Why was he still wearing his trousers? She was naked and he should be too. Still, his bulging cock poked into her moist heat and brushed against her tingling flesh.
Her breaths came in short rasps. If he could shower her breasts with such attention she couldn’t wait to feel him buried to the hilt inside her. He ground against her in a faster rhythm and she matched his clothed thrusts. If he could make her this dizzy with passion with half an effort she couldn’t wait until she felt him skin to skin.
His mouth popped off her nipple and she let out a soft groan. He couldn’t stop now.
She tugged on his arm, desperate for relief. She marveled at Dr. Steere, a man of many talents besides his medical knowledge. His wild and tender care drove her mad.
Both of his hands descended on her nipples at the same time, and his lips locked with hers in a firm kiss. He tugged and she came, her long moan quieted by his mouth.
The powerful orgasm racked her body with pulse after pulse of bliss. Her bones turned to butter and she swayed on her feet.
His strong arms encircled her to keep her standing. Their chests pressed together, she felt his heart beating as fast as her own.
The aftershocks faded and she rested her head into his shoulder.
“Let’s get you to the bed,” he breathed into her ear. “That is only the beginning.”
Chapter 7
The ecstasy in her eyes gave him unprecedented satisfaction. Taking in her beauty, his whole body warmed and his cock thickened, pushing against his trousers as if seeking her mound. The next time Ida came he wanted to hear her. If he did his job right, she’d scream his name so loud the whole town would hear. They were already gossiping, so he figured he might as well give them something to gossip about. Oh yes, after they’d made love for hours she would never dream of turning him away again.
He gently laid her on the bed and bent to kiss her delicious lips. They were rosy and full and irresistible. Thanks to her orgasm, her face glowed and a seductive sheen covered her body. Her strawberry tresses fell past her shoulders and he brushed the strands to the side so they didn’t hide her breasts. He wanted all of her to feast upon.
She pulled on his coat collar. “Please let me see you.”
The plea in her voice swelled his chest. She not only wanted him, she needed him. Now.
He stood, shed his coat and vest and shirt, much faster than when he’d stripped on her lawn. Before he was trying to pique her interest. Now that he already had her rapt attention it was time to get down to business. Pulling down his suspenders he pushed his trousers down and then stood on one foot to yank off his sock and shoe and then switched to the other foot.
Ida watched him, grinning. She lounged on the bed, arms stretched above her head in total submission. His balls ached. Yes, she’d had lots of practice with men and likely knew how to act, but this all seemed genuine. And shady lady or not, no woman had gotten to him like this before.
Naked, he crawled up next to her. He bent one of her legs and then the other, placing the soles of her feet on the quilt. This position opened her up even more to his gaze and he took a second to admire the view. Lord, she was already wet; the curls covering her mound glistened. He’d never made love in daylight before. This new experience added an element of excitement. At least the curtains on her bedroom window were pulled, giving them the privacy they needed.
“We are going to take this slow,” he said in a deep, husky voice. “We have all day.”
She bit her lip and he wondered if she wanted to protest.
He pushed apart her folds, exploring the slick skin, the moistness coating his fingers as he drew a lazy path running up and down. Her bosom heaved in time with his strokes, drawing his attention. As he continued his ministrations her breaths turned quick and shallow.
A ripple of joy rushed through him, seeing her at his mercy and loving every minute. He pulled apart her lower lips and then traced the opening. She leaked more onto her inner thighs, and unable to resist any longer, he licked up the juices.
“Oh, oh,” Ida cried out, his warm tongue lapping her skin.
“How long has it been since you’ve taken a lover?” he asked.
“Too long,” she rasped.
That wasn’t much of an answer, but it gave him what he needed to know. She’d be closed tight. He’d take his time and stretch her so she could comfortably take his throbbing cock.
He slipped one finger inside her and instantly she bucked into him, asking for more. That was not how this was going to work. He thrust one finger in and out, feeling the liquid fire burning for him. He added a second finger and then a third, stretching her.
