The Complete Oregon Series, page 104
“Later,” Rika said, her voice equally hoarse.
Amy kissed the nape of her neck, inhaling the lavender soap Rika had used to wash up before supper. She fiddled with the laces in the back of the corset, her fingers refusing to work properly. Finally, after a few breathless moments, she managed to pull it free.
They stood face to face, both in just their underwear.
“C-can I?” Amy asked, her hand an inch from Rika’s hair. At her nod, she pulled out the pins, letting the mahogany tresses fall free. She combed her fingers through the softness, then trailed her fingertips along Rika’s collarbone, across her shoulder, and down her arm.
When she hesitated, unsure what to do to express her love, Rika entwined their fingers and leaned forward to kiss her nose, her cheeks, and down her chest until the edges of the undershirt stopped her. She mumbled something after each kiss, her breath tickling Amy’s skin and making her whole body vibrate.
“What are you doing?” Amy whispered.
“Counting your freckles.”
A nervous giggle broke free when Amy remembered that her freckles trailed down her chest all the way to the top of her bosom. Would she kiss her there too?
“Amy Hamilton, are you giggling?”
“No.”
“Oh, yes, you are.” Rika giggled too. “And I like it. I like seeing you happy.”
Amy laid her palms against Rika’s cheeks and looked into smoldering brown eyes. “You make me happy. I never thought I would have this. Have someone like you in my life.” She guided their faces together and kissed her again.
Wrapped in each other’s arms, they sank onto the bed, Rika on top.
Her breasts, covered by just a thin chemise, rubbed against Amy’s.
With a gasp, Amy pressed closer, closing her eyes briefly when she felt Rika’s fingers in her hair.
“Amy,” Rika murmured. Passion made her brown eyes appear midnight black. Her hands slid down, trailing heat even through the undershirt as she kissed Amy’s throat. Their legs entwined, and her thigh pressed against the heat between Amy’s legs.
“Oh, Lord, Rika.” An unknown pleasure tightened Amy’s stomach. At night, alone in her room, she had tried to imagine what lying with Rika might be like, but her fantasies hadn’t prepared her for these sensations. Biting her lip to keep from crying out, she slid her hands up and down Rika’s back. She felt the warmth of the skin beneath the chemise, and suddenly, she couldn’t stand having that barrier between them. She ached to touch Rika. “Would you mind...?” She bunched up the hem of the chemise and paused.
Instead of answering, Rika sat up, straddled her lap, and slid the chemise over her head. Then she crossed her arms in front of her chest.
“Please, don’t hide yourself from me.”
Slowly, Rika dropped her arms.
Amy stared at her, drinking in every curve, every inch of the pale skin. “You’re beautiful,” she whispered, as if talking more loudly would break the spell.
“You don’t need to say that,” Rika said. “I know I’m rather plain and nothing special.”
With one finger, Amy directed her chin up so they were looking in each other’s eyes. “You’re special to me.”
Rika’s chest heaved. Her eyelashes trembled against flushed cheeks. “You’re special to me too.” She slid her fingers beneath the edge of Amy’s undershirt and lifted up the fabric. When the undershirt fluttered to the floor, she threw her arms around Amy and pulled her close.
Their breasts pressed against each other.
Every inch of Amy’s body came alive. Almost dizzy with pleasure, she clutched the small of Rika’s back, pulling her even closer, and felt warm hands on her bare sides.
They stretched out on the bed.
“I can feel your heart beating,” Amy whispered against her ear.
“It’s racing.”
Amy’s heart was pounding too. She wanted to touch Rika everywhere, bring her every possible pleasure, but she had no idea where to begin. “Do you know what to do?”
“I have a few ideas.” Smiling, Rika kissed her collarbone, then pressed her lips to the tiny measles scars on her upper chest.
With every kiss, the urge to touch Rika increased until Amy rolled them around and leaned over, supporting herself on one arm. Her lips were drawn to a smooth shoulder, while she explored the gentle curve of her stomach with one hand. She admired the pale skin that appeared like rich cream beneath her fingers. “You’re so soft,” she whispered against Rika’s collarbone. “I’m sorry my hands are so rough. I hope my calluses don’t—”
Rika captured her wrists and pressed kisses against her palms. “I like your calluses. They make me tingle all over.”
“Yeah?” Amy trailed one fingertip from Rika’s navel to her breastbone, admiring the rise of her breasts and the nipples that were darker than her own. She hesitated, then carefully circled the left breast. She wanted to watch Rika’s face, searching for any sign that she was doing the wrong thing, but her gaze was drawn down, following the circles her finger drew, closer and closer to the hardened nipple.
Rika moaned and arched into the touch.
Emboldened by that reaction, Amy cupped her breast. She swooned at the warm weight. “Is this all right?”
“Wonderful.” As if to prove it, Rika slid her hand between them and caressed one of Amy’s breasts.
