By the Book Bride: Ryder (A BBW Western Romance) (Matchmaking A Marriage 1)

by Joann Baker

  With a gentle hand, he brushed her hair over her shoulder, exposing the curve of her throat as she leaned into him. “I know what you need, Georgie,” he whispered as his stubbled chin and cheek scraped lightly against her throat, just behind her left ear. Her skin was silky smooth, inviting and warm as he brushed his mouth across it, making him wonder if she was just as silky elsewhere.

  It was time to find out.

  In no hurry, he pulled back, easing her bra the rest of the way off her body. He paid homage to her breasts once again as he slowly undressed her. His hands found the waistband of her jeans and unhurriedly lowered the zipper. He eased his hands inside, discovering more lace. He’d been surprised when he’d opened the top drawer of her dresser and discovered what she probably considered her guilty pleasure—top of the line lingerie sets in all colors and fabrics.

  Cupping the rounded curve of her hips, he decided he wanted to be her guilty pleasure.

  He reluctantly let go of the nipple he’d been teasing. With light kisses, he worked his way down her body, divesting her of her jeans as he went. Kneeling in a crouched position before her, he looked up, his eyes devouring the curves that had delighted him from the very first sight of her.

  Well, he wasn’t seeing all her curves. He locked his gaze with hers, his hands moving to her hips to gently guide her into a setting position on the side of the bed as he removed the last barrier between them. He eased the lacy white satin panties down, tapping her good ankle to lift as she stepped out of them. Knowing she probably wasn’t ready for what he really wanted to do to her, he placed a soft kiss on her thigh and rose to his feet. She’d never presented herself as a seductress and he knew her experience with men was limited simply by the way she moved and behaved when she was with him or his brothers.

  With a show of strength that had her gasping, he lifted her beneath her arms and gently placed her in the middle of the bed. His movements more urgent now, he stripped himself of his clothing.

  He watched her eyes widen as he removed his jeans. There was no hiding the fact that he wanted her or that he was above average in size and shape. He resisted the urge to stroke himself, to display his manly prowess.

  With a patience he was far from feeling, he eased onto the bed, covering her body with his. He sighed in appreciation as the soft flesh of her stomach cradled his aching flesh. Her hands gripped his shoulders, drawing his gaze to the look of apprehension still on her face. He smiled down at her. “It’ll work, honey. I promise.”

  She opened her mouth to speak and he took shameless advantage, covering it with his own. He pressed slow, languorous kisses against her soft lips. Gently, he eased his tongue inside her mouth, tasting again the sweetness of the pineapple she’d eaten at dinner along with the flavor that was uniquely hers. She was sweeter than any dessert could ever be, he thought hazily, drunk on the intoxicating taste and feel of her. As the kissed deepened, he caressed her, running his hands up and down her body, lightly teasing the underside of her lovely breasts. When he felt her relax beneath him, felt that telling parting of her legs, one hand traveled lower, gripping the back of her thigh to bring it up and over his waist, allowing him to settle his body intimately against hers.

  He slowed the kisses, easing away from her mouth. There were many other things he wanted to do to her before giving them the ultimate pleasure they both sought. He kissed the curved arch of her throat, licked the small, pink shell of her ear, then moved to her breasts once again. He could die a happy man, he thought as he clasped the heavy mound in his hand, offering the center up to himself. He licked the hardened bud and she groaned, arching into his touch. At her throaty moan, he bent, taking the pert nipple into his mouth, sucking it greedily, then stroking it gently with his tongue. Her body arched beneath him, surging against his, and it took all of his control not to plunge his needy flesh inside of her. He let go of her nipple with a wet pop. “Easy, baby. Easy.”

  He stroked his hand down her body, slipping it between them. His fingers parted her damp flesh, making Georgie’s body bow upward yet again.

  “Ryder,” she panted, her nails cutting into his shoulders. He welcomed the bite of pain, needing something to anchor his common sense. He eased a finger inside her, testing her readiness. As he did, he allowed his thumb to rub against the sensitive bud that could bring her ultimate pleasure. Her muscles clenched and he added another finger and then another. Georgie cried out again, trembling, her body clenching hard around him now as he moved his fingers artfully inside of her.

