Katie's Maverick (Strasburg: The New Generation Book 2)

by Pippa Greathouse

  He had her inside the house, now, and closed the door behind her, taking one last look outside to make sure no one had followed.

  "Where's the key, Katie?"

  She moved to the secretary and opened it, handing it to him. "But they never lock it."

  "Well, I'm going to." He moved toward it and inserted the key in the lock, turning it with a click. "Does the same key work for the back door?"

  She stared at him and blinked. "I don't know."

  He strode through the house and did the same to the door off the kitchen.

  "Nick? Why are you so determined to lock us in?"

  "I'm not. I'm locking everyone else out. I want access to you, and I want it in privacy." He reached down for her left hand and pulled her to his chest. "And as soon as both our families are able to get to town, my darling girl, they'll be pounding away on the door. Trust me. Now." He lifted her chin, planting a kiss on, first, her forehead, then her nose, then her mouth. "Come with me. And show me where this guest room is we're supposed to be using."

  A tiny grin played across her mouth and turned into a wide smile. "This way, Nick." She began to tug on his hand.

  He followed her toward the back of the house and into the fine room. Looking down at his jacket covered with soot, he turned her to face him.

  "Strip."

  "What?" Her blue eyes were wide. "You, first."

  "Hm. What happened to love, honor and obey?"

  She scowled up at him, jutting out her chin. "Did I say those words? Oh, my. I don't seem to remember them."

  His smack landed hard on her backside, and she squealed. "Nick! Stop it!"

  "I absolutely will not. Be still. You realize we won't be able to get dressed again until these things are washed." His mouth held a slight smirk, thinking he would cause her to blush, but Katie's grin was as big as his own. "You," he said, teasing her. "Are incorrigible."

  "And so are you."

  "Am I? We'll see." He turned her away from him and removed her cloak, tossing it onto the chair next to the tub. A moment later, his jacket joined it. The tub was filling now, and the room was growing warm and steamy. His fingers worked with the buttons on the back of her dress, one at a time.

  "I'm not deft at this, but I'll learn," he said in her ear as he moved his way down the back.

  She reached back with her good hand to try to help, and he gently but firmly moved her wrist away.

  "Allow me. I've dreamed of doing this for years, Kaitlynne. Be still."

  She hissed, and it earned her another swat. "Ow. That's not fair."

  He chuckled and finished the gown. "Turn, my lady," he said softly. "I must be cautious with this little arm. Don't move."

  Being extremely careful, he took her right arm from her sleeve. "Hold your arm still." Then he moved the left one out. Holding his hand out to her, he nodded.

  Her eyes wide, she rested her left hand on top of his, as if they were dancing, and turned to face him. Her gown fell to the floor in a heap around her ankles, and he moved his hands to hold hers by the waist as he helped her step out of it.

  His eyes appreciatively scanned her body, his voice suddenly husky and dark. "Have you any idea at all how you affect me?"

  Katie looked down, but when she caught sight of his arousal, her vivid blue eyes widened and paled slightly. He raised her chin and turned her back again, beginning to undo the laces on her corset. Spanning her waist, his hands moved down to the gentle swell of her bottom, tracing the crease between.

  He heard it as her breath hitched and he smiled. The corset was suddenly on top of the gown.

  Katie shook her head. Turning to face him, she removed his cravat, frowning. She glanced down at the hand that was still in the sling. "Can I just take the sling—"

  "Absolutely not." He reached upward to unfasten the buttons on his shirt and vest. His eyes, however, didn't leave Katie's face as she studied his chest.

  Her small hand touched his bare upper chest lightly and then moved down his abdomen. Standing before him, she was wearing only her shift now.

  "Turn," he said again, taking her waist in his hands.

  She gasped sharply and froze as he reached under her shift and brought his hands from her thighs upward to her bottom. He brought her left arm out of it, then moved around her to carefully bring out her right. One boot and stocking, followed by the other, joined the garments.

  "Now, I'm going to bring the chair up next to the tub, and when you sit down, you can rest your arm on it. Gently, Katie. Now, step inside and sit down. I'll bathe you."

