“Janelle, I won’t stand for that kind of talk. You also have to stop this dangerous habit of trying to run away when things get difficult or uncomfortable. I’m not letting you go anywhere. Now, settle down.”
Turning her into his arms, he held her as she once again began to cry. She was doing a lot of that around him and was concerned she was turning into a weepy, pathetic woman—something she never could stand. Pulling from his arms, she dried her eyes on her borrowed shirtsleeve. “I’m sorry about all this, Aaron. I’m sure this isn’t how you expected your life to turn out. I suppose we could wait for a while and ask for an annulment. I know divorce is scandalous in this day and time, but an annulment shouldn’t be a problem. If you could help me find a decent job and a place to live, maybe a boarding house or someplace safe. After that, I can be out of your hair.”
“You seem to have this all figured out.”
“Not really, but that’s the best I could come up with.”
“There’s just one problem.”
She looked at him in question. Another problem? What else could go wrong in the clusterfuck her life had become?
“You’ll need my consent for an annulment or a divorce, and I have no intention of giving it. You can also forget about working and living in some boarding house. You are my wife now, Janelle. We took vows, and I plan to hold you to them. As far as your past liaisons—” he paused when he saw her flinch at those words. “I’m sorry, but I don’t know what else to call them. As far as the other men, I expect that I will be the last. I will keep you well occupied in that arena, I vow.”
“I would never cheat, Aaron.” That he thought she might cheat stung, but what did she expect when she wasn’t a virgin bride? “This whole situation is a mess. I appreciate all you’ve done, but how can you want to stay in this fu—uh, screwed up situation? Didn’t you have plans for your life?”
“I still do, and marrying you hasn’t altered them. I am the marshal for the Wyoming Territory. It is a prestigious position, but I don’t want to do this forever. I thought one day to get involved in politics, maybe start making the laws instead of enforcing them. I’ll need a woman by my side, and if she is smart, spirited, and beautiful, all the better.”
“I don’t know anything about politics, campaigning, or being a politician’s wife, in my time or in yours. Aren’t you afraid I’ll embarrass you or say something inappropriate from my time and freak people out, like I did today in court?”
He laughed at that last part. “I’m not exactly sure what ‘freaked out’ means, but I think I get the gist. I find you delightful and refreshing, Janelle. Rest assured, I don’t know a lot about campaigning and politics either, so we’ll learn together. That’s far off in the future, giving us plenty of time. Let’s concentrate on getting to know each other better as husband and wife for now, alright?”
Her troubled blue eyes searched his warm brown ones and found no deception or pity. She couldn’t stand it if their marriage was based solely on pity. Finally, she nodded her agreement and smiled when she heard him let out a deep sigh. In fact, she giggled with nervous relief when she realized he was as worried about her rejection as she was about the suddenness of their marriage.
“Okay, how about we get things on more equal footing? I’ve been sitting here shirtless for quite some time now. I think it’s time that you do the same.” His hands rose to her buttons, and his big thumbs worked them easily.
“I’m not wearing anything else, Aaron. We won’t be exactly even.”
He grinned at her as he freed the last button from the placket and it fell open, revealing an expanse of creamy-white skin. “Have no fear, darlin’. I can shuck these pants quicker than you can say Jack Robinson.” He winked at her outrageously, and she giggled again, right up until she felt his hand slide up her belly and splay beneath a full breast. His touch robbed her of coherent thought, and her breath caught in her throat. She tensed in anticipation as his head lowered to hers, and his lips pressed warmly against her own.
“Relax. You’re stiffer than one of granddaddies collars. This is supposed to be fun.”
“I’m sorry. It’s just that I’m nervous.”
He eased her back on the bed and spread her shirt wide, bearing her full breasts. Her nipples tightened in eagerness, even if her mind wasn’t quite there yet.
