“Oh, Meg,” he moaned. “You’re turning me into liquid fire.”
The feel of him, hot and smooth, was intoxicating; she felt his blood pulsating through him. She drew the tip of his shaft between her fingers and skimmed her palm over the top, which seemed to excite him even more.
He grabbed her hand, his breathing jagged. She glanced up into his eyes, staring at the desire shimmering within his gaze. With her free hand, she reached up and cupped his chin and pulled his mouth down to hers.
Oh, how she needed him. How she wanted only her husband, this man she was falling in love with. And the pure joy she felt at that thought thrilled her. Gentle, tough Martin, who had cared for and protected her. No one had ever sheltered her as he had. No one had ever cared quite like him. This sweet, gentle man who hid his true nature, who loved his family, had won her heart and her soul.
His lips caressed hers, teasing and sweeping her mouth with an urgency that gripped her, holding her captive with his kiss. Her moans of pleasure were muffled as he took her hand and guided him into her center. Unsure what to do, she shifted to accommodate him, lifting her hips to meet his. She arched her back, her hips rotating slightly to give him deeper access.
Gently, he plunged into her and met a wall of resistance. With a slight push, she felt the membrane break and she welcomed him with a sense of homecoming. This was her destiny, her fate. They were meant to be together. And no two people could ever have shared such a sense of happiness that being with Martin brought Meg.
But what did that mean for their future? Pushing the thought aside, she welcomed her husband into her body. And realized she was a virgin no more.
He filled her with a sweetness she’d never experienced as he thrust into her over and over until she thought she would go mad with ecstasy. She gave herself to him, risking it all for a man she’d trusted with her life, the very man she was giving her heart to.
With every driving stroke, she matched him, she met him, she fell more in love with him.
Passion burst forth like a shower of sparks, scorching her with its intensity as he rhythmically pushed her toward the flame.
Soon, Meg was falling, tumbling end over end, over a cliff, until she landed fractured and shattered in Martin’s arms.
With a shuddered cry, he reached his own release, and together they lay helpless and completely undone by what had just transpired.
Slowly he rolled from her body and pulled her up against him. No words were spoken, but she knew he lay crying, grieving for the man he loved and respected. Turning, she pulled him into her arms and held him.
“Your grandfather was a man of honor and he loved you so very much.”
“I know. Because of you, I came home to Elk Ridge. Thank you,” he said, holding her in the darkness. “Thank you for bringing me home. Thank you for being my wife.”
Chapter 29
Meg woke to an empty bed. Glancing around the room, she realized Martin had already gone down to breakfast. She lay in the bed, staring up at the ceiling, tears filling her eyes. Last night had been the most beautiful night of her life.
After they came upstairs, her husband tenderly undressed her, taking his time, leaving her eager for the next step. With the removal of her clothing, he made her feel like a precious piece of china as he brought her to the brink of desire.
Her mother's explanation of what happened between a man and woman was nothing compared to the magic of what they created together. When the moment came and he took her virginity, he'd been gentle and soothing, and once she recovered, showed her the delights of what occurred between two people in love.
Afterward he held her in his arms like he never wanted to let her go and that was the problem. She didn't want to go anywhere without August.
How could she go to New York and leave this man behind?
In the last month, Martin captured her heart, and she knew without a doubt, she loved him deeply. From the time they married, he had taken care of her. Making certain she was warm when they traveled. Worried about her getting ill and caring for her in her sickness. Admitting to her how he did everything to keep from marrying someone like his stepmother. Showing her his grief and letting her comfort him.
Yes, he had a cad's reputation he used to hide the gentle, considerate man he truly was inside and that's what she'd fallen in love with. That loving, sweet man who even now longed to make his grandmother's life a little easier since the death of his grandfather.
And yet loving and being with him would mean sacrificing her dream. Could she give up the one thing she’d wanted all her life? Or should she give up Martin?
The thought left her chest aching and tears welling up in her eyes.
Last night, or at any other time, Martin had not revealed his feelings toward her. Several times he hinted at them remaining married, but was that to ward off the debutantes or because he loved her?
Only if he told her he loved her would she stay. But to remain here knowing he never would fall for her, she couldn't take. For the kind of marriage she dreamed and wanted was the one his grandparents had shown them.
A love that spanned over fifty years, where each spouse was always looking out for the other. Where his grandfather asked Martin to watch over his grandmother. Where his grandmother mourned the loss of her husband. That was the marriage Meg longed for.
A love that transcended the years and death. One that your dying breath was wanting your partner to be cared for.
With a sigh, she threw back the covers. They were here until spring. Before then, hopefully, she would know the answers to her questions, her doubts. Soon, she would tell Martin she loved him, and he would love her back.
If not, she would be on a train to New York. For she couldn't live with Martin if he didn't love her.
Chapter 30
Martin sat in the kitchen with his grandmother, his mind on what they'd done last night. His wife was beautiful, tempting and gorgeous and she also had a way of letting him know when she thought he was being foolish.
