Whistlin' Dixie (Tempered Steel Book 1)

by Adams, Maggie

  Dixie stared down at the ribbon of water that snaked past her gaze as it disappeared into the night. So calm and peaceful, yet the current was flowing swiftly underneath the placid water, rushing quietly to a preordained destination. If it was possible for the river to have feelings, Dixie knew these emotions were in complete accord with hers. She stood here, with the man she had vowed to love, honor and cherish for the rest of her life, just a few feet behind her. And although she loved him with all her heart and felt that theirs was a true love match that comes so rarely to two people, she couldn’t stop the inner trembling. The churning ride of emotions was bubbling just below the surface of her peaceful countenance. She was nervous.

  As if sensing her in her turmoil, Mac gave Dixie some time to herself as he perused the rest of the cabin. He noted the fruit basket on the credenza and a bucket of champagne thoughtfully provided by the large staff. He walked through the small living room and into the bedroom. The large bed had been turned down invitingly and a single pale rose lay across the plump pillows. He picked up the flower and inhaled the sweet fragrance, touching the tender petals, noting that their softness could not compare with Dixie’s skin, nor equal to the bloom in her cheeks when she blushed. His heart began to race as he speculated on the many ways of loving her that would put her to blushing so sweetly.

  With that thought in mind, he turned back into the other room. Dixie was still at the window, her expression serene, her slender shoulders relaxed. Her wedding ring sparkled in the moonlight as she unconsciously shredded tissue between her hands. His loving bride was a nervous wreck.

  Mac sighed and resigned himself to helping her overcome her fears. “Dixie,” he whispered softly, “this is been a very busy day for both of us. Just let me hold you. We have the rest of our lives to love each other.” If I survive the night.

  Dixie was silent for a moment as the import of Mac’s words flowed over her. She had no doubt that Mac wanted her, but the fact that he was once again willing to put his desires aside to wait until she was comfortable, completely drained the last of her silly fears away. This was her husband. The man she had pledged her love to. It was about time she showed him some of that love. The mere sound of her name on his lips sent shivers coursing through her. So what on earth was she waiting for?

  With a brilliant smile, she turned around and immediately noticed the dejected droop of Mac shoulders as he started for the bathroom. She almost laughed at his appearance.

  “Mac, darlin’,” she whispered, then giggled as Mac turned around so fast he knocked over a lamp. “Aren’t you even going to kiss me?”

  Mac didn’t have to be asked twice. He flew across the room and gathered her in his strong arms, spinning her around as she laughed with exuberant joy and anticipation. He kissed her tenderly, then with increasing passion as she grasped his shoulders and pulled him closer.

  Mac kissed her eyelids, her forehead, her cheek. He tried to clamp down on his growing desire, but he knew he was quickly losing control. Only Dixie could do this to him. Make him hard so quickly with need for her. He had to feel her skin against his or he would go insane. Impatiently, he reached behind her to undo the buttons of her gown, then he groaned in frustration when he realized just how many of them he had to unfasten

  “Patience is a virtue, Mr. Coalson.” Dixie giggled.

  “For goodness sake, don’t lecture me now, woman. I’m about to die with wanting you.” So saying, he ripped the rest of the gown apart, sending the buttons flying in every direction.

  Dixie gasped. “Your mother’s wedding dress! What am I going to tell her?”

  Mac pulled her against him and kissed her hungrily. When she was totally breathless and liquid in his arms, Mac touched his forehead to her. “I’m sure she’ll understand. Now would you please stop mentioning my mother?”

  Dixie laughed and grabbed the front of his shirt, ripping it open, then reached up to slowly slide the material over his shoulders. He was so tall she had to stand on tiptoe’s, even in her high-heeled shoes.

  Mac’s warm hands caressed her spine, sending tiny shivers of pleasure throughout her body. With a whisper, the wedding gown fell in a pool at her feet, and she felt his gaze devouring her. “I see you made a trip to Merrywidows?” he growled as he looked at the white corset and garter set she wore.