“Great day, you’re gorgeous, Janelle.” His voice had dropped a whole octave as his desire burned higher, and he lowered his dark head to sip at a taut nipple. His mouth was hot and electric against her skin, and she arched her back, offering more. As he drew on it more deeply, his eager hands roamed lower over her flat belly and rounded hips, finding her thighs and the soft tender skin in between. His hand found her center, and he stroked her lips gently. Unexpectedly, he lifted his head, releasing her nipple with a pop as he looked down at the treasure he had found.
“Sweet mercy, darlin’. You’re as smooth as silk here, except for this little patch of soft curls up top. How did you do it?”
“It’s called a bikini wax.”
“What?” His hand continued to stroke her silky smooth flesh, as if he’d never seen a woman well groomed and trimmed before. Well… Maybe he hadn’t.
He moved down her body, wanting to explore this treasure up close.
“A bikini is a kind of bathing suit. It’s rather skimpy, and if you don’t remove the hair, it peeks out—not a good look.”
“Skimpy, you say? You mean you swim in clothing that is small enough to expose your entire legs up to here?”
Giggling at the shocked look on his face, she educated him on 21st century beach fashion. “Oh, Aaron, that is not the half of it. Some women wear swimsuits that expose their entire a—um, bottom cheeks. There are even beaches where the women go topless. So I’m told.”
“Amazing. I was born into the wrong century for sure. Did you wear such a scandalous swimsuit or go topless?”
“Never. I did have a few bikinis, but they were pretty conservative.”
“I’d love to have seen you in one.” He moved down her body. “Now, enough talk. I want to explore this glorious, smooth treasure up close.”
“I had this red one that looked like a—” She stopped suddenly when she felt his lips brushing against her delicate lips.
“It looked like a what, baby?” He asked as his tongue snaked out and teased along her slit, tickling and teasing her with his lips and the scruff of his beard. “Don’t leave me hanging by a thread.”
Groaning, she arched her hips, parting her legs further as she sought more from his teasing lips and provocative tongue. “But, Aaron, I can’t concentrate when you’re doing that.”
“Get used to it. Your skin is so silky smooth, I’m planning on spending a lot of time right here.” His thumbs separated her lips allowing his warm breath to play across her hard, throbbing bud as he spoke. “You were going to describe a bikini, Janelle. Tell me.”
Her head rose, and she watched as he pursed his lips and blew softly across her moist flesh. His grin was wickedly seductive, and she could tell he was enjoying this sensual torment. “You remember—my purple panties—and um—my bra from that first night?”
He chuckled softly, and his wicked grin told her he did indeed remember her lacy undergarments. The rush of his hot breath against her skin made her gasp and arch against him further. Ignoring her silent plea, he stayed focused on their discussion. “How could I forget the skimpiest drawers and chemise I’ve ever seen?”
“Well, bikinis are like that, only smaller.”
“Mercy, woman! I’ll have to get someone to teach you how to sew. I want you to have a whole wardrobe of skimpy drawers.” At long last, he lowered his lips to her moist, fragrant flesh and devoured her.
Janelle’s fists twisted in the sheets. Never had she felt anything like the slow, torturous glide of Aaron’s tongue against her clit. When he bit gently on her throbbing bundle of nerves, the air filled with her short little pants and helpless groans of pleasure.
&nbs
p; He lifted his head for a moment, and she saw his eyes sweep over her aching flesh as he spread her wider, opening her for his eager lips and tongue. “You are so soft and delicious, Janelle.” He ran his tongue slowly over her skin, lapping from her weeping center to her throbbing hard clit. Her bareness seemed to enthrall him, and he proved it by licking each lip bit-by-bit, groaning huskily, “I swear I shall get you whatever you need to keep this delightful little cunny as smooth as silk.”
“Aaron!” she gasped as her fingers sank into his thick hair and she pulled him in closer. “Please, I can’t bear much more!”
