AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No, sweet girl, you didn’t.”
“Oh, good. I’d hate to disappoint you so soon in our friendship.”
“Are we friends, Miri.”
“I hope so. Tell me we are.”
“We are,” he says, smiling. I grin right back at him. I suddenly blurt out about my entire family. I even tell him about how my parents shunned us. It’s a sore spot for me, but the fact that he listens to me and stares at me intently.
“So, are you from here originally? Your accent isn’t the same as the other men I’ve met.” This time he growls and pulls me closer to him. I like being this close to him, and I wouldn’t mind if I were even closer to him. He smells like pine trees and sunshine.
“No, I’m from sunny Florida. I have a large family as well.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Six brothers.”
“Wow. Your parents must have had their hands full.”
“They did at first, but they were killed when I was five. My eldest brother raised us.” He proceeds to tell me all about his family. The tragedy of the following day even affected our little community. We never cried or prayed so much.
“Oh, my goodness. I’m so sorry,” I say, taking his hand again. He squeezes mine. It feels so right being with him like this.
“That was twenty years ago, but it has made me realize I want a big family. Is that something you’d want as well?”
“I would. I want as many children as the good Lord will give me within reason, of course.”
“Of course,” he says, nodding in agreement.
I couldn’t even tell you what else we talk about because I’m too busy staring at him and watching his mouth move as he speaks to me. The sound of his voice is a rich, dark timbre that makes me shiver. Even later that night, my first night in a strange bed, he’s all I can think about. What would it feel like to have his mouth on my skin? My wicked, wanton thoughts are going to get me in trouble; I just know it.
ChapterOne
Paul
Five Weeks After Jasper & Sadie’s Wedding…
“Good morning, Miri,” I say as I walk into Jasper’s kitchen from the back door. Ever since the night we met, I’ve been up her butt. I literally can't stay away from her. I vowed to trust Lloyd's process in matching the Yoder sisters up, but I don’t know if I’ll be able to sit idly by while she marries someone else. I’m already head over heels in love with her.
“Morning, Pauly,” she says, wiping her hands on the towel on her shoulder. She comes over to me and hugs me. She’s so affectionate with me, and I live for her hugs and little touches. I love having my hands on her thick, curvy body. The ends of her long dark hair caress my forearms as she clings to me, and cling she does. Her body was made for mine. We fit together so perfectly.
“How did you sleep last night?” I ask. We had gone to Charleston for dinner and a movie. She had wanted to see The Little Mermaid. She was so excited about it, and I would never refuse her anything. It was actually pretty good, though I’d never admit that to my brothers or my friends. I wanted to kiss her so badly when I brought her home, but I know she wants to save all her firsts for her husband. We’ve never discussed it, of course, but I know her. I also know that I shouldn’t torture myself by spending time with her as she could be ripped away from me and put into another man’s arms at any moment. That would be the end of me, though.
“Not well. I was plagued all night.”
“How so?” I ask, hoping against hope that I was the reason she couldn’t sleep.
“Well, I was lying in bed,” she begins, and I groan. The mere thought of her in bed makes me crazy. I can’t help but wonder what she sleeps in. Nothing, shorty pajamas or one of those buttoned-up flannel monstrosities that would look amazing on her. It doesn’t matter each and every combination of possibilities has graced my masturbatory fantasies of her and me together… Why did I think trusting Lloyd's process was a good idea? “And I had the greatest idea, at least I think it the greatest idea.”
“Okay, calm down, sweet girl. Start at the beginning.”
“I’m sure you’re starving. Let me fix you a plate,” she says, stepping out of my arms. She’s right. I am starving. Though her food is delicious, and I will eat it, I’m starving for her. “Please sit,” she says as she busies herself with fixing a plate. She piles it high with biscuits and gravy, as well as bacon. She sets the plate down in front of me and pours me a cup of coffee. I’ve taken almost every meal with her since we met. She doctors it up just how I like. I wait as she makes herself a plate as well. I love that she’s not a dainty eater. She sits down next to me, and she grabs my hand. “Bless this bounty we are about to receive, O’ Lord. Thank you for these gifts. Amen.”
“Amen,” I say. I love that she prays before every meal. I’ve also taken several meals with her sisters, and she’s the only one that does this. “So, what’s your idea?”
“I want to open a restaurant. I think Hollow’s Hollow needs one. Don’t get me wrong, the saloon offers nice options, but I think it could be so much more.”
“I think that is a great idea, Miri.”
