by Alix West
“You are,” she said quietly.
“What’s that?”
“A thoughtful husband.”
He didn’t reply right away. “I’m not thoughtful, Charlotte. All I want to do is care for you and love you and make you smile. It’s not thoughtfulness when it makes you happy to do those things.”
Not until that moment had he said anything so tender to her and the look in his eye matched his words. Her heart fluttered in her chest and her eyes stung. “That’s nice, Will. Thank you.”
After they checked the back pasture, they rode back to the barns. Will told her about his childhood and his parents. His father had been twenty-five years older than his mother. She’d died of a fever and he followed a day later of a broken heart. Charlotte could hear the pain in his voice. His brothers claimed they wouldn’t marry and he was certain it was because neither of them wanted to love someone the way his parents loved each other.
When they returned to the barns, several of Will’s men greeted them and took the horses away. The sun sank low in the sky. Will took her hand and they began walking back to the house. Charlotte’s stomach growled loud enough for Will to hear. He grinned and tugged her closer and gave her a playful swat.
“I know you need trousers to ride but I’m still not sure what I think about my wife wearing pants.”
“My bottom is a little saddle sore, Mr. Travis. You better not be thinking of meting out any punishment for some fabricated offense.”
He scoffed. “I think you like it when I mete out a little punishment. I think it makes you feel a little frisky.”
“Will,” she whispered. “Hush.” There was no one around, but she still felt mortified.
A shout from the mare’s barn made them stop in their tracks. The door burst open and two men tumbled out. The bigger one grabbed the other by the shirt collar and punched him square in the face. The shorter man spat blood and pulled a knife.
Charlotte watched in horror, a scream frozen in her throat. Will moved quickly, crossing the yard as he called over his shoulder. “Get inside, Charlotte.”
Silas appeared at her side, followed by Mary.
“Come, Mrs. Travis. Let the menfolk handle this. A fight is no place for a lady.”
Mary pulled her arm, coaxing her back to the house. Charlotte watched Will approach the men. She couldn’t hear his words, just his firm tone. Usually the men jumped the moment he said a word, but the two men fighting were too rage-filled to hear anything. Charlotte couldn’t look away and it took Mary’s persistence to get her inside the house.
Once inside, Charlotte began shaking. Mary went to Will’s study and returned with two small glasses of spirits. Charlotte took her glass, her hand trembling so much she was sure she’d spill the contents.
“Mrs. Travis, don’t you worry about a thing. Mr. Travis will handle things lickety-split. Some of those cowboys are hotheads. This isn’t the first time he’s had to break up a fight.”
Charlotte drained the glass in one draught. “One of them had a kn-knife.”
“It will be fine. Don’t you worry none.”
“I saw the blade. He waved it in the air and the blade glinted in the sunlight. He was saying terrible things. What if he goes after Will? Will doesn’t have a knife. I don’t think.”
Mary waved a dismissive hand. “He’s got better than a knife. Mr. Travis has a gun.”
Charlotte let out a whimper. She swayed on her feet and Mary gently led her to a chair.
“How about another belt, Mrs. Travis? Might be just what you need.” She hurried back to the study, returning a moment later with two fresh glasses. “Drink this and we’ll get you into a bath.”
“I don’t want a bath. I want to wait for Will.”
“That’s fine too. We’ll just sit together. How would that be? Did you have a nice ride today? That’s a lovely mare you have. Such a pretty grey. You look mighty pretty too. Quite the lady. Even though you wear trousers… quite the lady, indeed.”
Charlotte didn’t hear what Mary prattled on about. She sat and waited and wondered. What if he got hurt? They were so far from town. Caroline came to the door and asked about dinner.
“Best hold off on dinner,” Mary said. “Mr. Travis has a little trouble at the barn. He’ll be along soon though. Won’t be long at all. You might put a fresh bottle of bourbon in his study though.”
