The length of wood serving as the broom was held by Jewel’s brothers; Paul on one end and Abe on the other. Everyone was crowded around calling out encouragement to the contestant they were supporting—women for Jewel, men for Eli. It being a Sunday, no gambling was allowed, otherwise people would have been challenging each other to put their money where their mouths were.
As everybody in attendance eagerly waited for the game to begin, Adam stepped forward. In his hand he held a coin. He flipped it in the air. “Call it!”
“Heads!” Jewel yelled.
It hit the ground. Heads. Jewel would take the first jump.
Eli bowed graciously. “Ladies first.”
Jewel nodded regally and turned her attention to the wood held up by her brothers. It was about three feet off the ground, a height she doubted she would have trouble clearing. Confidence high, she moved back a few steps and took off at a run. Her supporters were yelling and cheering. She cleared the wood and they roared their approval.
“Not bad,” Eli told her as she joined him on the starting line again. “Not bad.”
He took his turn. He had no trouble jumping the wood either and this time his side cheered.
The bar was raised incrementally higher as both Eli and Jewel continued to clear it. Then it reached four feet.
“You’re in trouble,” Eli told her as the crowd looked on and laughed.
Jewel didn’t deny it. The height of the bar was now above her waist and she was going to need wings to stay in the competition. She gave it a try anyway. Backing up, she raised her skirts to the tops of her half boots and flew toward the goal, but as she reached it she stopped short. It was too high. She couldn’t make it. Her supporters groaned. She gave a mock pout and stomped back to the starting line where a smiling Eli waited.
“It’s those short legs of yours,” he teased. “They’re pretty legs, but they’re short.”
“Long enough to kick you to Kalamazoo. Take your turn.”
Chuckling at the light in her eyes, he eyed the bar, took a short run and would have cleared it if Abe and Paul hadn’t suddenly raised it over their heads, which brought him to an abrupt halt.
“Foul!” Eli called over the erupting laughter of the crowd.
Clapping her hands happily, an ecstatic Jewel ran up and gave each of her brothers a big kiss on the cheek while Eli threw up his hands. “I want an apisaci!” he demanded with mock outrage.
Apisacis enforced the rules during a lacrosse match, but since this was not lacrosse, there was no one on hand to judge his complaint.
Adam stepped up and declared, “It’s a draw. No one wears the pants in this family!”
People fell over laughing.
“Adam!” Gail yelled scandalized.
Jewel shook her head at her father’s antics. A happy Eli put an arm around her waist and squeezed her tight and said for her ears only, “I say we have a rematch. Kisses this time.”
“Think you can win that one?”
“Are your brothers cheats?”
She grinned.
The reception was now officially over. The pleased crowd began to gather their families and belongings for the ride home. Before leaving, however, they all made a point of telling Eli and Jewel how much fun they’d had and wishing them well in their marriage—all except for Lenore Wilson, who’d left before the broom jumping began.
After everyone’s departure the Crowleys and Graysons cleared the fields of the tables, chairs, and other leftover items. Once the grounds were pristine again, they toasted the clean-up effort and the marriage with chilled tumblers of the last of the lemonade.
They then took seats on the wide Crowley porch.
Eli looked to his cheating brothers-in-law and promised, “I will get you two.”
Chuckles followed, and Noah said, “I wish you could have seen the surprise on your face.”
“Bunch of cheaters,” Eli grumbled with amusement. “And to think I’m related to you all.”
Jewel grinned over her drink. “You could do worse.”
Adam cracked, “And so could you, so go up and pack some clothes. You’re going home with your husband.”
Jewel spit lemonade.
Smiling, Abigail handed her a napkin.
Eli waited and watched, eager to see how this would play out.
She met his eyes but he kept his face expressionless.
Jewel turned to her father and, upon seeing his arm-folded stance, said with mock humility, “Yes, Pa.”
Keeping her smile hidden, she went into the house.
