Gillian: Bride of Maine (American Mail-Order Bride 23) Read Online Free PDF

down next to her on the sofa and handed her a mug of hot chocolate.
    “Merry Christmas.” She lifted her mug in a toast.
    He returned the gesture. “Merry Christmas.”
    They sat before the fire, drinking their chocolate and watching the snowfall for a time before he spoke. “Sorry, I don’t have any decorations up.”
    “That’s fine. It saves us having to take them down.”
    His head bobbed in a slow nod. Taking her mug, he set both on an end table. “It’s hard to get out here, Gillian. I want you to know, you won’t have many visitors. Alice Ambrose will be about it, and she can only make it at rare times. I’ll try to get you to the village when I can, but in the winter…”
    He stopped when she placed her hand over his. “I’m not much for entertaining, Rhys. And I’ll have you. I’d like to help you with the light…with the house…with whatever you need.”
    He turned his hand so hers rested in his palm, and he closed his large, calloused hand around hers. “Are you sure? Are you really sure this is the life you want?”
    She held his gaze. “Yes, I’m very sure. I think love can grow between us. I think we can have a good life here.”
    “You’re a strange sort of woman, Gillian Chermont. You’ve known me only hours, and we’ve shared two kisses and fewer conversations, yet you speak of love between us.”
    “I like my name attached to yours, and yes, I think if we give each other a chance, love will grow.”
    He leaned forward, and Gillian met him halfway, her lips parted in anticipation. When his mouth took hers, he instantly deepened the kiss. He tasted of chocolate, the salt of ocean spray, and outdoors. Gillian wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed closer. She opened her eyes to find him watching her respond to his kiss.
    Rhys broke the kiss, but she gasped when he gave her bottom lip a small nip. He moved his mouth to her neck, and Gillian angled her head to give him better access as he trailed opened-mouthed kisses along the curve of her neck. She raked her nails over the back of his neck at the pleasure shooting through her as his rough beard marked her tender flesh.
    His moan blended with hers, and Gillian felt the pull and desire for more. She felt her forehead wrinkle in frustration that he wasn’t close enough, and a slow burn simmered low in her belly. His hands smoothing over her curves should have shocked her; instead, they fueled her need.
    He lifted his head and moved his hands to her hair, releasing the up-do she’d fashioned in haste at Ida’s. Her hair cascaded thick and heavy over her shoulders and down her back.
    His eyes were no longer icy, and blue flames danced as he picked up a lock of hair and smoothed it between two fingers. “Beautiful.”
    Gillian moved her hands from around his neck and smoothed them over his face and down to the solid wall of muscle of his chest. He’d taken off the heavy peacoat and sweater, and through the flannel of his shirt and his undershirt, she could feel his heartbeat. Then she did what she’d wanted to do earlier and combed her fingers through the thick, red waves of his hair.
    “Are you sure, Gillian? Once we do this…”
    She cut him off, pressing her lips to his for another kiss before leaning just a breath away. “I want this…I want you.”
    Taking her hand in his, he rose, bringing her up with him. He turned on his heel and led her up the stairs. Gillian glanced at her bag and almost stopped him so they could bring it upstairs. He glanced over his shoulder, and Gillian’s breath caught. No, she wouldn’t need her nightgown this night; of that she was sure.

CHAPTER SIX
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    G illian woke as a chill hit her warm flesh where Rhys’ body had been wrapped around hers. She shifted in the bed as he pulled up his trousers. She was thankful the room rested in darkness except for a bit of moonlight through the curtains as her cheeks heated with the memory of all they’d done, and now as she watched him