His thumb danced across the hood of her clitoris and then pressed down. Her eyelids squeezed shut and she mewled. Yes, that was the spot. He rubbed circles across the hard little bead at the same time he continued to thrust into her with his fingers.
Suddenly she let out a loud gasp. Her inner walls clamped down on his fingers, trying to suck him deeper.
Unable to give her more satisfaction there, he rubbed the swollen nub between his fingers and she screamed. “William! Oh God!” She soaked his hand, her body going into small convulsions.
Once her body relaxed, he withdrew his hand. “You’re lovely when you come.”
Already flushed, her face turned even redder. She sat up and rested against the headboard, eyeing his erection.
“I can take care of that for you.” She crawled over to him and took his cock in hand. “That is, if this is how you want it to be.”
Her fingers, rough from endless hours of washing, glided across his sensitive skin. Her callused touch stirred his lust. “What do you mean?”
She looked up at him while she continued to stroke his cock. “I don’t think you want to come inside me.” Her blunt statement sent him reeling. How did he give her that impression?
“That is not true,” he said in a raspy staccato. “I just want to take it slow.”
“Well, it is currently two to none.” She gave him a wicked grin and increased her pace. “It is time I even the score.”
The delicious friction was almost too much, sending him to the point of no return quickly. His chest tightened and he struggled to breathe, panting hard. The explosive charge built inside him like a keg of powder waiting for the spark.
She tugged on his balls and he came to pieces. Closing his eyes, he moaned as she milked him dry. In his sex-induced delirium, he felt like an eagle soaring. If only she were flying next to him.
Next time she would, which would be very soon.
Her fingers slipped off his flaccid cock and she wiped her hand on the quilt. “For once I’ll enjoy doing laundry,” she said and then lay back on the bed, careful to avoid the wet spots.
William straddled her, eager to go again. It was time they came together. This close to her mound, his cock quickly swelled back to life and nudged her thigh.
She shook her head. “You’re insatiable, Dr. Steere.”
He chuckled. “So are you, Miss Page. I think we’re meant for each other.”
“Is that the best thing you could think to say?” she teased.
He shrugged. “It’s true, you know.”
She raised one eyebrow. “I’m not so sure about that. You’ll have to show me.”
“I can do that,” he breathed. He ran his hands across her torso, following her curves to her thighs. He pressed one finger to her entrance.
“Yes,” she hissed. “I’m ready for more than your fingers.”
He took that invitation as a compliment; he had done his work well. Likely she’d never gone this long with a client without being completely filled.
Lining up his head for the thrust, he locked his gaze with hers and then sank deep in one thrust.
She inhaled sharply and then gradually relaxed. Her walls gripped him like a vise as if afraid to let him go. He moaned. She was so hot and still tight despite his stretching. With small movements, he began moving inside her. His hard cock slid thr
ough her juices and that, combined with his rapid heartbeat and labored breathing, filled the room with the natural music of love.
Or lust.
He couldn’t speak for her, but to him they had a deep connection. He’d felt it the first time he’d seen her.
Miss Ida Page would become his wife sooner or later even though she didn’t know it yet.
His thrusts became harder faster and her hips worked to match his rhythm. The fire rekindled inside him, the warmth seeping into his bones. They moved as one. He hadn’t been but five years old when his grandfather told him he’d know when he found his soul mate. The Great Spirit would speak to him through his heart.
His grandfather had been right.
Chapter 8
William’s copper skin shone in the sunlight escaping through the slit in the curtain. She grabbed onto his powerful shoulders, wanting to hold onto him when he drove her over the edge.
He pumped into her with abandon now and she enjoyed every hard thrust. His careful concentration of earlier had faded to reveal raw masculinity.
