Lonesome Bride (9 page)

Jed did not answer her with words, but instead tightened his arms around her. Caite snuggled into his warmth, satisfied with his response anyway.

Who cared if he did not speak, she thought.
His actions were voice enough.

Caitleen awoke to the steady pattering of rain on the roof and the delicious smell of coffee brewing. Stretching, she luxuriated for a moment in the warmth of the bed. Jed must have risen earlier and started breakfast.

At the thought of him, Caite smiled. He had wakened her in the night to make love to her again, and the second experience had been just as wonderful as the first. Perhaps even more so. The dying fire casting a reddish glow in the room and being woken from sleep had cast a dreamlike quality over their lovemaking. She had felt lost in his arms, wanting never to wake.

Well, she was awake now, and what kind of wife would she be if she lazed about in bed while her husband did all the work? She smiled again. Caite could not remember ever being this happy or contented. Love, she mused, was indeed splendid.

"Good morning.” She yawned, finally setting her sleep-warm feet over the edge of the bed and onto the chilly floor. She pulled the remains of her nightgown around her and shook her head at the ruined buttons. Fortunately, the neck had a ribbon drawstring that could hold the material partially closed. Wincing, she hopped over the planks to the warmth of the fire. Caite rubbed her hands briskly against the sleeves of her nightgown, trying to slap away the damp chill permeating the cabin.

"Morning,” Jed replied. “Coffee's on. Eggs'll be up in a minute."

"Eggs! How heavenly, Jed.” Caite scrutinized him for a moment. His hair was wet, slicked over his head. “You have been outside."

Jed looked at her, green eyes inscrutable. Finally, a ghost of a grin touched his lips. “Had to, I reckon, if I wanted to get the eggs."

Impulsively, Caite knelt beside him on the hearth and ran her fingers through his damp, night-colored hair. Jed started from her touch, pulling away as if her touch had singed him. He tugged her fingers away from his head. Caite frowned.

"Is something the matter?"

He was still holding onto her hand. Briefly, his fingers closed around her own before he let them drop. “You oughtn't, Caite."

Caite's frown wobbled. She felt hot, humiliating tears well up in her eyes, and she fought them down. “I may not touch you, Jed, after all we have shared?"

Jed sighed. “Caitleen, I don't know what to say."

Maybe he was feeling guilty. She could not say his regret of their passion thrilled her, but at least she could counter it. Caite scooted a little closer to him, holding his chin to force his eyes to hers.

"Jed, please do not shut me out. What we shared was wonderful. I'll always cherish the memory of last night. Please don't ruin it."

To her surprise, Jed stifled a moan and crushed her to his chest. Burying his face into her hair, he held her so tightly she thought her ribs might crack. She did not care. Being in his arms was all that really mattered.

Her hair still smells so sweet, and her body feels so lush against mine, Jed thought. He allowed himself to savor the moment. Their night of lovemaking had affected him more than he could have thought. Guilt suddenly filled him. Not only had he made love to his father's bride, she had been a virgin!

Wrong or right, Caitleen O'Neal had begun to insinuate her way into his previously impenetrable heart. It was more than just her fresh beauty that attracted him. Caitleen O'Neal had a fiery spirit, and intellect, as well. Under vastly different circumstances, he would have enjoyed meeting and perhaps even courting the Irish-eyed woman. It hardly seemed fair that the very circumstances of their meeting were the same that must keep them apart.

"What is it, Jed?” Her lips tickled his ear, and her sweet voice tickled him elsewhere.

Jed decided that no matter the consequences, he would enjoy this time with Caite. They were here, alone, away from the world that might condemn the passion to which they had succumbed. Even if the rain stopped today, it still might be another day before they would be able to get on the road, and nearly that long before they reached Heatherfield. All told, it was only a brief time to have with her before he would have to deliver to his father.

"We won't be heading back to the ranch today,” he uttered into the sweet depths of her lilac-scented hair, then waited for her reaction.

Caite sighed and pressed her cheek to his. “Then I suppose we shall just have to invent some ways to entertain ourselves while we wait."

