Barefoot Bride for Three by Reece Butler

force Beth, but he would seduce and encourage her into doing things she’d never known existed. Starting now.
    Sophie gave a saucy wink as she passed him on the stairs. Damn, he was hard, but Beth was a virgin. He’d have to make her first time so good she’d want more. Much more.
    He counted the slow steps, wincing as his thighs brushed against his groin with every movement. He knocked quietly before opening the door. She had her back to him. The soft glow of a lamp in the window lit the spun gold hair cascading over her shoulders. It covered everything but her rounded bottom and long legs. He longed to thrust into the dark cleft between her thighs. Then he’d bend her forward and slide into her wet heat. She slowly turned to face him, steps hesitant and jerky. It provided a sideways silhouette that made him groan in appreciation.
    “Thank you for the flowers,” she said, eyes flickering around the room. “They’re beautiful. I’ve never been given flowers before.”
    She held them between full breasts. On either side, rosy tips pointed at him like bullets. Her lip quivered, and he realized she was waiting for him to say something. His tongue felt glued to the top of his mouth. He swallowed hard and finally inhaled.
    “You’re even more beautiful than I thought, Mrs. Elliott,” he croaked.
    Her eyes glistened and she blinked hard. Did she cry at the thought of marrying him? Then she hardened her jaw and straightened her back. She tossed her hair like a filly eager to play.
    “You clean up pretty well yourself, Mr. Elliott.”
    When he claimed her full lips in the jail after their vows, he almost came on the spot. She had gazed up at him with a glassy look when he released her. Then she smiled with, he hoped, eagerness for more. He wasn’t a church-going man, but he thanked God he landed in town tonight.
    And now she looked up at him, eyes wide, lips and fists clenched. In eagerness or fear? Either way, he’d take it slow. Like a new filly before her first ride, he’d calm her with his hands and voice before putting any weight on her.
    “You hungry?” He’d eaten a light meal in the dining room while he waited.
    She shook her head. Golden ripples shifted to reveal tantalizing hints of flesh.
    “Tired?”
    She nodded. “I didn’t sleep well the last few nights.”
    “No one touched you, did they? You weren’t afraid?” If anyone had hurt her, he’d make them pay. Only part of that was for daring to touch what was his.
    “Sometimes I was a bit afraid. But even more, I was angry.”
    Holding the posy of wildflowers in one hand, she crossed her arms over her chest, frowning. She covered up what he ached to touch.
    “And I’m still angry! Why should I be put in jail for defending myself, then forced to marry a man I’ve never seen before? I can make my own way with my brain and hands. But no,” she dragged out the word, “all that matters to men is a woman’s body. Do you think that deputy is smarter than me just because he has something in his trousers that I don’t?”
    Trace clenched his jaw to stop a smile from erupting. Ma had been a strong-minded woman like Beth. Pa told him to keep his opinions to himself until after he and his wife sweated on the sheets. He said women were more amenable after they’d had a few bouts of glory. His cock was so hard he’d have Beth shouting in glory all night and into the morning before he’d reply to such a dangerous comment. He had to prove to Beth that she could want his body as badly as he did hers. She had passion, all right.
    “Sheriff said you read his law books.”
    He caught a faint blush on her cheeks. “I had to do something to keep my mind off those disreputable men. Blackstone has some interesting ideas about…” She flicked her eyes down. “I’m married to you, yet I don’t even know how well you can read.”
    He stepped close and lifted her hand to his mouth. His elbow brushed against her nipple. She quivered.
    “I told you Ma made