For the Love of Annie

by Sabrah Huff Agee

  Cooper quickly divested Mary Louise of her night clothes. Then he stripped down the bed covers and gestured for her to lie down. Without a word, she did as he directed. When he climbed in beside her she looked at him questioningly. "You aren't going to undress?"

  He shook his head. "Not yet. Perhaps later."

  Obviously puzzled, she drew her brows together. "B— But I don't see how— ?" Her question was interrupted when Cooper took her mouth in a slow, indolent kiss. While he tasted of her lips, his hand traced the shape of her, sliding sensuously over her hip, across her midriff, to settle lightly over her breast. When her nipple tightened beneath his practiced fingers, he took the pink bud into his mouth and suckled it.

  "You like this, don't you Mary Louise," he whispered as he moved to repeat his magic on her other breast. When she didn't reply, he raised his head to look at her. "Tell me how it feels when my mouth is on you."

  Her eyes were trained on the pleated canopy overhead. After a moment's hesitation, she said, "I don't feel anything in particular."

  "No?" He smiled. He knew she was lying, her quickened heartbeat and heated skin told him everything he needed to know about what she was feeling. He moved his hand back down her body until it was resting on the silvery— blonde thatch between her thighs. He threaded his fingers through the silkiness as he whispered, "What about here? Does this make you feel anything in particular?"

  Her breath caught. "No," she murmured. "N— Nothing."

  He slipped a finger inside the moist folds and immediately desire's lubricant eased its entry. "How about this?" he whispered as he stroked her. "How does this make you feel?"

  Though she didn't reply, he could see that she was becoming aroused. Her eyes darkened, her breathing became labored, and her hands clenched spasmodically at her sides. As he continued stroking, he searched out and found her clitoris and lightly fondled it with his thumb. He had no more than touched the hidden nugget when she came to life beneath his palm. She writhed and arched against his hand and he watched her grow hotter and hotter until he knew she was nearly delirious with desire and only seconds away from climaxing— and then he withdrew his hand.

  Her eyes flew open the moment his fingers left her. Breathing in great gasps, she looked at him with imploring eyes. When he arched a brow, she stuck out her chin and said nothing.

  Pretending to ignore her significant agitation, Cooper climbed off the bed and retrieved his brandy flask. He took a swallow from it and turned to look at her. "Would you like some more?"

  She swallowed. "No, thank you," she answered in a voice made husky by desire.

  He replaced the cap on the flask and then returned to the bed. Moving beside her, he said, "Shall I continue?"

  She looked away. "If you like," she replied.

  His kiss was again lingering and filled with the promise of things to come. And once more his fingers stoked the fires of her passion. In only moments he brought her to the precipice of fulfillment— and once more he withdrew.

  This time when he moved to get out of bed she grabbed his wrist. "Why are you doing this?"

  He arched a brow. "What exactly, am I doing?"

  She shuddered and closed her eyes. "You know very well what you're doing."

  He smiled and touched her cheek. "If you want something, Mary Louise, all you have to do is ask."

  She turned her face away from his touch. "Never," she whispered.

  Cooper smiled at the firm set of her jaw. She was as stubborn as she was passionate— but desire would be her undoing. Her surrender was inevitable, the only question was when.

  Cooper skinned off his remaining clothes and climbed back on the bed. "Now," he said, gazing at her as if she were a sumptuous desert, "Where was I?"

  Instead of taking her lips this time, he kissed her navel, laved it with his tongue and moving lower nibbled the sensitive flesh just above her mons. Mary Louise sighed in anticipation of pleasure when his hot breath hissed through her pale pubic curls. And when his tongue parted the dewy folds that had recently known his fingers and delved her most secret place, Cooper heard her sob his name. As he continued to fondle her with his lips and tongue, her movements grew frantic as once more she soared on the wings of passion. And when he knew her climax was imminent he withdrew again. Rising to his knees, he straddled her, and placed his hands on either side of her shoulders. Suspended over her like a bridge made of muscle and sinew, he gazed into her eyes, questioning.

