Dipping his head, he sucked on her neck and fondled the globes of her breasts. Their movements grew more urgent, as he drew himself in and out of her, always hitting that spot inside that made her gasp and cry out.
He felt her thighs tighten around him, and she arched herself, her hands under her ass, lifting and rubbing herself against him.
Her cries grew ecstatic and crazy, as he reached for her clit, rolling his thumb ever so gently over her wet heat.
“Marsh, oh, Marsh!” She held his gaze for a long second before her eyes slammed shut, her mouth widened into an oblong oval, and she bucked her head back and forth and shattered in a cataclysmic climax.
Pleasure overtook Marsh and he let it all go, slamming into her with full force. Her pulses milked every bit of energy he had into an explosion of power, pleasure, and love.
He held her tight, panting and kissing, as the last shudders of passion rippled through them. He never wanted to lose touch with Ginger, ever again, and that meant he had to open up to her and let her in deep into the corners of his heart.
She was the one he’d been waiting for all his life, and he honestly couldn’t care less whether they lived in the city or the country.
Chapter Twenty-Three
“First of all, we have to get you a New York Mets cap,” Ginger said the next morning as they got out of the shower together.
“And mess up my hairstyle?” Marsh roped a towel around her neck to kiss her without her getting away.
“Yep, you’re going native New Yorker today, and no Yankee hat, oh no.” Ginger jutted her lower lip at him. “By the way, whatever happened to her?”
“It’s a long story, and I’ll tell you over breakfast.” Marsh kissed the tip of her nose. “I know you’re dying to pry, but we only have twenty-four hours to cover this town.”
“We won’t even scratch the surface, but I promise it’s going to be good.” Ginger dried herself and snapped the towel at him.
“If you don’t put on any clothes, we’re not going to get out of your apartment.” He chased after her and gave her a noogie.
She stepped over his jacket and felt a hard length in the pocket. “Oh my God, Marsh, what is this, a gun?”
“Another long story,” Marsh said, pulling on his pants. “I promise I’ll tell all. I’m never going to hold anything back from you again.”
“You’d better not.” She tapped his chest, sucking in drool at how muscular he was. Those shoulders, chest, and abs of his came naturally, from farm work, not the hours in the gym pampered city guys indulged in. “If you’d asked me earlier, I could have given the tickets to you.”
“Yeah, but we wouldn’t have made all that money scalping them twice.” He tucked the money into a money belt and strapped it around his waist, before putting on a t-shirt, and topping it with another checked flannel shirt.
“Do farm boys like checkered shirts?” She pulled the gun out of his jacket.
“Plaid, also. It’s a country thing.” He chuckled. “When we get back to Sapphire Falls, I’m going to have to take you to Julie’s and get you some plaid flannel shirts, cut-off shorts, ankle boots, and tank tops for the summer.”
“Who says we’re going back to Sapphire Falls?” Ginger teased, wiggling the gun under his nose. “What if we’re staying here?”
Marsh rubbed the back of his neck and shrugged. “Wherever you are, that’s home.”
“Come on, you know that’s not true. You’ve got family, friends, a farm, and all your hopes and dreams. It can’t all be about me.” She dropped the gun on her bed and slipped into her underwear.
“A lot of it is you. I thought I made it clear last night.”
“You did.” Her voice softened at the memory of how ardent his love was. “I feel the same way about you. I want you to be happy.”
His stomach growled and he rubbed it. “I think my stomach’s happier with some grub in it.”
“There’s a diner around the corner.” She pulled on a bra and sweater dress. “Best bagels, lox, with cream cheese and chives.”
“I know what cream cheese and chives are.” He pulled a pair of pants over his fabulous ass and Ginger rued, just a little, promising him a sightseeing tour. “But bagels and lox? Sounds like something from a Dr. Seuss book.”
“You’ll be a native New Yorker in no time flat.” She slid her arms around his waist and held him.
“If this is where you want to live, I can adjust.” He swallowed hard. “I can be a plumber or a handyman. Lots of things I can do.”
