Her Heart's Desire (19 page)

“
I can do that.”

Content, she turned her attention to
the rest of the room. “I think a wardrobe will go well over there.”
She pointed to the wall adjacent to the one which had the window.
“The dresser will go here.” She pointed next to the window. “We
already know where the bed is. I suppose we’ll need a box stove
come fall.”

“
Oh, I don’t know.” Rick
placed the kerosene lamp on the trunk and dimmed the light. “We
might not need a box stove. I can keep you warm.”

She blushed at his meaning, and for
the moment, she was glad the lamp’s light was dim enough so he
didn’t see her face grow pink. She’d never been more relieved her
mother took the time to explain what to expect on her wedding
night.

He went over to her, and she did her
best to suppress her anxiety. She didn’t know why it hadn’t
occurred to her sooner that getting married earlier would mean
she’d be sharing a bed with him tonight. It must’ve been the house
and the anticipation of making this her home where she’d tend to
her husband and children. She took a deep breath and reminded
herself that her mother told her this was something a woman could
enjoy if the man was tender, and Rick was one of the most tender
people she’d ever met. He’d never do anything to hurt her. The
reminder settled her nerves a bit so that when he reached her, she
was able to focus on his smile and the excitement in his
eyes.

He cupped her face in his hands and
kissed her. His lips were soft, a mere whisper on hers. She
returned his kiss, her heart racing in nervous excitement, knowing
this was only a foretaste of the consummation of their marriage.
When he ended the kiss, she dared to make eye contact with him and
smiled.

He brushed her cheeks with his thumbs
and whispered, “I’m glad you married me tonight.”

Her face grew warm and she got ready
to respond, but he brought his lips back to hers, and this time,
the kiss was more passionate and more exciting. His hands left her
face and traveled down to her shoulders and then her back. She
wrapped her arms around his neck and gave into the need to get lost
in his kiss. It was so much better than the kisses they’d shared at
the park. This time when he kissed her, he kissed her as her
husband. There was no pretending. He wanted to be with her, not
Ethel Mae, and that made everything in being with him so much
better.

As he deepened the kiss, he brought
one of his hands up the front of her shirt. She knew where he
intended to touch her and drew slightly away from him so he could
more easily touch her breast. He cupped her gently in his hand, as
if afraid he’d hurt her. She let out a low moan as the pad of his
thumb swept across her nipple, causing a spark to travel up and
down her spine. Her mother had been right. She was going to enjoy
this part of marriage, even if the first time was going to be a
little uncomfortable when he entered her. But her mother had
assured her it’d be just the first time.

Rick parted his lips, and his tongue
brushed hers. Surprised, she opened her mouth and felt his tongue
as it interlaced with hers. His hand slipped to the buttons of her
shirt, and she waited for him to unbutton it, eager for the feel of
his hands on her bare skin. She ran her fingers through his hair,
barely noting the silky strands as he fiddled with her top button.
It took her a moment to realize he was having trouble. She ended
the kiss and glanced at his hand.

He sighed. “I’m afraid I’m not good at
this.”

“
I’ll do it,” she whispered
and proceeded to unbutton her shirt, even as she grew more and more
nervous with each button she unfastened.

Thankfully, he turned his attention to
removing his own clothing. Since he wasn’t looking directly at her,
she managed to slip out of the rest of her clothes which softly
fell to the floor. Under ordinary circumstances, she’d neatly fold
them or drape them on the back of a chair, but considering the fact
that he was removing his underwear, she figured the clothes could
wait. She slipped under the bedcovers and ventured a look in his
direction, intrigued by how he looked naked. Her gaze went to his
erection, but he joined her in bed before she got enough time to
study him.

His body was warm next to hers, and he
brought her into his arms so he could kiss her again. Despite her
nervousness, she relished the feeling of being wrapped in his
embrace where she felt protected and loved. She noted the hairs on
his chest against her breasts and the feel of his arousal pressing
into her abdomen. She wanted to touch him, to fully explore him,
but she didn’t dare, at least not this time. Everything was so new
yet, and even if she’d been told what to expect, she couldn’t bring
herself to do more than respond to him.

He deepened the kiss, and his hands
touched parts of her body she never imagined could tingle in
excitement from another’s touch. He seemed intent on studying all
of her, and she was more than happy to let him. Her flesh warmed
under his caress, her nipples hardening when he brushed them with
his fingers, tingles running up and down her spine as he stroked
back.

His tongue interlaced with hers, his
earlier gentle kisses giving way to something more demanding, but
she didn’t mind the intensity in his kiss. It was wonderfully
exciting to be so consumed by him, to know he desired her so much
he was touching and kissing her as if he couldn’t get enough of
her. Who knew under Rick Johnson’s calm exterior was a man of
intense passion?

His mouth left hers and traveled down
her neck. She shivered in delight and tightened her hold on him. He
shifted against her, his erection now closer to the patch of curls
between her legs. She gasped, knowing soon he’d be inside her,
claiming her as his wife, but she didn’t know if she was more
afraid or anxious to be filled by him. She was aware of the way her
body was getting ready for him, the area between her legs aching
and growing moist in anticipation. Her body’s response to him
intrigued her as much as his body’s response to her.

His mouth left her neck and traveled
down her collarbone and then to her breast. She gasped and wiggled.
He moaned and left a trail of kisses around her nipple before he
centered on it and flicked it with his tongue. She murmured her
appreciation and arched her back to grant him better access to her
breasts. He took his time in kissing and fondling them, and the
entire time he did, she groaned, enjoying the sweet torment he was
putting her through. Yes, her mother had told her she’d like this,
and while she hadn’t doubted her mother, she had no idea exactly
what she meant.

