Read Rocky Mountain Dawn (Rocky Mountain Bride Series Book 1) for Free Online Page A

around his cock until the sensation was too much, and she was soaring over the edge.
    He came a moment later, shuddering out his own pleasure inside her. His body sagged on top of hers, pressing down with a delicious weight. Face close to hers, he swept his thumb across her cheek.
    "If I had not married you, I would have longed for you my entire life, without knowing what I was longing for."
    She smiled, and he pressed his lips to hers, as if he could taste her happiness.
     
    *****
     
    All through the next day, she kept her happy glow. Even the delays at the train station, and a slow journey into Boston didn't dampen her spirits. They shared a small compartment with a portly gentlemen, who read the paper, then leaned back, stretched it over his face and, if the snores rumbling from underneath the newsprint were any indication, fell fast asleep.
    Daring to lean against her husband's arm, Esther dozed. When she woke, Johnathan's arm was around her, fingers softly stroking her arm. Again she found herself watching her husband, smiling to herself at the thought that he was hers. She loved his proud brow, his thick hair, his sincere, quick smile. Today he also seemed to have a glow about him.
    He caught her looking and she averted her gaze, blushing.
    "Now I know what keeps you sweet." He smiled, tapping her nose.
    Feeling a rush of warmth inside her, Esther leaned into him, stretching up to meet his lips. Before they could kiss, the train lurched to a stop, rocking them apart, then flinging them together. Esther grabbed her husband's shoulders and hung on before she was tossed from the seat.
    "Boston Haymarket," the conductor cried.
    In the seat across from them, the portly man snorted and woke, tearing the paper from his face. "What's all this then?" His jowls shook with horror at the sight of the couple across from him thrown together.
    The two Shepherds looked at each other and burst out laughing.
     
    *****
     
    They settled into their inn and took a walk before dinner past the market stalls. Pulling on her husband's arm, Esther went from one stall to the next, fingering the trinkets.
    "So pretty," she said, but didn't buy anything.
    When they reached the last shop, Johnathan didn't stop at the window, but pulled her inside.
    She stood in the center of the dressmaker's wares, eyeing the fine fabrics and exquisite lace while her husband went and spoke to the shopkeeper in quiet tones. She longed to ask if she could try on one of the fine dresses or shawls, but resolved to keep her mind off worldly things. Her husband already thought her to be shallow and overly concerned with her appearance.
    "Really, Johnathan," she said as he returned to her side. "I do not need anything."
    "Hush, darling." Tucking her arm into his, he escorted her out of the shop. "I wanted to buy you a wedding gift."
    That afternoon, he went out to conduct his business, and she waited in their rooms, sitting in an armchair by the window and watching the finely dressed ladies flounce by. She was very silly, she knew, to long for such things when she should be resigned to being a plain minister's wife.
    A knock on the door and a porter came in with a box she recognized from the dressmakers. As soon as she was alone again, she opened it.
    A fine pair of pantalettes, expertly stitched with open seam. A new corset, silk, a perfect pearly blue, lined with white cotton twill. Undressing down to her chemise, she slipped on the drawers and corset. The silk molded her body beautifully, and she stared at her reflection in the mirror.
    She barely heard the door open behind her, whirling only when she heard it thud shut.
    "Oh, Johnathan. It's you."
    Her husband stopped in his tracks, heat leaping into his dark brown eyes. For some reason, Esther wanted to cover her body with her hands, or back away.
    Johnathan stalked closer, and she did just that, babbling. "I'm sorry, I should've waited for you. I was just about to take these things off."
    "Off?" His head cocked to