When the front door opened, and Will’s footsteps echoed in the hallway, Charlotte felt as though she might faint. His footfalls were even and measured and she knew he was safe. He came to her and kissed her.
“S’okay, Charlotte.”
She kept her gaze down and drew a trembling breath as her eyes filled with tears.
He crouched beside her and cupped her chin. “Everything’s fine. No one got hurt.”
Mary said a few words excusing herself. Will bid her good night. He tugged Charlotte to her feet and led her upstairs. He took her to the washroom and lit the lantern. While the tub filled, he tended to her, helping her out of her shirt and trousers, soothing her with whispered words.
When she was undressed, he helped her get into the tub.
“It was a fight, sweetheart. They threw a few punches and stopped. I had to ask them a few times, but they stopped.”
He helped her wash and when he was done, he helped her get out and dry off.
“That happens sometimes around here. I wish I could say it didn’t but some of my men get to fighting. Especially about women.” His tone was gently teasing. “Women have no idea how many problems they cause.”
“I don’t want to wait.”
He put the gown on over her head, and after she put her arms in the sleeves, he tugged it down. “You don’t want to wait for what?”
“I don’t want to wait the thirty days.”
He froze and waited. When she didn’t go on, he cupped her shoulders. “What do you mean? We’ve got a couple more days to go.”
“I kept thinking, what if he dies? I could lose Will and never have been a wife to him.”
He smiled and drew her close. “Well, that would be a hell of a way to go.”
“I want you to make love to me, Will. Right now.”
Stroking her head, he spoke quietly. “I would like nothing better than to make love to you right now, but I’m not going to.”
“Please, Will,” she breathed.
“Not tonight. For two reasons. I gave you my word and you’re shaking like a leaf. The first time I make love to you, I don’t want you to be upset or frightened or desperate.”
He looked down at her and lifted her chin. “Two days, Mrs. Travis.”
She nodded and leaned her forehead against his chest. He picked her up and carried her to bed.
“I’m going to get a plate from Caroline and feed you dinner myself. Right in bed.”
Without waiting for a reply, he turned and left the room. When he returned, she let him feed her a few bites, but she had no appetite. He grumbled, but didn’t press the issue. She listened as he undressed and washed up. She dozed until he came to bed and sighed contentedly when he wrapped his arms around her and tucked her next to him. He kissed her neck and growled softly.
“You best keep your hands off my privates, Mrs. Travis. I have ways of punishing my sweet little wife for teasing her husband.”
She nodded, sank into his arms and welcomed the warmth of his embrace. “No promises, Mr. Travis.”
Chapter Ten
Will
Storms threatened for the next two days. Distant rumbling rolled across the hills, but the rains never seemed to arrive. The thunderheads soared and billowed. The animals were skittish and Silas claimed to have killed two rattlers.
“We’re due for a rain,” he told Will as dusk fell. “You can smell it coming.”
They worked together, feeding the broodmares, one by one. As they worked their way through the barn, they checked the mares for a sign their time was near. All of them munched their hay contentedly.
“We decide
on a name?” Silas asked when they got to Mandy’s stall.
Will sighed. He knew his answer would earn him some ribbing from the cowboys. “Maple Cinnamon.”
Silas stared. “No, really. What’s the filly’s name?”
“It’s Maple Cinnamon,” Will said gruffly. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing at all, it’s just that…”
“What?”
“It sounds like a type of cookie or a biscuit.”
“Mrs. Travis picked the name,” Will snapped, taking the barrow back to the feed room.
He returned to the stall and frowned at Silas. The foal came to the door and nudged Will’s hand. He smiled and stroked her velvety nose. “She’s a pretty little thing.”
“She sure is,” Silas agreed. “Sweet-natured just like her dam.”
Will bid Silas good night and returned to the house, a smile curving his lips as he ascended the steps. Coming home in the evenings was the best part of his day.
