Free Nellie (The Brides of San Francisco Book 1) by Cynthia Woolf

I’m asking.”
    “You’re drunk, Nellie. Nothing you say can be taken seriously. Let’s talk about it tomorrow.”
    She closed her eyes.
    “I seem to be tired. I think I should go to bed now.”
    “That’s the most sensible thing you’ve said. I’ll help you.”
    He stood and took her arm.
    She stumbled over her own feet and landed against him.
    Blake shook his head, bent and picked her up in his arms.
    “Amn’t I too heavy for you?”
    “No, you’re light as a feather.”
    She wrapped her arms around his neck and cuddled to his chest. Then she took a deep breath.
    “I like the way you smell.”
    He chuckled. “Thank you.”
    “Well, don’t you like the way I smell?”
    Still chucking, he said, “Right now you smell like wine. Normally, I do like the way you smell.”
    “Oh, I stink!” She arched in his hold.
    “No, calm down, you don’t stink. You smell wonderful.”
    She smiled and relaxed against him. “Really?”
    “Really, now just let me get you into bed.”
    “Oh, I’d like that.”
    “I thought you might.”
    He carried her upstairs, sure she’d pass out before he reached her rooms.

CHAPTER 6

    He was wrong.
    She was still wide awake and determined to get out of her clothes herself. Every time he tried to open the buttons on her blouse, he had his hand slapped away.
    She blinked and fumbled with them herself.
    Finally, she sat on the bed and said, “I can’t undo them.” Then she waited and pouted until he came back to the bed to help her.
    Several minutes and suit, blouse, corset, chemise, slips and pantaloons later, he had her undressed. She was lovely. Perfect breasts with beautiful dark pink nipples. Small waist and generous hips. The hour-glass figure that all women aspired to achieve with their clothing and Nellie had a perfect one without any of the garments.
    Just seeing her naked body made him ache, but he would not take advantage. No matter what she said, if they made love now, in the morning, she would resent him.
    That didn’t mean he wouldn’t sleep with her, he’d give himself that exquisite torture. Holding her naked body in his arms and not making love to her was definitely torture, but in the best way.
    He turned down the covers, picked her up and laid her in the middle of the bed.
    Then he stripped and climbed in bed next to her, taking her in his arms.
    She laid her head on his chest and her arm over his stomach and was fast asleep in seconds.
    He shook his head and smiled. “What am I going to do with you, sweet Nellie?”
    *****
    She awoke, her head pounding, unable to move for the pain. A groan escaped between her lips.
    “How are you feeling this morning?”
    Did she hear laughter in his voice?
    “Terrible. I have a splitting headache. Do you have any willowbark tea?
    “I’ve had some sent up earlier. I didn’t know when you would awaken, so it’s cold, but it should still help you. Here, sit up.”
    Nellie sat up, uncaring of her nudity, only feeling the hammering against her skull. She drank the cold tea in a few gulps, hoping it would work soon.
    “Don’t ever let me drink wine again.”
    He laughed. “I tried to keep you from drinking so much last night. You were unstoppable.”
    Somehow realizing through the pain that she should cover up, she pulled the sheet around her and tucked it under her arms.
    “Please don’t cover up on my account. I love looking at your feminine charms.”
    The light was too bright and made her head ache more. “They are called breasts and they are to feed babies. Can’t you close the drapes? It’s much too light in here.”
    “And they please the man who’s hungry for you.” He got out of bed, walked to the window and then closed the drapery.
    Even in her pain-filled haze she felt her cheeks heat. She didn’t think anything would embarrass her this morning but he’d managed to do it. Him and his magnificent body. Sometimes she wanted him so much, she almost forgot the fear.
    “Must you say those