His hand went from her breast to her
legs. Without prompting, she spread her legs for him. His fingers
brushed the folds of her flesh, and she moved her hips to grant him
better access to whatever he wanted. In response, he slid a finger
into her and she squirmed in pleasure. Who knew that area of her
body could feel so amazing? She gripped the sheet beneath her and
murmured for him to continue so she could experience this bit of
heaven even more.

He complied by sliding another finger
into her and stroking her core. He brought his lips to her ear and
whispered her name while he continued to stroke her, building the
tension inside her. Her hand went over his and she directed his
thumb to her sensitive nub that begged to be fondled. He followed
her lead and made circular motions over her nub. She was barely
aware that he lifted his head so he could watch her. Even though a
part of her felt self-conscious, he softly told her he’d never seen
a more seductive sight, and knowing he was aroused by watching her
made her more comfortable so she could focus on the mounting
pleasure between her legs.

His thumb worked faster on her
sensitive nub, his fingers stroking her core. She rocked her hips,
aiding him along as she worked her way to completion. She could
definitely get used to doing this with him. Being in bed with him,
discovering the pleasure inherent in their coming together as man
and wife. She hoped it would never end, and yet, her body demanded
she climax. Finally, when she thought she couldn’t take it anymore,
she reached her peak and cried out in pleasure. It was wonderful.
Utterly and completely wonderful, and she stayed suspended in the
moment for as long as she could before she began her gentle descent
back to Earth.

He was already moving on top of her
before she had time to understand what was going on. His arousal
pressed against the part of her that marked her a virgin, and when
he pressed through the barrier, she gave a slight groan, aware of
the stinging sensation that she’d been told to expect. It wasn’t as
bad as she feared, thankfully, and she appreciated the fact that he
waited for her to adjust to him.

He brought his lips to hers and kissed
her. “Sally?”

Letting go of the sheet, she brought
her hands to his waist and rocked her hips, a silent encouragement
for him to keep going. He moaned in appreciation and brought
himself almost all the way out of her before he gently eased back
into her. This time it didn’t sting so much, so she worked with
him, moving her hips in time with his as he got her body used to
him.

She appreciated the care he was giving
her, and kissed his cheek to thank him. He whispered her name again
and then moved faster, thrusting deeper inside her. She focused on
the feel of him, taking note of how he filled her core and stroked
the sensitive places within her that she hadn’t been aware of
before now. She wrapped her legs around his waist so he could go
even deeper, and soon after, his body grew taut as he let out a
soft cry. He throbbed inside her, and she felt him spill his seed
into her.

Afterwards, he collapsed in her arms.
She held him, happy to kiss his cheek and shoulder, loving the way
his heart beat in time with hers. Though she was aware that he
softened inside her, she loved that he remained there, prolonging
the intimate connection she had with him. A couple minutes passed,
and he lifted his head so he could kiss her, his lips gentle and
warm. When the kiss ended, she sighed in contentment. Being here
with Rick was like a dream come true, and the best part was that
she’d get to spend the rest of her life with him.

He eased himself from her and settled
next to her. He brought her into his arms and kissed the top of her
head. Resting his cheek against the top of her head, he murmured,
“You’re the best thing that’s happened to me.”

Smiling, she snuggled closer to him.
“You’re the best thing that’s happened to me, too.”

She remained awake in his arms, even
after he drifted off to sleep. She replayed the day’s events in her
mind, reliving every moment from the fear he’d never want to be
with her to the thrill of finding out he did. She couldn’t wait to
go to her family with him by her side as her husband. Sally
Johnson. She repeated her new name to herself as she imagined what
their future would hold. They’d have a couple of children, she was
sure, and she’d be there to take care of him when he came home
tired after a long day at work. With another contented sigh, she
repeated her name to herself once more and then fell
asleep.

Chapter Fourteen

The next day as they got dressed for
church, Sally turned to Rick as he tucked his shirt into his pants.
She put her brush down on top of the trunk and went over to him.
Wrapping her arms around his waist, she kissed him. He lightly
moaned and deepened the kiss. She wiggled against him, purposely
teasing him now that she knew what she could do to arouse him. His
hands traveled down to her bottom and caressed it.

She traced his lower lip with her
tongue, and he opened his mouth to receive her. While she brushed
his tongue with hers, she slipped her hand down between them and
rubbed his erection. She ran her fingers down the length of him,
loving how she could make him hard and ready for making love. Maybe
it was a wicked thing to do, to tease him like this, but she
couldn’t deny the sense of power it gave her.

He ended the kiss and groaned. “We
can’t do this right now.”

Giggling, she kissed his neck and gave
his erection a light squeeze. “You feel good.”

“
You do, too.” He pulled
her hand away from his arousal and sighed. “But we need to go to
church. I might have asked your father for permission to marry you,
but I’d still like to see him and make sure he’s alright with
it.”

She smiled and gave him a pristine
kiss. “I think that’s a wonderful thing you did.”

Returning her smile, he shrugged. “It
was the right thing to do. I’m glad he said yes. We haven’t known
each other for long.”

“
You don’t have to know
someone for long to know the person is right for you.”

“
I agree.” He kissed her
cheek. “Are you ready to go?”

She nodded and joined him as they left
the room.

The walk to the church was a short
one, but she figured after all the times she’d taken the buckboard
from her parents’ place to church, a few blocks would seem quick.
By the time they arrived there, she saw her family spread
throughout the lawn, mingling with their friends.

“
Do you want to talk to my
pa first?” she asked Rick. “He’s right over there.” She pointed to
where her father was talking to a couple of men.