The day arrived when Dave promised his brothers that he would help them build their parents a barn. Mary’s stomach did flip flops, and she couldn’t blame all of it on the baby.
“You’re nervous,” Dave commented as they rode on the wagon, passing tall green stalks of corn that thrived from the rain that periodically blessed the landscape.
She wiped her sweaty palms on her blue dress.
He reached over and squeezed her hand. “You have nothing to worry about. You’re a great woman.”
“How many people will be there today?”
He tilted his head to the side as he mentally counted his siblings, their spouses, and their children. “Seventeen, if you include my parents. I reckon your family boasted of more than that.” He smiled. “I can’t wait to tell them we’re having a baby. Of course, all the women will hover around you and tell you stories from when they were expecting.”
That was good because her mother and sisters failed to mention it. She realized it was another reminder that they didn’t count on her getting married.
By the time they arrived at his parents’ farm, it appeared as if everyone had already arrived. He parked their wagon. The fenced area in front of them provided a resting place for the animals, and she watched as Dave unhitched Lewis and Clark so he could send them to the pasture. Taking a deep breath, she smelled the sunflowers to her right. The sound of laughter greeted her ears, so she glanced at the large group of men and women about an acre away. A quick examination of the rest of the property showed her an old sod barn, several animals, and a blue wood-framed home. Further out, the acreage alternated between corn and beans. At least she knew how Dave decided to grow the crops he did. He was used to corn and beans.
Once Dave closed the gate, he helped her down the wagon. Kissing her cheek, he said, “When the men and women separate, it won’t be so intimidating.”
Determined that her anxiety wouldn’t show, she nodded. He took her hand and led her to the front lawn where two groups mingled. One group consisted of mostly children who surrounded a large box. The other group contained more women than men, and Dave led her to them.
“Glad to see you actually brought her out,” Sally told Dave. “Is there anything new since we last saw you?”
Though she asked Mary the question, he answered. “We’re expecting our first child!”
Sally and Jenny gasped and pushed him aside so they could stand next to Mary.
“How exciting!” Sally wrapped her in a warm embrace.
“My turn!” Jenny hugged her after Sally let go.
“And you wonder why I wanted her all to myself for a month.” Dave shook his head before he went to the children and the box.
“Well, you had your month. Now it’s our turn.” Sally called after him.
Greg brought a puppy over to her.
“Can I have him, Ma?” he asked.
“Our parents’ dog gave birth to seven puppies and Pa wants us to take some of them off his hands,” Sally explained to Mary. “That’s why the children are over there.”
“There’s no way my landlady will let me bring a puppy to the boarding house,” Jenny said with remorse as she watched Jeremy hug a bundle of squirming brown fur before it fell out of his arms.
“He can come over and see the one Greg will pick out,” Sally assured her. “You can get the benefit of a cuddly dog without the hassle of cleaning up after him.”
“True.”
“It looks like David might want one.” Sally nudged Mary in the side and nodded towards her brother who peered into the box.
The children jumped around him to say hello, and he knelt by them to see the puppies they wanted to show him.
“Mary, you met Tom and Richard,” Sally introduced, turning Mary’s attention to the people around her. “This is Amanda, Richard’s wife, and this is Jessica, Tom’s wife. My husband, Rick, should be back soon. He’s trying to avoid bringing a dog home, but once he sees Greg playing with a puppy, he’ll most likely cave in and agree to it.”
“We’ve already met Mary,” Richard told Sally.
“I know but David didn’t give her more than five minutes with us. The poor girl didn’t have time to remember everyone.”
Amanda smiled at Mary. “I heard that you won the baking contest. I bet Mrs. Brown wasn’t too happy. She’s not used to losing.”
Mary shrugged. “She seemed to take it alright. She congratulated us.”
“Us?” Sally chuckled. “You’re the reason we won. I appreciate your willingness to share the spotlight, but the truth is that you were the winner that day. I can see why David gained that weight back.”
Jenny yelled out to Dave, “If you have a girl and she cooks as well as Mary, then you’ll be a grand old blimp.”
“No. I have too much running around to do,” he replied.
“I hope we have a boy this time,” Tom inserted. “I could mold him into my image. Though there’s nothing wrong with girls,” he quickly added, glancing at his wife.
