by Kari Trumbo
“I’m well provided for. I know you can take care of me.” She snuggled in closer, enjoying his strong arms encasing her. Hadn’t he rushed all the way across town in the middle of the night to make sure she was all right?
Elias laughed, a short humorless snort. “I can see how well I take care of you. You ran out of my house to get supper on your own and sleep in a bed that’s not under my roof. Too afraid to even take advantage of what I’ve provided. You say that I don’t frighten you, but your actions speak louder than your words.”
She had been frightened, but not that he would be angry over eating a can of beans. She’d been afraid of his disappointment. All her life, she’d tried to please everyone. First her sisters, then her lawyer boss, and finally her husband. His disappointment was more terrifying than his anger, or his size.
Daisy stretched her legs and stood, holding out her hand for Elias. He glanced at her, worry lines creeping around his handsome eyes. He took her hand but stood without pulling on her. The moment he was up she wrapped her arms around his neck. He was so tall, that even when she stood on her toes he towered above her. His eyes were wary of her intentions, but she wouldn’t let that stop her. If her actions spoke louder than her words, she’d show him there was no fear in her.
It only took a gentle tug to bring him down to her level and he didn’t fight when she pressed her lips to his. The heady rush of temporarily being in control excited every nerve in her body, some she was completely unfamiliar with. She dragged her fingers up into his soft, thick hair and held tight as he lost the fight for control, wrapping his arms around her, lifting her off the floor and holding her tightly pressed to him.
She wouldn’t let him go. This was just what she’d wanted for so long. Him. He’d been her hero, the man of her dreams, and Elias in the flesh was so much better, so exciting and soul-stirring. He kissed his way to her jaw and she arched back to let him have his way, but after a moment, he froze, his lips on her neck.
“No…” He set her slowly down on the floor, but she wouldn’t let go of her hold around his neck. She wouldn’t lose the battle for his heart without a fight.
“Come, Elias. Let’s get some sleep.” She took his hand and led him to her room.
He stared at her, so unsure of her purpose.
“Just lie down. We’re both tired and need to rest, the dark circles under your eyes tell me how tired you are.” And she had every intention of sleeping right next to him, tucked in his strong arms all night, if she could. She’d put herself in that spot every night until he gave in and realized she wasn’t going to leave him and she wasn’t afraid of him.
Elias pulled back her coverlet on her tiny bed against the wall, sat down and took off his boots. He was barely dressed for walking about with his shirt hanging open, revealing a smattering of sandy hair over the top of his chest. She couldn’t stop staring at him, he was far too handsome to be hers. He slid in against the wall and lay with his arm propped under his head, watching her. Daisy turned her back to him but didn’t turn off the gas lights. If he didn’t want to watch her, he could close his eyes.
She untucked her bodice from her skirt and reached underneath to unclasp the busk on her stays. Being so small, she’d never had to cinch much anyway. She tossed the corset onto the chair of her dressing table. Elias’s eyes were trained on her, she could feel his stare, and the hair raised on her neck as a shiver ran down her spine. She turned to him and his eyes smoldered. She climbed into her bed next to him. Since the mattress was so narrow, she lay with her back facing him, but pressed close, their knees curved together, his chest to her back. He draped his arm over her hip and she sighed, so content to finally be where she belonged.
He nuzzled behind her ear and breathed deeply, then lay a tender kiss there before his breathing evened out into a soft snore. Daisy closed her eyes, drinking in every moment, because she wasn’t guaranteed to ever be there again.
Chapter 15
His nose tickled. Elias opened one eye and realized he was in a sea of soft blonde wavy hair that smelled like a lilac bush. Daisy was still tight against him and his hand was around her tiny middle, keeping her there, where he both didn’t want her, yet felt she belonged. He leaned up and her face was like an angel’s, soft, reposed, happy. Happy. She was happy and content in his arms. He’d never dared hope that was possible.
How could he keep from her, keep that boundary that needed to stay there, if she kept breaking down his walls? She had no care for her own safety and just continued to tempt him. That kiss last night had shaken him. He’d never even tried to see other women, had never kissed anyone but Daisy, and the sensations she evoked when her lips touched his … he wasn’t prepared. Could never be prepared for what she did to him.
How did his parents remain apart if they felt the same? If they were drawn to one another, could those feelings be stemmed? They had to be. It would crush him if he hurt Daisy. Even now, he was afraid to touch her, though he wanted to. Afraid that it would sap away all his control once again. He swallowed the dry laugh that came to his throat. He’d accused Daisy of being afraid when he was the only one guilty of fear. Quiet Daisy was a beautiful force of nature.
His lovely bride shifted in her sleep and rolled over to face him. Her forehead rested against his chest and she snuggled in like Patches to a warm corner. He ached to hold her, to languish the day away with her right there. They didn’t need to get up or eat, not really.
Her eyes opened, and she tilted her head up to him with a sweet, sleepy smile.
“Good morning.”
He couldn’t deny it. “Yes, it is.” He gave in to the urge to touch her and traced her jaw. Her skin was like silk. She closed her eyes and let him do as he pleased, her smile languid and a sound came from her throat like a purr. Such a good wife, but he couldn’t take advantage.