  Her eyes rested on his face as he took her waist to steady her. Stepping into the tub, she allowed him to help her down. A blush rose up her body from her chest, and her face became scarlet.

  Nick leaned down and kissed her gently. "Be still, sweetheart. Let me take care of you."

  "But—"

  "No buts. Tilt your head back."

  Katie studied him, her dimples showing, and leaned her head back as he took the sponge and began to lather her face and neck, moving down to her shoulders. When he stopped, she opened her eyes, watching as he removed his trousers and climbed into the tub with her.

  "Oh, sir…"

  "Yes?"

  "I think…" her mouth suddenly went dry, and she paused "…you are the most beautiful…"

  His mouth was on hers, and she was inviting him inside, with all the passion she had in her. He moved her back slightly to rinse the soapsuds from her face and then began to kiss her again, laughing when the soot from his own face remained on hers. She took the sponge from him and began to do the same for him, working her way down his chest and grinning as the water began to turn dark.

  "We may have to do this again," she whispered, her eyes shining delightfully.

  She was asking for it. Nick thought, soaping up the sponge and bringing it down, He began to circle both breasts, smiling as her rosy nipples began to pebble at the sensation. A moment later, the sponge dropped into the water, and he began to circle her breasts with his hands, grinning when her breath hitched. Then, he moved her toward him, lathering her small feet and tiny ankles, moving the sponge upward and finally toward her thighs. She closed her eyes and moaned.

  "Kaitlynne Wellington. If I didn't know better, I'd think you were a wanton young woman."

  "Not me," she muttered playfully. "It's your fault for bringing out the worst in me."

  He raised a brow. "Come now. The worst?"

  "Well, perhaps not the worst." Leaning forward to kiss him again, she reached up with her good arm and pulled his face down to hers, whispering into his mouth, "I love you, Mr. Wellington, do you know that?"

  "I believe I do, Mrs. Wellington. Now, I'm going to wash your hair and then the rest of you, so promise me you'll be still." When she looked up curiously, he rose and climbed around behind her, sitting down again. "Tilt your head back toward me."

  Closing her eyes, she obeyed. It felt heavenly to have his hands working the lather through her scalp. When he finished, he took the bottle of rosemary tea and poured it down through her locks.

  "It feels heavenly. Can I go to sleep now?"

  "Sure. Try it. You won't get far." There was a threat to his voice, and she turned back, looking over her shoulder at him slyly.

  "If I was a brave enough man to hazard a guess, young lady, I'd say you were tempting me. You do realize you have a spanking coming as soon as your wrist heals."

  "Did you tell me that?" The little creases between her brows were back.

  "I did. Last night. Were you listening?"

  She was quiet a moment. "But it wasn't my fault."

  "Excuse me? Did she make you run outside and leave town in the howling winds and snow?"

  She sighed. "No, I suppose not."

  "Anyway. You have a few weeks of respite while your wrist heals. Until then, behave yourself." He tugged on a curl, bringing her hair around one shoulder, as he began to lather up her back and work his way down. His hands took her waist and raised her to her kn
ees, and the water reached only her thighs. The sponge, then, began its lather just above her waist, coming down to her bottom, before moving in between her cheeks and forward. Katie's gasp was loud this time, as he put a hand to the small of her back and pushed slightly forward. Rinsing her, he pulled her back and set her down in the water against his chest and took the sponge again to her front, down her shoulders, then her breasts, her belly, and lower.

  A loud moan erupted from her as he discarded the sponge and began circling her intimate areas. Her eyes, as she looked up at him over her shoulders, were huge.

  "Katie, relax. I'm going to touch you here. A lot. And I promise, you'll like it."

  She had frozen, in his arms, and he kept his fingers circling. Her breathing was coming in short gasps, and her chest was heaving. As he kept it up, she began arching her back.

  "Breathe, sweetheart."

  "I-I can't—" Suddenly, a guttural groan filled the room and seemed to go on forever. Nick grinned. Katie had never made such a sound before, and she began moaning as her small body began to convulse in waves against his hand. His other hand reached around her just as it ended, and he inserted a finger into her channel.