  Made entirely of two separate strips of white lace with tiny white satin bows tying the material together down the center of her body, it was incredibly sexy, only hinting at the treasure that would be revealed with just a pull of the bows. Tiny bows on the garter belt held sheer stockings in place on her thighs. “I’m going to make you moan. Then I’m going to make you come,” he rasped.

  Dixie blushed at the fire that sprang in his eyes, and she lowered her gaze to Mac’s magnificent body. His large shoulders gave way to muscular arms sprinkled lightly with dark hair. His wide chest was a work of art. Dixie’s eyes traveled lower then widened at the evidence of his desire showing through his trousers.

  “Yes, you can see what you do to me, my love.” He grasped her hand and pressed it against his hardness.

  She lifted her eyes once again and saw the passion smoldering just beneath the surface of Mac’s steely gaze. The silver deepened in his eyes and began to glow within his pupils as her hand caressed him through the thin material of his pants.

  Mac’s hands glided along her arm, sending a shiver down her spine. He reached the first bow on the top of her corset, near the swell of her breasts. He adeptly freed the material. All the while, he focused on Dixie’s face. “Keep your hand right there. Touch me”. His knuckles braced against the sweet curve of her breast as he slowly pulled the second tiny ribbon and that bow to gave way under his gentle assault. The shadowed valley between her breasts retreated to expose even more creamy abundance, which began to rise and fall rapidly as shivers of desire. He felt her tremble as his hands reached for the next ribbon, tugging it open and pulling the material aside to reveal her breasts, her nipples growing tighter, hard in anticipation of his touch. He growled and touched one peak with his finger, and she sucked in her breath.

  He smiled and repeated the tender caress with the other breast, then leaned down to take each tender bud in his mouth, as he untied the third ribbon. His mouth moved to her breasts, nipping and tugging her sensitive nipples. He then kissed the underside of her breasts and trailed kisses along her rib cage in her stomach, delving into her navel with his tongue as he slid the material down and away from her quivering body. Dark, erotic thoughts filled Dixie’s head. She moaned and grabbed his hair none too gently as he kissed her again. A warm breath, a kiss, a lick; sweet heaven, she couldn’t stand it.

  Dixie was mindless to everything but his caresses and the exquisite sensations pulsing through her body, pooling at the essence of her womanhood. She could feel the ecstasy building and building. She trembled with desire against the onslaught of his lips on her skin, his tongue liquid fire, and then his breath, whispered against her fevered skin. She was consumed with her need to give him the same exquisite pleasure he was releasing on her. “I want to touch you, please you as you’re pleasing me.” Tentatively, she reached out and lightly skimmed her hand over his chest all the while rubbing against his hardness.

  Mac groaned. “Oh baby, you don’t half of what you’re doing to me, I love it, but you have to stop this sweet torture or I’m going to explode.” He lifted her hand off his crouch and brought it to his lips sucking gently on her fingers.

  Mac fell to his knees, kissing her body reverently. Dixie shuddered. Her body was no longer her own, only his to command. She shook with desire, as Mac used his tongue to send flames licking along her stomach, then lower.

  Mac turned his scorching eyes on her, holding her gaze as he plucked the last ribbon open and the material fell at her feet. He smiled slightly then murmured, “Beautiful.”

  Mac stood up and held her at arm’s length continuing to hold her gaze as his fingers skimmed over her naked mound. His hand slipped between he
r legs, causing her to moan as he caressed her tender folds. Dixie began to shudder. She wanted his touch, but she wanted more; she needed more. As if sensing her needs, Mac got down on his knees once more, bending low and touching her intimately with his tongue. Dixie cried out at the shock of the warm kiss, which stirred a tempest in her belly. Throwing her head back and shuddering, she uttered a soft cry of ecstasy.

  “That’s it, sweetheart. Let go. God, you’re so sweet,” he growled as he opened her further, releasing the tender bud, teasing it with his tongue. Dixie pulled his hair.

  “Please.” Dixie wasn’t sure she wanted him to stop, but he was making her crazy. She needed more.

