Free EMMA (Mail-Order Brides Club, #1) by Ashley Merrick Page A

wanted to teach her a few things. Things you couldn't be bothered with. You don't deserve her."
    "And you do? I don't think so. Sheriff, he's all yours." The sheriff yanked Russell up from the floor, handcuffed him and then led him out to his wagon. "He won't be bothering either of you again," the sheriff promised as he pushed Russell out the door.
    A moment later, there was a frantic knock on the door and Ethan's mother's voice called out, "Emma, are you in there? Are you okay?"
    Ethan opened the door and both his mother and father were standing there. He welcomed them in and filled them in on what had just happened. Emma was still by his side and he had his arm tight around her, as if he never wanted to let her go. His parents exchanged glances, and then his mother said, "Why don't we take Emily for a few hours and give you two some time alone together. To just relax and put this horrible day behind you. You can come pick her up later."
    Emma was about to protest, but Ethan cut her off. "I think that's a good idea. Thank you." His mother went into Emily's room then and they left a few minutes later. Ethan still had his arm around Emily's shoulder.
    Emma swallowed hard, nervous and excited for what Ethan was about to say.
    "I know this has all been hard for you," he began. "I didn't think I could do it. To ever fall in love with someone again, to betray Susan like that. But I have, and I've been thinking long and hard about this. Seeing you in danger today and with Russell Jones about to kiss you—I wanted to kill him." He smiled then and his eyes softened. "What you did with the water was great, by the way."
    He leaned forward then and kissed her. Ever so softly at first, but then the kiss grew deeper and more passionate. It was even better than the first time they’d kissed and Emma moaned again and then worried that he would stop like he did before. But he didn't. Not for a long time. Finally, he pulled back, but still held on to her tightly and looked in her eyes.
    "Emma Donovan, I want you to be my wife, in every way possible. If you'll have me. I love you, and I didn't realize how much until today. I've never been so scared before. If anything had happened to you..."
    "But it didn't... And I love you, too, and I am ready to move into your bedroom...now."
    Ethan grinned at that and picked her up as if she was as light as Emily and carried her into his bedroom...their bedroom. He laid her down on the bed carefully and then kicked off his shoes and laid down next to her.
    "You have way too much on," he teased as he helped her off with her shoes and then unbuttoned her dress and chuckled as he saw the three fluffy petticoats beneath it.
    "Way too much...." he repeated as he gently eased the rest of her clothes off until she was completely naked and remarkably not feeling at all shy about it.
    "Your turn," she breathed and slowly unbuttoned his shirt, then slid it off his arms and caught her breath at the beauty of his chest and the faint vee of hair that ran over his tightly muscled chest and then disappeared into his pants. Those had to go, too. She unbuttoned his pants and then pulled the legs down and off so he was lying there in just his socks and underwear. She nodded at his feet and he kicked off his socks and then held her gaze and waited. Tentatively at first, she eased down his drawers and then marveled at what lay beneath, or rather what was standing at attention. She'd never seen one before. Slowly she ran her hands down his chest and then along his arms and back to his abs. He shivered, and she smiled as he caught his breath. She looked down and hesitated.
    "Go ahead, touch me."
    She did, and explored his full length, fascinated, until he finally said, "I need you to stop for a minute. Come here." And he pulled her in to him and kissed her. He went slowly, too, exploring her body until she was fully relaxed and moaning for more. He then introduced her to the world of love-making and when it was over, Emma was