Jessica rubbed her pregnant belly. “All I do is carry them. It’s up to you to determine if it’s a boy or a girl.”
“Up to me? You spend nine months making the baby. Can’t you make one a boy?”
She glared at him.
“You’ve got to learn when to shut up.” Richard shook his head at Tom.
Sally nodded. “I wouldn’t be surprised if she clubbed you over the head with a rolling pin.”
“Where’s Joel?” Jenny wondered.
Tom looked relieved for the change in topic.
“He’s finishing up with his chores,” Richard answered. “He slept in late...again. I hope he has more sense than to go into farming. He obviously hates it.”
One of the eight-year-old twin boys ran up to Richard, holding an excited puppy. “Pa, can I have this one?”
“Oh, how adorable,” Amanda said, clearly won over by the creature.
“Yes. You can have one.” Richard looked at Tom. “I know when it’s pointless to argue.” Then he followed his wife and son to the box.
“We might as well join them,” Sally said, leading Mary to the box as the rest of the group joined Dave and the kids.
Mary noticed that Dave made an attempt to stand next to her, but Jenny and Sally hovered around her so he gave up and turned his attention back to the puppies.
“Have you made a decision yet?” Tom asked his daughters.
“This is a nice one.” Four-year-old Nelly pointed to the brown and white mutt. “He looks like a pirate, except he has a white patch over his eye instead of a black one.”
“This one,” her two-year-old sister, Patricia, protested, pointing to another one.
“Those are fine puppies, but that one is the best of the litter,” Dave replied.
Tom grimaced. “The runt?”
“Sure. Just look at him. He’s working twice as hard as the rest of them to get our attention.”
“But he’s small and weak.”
He shrugged. “For now. But he’ll grow up to be the best dog of all his brothers and sisters. With his motivation, he’ll make an excellent hunting dog.”
Mary squinted in the sun so she could see his face. “Hunting?” The wind played with the strands of her hair that peeked out from under her bonnet.
“Sure. We have rabbits, squirrels, and deer on our land. They could be meat for stew or steak.” His eyes lit up. “What do you say, Mary? Would you like to bring this pup home?”
Startled, she hesitated to answer. The last thing she thought she’d be doing was bringing a puppy home.
“He won’t stay in the house,” Dave continued. “He’ll stay out in the barn, so you won’t have to worry about cleaning up after him. And he’ll be a good friend for our child.”
Tom glanced at Richard and whispered, “Leave it to Dave to pick the worst of the bunch.”
Though Dave didn’t hear the sarcastic remark, she did. She frowned, realizing that she and this poor dog had something in common. He wasn’t as attractive as the others in the box, but Dave wanted to take him home. Just as he took me when no other man would have me.
Her decision made, she nodded in Dave’s direction. “I think taking him is a good idea.”
Seeming pleased by her consent, he reached into the box and picked the runt out. “What do you want to name him?”
“Jasper?”
He nodded. “Jasper it is!”
“Oh, my parents! Let’s say hi,” Sally told Mary as she tugged on her arm.
“Who nominated you the welcoming committee?” Tom asked her.
“Sally’s always been a take charge kind of girl,” Richard reminded him. “She’s doing a great job. She’s helping Mary feel at home in a sea of unfamiliar faces.”
“Thank you, Richard,” she remarked.
After the usual round of greetings to her parents, the father asked, “So, how many mutts can I get off my hands today? I see Dave’s claimed one.”
“We’ll take the patchy one,” Nelly stated. She practically shoved the animal in her father’s arms, ignoring her sister who cried for the other one.
“Actually, we’ll take two.” Jessica bent down to grab the other puppy and placed it on top of the one Tom was already trying to hold. “And if we have a boy, we might take another one. Boys require more physical activity than girls.” Looking pleased with herself, she left a flabbergasted Tom so she could stand next to Mary. “I heard you make the best apple pie Ralph Lindon ever tasted. Will you make it for supper?”
Blushing at Jessica’s compliment, Mary agreed.
Dave’s mother smiled at Mary. “It’s nice to have you here. I didn’t get a chance to ask you this in church, but what motivated you to leave Maine?”
