Will
leaned over next to her, whispering in her ear. "He's a man,
Dollie. He can't help it."
She
playfully smacked him as she carried the empty cup out. Luke settled
more comfortably in the bed. When she came back in, Dollie arranged
the blankets, fluffed his pillow and turned out the light before
joining him in the bed.
He
might be sick, but he'd have to be half dead before her presence in
his bed didn't excite him. Now that his fever was down and he'd
slept, his body reacted to her closeness in a most embarrassing
fashion. He turned on his side, facing away from her so she wouldn't
know.
Dollie
lay on the other side of the bed, carefully away from him. She could
have slept in one of the other beds, but she wanted to be near Luke
in case he needed her. It was silly, really, but she knew she'd worry
if she wasn't right there. Oblivious to the effect she had on him,
she went to sleep.
The
fever tea contained an herb that made him sleepy. Luke was grateful
for it because he didn't think he'd have fallen asleep otherwise.
Dollie's body lay temptingly close. He wanted her more than ever now.
The breeze from the open window wafted her perfume toward him.
Groaning slightly, he buried his nose in the blanket so he wouldn't
smell her. Finally, he fell asleep again.
Several
hours later, he woke to birds singing and the sunshine streaming in
the window. He lay facing Dollie's side of the bed. She lay next to
him, spooning against his body as he held her in his arms. He became
of aware of her soft body cuddled next to his as various parts of him
rose to the occasion. Mortified by his predicament, he lay very still
not wanting to disturb her or call attention to the fact that he had
a painful erection that was pressing temptingly against her buttocks.
Slowly,
he moved his hips away from her. She wiggled toward him in her sleep.
Cursing mentally, he brought a knee up in font of himself to keep her
from backing up any more. She woke with a start, jumping slightly. He
used her confusion as an opportunity to move his arms and scoot back
a little more.
Dollie
yawned. Stretching, she rolled over, smiling. She lay with her hands
under her cheek, eyes fixed on his. Her full lips twitched, pouting
slightly.
"Good
morning. You look better." She touched his brow. Her hand was
cool and soft.
Lucius
touched her hand, holding it to his cheek. He turned his head,
kissing her palm. Dollie felt a thrill run through her from her head
to the soles of her feet. The exciting tingle scurried back up her
spine, lodging in her belly. Unsure what to think, she suddenly felt
awkward.
Luke
could tell when the apprehension hit her. Her eyes dropped from his
face. Pushing his luck, he kissed her palm again, slowly, sensually,
watching as another shiver went up and down her back.
"I
suppose I shouldn't really be in your bed, Mr. Henry."
Lucius
laughed softly. "Reckon not, Miss Belloit. I sure don't
mind. You're a damn sight prettier than Will." He leaned on his
elbow, gazing down at her. "When we're married, I can wake up to
you every day."
"I
can't wait."
"Me
neither."
He
bit his lower lip in an effort to remind himself that he had an
untamed beast in his bed—himself. He wanted to take her in his arms
and kiss her. It was a compulsion so strong, he had to close his
eyes. Groaning slightly, he flopped on his back.
"Luke,
are you all right?"
Dammit,
she was too close. He wasn't sure how long he could control himself.
"Dollie,"
he groaned. "You got—to get up out the bed now."
"Are
you ill? Do you need something for a fever?" She hovered over
him, face half an inch from his. He felt her warm, moist breath on
his skin. It was torture.
"No.
I'm fine. Just please, Dollie. Get out the bed." His voice
sounded strangled even to him.
"Are
you sure? Should I....?" She touched him again, her hands moving
over his body.
"Dammit,
woman!" He snapped as her hands pressed his chest and drifted
lower. "You ain't my wife! Get out the bed!"
She
hopped back, yelping, nearly falling out. His grip on her wrist was
all that kept her from tumbling to the floor.
"I'm
sorry. Dollie, I'm sorry! Forgive me for yelling." He held her
close.
Dollie
was too startled by his abrupt behavior and her near fall to protest
immediately. She trembled, hands pressed to his chest. Something was
different about his body but she wasn't quite sure what it was.
Suddenly, realization entered her mind. With another yelp, she pushed
away, launching herself from the bed.
"Mister
Henry! How dare you? I never!"
Lucius
clutched the blankets to him. "I know, Dollie. Why'd you think I
told you to get up?"
"But—that—thing!"
She pointed at the bulge under the blanket that refused to go down.
"Can't
help it," Luke sighed, covering his eyes with his right forearm.
"I'm a man. And that thing's got a mind all its own half
the time. My apologies, but I can't tame it. Only one can, that's
you."
Her
pillow hit him in the face. She pounded his body with it repeatedly.
Instead of making him less excited, it made him more so. He tried to
tell her, but nothing he said made a lick of difference. He was too
weak to get out of the bed and leave. Her behavior had excited him to
the point he thought he'd explode. Thankfully, Will came in.
©
2019 Dellani Oakes
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