by Livia Grant
Not to be left out, Emelie slowly untucked Charlie’s shirt, sliding her hands under the fabric to stroke his bare back. She was fascinated by the feel of his muscles rippling as he held her closer, pressing their bodies together like locking puzzle pieces.
Only when they were both breathless did Charlie break out of their kiss.
“What do you say I fill the tub while you pick the scents you’d like from my basket over on the shelf,” he panted, short of breath.
She felt wobbly on her own legs when he released her. Her mind raced as she crossed the room. She had never had feelings for a man the way she felt about Charlie. The power of her emotions frightened her in a way that was almost worse than the fear Albert had generated.
With Albert she’d feared for her life—physically. With Charlie, her anxiety was emotional. He made her want to do things virtuous girls shouldn’t want to do. He ignited her body not with pain, but with an exquisite pleasure she’d never known existed, but couldn’t wait to explore.
She should stop him now before their attraction went any farther, yet a small voice inside her insisted she was already a ruined woman. She’d never dreamed any man would want her after the vile deeds Albert had done to her. That a perfect man like Charlie Walker wanted her was a dream come true for Emelie.
After picking out the bath oils, she turned, watching Charlie as he carried bucket after bucket of warm water from the grill over the fireplace. He’d taken his shirt off and she adored the muscles rippling as he moved with grace.
He looked up, catching her admiring him red handed. “Bring the oils over, darlin.” He held out his hand, grinning. After pouring some of the oil into the tub, he set the bottle aside.
“Now, I think you have a few too many clothes on. Let me help you with this.” He lifted the hem of her chemise over her head as she lifted her arms. He reached for her breasts, palming each globe, cupping and squeezing with his whole hand while his fingers pinched her hardening nipples.
It was the first time anyone had touched her breasts so intimately. All common sense left her as waves of pleasure consumed her.
His hands migrated lower to slowly untie her drawers, letting them fall to the floor.
“Let’s get you into the water.”
The bath was perfect. Warm, but not hot. Scented, but not overbearing. Deep enough to cover her lower half.
She sank in with a sigh before catching movement from her peripheral vision. She turned to watch Charlie’s trousers fall to the floor. The remaining skivvies did nothing to hide his condition. From the looks of it, it was an impressive condition indeed.
She couldn’t take her gaze off his body, holding her breath as Charlie’s fingers unbuttoned his undergarment and lowered it to the floor. An impressive erection sprang forward, jutting out proudly in the lamp light of the bathing room.
By all counts she should be running for the hills after her previous experiences with men, but she felt safe with Charlie. Spanked bottoms aside, she knew in her heart he would never hurt her. At least not the kind of hurt she’d known in her past.
“You like what you see?” His words brought her out of her trance.
Only then did she realize she’d been staring, open mouthed, at his manly part. As she slowly raised her eyes to take in his fit torso and handsome face, she was feeling light headed again. His predatory grin as he admired her body laid out in the tub sent funny flutters to her girly parts. She fought the urge to cover herself, not wanting to look like the inexperienced virgin she truly was.
“Scooch on up, darling. I’m getting in behind you.”
She followed his direction, giving him room to slide in behind her, stretching his legs around her to the outside of the large tub. Once seated, he pulled her body back against his chest, wrapping his arms around her and hugging her like he never planned to let go.
Emelie liked the feel of his hard chest at her back, but loved the feeling of his slick hands roaming all over her body, paying special attention to her breasts and nipples as he leaned forward to nibble on her shoulder and up her neck. Fragile emotions she’d never felt before consumed her, wanting to drown her as surely as the water in the tub could.
But it was the feel of his manly appendage poking the small of her back that drew most of her attention. It felt huge. How would it ever fit inside her mouth? And God forbid he be perverted like Albert had been and want to take her bottom hole. He’d split her open.
It was when he slid his right hand lower, under the water, between her legs, that she started to worry if it would fit in her most protected place.
“Are you ready, darlin?” he whispered into her ear.
“For what?” She was breathless
“Time for me to play your body like I play the piano.” Even as he said it, his fingers made first contact with the folds between her legs. “Bring your knees up and spread yourself open for me.”
Her body shamefully obeyed without question, giving him full access to every inch of her lady bits. She tensed up, prepared for pain, yet his gentle touch coaxed her into relaxing as his long fingers explored in a way even she had never done to herself.
“Lay your head back on my shoulder and relax. Close your eyes and let me pleasure you.”
His fingers worked like magic, exploring her anatomy and casting a spell on her. The first time he grazed the nubbin she’d touched herself that morning, it felt as if a bolt of lightening had crashed through the roof to strike her. Her heart thumped in her rib cage so hard she was sure it would fly out of her body as her excitement crested, bubbling over into bliss. She’d have sat bolt upright if he didn’t hug her close, nibbling on her ear before whispering, “I’ve got you. Let’s go again.”
She surrendered to him, losing count after her third climax. His hands mastered her body and soul—pinching, probing and penetrating until she lay in his arms like one of Nettie’s perfect noodles. It was as if every ounce of energy had left her, leaving her collapsed and sated for the first time in her life. She fought to stay awake.