  Mac wasn’t finished yet. He wanted her completely wrapped in desire. He parted her thighs a bit more, wedging his shoulders between her and grasped the tiny ribbon holding her stockings and lace garter. He gave it a gentle tug, rubbing his fingers against her inner thigh and causing her to buck against him, silently pleading for more of his tender kisses. He smiled against her legs then turned her around, slowly planting light caresses along the hem of her stockings and her bottom as he unfastened the ribbons at the back of her thigh. All the while, his naughty tongue was rubbing against her most sensitive spots.

  His fingers softly rolled the sheer material down her leg, stroking her thighs and calves, lifting her foot and tickling her toes as he slipped off her shoes. He tenderly repeated the procedure with her other leg, never breaking the rhythm with his tongue. When he was finished, he parted her folds, dipping one finger into her tight, wet sheath, stroking in and out of her tight channel in a slow, frustrating rhythm.

  Mac gently placed a chaste kiss on the top of her mound as he tested her sweetness with his fingers. She was so wet and ready, but he couldn’t help bringing the sensitive bud onto his lips once more and sucking gently.

  “Mac please,” Dixie begged. “I want…” She tried to rub against him. Mac smiled as he continued to torture her with his lips and tongue. “Yes, darling, tell me, tell me exactly what you want.”

  “You,” she gasped. “I want you.”

  Satisfied with her response, and the fact that he couldn’t take anymore or he was going to explode, Mac tenderly lifted her in his strong arms and carried her to the big brass bed where he gently laid her down among the pillows. He quickly discarded the rest of his clothes, heedless of where they landed. His need for her was so intense, he fell on top of her, kissing her greedily, crushing her with his strength. The feel of her soft body against him was incredible. After her initial gasp of surprise, she welcomed him completely, opening her legs to nestle him within the apex of her thighs.

  “Oh Mac, you make me burn.” She wiggled against him, against his hardness, the length and breadth of him. Her body still quivered beneath him. “Do I make you burn too?”

  Before he could answer, she entwined her fingers in his hair and lifting her hips, began to rub herself along his shaft. She placed hot, wet kisses up and down his chest and over his shoulders, everywhere her lips could reach. Her hands grew bolder as she brushed against him again. Mac groaned and grabbed her hands, placing them high above her head. “Enough. I can’t stand it any longer, babe. You’re making me crazy. I wanted to be gentle, but I need you now.”

  Words were beyond Mac. Dixie was touching him so intimately, spreading her legs wider to receive him. She moved her hips and arched against him. His fingers drifted down to her most sensitive spot, beginning to work their magic, rubbing against her as he slowly entered her moist recesses. Her channel gripped his fingers immediately.

  “Oh God, baby! You are so tight.”

  Dixie’s womanly scent surrounded Mac. Bracing his arms on either side of her, he slowly withdrew his fingers and prepared to enter her, trying to give her as little pain as possible but she was just so tight. So wonderfully tight and moist. He poised the tip of his erection at her entrance, gently pushing against her, trying not to hurt her too badly. He gasped at the incredible feelings as he penetrated her opening, and she instinctively raised her legs up to more fully embed him within her.

  “Look at me, Dixie,” Mac commanded. He waited until her eyes fluttered open. “You are my other half. You make me whole.” He reached for her mouth, smothering her startled cry of pain as he lunged forward, breaking her barrier and sheathing himself fully within her softness.

  “Oh God, it hurts! Stop!” Dixie slapped at his arms. “You’re too big! Now what are we going to do?”

  Mac felt her tears and cursed himself for moving too fast, even though he knew she would have to experience a virgin’s pain. Determined to ease her discomfort, he shifted slightly and reached down to touch her, but Dixie grabbed his hand, fear showing in his her beautiful eyes.

  “Shh,” he murmured. “It will be fine. Trust me.”

  “I love you, Mac. I trust you.”

  She relaxed her grip, and Mac’s fingers began to rub seductively against her tiny nub. “You’re so responsive, baby. I want to see you come. I want all of your pleasure.” He knew the moment desire shot through her system. His fingers were coated with her cream. She moaned and undulated her hips to receive him fully.

