Chaste (McCullough Mountain) (42 page)

They
slid into the pew beside his parents and everyone stood. The piper’s hum filled
the church as his sisters’ voices met his ears. A silhouette of his bride
against the morning sun was the image of an angel.

She
was not coming to him to the traditional wedding march, but the Irish ballad of
She Walked Through the Fair.

His
sisters’ soft voices sang as one and Kelly lost the image of his bride under a
sheen of unshed tears.

He
knew the song well and couldn’t have picked better lyrics for his bride to
greet him. “
My love said to me my mother won’t mind…I kindly watched her
move…It will not be long, love, until our wedding day.”

The
doors closed and he drew in a breath as she glided down the aisle. Her gown
only added to the beauty beneath. Her lean body was outlined in the finest
Irish lace and pearls. Her hair was parted neatly to one side, a small white
lily at her ear. She was an angel coming to save him.

Her
father smiled and kissed her cheek, taking an extra moment to hug his daughter
and whisper in her ear. Kelly shook Roy’s hand and Ashlynn’s fingers were
pressed into his. All of his nervousness washed away as his gaze met hers.

“You’re
a vision,” he said as she stepped to his side.

The
guests lowered into the pews and Father Mark proceeded with the ceremony.
Ashlynn was a distraction of immeasurable exquisiteness. Their hands were bound
and rings were exchanged. Since the moment she’d accepted his proposal, he felt
as though he’d been blessed with the greatest gift of his life, a gift even he
couldn’t fathom or explain, but he knew it was his duty to cherish her always.

He’d
never been more certain of any promise than he was of the vows he spoke that
day. She was his, forever and ever.

“You
may kiss the bride.”

Relief
flooded him as he faced his beautiful wife. “I shall love you always, Mrs.
McCullough,” he whispered as he pulled her close. When his lips touched hers he
wrapped his arms around her and dipped her back. His relatives cheered as he
christened the lips of his bride like a true McCullough.

When
they parted she was breathless in his arms. “There’ll be more of that tonight,
love.”

She
blushed ruby red and whispered, “I’m looking forward to it.”

They
left the church before his pleats had the chance to kink. The next few hours
were going to be the most difficult of all. Tonight he would possess Ashlynn
like no man ever had and no other man ever would.

Her
truck was decorated with ribbons, inflated condoms, and cans. Kelly lifted her
into the passenger side and found the keys waiting in the ignition. They left
the church and headed for her father’s farm. Halfway there, he pulled to the
side of the road and threw the truck in park.

She
turned her questioning eyes on him. “What are you doing?”

He
pulled her to him. “Kiss me. I don’t know if I can wait another four hours, but
I’ll do my best.”

She
leaned in and gave him her mouth. Kelly kissed her with passion and more desire
than he’d ever known. His fingers trailed over the lace trimmings of her gown
and she sucked in a breath as he grazed the tender swell of her breast.

Cars
flew by, honking, his family shouting catcalls in their direction.

“We
have to go,” Ashlynn whispered, her brown eyes dark under her silver blond
lashes.

“I
don’t want to.”

She
smiled. “Neither do I, but we have to.”

He
sighed and shifted. His pleats were buckling at the press of his cock. He threw
the truck into drive and drove the rest of the way to her father’s.

When
they arrived at the reception, Ashlynn went to the bathroom to freshen up. She
was washing her hands when the door opened and Kelly slipped in. “Kelly!”

“
Shhh
…I’m your husband now.”

“Husband
or not, there are some things I’d still like to keep private.”

He
stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. His lips pressed into
her neck and she sighed. “Three hours and fifty-two minutes,” he whispered.

She
chuckled. “I’ll be expecting some tenderness when you take me home tonight, Mr.
McCullough. Don’t forget I’m new at this.”

He
bit her ear. “Oh, Mrs. McCullough, I could never forget. I’ll be gentle.”

Her
body tightened as his hips pressed into her backside. The time couldn’t pass
fast enough. He already had her aroused to a point of near pain and she wanted
to get to the good part.

She
turned and wreathed her arms around his neck, pressing her lips to his. “Will
it hurt?”

“Not
as much as it will hurt me to cause you pain. I promise, I’ll be as gentle as
any man can.”

She
drew in a deep breath and there was a knock at the door. “Kelly, Ashlynn, the
guests are waiting for you.”

“We’ll
be out in a minute,” Kelly said and Ashlynn pressed her face to his shoulder.

“They
know we’re in here together,” she whispered, embarrassment making her smirk.

“That’s
the beauty of it, love. Wherever you go I go. You’re my darling wife now.”

“And
you’re my husband.” She tested the word on her tongue, liking the way it
sounded to her ears.

They
left the bathroom and when they entered the backyard everyone cheered. They
danced and visited every table, accepting cards and wishes of happiness along
the way.

When
it was her father’s turn to dance with her, Kelly handed her a handkerchief.
She needed it the moment her daddy took her in his arms.

“I
can’t believe my little girl’s married,” he whispered in her ear. “No matter
what, you’ll always be my sugar bear.”

“And
you’ll always be my daddy.”

Dinner
was a home cooked meal served family style. The McCullough women were amazing
and Ashlynn was coming to believe there was nothing they couldn’t do.

As
the end of the reception approached her nerves tightened. Kelly gave her a
glass of champagne and never strayed from her side. When it was time to go she
found her dad and thanked him for everything.

“I
love you, Daddy.”

“I
love you too, sug.” He kissed her cheek and shook Kelly’s hand, a look of
acceptance in his eyes. “Son, you and I are goin’ out for target practice this
week. Be nice to my baby. Never forget she was my baby first.”