Core tightly coiled, she was close to the breaking point. If only he would strike the right spot one more time…
As if reading her mind, he did, and she dug her fingernails into his back. She let out one long moan. With a pained expression he withdrew and came on top of her, roaring his climax. The two of them rode out the waves of ecstasy together. She didn’t want the ride to stop, but eventually the boat came back to land.
He walked over to the washstand, poured some water into the porcelain bowl, wetted a rag, and then began cleaning her up. He started with the mess he’d made on her stomach and then worked lower, making the bath as slow and sensual as possible.
Her body responded, eager for more than just his caress. Exhausted from her third orgasm, she closed her eyes. A pleasant tiredness spread through her body. Sleep would come soon.
He nestled next to her, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. “How was that?” he asked and then kissed her on the cheek.
“Wonderful,” she said, snuggling closer, her head dropping to his chest. “Except you didn’t come inside me.”
He ran his fingers through her hair. “I didn’t know if you were ready to be a mother.”
Her eyes opened and she let out a hollow laugh. “You don’t know much about whores, do you? It is bad for business to get pregnant. The first time I did a barber took care of that for me. Did too good of a job.”
He gnawed on his bottom lip and concern filled his eyes. “I’m a doctor, Ida. I know about the nasty business. I just didn’t want to assume…” His voice faded, choked with emotion.
“I’m sure you’re like most men. You want a son to carry your name.” Back when she’d had the procedure she had been relieved to get rid of the burden of motherhood. She hadn’t been much more than a girl herself. Her desire for children hadn’t struck until now, until she met Dr. Steere.
He shook his head. “No. I mean I would love to have a son, but it isn’t that easy. Steere isn’t my name. It is just the name of the man who adopted me.”
Oh. The haunted pain in his eyes struck a chord. There was a story there, and she hoped he would share more of it with her soon. “Orphan” was another similarity they had besides being outcasts.
“Life has been hard enough for me as a half-breed. I wasn’t planning on bringing children into the mix unless God willed it.”
His words applied salve to her aching heart. If only she could soothe his own. “Really?” she squeaked.
He nodded and then kissed away the tears staining her cheeks. “Really. Will you please stop doubting us and give us a chance?”
The lump in her throat made it hard to swallow, let alone talk. “Yes,” she whispered. “You may court me, Dr. Steere. To hell with what other people think.”
The sadness in his eyes faded and he grinned. “May I call on you for dinner tomorrow?”
She shook her head. “I’ll make us a picnic basket.” Time alone with him hidden in a grove of trees would be much more relaxing and romantic than a meal at the restaurant in town.
“That sounds like a good plan to me.” His brown eyes gleamed. “I wish we could just stay in this bed all day, but if I am going to stay in business I better open my office soon.” He stood and quickly dressed. “See you tomorrow at one, Miss Page.”
* * * *
Ida didn’t have time to make a dessert for their picnic so she stopped at the mercantile and bought four sticks of licorice. She’d always liked the candy and hopefully Dr. Steere did too.
“Got a sweet tooth?” the clerk asked, dropping the black sticks into a sack.
“Yes, I’m partial to licorice. I guess some things never change no matter how old we get.”
The clerk, one of her former customers, smiled. “You’re right, Miss Page, some things never change.” The way he spoke those words sent a shiver down her back.
She headed toward the door, bag in hand, and nearly bumped in the mayor.
“Why’d you have to sink your claws into the doctor?” the man said in a low voice.
Ida stopped and blinked. Many men had pushed her around and threatened her, but she’d never heard such a tone from the mayor before. “Excuse me?”
The mayor’s eyes narrowed. “You heard me. Thanks to you I have to advertise for another doctor.”
“Why?” As far as she knew, Dr. Steere liked Big Rock and planned to stay.
“We want a doctor with morals, Miss Page. Clearly Dr. Steere has poor judgment and a doctor’s profession depends on his judgment.”
Of course. Out of all the crazy ideas in this holy town! “You can’t run him out just because he’s courting me,” she said, louder than she intended.
