Better Off Without Her (Book One of the Western Serial Killer series)

by Hestand, Rita

  "Aw, it weren't nothin' hon. I had the dress half made some time ago. And with a few alterations, it is perfect for you…." Hattie Mae exclaimed.

  "It's beautiful….I can't begin…"

  "Then don't even start. Now, we'll round up a few wild flowers and have Baca make your hair nice." Mrs. Rutherford stated.

  Pepper glanced at the girl named Baca. She was as shy girl, but she could do hair up so pretty that Pepper couldn't object. Pepper had met her when she got off the stage yesterday and they had been instant friends.

  Several of the young girls felt of the softness of the silk.

  John T. came up the stairs once to tell her they would have a preacher ready in an hour. Pepper nodded, but told him nothing of the dress. She wanted to surprise him with it.

  Wesley came up, heard the entire goings on, and stopped off to tell her he was happy for her. He asked to give her away, and she agreed, kissing his cheek. "You shore about this?"

  "It is kinda quick, but I do love him…" she said bashfully. "I guess you knew it from the beginning though. I love you all, but then you know that too, don't you?"

  "Pretty near, you two been makin' eyes at one another the whole trip." Wesley laughed.

  "I'm so happy…"

  "Then I say, let's get you married. I'll be back shortly to take you down the stairs."

  It had all happened so suddenly it seemed like a dream. But the outcome of Victor hung over her head too. She could be a widow by tomorrow. She knew that. It was a chance she would take.

  One of the ladies brought her a real pearl necklace and put it around her neck. "Something borrowed," she said.

  Baca came and fixed her hair with baby's breath on each side then fastened the veil on as she slipped into the slinky silk dress.

  Another lady brought perfume, she was a dancehall girl, but Pepper didn't care. She was just glad she had so many friends.

  Someone tossed her a blue garter and Mrs. Rutherford laughed, "Something old, something new, something borrowed and something blue…" She glanced at Pepper and smiled, "You are starting off just fine."

  "I hope so…I sure do love him…" Pepper announced.

  Everyone hushed for a minute, knowing what he might face tomorrow brought a somber moment. But Becca laughed. "Don't forget how much you love him tonight. Wedding nights can be kind of tense. But let him have you…."

  "Oh honey…you don't have to worry about that. I've been thinking about that for a long time now and I’m ready…." She grinned devilishly. Everyone laughed and snickered.

  She borrowed some satin slippers from the dancehall girl, they were red, but she didn't care. They looked nice and fit perfectly.

  When the veil went on, everyone was gasping at how beautiful she looked. "You are gonna shock him silly…"

  "You think so?" Pepper chimed in with a grin.

  "I know so…."

  Then a knock came at the door and she heard music playing down stairs.

  Wesley took one look at her his eyes shining into hers, and kissed her on the cheek, "One word…beautiful…"

  Pepper blushed.

  He gave her his arm and guided her down the stairs and into the parlor where John T. stood proudly by the preacher. He had his back to her when she first came in, but when he turned around, he swallowed hard and shook his head. He leaned toward Antonio, who had somehow come up with a ring and stood beside him. "Makes me weak in the knees just thinkin' about it."

  Antonio gouged him in the ribs and Pepper glided up and into his arms.

  The preacher was called from the edge of town and was happy to officiate.

  He read the scriptures and the words over them, and when he put their hands together they were both trembling, he smiled.

  A few minutes later, John T. put the ring on her finger and the preacher pronounced them man and wife.

  "You may kiss the bride…" the preacher encouraged.

  John T. smiled, lifted her veil, and claimed his wife. The kiss was long and thorough and everyone was shaking their heads at the enthusiasm, until Wesley finally cleared his throat loudly causing them to pull apart reluctantly.

  Everyone gathered about them, kissing her and shaking hands with John T.

  "Drinks are on the house tonight, everyone." The bartender announced. A big hurray went up around the room.

  The ladies all wished her luck and left, and John T. looked at Wesley.