Inside, the house was quiet. Even the kitchen was empty. A plate of sandwiches, covered with a tea towel, sat in the middle of Caroline’s work table. He ate two, washing them down with a glass of lemonade, then headed upstairs.
His awareness of Charlotte heightened with each step. The other night she’d offered herself to him and he’d told her no. He had taken her to bed and held her as she fell asleep. All he wanted was to claim her, to make her his, but he wouldn’t touch her when she was so shaken. But in the last few days, she’d calmed. She’d returned to her teasing and sassing ways.
The thirty days were up tomorrow. Sunday. He’d already instructed Silas that he wouldn’t be available. He and Mrs. Travis were spending the day together. He didn’t add anything to that, and Silas wouldn’t ever ask about another man’s personal business.
He pushed the door open. Charlotte sat in bed, reading by lamplight. She glanced up and smiled.
“I let Caroline have the night off.”
He nodded. “I’m going to wash up and come to bed.”
He filled the tub with hot water and bathed. The idea of lingering usually appealed to him, but not tonight. After he dried, he wrapped the towel around his hips and returned to the bedroom.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
She sat with her book. The blankets had fallen and light flickered, casting shadows over Charlotte’s nightgown. The gown was nothing like what she usually wore. Far from it. The material was so sheer he could see the curve of her breasts.
He swallowed hard. “Charlotte.”
She swung her legs out of bed and stood before him. “I made this for you.”
“It’s beautiful. You’re beautiful.”
“The thirty days are over.”
He dragged his gaze back up to hers. “No, they’re not. Tomorrow.”
“It is tomorrow. In Boston.”
He narrowed his eyes and watched the way her lips curved into a smile. She tugged the ribbon at her throat and let the gown fall to her feet. Light danced across her breasts, and down the length of her body.
“Charlotte,” he whispered. He lowered to kiss her, walking her back to the bed. Lifting her, he set her down in the middle and prowled over her.
She laughed softly and tugged the towel from his hips. “You’re not going to deny me, are you, Mr. Travis?”
He kissed her neck and nipped her for her sass. “You’re impossible, Charlotte. But perfect too.”
Cupping her, he groaned, a deep shuddering response from the feel of her breast. Her breast filled his hand. Her nipple, taut and pebbled, sent a thrill of desire from his palm to his cock. His cock pulsed. He wanted to bury himself deep inside her, but he needed something else.
First, he needed to taste her. Primitive need gripped him. More than anything, he wanted to know her with his mouth and his tongue. He wanted to show her pleasure and feel her fall apart beneath his wicked touch.
He teased and sucked her nipples. She writhed and begged him to take her. But he wouldn’t. Not yet. Instead, he kissed a trail along her stomach. Her skin was soft as down. She wriggled and squirmed, unsure of what he wanted. When he lowered past her hips, she jerked, trying to scramble away. He held her down, pinning her to the bed and licked her sweet, innocent core.
She trembled. “Will, I can’t…”
“S’okay, Charlotte,” he murmured. “Let me have my way.”
He listened to her panting sighs, reveled in the way she shook beneath him and more than anything, reveled in her sweet taste and scent. Her surprise and momentary dismay pleased him. It shouldn’t, but it did. She arched and writhed and begged. When he teased her with his finger and stroked her with his tongue with a slow wicked cadence, her pleasure built and she cried out helplessly.
After he’d wrung the last of her pleasure, he prowled over her. He eased the head of his cock against her entrance, pushing slightly. In the lamplight, he saw the desire in her eyes. She wanted this. Even though he’d just shown her pleasure, she wanted him. He took her slowly, giving her time.
When he came against her barrier, he stopped, waited, a cold sweat breaking out over his body. After a moment, she pressed her fingers into his shoulders and murmured her encouragement. He resumed, slowly with short, measured strokes. The pain flashed in her eyes but vanished in the next instant.
He could feel her tighten and build as they found their cadence together. He kissed her, caressed her face and confessed his love. She, in turn, clung to him and told him how she loved him too. When she fell apart beneath him, the sound was so sweet he could hardly respond. His own pleasure followed, the answer to his every prayer as her name tore from his throat.
