“Kelly…” she moaned.
“Yes, love?”
“I want to finish these worksheets as soon as possible. It’s getting harder and harder.”
“I know,” he chuckled, nudging her at the hip.
“You know what I mean.”
He sat up and scrubbed his hands over his face. She was right. The sooner they finished the worksheets the sooner they could meet with Father Mark and book their ceremony. They kept their distance as they went through the following six questions.
What took twenty minutes to answer took two hours to review. They talked about each answer and Kelly actually learned a lot about Ashlynn and himself.
It was easy to write something down. Looking into the face of his future wife and admitting it, was a whole other animal. But he’d ask her to push her limits and be honest with him and that meant she deserved the same.
Kelly confessed he was sloppy and not always on time. Ashlynn told him she was a closet miser who hated to burn daylight, which he already sort of knew.
She admitted that she hated all the times she’d watched him flirt with other women and he vowed to stop. He was territorial, too, where she was concerned and they both seemed to agree there was no room for overtures concerning others in their marriage.
When they reached part three it was almost midnight. Ashlynn made coffee and they committed to go as far as they could. Three was a biggie. Why do you want to marry this person?
After so much talking they seemed to let down their respective guard. Kelly thought about his answer and expressed it the best he could. Ashlynn was writing another book. As he waited, he slipped back into the kitchen and returned with some brownies he found sitting on the oven. He loved that she baked.
“I’m finished,” she said as he walked in the room.
“Do you want to go first?”
“Okay.” She pulled her paper close and read. “I want to marry him because he is a good man with a good heart. He is gentle and patient and kind. When I look at him I never know what he’s going to say, but most times his words leave me with a smile. He sees me like no one else does and I know I can be myself whenever he’s there, because that’s who he knows and that’s who he wants. I think of him when he’s absent. Miss him the moment he says goodbye. He’s the man I want to take this journey with, because I trust he will always be the Kelly McCullough I know.”
Kelly was speechless. His head was spinning at her words. “Wow.”
She smiled and stole his brownie. “Your turn.”
Kelly frowned at his paper. It was nothing close to all the wonderful things she said. “I think I should write more.”
She snatched the pen from him. “No changing your answers. Read.”
He swallowed and sipped his coffee. “I want to marry her because…” he glanced at her and said, “I love her.”
Ashlynn’s smile faded as she blinked at him. Her lips parted. “You do?”
He nodded his head. What did she mean you do? “Of course I do. I don’t go around proposing marriage every day. You’re the first girl I’ve ever loved. And I’m determined to make it keep. You’ll be the last.”
She flung herself at him, toppling him to the bed. Her lips pressed hard to his. “You know I love you too, right?”
There was nothing quite like the light and euphoric sensation coddling his heart as those words left her lips. He laughed. “I do now.”
She kissed him, her mouth tasting like brownies, and whispered, “Thank you for loving me.”
It was in that moment that his love doubled. He suspected that would happen again and again, each time Ashlynn showed him a little more of herself.
The next two sections were about the sacrament of marriage and their thoughts on God. When they finished, Kelly was too exhausted to read a clock, so he had no idea what time it was.
“Do you want to finish the last section?”
He groaned. “Didn’t you wake up at dawn? How are you still going?”
“I put nothing but good things in my body. I’m like the energizer bunny.”
“You have a tray of brownies in your kitchen.”
“You weren’t supposed to see that. I am human and female.”
“I think we should finish tomorrow,” he mumbled.
Her brow lifted in surprise. “Really? The last part’s all about sex.”
He sat up, suddenly revived. “Let’s do this.”
She laughed. “Here’s your pen. Such a devoted student.”
“I’m doing this for our Lord and Savior.”
“I’m so sure,” she grumbled.
Kelly ran through the questions without a hitch. This part was like the lightning round and he was the reigning champion. Ashlynn, however, seemed to struggle. He shut his eyes and waited for her to finish.
A while later she nudged him. “Kelly. I’m finished.”
