Dangerous Men (Flynn Family Saga Book 2) (21 page)

Maggie nodded solemnly.  “Mama, I don’t want to
spend a minute away from him.  And that scares me.  I don’t want to be like
Lucy.”

“Oh, child, you couldn’t be like her if you tried.”

Maggie hugged her.

Kate placed the lace veil on her head and handed her
a bouquet of wildflowers.

Maggie turned and walked down the stairs.  Sam
waited for them at the foot of the staircase.  He looked elegant in a black
frockcoat.  He held out his arm, and Maggie took it.  He led her into the
crowded parlor.  There were so many people there, so many friends.  Melanie
Meade ran to her and hugged her.  “When Sam wired us, we just had to come!”

Maggie hugged her back.  “I’m so glad!  How are the
twins?”

“Getting big, and getting into trouble.  Especially
Maggie.”  She grinned.

Maggie laughed.

Frank stood with Ben and Emma.  Even Billy and
Jessica were there.

Then, she saw Flynn, and her heart stopped for a
moment.  He stood beside a makeshift altar, a table covered with lace.  He wore
a black suit and white, frilled shirt.

And he wore the string tie she had given him.  He
grinned at her with his old sensuous grin.  She grinned back.

Sam led her across the room and placed her hand in
Flynn’s.

Daniel Meade cleared his throat.  “Dearly
beloved...”

After the wedding, Kate sat down at the spinet and
played a waltz.

Flynn took Maggie’s arm and led her into the center
of the room.  He put his arm around her waist and drew her close.  And they
danced.  Maggie shut her eyes.  His gait was a little stiff, but he was still
Flynn.  His hand at her waist sent fire up her spine.

Sam tried to cut in.

Maggie shook her head.  She looked up at her
husband.  “I promised Flynn I would dance every dance with him.”

Slowly, Flynn smiled.  “You remembered.”

She nodded, unable to speak.

Flynn turned to Sam.  “I think I can make an exception."

Laughing, Sam put his arm around his adopted
daughter.  Then Ben cut in.  Then Frank.  Maggie’s heart filled with love for
the men who had taken her in and protected her.

And given her a life she loved.

*  *  *

The reception lasted for hours.  Flynn waited
impatiently for the party to end.  Finally, he couldn't wait any longer.  He
took Maggie's hand and pulled her to her feet.  “Let’s go, Magpie.”  His voice
was hoarse.

Maggie's face reddened.  She nodded.  Amid a shower
of rice, Flynn led Maggie up the stairs.  Flynn winced with each step. 
Apparently, the training at Loman's gym hadn't prepared him for a night of
dancing.  Maggie moved to his right side.  “Put your arm around my shoulder,”
she whispered.

He nodded and leaned on her.

When they got to the second floor, he opened the
door to the spare room down the hall from Ben and Emma's room.  Rose petals
littered the floor and dotted the coverlet.  The scent of roses filled the
room.  Flynn lifted Maggie in his arms and carried her into the room.  He set
her down gently on the bed.  Then, he sat down on the edge of the bed and
sighed.  “Maggie, can you please help me with these boots?”

She nodded.  She bent and removed the left one
first.  Then, she removed the right one.  She ran her hand reverently over the
beautifully carved leg, which was attached to his stump with an intricate
harness and a confusing array of wires and springs.  She looked into his face. 
“How on earth did Frank manage this?”

Flynn shook his head.  “He had a lot of help.”

Maggie closed her eyes for a moment.  “I had
forgotten.”

“What?”  He cupped her face in his hands.  Her skin
was soft and warm.

Maggie opened her eyes.  “The good there is in the
world.  So many of those girls died.”  Tears shimmered in her sea-green eyes.

Flynn cupped her face in his hands.  "Don't,
Maggie.  Don't think about that tonight.  This is our night, yours and
mine."

She nodded and wiped away her tears with the back of
her hand.

He leaned forward and kissed her.  Maggie sighed and
softened against him.  Then, suddenly, she pulled back.

Flynn opened his eyes.  Her face was white, and
lines of pain bracketed her mouth.  He cupped her cheek in his hand. 
"What is it, Magpie?"

She looked away.  "Ghosts of the past." 
She pulled her hands free and unfastened the harness that held Flynn’s leg to
his stump.  The skin underneath was red.  Without a word, she went to her
saddlebags and took out a jar of salve.  She rubbed it into the stump.

