Rocky Mountain Dawn (Rocky Mountain Bride Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

emboldening her to catch his fingers.
    "Mr. Shepherd, will you always discipline me so?"
    "Only when you need it. As your husband, it's my responsibility to guide and correct you." He leaned down and kissed her head.
    She flushed again, and kept her eyes down until he left. As she bent her head to her letters, she couldn't stop her thoughts racing.
    What were these feelings coursing inside her? She was used to correction; her parents had spanked her often when she was a rambunctious child, to set her straight and give her younger siblings an example. But balancing across Mr. Shepherd's knees, she'd never felt so...alive. Aware. It was a very strange feeling.
    Even as she thought about it, heat crept over, an ache very different from the pain of her blistered behind. It rose through her whole body and set her nipples tingling. Unbidden, the image of Mr. Shepherd rose in her mind's eye, smiling down at her from his great height. In her daydream, she felt his hands on her skin, steadying her, and heard his soft, but firm voice.
    It seemed only a short while before her husband returned, looking pleased at the pile of notes she had finished.
    "I'm going to send the trunk back now. Do you have the things you need?"
    "Yes, um, yes." She felt flustered, faced with the object of her fantasy.
    Johnathan didn't seem to notice. He leaned over her, inspecting the notes. "Finished already? Good girl."
    She felt a rush of giddiness at his words.
    He picked up the letters. "Some of the guests are leaving now. I will deliver these for you."
    "Thank you, sir," she said, grateful she wouldn't have to face them.
    "Esther," her husband chuckled and caught her chin. "I love how you submit to me, and call me sir in respect during your punishments. Once they're over, however, you may as well get used to calling me by my given name." His smile warmed her all over and his touch had her tingling all over again. "We are to be married and cleave as one."
    "Yes...Johnathan."
    He bent and kissed her nose.
     
    *****
     
    He left to deliver her apologies, and she went to the mirror, lifting her skirts to see her bottom. Sure enough, it was pink, but not so sore and blistered as she'd imagined it to be.
    The door opened and she scuttled away from the mirror, jerking down her petticoats. Johnathan approached, an interested light in his brown eyes.
    "Let me see."
    Reluctantly, Esther turned around and rested her hands on the chaise. A whisper of petticoats, and the air caressed her bare cheeks. Her husband took his time with his inspection. On display, her body burned with embarrassment and another excited feeling. She shivered as she felt a hand pass near her sore bottom, though he didn't touch her.
    "The redness may last awhile, but it will fade. I promise, you'll be good as new." He let her skirts fall and brushed them down. "At least, until you misbehave again."
    She sighed, large and loud, and her husband shook his finger at her. "No pouting now."
    Faced with his waggling finger, Esther found her cheeks flushing anew.
    "Johnathan?" She hesitated, but he waited until she spoke again. "Do you think I can be a good wife to you?"
    "Dear Esther, ever since I read your letter, I had to meet you. And when you came down the stairs and looked straight at me, I knew."
    As he spoke, his arms went around her and drew her closer.
    Her heart fluttered and she leaned forward, her body a hairsbreadth from his.
    "You were the most beautiful woman I'd ever seen."
    She glanced away. "I thought you didn't like that."
    "I didn't like that you treated me like just another suitor and played coy. But, Esther, you're brave and strong and true. You just need a strong hand to guide you, and I intend to provide it."
    He bent his head, she thought to kiss her cheek, but at the last second his lips touched hers. The kiss started sweet and chaste, and then his grip shifted on her back, pulling her closer.
    Fire poured through her whole body, and she surged up on her tiptoes, pressing