The Education of Madeline by Beth Williamson Page B

between her legs. She imagined that being with Teague would be like this, only more intense. She moaned in anticipation of it.
    The small sound echoed through the bedroom and came back on her like a gentle rain. Her own pleasure was as arousing as thinking of Teague.
    She pulled up her nightdress and exposed her heat to the cool breeze. Her legs slowly slid apart, and one hand landed between them. Her fingers stroked the swollen folds over and over as her hand continued to tease her nipples.
    Back and forth, pleasure seeped through her body from head to toe. She wound up tighter and tighter. Her hands moved faster and faster.
    Soon she was crying out in release as she reached her peak. The throbbing between her legs continued as her hands dropped away to land at her sides.
    Her rapid heartbeat slowed as her heated blood cooled. Soon she shivered, and goose bumps broke out over her skin. She pushed her nightgown back down and pulled up the sheet.
    Sleep crept over her finally. Her body relaxed into the feather mattress, and she drifted off into dreams of Teague and his entrance into her bed.
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    Madeline went outside in the morning with a fresh mug of coffee for Teague. She was going to apologize again for her behavior the day before and hoped he would still agree with her proposal. She knew she would never be able to approach another man about it, so it was Teague, or it was never.
    The bright sunshine pricked her eyes. She wiped at them with the back of her free hand as she walked across the grass toward the carriage house. As she reached the door, it opened suddenly; startled, she raised both hands to ward off a broken nose or black eye. Instead, she tipped the hot coffee all over her chest.
    She screamed in pain as the scalding brew burned her skin beneath her cotton dress. She dropped the mug on the ground and tried to pull the hot material away from her skin.
    â€œOh, shit, Maddie, I’m sorry!” Teague said as he stood there like a bump on a log.
    â€œThat…was what…I was coming to…say,” she huffed out as the pain grew to a crescendo.
    â€œLet’s get you in the house so Eppie can get something on that burn.”
    Madeline just nodded and bit her lip. Who knew Eppie made the dang coffee so boiling hot? Her breasts and the top of her chest were throbbing in tune with her pulse. Over and over. It was worse than she thought. She was almost sure blisters were forming on her skin.
    The two of them burst into the kitchen and scared Eppie, who was washing the table.
    â€œLord Jesus! What are you doing?”
    Teague scowled at her. “She’s been burned, Eppie.”
    â€œBurned?” Eppie’s eyes widened. “Burned by what?”
    â€œCoffee.”
    â€œWhat are you doing with coffee, Madeline?”
    â€œNever mind,” Madeline hissed. “Just get some cold water and baking soda.”
    Eppie jumped to the sink to start pumping water.
    Teague led her to the table and sat her down gently. He reached for the buttons on her dress, and she stopped him.
    â€œWhat are you doing?”
    â€œWe need to get that dress off you.”
    Madeline almost smiled. “Something I hoped to hear from a man someday but not in my kitchen.”
    Teague scowled deeper. “This isn’t funny, Maddie.” His dark eyes were full of concern.
    Madeline’s heart skipped a beat. He was worried about her. That must mean he cared, at least a bit. How absolutely marvelous.
    He started unbuttoning her dress with his big hands, and she wished she could have enjoyed it. When he saw her lacy white chemise, his mouth tightened perceptibly. His eyes flicked up to hers. She felt a pulse of heat shoot down to her mons. How could she possibly be thinking about bedding him? She was in agony, yet her body responded automatically to being near his.
    â€œEppie, go get something dry for her to wear.”
    Eppie set down a pitcher of cool water and a rag and then dashed out of