Flynn shut his eyes and sighed.  “That feels good,
Magpie.”  He opened his eyes and smiled at her.  “Come here, wife.”

“Wife,” she whispered breathlessly.

Flynn couldn't tell if she was scared or excited. 
He took her wrists and drew her between his legs.  He put his hands on her
waist and turned her around.  Then, he began to unfasten the buttons of her
wedding gown.  He swore softly.  “Why do they use so many guldurned buttons on
these things?”

Maggie laughed shakily.  Then, the dress fell from
her shoulders, and she gasped.  She started to tremble again.  Flynn turned her
to face him.  “It's just me, Magpie.  I'll never ask you to do anything you
don't want to.”

Maggie nodded and looked away.

“Maggie?  What is it?”

Maggie bit her lip.  “I told you I grew up over a
saloon.  I saw things, heard things.”  She shut her eyes.

Flynn took off his shirt and wrapped it around her.

Maggie blinked.  “What—what are you doing?”

Flynn took off his trousers and got into bed.  He
slid over next to the wall.  “Maggie, we have our whole lives ahead of us.  I’m
not in any hurry."  He held up the covers.  "Now, come to bed.”

Maggie hesitated.  Swallowing hard, she let his
shirt fall to the floor.  She bent and rolled down her silk stockings.  She
took the pins out of her hair and let it fall.  Flynn’s gaze never wavered. 
Trembling, her hand went to the lacing of her camisole.  Flynn caught her wrist
and shook his head.  He pulled her onto the bed next to him.  Maggie shut her
eyes and nestled against his chest.  She ran her palm over the thick mat of red
hair.  “It’s stiffer than the hair on your head.”

Flynn laughed softly.  “Yes, it is.”  Desire kindled
in him, as hot as a smith’s furnace.  “But if you don’t stop that, I’m not sure
I’ll be able to...be a gentleman.”

Maggie smiled against his chest.  “I’m not sure I
want you to.  I feel things—I want things—“  She stopped, blushing.

Flynn laughed again.  Her body was soft and warm,
and her breath tickled.  He felt happier than he ever had before.  He stroked
her hair.  Maggie sighed and nestled closer.  He sensed the change in her as
her muscles relaxed.  Maggie propped herself up on one elbow.  The strap of her
camisole slid down her shoulder, revealing the swell of her breasts.  He ached
to make love to her.

Maggie touched his cheek.  “I want—I want to be your
wife, Flynn.  In every sense of the word.”  She sighed.  “It’s like the first
time I scouted alone.  I’m scared and excited at the same time.”

Flynn shut his eyes a moment.  “Maggie O’Brien
Anders Flynn, where did you come from?”

She laughed shakily.  “Well, I was born in Manhattan...”

Flynn opened his eyes and smiled at this girl who
had the courage of any ten men.  He leaned forward and kissed her, brushing her
lips lightly with his.  The kiss was just the barest touch.  Maggie shivered
and softened against him.  Her lips were warm.  He put his arms around her and
drew her closer until her breasts pressed against his bare chest.  She sighed
and put her arms around him.  His kiss deepened.

Maggie moaned.

Flynn smiled against her mouth.  “I
want to see you, Maggie.”

Her breath caught.  She opened her
eyes and looked at his face.  Her cheeks were flushed.  She nodded without
speaking.  Slowly, he unlaced her camisole.  Her breasts were larger than he
had imagined.  He traced the blue veins with the tip of his finger, and she
shivered again.  His gaze moved downward as he slid the camisole from her. 
Fiery red hair made a v between her legs.  Flynn cupped her cheek.  “I love
you, Maggie.  Remember that I love you.”

She nodded.  Her pulse raced in her
neck.  He kissed her neck and then slowly, slowly, moved down her body to her
breast.

Maggie gasped and shut her eyes.

Flynn took her nipple in his
mouth.  It hardened, instantly.  Maggie’s nails bit into his back.  He chuckled
and turned his attention to her other breast.  She began to move against him.  When
she moaned again, he moved his mouth down her belly.  She arched her back as he
kissed the point where her need was the greatest.  He continued to kiss her
until she writhed beneath him, calling out his name.  When she was wet and
welcoming, he propped himself up on his hands.  “Maggie, this may hurt a
little.”

“I don’t care!”  Her voice was
hoarse with need.

He eased himself inside of her. 
There was a little resistance.  Then, he touched her, stroking the nub that
gives a woman pleasure.  She began to buck beneath him.

He moved inside of her, slowly,
carefully.

