by Paty Jager
She stared at his broad back as he left the shack. Turning her attention to the two men sipping tea at her table, she gave them a weak smile. “Does the man always get his way?”
“No. You seem to have gotten your way on several things over this mill,” Hank said, watching her.
“Ah suppose. But what if ah dinnae want to live in that place?” She didn’t want the two studying her to think she had coerced the man into building the house for her. Even though he had built the ‘office’ to house her family.
Chapter 16
Aileen and her family moved into the new building by early evening. Ethan couldn’t help but smile. Miles’ stupidity actually helped him. He’d informed Colin they couldn’t live in the shack any more because it was about to fall down. The boy had been apprehensive and said they’d only stay in the office until he could get their home repaired.
Ethan approved of the boy learning new things and using them. He doubted once Aileen got used to the comforts of the office she’d want to move back to the shack, but the woman had surprised him more than once.
He and Hank carried the last cot into the building and placed it in the room that would be Aileen’s.
“Will be hard for the bairn to sleep in their own rooms.” Her eyes sparkled as she scanned the room.
“They’ll get used to it.” He turned to her as Hank left the room. “I’m sorry it took something so drastic to get you moved in.” He placed a hand on her cheek and smoothed the worry lines beside her eye with his thumb. “But I’m glad you’re here. I’ll feel better.”
She turned and kissed his palm. “Thank ye for comin’ to my rescue.” The warmth in her eyes and the moist spot where she kissed his palm sent need coursing through his body. He slid his hand to the back of her head and drew her up on her toes. The inviting smile on her pink lips aroused him even more.
He lowered his head and touched her petal soft mouth. Her lips parted and the tip of her tongue traced the seam of his mouth. He wasn’t sure what she asked, but he opened. The sensation of her soft, sweet tongue touching his nearly buckled his knees. He sagged against her, clutching her body against him, using her as a prop to hold him up. So there was more to kissing than just touching lips.
She rubbed against him, hardening his shaft even more and eliciting a moan. He pulled back unsure how far this would or should go. Cripes— there were children and his brothers lurking about somewhere.
The sultry look in her eyes and the smile curving her lips were his undoing. Ethan pulled her back into his arms, kissing her as she’d just kissed him. To taste a woman—this woman–was heady. If he’d known how kissing could jolt the body and how good a woman felt in his arms, he’d have courted a long time ago.
“Ahem!”
Aileen jerked out of his arms. He stepped back feeling like he’d been caught stealing. Damn!
Hank walked into the room, placing a pair of worn out boots on the floor. “Colin said these belonged to you.”
Ethan watched Aileen nod slightly. Her eyes had cleared, and she held her head high.
“He’s right.” She retrieved the boots, setting them at the end of the cot. Then turned and gave him a smile before brushing past both he and Hank to disappear out the door.
“So, big brother, looks to me like you have taken this relationship a little farther than you’ve been letting on.” Hank crossed his arms, barring the door.
“Not sure what you’re talking about?” Ethan crossed his arms and returned the amicable gaze.
“Something short of a bonfire happened in here”. Hank darted a glance downward and then back to his face.
Ethan’s ears burned. His hardened member still strained at his britches. And damn Hank’s hide for noticing.
“It’s only the second time we’ve kissed, and I’d thank you to not be jawing about this to anyone.”
“As familiar as you two were getting, I don’t think that was a second kiss.”
“Are you calling me a liar?” Ethan took a step toward his brother. He’d swipe that smirk off his face.
Hank raised his hands in surrender. “Hell, if that was only your second kiss, I hope you know what you’re getting yourself into.”
His ire faded as his brother’s words sunk in. “What do you mean?”
“You two were all but devouring each other. I’d say it’s been a while since either of you had a good roll in the hay.” Hank cocked his head to one side as Ethan’s cheeks flamed. “Damn! Ethan, don’t tell me you never…”
“I’ve been with a couple, you know…” he ran a hand over his face. This wasn’t something he wanted his brother to find out, but then again, where was he to get instruction on how to court Aileen if he didn’t ask someone.