  When her movements increased, he withdrew, his body burning at her keening cry of loss. “I’ve got you, baby.” Shaking with the strength of his need, he guided himself to the entrance of her body. “Georgia,” he commanded as he held himself still above her. “Look at me.” He wanted to watch her as he took her for the first time, to see his need reflected back at him.

  Her eyelids rose slowly as if they were weighed down. “Ryder?” There was confusion in her voice as if she didn’t quite understand. She would, very soon.

  He slowly thrust his hips forward, sliding into her warmth. Instinctively, her body clenched at the invasion and Ryder stilled once more. “Relax, sweetheart,” he murmured soothingly, “let me in.”

  She did as he asked and he moaned as he felt himself sinking deeper and deeper into heaven. When he was half-way in, he pulled back. The sensation almost robbed him of his ability to breath. Since he was a big man, he repeated the process more than once, taking her slow and easy, allowing her to adjust to his penetration. When she began to move beneath him, arching upward, his thrusts became faster, harder, racing toward gratification.

  Sweat glistened on their heaving bodies and the heavy sound of each breath filled the air. Her soft moans became more guttural and he could feel her nearing the edge. As his control slipped away, he thrust one more time, burying himself as deeply inside of her as he could go, taking them both on an exquisite ride to the peak of satisfaction. As the incredible aftershocks thundered through his sated body, he held himself still, savoring the feel of possessing Georgia fully for the first time. He knew it was a primitive thing to do, much less feel, but he did.

  As he’d taken her, her eyes had held his, and he’d felt every shiver that had ran through her. He knew he could say all sorts of things right now—had said them in the past to other women—but with her, there was only one thing he wanted to say. But it was too soon and neither of them was ready. So he whispered her name instead, putting all of his emotions, his feelings—his love—into that one word. “Georgie.”

  She snuggled against him and his heart turned over. Nothing had ever felt so right to him. When she drifted off to sleep, he lay there, lost in the simple joy of having her next to him, hearing her soft breathing. Before long, his body urged him to love her again. Although he hated to wake her, his need overrode everything else. She responded to his kisses with a soft whimper, her eyes widening as she came fully awake.

  “I thought it was a lovely dream,” she whispered, her hand caressing the side of face lovingly.

  “It’s better, honey,” Ryder whispered back, his hands already remapping the body he’d learned intimately only a short time ago. He made love to her slowly at first, savoring the feel of her. Then passion overwhelmed them both and he was thrusting inside of her, holding her hip in the grip of his hand, bruising her tender flesh. He couldn’t contain himself, couldn’t hold back. When she arched and screamed out his name, he lowered his head, covering her mouth with his, swallowing her cries of pleasure so the others in the house couldn’t hear.

  Georgie’s body felt as if it were on fire as Ryder made love to her. Long, slow strokes that aroused her and kisses so deep and meaningful that she almost cried out from those alone. Pleasure continued to flood her system in a white-hot rush, blinding her as he moved within her. Once more she felt the blinding explosion of her impending release. Her whole body seemed to contract then blow apart. In the midst of her release, she sensed his nearing and felt the shudd
er of his big body as he surrendered himself to her. As they surrendered themselves to each other.

  ˜**˜

  Ryder pulled into the library parking lot just before noon, eager to get inside. The building hadn’t changed much over the years and, if he wasn’t mistaken, it was on the National Historical Society Register, having been the home of a railroad baron who had founded the town. Devil’s Spur had gotten its name from the sharp curve around the mountain that had caused more than one railway fatality.

  He hadn’t been to the library in years and couldn’t recall the inviting atmosphere it held now. To his right were leather chairs and floor lamps. The scene reminded him of someone’s living room. It wasn’t the only reading spot, however. He saw other areas around the large room amid brightly colored posters on the wall as he walked to the front desk.

