Bounty Hunter Proposal (9 page)

The festivities at the Suttons’ home were accompanied by more varieties of dishes than Matt had ever seen in one sitting. This sort of party was a common occurrence, one of the Sutton men explained. Ben, Violet’s husband, said they had a pavilion built so that bad weather would never threaten one of the family’s celebrations.

The men and women had eaten at separate tables, but now tables and chairs were being cleared to make way for dancing. Lanterns cast shadows. An evening breeze blew. Matthias instinctively searched for Isabelle and the boys.

Luke and Seth sat in a circle with other children, playing a game of jacks. Women stood in small groups, talking and laughing, but Isabelle was not among them. He scanned the crowd. Where
was
she?

The thready note of a violin hung in the air, above the hum of conversation. The old fellow who everyone called Shorty tuned his instrument. Why they called him Shorty had to be a joke. He was tall and gangly. During the baby’s christening, he’d sniffled and wiped tears from his eyes, and so it was clear Shorty had a tender heart.

He pushed through the crowd until he found Violet Sutton. “Have you seen Isabelle?”

Violet’s lips quirked. “Missing your
bride
, Mr. Hudson.”

Matt sighed. Over dinner, Ben and Cameron Sutton had given him enough good-natured ribbing about his marriage and instant family. He wasn’t sure how much the men knew about the arrangement, but he was certain Violet and Savannah knew. He’d seen the shock come over their faces and reveled in it.

“Yes, ma’am,” Matt replied. It was true, he realized with some degree of surprise. He hadn’t spoken to her in an hour or more and only caught a few glimpses of her over dinner. She wore a dress the color of a robin’s egg, and anytime he looked at her, the sight stole his breath. Now he wanted to see her, talk to her, take her into his arms and dance.

“Maybe Isabelle will be the woman to get you to settle down.” Violet tilted her head towards a chair in the corner of the hall. “You could take Sheriff Reid’s job.”

The sheriff sat in the chair, but he slumped over the table, snoring loudly.

Violet rolled her eyes. “He insisted on being invited. At least he’s not a mean drunk.”

“Hope he left someone capable to watch over Hughes,” he said.

“The whole town will give a sigh of relief tomorrow when they hang that man. Not everyone believes in executing criminals. I had a long debate with Savannah today. She thinks it’s cruel. I say hanging’s too good for Darrell Hughes.”

A movement caught Matt’s eye. Isabelle stood near the back of the hall, speaking to two men. A surge of possessiveness came over him.

“Who are those men?” he asked.

Violet sighed. “The McKenzie brothers. They might be the only two men in the county who don’t know that Isabelle is…” Her words drifted off.

“Married,” he offered.

“Ah, yes. Married.”

She’d scarcely finished her words when Matt left her, striding to Isabelle’s side. “Evening,” he said.

One glance at Isabelle, and he knew the men had been up to no good. Her face was flushed, and her eyes were wide.

One of the men curled his lip with disdain. “My brother and I are having a conversation with this nice lady, if you don’t mind.”

“I do mind,” Matt growled. “This nice lady is my wife.”

The man scoffed. “How come I never seen you around before?”

“I don’t need to answer to you, son. Leave my wife alone.”

The other man turned to face him, and both crossed their arms over their chests. The posture was a clear gesture of belligerence.

“Lots of men would like to get their hands on that property and the pretty owner.”

“Too late, boys,” Matt said. “Both the property and the pretty owner are mine now.”

“You’re some kind of big talker aren’t you? Who are you?”

“My name is Matthias Hudson.”

The first man gave a bark of laughter. “Bullshit.”

Matt grabbed the man by the wrist, spun him around and twisted his arm behind his back. He spoke quietly. “The Suttons are nice people, and I don’t want to spoil their party.”

The man gasped with pain and tried to get away, but when Matt jerked his arm up, he grew still.

“What do I need to do exactly to show you who I am?” Matt snarled.

The other man backed away, his hands raised in surrender. "Come on Billy, don't mess around. We don't need any trouble with the Suttons, and we sure don't need any trouble with Mr. Hudson."

"I don't see any reason for either of you boys to ever speak to my wife again. Do you?"

Both men shook their heads. "No, sir."

Matt released the man's arm, and he staggered away, rubbed his shoulder and grimaced.

“We thought it was just a rumor, that's all. Some people around here were saying Isabelle made up that story just to get men to leave her alone. We didn't mean to cause any trouble.”