Hank slapped him on the shoulder. “We’ve all been with those kind, but have you been with someone who doesn’t do that for a living?”
Ethan stiffened his shoulders and threw them back, straightening his body to his full height. There was only one person he knew who wouldn’t laugh at his ignorance. He’d wait to ask his questions then.
“I haven’t been a hermit.”
“At least you know where to start then!” Hank laughed and spun to leave the room.
“You mention any of this to anyone and you’ll be pulling extra shifts when the mine is up and running.”
Hank waved his hand and continued through the short hall.
Ethan leaned against the doorjamb. Now what should he do? Ask Aileen to forgive him for being so forward? He didn’t know what came over him. He thought of her ardent kiss. She’d put just as much into the kiss as he had. And from the passion in her eyes, she’d enjoyed it as well.
The memory of her hot tongue enticing his lips to open and her sweet taste shot heat to his loins.
“Happy Man!” Shayla rushed down the hallway and grasped his hand. “Come see my room!” She tugged him to the door across the hallway.
“This is very nice.” Ethan stepped inside the small space with a cot along the wall. “Is this where you’re going to sleep?”
“It’s all mine! Momma said so.” Shayla smoothed the faded blanket on the bed and scanned the bare walls. He, too, studied the room. Two small dresses hung from pegs on the wall. A worm leather satchel sat on the floor beneath the garments. He knew the bag held two petticoats, drawers and one pair of stockings for the child.
“Shayla, when is your birthday?” He wanted to find out the birthdays of each family member and give them a new outfit for their special day.
“When the flowers are pretty.” She smiled, “And Momma’s and Colin’s birfday is when I go to bed during the day.”
Ethan watched the child. What did she mean? Her birthday would be spring or early summer for the flowers to be blooming, but going to sleep during the day?
“What else can you tell me about your mother and Colin’s birthdays?”
“It’s hot and we swim instead of baths.”
“Summer.” Ethan grinned. Well, it looked like he’d have to purchase them Christmas presents.
“Shayla, dinna be pesterin’ Mr. Halsey.” Aileen stood in the doorway, her proud gaze resting on her child.
“She isn’t pestering me. In fact, I enjoy our conversations.” His words made Aileen’s brow furrow in a worried crease. Now what would she be worried the child would say?
“For all ye’ve done for us, we’d be pleased if ye and yer brothers joined us for dinner tomorrow night.” She finally looked him in the face. He couldn’t tell if she wanted him to accept alone or if she wanted Clay and Hank there as chaperones.
“We’d be honored, but let me give you some money to purchase what you need.” He slid a hand into his pocket.
“Nae! How can ah be repayin’ ye if ye buy the food!” Her eyes lit with indignation.
“Having someone other than us cook is worth buying the supplies. Of the three of us left, none of us are very good cooks.”
Her soft laughter floated through the room, caressing his ears and warming his
heart. “Ah’ve all ah need if one o’ ye could bring some venison. Colin’s learnin’ so much from Mr. Fellowes ah hate to ask him to take off a day to hunt.”
“Clay’s been itching to go hunting. I’ll have him bring the kill to you.” Ethan took a step toward her. He wanted to feel her in his arms again. Learn all her curves and taste her lips. But she backed into the hall and headed to the common room.
He entered and found Hank and Clay listening to Colin explain how he’d helped Fellowes with the building. The smile and pride on Aileen’s face as she watched her son filled Ethan with contentment. He’d help put the pride in the young man’s voice and the pride on the woman’s face. His belief in both of them had made a difference in their lives.
“Hank, Clay, I hate to pull you away, but we have to finish up the track and check on the others before dark.”
“Don’t go!” Shayla grabbed his leg, clutching it in her small arms.
“We have work to do. And we’ll see you tomorrow night.” He ruffled Shayla’s hair and looked over at his brothers. “Aileen offered to cook dinner for us for helping her move in.”