Maggie groaned.  “Please, Flynn. 
Please.”

“Yes, Maggie.  Yes!”  He slid
deeper, faster, and she moved with him, in perfect rhythm.  He grasped her
buttocks and pulled her closer, trying to become one with her.  The incredible
pleasure grew until he thought he would not be able to bear it.

And then she spasmed around him,
sweet, hot pressure that drove him out of himself.  He filled her with his
seed.

“Flynn!”  She held him tightly as
the aftershocks rocked both of them.

Slowly, gently, he stroked her
back.  He rolled over onto his back without dislodging himself from the point
where they were joined.  Her breasts were so soft and delicious that he began
to harden again.

Maggie sighed and rested her head
in the hollow of his shoulder.  “Oh, Flynn.”

He chuckled.  “Yes, Maggie?”

She pushed herself up a little so
she could see his face.  “Will it always be like that?”

He shook his head.  “Nope.”

She looked disappointed.

Slowly, he grinned.  “I’ve heard
that it gets better with practice.”

Laughing, she stroked his damp hair
back from his forehead.  “Then I guess we’ll just have to keep practicing.”

His grin broadened, and he nodded. 
“A lot.”

Maggie sighed.  Her arms started to
tremble, and she rested against his chest.  He stroked her hair.  They fell
asleep, tangled up in the sheets.

*  *  *

Flynn woke first.  He watched
Maggie sleep.  She was even more beautiful when she was asleep.  Soft gray
light filtered through the curtains.  Maggie stirred in his arms.  She opened
her eyes and smiled at him.  Her hand brushed his hair back from his forehead. 
Flynn’s heart tightened painfully.  He kissed her.  “Oh, Maggie.”

She sighed and nestled closer.

The sound of voices downstairs
reminded him that they were not alone.  The smell of frying bacon made his
mouth water.

Maggie stomach growled.

Flynn laughed.  “Come on.  Let’s
get some breakfast.  I have a feeling we’re going to need all our strength
tonight.”

Maggie blushed, and he laughed
again.

It was hard to act as if nothing
had happened.  They did their chores together, like they always did, but he was
more aware of the scent of her, the brush of her hand against his as they
walked, side by side.  After tending the horses, they went into the kitchen.

Frank grinned at them.  “I made
extra eggs this morning.  I figure you’ll need to keep your strength up.”

“That’s not going to happen with
your
cooking,” Flynn drawled.

Maggie grinned at him.

That night, they made love again. 
Maggie sighed and nestled close.  “I wish we had a place of our own.”

Flynn hesitated.  “All I own is
Alexander Ridgeton’s cabin.  It isn’t a white house with lace curtains, but—”

Maggie grinned at him.  “What are
we waiting for?”

Flynn grinned back.  “Morning.”

Maggie laughed.  They made love
again in the firelight, and in the morning, Maggie picked up her battered
carpetbag and took out her trousers.  Flynn pulled on his wooden leg and laced
it up.  He started to pull on his trousers, but he stopped and watched as
Maggie braided her hair.  Grinning, he snuck up behind her and ran his fingers
through the tight braid, undoing her handiwork.

Maggie turned with her hands on her
hips.  “You—you—
cowboy
!”

"Is that the best you can
do?"

Maggie shrugged.  "My
grandmother hated cowboys."

Laughing, he kissed her.  "I'm
a scout, not a cowboy."

"Mm hm."  She kissed him
back.

"The best scout this side of
the Mississippi."  He unbuttoned her shirt and fondled her breast.

Maggie gasped.  Her fingers
trembled as she unfastened the top button of his shirt.  "Second
best."

"Oh really?"  He suckled
her other breast.  "Who's the best scout?"

"I am."  Maggie's voice
was a strangled gasp.

Chuckling, Flynn unfastened her
trousers and slid them down her hips.  "Are not."

"Am too."  Her breath
hissed as he touched the place between her thighs.

"Are not."

"Well, maybe it's a
tie."  Her legs trembled.

Laughing, he picked her up and laid
her on her back on the bed.

It was noon before they tried to dress again.  Flynn wasn’t sure he could walk, even if he had two good
legs.

Maggie compromised by pulling her
long hair into a ponytail at the base of her neck.  Flynn touched it, and she
shivered.  Laughing, she threw him a shirt.

With a sigh, he pulled it on.

***

That afternoon, Maggie and Flynn
saddled their horses.  Sam entered the barn.  "Give me a moment with
Flynn, will you Magpie?"