Her release shuddered through her and she called out his name but he ignored her. He kept tormenting her until the passion began to build again. This time she called to him and he slowly returned to her arms. The cry that escaped her when he joined their bodies was one of grateful welcome. She held him tightly as he thrust inside her and she tried to meet every one with an equal strength. When her release again swept through her body he moved fast and hard several times and joined her.
After holding his forehead against hers for a moment, he rolled to the side with a soft groan. Abigail remained sprawled on her back but did tug up the covers to put over herself. She felt a strange mix of being drained of all strength and pleasantly sleepy. It was scandalous what he did, but she was sure he was not a man who did strange, uncommon things so didn’t worry on it too much. She then began to wonder if she was supposed to do the same to him. When the thought did not disgust her she decided she probably should make an effort when she regained her strength. Then he turned and, putting an arm around her waist, pulled her up against him, and she stopped wondering.
“Missed ye in the bed,” he murmured against her neck.
“And I missed you, but Mrs. O’Neal insisted.”
“I ken it and she wields a mean wooden spoon,” he said, and absently rubbed the back of his head.
Abbie laughed. “I think I might have heard that confrontation but was too tired to be certain.”
“Ye probably did as she caught me just outside the door.”
“Bad boy.” She patted his thigh. “I simply got the look and did what she said.”
“Been with the woman too long for the look to work weel on me.”
Realizing she was rubbing his thigh, she started to take her hand away only to have him hold it there. “Our first night together as man and wife.”
“Not night yet,” he mumbled, and she realized he was going to sleep.
She felt his body grow heavy and smiled as she closed her eyes. A nap sounded like a good idea to her, too. Closing her eyes, she realized she was content, satisfied to the bone with him and with life. It was a good feeling.
*
Abbie slowly opened her eyes and realized it was night. The light in the tent came from the moon, streaming through a small opening between the tent flaps. She saw a basket set near the side of the tent and suspected it held food, but she was not feeling very hungry at the moment.
She lightly reached down and touched herself then shook her head. At some point Matthew must have woken up and cleaned them both off. It was something he did regularly and she had never gotten up the nerve to ask why. She hoped marriage would dim that kind of reticence because she knew this aspect of marriage was important to a man and she did not wish to fail in it.
For several moments, she lay there still and breathing softly so as not to wake him. When he murmured and briefly tightened his hold on her, she waited to make sure he was not awake. Then she slid beneath the covers and down until she found him. She was not sure if she could do much when he was soft but, to her surprise, he was not.
Certain she had a few moments before he would wake and, perhaps, push her away, she took the time to explore this part of him with her fingers. His body showed its appreciation of her touch and that encouraged her. She leaned forward and kissed him. He groaned and she tensed, but then his hand slipped beneath the covers and he wound his fingers in her hair to hold her in place. Deciding that was approval, she continued until he hoarsely asked her to put her mouth on him. Cautiously she did what he asked and his reaction was all she could have wished for.
Matthew could not believe his little bride was being so daring, but he intended to take full advantage of it. He threw the covers back to look at her pleasuring him. Her hair was spread out so far there was little he could see, but he liked the feel of its silkiness brushing against his thighs. Closing his eyes, he arched up as she grew more creative and then knew he could not play this game, pleasurable as it was, for too much longer.
When Matthew grabbed her under the arms and began to pull her up, Abbie released him. He sat her on top of him and she dared to settle herself onto him. She slid down very slowly until his eyes narrowed and he grabbed her by the hips to push her into place. He slowly sat up, still holding her in place, and then kissed her. After that, Abbie did not know who took control, only that they both reached the peak they sought at the same time. When he fell back taking her with him, Abbie curled up against him and he lazily separated them.
“There is food here,” she murmured. “Over by the wall.”
Moving Abbie off of him, he walked over to pick up the basket. “Heavy.”
He sat down and started to take out two plates and two of everything else. Clutching the sheet to herself, Abbie sat up as he poured them each some cider. There were fat sandwiches and fried chicken and they both began to eat as if they were starved.
“We are being a bit piggy,” said Abbie as she picked up a napkin and wiped her mouth.
“Need the fuel for what lies ahead.”
“What do you mean?”
“It is now our wedding night and we have time to make up for.”
“I thought we’d just done that. Twice.”
“Nope. I figure we can stop and sleep at about dawn.”
She stared at him for a moment. “I think you will be on your own for the last few hours of that.” A grin tugged at her mouth when he laughed. “I actually could go to sleep now.”
“Satisfaction followed by food. Always makes one sleepy. But I will wake ye up, for a while.”
He did, and she was well satisfied with his efforts. Abbie could not stay awake any longer though and curled up beside him to go to sleep. They had years to play such games although she suspected they would enjoy them more now while still young and in good shape. She smiled as she slipped into sleep.
*
Matthew looked at Abbie asleep in his arms. He wrapped both arms around her and gave her a gentle hug. This was what he wanted, and he wondered why it had taken him so long to make up his mind. He had just feared the idea of marriage as he figured many men did.
No more overthinking it, he decided as he closed his eyes. This was where he wanted to be, who he wanted to be with. He already cared for the children she brought with her as well. It would be interesting to see what they produced together. He idly decided he should probably find out how she felt about having children but decided it could wait until he got a bit of rest.
*
After a few days they called their honeymoon, Abigail and Matthew started back. She was just about to say something when they both heard a horse coming up behind them. Matthew turned, shoving her behind him at the same time, but then he grinned.
“James! What are ye doing here?”
“You didn’t invite me to the wedding?” James attempted to look offended, but his obvious delight in finding Matthew spoiled it.
“Didnae ken where ye were.”
“Weel, we were helping them push their way through the South. It was brutal. Doc took a hit but he’ll be fine.”
“Heard that from Abbie’s brother.”
“Wondered if he got here. So, the major had the doctor sign these papers. We are all out of it. He isn’t sure we even need these but decided we should have something official in case someone demands it and thinks to pull us back in.”