Chapter 29
REGGIE
Sitting in the middle of a huge wildflower field is a medium-sized cabin with a double porch and what appears to be a loft or second story.
Large mountains frame the flat acres all around, yet you can see for miles.
Little Henry is standing in the back of one of the wagons, holding what appears to be nails, while Marcus and Jacob fix the siding on the small barn.
When he sees us, his face lights up, and he waves frantically.
I lean down slightly as Bells walks toward the cabin slowly.
“Welcome home, Honey.”
“Is this really ours, Reggie?”
“Sure is! It needs some work, but the bones are good, and the dirt is rich. We can make a good life here, Jess. I can’t wait for you to see the inside.”
Nudging Bells forward, she walks right up to the railing. I dismount quickly, reaching up for Jess, and keeping her securely in my arms, only stopping long enough for her to reach down and open the door. Sitting her down gently, she holds on to my arm as I try to see the place through her eyes.
“Oh, Reggie, it’s so nice. Look at that huge fireplace with an andiron and the crane. Is that a loft? Was this furniture here, or was all this in the wagons?”
“Some was here, but I brought most of it with me. Yes, that’s a loft. I figure that will be nice when people come over, and I love the fact that the kitchen and living area are open together, making the area easier to heat in the winter, but come here.”
I grab her by the waist, playfully leading her toward one of the two interior doors. Grabbing the edge, I push the door open, knowing what she is going to see inside.
“Reggie, this is nicer than anything or place I’ve ever stayed or worked. Look at this bed and the coverings, is that … are those …?”
“Yes, that’s a built-in wardrobe with your clothes already hanging inside. As wonderful as this is, it gets better.”
I practically have to pull her out of the bedroom to show her the next room. I pause at the door. “We spent half the night repairing this particular area, and I still need to do a few things to make sure it all operates properly, but even Grant was impressed.”
I open the door wide so she can walk past me.
Her hand presses against her lips when she sees herself in the large mirror above a vanity on one wall.
Only to look up at me with wide eyes when she notices the glass window sitting directly above a huge brass tub, but the best part is the flushing toilet.
“The system is dry because someone opened the valve so the rainwater would not overfill the system, but as soon as we get some rain, this will all work.”
“Reggie, I never dreamed anything like this would be out here in the middle of nowhere.”
“If it makes you feel any better, neither did I. Now, Grant has had people out here working for several days, but they’ve mostly been concentrating on the barn and the horse corrals.
Thankfully, they’re supposed to have the bunkhouse finished next week.
But until then, Jacob, Marcus, and Henry will be staying with us.
I believe all their belongings are in the loft.
They were going to sleep in the wagons, but I knew you would throw a fit. ”
“You’ve got that right. That baby has slept out in the weather enough already. He needs a warm bed and a stable home.”
Smiling at her ferocity over a child who is not her own just makes me realize what a wonderful mother she will be to ours.
Standing back, I watch her walk around, her hands running across the crocheted throws Lauren sent, and the glassware and cast-iron skillets sitting on the counter, ready for her to put them wherever she wants.
She picks up the tea set sitting in the center of the table, gently running her fingers across the delicate painted flowers before looking up at me.
“Reggie, was this one of the things you saved from those wagons?”
“No, we’ve been hauling those around since Chicago. I bought them for you there. When I walked past them, my very first thought was that you would love them, so I had the clerk add them to the order. I was shocked when I was unloading them that none of them had broken on the way.”
“But you’d just met me.”
“Yeah, it’s also when a dear friend explained what love was, and I knew I was in trouble with you.”
She walks toward me, and I reach back, locking the door, as I have every intention of showing her exactly what it means to be mine.
“So, Mrs. Kerns … how are you liking married life?”
“I think my husband is playing hard to get. I’ve been chasing him for a few weeks now.”
Before she can say another word, I throw her over my shoulder, carrying her the few feet it takes to get to our new bedroom. Lowering her onto the bed, I pull back to look at her.
My eyes take in every detail I couldn’t entirely appreciate before.
The elegant line of her neck. The tan expanse of her skin, that’s only marred by a few random freckles, which I want to trace with my tongue.
The gentle swell of her breasts pushing against her thin top.
Slowly, I reach down, pulling the buttons loose one at a time, freeing her body of all these constraints while my eyes feast upon every inch of skin being exposed to me.
Reveling in the vulnerable softness of her stomach and the delicate bones of her hips.
She is stunning.
Jessica’s eyes have gone wide, and she is staring at me like a scared doe in my sights. I’ve stopped hiding my own body’s reaction as I slowly peel away the layers that hide her naked form from me, and I see her cheeks flush when she realizes what is pressed against her hip.
Once I have her naked, I run my fingers slowly down the middle of her breasts, around her belly button, then across the damp curls that prove to me she wants this as much as I do, before tracing along her long legs.
Standing up, I pull my shirt over my head and toss it on the floor, then unbuckle my pistol belt and unfasten my pants.
Slowly, I lower them, letting her look her fill as I take off the rest of my clothes, wanting nothing between us.
Her eyes roam my body, and I swear it feels like a caress.
“My goodness Reggie, you look like a sculpture I saw in a book once. Your … that thing … that’s not going to fit.”
“My precious wife, you were made for me … and I’ll fit. I promise, I’ll be gentle.”
Cupping her face with my hand, my thumb brushes along her bottom lip. “I’ll never hurt you Jess, never strike you in anger, never leave a bruise on purpose. You are mine to care for, and I like to cherish my things.”
Even though her cheeks are flushed, I can tell she is trying to relax. “I want to be yours in every way, Reggie. I won’t say I am not a little hesitant, but I want to experience it all with you.”
My mind needed to hear those words because this is more than just physical; it’s the foundation upon which our entire future bond will be built.
I slowly climb between her thighs, settling my weight carefully so that I don’t crush her small form.
Glad that when I look into her eyes, there is no fear staring back at me.
“I have so much to teach you and there are so many ways for each of us to bring the other pleasure, but I’m not sure I can do that the first time.
I’ve been holding back for so long that I’m having to force my body to hold still as all I want to do is sink deep within you.
Feel your inner walls milk me until there is nothing left but a husk. ”
“You are not the only one who has ached for the other Reg. Make me yours, I don’t need anything but you inside of me now, later we can explore this further.”
Taking myself in hand, I rub my cock through her wetness, happy that her body, even though inexperienced, is making itself ready for me.
Pressing forward slowly, I can feel her small body stretching to accommodate mine.
Jess grabs my shoulders, her nails digging into my skin and I stop, giving her time to adjust. Everything in me is screaming to move, but I don’t because I want this to be a positive memory, not one full of pain and discomfort.
And because I am a sick bastard, the moment I feel her maidenhead pushing back against me, I smile as I’m glad to be the first to be inside her, the first to teach her the magic that can exist between two people who love each other.
Pushing in another inch, I know this part is going to hurt no matter what I do.
Pulling back slightly, I surge forward only to feel her body greedily opening up to me.
I see the discomfort on her face, and once again, I stop.
“Are you alright, lover?”
“I feel so full, but I need something else … something more.”