Mary briefly noted that Dave grinned at her before he set Jasper on the ground so the puppy could play with the kids. He joined the other men as they got ready to build the barn with the pile of lumber resting in the yard.
Turning back to his mother, she answered, “I wanted an adventure. I heard about the prairie but hadn’t seen it.” That was partly true, but she didn’t feel like explaining the fact that it was her only chance of getting married.
“Dave was talking about placing an ad for a few months but said he kept forgetting to do it. I guess he remembered on one occasion when he went to town. The lack of available women out here makes it difficult for a man to marry. I’m glad he finally did it. I haven’t seen him this happy in a long time.”
“He didn’t say anything but he was lonely,” Sally added.
Mary suspected that the prospect of having a baby put the smile on his face. She had never seen a prouder smile on a man’s face than when she told him she was expecting. He kept her up all night trying to pick out a suitable name for the baby. When he set his mind to something, there was no stopping him.
She felt content with the knowledge that it was her providing him with a child that gave him joy. After all, he married her for this reason, and since she fulfilled her part of the marriage, he was happy. His happiness created her own, and she loved him for his kindness towards her. He cared enough to show her affection when very few people in her life had. Being held and kissed filled her with a sense of belonging and peace that she hadn’t known was missing from her life until she received it.
“She must be thinking of David again.” Sally giggled, breaking Mary out of her thoughts.
Blinking, she realized that his mother had asked her something. “I’m sorry. What is it?”
The older woman smiled. “Would you like to come into the house?”
“Yes. Thank you.” Mary returned her smile, enraptured that these women had indeed welcomed her into their family.
***
During the noon hour, Mary completed her two pies, salad and stew, and since she didn’t relish the idea of sitting idly by when work could be done, she offered to take care of the dry linens that hung on the clothesline. The sheets and towels smelled fresh and clean, the sweet outdoor odor reminding her of the times she helped her mother with the laundry. She decided that she would assure her parents that Dave treated her well and that she was expecting her first child. Perhaps they might forget her unattractiveness as time passed. Deep down, they did love her. Didn’t they?
Dave’s mother wiped her hands on her apron as Mary entered the house with the basket full of clean linens. “You are a real treasure. I am very lucky that my sons have chosen such wonderful wives.”
Mary blushed at her compliment. Her parents didn’t place much emphasis on praise, so she didn’t know how to respond. Clearing her throat, she asked, “Where would you like these?”
“I’ll take the sheets and make the beds. Will you please put the towels in the scullery room?”
She nodded. Thankfully, she received a tour of the house which had more room than a sod house. Dave planned to eventually construct a wood house which would give them additional rooms as their family grew. “Now we know that you conceive right away, so we’ll need the extra space in the next few years.” He seemed excited by the notion of having a large family. Since she had six brothers and five sisters, he had good reason to assume they would need a bigger home.
She entered the scullery room and folded the ten towels and set them on the table in the corner of the room. Repositioning the mangle on the floor beside the table, she realized that her days of working at the restaurant left her with an unexpected habit of putting things neatly in their proper location.
“Leave it to Dave to pick the worst of the litter.”
She stood up and turned, thinking that Tom entered the room, but the room remained empty, except for her. He must’ve been sitting on the bench under the window since she could hear him. She glanced at the open window across the small room. The thin pink curtains danced in the breeze wafting into the room.
“I can’t believe he married her either,” Joel remarked.
“I was talking about the dog.” After a moment’s pause, Tom added, “Though I guess you have a point.”
“They ought to make it mandatory for a woman to warn her prospective husband that she’d be better off wearing a bag over her head.”
She sighed. She overheard more of these conversations from other men who didn’t realize she was in hearing distance. They were the same comments that made her parents believe she wouldn’t ever marry. She wanted to leave, but her feet refused to move. A mixture of shock and dreaded curiosity held her in place.
Tom chuckled. “Joel, you’re displaying an unusual mean streak today. What’s gotten into you?”
“I was thinking of placing one of those ads when I turn eighteen, but I’m not sure about it anymore. I mean, Cassie Craftsman is gorgeous, but Mary... Well, when I saw her in church, I couldn’t believe my eyes. What if I end up with someone like that?” He groaned. “I just don’t know how I’m going to find a wife. Maybe I’ll stay single.”
