She lifted her hips to accept all of him. And when he was hilt deep, he started to move his hips in a rhythmic movement that had her senses reeling.
When his fingers slid down to her moist center and touched her, her head dropped back against the grass. “Matthias!”
She wasn’t sure what devilish thing he was doing to her but she loved it. Soon her body rose higher and higher until finally she couldn’t hold back any longer. Her blood boiled hot, pumping through her veins.
Then, she tipped over an imaginary edge and her world exploded. She called out his name and dug her hands into his back. Every muscle in her body tensed as waves of sensations rushed over her.
He moved faster and faster until finally, his muscles bunched. Sweat glistening on his forehead, he growled her name and exploded inside her.
For several long moments, he lay on top of her, his head buried in the crook of her neck, his breathing rapid. Gently, she stroked her fingers through his hair as she savored every sensation.
If she lived to be one hundred, she’d never forget this moment.
Finally he rose up on his elbows and kissed her on the lips before he rolled on his side. He pulled her against his chest, spooning his body against her naked backside. He drew the blanket up over their warm bodies, and then cupped his hand around her breast.
Nestled against in his body, she was completely satisfied. For this moment everything was simply perfect. “I love you,” she whispered.
He kissed her on the shoulder and hugged her closer against his body.
She held her breath as she lay on her side, waiting for him to speak some words of endearment.
But he said nothing.
Chapter Seventeen
“About time you two got here,” she said. “It’s past nine o’clock,” Mrs. Clements said as she moved out from behind her store counter the next morning. “Lands, half the day is gone.”
Matthias closed the door after Abby as the boys moved down the narrow center aisle. He was in too good a mood to be annoyed with Mrs. Clements’s meddling. “We weren’t in a rush.” He squeezed Abby’s hand, remembering how she’d moaned when he’d made love to her this morning before dawn.
Abby blushed as she ducked her head and pretended to look at a bolt of fabric.
The boys ran to a display of toys on the side of the counter. There was a set of jacks and a red ball.
Matthias couldn’t help but grin. Last night had been beyond anything he could have imagined. He’d never dreamed life could be so damn good again.
Mrs. Clements glared at them both, then grinned. She reached for a large jar filled with sugar sticks and pulled out two. Coming around the counter, she handed each boy a candy stick. “You two sit out front on the porch. I don’t want sticky fingers near my new fabrics.”
The boys’ faces split into wide grins and they started for the door.
Abby stopped them before they could slip outside. She knelt in front of them and whispered something in their ears.
The boys turned and looked at Mrs. Clements. “Thank you.”
The older woman winked. “You’re welcome.” When the boys were gone, Mrs. Clements planted her hands on her hips. “Well, I can see you two look like the cats that caught the canary.”
Abby laughed. “We’re heading back to the ranch and we wanted to say our goodbyes.”
Mrs. Clements hugged her. “I wish you all the happiness in the world.” She drew back and dabbed the corner of her apron to her eye. “I know you two will be very happy. Matthias, I hear Mr. Stokes plans to meet you at the railroad and inspect your horses.”
“He does in four weeks. I want to get to market so that I’m back before the first snowfall. I’d just as soon not leave home any longer than is necessary.”
Abby smiled and took his hand in hers.
“We’ll keep an eye out for Abby while you’re gone. Holden will make regular stagecoach stops between now and then, so she’ll have more company than she can shake a stick at.”
Matthias nodded. “I appreciate that. After Collier’s outburst yesterday, I don’t like leaving her alone.”
Mrs. Clements waved her hand. “He won’t be trouble. Likely he’s already sobered up and gotten back to his ranch.”
“Let’s hope so,” he said. Collier did have a lot of work to do and any sane man would put aside grudges for the sake of his ranch. But Collier wasn’t always sane.
The sound of the boys’ voices drifted into the store.
“We better get going before they get into trouble,” Abby said.
“Right. See you soon, Mrs. Clements.”
Abby smiled. “Thank you again.”
They turned and moved toward the door. Matthias’s hand was on the door when Mrs. Clements called out. “Admit it, Matthias. You and Abby make a great team. And I knew best.”