  “Good morning,” he whispered quietly to Prudence as she sat behind the gleaming wooden counter. The older woman had agreed to stay on for two more weeks. Although Georgia’s ankle had healed nicely, it was still a little tender. Plus, the new shelves were being installed and Prudence thought it wise to have two sets of hands to rearrange the books.

  “Well, it if isn’t my favorite Anderson brother.” Even though her face didn’t reflect a smile, he heard the welcome in her voice. He’d always thought there was some tragic story behind Prudence’s almost sullen attitude at times.

  “Of course I am.” He sat the two brown paper bags he was carrying on the counter. She eyed them with a frown.

  “Here to have lunch with Georgie?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Ryder’s mouth broke into a grin. “Is she around?”

  “She’s doing story time. Do you remember the way?”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He picked up one of the bags and started to walk off.

  “Wait, Ryder, you forgot—”

  He turned back around before she could finish. “No, I didn’t. That’s your lunch.”

  “Yes, sir,” she stated, a full-fledged smile breaking across her face, “you always were my favorite.”

  If Ryder hadn’t remembered the way to the children’s reading room, the sound of Georgia’s voice would have led him right to her. It was sweet and low and made his stomach flip. He remembered the way she’d sounded when she’d been under him in his bed, matching his passion.

  He stopped just inside the doorway and watched as she read to the children. Her dark hair was caught up in a makeshift twist with a pencil jammed through it. She wore a red blouse with black slacks. It was simple, but elegant. He frowned, looking down at her feet. Surely, she wouldn’t… nope, his woman had done the right thing and was wearing a pair of flat shoes.

  The children sat in front of her on a round area rug with fairy-tale images on it. He looked at the little faces in the room and his gut clenched. One day, his children could be here, listening to a story. His eyes flew to Georgia’s face. Read possibly by their mother.

  He must have made some sound because her gaze flickered to the doorway. Her eyes opened a fraction in surprise, but she didn’t lose her place in the story. He smiled at her and she gave a small one in return.

  It took only a few more moments for the story to end.

  “Alright, children,” she ordered softly, “grab the book you picked to check out and take it to Miss Prudence at the front desk.” As the children began scrambling to their feet, Ryder stepped inside the room and out of the way. Two of the larger boys were almost to the door when Georgia called out again. “And no running Jamie and Joseph.”

  “Right, Miss Georgie.” They grinned at her and slowed their pace.

  It took about ten minutes for the room to clear. Ryder’s presence was a surprise, but one she welcomed. As he made his way to her, she watched that same lazy stroll that turned her insides to goo. “What are you doing here?”

  “Brought some lunch. I thought we could eat together.”

  She gave him a quizzical look. “You came all the way from the ranch to have lunch with me?”

  “Yep.” He pulled up a stool and sat down in front of her. “Since our picnic was interrupted the other day, I thought we could have one here.”

  She didn’t know what to say. No one had ever done anything so thoughtful for her. Sure, she’d dated, but she’d never really had a relationship with a man. Was this what it felt like? Oh, heavens, she hoped so. Her mouth suddenly became too dry to get anything close to words out, so she simply nodded.

  “Let’s see what Pops made.”

  “You mean you didn’t make it yourself?” She batted her eyes and gave a slight pout she’d seen hers sisters use on more than one occasion.

  Ryder stilled, a frown on his face as he turned to her. “I guess maybe it would have meant more if I’d fixed it myself.”

  Georgie was touched by the distressed look on his face. “I’m just kidding, Ryder. I’m really glad you’re here with or without food.”

  “So am I.” He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss to her lips. After several, sweet seconds, he pulled back and she saw a hungry glint in his eyes that made her knees go weak.

  “Let’s eat.” He pulled over a small table before reaching into the paper bag and pulling out chilled water bottles, waxed paper bundles, plastic covered bowls, napkins and plastic silverware. He handed one of the wax paper bundles to her. “I’d say that’s ham sandwiches from last night’s supper. Hope you like it.”