After she left, Adam said, “That was easy.”
Eli drawled, “Maybe for you. I’m the one taking her home.”
That brought on a few smiles and nods of agreement, but everyone knew this was for the best.
Jewel did, too. Upstairs in her room, she had no problem with her father’s edict because she’d already made up her mind. True, she hadn’t intended to be moving so soon, but going to live with Eli wasn’t anything she was averse to. In fact parts of herself were giddy at the prospect, but she was also nervous and a tad uncertain. Setting all that aside for now, she finished her packing and went outside to join the others.
The only person on the porch was Eli. “Where’s everybody?”
“They thought you might come back with your bird gun, so they scattered.”
She laughed. “No bird gun. Just a valise. I’ll retrieve the rest of my belongings later.”
“You sure you want to do this.”
She gave him a nod. “Yes.”
“Would you have agreed if I’d asked you earlier today.”
“Yes.”
He was surprised. “Really?”
“Maddie and I talked about it, and I’m ready.”
“Good,” he voiced softly while trailing a finger down her satiny cheek. “Be warned, though, the place is pretty cluttered. I’d have cleaned up had I known I’d be bringing my wife home.”
“I live with five brothers remember. I won’t be shocked.”
“Can you put that in writing?” he asked, thoroughly captivated.
“Whatever you like.”
“I’d like to go home with my wife.”
“Then lead the way.”
She walked with him to the buggy. He helped her in then stowed her valise. As they drove away, Jewel looked back at the sprawling house she’d lived in her entire life and saw her father watching the departure from the porch. As her eyes met his, he gave her a nod of satisfaction, and her heart was so full, tears stung her eyes.
Eli’s small cabin was made of brick and wood. Surrounded on all sides by large trees, it was plain and unadorned. He pulled back on the reins to stop the horse. “Well, we’re here. You promised not to be shocked.”
“Unless you’re hiding dead animals inside, I’ll be fine.”
He came around to help her down and Jewel fought off a rising case of nerves. She didn’t know anything about taking on a husband, a panicked voice inside wailed, but calming herself, she waited for him to grab her valise, then followed him to the door.
The interior made her stare around in awe. Papers were everywhere. Her surprised eyes met his and he shrugged. “Told you.”
She took a hesitant walk deeper into the room. Newspapers were stacked on every flat surface. There were piles set against the walls, and piles beside the chairs; or at least she assumed they were chairs. It was hard to tell with everything covered. Portions of the floor were carpeted with writing tablets while more mounds of newspapers lined the surface of the brick mantel. “Nice place you have here, Eli.”
He grinned ruefully. “I knew you’d like it.”
“When can I start cleaning?”
He draped his arms around her waist and gazed down at her small face. “I didn’t bring you here to clean.”
The intensity in his eyes and the deep tones of his voice caused her heart to pound. “Are you sure? I could be done by Christmas,” she tossed back as his nearness flooded her senses.
>
“I have something more wifely for you to do.”
“What’s more wifely than cleaning?”
“This…”
The slow fervent kiss he placed against her lips singed her from the soles of her feet to the top of her head. It was so sweet she didn’t remember moving closer, but found herself flush against him, aroused by every hard inch of his tall, lean-muscled frame. The kiss deepened and he ran a possessive hand up to the back of her neck to bring her even closer to his masterful mouth. She was drowning, weightless, and shimmered as his kisses moved to her ear. “I want to make love to you, Jewel….”
Overcome by all that he was and the riot of sensations he was making her feel, she trembled in response to the husked-out request.
“Let me teach you, show you…pleasure you,” he breathed in a voice that made her core ripple and come alive.
Under the play of his hand, her nipple strained and hardened, and when he lowered his head and bit her gently through the thin cotton of her white blouse, she gasped with pleasure. He treated its twin to the same wanton salute until her legs went weak.