How many women had he seen that went along with everything he said, trying to hang onto him? Like any man, Martin liked a woman who challenged him, made him think, who was ambitious and had dreams.
But if they remained married, what about Meg’s dream? What about how she had wanted to attend fashion school since she was a little girl?
Could he go to New York with her? No, that wouldn't be possible, because he wasn't leaving his grandmother. In fact, he was certain he would never return to Denver.
Living here this last month, he'd been happy. He enjoyed working on the ranch and seeing his hard work come to fruition. Before his grandfather died, he showed him the books and what all he needed to do to keep Elk Ridge going.
The idea of selling the place created an ache Martin never felt before. Like someone was cutting out his heart and feeding it to the wolves.
"And life goes on," his grandmother said solemnly, lifting her coffee cup to her mouth. "It went on after your mother died and now your grandfather. And life will go on, once I'm gone."
The words were not comforting, but realistic. Today he had to get out and feed the cattle in the north pastures. They would be running low on hay and his grandfather would not approve of him letting them go hungry.
"Yes, but it's hard. Any moment, I expect him to come through the door and say ‘let's go boy.’ This moment doesn't seem real. We were going to work on the barn together. Grandpa was going to show me when and how to move all the expectant cows to the birthing barn this spring. There was so much more I needed to learn from him."
Martin regretted not coming here directly from college. It took him months to realize his father didn't have his best interest at heart, but his grandfather did.
She nodded. "You're a smart man and I think he'll be watching over you to make certain you do things right. No need to worry, son, you can run this ranch if that's what you want to do."
Lying awake last night after his wife had fallen asleep, he made his decis
ion. There would be no returning to Denver.
"Can I tell you something," he said, leaning closer to his grandmother across the table, picking up her hand. "Right now, only something drastic happening could make me leave this place. The only thing that would make me happier is if Meg stayed with me."
Alice smiled at him. "Give it time, son. We're planting seeds. The wedding dress will be a great example to all the people in town of what she can do. With a little water, I think her business will grow to include people in the next town over. While that may not be what you want for her, it would fulfill her love of fashion."
Hope spiked in his chest, seizing his lungs as he thought of Meg. Yes, he wanted her happiness, but he also wanted her here with him. If a dress shop fulfilled her dream, he would not stop her.
"Oh no, I want her to be happy and if she enjoys creating dresses, then she should open a ladies’ boutique."
The grandmother glanced at him. "More importantly is the love between the two of you. If you don't love her enough to want what's best for her, what will make her the happiest, then you need to let her go. Your grandfather took me from a one room schoolroom where I taught kids in Cheyenne.”
So many memories were here in this house, this home, and Martin wanted to create some of his own with Cora.
Shaking her head, her face softened in the pre-dawn light. "My papa believed your grandfather was a wild man with no money who couldn't provide for me."
"Did he approve once he became successful?"
"No, Papa never forgave us for running off together, but frankly, your grandfather was the best thing that ever happened to me. That's what I want for you," she said, staring at August.
"Your grandfather always put me first. Even when I didn't want to move to that one room cabin, he asked me to just look at it."
Maybe he should ask Meg to go with him to the cabin and propose to her there. After all, they hadn't had a courtship, a proposal, or anything that gave them a choice. Before she left for New York, he would give her what every woman dreamed of, a proper proposal.
A smile crossed his grandmother’s face. "The moment I saw where it was located, I fell in love with that little cabin and later didn't want to move to this house. When your mother started walking, we needed two bedrooms at least."
"You and grandfather had a special love."
"No, we loved the way a marriage is supposed to be. Each putting the other’s needs before our own and wanting our partner to be happy. By doing that, we were both happy." She sighed. "To make a union work, you need to decide to put each other first."
"I'm trying, but I don't want her to go to New York and I can't go with her."
"By letting her go, if she loves you, she'll come back to you. This is hard, but if she truly loves you, she won't be able to go. You have to give her the chance."
With a sigh, Martin squeezed his grandmother's hand and released it. "Love you, Grandma, and I'm not leaving you here alone."
"Regardless, I want you to be happy."
Martin stood and walked toward the door. "Time to go to work. Hungry cows are waiting on me."
"Have a good day, son. Know, your grandfather is riding by your side."
Chapter 31
Later that day, Meg helped Alice clean out the closet with her husband’s things. While she wanted to comfort the woman, she kept thinking it was too soon to get rid of his clothes. The man was a huge part of her life and this just seemed too early.
"Are you sure, Grandmother, you want to toss his clothes?"
"Honey, he's not coming back, and looking at them hurts too much. Every time I see them, I remember him wearing the outfit."
The pain in her voice reached inside Meg and squeezed her heart. Still, the idea of tossing them out, hurt Meg. Right now, she just couldn't do it and she'd only known his grandfather for a month.
"Why don't we put them in trunks and when you're ready we can carry them into town. Plus, maybe I can go through his shirts and make something with the fabric."
For a moment, Alice halted and glanced at Meg, her face sincere. "That would be wonderful. We can take the material and make a quilt."