“Yeah, we have all those cows lined up for milking.” She gave him a peck on the lips. “Almost ready?”
Minutes later, Ginger led Marsh by the hand and walked down the narrow stairs of her building.
“There’s something I have to show you.” She squeezed his hand. “And I don’t want you getting freaked out or anything, but it’s the reason why I didn’t want to come back to my apartment.”
He stopped in the middle of a landing and stared at her. “You didn’t want to come back, and you’re here?”
She nodded. “It’s stupid when you think about it, but I was mugged right outside.”
“Mugged? How come no one told me?” He touched her face so tenderly it made her wince. “Were you hurt?”
“Nothing but my pride.” She blinked at the sudden onslaught of tears. “I’ve lived in New York for half of my life. I thought I was street smart. But on the day I was leaving for Sapphire Falls, someone shoved me down near the alley across the street.”
They emerged from the apartment building under the archway and crossed the street.
“Here?” Marsh pointed to the alley which was gated off with barbed wire on top to keep people out.
“Yes, right here in front of the gate down that little slope.”
“Do you know who did it?”
“No, I was looking at my phone and a guy wearing a hooded jacket bashed my head and pushed me to the ground. I froze. Froze like a panicked deer in headlights.” She wiped her gloved hand over her eyes. “All my self-defense moves that I practiced were like nothing. I couldn’t move a muscle. I felt like I was outside my body. The pain was a shock and then he was gone. Grabbed my purse and ripped the four-leaf clover necklace from my neck.”
“Oh, Ginger.” Marsh embraced her and she let herself rest in his strong arms. “I didn’t know. Otherwise I wouldn’t have asked you to come here.”
“I had to overcome my fear,” she said. “And I wanted to be with you.”
“You didn’t have to come.” He brushed the back of his fingers across her cheek. “But I’m glad you did. Bad things could happen anywhere. But if you’re with me, I’ll try my level best to make sure no one ever hurts you again.”
“I feel the same about you,” Ginger said. “And that includes your heart. After everyone told me what happened, I realized you ignored me because I played hard to get, and you thought I was dumping you.”
“Yeah.” He nodded sheepishly. “I wanted way more than our two-day deal.”
“So did I.”
* * *
Marsh discovered that a bagel was a doughy, chewy unsweetened doughnut and lox was smoked salmon. The entire combination of garlic bagel, cream cheese with chives and lox was beyond anything he’d ever tasted.
Over coffee, he told Ginger what happened with Miss Yankee Stadium, including her attempted heist of the tickets, only to end up having Evan auction them off and run away with the cash.
“Why, those jerks.” Ginger’s face turned red with anger. “I thought they were my friends. I can’t believe Slade pulled a gun on you.”
“When there’s a lot of money around, anyone can betray anyone.”
“I’m glad you left them hogtied in Central Park. No wonder they didn’t answer my texts. I got that picture of you guys at the bar, and a bunch of pictures of you and all those women. What was that about?”
Marsh almost choked on his coffee. He burned his tongue and wiped his lips with a napkin, shaking
his head.
“It was ‘take a selfie with a hick’ night. They paid me in shots and I posed with them. I didn’t realize Evan was taking pictures and texting them to you.”
“He is such a brat, but I don’t find it funny that he tried to rip you off. As for Slade, I’m never going to speak to him again. He’s an ex-con, and I gave him a chance. But no more.”
“Do they know where you live?” Marsh’s voice roughened at the thought they could hurt her.
“No, at least I don’t think so.” Ginger tilted her head back and looked up as if she couldn’t be sure.
“Then, I say we need to change the locks. Call the landlord and tell them you’ve been a victim of a crime.” He patted the gun in his jacket. “I’ll get this cleaned and buy you the proper ammo, then take you to a shooting range so you learn how to handle it. Sleep with it under your pillow, and don’t ever answer the door without finding out who’s on the other side.”