Matt scowled at the two men. “You know anything about her barn being burned down?”

“No, sir. We don't know anything about that.”

“Is everything all right here?”

Matt turned to find the preacher standing beside Isabelle, a look of concern on his face.

“Everything's fine, sir,” Matt said. He kept his eyes on the two McKenzie brothers as they slunk away into the crowd. “The problem is that Isabelle and I only have a marriage on paper.” He ignored Isabelle’s murmur of dismay. “We haven't said our vows in front of a preacher.” He turned to Isabelle. “Don't you think it's time we did that?”

The preacher smiled. “We could do that right now.”

Isabelle gripped his arm. “Can I have a word with you please?”

“How about we have that word while we're dancing?”

Isabelle nodded. Matt took her hand and led her through the crowd to the dance floor. He tugged her into his arms, and they started to move to the music. Holding her close felt natural, as natural as asking the preacher to marry them had felt a moment before.

“What are we doing, Matthias?”

“The two-step, Isabelle.”

They passed the group of boys playing jacks, and both Seth and Luke looked up and waved.

“We’re going to go in front of the preacher. He'll probably want us to have a witness.”

They danced the rest of the song without speaking, and when it ended, she kept her eyes downcast. He lifted her chin.

“Isabelle Hudson,” he said with a smile. “Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

She nodded, a blush staining her cheeks. “I will.”

He kissed her, a gentle and chaste kiss. When the music started up again, he took her hand and led her to the preacher. They crossed the room, and he caught Violet’s and Savannah’s eyes and beckoned them.

“Just the Sutton ladies and the boys,” Isabelle murmured.

They walked past the boys’ games. Matt told Seth to bring Luke. While the band played a sweet polka tune, the group gathered for a quiet ceremony.

“I thought you were already married,” Seth said as he scratched his head. “How many times are you gonna get married, Belle?”

“This is the last time, Seth,” Matt said.

Isabelle kept her gaze fixed on him as they exchanged vows. Her voice trembled. He squeezed her hands to offer silent encouragement. Beside him, Violet sniffled when he leaned down to kiss Isabelle.

“Savannah and I are going to keep the children for a few nights, Isabelle,” Violet said, drawing Seth and Luke to her side. “You two go on home.”

Matt smiled. “You want to stay with the Suttons, Seth?”

“Yes, sir,” Seth replied and took his brother’s hand. “We always like staying here.”

“They’ll be fine here,” Savannah said. “Isabelle knows that we’ll watch them just like they were our own.”

“Before Isabelle could utter a word of argument, Matt whisked her out of the hall and took her home.

“Those men were bothering you, Isabelle.”

His voice was low and deep, and while she didn’t think he was angry, she knew he wasn’t happy.

“That used to happen all the time,” she said, unbuttoning her dress slowly.

The candlelight flickered, and shadows danced on the walls. Rain fell steadily. On a different night she would have been too tired, but not tonight. They didn’t have a drop of rain on their way home from the Suttons but now it drummed on the roof.

Her every nerve hummed with a new awareness. She was alone. With Matthias. They’d spoken their vows. It was official.

“If someone bothers you, it’s up to me to take care of it,” he said.

She felt him step behind her, and the way he loomed over her stole her breath. Giving a quick nod, she waited.

“Seth and Luke. I watch over them, too. From now on you tell me. Clear?”

“Yes,” she breathed. “What if you’re not here?”

“Where would I be?”

“Bounty hunting. Somewhere.”

“You’re not getting rid of me.” His soft laughter washed over her. He turned her around and pinned her with his gaze. “It’s been a long day for you. Don’t fret, Isabelle. We have forever.”

Her breath caught, and she let him tend to her, undressing her slowly. First her dress, and then her chemise, and after that he took off her boots and stockings. He left her pantalets on and tugged a gown over her head. She felt like a child being readied for the night.

He undressed down to a pair of drawers and led her to bed.

“I’m sorry, Matthias. This is so unnerving.”

When he blew the flame from the lamp, the room was plunged into darkness, and normally the dark frightened her, but tonight she welcomed it. It shielded her from his sight.

Coaxing her to the bed, he murmured soft words and settled beside her. He felt so big and so powerful, the hard muscles of his chest pressed against her shoulders. His erection pressed against her bottom. Despite her fear, her skin tingled with anticipation. Arousal shimmered along her thighs and dampened her sex. She turned in his arms to face him, and the movement drew a groan from him.

