He started to tug her back to the ridge of land they had climbed down. “It isnae dangerous over here. Ye dinnae need to fear falling. Solid rock under our feet. We willnae go romp at the edge of the drop.”
Matthew sat down and tugged her back down by his side. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and held her close. This was a good time and place to speak of the future, but he suddenly could not think of a single word to say.
“I was wondering if it would be possible to take over one of the empty houses in town,” Abbie said. “I just wondered how that could work if the people came back.”
“It wouldnae be as safe as where ye are now. Ye would be a woman alone with two bairns.”
“But the war is over. Is that not what your brother said?”
“He thinks it is over. And even if it was over, these hills still hold more of the men who didnae seem to belong to either side or didnae claim loyalty to one or the other, just like to kill, rape, steal, and destroy.”
“Oh.”
She sighed and thought over the problem. Taking over one of the deserted homes would solve where she lived but it would not solve the problem of having two children and no husband. People’s thoughts always wandered down the wrong path, not the one that reminded them there had just been a horrible war that had left a lot of orphans who needed care. She knew she should not fret so over how such people judged her but also knew it would not be just her who suffered under their suspicions. Now Matthew was forcing her to see that not all the dangers would go away when the war ended.
“I have to find a place to live. Maybe I could go with Reid and Robbie. The barn is still whole and they are sure to be building a shelter of some kind.”
“Nay, ye will stay here with Jeremiah and Noah.”
“I cannot impose . . .”
“It is not imposing.” He pulled her into his arms. “Ye will be staying with me.”
“It is not just your home, is it?”
“We all own it so it is my home.”
“But . . .”
“We can take over one of the houses in the town if you are really bothered by sharing a house. Place is nearly deserted now. And several have notices that speak of the ones who died or where the people who were there went. Suppose one could contact one of them and make a deal.”
“I noticed that, too.”
Abigail snuggled into his embrace, savoring the heat and strength of him. He would probably think she was mad if she told him she even liked the smell of him. Clean skin and clean clothes. There was also that sense of being safe. She did not fully understand why as they were outside in an area that was overrun with marauders. They both had their guns, but she knew they could easily be outnumbered. So it was simply him; he made her feel safe.
She felt him spreading soft heated kisses over her face and sighed. They really needed to talk and when they started this they never got around to having any serious talk. It appeared it would be her who finally put her heart out there and prayed for the best. She had at least come to the conclusion that she did not need a husband, she wanted one, and this man was the one she wanted.
Then he grasped her chin, turned her face up to his, and kissed her. Abigail lost herself in the heat of the kiss and made no protest as he pushed her down onto the coat serving as their seat. She murmured her eager acceptance as he settled his body on top of hers. It was not until he tossed aside his shirt and undid the buttons of her bodice that she recalled they were outdoors.
“Someone could come by and see us,” she said, and even to her it sounded like a weak protest.
“No one will see us. I left my hat up there hanging on a bush.”
“And that matters how?”
“It tells any of the people going by that someone is down here and it stays private. The only ones who pass by here are my brothers and the Jones brothers. They ken what it means.”
“I see. So you have more or less announced to anyone we know that we are behaving badly down here so please don’t look?”
He frowned and looked thoughtful for a moment then nodded. “That’s about it.”
Abigail did not know whether she wanted to laugh or punch him so she just gave in to another kiss. She threaded her fingers into his hair to hold his mouth to hers. Only a small part of her was truly aware that he was neatly undressing her as they kissed. It was not until he shifted position to remove his pants and a cool breeze blew over her legs that she became aware of the fact that she was now completely naked.
Opening her eyes in shock, she was about to protest when she realized he was nearly naked himself. Her own embarrassment fled as she looked over his body while he yanked off his boots and socks. The man was all taut skin stretched over lean muscle. His scars did not detract from it at all. Then her gaze dropped to his groin. Unable to resist, she reached out to take him in her hand. A soft groan escaped him and he just sat there with his eyes closed as she stroked him.
He pulled her hand away and tugged her up onto his lap. Then, cupping her face in his hands he drew her face closer to his and kissed her. Abigail tightened her arms around his neck as she fervently returned his kiss. He smoothed his hands down her body until he grasped her by the hips and lifted her up. She groaned when he carefully slid her body onto his, driving deep inside her.
For a moment Abigail remained still, savoring the sensation of their joined bodies but then Matthew moved her, thrusting at the same time. It took her only a minute to gain the pace he set and she was soon riding him without assistance. He cupped her breasts in his hands, kneading them gently as she moved. When her release came, it swept over her so strongly she clung to him to steady herself. Then he began to thrust harder until he held her tightly against him as he emptied himself inside of her.
Clinging to him as she fought to catch her breath, Abigail allowed him to settle her back onto his coat. He then carefully pulled away and fell onto his back at her side. She was silently proud that she regained her breath faster than he did and sat up to dress herself. Just as she was doing up her chemise he sat up to pull on his shoes and socks then his pants.
As she pulled her dress on and began to button it she realized he had left her stockings on again. “You always leave my stockings on.”
He laughed. “Aye. I like how it looks.” He shrugged on his shirt and began to do it up. “Ye have bonnie little legs but they do look even more bonnie with those high white stockings with the ribbon garters.”
“If you say so.”
“I do.” He turned to find her dressed and looking around for her shoes so he pulled her into his arms. “We will get a house. The more I think on it the more I like us having a place of our own but near everyone else. Might even pick a place around here and build one. There is one condition.”
“And what is that?” she asked with a touch of suspicion.
“Ye have to marry me.” He looked away. “I cannae be sharing a house with a single lady.”