"Good idea," Meg said, as they laid the clothes on the bed. "That way he would keep you warm at night."
With one of the shirts, she would make Alice a special pillow to put on her bed. Something when looked at would remind her of him.
"This morning, I spoke to Martin and I'm going to tell you as well, Ira and I were blessed with a happy marriage. He actually spirited me away from a job I had teaching. My father didn't approve of Ira, but all that mattered was the love we had for each other."
The older woman turned and spoke, her voice strong. "That's what I want for you and August. Ira always put me and my needs first and the two of you should consider that with your marriage. If you don't love him enough to place his needs above your own, then let him go."
The memories from last night spiraled through her, warming her, and all she wanted to do was grab her husband and tell him she loved him. That she didn't want to leave him.
Tears welled up in Meg’s eyes. "Thank you," she said. "I've been struggling, not knowing what to do—"
The sound of a wagon pulling up outside had Alice glancing out the window. "Oh my, it’s, Martin’s father and that floozie he calls a wife."
Meg chuckled and wiped her eyes. "You mean Clara, the stepladder?"
Bessie looked at her strangely. "There's some meaning to that name that you're going to have to explain to me later. Come on, they're at the door."
What brought the governor all the way to outside of Pagosa Springs, Meg wondered. Could he have heard about the death of Martin’s grandfather or was he here for some other reason.
Alice opened the door. “Ben, how wonderful to see you and your lovely wife Clara.”
"Hello, Alice. Is Martin here?" The man stepped inside and then he saw Meg. "Nice to see you."
“Sir,” she said and walked to the stepmother who wore the latest fashionable dress and carried a matching parasol. Meg held out her hand. "Mrs. Scott, we've not met. I'm Meg, Martin’s wife."
The woman glanced down her nose at her and refused to take her offered hand. "You're that girl he was forced to marry."
Stunned at the woman's rudeness, Meg stepped back and didn't say anything.
"Where's my son?"
"He's out in the fields," Alice told the man. "The cattle in the north pasture needed fresh hay, so he's taking care of them."
The man in the suit shook his head and wrinkled his nose. "Ugh, such disgusting work, feeding livestock."
Clara walked around the room, her eyes drifting over the room. "Homey."
"I guess, he's working with Ira?”
The man didn't know about Ira’s death, so what was he doing here? And how long did he and the stepladder intend to stay, because already Meg didn't like the woman.
With a shake of her head, Alice stared at the tycoon. "Ira passed away three days ago. His funeral was yesterday.”
"I'm so sorry," Ben said with a frown. "He was a great man."
"Yes, he was," Alice said. "Can I make you a cup of coffee while you wait for Martin?”
Hopefully, once he visited with Martin, the two of them would find a hotel to spend the night in before they traveled back to the capital. What if he was here to convince Martin to return to Denver?
"That would be wonderful, but I'd really like to speak to Meg alone," he said.
A tingle of unease spiraled up Meg’s spine. Just what she didn't want—a few moments by herself with Martin’s father.
"Why don't you come with me to fix coffee, Clara, and we'll give these two time to talk."
Glancing at Alice, Meg tried to send her a signal she didn't want to be left with this powerful man. A man whose wife obviously had taken a dislike to his son's new wife.
As soon as the women walked out of the parlor, the self-important man turned on her. "My attorneys filed for an annulment," he said, letting the informati
on sink in.
Meg didn't want their marriage to end. She loved Martin and wanted to remain married.
"From what your father told me, you're wanting to go to some fancy fashion school in New York. I'll pay your way and the tuition if you'll sign the paperwork, ending this marriage, giving me my son back."
There it was, her dream, everything she wanted being handed to her and all she had to do was give up Martin. As long as she signed the papers and walked away from the man she loved, she could go to design school.
Licking her lips, she searched her heart and knew this was not what she wanted. That somehow in the last month, Martin had changed her, made her fall in love with him and given her a new dream. A dream of them having a life together. That dream superseded the dream of going to fashion school in the big city. But what if Warren didn't love her and planned to dissolve the marriage?
"No, I'm not signing any papers without speaking to my husband."
No matter what, she couldn't accept the man’s money.
"Your husband is the one who wanted this marriage ended. Why do you think I'm here? Martin told me to have the papers prepared."
Like a spear piercing her heart, she gazed at the powerful man, stunned at his words.
Was this right? They had spoken about an annulment, he even wrote to his friend, but did he contact his father and ask him to speak with his attorneys? Especially since he hated his father.
The man stared at her, his voice raising with disgust. "Look, you little tramp, I'm getting my son back, so you sign the annulment and catch the next stage out of here. This is what Martin wants."
Anger as hot as a fire popping and crackling raced through her and she smiled. "Not until I hear it from Martin’s lips."
"The boy has been waiting on this paperwork."
Could it be true? Was this what he wanted and he'd had his father prepare the necessary documents? If he wanted the annulment, she would sign the paperwork, but first she needed to talk to August.
The Debutante's Scandal: Western Historical Romance (Debutantes of Durango Book 4) Page 10