Eli thought this was far better than cleaning; she was gorgeous, vibrant, and beautifully formed. The soft weight of her breasts drew him into the web of desire he felt caught by, and he wanted her bared so he could love her as ardently as she deserved. Alternating between capturing her passion-parted lips and undoing the buttons of her blouse, his blood pounded with need. Beneath the blouse she was wearing a thin lace-edged camisole that moved seductively over the buds under the impetus of his warm hand. He dragged it down while savoring the scent of roses on her skin, then took the nubbin into his mouth.
Her answering moan of pleasure made his manhood throb and harden. He loved her slowly, fully, enjoying her as if she were his own personal candy until their ragged breaths filled the silence.
Jewel didn’t know which was more masterful, his mouth or his hot hands. In reality it didn’t matter. She just wanted it to continue.
He didn’t disappoint. While he continued to make her nipples plead, the hand moving over her skirt-covered hips tempted her with its lazy wanderings then slid scandalously between her thighs. The little death crackled through her like summer lightning and the echoing thunder shook her entire being.
A smiling Eli continued to ply that warm damp place, watching the pleasure play across her face. He wanted to take her there and then, but not on a carpet of newspapers, so, before she came back to herself, he hoisted her gently into his arms and walked them into his bedroom.
Jewel knew she was being carried but didn’t care where. Her body was pulsating from her orgasm and the only solid things in her hazy world were his strong arms. Moments later she felt the bed beneath her and she slowly opened her eyes. He was above her, and the passion in his gaze touched her like a hand. He traced a finger over her kiss-swollen lips.
“I know this is your first time, so we’ll go slow. Promise.”
There was a virgin’s nervousness hovering beneath her desire, but Jewel wanted whatever came next, so she sat up and after raising herself on her knees kissed him with a fervent invitation that made him groan and pull her closer. “Lord, woman,” he murmured, not sure how he was going to keep himself from taking her as vigorously as his manhood longed to. Kissing her back down onto the bed while his hands kept her nipples tight and ready, he explored her slowly and possessively. He thought her small form perfectly made, and his hands moved over the satin skin reverently.
She whispered, “What should I do?”
He leaned over and touched his lips to hers. “Nothing, this first time will be all for you.”
And it was. He removed her blouse and, while she held his eyes shyly, her skirt and slips. Lying next to him wearing nothing but her camisole, drawers, and dark cotton stockings, she felt the nervousness return, but as if sensing her hesitation, he ran his hand gently up and down her torso and asked softly, “Do you know how beautiful you are, Mrs. Grayson?”
Jewel couldn’t respond because she was too busy spiraling from the caresses touching her everywhere, especially the ones wantonly teasing the damp vent between her thighs. Touches that had her breathing harshly and infected her hips with a rhythm that coaxed her to part her legs even more.
She was so lush and open, Eli had to force himself not to lean down and pay her the ultimate lover’s tribute. Deciding to forgo that gifting for another time, he drew back, and while she lay on his bed with her eyes closed, he removed his shirt and undid the placket on his trousers. He was bursting with need and all he wanted was to slide into her dampness and let the little death carry him away. As hard as he was, he knew it wouldn’t take long, but he wanted her to be ready. So he began again and worked his way sensually down her body from her lips to her hips. Her soft breaths and the untutored caresses she gave him in response drove him to the edge. She let him remove her drawers and as she lay there watching him he moved his palm over the warm soft hair crowning her thighs. “This may hurt sweetheart, but only this once.”
And it did at first, so much so that the pain showed in her face. A sympathetic Eli would rather cut off his arm than cause her injury so he touched her mouth softly. “It won’t last long,” he promised while he throbbed in the tight virgin channel and forced himself to remain still.
Jewel didn’t want to do this anymore. She hurt, and having him inside of her body felt foreign, strange, but as he began to move back and forth slowly and invitingly, the pain slid away and she could feel the desire return. It bloomed deep within and rose with each new stroke. Soon she was matching his rhythm and all the hurt was forgotten.