He ignored her throaty plea and played there for what seemed like forever, licking and nibbling at her, bringing her to the brink of ecstasy before teasingly letting her ease back down. When he slipped inside her, his broad finger gliding into her drenched center, Janelle couldn’t stand anymore and convulsed around him in an earth-shattering climax. After the last spasm had passed through her body, he eased the pressure from her clit and removed his fingers, quickly moving off her and stripping his trousers. He was on top of her in the next instant, fully erect and ready to possess her.
“Are you ready for me, Janelle?”
“Yes, Aaron. Please…”
Without pause, he sank into her. His large, hard shaft sinking deep. Janelle was tight, and she felt a stretching discomfort as he penetrated. She gave a little whimper and instinctively put her hand to his chest to slow his possession.
“I’m sorry, honey,” he groaned. “You’re so small and tight that you’re squeezing me like a vice.” He opened his eyes and looked down at her with concern. “Do you need me to stop, sweet pea? I don’t want to hurt you.”
“No, don’t.” That was such an unselfish offer that she was blown away. Most men she knew wouldn’t have sacrificed their own pleasure once they’d started down this path, so to speak. Not without some fussing or pleading, at least. As she looked into Aaron’s warm brown eyes, she saw as much concern as she did blazing desire. It was then she knew it was more than just lust that she felt for him. It was love. For right now, that was enough. She’d worry about the dictatorial behavior and occasional spankings later, after he’d made love to her—after their wedding night. “Please, Aaron, I want to make love with you. Can you just go slow for a bit and let me get used to you?”
“Absolutely, sweet pea. We’ve got all night. There’s no rush.” He started kissing her, nibbling on her lips, his soft words soothing her as well as his gentle touch. “Try to relax. You’re very wet, love. Let your muscles go slack, and I’ll sink in all the way.” She did just that, taking deep breaths as she focused on relaxing, and true to his word, he slid deeper inside. As he did, he rubbed up against all of her sensitive places that, until now, she doubted existed. Her head craned backward, and she arched into him, the sensitive peaks of her breasts rubbing against his chest,
“Oh, Aaron. That feels so good. I can’t help it, but I think I’m going to come again.”
Surprised by the use of such a vulgar term, he paused and looked down on her. “I hate to ask because I don’t want to think about it, but how long has it been since you’ve been with a man, Janelle?”
“It was about three years ago, when I was in college. But I think he did it wrong because…” He moved then, pumping slowing into her once, and she groaned. “It was nothing like this. Mercy sakes, Aaron? Can we talk later? I feel like I’m ready to explode, and here you are expecting me to think.”
“I’m almost there too, honey. Wrap your legs around my waist and let me in. You’ll be able to take all of me, and we can both explode together.”
Propping both forearms on the bed, he held up his weight and pressed deeper as she wrapped around him, gripping his hips with her smooth legs.
His hand glided over her skin as he pulled her more firmly around his hip. “Mm, you are satiny-smooth all over, darlin’. Do you wax these gorgeous legs too?” At her nod, he sank the rest of the way inside her, their matching groans signaling the end of their endurance as Aaron began to ride her. “I don’t know if I can be as gentle as I’d like, sweet pea. The tether on my control is close to snapping.”
“I don’t want gentle, Aaron. I want to feel you deep and hard inside of me.”
With that bit of encouragement, he plunged inside her deep and fast, each thrust bringing them both closer to climax. Janelle’s hands gripped his shoulders, one sliding up into his hair and anchoring there. Grunting in approval, Aaron rode her harder and faster, pushing them both over the edge into glorious fulfillment.
Afterwards, they lay entwined, both gasping for breath as their hearts beat strong and raced from their exertions. At long last, Aaron eased to his side, pulling her close as they lay relaxed and replete. “Sakes alive, Janelle. I’ve heard about it before but never believed it really happened. I think that the earth really did move for me just now. That was all-fired fantastic, baby.”
As usual, she laughed at his old-fashioned expressions. Cuddled happily against his broad chest, she teased in return, “I reckon you rocked my world too, cowboy.”
Chuckling softly, he pulled her close for another kiss, just before they drifted off into a contented sleep.
