Hope, page 26
part #3 of Brides of the Rio Grande Series
Should she stand? Or stay sitting in the tub full of water?
“Billy…I’m sorry. I’m not ready. I guess I was spending too much time wool-gathering. I intended to be waiting for you—you know—in our bed, but—”
She watched her new husband shake his head. “But I intended to join you in your bath. Is that alright?”
Hope wasn’t certain she had heard him right. He was asking her if it was okay if he joined her in the bathtub? It had never occurred to her he would want to. But now that the idea was taking root, yeah, she was okay with it. More than okay.
She scooted to the front of the tub and huddled under the bubbles before nodding her assent.
Hope smiled at the sound of Billy’s boot hitting the floor. His gaze never left hers. Tingles of a most exquisite variety rippled across her arms, down her stomach, disappearing into the unmentionable place a young lady in polite society was not allowed to think about much less discuss.
But she wasn’t from polite society. She was from the wrong side of town and she knew all about the territory down south—both of the male and female variety. Oh, she didn’t have experience, but she had the knowledge. And she was giddy with anticipation at the thought of exploring forbidden places with her handsome husband.
His second boot hit the floor. Billy stood. His piercing gaze focused on her face. She couldn’t bear to look away even though her innocence begged her to. She reminded herself every trail blazer much endure some discomfort on the road to discovery.
Billy stood, his six-foot frame towering over her in their bedroom. He unbuttoned his shirt and threw it on the floor exposing his chest. He was magnificent. She traced the scars left by his brother’s bullet and Doc Howard’s scalpel. She loved every inch of them because it meant he was alive. And he was hers.
She knew what was coming next by the change of his expression. He undid the front of his breeches and slowly shoved them down his muscled thighs. She wanted to hold his gaze. But God help her, she could not. As if of their own volition, her hateful, rebellious, uncontrollable eyes slid across his muscled chest, down his rippled stomach, and followed a dark trail past his navel to—
“Shall I join you now or would you like a little more time to gawk at my nakedness before I do?”
She had been gawking at him. She knew it. And quite frankly, she didn’t care that he knew it. After all, it wasn’t the first time she’d gawked at him, but this time he was conscious and he was hers. She intended to enjoy every aspect of her marriage.
“As a student of medicine, I was simply studying the human male body. And should it just happen to be my husband’s, who is quite a magnificent example of the male species—then so be it.”
“Ah, so that’s what you were doing when I fell and banged up my ribs at the Randolph ranch.”
Hope’s shock must have been plain on her face. Billy threw back his head and laughed.
“You were awake?” She couldn’t believe he had pretended to be unconscious.
“The whole time. So, you think I’m magnificent?” Billy teased.
“Oh, that. Yes, I suppose I do.” She watched him preen for a moment at her praise.
“Billy, are you coming to join me or shall we wait until the bathwater is so cold there will be no chance at all that we will be consummating our marriage vows this evening.” She reveled in his bold laughter. She could tell he was pleased with her compliments. Who knew men were such vain creatures?
He strode across the wooden floor in all his naked glory, stepping into the tub and settling himself behind her without hesitation. She could feel his growing attraction to her immediately.
There wasn’t adequate room in the tub for her to turn and face Billy so she wasn’t certain what to do next. Lucky for her, her husband knew exactly what to do.
He pulled her back against his chest and wrapped his strong arms around her. She swore she had died and gone to heaven, but when Billy’s hands began to roam, she realized she was only knocking on the door.
Billy knew he was one lucky man. The sight of his lovely bride sitting naked in the tub, water sluicing off her perfect body, almost unmanned him. He couldn’t get his clothes off fast enough even though he did his best to make a show of it.
The warm water enveloped him and his bride like a safe, warm blanket. He pulled Hope against him and wrapped her in his arms. He would give his life for this woman and almost did. He had no doubt he would protect her no matter the cost to himself. She could depend on him to do the right thing no matter what the situation.
He knew his hands were rough and calloused. He unwrapped his arms from around Hope and rubbed a bar of scented soap between his hands creating a smooth, creamy lather. And now, he would do his husbandly duty and make his wife’s wedding night one to remember.
His soap slick hands slid over her shoulders and down her arms. He pulled her hands out of the water and entwined his fingers in hers. The sensations of their palms sliding against one another was exquisite. He kissed her on her neck under her right ear. The sighs coming from his wife spurred him on.
Billy ran his soapy hands back up her arms and across her chest. He heard her breath hiccup in anticipation and he would not disappoint her. His hands disappeared beneath the water and softly caressed her breasts. He could feel the weight of them under the water, her nipples rigid against his palms.
His desire was almost unbearable and he was slightly uncomfortable with his manhood trapped between his stomach and Hope’s delicious bottom.
But he wasn’t done yet. He wanted Hope to remember this night for the rest of her life. Hope’s head fell back onto his shoulder, exposing her neck and the rosy tips of her delectable breasts.
