her closer to her peak.

  * * * *

  She wanted to tell him how incredible he made her feel, but no words could have described the sensations. Besides, she’d never be able to find her voice. It was lost. Her mind itself was lost. Her whole being swirled in a cloud of delight unlike anything she’d ever known. She felt as if she were floating in a sea of sweet, wet warmth.

  Wave after wave of ecstasy rippled through her as he stroked her.

  “I want to feel you…inside me.” She wriggled away and turned to face him. Her entire body tingled with desire. “Please, make love to me now.”

  “You’re so beautiful,” he told her, touching her breasts. She felt her own wetness on his fingertips as he massaged her nipples, then gasped with surprised delight when he bent forward and licked.

  He pulled her close and kissed her.

  “Please,” she whispered again.

  They rolled to the floor, the feather mattress soft and inviting. Tom moved over her, and she settled into position beneath him, holding her breath in wonder. His hardness pressed against her, but he didn’t move.

  “I know it’s going to hurt…a little.” She looked up at him. “Maybe a lot,” she admitted, thinking again of the size of him. “It’s all right. I know the hurt will go away.” Looking up into his eyes, she watched the emotions flickering in the candlelight. He bent to her and claimed her mouth with a hungry kiss. She opened her lips to his probing tongue, gasping as it dipped and delved.

  She could wait no longer. Sliding her hand between their bodies, she grasped his huge shaft. She squeezed, she stroked. A low groan rumbled from his throat.

  “I want you, Tom.” Shifting her hips, she guided him to her entrance. “Now,” she cried out, pressing her hands against his buttocks to draw him in. She stiffened at the sharp jab of pain. Tears stung her eyes, and for a moment she wished she’d never met this rowdy cowboy who made her dream of wicked pleasures and sinful delights, but then she took a deep breath, spread her legs a little wider, and almost as quickly as the pain had come, it went away again. In its place was a pleasure so deep, so thrilling, so exquisite, Lucille feared she might die from it.

  “Damn, but you feel good, Lu,” he croaked. “You’re so tight.”

  Heat raced through her body. Her head was spinning, her body floating wildly, and she loved the feel of him thrusting inside her. She pulled him closer, closer still, pressing her hands against his back, taking him deeper and deeper. As she rose up to meet each thrust, he panted with pleasure.

  “It’s too good. I can’t wait much longer,” he warned.

  Thrilled to know she pleased him, she arched her back and bucked upward. Waves of ecstasy built inside of her, flowing around her and through her, leaving her helpless and shaken as her voice cried out in pleasure.

  “Oh, Tom…” Her voice was a breathless whimper. Wanting to ride out every last second of this indescribable pleasure, she fastened her legs around him, taking him as deep inside her as possible.

  Suddenly a flood of heat shot into her. Tom groaned and tried to pull away, then sank deep into her again as his hot seed spurted out. Lucille came to her senses at once, gasping as she realized what had just happened and the possible consequences she now faced.

  “Tom, get off me!” Frantic, she pushed him away. “I told you…not to…”

  “I’m sorry, honey. You had your legs wrapped around me. I tried to pull out, but I…”

  “Oh, no. This is not my fault,” she said, indignant that he would blame her. “You lost control, and I don’t want to hear about how sorry you are. That’s not going to help if…” She burst into tears. Nothing either of them said mattered now. What was done couldn’t be undone.

  But if she took immediate actions, perhaps she could yet prevent any unwanted consequences.

  “We’ve got to get dressed.” She leaped up and began gathering her clothes. “You’ll need to take me home immediately,” she added. “I’ll fix a hot bath, and maybe if I wash myself…” The thought of touching herself t
here made her blush. Memories of Tom’s touch, of their love-making heated her face.

  “I’ve heard that a woman can use vinegar,” he offered. He seemed as embarrassed as she was. He should be. This was his fault.

  No, it was her fault. She’d seduced him. She’d got what she wanted…and maybe a whole lot more.

  Wordlessly, they redressed. Quickly Lucille pinned her hair up in a haphazard attempt at decency, grabbed her cloak, and locked the shop behind them. Early tomorrow, she’d have to come into town and clean the place up. There wasn’t time tonight.

  As they neared the social hall, Lucille caught sight of Charlotte coming toward them. She stepped away from Tom, putting a respectable distance between herself and the cowboy, but the fact that they were strolling together told the tale. Especially with loose strands of her long hair blowing freely in the wind.

  “Where you been, Tommy?” Charlotte directed her question to her son, but her gaze immediately flickered to the girl at his side. Stepping back, she delivered a once-over worthy of a queen. Her sweeping glance took in Lucille’s appearance, judging in an instant that, in some way, she didn’t measure up to expectations.

  “We went for a walk,” Lucille said, while Tom remained silent. “I had a bit of a headache. I thought the night air might cure it.”

  “Did it?” Charlotte wasn’t buying her story, Lucille could tell.

  “Actually, no, not at all. That’s why I’ve asked Tom to drive me home. Now,” she said firmly, turning her attention back to the tall man standing beside her. Surely he understood the urgency.

  “I’ll be back later, Ma.”

  “Don’t know why you bother with her, son. She’s not worth it.”

  Lucille heard the woman’s remarks, and for a moment, she nearly turned back, but she didn’t have time to let herself be goaded by the woman’s catty remarks. Every moment mattered.