“Whoa, you’re going all protective over me.” Ginger blinked at him as if she were seeing him for the first time. “They’re my buddies, or at least my acquaintances. I don’t think they’d hurt me.”
“They would if they thought you had the money. They might be back tonight looking for us.”
“Oh …” Ginger slumped in the café’s booth. “Actually, I wasn’t going to tell you until later, but I’m not going back to that apartment. I’m moving to Sapphire Falls. It doesn’t mean you have to be with me or anything. I’m not forcing myself on your little town, but Ellen Anderson offered me a job and I should be able to find an apartment downtown near the salon, and well, everyone’s been so nice to me.”
“You’re moving to Sapphire Falls?” Elation overtook him and he grabbed her hands with both of his. “That means I don’t have to move here and find a job as a plumber or handyman.”
“No, you don’t. You didn’t have to on my account anyway.” Ginger’s brow dipped with a frown. “I’m not trying to tie you down or anything. I know you might still date other women, and hey, I’m okay with it. I just want to put down roots somewhere, and I hope you don’t think I’m invading your town.”
“Invade away. This is the best news.” Marsh caressed her hands and brought them to his lips. He kissed her knuckles, putting all his emotion into it. “I think I’m in love with you, and I want you to be my girlfriend, if you’re okay with it.”
She moved around the booth to his side and leaned her head on his shoulder. “I want to give us a chance to grow together. I want it too, but I don’t want you to feel obligated.”
“Love is not an obligation, but a privilege.” He looped his arm around her and kissed the top of her head. “Let’s give it a chance. I’m hoping it works out, but even if it doesn’t, I’ll always have another friend in Sapphire Falls.”
“And I’ll have a real home, with family, and friends, a cool place to work, and you.”
“Yes, you’ll always have me.” He closed his eyes and held her tight. This time, the sweet nothings were not said in bed, and that meant they were not nothings, but sweet everythings. Sweet promises of a lifetime together.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Ginger still hadn’t told Marsh she loved him.
Not that she was keeping track.
Or maybe she was, because he’d told her several times he loved her.
Over bagels and lox when he said he thought he was falling in love with her.
Then again, while saying he loved New York when they hiked the length of the High Line Park, a unique urban park made from repurposing an elevated rail line that ran down the west side of Manhattan.
Over dinner at the Chelsea Market, a giant food court in the heart of the city, he proposed a toast to love.
Then later, while in bed at the iconic Waldorf Astoria hotel, where they’d indulged in the legendary red velvet cake, and he traced the word over her belly with frosting.
Another use of the L-word happened at the airport, when they waved goodbye to New York City, for now, and kissed as the plane took off.
The “I love you’s” were flowing freely by the time they landed in Nebraska, and the first thing Marsh did when he pulled his truck into Sapphire Falls was stop at the town square, buy two Love Potions from the booth, and march her to the center of the gazebo, where they’d faced each other and drank the Love Potions with arms hooked around each other.
For good measure, in case the first potion was only fifty percent effective.
And then, he kissed her and told her again that he loved her.
It was now the evening of the dance, and Ginger had never felt more tongue-tied in her entire life.
It wasn’t that she didn’t love Marsh, because if the feelings of lightness and excitement, the symptoms of heart palpitations and hands sweating, and the way everything felt terribly alive and meaningful whenever Marsh was with her wasn’t love, then the earth was flat and the moon was made of Swiss cheese.
So here she was, at her first country dance, wearing a bright red cocktail dress, red ruby earrings, and red-soled heels. And she was nervous and scared.
Because she’d bid for Mike, he was duty bound by Sapphire Falls tradition to at least escort her into the community center and dance the first dance with her.
He was polite, but Ginger could tell he wasn’t pleased. He held his arm stiffly and they entered the large multi-purpose room.
A band played love songs and couples were milling around or going at it on the dance floor.
The large group of church ladies who bid on Mike waved at him enthusiastically, and Ginger noticed one of the girls looking at him with her hand pressed over her chest, about to swoon.