Charlie chuckled when he realized she was fading in and out. “I guess I’ll try not to take it personal that you’re falling asleep during my love making, darlin.”
“So sorry.” She sounded drunk, even to herself.
“It’s fine. I’m happy you’re relaxed. I want to tuck you into bed.”
She wouldn’t have minded sleeping in the tub exactly as they were. They might come out looking like wrinkled raisins, but it would be worth it.
Charlie pushed to his feet, reaching for the top towel from the nearby stack. She fought to sit upright when he stepped out to towel himself off. She cracked her eyes open, and finding his hard length only inches away. She didn’t plan it, but her wet hand reached out to seize his tool, squeezing until he groaned.
That groan woke her up. Her fingers didn’t meet around his girth as she grasped his impressive cock, fascinated with the soft velvet feel covering hard steel. He let her explore, stroking the length from tip to base again and again until she noticed beads of seed pooling at the tip.
“Darlin, you’re gonna get a surprise right soon if you keep this up.”
Rather than scaring her, his words excited her. She felt powerful in a way she never had in the past. His power—masculinity—was in her hands, literally. In that moment, she wanted nothing more than to bring this man the same rapture he’d shown her.
Emelie pushed to her knees, sloshing water, but never letting go of his erection. As soon as she leaned over the edge of the tub, Charlie closed the distance between them as she guided that pearly tip towards her mouth. Her tongue lapped at the head of his cock, tasting his seed for the first time as his hands reached out to weave through her damp hair.
He didn’t force her. She could have pulled away and for that she was grateful. Her lollipop licks graduated to sucks of the tip while her hand grasped the base of his cock. She knew she was on the right track when his fingers in her hair grasped harder and harder as if he were holding on f
or dear life.
For the first time in her life she felt like she held power over a man and it was a heady experience. She let instinct take over, opening wide and taking his length into her mouth.
“Oh, Christ, that feels amazing.”
There was no way to reply in her current state. Her mouth and hand worked together to stroke and suck. She tasted new drops of cum and knew he was preparing to erupt. Emelie released her hand, letting his cock slip deeper down her throat. The gagging sounds filling the enclosed room embarrassed her until they were joined by Charlie’s own needy panting. She grasped the edge of the tub now as Charlie used her mouth to chase his own pleasure, pulling her face on and off his cock again and again until he shouted.
“Eyes. I want to see you take my seed, darlin.”
Their gaze connected and the chocolate brown of his irises was obscured by the unbridled passion staring back at her.
The first spurt went straight down her throat. He released a long growl as the next jet of his cream landed on her tongue as he started to pull out. She gasped for breath while trying to swallow, feeling the warmth of his remaining jizz as it spattered across her breasts.
They each struggled to catch their breath. The grip on her head was turning to strokes of affection as her exhaustion returned in spades. Emelie let her lids close, enjoying the massage to her scalp.
She was only vaguely aware of Charlie first gently running the wet cloth over her breasts before lifting her from the tub and wrapping her in a towel. He scooped her into his arms, carrying her out the door and across the hall to her room. By the time he slipped her naked, damp body between her cool sheets, she was dozing off.
“Good night, my love.” His kiss to her forehead was sweet.
Love? She’d surely started dreaming already.
Chapter Nine
Monday morning brought another humid, hot August day. Despite waking to find herself naked in bed again, beads of perspiration already covered her body. She lay in bed letting memories of the night before sink in.
Emelie was disappointed to wake up alone and found herself missing Charlie. It wasn’t only the way he made her body sing. What she missed the most was how he made her feel protected and special.
Anxious to see him, she pushed out of bed to get dressed. The beautiful flowered summer dress draped over the back of the only chair in the room caught her eye. She rushed across the room to find a note on top in Charlie’s handwriting.
Good morning, Angel,
We’ll go to the mercantile later, but Jewel helped me locate this dress for you to wear in the meantime. I can’t wait to see you in it (and out of it too).
Love,
Charlie
Love. That was the second time he’d used that word. She’d never felt this way about a man before. Was she falling in love herself?
The staff dining table was conspicuously empty when she arrived minutes after nine. Emelie pushed down her disappointment that Charlie wasn’t there. She turned to retrace her steps, planning to knock on his bedroom door when she ran into a tired looking Jewel.
“Good morning, Silver.”
“Morning, Miss Jewel.”
“Just Jewel, please.”
She smiled. “Jewel.”
“Better. I’m ready for a coffee. How about you?”
“Well… I was going to…” She stammered to a halt.
“Go look for Charlie?” Jewel finished her sentence for her.
“That obvious, eh?”
“Yeah, it would be hard to miss, not that I blame you. He is a catch to be sure.” Jewel popped a berry in her mouth from the bowl of fruit laid out on the long dining table. “But you won’t find him I’m afraid. He and Gabe took off approximately an hour ago to ride out to check on the claim. John needs their help with a small project he has going on out there.”
Emelie’s disappointment must have been plastered across her face.
“He’ll only be gone for the day. I expect them back before dinner this evening.”
“Oh, that’s fine. I’m sure you have plenty of chores I can help with in the meantime.”