He shifted and sat up, scrubbing his palms over his tired lids. “You want to go first?”
She looked nervous. “I think you should go first on these.”
He grabbed his paper and cleared his throat. The first section was a fill in the blank. Sex is good in marriage.”
She glanced at her paper. “I put ‘a sacrament’.”
He nodded. “Both true. Number two…When it comes to sex and marriage, my needs are frequent and my partner’s needs are always going to be satisfied.” He gave her a naughty smile.
Her voice was low. “Um, I said…my needs are undefined and my partner’s needs are my responsibility.”
“Ooh. I like the way you put that. Number three…Intercourse without tenderness is sometimes fun and love without sex is eye opening.”
She smiled then frowned. “I put love without sex is ‘possible’, but I don’t agree with your first statement. Kelly, sex without tenderness is rape.”
His eyes bulged. “Ashlynn, no it’s not.”
“Yes, it is, Kelly.”
“I’m sorry. I disagree.” It was a touchy subject, but he definitely disagreed.
Her eyes narrowed behind her glasses. “Explain.”
“Okay. You’ve been working in the field all day. It’s hot and you’re tired. I’ve been tied up all night with an emergency at the bar. I stumble in around noon and you greet me at the door. The night before we had big plans, but that all went to shit when a pipe burst at the pub. The kids have been keeping us up and today they’re with my mother so you could catch up on work when I was unavailable.
“I get out of my truck and you greet me like you always do. We see it in each other’s eyes, how bone weary we are and starved for the other’s touch. I ask where the kids are and you say they’re at my mum’s. I apologize for ruining our plans and you shrug it off, but I know you were looking forward to time together as much as I was.
“I walk to you slowly and as I kiss you, I linger a bit longer than usual. I can sense your need. It’s there, thick in the air between us, and coming off of you in waves and I’m instantly hard. All I want to do is to bury myself in my wife, get lost in your softness. Our eyes meet and I have your full attention. The energy between us is electric, too much to express in words and too potent to slow with gentle touches.
“I pull you inside the house and slam the door. No need to worry about waking the kids, they’re at my mum’s. I throw your back to the wall and cover you, dig my hips into yours so we’re clear on how badly I need you. Your fingers rip at my clothes and it’s okay, because I didn’t like that shirt anyway. My tongue licks at your neck and I taste the sweat from all your hard work. It turns me on, because I know how passionate you are about your gardens.
“I strip your pants, leaving them at your ankles and I need to taste you. My fingers yank your panties to the side and I seal my mouth to your pussy. You scream in pleasure. It feels so good your knees can barely hold you up, but I won’t let you fall. I’ll never let you fall. I lick you until you come, all the while that sexy voice of yours is chanting my name—Kelly, Kelly, Kelly—and your hands are f
isting my hair.
“Just as you’re ready to collapse, I lift you and pull the rest of your clothing away. I’m so hard it hurts, hard for you, my wife, whom I love and adore more than anyone else in this world. Your hands are frantic as you tug at my clothes and wrap your legs around me. Then I thrust and enter you in one sure motion and your head falls back as you cry out.
“You tell me harder and that’s exactly what I give you. Anything you want, I aim to please. I fuck you right there in the hall against the wall and your nails scrape along my back as you come apart again. It’s fucking, but it’s passionate, fueled by love and mutual need, mutual desire. It may look angry and wild and anything but tender, but—believe me—we’re making love.”
Her eyes were wide, face flushed, and mouth tight. He didn’t know what she was thinking.
“You see, love, the tenderness is there, even when it’s not. It’s in the end, in a look, a touch, a satisfied smile, or lingering kiss. The respect we share will always be there. But sometimes there’s nothing better than raw, hardcore, animalistic fucking.”
Ashlynn was breathing heavily. She still wasn’t blinking. Her breasts pressed into her shirt and he could see she was aroused. She licked her lips and slowly nodded, swallowing repetitively. In a hoarse voice, she said, “I’d like to change my answer.”