Jed pushed away from her, although he still grasped her shoulders. He wanted to be sure last night had not been an accident. He wanted to be sure Caite knew exactly what she was saying.

She was looking at him curiously, her lovely, luminescent green eyes reflecting the amber glow of the fire. “I swear, Jed, the storm clouds outside are nowhere near as fierce as those on your face."

"Do you know what you're doing, Caite O'Neal?” Jed asked.

She cocked her head at him. A tiny smile played about her lips, and he felt the sudden, hot twist of desire in his groin. He wanted to kiss that smile away, clutch her succulent body to his and make sweet love to her right there in front of the coals. Instead, he reigned in his emotions carefully and repeated the question.

"I think so,” Caite replied. “Do you?"

Jed nodded. The moment was past for shame. They had made their choices last night in the bed along the wall, and it was too late for regret. He had to live with what they had done, and she did, too. The decision now was how much further to compound the sin.

"I want you to know I'm an honest man,” Jed told Caite. “I don't lie, cheat or steal as a habit, and I don't aim to change."

"I would not want you to,” Caite replied calmly. She again brushed her fingers through his hair, as casually as if she had been touching him her whole life. The contact felt good, familiar. He wanted more.

"I plan to be honest about this whole business,” he forced himself to continue. “But I don't aim to hurt anyone either. If I'm ever asked, I'll own up to what we did last night, Caite. Otherwise, I reckon I'll have to hold my tongue."

He was trying to tell her he would keep this secret from his Pa, if she would too. No one else would have to know. However, if his Pa should ever ask, he wouldn't lie to save either of them. Those were the risks he was willing to take. He hoped she understood, and was relieved when it seemed she did.

"Oh, Jed.” Caite seemed at a loss for words. She bent forward quickly, pressing her lips to his in a kiss that smoldered despite its brevity. “Thank you."

It was settled then. They would have their time together, and when they returned to the ranch, it would remain their secret. It may be a secret that haunted him to his grave, but he would keep it all the same. As he had told her, he wasn't out to hurt anyone. He buried his face in her hair again, wanting to inhale her scent for as long as he could. It would be too soon he would have to give up that privilege.

"You mentioned eggs, I believe,” Caite asked finally, after they had remained sitting in a silent embrace for some time. She was not certain whether Jed had planned to once more make love to her or not. When he had merely held her, face pressed into her tresses, she felt mingled relief and disappointment. Her body still ached from last night's endeavors, but she would have welcomed his advances just the same.

Jed pulled away from her. She was relieved to see his stormy expression had disappeared. He smiled teasingly, running the tip of one finger down her forehead and over her nose to tap her mouth lightly.

"Don't you ever get tired of eating?” he asked.

Caite wrinkled her nose at him and playfully bit the finger tapping her lips. “No, Jed. And if you don't feed me soon, I will not be responsible for my actions."

Jed cocked his eyebrow at her, an expression she decided she would either love or hate, depending on her mood when he did it. This time, she loved it. She was starting to love him.

"What might those actions be?"

She laughed, bounding to her feet and snapping one of his red suspenders. “You shall just have to catch me to find out!"

Jed was on his feet and after her in a second. Caite dodged his grasp, turning nimbly on her bare feet. Her gown swirled about her ankles, nearly tangling her legs, but she managed to keep her balance. Jed stared at her, eyes twinkling. Caite stared back. Her chest rose and fell far faster with the effort of her breathing than her exertion had merited. He had that effect on her, it seemed.

Jed reached for her again. Caite hopped away from him again. Jed placed his hands on his hips, surveying her thoughtfully.

"This cabin's not so big, Caite. Where do you think you might go anyway?"

Caite felt her lips curve into a small, saucy smile. “The question is, Jed, where would you like to have me?"

Her meaning was unmistakable. She saw the light of desire spring into Jed's verdant eyes, matching the greed she was certain showed in her own. He reached for her, growling, and this time she made no move to flee. Jed crushed her to his chest, his strong arms curving around her body. She could feel his hardness already nudging her through their clothes. She wanted to feel him, to see and touch him, without barrier.