As another breeze lifted the curtain, Mary saw Richard round the corner of the house. “What are you doing here? We’re supposed to be building a barn.”
“Don’t get your feathers all ruffled,” Tom replied. “We’re taking a break.”
“Yeah. It’s not a crime to rest,” Joel stated.
“Joel, you’ve already taken two breaks in the past two hours. And Tom, you’re not helping by talking to him.” Richard didn’t sound remotely happy. “I do have houses and businesses to build in town.”
“I was sent to fetch everyone,” Rick stated. “I’m a judge. I don’t have experience with this kind of stuff. Poor Dave and your father are the only ones who stuck with the job all morning.”
“Poor Dave is right,” Joel muttered.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“It means that he got cheated out of a decent looking wife.”
“You mean Mary?”
“Who else?”
“She seems like a nice woman. I think he made a good choice. He said she was the best woman out of the three replies he got.”
“He needs to start making better choices,” Tom remarked.
“It’s too bad she didn’t send a picture or he would have known how ugly she is,” Joel added.
“She’s not ugly, Joel,” Richard argued.
“No but she’s not exactly pretty either,” Tom quipped. “You should see Neil’s wife. Now there’s a looker.”
“There’s more to a woman than beauty. Dave has good sense,” Richard insisted.
“You can’t always judge a book by its cover,” Rick agreed.
Tom snorted. “I guess considering that all the women around here are either married or too young, he didn’t have a choice. I mean, she came off the train to meet him and what could he do? Say no? He’s not the type to turn anyone away.”
From another blast of wind fluttering the curtains, she saw Richard shrug. “I don’t know. Maybe he knows something we don’t. That mare of his didn’t look like she’d amount to anything when he bought her. She was irritable, sassy and awkward. I thought she wouldn’t be trainable to ride, but she’s the gentlest mare I’ve come across now. And to boot, she delivered a fine foal.”
“Well, you can’t compare Susannah to Mary. That’s like comparing apples to oranges,” Tom said.
“I think I’ll stay single forever,” Joel remarked. “It’s too bad that Cassie didn’t answer Dave’s ad. Then she’d be his wife instead of Neil’s.”
Tom went “uh hum” in agreement. “No wonder Neil smiles all the time.”
“Dave is happy with Mary,” Richard dryly pointed out.
“Oh, our brother’s always been the happy sort. He can make the best of any dire situation,” Tom replied.
“You’re not being fair to her.”
“I have eyes. I know beauty when I see it. Maybe Dave needs a pair of glasses.”
“No way,” Joel argued. “He’s stuck with her now. There’s no sense in him realizing what a mistake he made.”
Footsteps approached and Mary heard Dave ask, “Am I going to be the only one helping Pa out there?”
Tom’s voice was hushed. “Dave, when you saw Mary get off the train, didn’t it occur to you to pretend to be someone else?”
“Why would I do that?” Dave asked.
He grunted as if the answer should be obvious. When silence greeted him, he said, “I’m sorry I bugged you about placing an ad for a wife. Seriously, if I thought you’d end up with someone like Mary, I’d have recommended that you hold out until Becky turned sixteen.”
“Becky’s a lot better looking than Mary,” Joel agreed.
“Take that back.” She noted the tension in her husband’s voice.
For a moment no one said a word.
“Let’s get back to the barn,” Richard finally suggested.
“Yeah. I think I hear your pa calling for us,” Rick said.
“Not until I get an apology,” Dave replied.
“Apology for what?” Tom asked. “Joel didn’t make her ugly.”
A sudden scuffle broke out and though Mary couldn’t see what was happening, she knew someone had punched someone else. She sprang to action, hoping to stop Dave from doing something he’d regret. To her surprise, she wasn’t the only one who noticed the brawl taking place by the side of the house.
Sally and Jessica were already outside, yelling at the men, by the time Mary made it to the crowd.
“You are acting like a bunch of idiots,” Sally admonished them, her hands on her hips.
“Really,” Jessica agreed, her arms crossed. “What kind of example are you being to the children? They’re watching from over there!” She motioned to the patch of green grass where the boys and girls had stopped playing with the puppies so they could stare at the adults.