Chapter Twelve
The wedding was scheduled for the last Sunday in September. Every passing moment with Kelly was a test in restraint. Ashlynn couldn’t believe this man was actually going to be her husband, her partner for the rest of her life.
Their first challenge as a betrothed couple came the evening they drove to the big house to have dinner with his folks. Ashlynn fidgeted the entire way. As they pulled up, she let out a relieved breath when there were only the two cars in the drive.
“I’m bloody shocked,” Kelly muttered as he thrust the truck into park.
“What’s wrong?”
“She listened. My mum actually listened for once.” He smiled and gripped her hand. “This may be the closest to normal the McCulloughs have ever come.”
Beyond relieved that it would just be the four of them, she followed Kelly into the house. It was beautiful, the sort of cabin movies were made around.
He pressed open the front door. “Mum?”
“I’m in here, love. Fightin’ with this cocksucking turkey your father bought.”
Ashlynn froze. Kelly faced her and winked. “Ashlynn… meet my mother.”
She’d never heard a mother speak in such a vulgar way. It was a complete contradiction to the woman who greeted them. Maureen McCullough was a round female with curves that filled out every bit of her apron. Her hair was faded copper and her eyes were creased with laugh lines.
As they approached, she wiped her hands on a rag and grinned. “Oh my Lord will you just look at the two of you. You’re just the cutest thing ever, you are! Frank! Kelly’s here with his bride! Get yer arse down here!” She swallowed Ashlynn in a hug and pressed a smacking kiss on her cheek. “Of all my boys, you’re getting the naughtiest. That tells me you must be one tough cookie, Ashlynn dear. Either that or you’ve got yourself a goldmine in your drawers. He is a McCullough after all.” She slapped her cheek affectionately. “Built up some equity with all that temperance.”
Ashlynn was speechless. This was Mrs. McCullough? She always seemed so quiet in church. Kelly’s mother grabbed hold of his face and pinched hard, smacking a kiss right on his lips. “And you, you little shit, trying to hide her away from the rest of us. I ought to beat you with the back of my hand for bein’ so stingy. Where is your father? Frank!”
“I’m right here, woman. Shut your hole.”
Maureen raised a fist. “I’ll jamb this fist right up a hole you pokey bastard and I’m not talking about your mouth. Say hello to Ashlynn Fisher.”
Kelly’s father was a handsome man. He had the same blue eyes and black hair as Kelly, but he was broader, distinguished in a way only time could manage. As he approached, Ashlynn wasn’t sure what to expect.
He smiled softly and said, “So you’re the lovely girl that’s stolen my son’s heart. I can see why he’s so taken by you, lass.” He turned to his son. “She’s lovely, Kelly.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Mr. McCullough.”
“Nonsense. You call me Frank or Dad.”
She nodded, not ready to test the familiar title. Then he hugged her, long and hard. “Welcome to the family, lassie. Don’t go runnin’ scared now, once you meet the rest of them.”
Overwhelmed by their welcome, she followed Kelly to the living room, but as Frank and Kelly got into conversations about sports, she felt guilty leaving Maureen alone in the kitchen. “I’m going to see if your mother needs help.”
Approaching slowly, as though Kelly’s mother was an unpredictable creature, she cleared her throat. Maureen turned from where she was mashing potatoes by hand. She had a large pot on the stove and it struck Ashlynn as odd that she was making an entire turkey and so many sides for the four of them.
“Hello, lovey. Are the boys talkin’ nonsense? You come in here with me and we’ll sit a spell, have ourselves a nice lady chat.”
“Can I offer you a hand?”
“No, no. You’re our guest. Next time you can help. Tonight you just relax. Have a seat.”
She followed Maureen to the table and accepted the glass of tea she offered. “Thank you.”
Maureen smiled. “So, dear, tell me…why do you love my son.”
Well. That was certainly cutting to the heart of the matter. “Umm, honestly?”
“Of course! Why lie? You won’t be hurtin’ my feelings.”
“Well, I’ve sort of always loved your son, Mrs. McCullough.”
