Stephen’s Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

bed.”
    “Yes.” He dragged the word out and eyed her with a mixture of curiosity and humor. “So where will you sleep?”
    Her jaw dropped. “In my bed, of course.”
    “Which is where I will sleep, as well.” He dropped his satchel on the floor and rested his hands on his slim hips. “Look, honey, you already have my word that I will wait. I’m not going to pretend I’m happy about it, but I don’t go back on my word.” He moved closer to her, causing her to back up. The predator gleam in his eyes had her stomach fluttering.
    “What?” She chewed her lip. Whatever it was he wanted to do to her, if it was to make her feel like she was his next meal, it had worked. She took another step back as he took one forward.
    “I’m sure you would not object to kissing?”
    “Kissing?” One more step back.
    One step forward. “Yes. Kissing.”
    She scooted around him, taking a deep breath as she reached the door. “I’m going downstairs to the bathing room. I’ll see you at supper.” She was at the top of the stairs when she heard his chuckle.
    The next morning they shared a typical breakfast Bertha fixed of fried ham, biscuits, and a bowl of stewed vegetables. After supper the night before she climbed into bed while Stephen did his bathing and was sound asleep whenever it was he’d come to bed. Since he was already up and dressed before she arose, the only way she knew he’d slept alongside her was the indentation in the second pillow.
    She was still a little stunned at her reaction when he questioned her about kissing. He’d given her a polite, chaste peck on the lips after the wedding ceremony. Given the look in his eyes when he’d stalked her around the bedroom, she didn’t think that was the sort of kiss he had in mind. The entire episode had left her shaky and flushed.
    “I’ve already spoken to your manager, John, and he’s going to give me a tour of the farm today.” Stephen pushed aside his empty plate and drew his coffee cup closer.
    “I should be the one to give the tour. It’s my farm.” Was he already trying to cut her out? Take over the entire operation and leave here sitting home knitting socks?
    Almost as if he’d heard her thoughts he added, “Bertha told me this morning you always help her with the laundry on Thursdays.”
    Damn the laundry. The last thing she wanted to do was start off this ‘marriage’ with her in the house doing laundry and him out in the fields with John. “I’ll ask her to put it off until tomorrow. I will be riding with you and John.”
    His grin irritated her more than his request for a kiss last night. It appeared she would have no peace in her life with Stephen McCoy in it.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Stephen watched Calliope swing her leg over her horse and settle into the saddle. He still had a hard time adjusting to her in pants. When she’d come down for breakfast dressed like that he’d almost choked on the piece of ham in his mouth. The trousers outlined her legs perfectly, and the shirt she had tucked into the pants emphasized her small waist. Gone was the satin wedding gown, corset, and bouquet of flowers. This woman was ready to work and intended to show him precisely how much of a farmer she was.
    He regarded her from his place on Topaz. “Did your father approve of you dressing that way?”
    “No.” She smiled brightly. “I did it mostly to irritate him since he wanted to control most of my life.”
    He found his new wife to be a puzzle. She showed absolute fear when she spoke of Melrose, mentioned that her father controlled her, yet she had enough spirit to defy the man about wearing pants. He liked the determined woman that was Calliope, and looked forward to a lot of vigorous arguments over the years. And a fine way to make up when the argument ended.
    Perhaps. She’d been pretty rattled when he asked for a kiss the night before. Surely she didn’t think they would stay completely platonic until she decided she was ‘ready.’ At that