He took the bar of soap in both hands and smoothed it over first one breast and then the other. Her enticing groans had him second guessing his decision to continue his ministrations instead of taking her to bed right now and making her his wife in every sense of the word.
But he was nothing if not a man of his word. And he intended to pleasure his wife before he invaded her softness to satisfy his own needs.
He was surprised when Hope placed her hands on top of his and followed his caresses of her breasts. Dear God, he didn’t think he could desire his wife more. He was wrong.
He placed her hands on her own breasts and showed her how to continue what he had started. He was surprised again when she was most agreeable to the notion, leaving him to explore territory farther south.
He kissed Hope down her neck, trailing kisses across her shoulder while his hands headed south of the border. Gliding across her flat stomach sent his desire higher. He could hear his breath, ragged and uneven with desire.
Hope turned her face to him, one hand on her own breast, the other she wrapped around his neck and kissed him like there was no tomorrow.
He wanted to slip his hands farther down her body. He wanted to touch her in places no man had touched her before. And he wanted to make her feel things. But Billy knew he was only human and if he didn’t get her out of this tub and into bed soon, he would have a lot of embarrassing explaining to do about what happens when a man has reached his limit. And he had most definitely reached his limit of self-restraint.
He kissed his bride and stood, lifting her out of the water with him, setting her on her feet on the rug in front of the warm fire. He patted their bodies dry with a soft drying towel covering every square inch, but his eyes never left Hope’s.
He carried her to the bed and gently lay her down among soft sheets and blankets. Then, he climbed in next to her, their bodies still warm by their bath. “I love you, Hope. I love you so much I swear my heart is going to burst wide open.” He leaned into her body, caressing her mouth with his soft kisses. His desire rose skyward.
She lay on her side facing him, her head sinking into the lace-covered pillow cases. He followed her curves with his hands until he reached her thigh. Then he began the age-old ritual of courtship between two people in love who had committed themselves to each other until death parted them.
25
Hope lay in the semi-darkness of her marriage bed. Next to her was the man of her dreams, handsome, funny, and completely naked. His desire for her was impossible to miss.
It was a heady feeling, knowing she could make him feel things too. And she was eager to explore.
His kisses created a desire in her she hadn’t known possible. She loved the feel of him beside her, touching her. But she wanted more.
She returned his kisses with equal fervor. Who knew kissing could be this much fun? She had kissed Billy before. Lots of times through their year of courting, but there had always been restraint present that was no longer necessary and Hope let her emotions run wild.
She pushed him back against the sheets and kissed him. Her fingers caressed his chest, sliding down his rippled stomach. Her hand faltered as she neared forbidden territory.
“Are you afraid, Hope?” Billy’s voice, heavy with desire, whispered to her in the darkness.
“No, Billy. I’m not afraid. I—”
“What is it, Hope? What are you not saying?”
“Well…” she started but she wasn’t certain how to finish this conversation.
“Go on. What’s troubling you? Was I too rough? I know it’s your first time, but I haven’t even got to that part—”
Hope was glad the darkness covered her embarrassment. “No, Billy. I know that. I was just thinking about the possibility of me being with child after, you know, we consummate our marriage.”
Billy laughed in the dark. “Well, that is certainly a possibility. At least, I intend to do my part in the process.” She could hear the humor in his voice.
“I know you want babies right away and I want to make sure you’re still okay with me working for Doctor Howard.”
“I understand your concerns, Hope. And, there are no guarantees either way. God will decide when it is our time to have a child. Not a minute before. Not a minute later. But I want you to know, that I trust you. I know you’ll make the right decision for us and our child. So, you work as long as you want and when you decide it’s time to stop, then you stop. I’ll support you either way, one hundred percent.”
Joy filled Hope’s heart. Everything she had ever wanted was hers. A place to belong. People she could call family. And a husband who loved her unconditionally. A husband she could depend on. A husband she could trust.
She kissed him with a fervor that made it clear she was equally committed to him. “Where do we go from here?” She teased.
Billy’s deep laugh sent ripples of excitement over her body just before he covered her body with his, kissing her like his life depended on it. And just when she thought she could stand it no longer, he made her his.
Later, Hope lay in the quiet darkness of the early morning hour and snuggled into her husband’s warmth. She could feel his warm breath puff her tousled hair.
“Billy?” she whispered to him in the dark.
“Yes?” His deep voice vibrated against her.
“Are you awake?” she asked.
She was startled by his chuckled followed by his fierce hug. “How can I sleep knowing my wife is an unexpected and wonderful surprise. I had no idea you would be so adventurous in our marriage bed. But I’m anxious to know one thing.”
Hope wanted to please her handsome husband. “What is it? Did I do something wrong?”
“Heavens, no. All I want to know is how long do you think it will be—you know—before you are ready to—for me to—”
“Ah, you want to ‘get to know each other a little better,’ is that it?” Hope teased Billy in the dark. “Well, I don’t know. It could be weeks—”
Billy pulled away trying to see her face. “Weeks? You can’t be serious.”