“Lots of women have loved that one, dear. Even when he was a wee lad I would change his diapers and say, ‘Oh, Frank, this one’s gonna be the death of us.’”
Ashlynn’s face burned.
“Oh dear, I’ve gone and made you blush. And with you being so innocent and all I’ve probably frightened the shit out of you. Don’t you worry, love. Kelly’s had lots of practice. I’m sure he knows how to—”
“Ma! What the bloody hell are you telling her?”
Ashlynn jumped, relieved to see Kelly, but slightly distracted by the space between his hips. How big was he?
He marched over to her and all sound was muffled as he covered her ears with both hands. Muffled curse words had Maureen’s face flushing and her hands flailing. This was simply ridiculous. She wrenched Kelly’s hands away just in time to catch the end of his rant.
“—you can’t go talking about my cock like you’re discussing recipes! Christ!”
Unsure what to do, she snapped, “Kelly McCullough! Don’t you dare speak to your mother that way!”
“Atta girl! You tell him! Use yer fuckin’ manners, Kelly!”
She gaped at her future mother-in-law. There was a burst of thunder that had her jumping in her seat. They were all silent, Maureen smiling like she’d made some point, Kelly scowling at his mother. Frank walked into the kitchen.
“Dinner ready?”
Maureen jumped up. “Should be about five minutes.”
Ashlynn watched as Kelly shut his eyes and shook his head. She reached for his hand and his lashes lifted. Just as she was about to whisper and ask if he was all right, the door in the kitchen burst open and Sheilagh dripped in, hair drenched and sticking to her face. “It’s pissing from the heavens out there!”
“Oh, I know, dearie. They’ve been calling for some rain. Go clean yourself up. We have company.”
Sheilagh turned and smiled. “Ashlynn. They actually got you here.”
Kelly scowled. “What are you doing here?”
His sister scoffed and propped her hip against the counter. “Probably the same thing everyone else will be doing here in a few minutes. Watching you squirm.”
“Ma, did you invite the others?”
“I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about, lov
e. I invited you and Ashlynn.” She hoisted the large turkey out of the oven. “Frank, carve the bird.”
Frank moved to the counter and dug out a large knife.
“Dad?”
Kelly’s father was suddenly silent.
“Sheilagh, carry the potatoes to the table.”
The front door opened and Kelly turned.
“Hello? Mum?” Finnegan and Mallory walked into the kitchen.
“For the love of Pete,” Kelly muttered.
Mallory greeted Maureen and came over to say hello to Ashlynn. “I can’t believe you’re here. I warned you.”
“Hey, Ashlynn,” Finn said.
The front door opened again and Luke jogged in from the rain.
“Are they all coming?” Kelly whispered to Finnegan. Finn sighed and gave him a pointed look.
“Finnegan darling, what a pleasant surprise! I hadn’t expected you,” Maureen said.
Kelly’s brother frowned. “You invited us, Mum.”
Kelly growled. “Son of a bitch.”
“I’d run now,” Mallory said. “Sammy and Colin are on their way and Kate and the kids should be here any minute.”
Her hand was suddenly in Kelly’s as he backed them out of the kitchen. Luke bumped into them. “Hey, Kel. Hi, Ashlynn. You ready for this?”
“Luke?” Kelly said, a look of terror on his face. “She did it again.”
Luke chuckled. “Well, the woman has no shame. Where do you think you got it from?”
His hand tightened around her fingers. Luke disappeared into the kitchen and Kelly tugged her toward the front door. “What are you doing?”
“We’re getting the hell out of here.”
“Kelly, we can’t leave. She made dinner for us.”
The noise coming from the kitchen grew louder. A car pulled up and the kitchen door snapped open again. There were suddenly children screaming and racing through the house. “How many more are there?”
He tugged her behind the coat tree. “Ashlynn, listen to me. They’re a bloody circus. If you want to go, we have to escape now while there’s an opening. Once they’re all here no topic will be off limits.”