Chapter 4 #2
Ben set her down just inside the door, but he didn’t release her. Instead he turned her so she faced him and lowered his head, melding his lips with hers. When he broke the kiss, he smiled.
“I sure do like the way you kiss.”
“You should and I’m glad.”
She turned in his arms and faced the room.
He kept his arms around her waist.
She saw a large wooden framed bed. Bigger than any bed she’d ever seen, she could picture Ben stretching out in it, even at his height which had to be over six feet. She was five feet seven inches. Not a short person by any means and yet he could rest his chin on top of her head.
On either side of the bed was a nightstand. The rest of the furniture in the room consisted of a tall chest of drawers, a six-drawer bureau, and a rocking chair. Seeming totally out of place was a beautiful Oriental folding screen and a full-length cheval mirror that she could see them in.
“Where on earth did you get that beautiful screen?”
“Ordered it from San Francisco. Mother said Melissa would want it. If you don’t like it we’ll put it in another room. Right now I keep the chamber pot behind it.”
“No. That’s perfect. I love it. I’ll use it for changing behind.”
“Whoa.” He turned her in his arms. “Why do you need something to change behind?”
“Well, I…I…thought for modesty’s sake…”
“No. You won’t need the screen for that. I intend for us to become quite familiar with each other and that means no hiding behind screens. I want to see you as you undress. Heck, I want to help you.”
He waggled his eyebrows.
Emily burst into giggles. This man she married had quite the sense of humor.
“I’ll go get your trunk. You can wait to unpack until tomorrow.”
“I need my nightgown tonight but the rest can wait.”
He raised one finger and shook it back and forth.
“No nightgown. If you’re afraid you’ll get cold, don’t worry. I’ll keep you warm.”
She raised her eyebrows. “You will?”
“I will. We will be naked. Skin to skin. I wasn’t kidding when I said I want us to know each other. I meant it and in all ways. I want us to learn each other’s bodies as well as our minds.”
She shook her head. What if he’s repulsed when he sees me? I know he says he likes my curves, but what if he is just saying that to be kind?
“I don’t know. Shouldn’t we know each other a little bit before we know each other?”
He took her by the hand. “Come sit with me.”
They sat on the side of the bed.
“I know I asked if you wanted to wait and get to know each other first, but that was before we married. You wanted to get married right away and to me that means in all ways. Emily, you and I are married. Nothing will change that and I mean to make sure of it. I intend to consummate this marriage…but…for tonight…I’ll just hold you in my arms. I don’t want you fearing me, so if you really feel it’s necessary, then go ahead and use the screen for dressing and undressing. ”
“I don’t know what to say. Thank you for understanding.”
“I’m not an animal. I’m a man and your husband. I won’t hurt you.”
“I know that now.”
“All right. I’ll get your trunk.”
Emily nodded.
Ben left to get the trunk.
How did I manage to get such a nice man? Maybe Sally was correct. Ben is the right match for me.
She opened drawers in the dresser and the bureau and found that both had empty drawers just waiting for her clothes. He had a closet, which surprised her. She thought she might have to use pegs on the wall. He’d made room for her in there as well.
Two windows, across the room from each other, let light into the room. Both were covered with heavy cotton curtains with a blue floral pattern and tied back with solid black sashes.
Ben returned with her trunk and put it down next to the closet.
“Is there anything you need from this now?”
“Just my nightgown.”
“I was hoping you’d changed your mind, but go ahead and get it, then let’s go to bed.”
Emily opened the trunk, found her nightgown and then closed the trunk again. Then she went behind the screen. Once there she unbuttoned her dress, carefully removed it and laid it over the top of the partition.
“Well, I guess it is good for your clothes after all.”
She frowned and looked around the divider at him.
“What is?”
“The screen.”
“Oh, yes I guess it is.”
Even though she was blocked from his gaze, her hands shook a little as she unhooked her corset, but she managed to finish the task.
Then her stockings and bloomers, followed by her chemise.
When she was finally naked, she pulled on her nightgown and raced for the bed, turned down the blankets, got in and pulled them up to her neck. Only then did she hear Ben’s chuckle.
“What is so funny?”
“You are. I know you’re shy, but I didn’t know you were fast. I’ve never seen any woman get undressed so fast.”
“How many women have you watched get undressed.”
“A few.”
His grin didn’t falter.
“I’ll learn to be nonchalant about it, but that’s not the way I am right now.”
“I know. And it’s okay. I want you to be comfortable. We’ll work on it together.”
She watched with unashamed interest when he slipped his shirt off. Muscles rippled across his chest and in his arms as he reached down and unbuttoned his pants. He lowered them to the floor, along with his drawers. He’d already taken off his boots and slid them under the bed.
Ben got under the blankets with her and held out his arm.
“Come on. Scoot over and let me hold you.”
She swallowed hard and slowly did as he asked.
His body was warm and firm with muscles she felt move against her as he cuddled her into his side.
“This isn’t so bad, is it?”
“N…No. It’s nice. You have hair on your chest.”
“Yes. Does it bother you?”
“No.” She turned a little in his arms and then reached up her hand, letting it hover over his chest. “May I touch you?”
“Of course. You never have to ask to touch me. I’d love to feel your hands on me whenever you want.”
She raked her fingers through the sprinkle of hair and felt it curl around her questing digits.
“It’s soft.”
“Uh huh.”
“I hadn’t expected that.”
“What did you expect?”
“That it would be coarse, stiff, I don’t know, just different.”
“Many things about me you don’t know, and learning them will surprise you. The same will be true for the things about you I discover.”
“Like what?”
“Like how could someone with your attributes remain unmarried?”
“My attributes are what kept me from marrying. Most men are not as forgiving as you about my large figure.” I remember when Wesley made fun of me, thinking I had left the room.
Even when he found that I had not left and heard everything he said, he just laughed more.
How could I ever have thought myself in love with him?
“I don’t understand that. You are perfect. Soft where I’m hard. Curvy where I’m flat. You fit like you were made just for me.”
“Maybe I was. Who knows? Sally just said I would be perfect for you.”
“Sally was right. Now we need to get some shut eye.”
“Ben, aren’t you going to kiss me goodnight?”
“Sure.”
She bent her neck so that she looked at him and he brought his face down to hers. Then he took her lips with his. He didn’t take her tongue but kept the kiss chaste.”
“Why don’t you kiss me like you have been?”
“Because I don’t want to get worked up. I’ll want to make love to you then and I promised we would only hold each other tonight.”
Blood racing and pulse pounding, she wanted more, wanted to take these feelings to the end.
“What if I want more?”
“Do you?”
She waited a moment and then answered.
“Yes, I do. I want you to make love to me. I want to feel like your wife in all ways.”
He kissed her as she wanted him to. His tongue tangled with hers, tasting, testing, dueling.
“Yes, Ben, yes.”
He had her sit up and then pulled her nightgown over her head, tossing it to the floor, then he pushed her gently to her back and kissed her again, breaking off and trailing kisses down her neck. Then he was at her breast, suckling, teasing.
“I’m ready, Ben.”
“I’ll let you know when you’re ready and it’s not yet.”
He continued his ministrations and brought her to a precipice then pushed her over and to the stars.
When she felt in her body again, she sighed.
“That was amazing.”
“I’m glad you liked it. Now is my turn. You’ll feel pain this first time but I promise never again. Do you trust me?”
“Yes. I’d better trust you or we have nothing to build on.”
He kissed her.
“You’re right.”
Then he covered her and was in her, there was pain and she took a while to find the rhythm but soon the pain was gone and he made love to her and she had no regrets.