His Convenient Wife Read online

  “Were we boring you?”

  “No. I like hearing about it.”

  He scooted closer to her. “Is something else on your mind?”

  Her face warmed. “I was just thinking about things.”

  “What kind of things?”

  “I don’t know. Just things.”

  “Oh come on,” he pressed, nudging her shoulder with his. “You can tell me. There’s no need to be shy.”

  “You’ll think it’s silly.”

  “Try me. You might be surprised.”

  “Well,” she bit her lower lip then decided she might as well say it, “alright. I was thinking of the future. Our future. I can see us having lots of children, can’t you?”

  His eyebrows rose. “Are you telling me you’re expecting?”

  “No, not yet. It’s just that when I was a girl, I used to pretend my dolls were children.” She glanced at Maggie, who was collecting flowers, and said, “Maggie will make a good big sister, don’t you think?”

  “I do.” He lowered his head toward hers and softly added, “I don’t think your desire to have children is silly. I want more of them, too.”

  “Do you?”

  He nodded and shot her that disarming grin of his. “And I can’t think of anyone who’d make a better mother.”

  His lips met hers, and she leaned into him. They hadn’t made love since she got sick. He hadn’t made a move to do more than hold her at night in bed. He was being a gentleman, waiting for her to let him know when she was ready. Now that she’d been intimate with him, she knew what happened to a man’s body when he was aroused, and there were times in the middle of the night when she was aware of his erection.

  But he never did anything about it. He just continued to hold her, willing to be patient for as long as she needed. And she loved him for that. It’d taken her longer to heal from her night outside than she thought it would. But today, she felt completely well again and saw no reason to delay their lovemaking any longer.

  “Got flowers!” Maggie called out.

  Reluctant, Harriett ended the kiss and turned her attention to Maggie, who was holding a bunch of flowers in her hands.

  “You nearly took the whole field,” Stan said with a laugh.

  “Some yours,” she replied.

  “That was very sweet of you, Maggie.” Harriett rose to her feet and started gathering their things. “Let’s get back to the house so we can put them in some containers.”

  Stan hurried to help, and soon, they were on their way back home. Once Harriett helped Maggie put the flowers in all the rooms she wanted, they tucked the girl into bed and went downstairs to have some hot chocolate.

  It was a habit they got used to since her mother had made it for them while Harriett was on the mend, and more than that, it allowed them a good time to talk. They’d sit in the kitchen and share whatever was on their minds. This was quickly becoming Harriett’s favorite time of the day.

  Usually when they were done talking, Harriett would wash their cups and they’d go upstairs. But tonight, after she washed the cups, she returned to the table, and before Stan could stand up, she cupped his face in her hands.

  “I want to be with you, Stan,” she whispered. “I want to be your wife.”

  Then, in a bold move, she leaned forward and kissed him. She didn’t expect the kiss to spark the passion between them, but that’s exactly what it did. And before she knew it, he brought her onto his lap and wrapped his arms around her. Like always, she had no defense against him. But this time, she didn’t need to feel weak for the way her body responded to him. This was right. He wanted to be with her. He loved her. And she loved him. Making love would complete it. This time she didn’t have to wonder if he was making love to her or thinking of someone else. He only wanted her, and that was all that mattered.

  His hands went to her shirtwaist, quickly undoing her buttons, and with a thrill, she realized he fully intended to have her right here in the kitchen. The wickedness of it all—knowing they weren’t going to wait for bed, aroused her far more than it probably should have. But she’d spent her entire life doing exactly what was expected of her, and now she had the chance to do something completely inappropriate.

  After he removed her shirtwaist, she helped him as he took off her chemise. He cupped one of her breasts in his hands and licked her nipple. She shivered in delight as a spark of pleasure went straight to her core. Before she lost her nerve and thought better of it, she lifted her skirt and petticoats then straddled him.

  “Oh Harriett,” Stan whispered, bringing his mouth to her neck and leaving a trail of kisses to her ear.

  His hands slid under her skirt and petticoats and traveled up her bloomers. She spread her legs further so he could slip one hand in the opening of the cotton material. She let out a soft sigh. It felt so wonderful. His fingers brushed her curls and she gasped. It’d been so long since they’d been intimate. Even now, the memory of the night they’d consummated their marriage made her core clench in anticipation, and a familiar heat centered between her legs.

  “I want you,” she told him, wiggling so that his fingers were closer to her entrance. “Bring me to completion, Stan.”

  He slid two fingers into her, and she moaned in pleasure. Before they’d been together, she had no idea her body was capable of such intense sensations. But now she knew the ache between her legs would only be satisfied when he finished what he’d started. She placed her hands on his shoulders and shifted so that she could moved up and down his fingers, quickly establishing a rhythm that allowed him to tease the sensitive area deep in her core. Biting her lower lip, she groaned, louder this time, heedless to anything else going on around them.

  “You’re so lovely, Harriett,” he murmured, using the pad of his thumb to caress her sensitive nub.