Mike tipped his chin at them and flashed his megawatt charming smile.
“I know you want to get this over with,” Ginger said.
“On the contrary.” Mike put his arms around her and held her in dancing position. “I have a few questions to ask you.”
“That sounds ominous.” Ginger swayed with Mike, but kept at least an inch or two of space between them.
The songs were annoyingly slow, but then, it was a Valentine’s Dance and people were supposed to be with their sweethearts.
“Not really. I just want to know your intentions with my brother.” His eyes were so focused, she felt like he was penetrating her thoughts.
“I enjoy his company. He’s a wonderful man.”
“He’s also my brother.” Mike turned her in slow circles as they danced to the love song. “I don’t want to see him hurt, ever.”
“I’m not here to hurt him. I came here to find myself, to find something that was missing in my life, and Marsh is truly the answer.”
“Yes, he is the answer for you. For now. But what happens when you get bored? What happens if someone glitzier comes along, let’s say a billionaire, or a rock star, or a football player?”
Ginger wrinkled her forehead. “I don’t get what difference it should make. I’d cut their hair if they came to the salon, and maybe get their autograph, but if you're implying I’d ditch Marsh and move on with someone else, you don’t know me very well.”
Meanwhile, the singer was crooning about being truly in love.
And yes, as far as she knew, she was truly in love with Marsh.
“I hope to know you better through the years as my brother’s wife.”
“Did he put you up to this?” Ginger snapped back out of Mike’s arms. “Because I don’t like you butting into my life.”
“He’ll kill me if he knew what I just said, but I’m telling you the truth. Marsh was made to be a husband and a father. He’s a good man, and he’ll never let you down. He’s only got one heart to break and it’s been broken before. He’s holding it together with baling wire and twine, and until you came along, I didn’t think he’d ever put himself out there again. If you break his heart, you’ll break him forever.”
“I’ve already seen Marsh in my imagination as all those things: husband, father, uncle, grandfather, lover, and companion.
” Ginger waited for the song to end. “I think I’ll tell him myself.”
She whipped away from Mike, knowing that fingers pointed and people stared.
Where was Marsh hiding? Had Miss Yankee Stadium flown in to be his date? Or was all of this drama that Mike, the thespian and amateur actor, set up due to his overactive imagination?
“Oh, there you are.” Marsh materialized in front of her.
Ginger lost her breath at the sight of one fine country boy. Instead of a checked shirt, he wore a black leather jacket and a plain white T-shirt, very tight, black jeans and boots. His hair was slicked back and the single earring glinted under the disco ball.
“Marsh.” She put her hands on his chest. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
“Not yet. Let me have this dance.” He drew her close and wrapped his arms around her.
“This next song is dedicated to Miss Ginger Myers,” the disc jockey announced. “Longer by Dan Fogelberg. Tell her how you feel, Marsh.”
As they danced, Ginger saw her life played out in front of her—always with Marsh, from the sweet beginnings of a spring creek to the bubbling brook of summer, the maturity of autumn, and the frosted beauty of winter.
She’d be his helpmate, birthing calves and feeding chickens. She would get up early frying bacon and making coffee, and stay up late burping and rocking their babies. She’d learn how to can fruits and vegetables, plant a vegetable garden, and when he needed it, she’d drive a tractor and pitch hay. Her hand would be in his, and her heart would beat together with his as one, through sickness and health, through celebration and despair—together forever.
They ended the song with a long, dreamy kiss, and Ginger knew it wasn’t what she said that mattered, but what she did with her love—only time would tell—and this time, Ginger kept her mouth shut and let her heart do the talking.
T*H*E *E*N*D
Thank you for reading Ginger and Marsh’s love story. My inspiration is one of my children’s favorite story books, Town Mouse, Country Mouse. Each mouse thought the other had the better deal, but at the end, there’s nothing better than home—and in this case, home is Sapphire Falls.
Sapphire Falls: Going Hearts Over Heels (Kindle Worlds Novella) (My Country Heart Book 3) Page 13