  "Boy, I wish there was more time, but you got 'til day break. "Wesley smiled, and mussed his hair.

  John T. looked at Pepper, shot Rascal a quick grin and slowly picked her up in his arms and carried her up the stairs. He didn't take his eyes off her.

  He never saw the look of regret on Antonio's eyes. He only saw her, his wife.

  When he set her down in the center of the room her dressed filled the floor. He gathered it and put it behind her. "Wish we had one of them picture makers."

  She blushed. "Not sure I ever had a picture made, John T."

  His eyes filled with her. "Where did you get that dress," he murmured as he came to take her in his arms.

  "Mrs. Rutherford arranged it all, isn't it grand…?" she cuddled into him.

  "I never saw anything coming toward me as beautiful as you, just a bit ago. I knew you were pretty, but that don't describe you now. You're hair…is all curled and fancy, your dress, my God, it's so lovely…and yet…I can't wait to get it off you…" he snickered.

  Pepper nodded, as her lips did the talking. She liked how he nipped at her lips and pulled against her bottom lip, urging her to respond. She felt her lips go to butter against his.

  "You want a drink first; the bartender left us a bottle of champagne, if you do…"

  "Maybe later…" she cooed into his ear.

  He got down on one knee and took her hand. "Mrs. Cole, I'm honored to be your husband."

  "Oh John T., it feels like some dream…" she whispered with a giggle.

  His lips caressed her hands. He slowly measured her hand against his own, and then looped his in hers. "One of the girls gave me a gown…"

  He saw her blush and smiled. "Well, I guess I should give you a minute to get ready, huh?"

  "Would you take the pearls off…they were borrowed and I don't want to damage them…"

  He nodded. He stood up to take her necklace off. His lips trailing down her neck from her ear where he blew softly and told he loved her several times. Then he moved to undo the buttons of her dress. "I'll help you get these, they are so tiny…" he chuckled.

  "Thanks…" she sighed nervously.

  He moved to look at her face. "You aren't scared are you?"

  "Umm…no…well, maybe…" she cried, "Forgive me…John T. this all so new to me…I was overwhelmed with the dress, and all the goings on. And now…this…"

  He leaned into her to take her bottom lip with his. The kiss was soft and tender and gentle, showing her there was nothing to be afraid of.

  "Don't ever be afraid of me…" he whispered. "I love you…you're my wife…and I aim to take special care of you…" he promised, and then kissed her again. This time her arms slid up and around his neck and she leaned provocatively against him.

  "I'm so proud to be your wife…John T." she whispered between kisses.

  "We only have one night, right now, and we ain't gonna rush a thing, darlin'. If you aren't ready…then I'll wait 'til you are…." He murmured in her ear.

  She looked up into his eyes. They looked so blue, so honest. "You really mean that, don't you…?"

  "I do…" he smiled into her face.

  "I'm not that scared," she smiled.

  His look galvanized her. It went beyond her, inside her, making her heart flip up and down for him.

  Finally he went back around her and began undoing the buttons…There were so many, but each one exposed more to him, so he was patient. He opened it and his hands slid inside without hesitation. "I've wanted you so long, at least it seems like a long time," he whispered.

  "Me too… Only…you're pro
bably going to have to show me how to do this…I ain't never…" she barely breathed as his hands went around her, she gasped

  "I know, I figured on that." He whispered, as he kissed her shoulder when the dress loosened. "But…don't you fret…I know what to do…" he assured her.

  "I'm not fretting at all, I'm kinda anxious," she explained.

  "Where did you get such a handsome suit?" she asked looking at him with a smile.

  "Wesley got 'em from somewhere. Never had duds like these." He grinned.

  "You look like a real gentleman…"

  "Do I?" He smiled. "I'll try to remember that tonight…"

  She smiled, he walked to the door slowly. "Don't be long…I couldn't stand it…"

  She smiled again, and blushed as she turned away; exposing a view of her back and the lacy corset she wore.

  "I don't want to leave…" he murmured.