As soon as Dave’s eyes fell on Mary, he disengaged himself from the group and stomped over to her. “We’re going home.” He gently took her by the elbow and led her to their wagon.
“What? Why?” She struggled to keep up with his angry pace.
“Because we don’t need to waste our time with the likes of them.” His tone was cold, though his touch remained soft as he helped her onto the wagon. “I’ll be right back.”
She watched, stunned, as he retrieved the puppy and stormed back to the wagon. His jaw was clenched and his mouth set in a firm line. He stared straight ahead, refusing to look at his family who protested his leaving. He handed her the puppy before he hopped on the wagon.
He grunted when he realized that he forgot to get Lewis and Clark, so he rushed through the task and snapped the reins so the geldings bolted forward. Her body jerked from the sudden movement so she gripped the edge of her seat to stay upright while she held Jasper securely in her free hand. He slowed the horses once they traveled far enough so they couldn’t see his parents’ house.
“Dave, will you tell me why you were in a hurry to get out of there?” she asked.
He stared ahead, not blinking, his frame hunched forward. She couldn’t recall seeing him so agitated before. When he didn’t answer, she gave up and turned her attention to the path that the horses took them down. The light green grass lining their path swayed in the breeze.
The puppy wouldn’t stop wiggling in her hand so she set it by her feet.
“I’m sorry I took you out there,” he finally said, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
“You did nothing wrong.”
“Maybe not, but my brothers are a disappointment.”
“They were nice to me.”
“No, they weren’t.”
“They were polite.”
He shook his head. “We shouldn’t discuss this. I just want to get home and enjoy what’s left of this day.”
She frowned. She doubted that he could put aside his fight with his brothers. “Dave, maybe we should go back so you can work things out with them.”
He shot her a startled look. “Why would I do that?”
“Because they are your family.”
“You and our baby is my family.”
“They are your brothers. You grew up with them.”
He directed Lewis and Clark to turn on the grassy road to the right, leading them to their home. “I may have grown up with them, but that doesn’t mean they have a prominent place in my life. The day I married you, you became the first person I look to.”
“I don’t want to be the reason things go sour between you and your brothers.”
“You aren’t.”
“Yes, I am. I overheard the fight. I know they were talking about me, and you happened to stumble upon their conversation.”
He groaned. “You were in the scullery room?”
She nodded.
“I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
“I didn’t take offense to what they said, and you shouldn’t either. You can’t blame someone for telling the truth. I know I’m not attractive.” That was when she decided she wouldn’t take offense to what her mother wrote. The experience with his brothers only confirmed that her mother had every right to write what she did.
Their sod home came into view. The tall corn stalks rustled as the warm wind pressed into them. He waited until the geldings stopped in front of the barn before he turned to her, his expression incredulous.
“I can’t believe you said that.”
Her eyes widened at his sharp tone. “Said what?”
“That thing you just said.”
“You mean about me not being attractive?”
He nodded, his eyes a steely gray as they examined her.
She shrugged and focused on the puppy that nipped at her brown shoes. “It’s the truth, Dave,” she whispered. “I know I’m not pretty.”
“Who told you that you’re not pretty?” he demanded, his voice loud despite the wind whipping around them.
“There’s a reason why I had to answer an ad for a man wanting a wife. I’m not the kind of woman who receives a gentleman’s attention.”
He shook his head, bewildered. “Is that what life was like for you in Maine? People told you this all the time until you believed them?”
“No one has to tell me. I can see myself in the mirror. I know what pretty looks like and I’m not it.” She looked at him, jutting her jaw forward. She didn’t appreciate having to spell it out for him. It was enough to know what she was without having to vocalize it.
“I can’t believe my ears. I need to calm down before I say something I’ll regret.” He locked the brakes and jumped out of the wagon.
“Will you at least eat something before you go?” He hadn’t even eaten breakfast.
“I can’t eat when I’m upset.” He didn’t look in her direction. “I’ll get to you later,” he told the horses as he stormed off to the river.