“Thank you!” Clay said, striding across the room and taking Aileen’s hand. “If I have to eat another burnt biscuit I think I’m going to hurt my brother.” The woman giggled and shot a wary glance toward her son. Colin didn’t play into the humor. He watched the man closely.
“Burnt biscuits can happen to anyone,” Hank said, pushing Clay aside. “If you can brew a pot of coffee that doesn’t taste like kerosene, I’d be forever grateful.”
Aileen’s mirth-filled gaze connected with Ethan. “See, I told you they would jump at the chance to eat someone else’s cooking.”
“So ah see.” She turned to Clay. “Ethan said ye’d be able to brin’ me venison for the meal?”
“If he’s willing to let me out of working a few hours in the morning.” Clay turned his attention to Ethan.
“I offered your assistance, didn’t I?” Ethan took the opportunity to step up to Aileen. He wanted to hold her one more time before he left, but wasn’t sure how to go about it with so many people watching.
Hank turned to Colin, “How about you show me and Clay that wood box you were talking about on our way out?”
Colin nodded enthusiastically and they all left the room, with Shayla trotting after them.
“How’d you do that?” the accusing tone in Aileen’s voice dropped his gaze to her face. Her eyes danced with humor. She’d been hoping for a moment alone as well.
“Not sure. I think Hank’s had more experience with women than I have.” There. He did it, told her he was inept.
She slid her arms around his neck and pressed her body against him. “That’s okay. Ye taught me numbers, ah’ll teach ye what a woman wants.” Her lips brushed his lightly, back and forth, teasing, tingling. Her wet, warm mouth opened, and he surrendered to her instruction.
Aileen owed the man kissing her back passionately, yet, she wasn’t sure how much she was willing to give. She wanted him. Her body wanted him. He’d demonstrated his gentleness and now revealed his desire. He drew her hips tight against his, pressing his hardened length against her belly. His hands made an unhurried path up her sides and around just brushing the swells of her breasts. The feel of his strong, yet, gentle hands brought back faded memories of being loved. A feeling she’d given up hope of reveling in again.
She placed her hands on either side of his rugged face and pulled back enough to keep their lips separated as she looked into his eyes. “Ah’ve a hunger for ye. But ah’ve bairn to think about.” The desire in his eyes didn’t lessen as his lips curved into a smile that dazzled her senses.
“I’ll keep my hands to myself when the children and others are present as long as you promise to slip into my arms when we’re alone.”
She studied his face. Was he willing to not bed her? Even though he was rock hard and must be hurting.
“Will ye be all right with that?” She placed a hand on his hardness and he groaned. She nearly moaned as well at the heat and strength. Mr. Miller hadn’t been a lover. He’d been a taker, making her fear and abhor his boaby. But the man whose boaby she now held in her hand would never take her. He’d be gentle.
He pushed away from her and stood with his back to her as he pulled deep breaths of air in and out. “Aileen, don’t do that again, please.”
“’Tis what ah mean. Ye can’t be feelin’ me up and kissin’ without lettin’ yer male urges free. It’ll hurt ye.” She put her hands on his shoulders. “But ah’m not ready to go that far. As much as ah feel safe with ye…”
Her breath hitched when he turned around. The passion glazing his brown eyes weakened her resolve. It took all her control to not drag him into her room.
“Aileen, to know you feel safe with me and are willing to share kisses,” his finger skimmed her cheek with the faintest of touches, “is all I need.”
The scurry of small feet grew louder. Reality crashed around her, and she stepped away from his caress.
“For now.”
She sought his gaze, but he ducked his head and moved through the door.
“Night,” he called as Shayla burst into the room. Her lassie danced around the room as large as the whole shack they lived in until a few hours earlier.
“My tummy is talkin’.” Shayla grasped her hand and tugged her toward the kitchen.
“Then we’ll have to find it something to eat.” Aileen followed her daughter into the room. To cook with such grand things like running water and a cookstove elated her as much as the safety she felt in the arms of a man again.
