Stephen’s Bride by Callie Hutton Read Free Book Online

good looking man. She studied his face, the full lips, his shuttered eyes, and strange things happened to her stomach. Little butterflies took up residence.
    “What?” His lips tilted up in a slight smile.
    She reached up and touched her finger to his lips. So soft, so warm. “You never kissed me.”
    His body stiffened, and his mirthful look changed into something else. Something dark and mysterious. The butterflies in her stomach did a jig, and her heartbeat sped up. Most likely the result of the whiskey, which was making her feel soft inside, and happy.
    Stephen placed his glass on the table in front of the sofa and turned to her. “Not for a lack of interest, I can assure you.” He cupped her face in his strong hands, and her eyes drifted closed as his head descended. His lips were just as warm and soft as she’d imagined. He nibbled slightly, then soothed with a gentle kiss. She let out with a slight moan and he placed his hand on the back of her head, the other hand on her waist and drew her close. So close she could feel her breasts flattened against his hard chest.
    Oh my. This kissing business was very, very nice. He shifted his head and slid his tongue along the seam of her lips. She opened her mouth and he swooped in, tangling with her tongue, skimming the inside of her mouth. The butterflies came to an abrupt halt, then moved into a country reel.
    She whimpered when he released her, then placed those wonderful lips on her neck, jaw, nose, eyes. Of their own will, her hands moved up to his head, her fingers tangling in the curls. The whiskey had certainly warmed her up, and all of a sudden she wanted her clothes gone. They were too restrictive.
    “So beautiful,” Stephen murmured as he nibbled on her ear lobe, then took her mouth once again in a searing kiss. Slowly his hand wandered up her body until he cupped her breast in his hand. His thumb slid over her nipple, causing it to ache, a strong pull going from there to her woman’s place between her legs.
    “Let’s skip supper and retire early.” His whispered words in her ear had goose bumps popping out all over her body. Yes, retire early. That would be perfect. Her head still spun from his kisses and the whiskey. She pulled back and stared into his eyes.
    “Supper’s ready.” Bertha stood at the doorway. Stephen and Calliope sprung apart like children caught with their hand in the cookie jar.
    Taking a deep breath, Calliope stood on shaky legs and smoothed her skirt. “Thank you Bertha, we’ll be right there.” She fussed with her hair and glance at Stephen, who sat with his head in his hands. “Are you coming?”
    He groaned and looked up at her, his face flushed. “Apparently not.”
    She tilted her head in question. “What?”
    “Never mind. Yes, I will be there in a minute. I just want to finish my drink.”
    Calliope spun on her heel and left the room, the butterflies at rest, and her legs growing stronger. She took her place at the table and inhaled deeply.
     

Chapter Five
     
    Three days later Stephen placed a blanket and picnic basket in the back of the wagon, then leaned against it, arms crossed, waiting for Calliope. They were headed to church, to be followed by a church picnic. He’d gone to a number of these when he’d been a child, and when he lived with his brother’s family for the past two years. This would be the first time he attended services and a picnic in Calliope’s church.
    He pushed away from the wagon and smiled as his wife hurried out the door. She wore a pink and white gingham dress, with a while shawl, and something fancy on her head that he was sure she called a hat. Pulling on white gloves as she neared him, she said, “We need to hurry. Service starts in a little more than a half hour.”
    “You look pretty.”
    She came to an abrupt halt and stared at him. “Oh. Thank you.” Then a slow flush crawled up her face from her neck.
    Unable to help himself, he drew her into his arms and gave her a kiss.