  "I know…but I promise, if you liked the dress, you'll like the gown…" she smiled.

  He shook his head…"Honey…it ain't the dress or the gown…it's you…"

  She looked back at him and ran to the door. "Oh God, John T. that's so sweet…don't go…then...stay and watch me…"

  "You don't have to ask twice…" he said and grabbed her gently for another kiss.

  When they pulled apart, her dress slipped further, he started to remove it, but she shook her head.

  "No…I want this to be special, and sometimes when you want something, it's so much better if you can't have it that minute…so…I want you to sit on the edge of the bed, and watch me change, and you can do the same for me.

  John T. looked into her eyes again, drowning in the loving gaze she shot him. "Okay…if that's what you want…"

  She smiled.

  She went to the middle of the room, while he sat on the edge of the bed.

  "Oh…this is gonna be good…John T. I've never stripped for a man before. Never wanted to, in fact…but you are my husband, and I'd do anything for you. So you sit there, without touching me…so I can do this…" she gulped bravely.

  "I'm watchin' darlin'," he smiled.

  She moved her body slowly sensuously as the dress fell to the floor. Gently, with exaggerated slowness she bent to retrieve it, as it sent her bust hard against the corset she wore.

  John T. gasped aloud.

  She laid the dress gently on the chair against the window.

  Then she returned her attention to herself. She slowly undid the ribbons that tied her corset in the back. It loosened.

  John T. didn't realize his mouth was open, nor that his eyes were fastened so hard on each inch of exposed flesh.

  But she took the corset and laid it against the dress, then slowly, provocatively turned around so he could get a full view of his wife. She stood posed for a moment, as his eyes burned into her breast. She could feel the heat of his gaze on her and it gave her the courage to go on.

  With even slower movements, she began to wiggle out of the drawers.

  Standing spread leg, she smiled at him.

  John T. started to get up, and then plopped down. His eyes beckoned her, but she suddenly reached for the lacy shirt gown. It was a silk nightshirt, with ruffles down to her breast. So thin it was nearly see through, in fact, in the dull light of the room, he could see through it. He gulped, "I ain't never seen anything make me want to rip the clothes from a body like that…"

  It barely covered her hip. She had nothing on under it, and he obviously knew it.

  She moved slowly, barefoot, toward him.

  His eyes followed every step, his body was already awakened to full arousal, but he restrained that. As he didn't want to ruin the moments between them with his selfish need.

  She came toward him with a sexier than sin smile, letting her hair down, in a dark cascade of curls. She moved his knee away so she could stand directly between his legs.

  "Now…" she said in a sexy whimper. "It's your turn…"

  He shook his head, and his hands went under the shirt to caress the hips that molded quickly to his as he rose. He felt the flesh there and he kneaded her hips as they blended against him.

  "I never knew I had such a tempting wife…it's almost more than I can bear…"

  The shirt came open as she moved and he got an eyeful of pouting breast, her nipples dark and rosey, already perking for him. He let go of a breath and smothered her lips with a white-hot kiss that made her roll her head and throw back her hair. Each provocative move made his groin ache that much more to take her. But this was a special night, and he would endure hell to make sure he pleasured her.

  She reached and flung his Stetson across the room.

  She backed away…and watched.

  "I can't outdo you on that one, darlin'. You're prettier than a sunset, sweeter than a peach and ripe for the pickin'."

  She smiled, her luscious lips parting in awe.

  John T. realized then she didn't have a clue how she affected him.

  He eased out of his shirt and pants, throwing the tie to meet the hat. Then he slid his drawers off and she could clearly see he was more than a little ready for her. She gasped

  He looked down with a sly grin, "Sorry honey, some things you can't hide…"

  Then he scooped her up in his arms and gently laid her on the bed. He stared down at her and nearly lost it.

  With a control he never knew he had, he joined her. He propped himself on his elbow and just stared down at her, not touching except with his midnight eyes.

  She turned toward him and waited.

  "You just gonna stare all night?" she asked after a long silent moment.