Chapter Nine
Janelle groaned as she moved, shifting against him again as she tried to get comfortable.
“I’m sorry, darlin’. I didn’t think about the ride home. We’ll get you into a warm bath as soon as we get to the ranch.”
A bird calling loudly from the trees spooked their horse, which high-stepped nervously until Aaron got it under control. The jarring movements beneath them had Janelle moaning softly and squirming uneasily.
“I’m not usually so insensitive, sweetheart. I should have been more considerate than to use you so hard on our first night together.” He held her tightly, his broad hand cupping her bottom in an attempt to separate her tender bits from the shifting, creaking saddle.
“It’s alright, Aaron. I enjoyed it thoroughly as I’m sure you could tell. I wasn’t beating you off with a stick or anything.”
“Yes, but I should have known you would be tender for the long ride back. We’ll have to take care when we arrive if my brothers are around. They will torment me ceaselessly, and now that you’re family, I can’t guarantee you won’t be a target. Of course, you never know. They’ve never had a little sister before.”
“I hadn’t thought about the fact that I have two older brothers now. That’s very nice. And your parents—they are so kind. They’re not too upset about you being forced into this are they?”
“We didn’t talk much. Mostly they were concerned about you, and with two other proposals on the table, it was inevitable that you’d become a Jackson. But I’m going to remind you for the last time, I wasn’t forced into anything.”
“Yes, Aaron.”
They rode along in silence for a while, enjoying one another’s company, especially the closeness that had begun in each other’s arms last night.
Janelle asked, “Will we move to your house in town?”
“I’m not sure I want you living there. I go out of town a lot, and I don’t want you alone.”
“I’m not a baby, Aaron. I can stand to spend a night or two alone.”
“That isn’t it, Janelle. Sometimes I’m gone for days or even a week at a time. Laramie is a rough town, and I’m not going to leave my young wife alone and susceptible to the criminal element that abounds there.” His tone said he’d brook no further argument about it. “Maybe we’ll look into building a house on my portion of the ranch. Its near Ma and Pa but will give us privacy. You’re going to need Ma to figure out how to manage things.”
Janelle imagined that would be rather lonely for her. “I think I’d prefer to live in town, maybe make some friends and have a social life at least. Especially if you’re gone a lot.”
“Wait until you see the town before wishing and dreaming. It’s a work in progress, and Laramie wouldn’t be the best place to raise a family right now. There is a sma
ll town a few miles east of the ranch, where we’ve always attended church. They opened a schoolhouse a few years back so the local ranchers and farmers’ children wouldn’t have to make the trek to town to attend.”
Children. Goodness gracious she hadn’t thought about that. She was so distracted by that thought that she found herself agreeing with him automatically, despite how she felt, and mumbling inanely, “Whatever you think is best, Aaron.”
“That’s my good girl. I think we can be very happy living away from town. And when the children come, Ma will be close enough to help.”
They hadn’t practiced birth control in the four times they’d made love last night. Her Depo-Provera shot was up to date, so she was safe for another three months or so. She’d also heard it could take a while to get pregnant after stopping the shot, so it could be another year before she had to worry. Good. That would give her plenty of time to get used to the way things worked in the 19th century.
“Do you want a lot of children?” she asked him.
“I’d like as many as God blesses us with. Three is a good number as long as one is a button-nosed baby girl with blonde hair and blue eyes like her mother.”
“Would you be upset if I didn’t get pregnant for a while, Aaron?”
“No, but nature has a way of taking care of this for us. You could be carrying my child already after all the times I came inside you last night.”
“I can’t believe you just said that. You are usually very circumspect, dear husband.”
“If I recall, you started it, wife. You yelled it out quite enthusiastically, several times.” He kissed her heated cheek but went on. “In public, neither of us may use the word pregnant or come. They are considered quite vulgar. And no cursing, but that goes without saying.”
A thought occurred to her then, and she blurted it out. “Do you plan to keep on spanking me, husband?”
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