“Isabelle,” he muttered. “I was going to tell you to go to sleep.”

Her heart crashed against her chest. She should take his offer, but she wanted his hands on her, his lips tasting hers and wicked words whispered in her ear.

“It seems…daunting,” she said softly. “I never wanted to lie with a man before I met you, but you make me wonder what it would be like. Tell me what happens.”

He pressed her back to the mattress. “Are you trying to seduce me?”

She heard the smile in his words, and when he kissed her neck, he muddled her thoughts so much, she didn’t know how to respond.

“Or are you teasing me?” he asked.

“What if I
am
trying to seduce you?”

“Then it’s working.”

She threaded her fingers through his hair as he kissed her shoulders.

“Maybe I’m just teasing you,” she whispered. “What then?”

A slow rumble of laughter met her ear. He sucked her nipple and flicked his tongue across the pebbled tip.

She shivered, her need climbing with each passing moment. Teasing him like this made her dread recede. His warm mouth on her tender skin made her want more, and toying with him excited her, too. A gentle game of push and pull.

“I
am
sleepy, Matthias.”

“You can have your spanking now or in the morning. Your choice.”

“Maybe I’m not
that
tired…”

Part of her couldn’t believe she was teasing and joking with him while she was half-naked beneath him, but in a way it felt natural. They’d teased and bantered almost from the beginning. He nipped her gently as he lowered himself past her belly and to her sex. She was slick with need, and in a moment he’d taste her again.

“You’re not sleepy, Isabelle. You’re wet, and now I’m going to show you what happens when you tease me.”

His tongue flicked against her clit, making her flinch. He pinned her to the bed with one hand and pushed her thigh back with the other. Slowly, he licked, lazily dipping his tongue between her swollen folds and sucking on her clit.

Wind blew against the house, and a flash of lightning illuminated the room. In that instant she saw him between her legs, and it both shocked and aroused her. He was doing something utterly filthy to her, something she’d never even imagined, and she wanted more. She felt weak and powerless beneath him. It was all she could do to coax air into her lungs. The onslaught of pleasure left her without strength or thought.

“Sweet baby,” he said.

Her breathing came in soft gasps. “Matthias, I need…more.”

He kissed the inside of her thigh and rose over her. She felt him press against her.

He lowered himself to his elbows and nuzzled her neck. “Teasing you is like torturing myself. I need more, too.”

She gripped his shoulders and felt a stab of pain. She cried out, and he stilled. He waited a long moment before resuming. Kissing her, he took small strokes, going slowly and gently.

“Better, Isabelle?” His voice was taut, and he shook. He was holding himself back to spare her some of the agony, but hurt gave way to something different. When he was inside, her body responded to his, moving with him and opening to receive him.

“Yes,” she murmured. “It’s much better.”

Desire swirled in her core. She lifted her legs to clasp him with her thighs, and he let out a low, shuddering groan.

He gripped her hips and drove harder. His skin was covered in a sheen of sweat, and she brushed her lips over his neck, wiping the perspiration from him. Never before had she imagined anything like this, but her needs and responses were reduced to something primal. The cares of her world vanished. There was only this man, her husband.

He stroked her breast and plucked the nipple, gently and then more forcefully. Pleasure flared from her breast to her sex and across her senses, and suddenly she found it hard to breathe. She panted and arched beneath him.

“Beautiful,” he muttered. “
So beautiful
.”

Her pleasure climbed and crested. Light exploded behind her eyes, and she cried out his name. An instant later, he followed her over. Every muscle in his body tightened, and he snarled. For a moment he held himself over her until his breathing slowed, until finally he lowered himself beside her.

He got out of the bed and lit the lantern. When he came back to the bed a moment later, he held a wet cloth.

“I hurt you,” he said simply. Cleaning her tenderly, he frowned. “It won’t be so bad the next time.”

“It wasn’t so bad this time.” She smiled at him and reached for the cloth, but he swatted her hand away. “In fact, I liked it very much.”

He gave her an answering smile, and when he came back to the bed, he pulled her into his arms, tugging the blanket over them. The rain continued, drumming on the rooftop and cascading off the edge. A chill hung in the air, and she relished the feel of his warm body around hers. How many nights had she fallen asleep in this cabin, cold and fearful? Tonight she drifted off to sleep, warm and content, listening to the sound of rainfall.