Ethan’s parting words bounced around in her head. Their meaning sizzled her blood and her skin tingled with anticipation.
When and how would they be able to quench the desire they both felt?
And would one tussle sate their thirsts or only fuel their need?
Chapter 17
Ethan used the excuse of needing more spikes to take a trip to Sumpter and visit Myrle. They would have a fine meal tonight at Aileen’s, and he hated to have two good meals in one day when he’d rather stretch them out, but he wanted, no, needed answers. And Myrle was the only person with whom he felt comfortable discussing the situation. Asking his brothers how to seduce a woman didn’t set well. As the oldest he should know these things, not have to ask his younger siblings.
Myrle was like a mother or beloved aunt, and his stomach didn’t knot near as bad thinking about talking to her as it did his brothers.
He pushed through the door to her establishment and glanced around. A few of the customers he knew by sight. The Widow James glared at him before hightailing it through the kitchen door.
Before he could decide the best spot to sit, Myrle slipped through that same door, drying her hands on her apron. “What brings you here today? I heard you’ve been working everyone till they dropped putting that mill of yours to rights.”
He gave the small woman a hug and looked down into her concerned face. “I need advice.” He glanced around at all the faces watching them. “But it’s private.”
Her eyes twinkled, and a smile split her face. “One minute.” She hurried across the room and stuck her head in the kitchen. “Ethel, Sadie, take care of things for a while. I’ve got some business to tend.” Her short legs worked double time crossing back to him as she untied her apron and flung it over a chair. “Let’s go into the parlor. It’s more private.”
He followed her tiny frame through another door off the dining area and into a small feminine room. All the furniture, kerosene lamps included, resembled the mossy trees high on the mountain sides. The fringe hanging from everything was downright unsettling. The bright, cheery colors and flowers appeared almost as garish as the brothel he’d stepped into a couple of times. If there’d been the same cloying scent of perfume, tobacco smoke, and liquor he’d have found the first door out. The scent of beeswax and kerosene tickled his nose. Myrle sat on a cushioned settee and patted the seat next to her.
Ethan turned his hat over and over in his hands. Now that he was here, he wasn’t sure the words would come out. “I—well you see—” He took a swipe at the sweat beading his forehead, opened the top button of his flannel shirt, and pushed his sleeves to his elbow, trying to release the heat of embarrassment burning him up.
“It’s a woman isn’t it?”
He started to shake his head in denial, but the gleam in her eyes said she already knew. So he nodded quick and brief.
“I’ve been a married woman and had a wonderful, loving husband.” She placed a wrinkled hand on his arm. He stared at the hand, unable to look the woman in the eyes and tell her he hadn’t a clue how to be romantic.
“Just follow Aileen’s lead. She also had a wonderful, loving husband. She’ll show you what she wants.”
He jolted at the mention of Aileen. He narrowed his eyes, searching the woman’s face. “What did my brothers tell you?”
“Nothing. Is there something to tell?” The play at innocence didn’t escape his ears.
“No, there’s nothing to tell.” He stood, slapped his hat on and headed for the door. He should have known better than to come here. Hank and his loose lips had to have said something to her. But when? He’d kept both Clay and Hank so busy the last couple of months neither one of them would have had time to slip to town and discuss his infatuation with the Widow Miller.
He stopped at the door, glancing over his shoulder. Myrle remained on the settee, grinning. “Not sure how you knew, but keep it to yourself. She’s a might touchy about this.”
Myrle nodded, and he opened the door, walking into the eating area. He tipped his hat to the Widow James and acknowledged the men he knew, before he left the building and hurried back to work. Hard work would help ease the need boiling inside him for a woman he had no business thinking about.
****
Aileen pushed the dishrag across the last breakfast dish. She shook her head, ridding it of thoughts of Ethan. Instead, she turned to thoughts of making their new living quarters a home. She’d kept treasures of her past hidden in the trunk that traveled with her from Ireland. It was one of her few possessions Mr. Miller had left unscathed in his rages. Now she had a house worth showing them off.