  His action only served to heighten her pleasure, and she continued moving her hips until she reached the peak. Crying out, she stilled and gave herself completely over to the moment, savoring each wave as it crashed into her. He continued to stroke her core, an action which only prolonged her pleasure. When the intensity subsided, she brought her mouth to his and kissed him, and by the way his tongue probed her mouth, she knew his body was just as eager for her as she’d been for him.

  She brought her hands down between them and shifted so that she could unbutton his pants. Lifting her, he wiggled until his pants were at his knees, allowing her to better feel him. She took his penis in her hands and traced the length of it. He was hard and there was a silky texture to his shaft that made it easy to stroke him.

  “I’ve been dreaming of what it’d feel like to have you touch me there,” he murmured, squeezing her hips in silent encouragement for her to keep going.

  Unable to resist the urge, she shot him a wicked grin. “Have you?”

  He shot her a seductive smile. “It’s better than I imagined.”

  She leaned forward and kissed him again, this time wrapping her hand around his shaft and moving it up and down in a motion similar to the way she would soon be moving her hips when he was finally inside her. For the moment, she was curious about this part of him and saw no reason to rush through to the end.

  When their kiss ended, he whispered, “I’ve also imagined what it’d be like to be in your mouth.”

  She paused in her stroking motion and considered whether she dare oblige him. She was curious about him, and this would give her a chance to better explore him. Even as the idea made her pulse race with excitement, she had to fight back the sudden wave of shyness that came over her. It was alright to do this. He was her husband, after all. She could explore any part of him she wanted, and she had no doubt, he’d enjoy it.

  Decision made, she got off of him and knelt down, not able to make eye contact as she took him in her hand once more. With a moan, he put his hands on her shoulders and gently squeezed them in silent encouragement. She dared a glance up at him and saw that he had his head tilted back and his eyes closed.

  Good. He
wasn’t watching her. That being the case, she felt more at ease about what she was doing. Lowering her gaze, she took note of his erection, intrigued by all she was learning. She stroked him, starting at his base and moving up to his tip. He groaned again and whispered her name, making her face flush with pleasure.

  She leaned forward and took him into her mouth, tracing his tip with her tongue. As she continued learning more about him, she realized his groans grew louder, something that let her know he was enjoying her ministrations.

  “I need to get inside you,” he whispered.

  More than happy to do whatever she could to satisfy him, she got up and removed her bloomers. Tossing them aside, she lifted her skirt and petticoats and straddled him once more, except this time, she reached between them and took him into her. She gasped as he filled her core.

  “Harriett?” he whispered, his voice strained.

  “It feels good,” she assured him. “It feels so very good.”

  With a moan, he brought his hands to her breasts and teased her nipples, an action which only made her ache once more. He began moving inside her, and she bit her lower lip. It did feel good. Incredibly so, in fact. She couldn’t think of anything that felt better than this.

  He thrust deeper into her, and she proceeded to work with him. She rocked her hips in time to his thrusting, her sensitive nub rubbing against him.

  “I want to do this again tonight,” she murmured as she purposely clenched around him, shivering in delight at the spark of pleasure that swept through her.

  “We’re just getting started, sweetheart,” he rasped and plunged deep into her.

  She gripped his arms and worked faster, aware that she was getting very close to the peak. She loved this. Loved it when he softly repeated her name. Loved it when he cupped her breasts in his hands. Loved it when he rocked his hips so she could more easily slide up and down his penis.

  And loved it when he brought her to completion. Heart racing, she grew still and squeezed his arms as her flesh clenched around him. He wrapped her in his arms and kissed her neck, whispering that he loved her and only her. When she relaxed, she murmured that she loved him, too, and brought her mouth to his.

  His tongue sparred with hers while he began moving inside her once more. Soon, his thrusting became more insistent, and she worked with him, doing her part to help him find completion in the act. And when he climaxed, he let out a soft cry and shuddered as he released his seed into her.

  After a couple minutes passed between them, he kissed her neck. “You’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me, Harriett. Thank you for not giving up on me.”

  Smiling, she turned her head so she could kiss him, letting her lips linger on his. When the kiss was over, she brushed his jaw with her fingers, her eyes meeting his. “You were worth the wait.”

  “I’m glad. And I promise I’ll never make you sorry you gave me another chance.”

  “I don’t doubt it.”

  He gave her another kiss then shot her a suggestive look that sent a spark of delight right through her. “Why don’t we continue this upstairs?”

  Eager to be intimately entwined with him again, she stood up and helped him retrieve their clothes then followed him to bed, where they continued to make love through the night.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  The next morning when Stan woke up, his first thought was that the past week—especially last night—had been a dream. It all seemed too good to be true. But when he opened his eyes, Harriett was sleeping next to him, naked and curled up against his side.

  With a smile, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. It hadn’t been a dream. Everything had been real. She’d initiated their lovemaking. She had lowered her wall and let him in. Now, they were truly husband and wife. And it was the most wonderful feeling in the world.

  A moment of immense joy passed before doubt started seeping in. The last time they’d made love, she hadn’t been happy. It’d come as a shock to him, of course, because he thought once they became intimate, she’d feel secure in his love for her, but she hadn’t.

