Free O'Hara Wedding by Bianca D'Arc Page A

was a lucky man.

    Caleb thought so too a few hours later, after the last few guests went home and his brothers took off for parts
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    unknown, leaving the sprawling ranch house to the newlyweds. They would leave for a honeymoon trip the next day, but tonight was to be spent in the safe, familiar environs of the O’Hara homestead. Caleb had planned it that way so his bride would be more comfortable. Her gift of empathy was a strong and sometimes unpredictable talent. He didn’t want unfamiliar surroundings and people to intrude on their first night together.
    He wanted everything to be perfect. Caleb escorted Jane out onto the back deck, the night breeze cool on her pale skin. He settled her in his arms, trailing his fingers lightly over her hair, her neck, the rise of her breasts above her pretty dress.
    He could feel her warming to him, feel her eager but untried response, and reveled in the idea that she would be his for all time. Her innocence, her purity, her love, was his now and forever. It was a humbling thought. He wouldn’t let doubts play on his nervesænot tonight. His brothers would have to find their own women, though few could equal the one snuggling in his arms. She was quite a few years younger than him, much less experienced and
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    all too fragile emotionally. But she loved him, and he loved her. He knew it deep in his heart and he felt their love would see them through whatever came.
    Reverently, he stroked her more boldly, reaching under the wisps of her upswept hair to nibble her neck the way he’d come to know she liked. She was still a virgin, but he’d tested the limits of their new intimate relationship in the past month, needing to know if she would respond to him sexually, and hoping to distract her from her grief. The ploy had worked on both counts and the result was that she was an eager virgin. Caleb counted himself blessed.
    “Why don’t we go inside, honey?” She shivered as he picked her up and carried her over the threshold, up a flight of stairs and into the master bedroom. As the eldest brother, he’d taken over the large master suite a year after their parents died, making all his brothers help redecorate the house. It was his way of putting away the grief they’d all suffered in different ways. He was glad now he’d sought Jane’s advice on the color scheme. He knew she liked the room she’d help decorate, and that she’d
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    enjoy sharing it with him. Especially the luxurious king-sized bed.
    He dumped her in the middle of the bed and stood back to just look at her.
    “What are you thinking?” she asked shyly.
    His smile widened as he moved forward, reaching for the buttons on his shirt. “I was just thinking how lucky I am.”
    She smiled and knelt on the mattress to help him slide the buttons out of their holes while he focused his attentions on her dress. Pulling down the zipper and releasing the tiny buttons, he pushed the gown off her shoulders to reveal a frilly white corset bra that made his breath catch.
    “Where’d you get this?” He fingered the fragile lace with his big hands.
    “My friend Julie knows a great mail order shop.”
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    She lifted up to pull the dress off her hips and reveal the matching garter, hose, and thong panties. Caleb thought he might suffocate.
    “Do you like it?”
    It took a moment before he could string thoughts into coherent words as she lay back on the bed, smiling up at him nervously, tantalizing him with her mix of innocence and temptation.
    “Like it? Damn, woman, you’re gorgeous.” He shucked his shirt and quickly removed his pants. When he was naked, he watched her eyes widen as she saw him for the first time.
    She looked ready to bolt.
    Sitting close, he stroked her arms with light touches.
    Reaching out, he folded the sheer lace cups of the bra under, exposing her. The wire of the corset supported her breasts, lifting them high as he gazed in appreciation.
    Gently, he stroked his hands over her,