Everyone in the store fell silent, stopping to stare at her. Heat rushed into her faced and worked its way down, turning all her exposed skin pink.
“Well, thank you for confirming our suspicions,” Mayor Caldwell said smugly. “No, we can’t run him out of town, but if we bring in competition he won’t last long here. If given a choice the people of Big Rock would prefer to see a white doctor than a half-breed.”
She gripped the bag of licorice tighter, her fingers digging into the paper. Teeth clenched to keep from cursing, she brushed past him and walked briskly back home.
Still fuming, she splashed cold water on her face to help herself calm down. The townspeople were not going to spoil their picnic. What was done was done. Now she had to make the best of it.
She put on her blue dress again. Dr. Steere had seen it many times before. Her wardrobe was full of inappropriate dresses. Maybe she could alter them and make a few wearable in public. Since becoming a laundress her sewing skills had improved. Some of the men paid her extra for mending.
Picnic basket draped over one arm and Dr. Steere claiming the other, they walked down to the creek.
“A picnic was the perfect idea, Miss Page,” he said. “It is good to be outside on a sunny day like this. Of course it helps to have a lovely companion.”
Ida’s cheeks warmed, and she didn’t know if it was from his words or the sunshine. She laid out a blanket on the grassy bank and sat down. He joined her, keeping, a proper distance. Was he planning on keeping his hands to himself this whole time?
She was fed up with the townspeople and their ideas. If there had been a few more trees to provide cover she’d ask for him to take her right her on the blanket. She loved him. It had happened quickly, but now she couldn’t imagine what life would be like if he left town.
She opened the picnic basket and took out a ham sandwich for him and one for her.
“I like ham,” William said and then took a big bite.
“You never told me if there was anything special you’d like me to make. I’m glad I guessed right.”
He smiled. “I do appreciate a good meal, but the right company is even more important.”
She scooted closer to him, feeling the need to strengthen their connection. They didn’t talk about
much of importance, just basked in each other’s company. Ida finished her sandwich and her hand slowly slid across the blanket and onto his thigh.
“I want us to be together,” she whispered.
He kissed her temple. “I’m glad. I wouldn’t want to live in Big Rock without you.”
Her chest ached. He might have to manage without her if the town had anything to say about it. “There’s something I have to tell you.”
His muscles tightened. “I have a feeling it isn’t going to be good news.”
She looked away and shook her head. “I’m afraid not. When I was at the mercantile this morning I heard some men talking. The mayor has placed another ad for a doctor to come to Big Rock. They want to replace you. Give you competition so you’ll be forced to leave town.”
She met his eyes and the surprise and pain tangled her insides. “I’m sorry, William,” she said softly. She reached over and took his hand. “I’m not sure what is going to happen, but I don’t want you to go.”
Chapter 9
William stormed into the town council meeting, throwing open the church door. He hadn’t been invited, had learned about it at the last minute, and had a sickening feeling they were discussing him.
“What is the meaning of this?” Mayor Caldwell asked from where he stood at the pulpit.
He wasn’t usually wrong about people, but his first impression of the mayor had been false. The man wasn’t even going to give him a chance. Or his wife had persuaded him to her way of thinking.
“As a citizen of Big Rock, I am entitled to attend this meeting, am I not?” William asked, his tone civil with a hard edge.
Mayor Caldwell loosened his shirt collar. “Yes, of course, Dr. Steere. Take a seat.”
William sat in the front pew and stared at the mayor. He wasn’t going to be intimidated, wasn’t going to back down. He had done nothing wrong.
Sweat beaded on the man’s forehead and his cheeks flushed. “Now that the matter of the doctor’s office is closed we can move on to the next item on the agenda. I believe that was the building of the schoolhouse. Our town now has a growing population of children and they need a proper education. We can all donate to build the schoolhouse. Of course, the difficulty will be in hiring a schoolteacher.”
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