Stung by her husband’s strange reaction, she wiped the tears from her eyes and slowly descended from the wagon. She reached for Jasper and set him on the ground. He yipped and playfully raced around the grass to check out his new surroundings. She didn’t know what to do, but driving a wedge between Dave and his brothers bothered her. Resolving to put the matter behind her until she could solve it, she let Lewis and Clark free into the gated field where Jack, Susannah, and the foal welcomed them. Securing the latch, she went to the house to get food for the puppy.
***
Dave ordered himself to calm down. Despite the swim in the cool river, his blood boiled in his veins. Mary wasn’t ugly. His initial impression of her never told him that she was ugly. He had thought she might be on the plain side, but she was never unappealing. He rested on the rock by the flowing water. He squinted but not from the sun since he sat under the shade of a large tree. Was she plain when he first saw her?
He recalled the way she stood as Neil talked to her. Her shoulders looked stiff but her face remained surprisingly neutral. She might not have been the most beautiful woman he ever saw, but she had a unique quality about her that drew him to her. No, she hadn’t been plain. In fact, she was quite pretty.
Upon closer inspection, he realized her nose wasn’t as big as it seemed from a distance. Perhaps the tilt of her head when Neil spoke to her gave him the impression of an awkward nose. He shook his head. It didn’t matter. Her nose was as unique and endearing as the rest of her. Her lips weren’t that thin either. They were rosy and curvy. He did enjoy kissing her. Her hair smelled of lilac soap when he held her, and the strands felt soft after she washed them. The adorable tight curls resisted any means of straightening them out.
The feature that most delighted him were her eyes. He never saw eyes that displayed the most amazing blend of green and blue until he met her. Depending on her mood, they changed color. They seemed to darken when she got upset or aroused. They lightened when she was calm or cheerful. They were as interesting and intriguing as she was.
Making love to her was something he anticipated. At times, the days seemed to drag on until he could caress her soft skin, seeking the womanly secrets that she carefully hid from his view. Was that why she wouldn’t let him look at her bare skin? She thought she wouldn’t arouse him?
She deserved to be appreciated, for she had the gentle and kind spirit of someone who would do anything for anyone in need if she was able to perform the task. He sighed. What his brothers, Neil and other men said was wrong, but sadly, she accepted their appraisal of her without questioning it. He didn’t know if she would ever see herself the way he did. Perhaps she never would. Even if that happened to be the case, he had been too hard on her. Taking a deep breath, he stood up. He had to make things right.
***
“Mary?” The soft voice sounded loud in the quiet house.
Mary turned from rolling the dough to face Dave who tentatively peeked around the door. She blinked.
“What is it, Dave?” Her eyebrows furrowed. Was he sorry he married her? Did he realize that his brothers had been right? Did she only confirm those suspicions? He wouldn’t send her away while she was expecting his child, would he?
He shut the door on a barking Jasper and lumbered into the house, his hat in his hands. “I’m sorry for the way I talked to you.”
Thrown off guard, she hesitated.
He set his hat on the end of the table and stood silent for a long moment.
She wanted to look down to make sure her trembling hands wouldn’t drop the rolling pin, but something in Dave’s intense stare made her focus on him. Her heart beat so fast she swore she could hear it.
He continued, “I don’t like hearing other people talk badly about you. You’re my wife, and when they insult you, they insult me. I guess I can’t help what you think about yourself, but I don’t have to listen to it from others.”
Relieved, she exhaled. He wasn’t going to send her away. “You didn’t do anything wrong. You don’t need to apologize.” She smiled before she returned to the dough. “I have stew in the pot, and these biscuits should be done shortly.”
He came up behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders and whispered, “I don’t care what they say, Mary. I think you’re pretty.”
He meant those words, she realized, her shock stilling her movements. No one, not even her parents, had called her pretty.
He pressed his lips to the side of her neck and his strong hands slid down her arms. “Will you come to bed with me?”
Heat flooded to her cheeks. “It’s day.”
“I want to see all of you.”
Despite her apprehension, she allowed him to bring her shaking hands to the water in the kitchen bucket so he could wash them with soap. He took his time, careful to remove the slightest traces of dough from her fingers. He reached for the towel and dried her hands. His hands settled on her hips before he turned her to face him. He bent forward and gave her a soft kiss. Parting his lips, he traced her lower lip with his tongue, wanting permission to interlace his tongue with hers. She opened her mouth and accepted him.
