Page 37 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
“I will. Just as soon as I get back home.”
Stars filled the night sky. Another streaked across the indigo canvas. They waited in silence for another. The shower slowed down and …
Andy slowly came awake, grew aware of his circumstances. He slept on the ground without any covering. One side was cold, the other warmed by Della. He studied her features. In repose, she appeared so innocent. So pure.
She snuffled and sighed, curling into him, one hand beneath her cheek. She tipped her head. Her mouth was relaxed. What would her lips taste like?
He eased toward her and gently touched his lips to hers finding them pliable, accommodating. Awareness danced through his veins. His toes tingled. Silver light lit up his insides. He lingered a moment, letting himself assess his reactions.
She stirred and then stiffened as she grew aware of his lips on hers.
He sprang back, still tethered to her by his arm as it lay trapped beneath her shoulders. His breath stuck in his throat.
* * *
Della wakenedto warmth on her lips. A steadying arm around her shoulders. Just like when Papa had taken her out to see the stars. Stars! She’d watched falling stars. But not with Papa. She was with Andy, feeling equally as safe as she had with Pa. He’d wakened her with a kiss.
Andy jerked back. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.”
Caught in the lingering web of sleep and a sense of peace and security, her words carried on a dreamy smile. “Why not? We’re married. You’re my husband. I’m your wife.” To prove her point, she lifted her head and brushed her lips to his mouth. Felt pleased with herself at his startled response. And then he pressed his hand to the back of her head and pulled her to him for a real, serious, intentional kiss, bringing to mind sunshine and rain, roses and spring blossoms.
They sat up and stared at each other. The sky was hinting at sunrise allowing her to see his eyes were filled with dark emotion. She let herself believe he was both surprised and pleased by the kiss. Then doubt and uncertainty clouded his expression and he slowly pushed to his feet.
He took two steps, returned to pull his blanket from under the wagon, folded it and put it away.
“Della…”
“Don’t say you regret it.” The ground beneath her no longer felt accommodating and she rose.
He leaned against the nearest wheel, studying her with an expression that made her squirm. “Have you forgotten that our marriage isn’t real?”
Her feet became very interesting, and she studied them intently. “No,” she murmured. Though for a moment or two, befuddled by sleep and confused by their kiss, she might have. Squaring her shoulders, she met his gaze. “I also haven’t forgotten that I have plans to go to Europe.”
“Very well. Then no more kissing.”
“Agreed.” She kicked one foot in the dusty grass.
“What’s wrong?”
Did he have to sound so gentle? Did he have to be so… so… kissable? Sure did make it hard for her to remember this was a pretend marriage. He raised his eyebrows, waiting for her to answer his question.
“Well, if you must know, that was my very first kiss.” She kept her head down but the fascination with her feet no longer existed and she stole a peek at him from under the curtain of her lashes.
He grinned. The grin grew into a chuckle.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“No. Never. But it might interest you to know I’ve never kissed another woman before.”
“Really?” She studied him openly. “A good-looking man like you?” Whoops. That sounded like she flirted. “Not even Trudy?”
He shrugged. “Not even her.” His gaze darted away and then returned, his eyes filled with a darkness she couldn’t explain. “You do realize that there aren’t a lot of unattached ladies around here.”
“I heard that was true.” A smile curved her lips. “How was it?”
“What? The kiss?” He leaned forward to whisper, “You aren’t supposed to kiss and tell, you know.”
“Who said?” She tried and failed to sound annoyed.
