Page 43 of Spilling the Tea

When they returned home to Houston, Victoria mentioned Charlotte’s angry expression to Milton. He’d shrugged it off, saying he’d never given her any reason to think he was interested in her and didn’t intend to worry about her foolishness.

Bringing her thoughts back to the present, Victoria slowed down Magic before bringing him to a stop in front of several rows of fruit trees. It had been a while since she’d ridden this far from the main house. She’d forgotten about this particular grove that grew oranges and grapefruit and other kinds of fruit.

After tying her horse to an orange tree branch, she decidedto try one of the oranges. Leaning up on tiptoe, she reached for the one closest to her when she heard a deep, husky voice ask, “You need help getting that, pretty lady?”

She quickly swung around to stare into the most handsome face she’d ever seen—that of her future husband. “Waylon?” she asked in breathless surprise. “What are you doing here?”

***

Waylon leaned against one of the orange trees as he studied the beautiful girl standing before him, who would one day become his wife. Even in jeans and a Western shirt, she was feminine as hell. Then there was all that red hair flowing wildly around her shoulders, since she hadn’t bothered to tie it back.

He was happy to see her. “I could ask you the same thing, Victoria, since you’re on Satterfield property,” he said.

“Satterfield property?” she asked while glancing around. “But this is a part of Whispering Pines. I distinctly remember this fruit grove over the years.”

He grinned. “Yes, Milt and I planted it. The reason I’m here is to check the irrigation system. The grapefruit trees are on Whispering Pines property and the orange trees are on Satterfield’s. The property line divides them.”

“Oh, I never knew that,” she said. “My parents never said.”

“Probably being this far from both of the main houses, nobody ever cared. It was my and Milt’s decision. I think we were only ten when we planted the trees. Beyond the fruit grove is the lake where the cabin I’m building for us is located. The land for our home borders Madaris property.”

“I didn’t know that.” Taking a few steps back to stand by a grapefruit tree, she grinned before saying, “Now I am back on Whispering Pines land.”

The smile that tilted his lips widened. “You could have stayed on Satterfield land since you and I will share it one day.” He met her gaze, and that desire he’d always felt for her stirred hisinsides. “What if I said I prefer you over here with me, the future Mrs. Waylon Satterfield?”

She began nervously gnawing her bottom lip. “I should go. We shouldn’t be out here alone. It’s not proper to be so.”

He knew that was true, but she was the woman he would marry in less than three years. The one who would share his name, his life, and their babies. “I know that’s true, Victoria. However, I’m unsure I can let you leave before sharing our first kiss.”

“Our first kiss?”

“Yes, and I want to share it on Satterfield land. The same parcel of land you will share with me one day.”

She tilted her head and met his gaze. He wondered if she could feel the intense heat flowing between them. He would love more than a kiss but would never compromise her that way. “What do you say about sharing a kiss on our land?”

She held his gaze for a long moment before walking toward him. When they stood in front of each other, he reached out, took her hand in his, and lifted it to his lips to kiss the ring on her finger. Releasing her hand, he placed his arms around her waist before lowering his head to hers.

***

Never having been kissed before, Victoria didn’t know what to expect. She certainly hadn’t contemplated the feelings that awaited her when Waylon’s mouth touched hers. Nor had she known he would put his tongue in her mouth and take hold of her own. It was as if someone had dropped a bombshell on her very existence.

She continued following his lead and hoped she was doing everything right. When she felt the solid hardness of his chest but also the hardness of him below the waist, that should have frightened her, but it didn’t. She felt safe and secure in his arms. His mouth, although applying soft pressure to hers, was thorough yet gentle. Suddenly, she felt his fingers comb throughher hair. When had he released her by the waist to do that? He was massaging her scalp in a way it had never gotten rubbed before, and it felt good.

Were his kisses something she could always expect once they got married? Like every single day? She knew there was more to the marriage act than kisses, but his were so good. Suddenly, Waylon ended the kiss and they tried to get their racing hearts under control. When she tried pulling away, he tightened his hold on her and whispered softly in her ear. “Not yet, sweetheart. I need to hold you for a minute. Okay?”

She nodded, and he held her. Moments later, he whispered. “I love you so much, Victoria.” Then he released her and took a step back.

She looked at him. “And I love you, Waylon.”

He smiled at her, and she couldn’t help but smile back. “It’s time for you to get home before your father begins worrying about you,” he said, grabbing her horse’s reins to bring it over to her. “When are Milton and your ma expected back from Atlanta?”

“Not for a few more days.”

He nodded. “I suggest you not ride this far out again.”

She knew why he was telling her that. Since she wanted to be a nurse, she had read several books about the human body. He desired her, and she desired him. Temptation was a powerful thing.

Drawing in a slow breath, she said. “I enjoyed our first kiss, Waylon, on our land.”

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