Read The Mail Order Bride's Deception for Free Online

her past.  For them, it was sexual gratification for money.  In this case, she’d offer him her body for pleasure, but he’d given her his name, his home, and his protection.  At least in this situation, she was getting things she wanted.
    A movement from the corner of her eye caught her attention and she turned her head, her heart threatening to stop when she saw that he wasn’t wearing anything.  She swallowed the bile that rose up in her throat and looked at the drapes.
    The bed shifted under his weight as he slipped in next to her.  The bed was much too small.  She could feel his bare flesh pressing against hers, his erection indicating his excitement over what was about to happen.  She took a deep breath to steady her nerves.  She could do this.  She had to do this.
    “Hazel,” he whispered, his voice gentle as he caressed her cheek.
    He expected her to make eye contact with him.  She was going to have to oblige him because that’s what Hazel would do.  She forced her gaze to meet his, noting his thick lashes.
    “I know this is your first time, and I’m going to try to be as gentle as possible,” he said.  “If you don’t like anything, let me know and I’ll stop.  Alright?”
    Making herself nod, she managed a stiff, “Alright.”
    He lowered his head and kissed her, something that surprised her since she fully expected him to reach for her breast right away.  His lips were soft and hesitant.  Raising his head, he took another good look at her, his eyes searching hers.  “Do you want to wait?”
    “No,” she quickly replied.  If he didn’t do it tonight, she’d have to go through the next day in dread of this.  At least if they did it now, he should be good for a few days.  Then she could relax and settle into this life.  “I…I’m just nervous, since this is my,” she tried not to wince, “first time and all.”
    The lie was harder to say than she thought it’d be, but it worked.  He relaxed and offered her a smile.  “I’m really glad you left Atlanta to come here.  I know in my ad I said I was looking for a mother for Gilbert, but the truth is, I also wanted a wife, someone who would be a friend and lover.” He chuckled.  “I didn’t want to come out and say I was lonely.  It doesn’t seem like the kind of thing a man admits.”
    She cleared her throat and returned his smile.  “I was lonely, too.”
    “Even with all the extravagant balls and men vying for your hand?”
    Was that what Hazel’s life had been like?  Going from one dance to another, holding hopeful suitors at bay?  “None of those men meant anything to me,” she finally replied, figuring it best to let him think what he wanted even as she told him the truth.
    “Well, I’m honored and forever grateful you came all the way out here to marry me.  I promise I’ll do everything I can to make you glad you made the sacrifice.”
    He saved her from having to reply because he kissed her again.  This time she responded to him, knowing if she didn’t, he would probably stop, and as much as she’d like him to tell her more about him self and what he and Hazel wrote to each other, there was still the pressing matter of the wedding night to resolve first.
    He brought her into his arms and held her as he deepened the kiss.  Had it not been for his arousal which rested against her abdomen, she might have enjoyed it.  But she did her best to act as if she did, and he must have believed it since he didn’t stop.
    Before long, he pursued a more intimate exploration of her body, the light providing more than enough opportunity to do so.  He traced her breasts with his hands before he brought his mouth to her nipples to tease them.  Though he was gentle, taking great care in touching her, she wasn’t really aware of what he was doing.
    She let out moans when appropriate, as she’d been taught, but she focused on the drapes, noting the hints of a cobweb lining the top of them on the right side of the