He reached the dress’ top button, causing her breath to catch in her throat. He deepened their kiss each time he unfastened a button. She kept her eyes closed, unsure if she wanted to see his expression when he succeeded in viewing her without any clothing. Yet, in spite of her doubts, the fact that he called her pretty prompted something deep within her to expose herself to him, to allow herself to be vulnerable. Her pulse raced as he slid the dress off her shoulders, letting it fall softly to the floor.
“You have such a lovely body.” His low voice caressed her ear. He removed her undergarments, taking his time as he allowed his hands to brush her breasts and her hips, causing her flesh to tingle with excitement.
She was going to faint. She held onto his bare arms, somehow managing to stay upright. Her eyelids flew open when she realized that he had taken off his clothes. She immediately turned her eyes to the wall.
“Look at me, Mary.” His voice sounded husky. “Your eyes are darker than usual. I can see my effect on you. Now, see what you do to me.” He brought her hand to his erection and wrapped her hand around it.
Stunned, she couldn’t react.
“I can’t control it,” he told her. “It happens when I’m aroused. This is what you’ve done to me from the day we got married.” He looked down at her breasts and cupped them in his hands. “You are very pleasing to me.”
Unexpectedly excited by the throbbing member in her hand, she squeezed him, only to be rewarded with an appreciative groan.
“My body is yours,” he murmured. “And your body is mine.”
He slipped one arm under her knees and carried her to the bed where he gently laid her down in front of him. He took a moment to gaze upon her naked form, and she marveled that she had such a profound effect on him. Her body pleased him, and in that moment, she saw herself the way he saw her. Pretty Mary Larson.
He joined her on their bed. He kissed her, more passionately this time. When he ended the kiss, she thought he would kiss her on the mouth again but he didn’t. He continued his descent. She gasped in surprise and pleasure as he studied her breasts with his hands and tongue. Her nipples hardened for him. Between her legs, a heated wetness began to tingle her flesh.
Holding onto his shoulders, she watched as his head went lower. Somewhere, deep within, an aching sensation held her still, in hopes he would continue his exploration. She licked her lips in anticipation as his mouth paused above the dark curls that hid her most private place. She released a sigh of satisfaction when he kissed her beneath the curls. His tongue ran across the lips sheltering her depths. When he slipped his hot tongue between the lips, she voiced her pleasure.
Her legs widened for him, eager for his entrance. The aching in her intensified, as she became aware of the need to do something, though she didn’t understand what that something was. After a couple of minutes, his mouth left her sensitive flesh and traveled up the length of her body until he kissed her again. She pressed her hips against him. A part of her needed to feel him inside her, to be filled with his thickness. He accepted her unspoken invitation and slid easily into her, soothing the ache that had become unbearable to her. She hadn’t experienced anything like this before, and she wasn’t sure what to do about it.
“Come with me, Mary,” he whispered against her ear as he began his purposeful, lazy motion, slowly stoking the fire he lit inside of her.
Where? She wanted to ask the question but was too caught up in the swell of sensations flowing through her body that she forgot to vocalize the question. His thrusting grew faster as he sought a way to get deeper into her. A rising tension made her bring her hips to help him. She intrinsically knew this was leading somewhere wonderful, but she didn’t know how to encourage the journey. This must be what he’s talking about, she realized. It’s what he experiences every time we do this.
She felt him shudder as he reached the destination. He laid still on top of her for a few minutes, his heart beat gradually slowing while his body temperature returned to normal.
Part of her was disappointed. She had come close to something, but she didn’t understand what it was. She wondered if she would ever figure it out. But she wasn’t completely unsatisfied. He had shown her great tenderness and passion. He cared for her and desired her. He could look at her naked and be aroused. She was ecstatic by this knowledge. It wasn’t love but it was more than she hoped for when she married him. No other man had treated her this well.
She wrapped her arms around him and drew him close as he dozed off. She loved him more than she thought it was possible to love another human being. Her tension dwindling down, she closed her eyes and enjoyed the realization that he really did think she was pretty, and it didn’t matter if he was the only one who would ever find her pleasing to look at because his opinion was the only one that mattered.