  She looked up at him, near tears. "Cooper!" His name was a plea.

  "Say it Mary Louise," he said hoarsely, his own desire almost overwhelming. "Say it, Sweetheart. Tell me what you want me to do."

  But to Cooper's frustration, she continued to resist. Cooper looked down at himself. He was rock hard and hurting. He had begun this game to prove something to Mary Louise, but he was learning something about himself as well. He had always believed he could control his baser needs, and he had, on more than one occasion, tested himself by walking away from a willing woman at the last moment. And tonight, he'd meant to make Mary Louise beg him to take her; he'd been determined to hold out as long as it took for her to capitulate. But now, he wondered if he had the strength to hold out. He knew she wanted him as much as he wanted her, so why wouldn't she say the words?

  Then Cooper lowered his hips until his distended shaft grazed her weeping sex. She arched to meet him, but he quickly moved out of reach. "Say it, damn you," Cooper growled. He was about to lose what little self— control he had left. Right now all he wanted to do was bury himself inside her warmth, and feel her inner muscles contract around him.

  "Please," she sobbed at last.

  "Please what, Weezie? Tell me what you want."

  "I want you inside me. Please, Cooper, I'm begging."

  With a appreciative groan he moved to settle between her open thighs. With one thrust he entered her and felt vaginal walls close around him convulsively. He sighed with pleasure and when her legs wrapped tightly about his hips as if to hold him there, he smiled against her mouth. "Take it easy, Sweetheart," he murmured between kisses, "I'm not going anywhere."

  Though he tried to make it last, Cooper's arousal was such that it was over nearly as soon as it had begun. His only consolation was that Mary Louise had climaxed almost the moment he entered her.

  Chuckling, Cooper rolled to his side, bringing Mary Louise with him. Laughing softly, he kissed her nose. "I think we may have set some kind of speed record," he said.

  She smiled ruefully. "I hope you don't plan to try to break it."

  "Not on your life, Weezie. The next time we'll take it slow and easy."

  She arched a brow. "The next time? And when will that be?"

  He reached over to the night stand and picked up his watch. "Let's see," he said, "It's now ten forty— five. I think the next time will begin at approximately...ten— forty— six."

  Mary Louise was eager when he pulled her beneath him.

  THEY MADE love two more times before they paused to rest. Cooper lay with Mary Louise nestled in his arms. After a moment, he said, "Weezie?"

  "Hum?" she murmured drowsily.

  "I don't want to waste any more time playing silly games. You know you like this as much as I do. So from now on when you come to me, I want you warm and willing."

  She disentangled her legs from him and moved to the far side of the bed. "I don't remember my being willing as part of our bargain," she whispered.

  He arched a brow. "Nor was anything mentioned about your playing coy, either. You enjoy this, Mary Louise, so why don't you admit it?"

  She shook her head. "No," she said. "I don't enjoy it. I resent it."

  He laughed. "Then you're a better actress than I would have believed. You're wasting your time around here, Weezie. You should consider going on the stage like Etta did. With talent like yours, you'd be more famous than Bernhardt."

  "And you're no better than Etta's low— life brothers," she spat.

  "What! I'm nothing like them."

>   "They intended to use Etta any way they saw fit, and her feelings about it didn't matter. How is what you're doing different?"

  Her words gave him pause. Indeed, how was it different? He didn't like being compared unfavorably to the Blake brothers. Men of their ilk left a bad taste in his mouth, and to be lumped in the same breath with them was nauseating. Unfortunately, in his heart of hearts, he knew she spoke the truth. His conduct of late had been unethical at best and, when he considered that he was actually using blackmail to get what he wanted, illegal as well. If he hadn't been so desperate for another child, he would have terminated their bargain at that moment. But he wanted another child and if Mary Louise insisted on going through with this insane business arrangement marriage, his only chance for a baby depended on her conceiving it prior to the wedding. He sat up. "I'm sorry you feel like that," he said at last. "But be that as it may, a bargain's a bargain."

  She looked at him, her eyes showing contempt. "Yes," she said. "A bargain's a bargain."