“We should gather what you need and then go get the car. Enough of the town will be at church that they won’t see us walking home.” He glanced down at his clothes. It hadn’t mattered last night, but in the light of day, he certainly wasn’t dressed for a Sunday walk along the boulevard.
“We could just stay here until the evening and walk home when it’s dark again.” She smiled at him and slid a little closer.
He fit his hand under her jaw then back into her hair, teasing the soft strands at the nape of her neck with the tips of his fingers. “I wish we could, but my Gracie would be none-too-pleased, and you wouldn’t enjoy the mess in the house.”
Daisy’s face went sour for a moment and he chuckled. “Not that I wanted you to think about such things this morning.”
She raised onto her elbow and he thought for a moment she might lean forward and claim another kiss. His heart beat frantically as he held his breath.
“And just what did you want me to think of this morning, Elias?” She stared straight into his eyes. No fear, no bravado, just honesty and a spark of need.
“I wanted you to think about coming home with me. Staying with me. No more running. We said our apologies, let’s mean them and move on.”
“And can I expect you to move my trunk to your room yet again?”
He was tired of moving that heavy thing, but she was too tempting.
“Daisy, I can’t…”
“You can. You were with me last night. We both survived just fine, in fact, more than fine. I rather liked it.”
So did he, but how long would he be satisfied with just curling up next to her before he needed more? She was too beautiful, too smart, and he loved her too much.
“If I lay next to you every night, I’m afraid…” He didn’t want to be afraid, it wasn’t a manly way to live.
“You’ve lived in fear of what might happen for far too long. We’ve known each other since we were young, and you let this fear rule you then. If you had asked me to marry you under that tree, I would’ve. Right then. You didn’t need that paper agreement. You didn’t need to make me wait. I gladly signed, hoping you would someday return. If you had kis
sed me under that tree, instead of asking if I’d ever been kissed, I would’ve followed you east to school and we’d have a houseful of children right now.”
Her last words chilled his heart and he pushed himself up, climbed over the top of her and out of the bed. That’s what he needed to remember. She could never bear a child. Not his, anyway. And she couldn’t join him in his room again.
The warmth of Elias’s gaze touched the top of her shoulder once again as they walked back to their house. Though he couldn’t stand her poor cat, he carried Patches and put up with the horrible crying coming from inside her box. She’d had to find her cat that morning, as just being around Elias put Patches on the defensive.
He’d offered his elbow, like the gentleman he was, when they’d left her apartment, but she’d taken his hand instead. Though children held hands and it wasn’t often that adults did, she wanted to feel him, not just his sleeve. He’d smiled slightly, his ears went a little red, but he hadn’t let go.
They’d walked for blocks that way and were almost home when a car careened around the corner and came barreling at them, honking and making a fuss. A scream lodged somewhere in her throat, and Elias tried to shove her out of the way, but she held too tightly to his hand. The car screeched to a halt right in front of them.
She shook from head to foot as Elias wrapped his strong arm around her shoulder and set Patches down on the ground. The driver got out and came forward. Elias held her tighter and she shuddered as he spat the name, “Payton.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t see you,” he stammered.
“We weren’t right out in the street. You had to cross over to even come near us.” He protected her from Payton, shielding her with his body.
“No need to get upset. Now that I’ve seen you again, Miss Arnsby, er…” He glanced to the sky as if confused, but she knew better. She’d never introduced herself as Miss Arnsby to him.
“Mr. Payton, I told you yesterday. My name is Mrs. Laury. What do you need to tell me?”
He frowned and glanced at Elias. “Only that your Potters fellow was over at my place last night. I saw him and scared him off. They’ve got no business touching my auto.”
He stomped back and slid behind the wheel, slamming his door. He pulled around them and took off with a belch of smoke.
“Is it supposed to do that?” She stared after him, the thick black cloud following him for blocks.
“No. Either Martin has already done something to that car, or Payton intentionally did something to it to get my client arrested. Seems like an expensive way to get rid of someone, but it wouldn’t be the first I’ve seen it.”
He grasped her shoulders and his soft brown eyes searched hers. “Are you all right. You’re still shaking.”
She’d never come so close to danger and now she was sure that type of adventure could stay in Frances’s books. “I’m sure I’ll be fine, just surprised is all.” She fixed her hat, embarrassed at her own fears.
“Thank you.” He smiled at her and it was so new it made her heart flutter.
“For what?” She’d do it again every day to see that utter happiness on his face.
“For letting me protect you, for showing me you don’t care for Payton. For holding onto me so tightly that I couldn’t even push you to safety.”
She laughed and took his hand once again. It had come so naturally to hold tight to him when she was frightened. She hadn’t even thought about it in the moment.
“Isn’t a wife to cleave to her husband?” She caught his gaze again and this time, he laughed, too.
“At the risk of being cleaved in two?”
“I’m pretty sure it doesn’t say, ‘unless an auto is racing at you’.”