  “I’m sure I will. Pops is a great cook. I’ve missed his meals since going back home.” She opened the bowls to reveal potato salad and baked beans. Setting the containers between them, they spent the next few minutes digging into the tasty fare.

  “This is so good,” Georgia muttered around a mouthful of succulent ham. “I still can’t believe you came all the way into town, but I’m sure glad you did.”

  “The last two weeks have been pretty lonely since you moved back to Pops house.” He leaned forward. “Believe it or not, I miss having you around.”

  Georgia warmed at his words even as a brow rose in disbelief. “You’ve spent every one of those nights at my house, cowboy. How can you miss me?”

  The last two weeks had been a whirlwind. Every day after work, Ryder would come to her house where she’d have dinner waiting, or she’d stop and pick something up to bring home with her. They’d spent the time painting and putting down the tile he’d bought for her—and stealing kisses. There was still some painting to do because, frankly, they hadn’t spent every evening working.

  No, some of those had been spent in bed, loving each other until sun up. She’d never felt closer to another human in her life. Ryder was a kind and attentive lover and he was so damn sexy there were some nights that she thought she’d burst into flames in his arms.

  He reached for her hand, twining her fingers with his. “Because I got used to seeing you first thing in the morning and when I walked into the house in the evenings. Not seeing your lovely face makes for a very long work day.”

  Reluctantly Georgia pulled her hand from Ryder’s. “I bet you’ve used that line a lot.”

  “What?” Ryder’s brows drew together. He flexed his fingers, missing the warmth of hers. “I’ve never had a woman stay at the house before.”

  “Not that part.” Georgia wished she’d kept quiet but old insecurities about his thriving bachelorhood had surfaced as soon as she realized how easily the pretty words rolled from his tongue. Though not in Gabe’s class, Ryder was still quite glib. She distracted herself from the sudden tension by picking up the garbage and replacing lids on the proper containers.

  “Stop, honey.” Again he reached for her hands, claiming them both inside his warm, calloused ones. “I know my reputation, but honest-to-God, I’m not using a line on you. I thought you knew me better than that by now.”

  His thumbs made little circles on the backs of her hands and Georgia found herself being swayed by the sincere look in his dark eyes. “I’m sorry.” She shrugged, slightly embarrassed at her momentary insecurity. “You’re right.” Sh
e pasted a smile on her face, determined not to spoil their time together by giving sway to her self-doubts. “So what would you like to do tonight?”

  “I’m sorry, babe. That’s another reason I wanted to have lunch with you. I’m going to help Gramps do inventory at the store tonight.” One hand squeezed hers. “I’d like to come by later if that’s okay?”

  “You’re awfully sweet, Ryder Anderson.” Georgia leaned across the table and placed a quick kiss on his cheek.

  “Is that a yes?”

  Georgia nodded, feeling the heat of his gaze all the way to her toes. “That’s definitely a yes, cowboy.”

  CHAPTER SIX

  GEORGIA PUT AWAY the last book from the return cart and stretched her shoulders. Both she and Prudence had stayed late to sort the books and begin the laborious task of switching out the shelves. The new ones that Pete had built would allow expansion of certain sections and make the pursuit of reading material more inviting. The hand-stained wooden ones also made for a cozier, homey feel. Plus, the library budget just wouldn’t stretch to purchase the metal ones most libraries used.

  “Well, I’m tuckered so I’m heading out.”

  Lost in thought, Georgia nodded.

  “You gonna stay all night?”

  “No.” Georgia turned to the older woman with a tired smile. “I’m leaving too. I just have to grab my purse.”

  “Then I’ll wait and walk out with you.”

  “Okay.”

  Georgia shortened her stride to match Prudence’s slower shuffle on the shiny tile floors. “I can’t thank you enough for coming back and helping out like this.”

  “Psst. It’s nothing.”

  “No,” Georgia pulled the strap of her purse over her shoulder and dug out her keys, “it’s really something.” She held the door for the older woman then turned to lock it behind them. “I wish there was some way I could repay you.”

  “Well, there is something you could do for me.”