Hope laughed. “No, Billy I’m teasing you. I’m ready to get to know my husband better anytime he is willing. And able. Of course, if he’s too tired—”
“Not on your life, dear wife. You will find your husband is always ready and willing to love his adored wife.”
Hope giggled when Billy disappeared beneath the sheets.
Epilogue
One year later
“Wake up, sleepy head. Breakfast is getting cold and your daughter needs her papa.” The hiccup of her three-month-old daughter, Rosie, followed her words. Billy opened his eyes and she saw him smile as he gazed upon his family.
Hope watched her handsome husband stack the bed pillows against the head board and lean against them. “What is this?”
“It’s breakfast in bed.” She handed him the loaded tray and then sat on the bed next to him bouncing Baby Rosie on her knee.
Billy stuffed a few pieces of bacon in his mouth before he spoke. “Mmmm. Who knew bacon could taste so scrumptious? What’s the occasion? It’s not our anniversary. That was yesterday, so?” He studied her and she knew he had already guessed she had an ulterior motive.
“I have to admit it is sort of a bribe,” she conceded.
Billy dove into the tray of food and she marveled at his appetite. Between forkfuls of fluffy biscuits, fried eggs, and strips of salty bacon, he finally heard what she said.
“A bribe? For what?”
She placed Rosie next to him in the bed and stuffed pillows around her to protect her from rolling off the bed. “Well, now that you ask, Doc Howard rode down to South Fork to check on a child who was injured in a wagon accident early this morning, so I asked Aggie if she would watch Rosie while I see to our patients and I need you to take Rosie over to the Hanovers so I can get to work.”
“I’ll take Little Miss Rosie over to Aggie’s house.” He blew kisses on his beautiful dark-haired, blue-eyed baby girl’s belly and her sweet laughter filled Hope’s heart with joy. She felt sorry for the mother she never knew. There was so much the woman had missed out on not knowing her daughter.”
Billy shoved two more pieces of bacon into his mouth and spoke between chews. “Do you think maybe we could meet back here this afternoon.”
Hope finished dressing for her day at work while her husband ate his breakfast and played with their daughter. “What did you have in mind?” She asked absent-mindedly while she put the finishing touches on her hair.
When he didn’t answer right away, she turned to look at him. She knew by his cheeky grin he was up to something. Her suspicions were confirmed when he spoke. “I thought maybe we could spend a little time together this afternoon. Rosie will be at the Hanovers and the house will be quiet.”
She grinned back at him. “Hum, and what will we do all afternoon?”
Billy chucked Rosie underneath her chin. She drooled on his finger and gifted him with a big, toothless grin. It warmed her heart to see her husband so happy and content. So much had changed since he nearly lost his life saving her. “I thought we could work on giving Rosie a brother or sister.”
“Is that right? She walked over to the bed and leaned in to kiss him, but she stopped just short of his lips. “I think that can be arranged.”
Billy leaned in and kissed her goodbye. She never tired of kissing her husband, but she was going to be late for work if she didn’t go now.
Hope left him in bed playing with their baby girl. She loved the way Billy loved their daughter. He was a kind and loving father, nothing at all like the father he had. And she loved the way her daughter’s eyes lit up when he walked into the room.
Billy was an amazing husband and father. And to think she had almost missed out on this beautiful life they had created because she had convinced herself he couldn’t be trusted. As it turned out, nothing could have been further from the truth.
Hope smiled to herself as she closed the front door of her home and headed down the street to her work. She had come a long way from the frightened little orphan girl from Kansas City. She was a confident, courageous, and respected member of this community, but the most important part of her life here in Creede was her family. Her. Family. And she loved them all more than words could say. Hiram had told her once not to let her past determine her future and she had taken the wise man’s counsel to heart.
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More books in the series…
To read more about the residents of Creede, Colorado, look for these other books in
The Brides of the Rio Grande Series
Grace-Book One – Available now on Amazon
Faith-Book Two – Available now on Amazon
Hope-Book Three – Available now on Amazon
Charity-Book Four – August 2019
Mary-Book Five -November 2019
Aggie-Book Six – December 2019
All of Peggy McKenzie e-books are exclusive with Kindle Unlimited
All of Peggy McKenzie paperback books are distributed wide
Peggy McKenzie & Friends
Langley's Legacy
Finn's Fortune-Kathleen Ball-Book One
Patrick's Proposal-Hildie McQueen-Book Two
Donovan's Deceit-Kathy Shaw-Book Three
Aidan's Arrangement-Peggy McKenzie-Book Four
Heath's Homecoming-Merry Farmer-Book Five
Colin's Challenge-Sylvia McDaniel-Book Six
The Angel Creek Christmas Brides
Charity-Sylvia McDaniel-Book One
Julia-Lily Graison-Book Two
Ruby-Hildie McQueen-Book Three
Sarah-Peggy McKenzie-Book Four
Anna-Everly West-Book Five