Elias released her hand and slid his arm around her. “Be that as it may, thank you for allowing me to be your husband. It does my heart good to know that in a moment of need, my mind knows exactly what to do to protect my wife.”
His wife. The one he pulled in close as they walked. He was the one who joked with her and the one who made her heart race, even after so many years apart.
Patches scratched at the lid of the box, and Elias slid his hand from her waist and clasped her fingers again as he leaned low to pick up the cat.
“We’d better get home, before we attract too much attention.” He smiled down at her and her heart did another little flip. Home, for an entire day, with Elias.
Chapter 16
If she ever admitted to Elias that she didn’t want to go to work, he’d latch onto it and never let her forget. He already wanted her to stay at home. It wasn’t just that she didn’t want to go, but she’d rather he could stay with her, as well. They’d never had time after their wedding to even get to know each other better, and every stolen moment brought her closer to the man she loved.
He’d finished shaving and trimming his beard and had gone behind the screen he’d put up for dressing. She’d already donned a frilly bodice with a simple skirt and now used his shaving mirror to do her hair. All day Sunday, instead of resting as they were used to, they moved the remainder of her belongings from her room at the boarding house to their home and had placed everything. He’d even agreed to keep her ugly old chair.
They had worked together all day, eaten supper together, then sat together and talked for hours about nothing, and everything, just as they used to under the tree back in school. Patches had hidden at bedtime, but neither of them were disturbed by scuffling in the night as she woke with his arm protectively—or was it possessively—around her once again. Daisy breathed a sigh of relief when she found her cat curled at the end of their bed in the morning, instead of disturbing Gracie. She didn’t need her cat getting in the way of what was happening between her and her husband.
Elias came from behind the curtain wall, dressed in a handsome black suit and tie. He laid his hands on her shoulders, then leaned over and softly kissed the back of her neck, sending a shiver to the tips of her fingers.
“I won’t be in court today. I’ve got to go visit Saunders and try to get him to agree to a compromise. I’ll also try to get him to tell me where Martin is. They must be working together, if Payton saw him.” He straightened, focusing on the mirror, and fussed with his tie. His eyes narrowed in frustration.
She stood and swatted his fingers from the task, taking over, soon fixing his perfect four-in-hand and tightening it just so. She flattened the wide lapels of his high button, double breasted suit coat.
“There. You look too handsome for the jail house.” Instead of backing away as she should, she stayed close, hoping he would take her in his arms.
“Thank you.” He didn’t hold her but leaned down and kissed the edge of her mouth as heat suffused her face.
The more open he became with his light kisses and touches, the more she craved. He’d been right. If they continued on this path, she would want more and more of him, much more than he was willing to give.
“You know just where I’ll be, though I wish it was with you. I feel like we’ve only just begun, and work is getting in the way today.”
He laughed, his eyes finally bright. “We’ll just have to put our evenings to better use.”
She giggled, and he snapped his mouth shut, then sighed. “I didn’t mean that how it sounded.”
Daisy ran her fingers up his strong arms to his broad shoulders. If he wasn’t going to hold her, she’d hold him until he learned how. “I’m your wife, Elias. I know just exactly what you meant. I look forward to our evenings together. And our nights.”
His eyes widened slightly, and she took his moment of shock to stretch up on her toes and brush her lips against his. She pulled away and he reached for her. She giggled once again and dodged from his grasp, laughing as he chased her around the room.
When she was almost out of breath, she ran for the door and he slid in the doorway just ahead of her, blocking her exit. His eyes roved over her, his heart on his sleeve. She rested her hands on her hips and cocked her head.
“Well, now that you have me trapped, what will you do?”
He smiled, bigger than she’d ever seen, and with his eyes twinkling, she couldn’t breathe. “You let me win,” he teased.
It may have been true, but she’d never admit it to her lawyer husband, so she just smiled back. “I still lost.”
His arm snaked around her waist. “In order to pass, you have to pay the toll.”
“I may be in your debt for life. My job doesn’t pay all that well.” What would he ask of her? Her whole body was alive with excitement.
He drew her closer, his strong arm flexing around her, she tilted her head back so she wouldn’t lose his gaze, so intent on her. “Your toll is that you never forget that you’re mine.” His mouth came down on hers, quick and insistent, driving her to feel bursts of energy through her like she’d never felt before.
She couldn’t catch her breath as he pulled away. What was this feeling? As if she could run the span of the world twice over and catch the moon in a net, like she could do anything all at once, as long as whatever it was included Elias.
“You’d better get on your way to work,” he mumbled in her ear, his voice raspy with emotion.
She didn’t want to go. If she stayed, would he finally explore whatever it was that made her body do such strange things? She reached for him again and he wove his hands with hers instead, blocking her from holding him.
“No. I can’t take much more of this play. You must go now.” He turned his face from her, squeezed her fingers, then let her go.
Daisy closed her eyes as she left the room. Those feelings wouldn’t leave her as she thought they would, and now she had nowhere to channel them.
She pinned her hat to her hair and took up her purse. Her heart ached for Elias and what he’d started in her, but she wouldn’t give up. The day had only just begun.