  “Harriett,” he whispered.

  As much as he hated to wake her up, he needed to know she wouldn’t feel the need to close herself off from him again. And he had to know this before he could do any of the day’s chores.

  He stroked her cheek, and lowering his head to hers, he whispered, “Harriett?”

  She stirred, and he kissed her. It hadn’t been his intention to kiss her, but she was so very lovely. He’d have to be made of stone not to want to kiss her.

  “Stan?” she asked in a soft voice, her eyes still closed.

  “Yes, it’s me.”

  He caressed her cheek then let his fingers drift down her neck. He would have thought making love four times the night before would have appeased his desire, but his body notified him it wanted to be with her again.

  She opened her eyes and glanced at the window. “Is it morning already?”

  “Afraid so.” Good. She hadn’t gasped or pulled away from him. She was still at his side. And better yet, she was smiling.

  She slipped her arm around his waist and snuggled up to him. “I wish we didn’t have to get out of bed.”

  Chuckling, he pulled her closer and kissed her. “I wish we didn’t have to, either.”

  He brought his lips back to hers, glad when she responded with the same passion she had the night before. In fact, one thing led to another, and soon they were making love again. Afterwards, he continued to hold and kiss her, reluctant to put an end to a perfect beginning to the day. This was so much better than last time. It was how they should have woken up the first time they made love. But at least they were doing this now, and this would set the precedence for mornings to come.

  ***

  In September, Harriett opened the kitchen window to let the fresh air in, glad when a breeze drifted into the room. Now that it was getting cooler outside, she could get a reprieve from the August heat. These days she tried not to wear her hair in a bun since Stan liked it when she wore it down, but sometimes she just had to. On this day, however, she was able to pull it back with a couple barrettes.

  At the moment, Maggie was playing in the parlor with a couple toys, allowing Harriett to take her time making breakfast if she wanted. But she was much too excited. Deciding she’d opt to make a quick meal, she retrieved the ingredients she’d need to make muffins. As she was mixing the ingredients in a bowl, Stan came into the kitchen with a small basket of eggs.

  “Oh good,” she said, coming over to him and taking the basket. Eggs would be quick and fill everyone up for a long time. “This is perfect.” She kissed him. “Thank you.”

  “You can thank the hens. They were laying good ones today.”

  “Yes, but you got the eggs for me.” She set the basket on the worktable. “I’m a little anxious to go to town.”

  Chuckling, he brought her into his arms and kissed her. “You already know what your uncle’s going to say.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck. “I know, but I want to hear it. Plus, I’d like to know when our baby will be born.”

  “Just count the months.”

  “But I want to know for sure. Joel’s a doctor. He’s delivered many babies. He knows what he’s doing.”

  He gave her waist a playful squeeze. “It’ll be nice to see what he says.”

  He lowered his head and kissed her again, this time letting his lips linger on hers. She leaned into him and responded to his kiss. His tongue traced her lower lip, and she opened her mouth to receive him. Tingles of delight traveled up and down her spine. No matter how often he kissed her, every time he did it, it felt like it was the first kiss she’d ever received. In her wildest dreams, she didn’t think being married to Stan would be this wonderful.

  Maggie groaned. “Kissing again.”

  Harriett turned around and saw Maggie roll her eyes. Giggling, she gestured for Maggie to come over to the worktable. “Want to help
me make muffins?”

  Maggie shook her head. “Ride horse?”

  Stan placed his hand on the small of Harriett’s back. “What if I take her for a short ride while you make breakfast? Then we’ll go see your uncle and pick up some things from the mercantile.”

  “That’d be best,” Harriett replied, glancing at the girl who was already putting on her boots. She shook her head in amusement. “She’s going to beat you outside at the rate she’s going.”

  Laughing, he kissed her cheek. “We won’t be more than twenty minutes.”

  “Have a good time,” she told him as he picked Maggie up and carried her out the door.

  Smiling, she turned her attention back to the ingredients she set out and started making the muffins. A half hour later, she had breakfast ready, and they enjoyed a good meal. During the whole time, Maggie told her about the horse ride and helping Stan with feeding the horses. Stan would add something from time to time, but Maggie seemed to be content to take most of the spotlight, proving just how much like Rose she really was. And Harriett liked that. With Maggie around, she didn’t have to miss her sister quite so much. She’d never trade her life with Stan for anything, but her sister would always be important to her.

  When they were done with their meal, Stan hitched the horses to the wagon and took them to town. As they arrived at the main street, Stan asked her, “Do you want to stop by the mercantile or see if your uncle’s in first?”

  “Let’s see if Uncle Joel’s in his office,” she said.

  She’d never be able to concentrate on getting what she needed if she didn’t get confirmation about her pregnancy. Stan pulled the wagon to a stop, and she scooted to the edge of her seat, getting ready to jump down by the time he reached her side.

  “Hold on there, sweetheart.” Stan placed his hand on her leg. “I’d never forgive myself if you hurt yourself. Give me your hand, and I’ll help you down.”

  “I’m trying to be patient,” she replied as she accepted his hand and let him help her. “It’s just hard.”