Kismet (18 page)

“Fuck me!” I yell my demand.

Kris sits back on his knees, thighs spread wide, and grabs my hips. I can feel his hot breath on my neck as he lowers me onto his throbbing cock. Inch by inch, I slide down, until my ass allows him entry. Until I am full. The unbelievable sensation torments me, tries to pull me under.

Behind me, Kris starts to pump. I’m not positive that I’m fully prepared for this gigantic man to fit in such a little hole, but little by little I feel the slide, in and out like a well-oiled machine.

The world around us is dark; rain falls as thunder rolls overhead. We don’t care if it’s not exactly safe out here. Our lives are focused into our bodies becoming one. One spirit, one rhythm.

Kris’s thumb continues to caress my nub, rubbing it with each thrust as he pushes into my body. It is too much. I scream as I am flung off that pinnacle, over the threshold. I climax so hard I see stars.

But I’m not alone.

“Fuck!” Kris moans, and his body is out of control. One thrust, again, and he erupts like a volcano.

I have no recollection of us leaving that glade; only bits of memory surface of me being taken back to the cabin. And then warmth and darkness fully engulf me. Content, sated, happy, I fall into the dream that awaits me.

Chapter Sixteen

The dawn is cool, though the hint of heat is already present. My grandmother sits on her porch, sipping her homemade concoction of coffee and chicory. She doesn’t look surprised to see me, and I’ve often wondered if she doesn’t have a bit of premonition in her as well.

I climb the few steps and sit in the chair next to her. The sky in the east is dark. A storm is coming.

“You’ll be leaving soon,” Eulalie says in the comfortable silence between us.

“Yes,” I say. I have no need to pretend I’m here for any other reason. “This was always just a temporary stop in my journey.”

“Mm.”

She sips her drink, staring at nothing. I watch her, seeing points of my mom in her profile. The same nose and chin. The same hairline.

“You’ll be careful? No more bullets?”

“I don’t know,” I answer truthfully. “I’ll do anything to protect my man. And he’d do anything to protect me.”

“Mm.”

I’ve come to realize that murmur is her way of digesting information.

“Is that man of yours ready to make you an honest woman?”

“I don’t know. We could ask him.”

Eulalie follows my gaze. Kris has just come out of the cabin, looking around. When he spots me he starts heading toward my grandmother’s porch. She doesn’t say anything more, only drinking her morning coffee and watching him with hawklike intensity.

“Morning,” Kris greets her.

Eulalie sighs, puts her empty mug down next to her rocker, then bridges her fingers across her belly.

“Eva-Ann says y’all plan to leave soon.”

Other than raising an eyebrow, Kris doesn’t show his surprise at the news.

“But I got me a condition,” she continues, her voice turning stern.

“Name it,” he says.

“You make my girl an honest one. I won’t have her running all over the US with a man without benefit of marriage. She’s not her mother.”

My breath hitches in my throat, and I cough slightly from the unexpected comment. There could be no other words in the universe that ease the fear in my soul quite like my grandmother’s statement.

“Of course.” He agrees without hesitating.

I see Eulalie’s shoulders relax. “Then tonight we’ll have a wedding.”

I almost fall over laughing when I see the look of surprise spread over his face.

Chapter Seventeen

I spend the rest of the day away from Kris as my family hurriedly puts together a wedding. The men take the groom away, somewhere, while all the females pull out every single dress they own, trying to find the perfect one for me. It’s my cousin Daphne who finds a lovely lavender slip dress made of chiffon that floats all around me as I walk. Absolutely perfect.

A feast begins.
Sac-a-lait
fish, catfish, sautéed alligator, and various other bayou goodies are caught and fried to perfection. Crawfish, crabs, and shrimp currently boil along with okra, potatoes, and corn on the cob. Decorations go up. Old men and women get out their fiddles and guitars and start tuning.

Happiness washes through me even though I’m definitely not the type of girly girl who likes primping. Still, when the women are done with me and I look in the mirror, I’m amazed at the transformation they’ve wrought.

My long hair is twisted up in an elegant chignon with wispy strands dangling around my face. I’m even wearing makeup. The dusty colors highlighting my blue eyes make them look bigger. Lipstick deepens the rose of my lips.

And then it’s time.

The sun has passed its zenith and starts its descent when I’m escorted by the women out of Eulalie’s house and into the small church located only a few blocks away. Everyone has shown up; most are dressed in their Sunday best. The church doors are thrown open, and I see Kris at the front, standing in front of a preacher. Every pew is full to bursting.

Eulalie takes my hand and walks me down the aisle.

The whole affair is a dream. I smile through the ceremony. My right hand holds Kris’s tightly, and soon we’re joined as man and wife, united in love.

The party that is thrown for us is loud and fun and lasts all night long. Lots of dancing; lots of drinking. As much as I love my family, I want to spend time with my new husband, so I take his hand, and we walk quietly away.

The moonlight shines bright, illuminating our way. The air is hot and heavy still, even without the sun.

“We can leave tomorrow,” I say to him.

“Are we settling in Wyoming, then?”

“Can you be happy just patrolling over a settlement instead of fighting the good fight?”

“It is the Wild West once again,” he reminds me.

I laugh. How lucky I am that fate chose me for this man.

Loose Id Titles by Beth D. Carter

A Man After Midnight

A Silver Lining

Kismet

Spirals

Beth D. Carter

I’ve been pretty fortunate in life to experience some amazing things. I’ve lived in France, traveled throughout Europe, Australia and New Zealand. I am a mom to an amazing little boy named Hadrian. I live in Los Angeles, surrounded by friends and family, and work in a career that I love. I’ve managed to fulfill my lifelong dream of being published. I can’t imagine not creating stories and becoming obsessed with characters I create. I am constantly trying to better my craft and each book is something near and dear to my heart. I love writing characters who are real, complex and full of flaws, heroes and heroines who find redemption through love. I draw much from my own experiences and journeys and hope that readers find a part of themselves between the pages. I love to hear from people and can be found on Facebook and at http://www.bethdcarter.com.