He rolled over, gathered her close and tried to catch his breath. Her heart hammered against his. She clung to him helplessly and slowly they regained their senses. He left the bed and returned a moment later with a warm, wet cloth and tended to her gently.
He hated that he might have caused her pain. When he returned to bed, he tucked her into his embrace. “Charlotte,” he murmured. “I hurt you?”
She melted in his arms, molding her delicate frame to his. He could feel her smile as she pressed against his neck and he waited for her response.
“Will….” she said softly and laughed with some of her usual sass. “S’okay.”
Epilogue
A Year and a Half Later
Charlotte
She awoke in the night alone. The sheets, cool to the touch, hinted that he’d been up for some time. She threw back the covers and pulled on a robe. Shadows danced in the hallway, a glow coming from the baby’s room. Michael must have woken. She wondered if her six-month old wanted her.
Tip-toeing to the door, she peeked around the corner. Will stood in front of the window, silhouetted against the first rays of dawn. He swayed slowly, the baby’s head resting on his shoulder. When the floor creaked beneath her bare feet, Will turned to look at her.
It was near daybreak, but still too dark to see his expression. She watched as he moved slowly across the nursery and lowered the baby to the crib. She smiled to see her tall, strapping husband lay the tiny baby down. Will was an expert at settling the baby. He came to her and silently drew her from the room.
“You should have woken me,” she whispered once they returned to their room.
“You were up with him last night. You need your rest.”
After they’d gotten in bed, he gathered her in his arms. Nuzzling her neck, he scratched her skin with his short beard. She laughed softly.
“That front tooth is giving him a bad time,” Will muttered. “Hate to hear him hurting.”
“Maybe he’ll be done in the next day or two.”
“He’s getting big. Time for another one.” He sighed against her and tightened his embrace.
The warmth of his body sent sparks across her skin. Whenever Will talked about more children, her body responded with a surge of need. She pressed against him. Her breasts ached for his touch.
“Temptress,” he whisp
ered.
“You do that on purpose, don’t you? Talking about wanting more children?”
He tugged the ribbons and pushed the gown over her shoulder. “I don’t know what you mean.”
She had a reply, but swiftly forgot it as he kissed a path to her breast and sucked the nipple. Desire swept through her, rushing across her senses and tearing small cries from her throat. He made her mindless. She writhed beneath him and threaded her fingers through his hair, holding him to her breast.
He stripped her of the gown, prowled over her and parted her thighs.
“Your skin is like silk.” He trailed his fingers along the inside of her thighs.
Taking his hand, she pulled him closer. “I want you.”
“So impatient, Charlotte.” He settled over her and eased the head of his cock against her slick folds. “And so wet.”
He stroked her with his cock. His tone was teasing, so at odds with what he was doing to her.
She wriggled, trying to entice him, but he held back, leisurely rubbing against her.
“Please, Will. Don’t make me beg.”
“But you beg so sweetly. Tell me what you want.”
“I want you to take me. Hard.”
His breath hissed between his teeth. “You’ve never told me that before.”
Before she could reply, he entered her, pressing just the tip of his cock inside. With the next thrust, he slid in halfway. Will was a big man and usually he took his time to enter her, but he moved with some urgency. Lacing his fingers through hers, he pressed her hands to the bed and lifted over her. The first light of dawn gilded his features. His eyes burned with hunger.
“More,” she urged. “I’m yours.”
With the next thrust he slammed into her. She closed her eyes. “Yes. I want all of you.”
Almost immediately, her body responded to his deep, hard thrusts. She arched beneath him. He watched her, never letting his gaze move from her eyes. His attention, so acutely fixed on her, made her pleasure burn like a wild fire. With each stroke, he rolled his hips. He was powerful, and she was helpless beneath him. She cried out, shattering. Light burst behind her eyes.