When Eli felt her body open to receive him, he knew she was no longer in pain, and that pleased him immensely. He kept his pace slow, however, even though her answering responses were bewitchingly sensual. Reaching out, he grabbed a pillow and placed it under her hips.
The added height increased the pleasure.
“Like that?” he asked.
“Oh, yes.”
Further words were eschewed; their joined bodies communicated in the language of passion, and Jewel thought she might lose her mind. Sensations became her world, and when he reached down and teased the tiny bit of flesh from which all pleasure emanated she danced the dance of the little death once again. She came, arching, filling the room with the cry of his name.
That did it for Eli, the orgasm roared over him like wildfire and he stroked her with a controlled ferocity that left him shuddering.
Jewel came back to herself with him lying beside her atop the disheveled bedspread. She felt limp as pudding. Turning her head she met his eyes, then smiled. He responded in kind. Noting the sunlight outside from the cabin’s small window, she said, “I thought married people were supposed to have relations at night.”
“At night, at dawn, in the middle of the afternoon.”
“You’re something.”
“So are you. Are you sore?”
She nodded. “Yes, a little bit.”
“Then we’ll wait for your second time.”
“I’d no idea it would be so moving.”
“It gets better.”
At her surprised face, he laughed softly and brushed a finger over her cheek. “Just you wait.”
On the heels of his response the pictures in Maddie’s Kama Sutra rose to mind and Jewel wondered if all of the positions she’d seen could really be done. A desire to find out claimed her, but she put the shameless thoughts away.
“Penny for your thoughts,” he inquired quietly.
“Just thinking about Maddie’s pictures.”
The delight in his eyes was plain to see. “And what about them?” His finger tempted her nipple with a slow circling. As the bud tightened he leaned down and took it softly into his mouth.
Jewel groaned sweetly. “I can’t think if you do that.”
Desire rising again, Eli pleasured the chocolate tip until she arched sensually. He wanted her again, now, but didn’t want to make her more sore, so he
raised his head and said into her eyes. “Good, because thinking is not allowed in our bed.”
His words thrilled her and so did the slow deliberate pleasure that he began to conquer her with, and this time she orgasmed while brazenly riding two of his well-placed fingers.
Later after being coaxed into yet another orgasm she finally sat up and looked around the small bedroom for the first time. To her amazement it was as cluttered as the front room, but with books. “You have enough books in here to start a lending library.”
Like the newspapers, the books were everywhere: piled on chairs, on the floor, on the dresser, and atop his dusty wardrobe. She turned to him questioningly and again he shrugged. “I enjoy reading.”
“Are you sure you didn’t marry me just to get someone to clean this place?”
He gave her a kiss. “Possibly.”
As his kisses dazzled her, she forgot all about the clutter. When it ended, she fell back onto the bed. “Lord, you’re good at that Eli Grayson.”
He chuckled. “Why, thank you.” He took hold of her hand and gently pulled her up. “Come, let’s get washed up. I’m starving.”
Having been raised in her father’s well-appointed home, she was a bit taken aback by his outdoor facilities. The shower or what passed for a shower was little more than an enclosed wooden stall with a large cooper’s barrel on a platform above the bather’s head. When you wanted water, a tug on the rope attached to the barrel’s bottom opened a small plug that let the water drain down. If you didn’t wash and rinse quickly, the barrel would empty before you were done.
A skeptical Jewel was scrutinizing the series of pulleys used to raise the barrel from the ground. “Has the barrel ever fallen on your head?”
“No, Jewel.”
“Not trying to offend you, Eli, but are you sure?”
“I’ve been here eight years, Jewel, and it’s never fallen.”
“Could probably kill a person if it did.”
“No doubt, but it’s safe. I promise you.”
She looked around at the space. “Do you heat the water somewhere?”
“Not usually.”
She stared. “So what do you do in the wintertime?”
“Wash inside.”
Jewel Page 16