  Mac smiled in triumph at the look of deepening passion on Dixie’s face, and began to move, slowly at first, determined not to hurt her again, even though the control he placed on his body was killing him. After a few strokes, Dixie’s eager passion took him over the edge. She arched against him, opening herself in the ancient rhythm of love. He felt her whole body tighten with anticipation. She grasped his shoulders, her nails digging into his back, as she tried to reach the stars.

  Mac reached down and touched her creamy clit. Dixie came apart. He felt her first tremors of release, lifted her hips and embedded himself more deeply into her, wrapping her legs around him and surging into her was swift powerful strokes. Mac felt her nails digging into his back, trusting him to keep her safe as she climaxed.

  She screamed his name.

  Mac watched in supreme satisfaction as she reached her fulfillment. He had never seen anything so beautiful as her unabashed desire for him. He held her even as the tiny convulsions of her body threatened to push him over the brink. As she slowly began to come down from her sexual high, he began to move in her more forcefully, soon pumping into her furiously, heedless now of anything but the intense release within his grasp, his passion for her once again reigniting hers and sending her spiraling up to heaven.

  Only this time she wasn’t alone. Mac was there beside her, pouring his love into her with a shout of release. Together they drifted back to reality, holding onto each other, wrapped in a cloak of happiness.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Dixie awoke in the early morning to Mac making slow sweet love to her. When they both were sated, they lay entwined, satisfied for the moment to hold each other and bask in the afterglow of love. Their growling stomachs finally forced them to abandon the bed in search of sustenance. Mac mentioned the gift basket. They feasted on fruit and cheese washed down with champagne and orange juice. Mac sucked on Dixie’s sticky fingers and she reciprocated in kind, licking the juice off his chin then returning to taste his lips. The food was quickly forgotten as they once again returned to passion’s promise.

  It was late afternoon when they emerged from the room for a walk in the sunshine. From their height at the top of the hill, they could see people cleaning up the remains of the party at the park. Assuring the large staff that their stay was exceptional, Mac and Dixie headed back down the trail to the lawn to help with cleanup. Confident their assistance wasn’t needed, Mac and Dixie decided to drive to his parent’s house to open presents and visit with family.

  “Since the lease on the house in Elsah’s still active, would you mind if I got a roommate to share expenses?” Jamie asked Dixie after the gifts had been opened and exclaimed over. They were sharing dinner in the family’s old-fashioned kitchen on the farm.

  “I’d have to meet any prospective roommates, but I think you can handle it until you start scho
ol this fall. You can decide then to stay here or live on campus.” Dixie was secretly relieved Jamie was looking for a roommate. She didn’t like to think of him alone with that vandal still on the loose.

  “Well, you’ve met the roommate I have in mind. Sam and I discussed the possibility of sharing expenses last night at the reception.”

  Everyone’s eyes turned to stare at Sam in disbelief. “I thought you planned to make the navy your career, son?” Hank Coalson asked quietly.

  “I’ve decided I’ve been away from home too long. Seeing all of you again made me realize that it’s time I started thinking about a family. I’ve traveled all over the world, but this is where I want to raise my family someday. Besides,” Sam added with a grin at Mac, “something tells me that the owner of Coalson Construction is gonna be taking more time off, and somebody needs to fill in the gap, that is, if the offer still stands?”

  “Well, hell yes.” Mac laughed and slapped his hand on the table. “Maybe a fresh approach is just what we need to flush out this vandal.”

  “This wouldn’t have anything to do with you following Angel to her car last night, would it?” Ginny asked slyly.

  Sam gave his mother a stern look and turned to Jamie. “Let me know when you want to get your stuff from Mac’s. I’m ready to go whenever you are.”

  “Stubborn.” Ginny mumbled under breath.

  That evening, Mac and Dixie help Sam move his clothing to the house in Elsah. Most of his personal belongings were being shipped from the naval base so there wasn’t much stuff to move. The group then grabbed the boxes Dixie had packed earlier and headed for Mac’s house. Refusing Dixie’s offer of coffee, Sam and Jamie left with a wave.

  “Excuse me, Mrs. Coalson, but I believe we have committed a serious marital faux pas,” Mac said in mock seriousness. “Please follow me.” He grabbed her hand and headed for the door.