Caite reluctantly broke the kiss they had been sharing. At Jed's wordless noise of protest, she pressed her finger across his lips to silence him. Moving away slightly, she put her hands on the waistband of his trousers.

"I want to see you,” she said, her voice thick with desire.

To her delight, Jed's hips jerked in reaction to her words. Slowly, Caite caressed the already throbbing outline of his manhood through his pants. Jed's arm curled around her shoulders and his lips found the top of her head, but he still did not speak or pull away from her questing fingers.

He's so hard, she thought, amazed his large organ had been able to fit inside her at all.

Impatiently, Caite loosed the buttons at his fly and pushed the restricting garment over his lean hips. Instantly, his engorged staff stood proudly at attention. It's like steel draped in hot silk, she thought, wrapping her fingers deliberately around his thickness. At her action, Jed's knees buckled slightly, and he moved against her embrace.

Caite felt a sudden, fierce power. Her touch made this strong man moan and writhe. His desire for her gave her control over him, should she decide to exploit it. At the touch of Jed's lips against her neck, Caite realized the power she felt went both ways. Just as her touch affected Jed so fiercely, so his caused her to forget where she was.

His mouth was burning her, but she loved it. Caite let her fingers slide from the top of his shaft to the base, where she cupped the weighty sack of flesh beneath. Her thighs quivered at her boldness, but she needed to explore this part of him that had brought her to such heights of pleasure.

"We have to sit down,” Jed breathed against her ear. “Sit or fall, Caite. You're driving me crazy."

Caite let Jed lead her to the lumpy bed where they fell together. As if by magic, their clothes melted away. To Caite's delight, Jed seemed perfectly willing to let her take charge of their joining this time. What she lacked in experience, she made up for in enthusiasm. Letting her imagination run unbridled, Caite touched and kissed Jed in places she had not even known existed on a man.

"Caite!” Jed finally gasped when her mouth found a particularly tender spot. “Where in the heck did you learn that!"

Caite gave a sultry laugh through the flush of her own arousal. “From you, Jed."

Languidly, she stretched out beside him as he lay on his back. Apparently, this was not acceptable to Jed. He pulled her atop him until she straddled his hips. Now it was Caitleen's turn to gasp as Jed filled her. His hands rested on her hips as he urged her to move. She obliged, letting the swirls of ecstasy fill her as she slid her body up and down along the full, hard length of him. Soon, just as the night before, they were both straining toward a mutual climax that shook them both. Their mingled cries filled the small cabin.

Then, there was silence.

She's a minx, Jed thought. The weight of Caitleen's head was comfortable against his chest. A strand of her captivating hair tickled his nose, and he brushed it gently away.
A delightful, delectable minx.
He was quietly astounded at how quickly she had learned the ways of passion. Not just learned, even, but experimented with and expanded upon. She was a constant surprise, this flame-haired temptress snuggled in his arms.

Her light, soft breathing told him she had fallen asleep. That was all right with Jed. He didn't feel like talking anyway. He had a lot of thinking to do.

The rain had stopped during their lovemaking. Tomorrow they would have to leave, return to Heatherfield. His gut twisted at the thought. As he had told Caite, he was an honest man. As hard as he tried to justify his actions, he still felt guilty. He had seduced a woman on her way to the marriage bed. Never mind that she had been a willing participant, he should have known better.

"Blazes,” Jed swore softly. Caite's acceptance of his overtures still confused him. She had truly been innocent. He had seen that. Yet she had still given herself to him seemingly without qualms. She seemed honest, forthright, and moral. So how could a moral woman have given her body to the son of her future husband?

His head swirled. Worse than knowing he had seduced his father's future wife, he feared he might be falling in love with this enigmatic, Irish beauty. He swore again, rousing Caite, who looked up at him with sleepy, satisfied eyes.

"Such language,” she scolded gently.

Jed managed a smile. His rough mouth didn't offend her either apparently. This woman was everything a proper young lady was not, it seemed. Why did that make her so much more attractive?

"I am ravenous!” she cried suddenly, sitting up. The heavy weight of her hair swung forward, hiding her firm breasts and creamy shoulders from his gaze. Jed was thankful. He knew the sight of her would tempt him to take her again.