The Payment by Mysty McPartland

dinner,
she wanted their future discussed and decided.
    Swiftly finishing his own meal, Dane placed
the empty plate down beside his right boot before he turned to his
wife. “India I know how angry and unhappy you are over being forced
into this marriage. I can understand why you ran away, but I want
you to decide what you want. Decide to give our marriage a chance,
to have a future together because I don’t want to continue the way
we have been.”
    He looked away and dragged his fingers
through his hair before he turned back to face her. “I know what I
did earlier was wrong, and I should have waited but hell. I’ve
wanted you from the moment, I first saw you, and I truly want our
marriage to work.”
    While her husband spoke, India could see his
sincerity and she heard his honesty and knew it must be hard for
this rough cowboy to say such things. Her head tilted to the side,
she gazed at him thoughtfully. It pleased her that he now gave her
a chance to decide what she wanted, and it made her heart flutter
over hearing him say he wanted their marriage to work and have a
future together.
    She already made her decision. However, for
a few moments she contemplated a future with this man and grew even
more positive, it would be the right choice. Placing her plate down
on the ground, she rose to her feet and went to stand in front of
him holding out her hand. “I would like that also Dane I would like
for us to give our marriage a chance and have a future
together.”
    His heart pounding in his chest when his
wife didn’t speak up, warily he watched as she stood up and came
towards him. His heart soared when she stood in front him and held
out her hand. When she started speaking, his own hand lifted and
taking hers, he held it tightly. When she finished talking, he gave
her hand a little tug, and she tumbled onto his lap.
    Wrapping his arms around her, his mouth went
to the corner of her mouth and nibbled tenderly. “I promise
sweetheart you will never regret it.”
    A little gasp escaped her as she found
herself sprawled over his thighs. India wiggled into a better
position and sighed in pleasure as his lips played at the corner of
her mouth. She lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck.
“Mmm,” Was all she managed to answer as she felt herself once again
yearning for the pleasure that this man could give her.
    Not needing another hint when he heard his
wife’s soft reply Dane lifted his head, rose to his feet. He
carried her over to the bedroll. He knelt down and placed her upon
the blanket; lying down beside her, he took her into his arms and
his mouth claimed hers in a hot consuming kiss. His heart felt
light and he has never felt happier now that his wife finally
agreed to give their marriage a chance.
    He broke the kiss and his mouth hovered over
hers. His hand came up and buried in her hair. “This time, my
beautiful wife, I’m going to take my time. I’m going to love you
long and slow.” He whispered before his mouth once again covered
hers in a hot consuming kiss.
    India gave a soft whimper in anticipation,
her tongue danced with his as she felt the fire inside her gather
momentum. The future, their marriage no longer mattered to her.
What mattered is finding the blissful rapture in her husband’s arms
once more.
     
    Dane kept his promise and now he lay with
his wife sleeping in his arms. He felt extremely satisfied and
immensely pleased. Their marriage might not have started out right,
but now he grew positive they would be happy together. He could
envision a bright and happy life together, one he wanted filled
with happiness and love.
    A vision of his brother’s faces swiftly
crossed his mind and a little of his happiness faded. For a time,
he forgot all about his brothers but now remembering them, he knew
he would definitely have a fight on his hands. He also realized he
would have to tell his wife about his brothers and the
confrontation she would have to face when they arrive home.
    He