Kelly
smiled at her father and then escorted her to the truck. Once they were on the
road, Ashlynn’s heart raced like it might beat out of her chest. Excitement and
fear caused her pulse to thump fanatically.

When
they pulled up to the house, Kelly shut off the engine and waited. “Are you all
right?”

She
nodded. “Just a little nervous.”

He
touched her knee and whispered, “Nothing to be nervous about, love. It’s just
me.”

That
was the hardest part to believe. She was married to Kelly McCullough and they
were about to make love. She’d be giving him something she’d always protected.
Deep down in her heart, she knew what she held had always been his. But the
fact that the moment of surrender was upon them was surreal.

He
opened her door and led her up the porch steps. When they reached the door he
surprised her by lifting her into his arms and kissing her soundly. He carried
her over the threshold and straight to their bedroom, kicking the door closed
with his foot.

She
was breathing hard and not sure what to do. He eased her to her feet and kissed
her again, the tender way he used his lips soothed her anxiety, but left her
dizzy.

They
stood at the foot of the bed, his blue eyes staring into hers. Carefully, he
removed the flower from her hair and placed it on the dresser. His jacket slipped
from his shoulders and he draped it over the chair. All of his Celtic
accessories slowly followed.

His
fingers carefully undid the buttons of his shirt. His stare never left her face
as he revealed his beautiful chest to her. Something awakened in her and she
reveled in the fact that it wouldn’t go denied for long.

Once
he stood before her in only his kilt, his hands went to her shoulders and
slowly turned her. She stared in the mirror as his fingers gently undid each
pearl button at her back. Shivers skated over every inch of exposed flesh. This
was it. She was a married woman and her husband was Kelly. It was surreal.

The
dress loosened and he turned her again. “I love you, Ashlynn. I may not be able
to claim innocence, but I will tell you you’re the first woman I will ever make
love to and you will be the last.”

Something
unraveled around her heart as if she were finally exhaling a long held breath.
She touched his cheek and smiled. “I love you too, Kelly. I’m so glad you’re
the one here with me now. I’m not scared, because I know it’s you.”

His
eyes darkened and his nostrils flared. He slowly pulled the sleeves of her gown
away and she stood before him in only her bra, panties, and stockings. He
sucked in a breath, his fingers slowly rising to trace the satin and lace
covering her breasts.

Heat
raced through her and she breathed deep. His fingers burned her flesh with the
most delicious warmth. His gaze went to her face and he smirked, slow and
beautiful. He reached behind her back and undid the clasp of her bra. Her skin
puckered as he pulled the garment away.

Shallow
breaths lifted her tightening breasts, the tips pulling taut. Kelly’s chest
rose as his gaze caressed her exposed skin. His hand lifted and cupped her
flesh. As his thumb drifted over the tip she shivered. His touch sent tiny
bolts of electricity to her core.

Stepping
close, he kissed her shoulder, his mouth making a slow trail to the slope of
her breast. Her body tightened and swayed. As his lips closed over her nipple
she gasped and arched into the touch. Warmth flooded her in places still not
explored.

He
kissed his way to her other breast and repeated the process. Her knees
trembled. He stood to his full height and found her mouth, kissing her with such
passion her mind seemed to sing.

Her
desire bloomed and folded into something more as her fingers went through his
soft hair and held him close, never wanting to give him up.

Her
feet left the ground as Kelly lifted her. The softness of her mother’s quilt
pressed into her back. The mattress dipped as he climbed onto the bed and
leaned over her. She blinked into misty blue eyes, her breath coming fast.

His
fingers trailed over her belly, stopping only once they reached the lace of her
panties. “May I?” he asked, slipping his fingers under the satin at her hip.

“Yes.”
Her voice turned raspy.

As
the soft material pulled from her hips she shut her eyes. So much anticipation,
wonder, and excitement folded over inside of her. Tender lips pressed into her
ankles as strong hands glided up her stocking clad legs. The lace trimmings at
her thighs pulled away and soon she was completely naked.

His
mouth touched her in places no man had ever seen. His breath tickled her thighs
and she gasped at the first trail of his finger over the soft triangle of hair
between her hips.

“Open
for me, love. Let me see all of you.”

Her
body seemed to stutter under each command. She wanted to please him more than
any other woman ever had. Trying for gracefulness, her thighs slowly parted
under the press of his gentle fingers. Kelly sucked in an audible breath and
kissed her hip.

“Beautiful.
Do you know how lovely you are? So pink and pure.” He kissed her other hip.
“Mine.”

She
tensed when his finger traced her dewy folds. “Don’t be afraid, love. It’s only
my finger. Relax. I just want to touch you.”

Breathing
heavily, she tried to calm her nerves as his touch traveled over her untried flesh.
A heavy weight bloomed low in her belly as he caressed her there. Her body
slicked and seemed to weep for more of those gentle strokes. He parted her and
the sensation of being probed had her breath catching in her throat.

“Your
body’s wet for me.” His finger pressed slowly inside and she sucked in a
breath. Her lungs burned with need as he gently explored her. Her muscles
tightened around him and her channel stretched. Arousal flooded her and she
whimpered as his touch became more.

“You’re
so small here, love. I have to stretch you so I don’t hurt you.”

Another
finger entering her. His breath tickled her soft curls and she jumped as his
mouth kissed a very sensitive spot.

“Kelly!”

“Shh…I
want to taste you.” He kissed her there again, the flat of his tongue pressing
into her. It was impossible to keep still. “So sweet,” he whispered.

Her
knees lifted of their own volition. His tongue tickled her sensitive spots as
he gently pressed his long fingers into her. Her soft cries filled the room.

“That’s
it, love. Let me hear you. Your voice does things to me. I like to hear you cry
from the pleasure I give you.”