  It began all over again and seemed to last even longer. Her whole body seemed to shudder over and over this time.

  "Oh. Oh, Nick! What are you doing to me—"

  He waited until her body had calmed and she had relaxed against him, before answering. "I brought you to a climax, sweetheart," he whispered into her hair. "How was it?"

  Her eyes were closed. "I think I died," she said softly. "You killed me. But oh, my. What a wonderful way to go."

  "Nope," he said firmly. "You're not allowed to die. I have to go first, remember? You've already robbed me—"

  "I know, I know, you're down to six lives now. When I get finished with you, today, you'll only have five."

  He laughed. "Is that so? Just how do you think you'll manage to accomplish it?"

  She froze.

  "Katie?"

  She turned in the tub slightly to look up with wide and frightened eyes.

  "Oh, Nick. I don't know! I've never done this before, and I have no idea how—"

  "Shh. Katie. If you did, I'd be very disappointed. Understand me? I'll teach you everything you need to know. Just relax."

  She nodded, with worried eyes.

  Nick rose from the tub and reached for a towel, bringing Katie up and out of the tub. He wrapped her up into it and scrubbed her dry, then himself.

  "Now. You aren't going to like this, but I'm going to fasten your wrist back the way the doctor said to do it. Be still now."

  Katie glared at him, and he raised an eyebrow.

  "What?"

  She frowned. "You're right. I don't like having my arm bound up."

  "That's too bad. It's to keep your wrist from being hurt again." When he finished, he lifted her into his arms and took her to the bedroom, pressing her down among the many pillows on the bed. He climbed in above her, staring down into her eyes. "Katie?"

  At her frightened expression, he continued softly. "I'm going to move your legs apart. And I'm going to make you come for me at least twice more, before I begin to enter you. Understand?"

  She nodded. "I understand."

  When he gave her a one-sided grin, she looked up with trusting eyes. He began placing soft kisses down her forehead, her temple, and down the side of her neck, pleased when she gave a soft moan.

  "Oh, Nick," she whispered.

  He gathered one breast, then the other, into his hands, giving each a gentle squeeze and took her nipples into his mouth. Her breathing became more rapid, until she was panting. By the time he had lowered his mouth further down and began to circle the little bud there, she was arching her back and writhing.

  When she came apart the next time, her voice, filled with ecstasy, was a sound he thought he'd never forget. He had a hand reaching toward her back, now, and two fingers pressed into the channel between her folds. Part of his hand pressed up against her rosebud, and he found her writhing against his hand and groaning.

  It happened once more, before he brought his face up to hers. "Sweetheart, I'm going to enter you now. I'll go slow, a little at a time. But it will hurt."

  Katie met his gaze, nodding, and blinked. His fingers moved in and out of her channel; two, then three. He could see her eyes growing wider as he began to enter her himself. He closed his eyes for just a moment.

  "It feels so right. We're meant for each other; did you know that?"

  Her whispered, "Yes," sounded uncertain. He slowed down as he found himself up against her maidenhead. "Are you ready, sweetheart? I want you to look at me."

  Her eyes grew wide again. Nick leaned down and covered her mouth with his as he thrust past the barrier.

  "Katie?"

  Her eyes were closed.

  "Look at me."

  It took a moment, but finally, she opened her eyes and blinked.

  "Are you all right?"

  She nodded, but as she met his eyes, a tear trailed down toward her temple. He took hold of her chin gently with one hand and began to kiss her as he moved slowly. "Be still, sweetheart. It will get better. I'm going to move inside you, now."

  Katie held still as he began to gently and slowly thrust. She was extremely wet, and he smiled down into her eyes as he began to move a bit faster. Reaching down with one hand, he circled her bud slowly, and her eyes began to close. He watched her breathing as it hitched, faster, and she began to pant. She was so close. Then he took the small bud between his fingers and gently pinched, thrusting heavily as she came apart in his arms and screamed. His own body shuddered, and he gave his own guttural moan as both of them reached their release.

  "Oh, Nick." Her eyes were closed now. "Oh, my." Suddenly, her eyes opened wide and she shook her head. "I was right. You killed me."