“Ruby should be here soon. Once you have some breakfast, you girls could take the next load of laundry down to drop off. We had a busy weekend. We’re running low on everything.” Her face lit up as she smiled kindly. “And this time, your bottom might appreciate it if you ladies stuck together.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Thirty minutes later she set off with a more demurely dressed Ruby and an oversized load of dirty linen. Emelie was relieved their friendship seemed intact.
In a lull of their conversation she brought up the uncomfortable topic. “I truly am sorry I got you in trouble the other day. I hope your husband didn’t go too hard on you when you got home.”
The redhead’s smile out-shined the bright sunlight. “Oh, he was hard on me in all the right ways, if you get my drift.”
“Ruby! That’s scandalous.”
“What?” She tried to feign innocence and failed miserably. “I’m only stating the truth. The spanking was awful, mind you, but I’m learning that with Jeb at least, the harder the spanking, the harder… well… other things tend to get.”
Emelie couldn’t look her friend in the eyes as her mind raced with the image of a properly spanked and serviced Ruby. Considering the erection she’d felt pressing against her own tummy as she’d laid prone across Charlie’s lap, she got a thrill wondering if it would be the same with him.
“All right, spill it. That look on your face proves you had a bit of fun too.”
“Fun? Are you nuts? It hurt like crazy,” Emelie assured her.
“Yeah, well Gabe’s belt does hurt like the dickens. And, there are no side benefits when he punishes you like you enjoy with your own man.”
She could let the subject drop there and avoid further embarrassment, but she didn’t want to lie to her new friend. “It wasn’t Gabe’s belt.” Ruby looked back, waiting for her to finish her sentence. “It was… Charlie’s hand.”
Ruby whistled with surprise. “Gabe let Charlie punish you? That never happens unless he’s out of town. Lucky girl.”
In more ways than one, but she kept that part to herself.
It took an hour to complete their laundry run. They had finished restocking the linen closet when a messenger arrived with a bundle of mail addressed to a couple of the gems. It was correspondence with their friends and family back east, Ruby assured her.
“Mrs. Justice, I wonder if I could impose on you.”
For a minute, Emelie didn’t know whom the messenger was talking to, until Ruby answered cheerfully.
“Of course. You looking for some lunch and a lemonade?”
“No, ma’am. I already stopped by your husband’s office but both he and Deputy Slade must be out on calls as the office was closed and locked. I know this envelope is important as it has updates from the regional magistrate. I’d like to head on back to Sacramento. Do you think you could deliver this to the sheriff for me?”
“Sure.” Ruby reached to take the extra large manila envelope with Sheriff Justice, Culpepper Cove scrolled across the front. “I was planning on taking him and Crawford over some lunch in a bit. I’ll be sure to deliver it to him straight away.”
“Much obliged, ma’am.”
A strange premonition soured Emelie’s stomach as she looked at that envelope. By the time Nettie had packed a sack lunch for the lawmen an hour later, she knew she needed to see what was inside that post.
“Ruby, would you mind if I tagged along to deliver lunch to your husband? I wouldn’t mind meeting him.”
She couldn’t ignore the brief annoyance that was quickly replaced by a smile on her friend’s face.
“Never mind. I’ll stay here.” She tried to back-out.
Ruby linked her arm through Emelie’s and started marching them to the side door exit from the kitchen. “Of course you can come. I was kinda hoping we’d have a bit of lunchtime fun is all, but my bottom is
still sore. Perhaps it’s best if you tag along.”
The woman was scandalous.
The sheriff’s office wasn’t overly large. Two desks filled the space with upright wood filing cabinets. Piles of papers and official looking forms covered most surfaces. Two barred cells lined the far wall, the doors flung open as they were empty at the moment. There was a box-stove in the corner and a small kitchen-like counter and small table where it looked like the sheriff and deputy took some of their meals.
The space was empty, but she heard the screen door swing closed behind her. Emelie turned to see a tall, handsome blond man walking towards them. A grin lit up his face. He had eyes only for Ruby, exactly as it should be when a husband looked at his wife.
Emelie suddenly felt like a third wheel on a two-wheeled cart as she watched them embrace. She looked away when his broad hands dipped down to squeeze his wife’s bottom, dragging a low moan from her friend.
She started to try to sneak out when the sheriff remembered they weren’t alone and pulled away from his wife.
“So you must by Red’s new friend, Silver. She sure has been telling me stories about you, young lady.”
She turned to find him extending his hand. She closed the short distance between them, placing her hand in his powerful grip. Emelie had to squelch a giggle at the thought of those strong hands on her new friend’s bottom. She didn’t envy Ruby as they looked like paddles.
She finally remembered her manners. “Nice to meet you too, Sheriff Justice.”
“Jeb. Please.”
“Of course, if you’ll call me Emelie.”
“I’d be honored, at least here and while you’re dressed in a pretty dress instead of pink petticoats. Down the street, we’ll be back to Silver, now, won’t we?”
He made her nervous. “Yes, sir.”
“So what brings you by so early, Red? I didn’t expect to see you for a few hours yet.”
Ruby was opening the bag of goodies Nettie had sent over, placing the fruit and sandwiches on the desktop. She pulled the envelope out next.