Free Desperate Lola (The Mail Order Brides of Boot Creek Book 2) by Carré White

letters.”
    “Are we not friends at all? You seemed so different in your letters. You were warmer, more personable. You’re rather shy and standoffish in real life, aren’t you?”
    “I’ve never done well in social situations, but in business, I am adept.”
    “Is that why you never remarried?”
    “One of the reasons.”
    “What are the others?”
    “Lola,” he sighed. “Let’s not get into all my flaws and idiosyncratic habits. I’ve plenty to go around, but so do you. You’ve yet to learn to master your emotions, and you don’t have a clue about tact.”
    “That’s true. Neither of us is perfect.”
    “Far from it.”
    For the first time that day, I wanted to smile. “I don’t know what to do.”
    He scratched the side of his face. “Let’s try again to marry.”
    “Then we shouldn’t talk at all on the ride there.” I giggled at that thought.
    “Perhaps, that’s where we’ve gone wrong. Maybe conversation isn’t the solution to our problems.”
    “What do you mean?”
    A puzzling light flared in his eyes. “You’ve chastised me for my behavior, and you’re right on a few key points. I really wasn’t expecting such a beauty. You’ve caught me off-guard completely. If you had been more homely-looking, then, perhaps, I wouldn’t have this struggle.”
    “You’ve lost me completely.”
    “You confused me completely.”
    I stared at him blankly.
    He leaned in, his gaze lingering on my mouth. “Let’s try this, and, perhaps, it’ll all make sense then.”
    The aroma of whiskey lingered around his mouth, while he drew even closer, until I glimpsed the flecks of brown in his eyes. He was going to kiss me! I gasped in anticipation, wondering if the experience would be enjoyable. Our lips met, while he softly pressed himself to me. The kisses were easy, feather light, and nonthreatening. It wasn’t until I wrapped my arms around his neck, groaning into his mouth, that he devoured me, his tongue gaining entrance, silky and smooth. Every nerve ending in my body suddenly sprang to life, tingling with pleasure.
    He pulled away at once. “Well, that was … a surprise.”
    “What?” I threaded fingers through his hair, wanting him to kiss me again. Not waiting for an answer, I greedily attacked his mouth. He responded in kind, holding me closely, his arms going around my back, while our tongues collided. The slinky wet feel was delicious—intoxicating.
    “That’s enough, Lola,” he murmured gruffly, letting me go.
    Chagrined, I bit my lower lip, wondering why he had stopped. “Did I do something wrong?”
    “No, but I need you to get dressed.”
    “Why?” It was rather scandalous to be thusly clothed in his presence, because we were not married yet. “No one has to know, if we have another kiss. We’ve done nothing but argue since we met. I’d rather kiss than argue.” Kissing him had been vastly enjoyable, far better than when Mr. Brittle had forced himself on me.
    His smile creased the edges of his eyes. “Then you had better put that outfit back on. I’m taking you to the church, where we’ll be married.”
    I flung my arms around him. “We will?” Rubbing his cheek with my own, I felt the warmth of his skin.
    “Yes, Lola. I want to kiss you again as well, but let’s make if official first, shall we?”
    “All right.”
    He drew away, holding out a hand. “Peace?”
    “I suppose, for now.”
    His brows furrowed. “For now?” Humor danced in his eyes.
    “I’m still rather sore about some of the things I heard.”
    “We can discuss it later.”
    “I do want to have children, but you make it sound like I’m some sort of breeding cow.”
    He placed a finger on my lip. “Shush. If you start talking, we’ll end up arguing again.”
    I bit his finger gently, his eyes widening. Giggling, I said, “For some reason, I feel compelled to tell you exactly what I’m thinking. That’s not good, is it?”
    “Not good at all.”
    “If I can’t speak freely with my