  "Not likely, sweetheart." The silly grin that had plastered its way across his mouth was amusing her now. She leaned up to kiss him. She scowled, and Nick scowled back. "What is it, Kaitlynne?"

  "You're being too gentle with me. I don't want you to be gentle. I want you to be—"

  "Kaitlynne, I'm as rough with you as I dare to be, until this little arm heals. When Dr. Bilkey tells me it's good as new, you can expect to be manhandled again. Until then, I'm not about to take a chance on causing any more damage to it. Hear me?"

  She was still scowling, and he turned her onto her left side and planted six hard swats on her bare bottom.

  "Is that better?"

  "Ow."

  "Then behave yourself. I think—" He stopped, turning his head. "Did you hear that"

  They both paused, listening. She looked up, nodding. "Someone's at the door, Nick."

  He vaulted out of the bed and looked around. Threading his fingers through his hair, he ran to the wardrobe and opened it. It was empty.

  "Nick!" Katie's voice was full of panic. "We have nothing to wear!"

  "Let me find out who it is, first."

  He grabbed one of the sheets from the bed and wrapped it around himself. "Stay here," he ordered. "Until I come and get you."

  Running into the drawing room, he peeked out the window. "Oh, God. This is all we need." Moving toward the secretary and grasping the key, he walked to the front door, scowling. He took a deep breath before he opened it and threw it wide to make room for the parade that entered.

  "By all means, come in. Have a seat. Sorry the fire isn't lit, but if you'll be patient…" He stopped.

  In marched his father, followed by his mother, Geoffrey Francis, and Lizzie. Next was Francis Adams, followed by Merrie. Bringing up the rear were Grandmother Marilyn and Otho.

  Father Michael was last. And all of them were trying to talk over each other. But as he tried to close the door, it was pushed open one last time, and the Wilder sisters entered.

  "Excuse me?" Nick roared. "What are you doing here?"

  Eleanor's chin rose in the air. "Everyone else was coming. We thought we needed to co
me too. Didn't we, Audra?"

  "Oh, yes, of course, Eleanor. We did."

  Nick stared at her with an incredulous face and bowed, waving a hand inward to usher in, first, Eleanor, and then Audra, who wobbled in from side to side.

  "Kaitlynne?" he bellowed toward the back of the house, over all the voices. "We have company, sweetheart. You might as well join us, but cover yourself first, would you?"

  The room suddenly grew quiet. It seemed that everyone there, for the first time, realized that Nick was likely not wearing anything under the sheet. When Katie appeared, a moment later, wrapped in a quilt, the Wilder sisters began to fan themselves, looking as if they might faint.

  Nick held out an arm to Katie, and she moved to him, holding the covering tightly with her left arm to keep it from falling. He sat down on the sofa and pulled her into his lap, glaring at the rest of the family in the room.

  "Well?" he demanded, as if waiting for an explanation.

  "Well, what, Nicholas George?" His mother was standing up to her full height. "How can you calmly sit there and look us in the eye in this situation?"

  Merrie Adams was next. "Katie! I'm so surprised at you! We came into town because we were desperately worried about you two and to find what? Both of you, here, alone in the house and—" Her voice broke, and Francis pulled her into his arms. "Shh, Merrie. Suppose we allow them to give us an explanation before—"

  Francis got no further before the Wilder sisters cut in. He seemed calm enough, but he was at a loss as to how to calm Eleanor and Audra down, let alone Angelica and Merrie, who had broken away from Francis' arms and was trying to talk at the top of her lungs. Nick caught Francis' lopsided smile as his new but unaware father-in-law jammed his hands into his pockets and just waited for everyone else to settle. Grandfather Otho and Grandmother Marilyn were trying to talk, but no one was listening to them.

  Nick turned to see Lizzie, who was leaning against the hearth, her arms folded across her chest. She was watching them both with a ridiculous grin on her face. Geoff had one brow raised and was watching him as if to say, "Now, you've really done it, little brother."

  Father Michael tried once more to explain to the family what had happened but finally threw up his hands and came over to stand beside Nick and Katie.