  IT WAS nearing dawn when Cooper finally allowed Mary Louise to return to her room. Though she obviously still resented their bargain, she didn't mention it again that night. His only comfort after their little set— to, was that she no longer pretended apathy when they made love. Her passion, once she let herself go, was exhilarating, and Cooper's stamina was severely tested during the fervor of their love— play.

  Rolling over, Cooper breathed in the scent of violets that still clung to the pillow. As he drifted off to sleep he wondered if he could ever make the stubborn woman understand that in insisting on the accursed condition to their marriage she was making grievous mistake.

  MARY LOUISE twisted the X— shaped porcelain nob and watched as water streamed into the large, claw— footed bathtub. While waiting for the tub to fill, she gathered up her long hair and pinned it at the crown. Then she slipped off her night clothes and stepped over high sides of the bathtub. Sighing with pleasure, she eased her tired, aching body down into the hot, steamy water. Leaning against the tub's slanted back, she sighed again. She had assumed her memories of making love the first time had been exaggerated, that she'd romanticized it, giving it more credence than was deserved. But tonight she discovered that her memories that first time were, in fact, quite accurate.

  Although she had no previous lovers with which to compare him, she suspected that Cooper's sexual prowess would be considered exceptional by any woman given the opportunity to appraise his talent. All Mary Louise knew for certain was that making love with Cooper was an extraordinary experience. With soft words, gentle kisses, and an imaginative use of his hands and body, he'd transported her to heights she hadn't known existed, and she'd soared near the stars before he'd allowed her to drift pleasantly back down to earth.

  She picked up the large sea sponge and gently bathed her swollen breasts. And whimpered softly. Her nipples were inordinately sensitive, having been abraded by Cooper's rough, day— old beard. But not even the sting of the irritated skin could diminish the electrifying pleasure that had precipitated it. To her chagrin, even now, though she was sore and exhausted from their passionate play, she was already looking forward to the time when Cooper would summon her to his bed again.

  Chapter 18

  IN THE COLD light of day, Mary Louise's feelings about what had occurred between herself and Cooper changed from exhilaration to despondency. She had, during most of her adult life, consistently scorned the ambiguity of the so— called moral code of Victorian society; but even so, she knew that her behavior in Cooper's bed last night would have been considered appalling by any moral standards. Instead of submitting passively to Cooper's lovemaking— as she'd mentally sworn she'd do— she had, in fact, actively participated in ways that were now shameful to recall. She'd done things which, a mere twenty— four hours ago, she would have considered unthinkable. And worst of all, she'd enjoyed every breathtaking moment.

  "Good morning, Weezie."

  Mary Louise gasped and clutched at her throat at the unexpected greeting. Then she saw it was Erik who'd joined her in the breakfast room, and she smiled with chagrin. "You startled me, Erik. I didn't hear you come in."

  He filled a plate from the sideboard and took a chair across from her. "Anyone seeing you just now would think you had a guilty conscience." He grinned. "'Fess up, Weezie. What sort of shameful activities have you been up to?" Panic must have shown in her face, for he suddenly frowned and said, "Weezie, I was only teasing. What's the matter with you this morning?"

  Her smile was tense. "Don't mind me, Erik. I didn't sleep well last night and I'm a little edgy this morning."

  "What kept you up? Were you reconsidering your acceptance of the sheriff's proposal?"

  "No, I'm resigned to the marriage. Believe me, it's better for everyone that we marry."

  "Not for you."

  She pushed her scrambled eggs around her plate. "For me, too."

  Erik's took her hand. "Weezie, are you...?"

  She cocked her head and gazed at him quizzically. "Am I what?"

  He lowered his voice to a whisper. "Are you with child?"

  She laughed then, a nervous, hollow laugh. "No, I'm sorry to say, I'm not."

  "You're sorry?"

  She toyed with her fork. "I would have liked to have had a child." She paused, and then looked at him. "But one can't have everything one wants."

  "Weezie, why don't you tell Cooper you've changed your mind about that ridiculous stipulation. If you're determined to marry the man, you should be his wife, not his business partner."