  "I want to remember you this way…forever. In fifty years, I'll remind you how beautiful you are to me…," he promised.

  "Watch how you respond without words…" he whispered, as his hand reached over to barely touch the tips of her nipples. Her nipple perked at his nearness, and when he finally touched it, it pouted into a nub.

  She gasped at the site. "I thought you'd never touch me." She murmured.

  His smile radiated, as his head bent to touch her nipple with his nose, then his lip, then his tongue. He laved each one then finally at her cooing took one into his mouth and suckled. She squirmed, and felt herself grow hot and wanting. Her core wetted, and her belly felt on fire.

  Her hips moved toward him like the blind trying to find the perfect fit.

  When she found it, she found a big surprise. John T. was more than ready for her, but still he kept his movements slow and easy.

  That's when she totally relaxed and gave herself to this man. He was in charge and she was his servant. He could do anything with her at the moment. She was on fire for the man she loved and whatever he asked, she'd do.

  "You are the most beautiful wild creature I've ever known, and it's gonna be a privilege to love you for the rest of my life." He whispered in her ear.

  A new trust was building between them and he had her on fire for his touches. His hands gently discovered her body. When they moved towards her hips, she rose to meet him with eagerness. He edged himself tenderly inside her thighs, and down into her treasures. She was more than a little warm and wet. He flicked his fingers against her until he found the center of her. She gasped aloud when he rubbed sinuously there. Out of control, she jerked, so his fingers went inside her, moist, warm, and ready. He played at the art of lovemaking, until she moaned in his mouth for the taking.

  However, knowing she'd never been touched, he wanted to make her as comfortable as he could. He bent down and took her warmth into his mouth. His tongue was like a slithering snake as it explored her depths. He flicked it gently against her, and then followed the path to enter her. She groaned at the delirious fire he lit. Her hips smothered him, as he probed her with his gentle caresses. His nose touched her hard nub, and he rubbed there till she was coming off the bed with her thrusting hips.

  "Oh John T…please…" she murmured in a fever pitch.

  He slowly came up, and covered her lips with his own. She tasted his
creation, and gasped again. What manner of heaven was this, she whispered between kisses.

  "I can't wait much longer…I'll hurt you, darlin'. Are you sure you're ready for me?" he gasped.

  "More than a little," She whispered for his ears alone.

  It was all the invite he needed. His hands guided into her, but the feel of her warm wet welcome had him plunging quickly and he wanted to slow down, but she groaned aloud, "No…don't hold back. Give me your love now…" she whispered, as their lips met again and his tongue slid inside her mouth, waltzing with hers.

  Their hips jolted against each other, seeking the peak together. He couldn't stop himself, he was so on fire for her, he knew he had to be hurting her, and he'd felt the curl of her blood flood about him, and the slight hesitation in her breath when he pushed himself gently inside her. He tried to still himself, but it didn't work, he wanted this woman so badly he had no control. He edged closer to the peak, but once she was over the shock, her hips latched to his and she smothered him again, and squeezed until she was sure she had taken hold. He was shocked at her eagerness to go on. With a new fire he played and tempted, by pulling out and going in, until finally he could not stop himself and they rode to the peak together. She almost screamed at the ecstasy it evoked within her. She felt him quiver several times as he began to relax inside her.

  He would have pulled out, but she wouldn't have that. She wanted him where he was.

  He smiled into her eyes now. They were bright and shining at him. "I love you…more than I can tell you…"

  "D-did I do all right?" she gasped.

  He chuckled, and kissed her. "You did better than all right, darlin'."

  They clutched each other and slept briefly through the night as they explored each other without embarrassment or shyness now. She wasn't afraid to touch him either. And he knew they would make love throughout the night. He'd get little sleep, but he wasn't complaining.

  Chapter Sixteen

  John T. never realized how hard it was to let go of a woman until the next morning. But he left her still sleeping. If he woke her he feared she'd be distraught. He couldn't do that to her. He wanted to remember his beautiful sleeping wife just like that.