Free Unconventional Series Collection by Verna Clay Page B

across the small valley to
the oak tree where Molly was buried.
    * * *
    The weather turned freezing and Abby started
school lessons with Jenny and Ty. Luke spent a lot of time outdoors with his father.
    Every night, Jenny happily described her school
work to her father. Since the incident at her mother's grave, she had seemed
happier and lighthearted—as if a weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
Luke remained moody, as did Brant. Most nights, Abby went to bed after tucking
Jenny and Ty in because the morose atmosphere surrounding father and son was
more than she could handle.
    One night, very late, she heard a soft knock and
Brant entered her room. He quietly closed the door. Still half asleep, she sat
up and said groggily, "Brant?"
    He walked to her bedside and sat down, which
jerked her awake. "Is everything okay with the children?" she asked,
alarmed.
    "Everything's fine." He reached to
push her long hair away from her face and his touch sent goose bumps down her
spine. "Abby, it's time. I want you to come to my room."
    Her comprehension was immediate and she couldn't
make herself speak. Unexpectedly, he pulled her covers back, letting in the
cold air, and lifted her into his arms. Her eyes went wide and her hair
streamed over his forearms, hanging long and wavy. Quietly, he carried her from
her room and into his.
    * * *
    Brant had been fighting his body's raging
desires since his marriage and if he didn't give in soon, he'd never get any
sleep. As it was, he was falling asleep on his horse while working each day.
Tonight, he'd been staring at the ceiling for hours, imagining Abby in his bed.
He was married to her, for god's sake. He had every right to sleep with her.
    Lowering her to his bed, he pulled the covers up
over her. Her wide-eyed stare made him smile. The thought of introducing her to
the pleasures of the body aroused his body even more, if that were possible.
Lightly, he kissed her lips and reached to turn off his lamp. He remembered
Molly had wanted it off at first to hide her embarrassment. Women were strange
creatures. They had beautiful bodies and yet wanted to hide in the dark. He
would have loved keeping the light on.
    In the dark he removed his long johns and
crawled into bed beside her. He could hear her rapid breathing. He turned onto
his side and lifted a hand to graze his knuckles down her cheek. Her breathing
came faster. "Don't be afraid, Abby. I won't hurt you."
    "I know you won't," she whispered
back. Her blind trust twisted something in his heart and endeared her to him.
    He smoothed his hand down her hair. "You
have beautiful hair."
    "Thank you. So do you," she said
sweetly, and seemed to relax a little.
    He moved his fingers back to her cheek and
gently stroked. "I love your skin, so soft and creamy." Her breathing
quickened and so did his. "I know these past weeks have been strained
while everyone adjusts." He lowered his fingers to her neck and then her
shoulder. Rising above her, he said, "I'm going to kiss you."
    Her breathing had turned into little pants that
were driving him crazy. Slowly, he lowered his mouth to hers, grazing her lips.
She softly panted into his mouth, and it took all of his willpower not to touch
her lips with his tongue. He wanted to invade her mouth with hot kisses, but he
knew that would only frighten her. He moved his lips to the corner of her
mouth, and then up her cheek to her eyes, her forehead, and then kissed the tip
of her nose before moving back to her mouth. She arched into him and he smiled.
He traced her shoulder and arm, before entwining his fingers with hers. She
held tightly to his hand. He touched his tongue to her lips. Instead of
flinching, like he had expected, she parted her lips. Slipping his tongue
inside, he explored and increased the pressure. She squeezed his hand and
caressed his chest with her other hand before encircling his neck. Her response
encouraged him and he freed his hand from hers, cupping her breast. She moaned
and lifted