  "Amen to that," came Cooper's voice from the doorway.

  Erik frowned at the intruder. "This conversation was private, Matthews. How long have you been eavesdropping?"

  Cooper grinned at Erik and sauntered to the sideboard. "I wasn't eavesdropping. I happened by as you were speaking. And, in as much as I was the subject of your conversation, you can hardly blame me for listening."

  When Cooper drew out the chair to sit beside her, Mary Louise made move to rise. "Stay for a while," he said. His manner was one of nonchalance, but she heard an undercurrent of iron in his tone.

  For a heartbeat Mary Louise considered refusing Cooper's soft "request," but unwilling to cause a scene in front of Erik, she acquiesced. "All right," she said, forcing a smile.

  "How do you feel this morning?" Cooper asked as he settled next to her.

  She had been reaching for her coffee cup and it clattered noisily against the saucer. "Quite well, thank you," she said without looking at him. Surely Cooper wasn't going to discuss last evening's activities with Erik sitting not five feet away!

  "Are you certain you're all right?" He seemed to study her closely, and Mary Louise might have believed he was truly concerned if she hadn't seen the wicked sparkle in his eyes and the smallest hint of a grin tugging his lips.

  She cleared her throat. "Yes, I'm quite certain."

  "Is there some reason she shouldn't be all right?" Erik asked, his worried glance darting over Mary Louise.

  Cooper shrugged. "Well, after last night— "

  "Cooper!" Mary Louise kicked him under the table and was rewarded when she heard his soft,

  "Ouch."

  "What about last night?" Erik prompted, his expression one of concern. "Did something happen?"

  "You should know," Cooper replied. "You're the one who took her for an evening stroll in the dead of winter. You shouldn't have kept her out so long, Knudson. By the time she came back inside she looked chilled to the bone— I wouldn't be surprised if she were feverish this morning."

  Relief flooded Mary Louise, leaving her feeling giddy and faint. When she could speak without a tremor in her voice, she murmured, "I told you, Cooper, Erik and I walk in the cold air regularly and I never get sick."

  When Cooper smiled this time, it appeared genuine. "I was afraid you might be coming down with something. You do sound a little hoarse this morning."

  She returned his smile. "I appreciate your concern, but I'm fine."
r />   He lifted his brow and Mary Louise understood that the gesture was his way of communicating an unspoken question. "I'm all right, really," she softly replied.

  Her words seemed to satisfy him and Cooper began to eat his breakfast while Erik and Mary Louise began a friendly, if mundane, discourse.

  "How much longer will you remain at Belle Rive, Sheriff?" Erik asked as Cooper laid down his fork.

  Cooper wiped his mouth on his napkin and leaned back. "I'm not sure. I can't stay too much longer if I expect to have a job when I return to Hollisburg. Understandably, folks there don't take kindly to their sheriff's taking an extended holiday."

  "Have you two discussed a wedding date?"

  Mary Louise glanced at Cooper. "No— no we haven't. But I don't want a long engagement. As far as I'm concerned, the sooner we say our vows the better."

  Though Erik couldn't know her real reason for wanting a short engagement, Mary Louise knew Cooper understood her motivation all too well. She held her breath as she waited for Cooper to respond to her statement. She didn't have to wait long.

  "Well..." Cooper drawled, "I'm not sure we should jump into this thing too quickly, Weezie. Don't you think we ought to take a little time to get to know each other better." As he spoke, he reached over and, under cover of the trailing edge of the linen table cloth, caressed her thigh.

  "Oh!" Mary Louise squeaked, startled by his temerity in so public a place as the breakfast room. She grabbed his questing fingers and held on to them for dear life.

  "Something wrong, Sweetheart?" he asked.

  Aware of Erik's gaze on both of them, she replied, "I— I thought I saw a mouse, but I think it must have been a trick of the light."

  "Then would you mind pouring me a cup of coffee?" he asked, his expression innocent as a child's. "I'm all thumbs with that fancy silver service. No matter how I try not to, it seems I always spill some when I pour my own."