Chapter Two

“You may kiss the bride,” Pastor Higgins said.

Sophie felt her heart stutter as Zach lifted her veil. He held her gaze for a long moment, his turquoise eyes intense and mesmerizing. He clasped the back of her head, capturing her lips in a slow, leisurely kiss. He brushed his tongue against her lips, a small promise of what was to come. The pastor cleared his throat.

He broke the kiss and smiled at her.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you, Mr. and Mrs. Zachary Briscoe.”

The church, filled with close to two hundred people, echoed with the sound of applause.

Zach leaned down to whisper. “You’re in big trouble.”

Sophie laughed softly. She knew she would be. In the week leading up to the wedding, he’d stayed in the guest quarters under the watchful eye of three maiden aunts. When they were asleep, she’d sneak into Zach’s room to ask him for his opinion on certain elements of her bridal attire.

One night, she’d opened her wrapper to show off the French lace stockings. The next night, she begged him to tell her which corset was the better color. He’d studied the different choices, weighing in with his opinion and gritting his teeth, knowing full well the last thing he could do was touch her. Not with three spinster aunts who might wake from the ruckus.

After the vows, a dinner was served, followed by cake, then dancing. Zach took her in his arms and they waltzed to the music of the quartet.

She looked up at him in surprise and then smiled. “This is the first song we ever danced to. You taught me how to waltz to this on my eighteenth birthday.”

The floor was lined with wedding guests. Zach held her closer than he should. By now everyone had a few sips of champagne or whiskey, so no one looked on disapprovingly.

“I did,” he said. “I wanted an excuse to put my hands on you so I made sure there was music that night. I hired the musicians, told them exactly what to play.”

Sophie closed her eyes and let him lead her in the dance. His hands, warm and strong, guided her, one on her waist, the other holding her hand. After their waltz, she danced with an elderly uncle and then Pastor Higgins. Ladies came by to compliment her dress and offer help in setting up her household. All the women wanted to see the wedding ring he’d surprised her with, a band of gold with small diamonds and rubies encircling her finger. A few more toasts followed, then Zach told her it was time to bid their guests good-night. A carriage waited at the church to take them back to the ranch. They’d stay in Zach’s old cabin, the big house too full of family for any sort of privacy.

“We’re staying in the cabin?” she asked shyly.

“I want you all to myself. We’ll go back in a few days when everyone’s cleared out.”

When they arrived at the cabin, it was lit with torch lights. He carried her up the steps and pushed open the door with his boot. Inside, candles burned, scores of white tapers flickered near the bed. A fire burned in the fireplace.

“This will always be our cabin,” he said.

He lifted her chin and kissed her. Next, he undressed her, first taking her veil, then unbuttoning her dress and slipping it from her shoulders. A smile curved his lips as he gazed at her standing before him, wearing no more than her corset, pantalets, stockings and dainty white boots.

“I can do the rest.” Anxiety tripped her heart. She looked up at him awaiting his reply.

Nodding, he said, “Just the boots.” He left her so he could tend to the fire burning in the grate.

She slipped out of the boots and set them aside.

He sat in a chair, crossed one leg over the other. “Those panties are mine.”

It took no more than a few seconds for her to take them off and hand them to him. He tucked them in his breast pocket and drew his finger in a circle.

She hesitated, frowning. He raised a brow. Silently, she turned before him. Arousal shimmered across her skin, making her breasts ache with desire and need dampen her sex. Wearing only the corset and stockings left her feeling vulnerable. Her corset was cinched in tight and pushed her breasts up. She was partly naked, on scandalous display for her husband. It made her feel desired, erotic.

Slowly, he got to his feet and took her hand. “I like those French stockings. Your legs were made for them. I’m going to buy you a dozen pair.” He led her to his bed. “You like to tease me, don’t you?”

Suddenly she felt shy. “Maybe. A little. Yes.”

He looped an arm around her waist and pushed her down to the mattress, her bottom over his thigh. With her backside higher than her head, he caressed her bottom.

“It’s our wedding night, so I’m only going to spank you ten times.”

“But that’s how many you gave me the other night!”

A stinging blow hit her bottom.

“That one doesn’t count.”

The blow ignited a host of sensations. Wet desire pooled between her legs, her nipples hardening into painful points. He spanked her and she arched her back, needing more from him. He reached down and stroked her slick sex softly. She tried to rub against his touch, but he only teased her with the lightest caress. By the time he’d given her the last lick she was mindless with need.

He pushed her onto her back and stripped off his suit. Crawling across the bed, he smiled down at her. “Going to tease me again?”

She bit her lip and gave a small nod. “Yes.” She laughed, then gasped, as he thrust his cock deep inside her.

Small cries of pleasure came from her as he took her hard. He kissed her. Cupped and kneaded her breasts. She writhed and bucked beneath him. His rough lovemaking pushed her to the edge of the bed. She let her head fall back, her breasts lifted in offering to him. He pinched her nipple, twisting it just to the point of pain, then sucking it into his mouth.

She grabbed his shoulders and clung to him as he pounded into her. Pleasure surged through her, coiling and tightening. When he bit her neck, she screamed his name, shattering beneath him. He groaned out his release from between gritted teeth. The woman he’d yearned for was finally his. He pulled her close, and fell back to the pillows holding her as they both tried to catch their breath.

Later in the evening, she woke, face down, on top of his back. His skin was warm against her cheek as she listened to his soft breathing and admired the thickly corded muscles of his shoulder and arm. She wanted to kiss him, but let him sleep. On the table beside the bed was a full glass of champagne he’d poured for her. Clothes were scattered about the room. Candles were burned down halfway, the fire no more than a bank of coals.

“Soph,” he said, startling her.

“I didn’t know you were awake,” she whispered.

She slipped off his broad back, sat up and took a sip of champagne. She held up the sheet to cover her nakedness. He rolled over, reached for the glass and took a swallow.

“I want to tell you something,” he said.

She waited. When he didn’t say anything, she gave a nervous laugh and took another sip of champagne. “What is it?”

“Just that I’ve always loved you. From the first moment I saw you.”

She set down the glass on the table and lay beside him, resting her head on his shoulder. “I did too. I’ve loved you from the very beginning.”

He looked down at her. “When I showed you how to saddle a horse? That first time we met? You loved me then?”

She laughed. “Yes!”

“You didn’t either.”

“I really did – how do you know, anyway?”

“Sophie, you called me an arrogant, cantankerous beast.”

“I know what I called you. But, I was completely smitten, and it didn’t take more than ten minutes for me to fall in love with you. I’d never felt that way before. Or since. I’ve always belonged to you.”

He studied her a moment. The coals in the fire shifted, sending a stream of sparks hissing skyward.

“I’ve always loved you, Zach. I just couldn’t figure out how to make you notice me.”

He gave her a sultry smile. “I noticed.”

She felt her face flush. “I’m glad.”

“You still think I’m an arrogant, cantankerous beast?”

She bit her lip and smiled. She took the glass of champagne and sipped it, offering him the last swallow. “Finish it?”

He kept his gaze on hers, lifted the glass and drained it. He handed the empty glass back to her. “Soph…?”

“Zach,” she replied softly, trying to suppress a smile.

“You’re in big trouble.”

 

 

THE END

 

Thank you for reading my story. If you enjoyed this story please consider leaving me a review. . And if you want to know about future releases, exclusive offers and bonus material, .

Check out my summer 2016 Romance Collection, . It contains twelve stories of growly cowboys, gruff bounty hunters and smart, sassy heroines. All stories are safe reads with happily-ever-afters.

 

Alix