Amy’s eyes fluttered shut. She moaned as flashes of sensation flared through her body. Hungry for Rika’s touch, she wanted to press so close that she disappeared inside of her. The feeling grew and grew until she felt as if she’d explode. She groaned helplessly and whispered, “I never imagined it could be like this.”
When she buried her face against Rika’s neck, Rika turned her head and kissed her ear. “That’s not all there is to making love.” She slid a hand down Amy’s body.
A thrill raced through Amy. She held her breath as Rika caressed the sensitive skin of her lower belly, sending a flash of heat to that spot between her legs.
Rika pulled at the drawstring of her drawers. “Is this all right? I want to feel you.”
No longer able to speak, Amy nodded. Her body trembled, in a hurry for something, but not sure what it was that she craved.
They struggled out of their drawers, the last barrier between them now gone. Amy sucked in a breath when they came together in an intimate embrace.
Rika’s thigh pressed between her legs, skin against skin.
She panted against the damp skin of Rika’s neck. A feeling of pressure and heat swirled through her belly. “Oh, yes. Lord, this is...” She gritted her teeth against the spreading sensations, trying not to get swept away by the maelstrom of feelings. Instead, she focused on making Rika feel this good too. She leaned down and pressed kisses to her breast, reveling in the pleasant fullness.
The nipple hardened beneath her touch.
Curious, Amy wrapped her lips around it and tasted it with her tongue.
“Oh. Amy.” Hips arching, Rika weaved her fingers through her hair and pulled her even closer.
Amy felt her own body echo the movement as the pressure in her belly began to spread.
Rika stroked down her sensitive side, making goose bumps trail down her body. She fanned her fingers over Amy’s hip and explored its curve until her fingertips rested at the juncture of her thighs.
Amy gasped for breath. Liquid heat swirled through her belly. “Rika, I...”
“Don’t be scared. I’ll stop if you don’t like this.” Rika trailed her fingers lower.
Overwhelmed with feelings and sensations, Amy covered the exploring hand with her own. She moaned when she felt the dampness between her thighs.
“Do you want me to...?”
Trembling, Amy guided her lower. She surged against Rika, wanting her closer, wanting to share this breathtaking experience with her. It took some maneuvering, but she managed to slide her hand between Rika’s thighs.
The damp warmth and breathless moans washed over her senses, mingling with the sensations rushing through her.
They groaned and moved against each other in a faster rhythm.
Rika’s skin glowed with a sheen of perspiration, making every touch feel like silk.
Amy searched her lips with her own, but then Rika began to move her fingers faster and she gasped for breath, trying to keep up and control her body’s reaction.
Impossible.
Her hips surged to meet Rika’s rhythmic stroking that became faster and faster.
Spellbound by the silky wetness beneath her fingertips, the quick rise and fall of Rika’s chest, and the parted cherry-red lips, Amy pressed closer. Her heart thumped against her ribs, keeping pace with the pounding that was starting in her core.
Rika’s breathless moans rained over her like kisses.
“Oh. Oh, yes.” Her stomach tightened.
Rika clutched her back. Her thighs locked around Amy’s hand, and she fell back against the pillow with a cry.
Tiny tremors started deep within Amy. Pleasure rushed through her. She cried out as it peaked and she fell into the darkness of Rika’s eyes. For a while, she couldn’t move. Her universe was reduced to the pulsing in her body and the feeling of damp skin against hers. Nothing else existed. Then, with weak limbs, she cuddled against Rika’s side. Their breathing calmed, and she closed her eyes. “Wow,” she whispered and kissed her cheek. “I could stay like this forever.”
Rika laughed and cuddled closer. “I think your family would—” She paused and lifted her head.
“What—?” Amy asked, but Rika shushed her.
Someone was knocking on the cabin door.
Amy held her breath. She sent Rika a panicked look and pressed one finger to her lips. “Sssh. Maybe whoever it is will go away if we keep quiet,” she whispered.
But instead, the knocking on the door continued. “Hendrika? Amy?” Nattie called. “Are you in there? I thought I’d bring over a nightshirt and a hairbrush for Hendrika.”
Oh, no. A spasm of fear shot through Amy’s belly when she remembered they hadn’t locked the cabin door. She struggled into her undershirt and tossed Rika’s chemise at her. “Hurry.” She shoved one foot, then the other through her pant legs and hastily slipped on her shirt while Rika fought to get on her corset.
On wobbly legs, they got dressed. By the time they rushed to the front door, Amy was gasping for breath. She paused and forced herself to inhale slowly. “Ready?”
Rika smoothed her hands over her skirt and nodded. Her face, which had been flushed with passion just minutes ago, had gone pale.
When Amy opened the door, Nattie stood in front of them.
“Come in,” Amy said for lack of other things to say or do.
Nattie slipped past her and held out a nightshirt and a hairbrush. “What was taking so long? It took you forever to—” She regarded them through narrowed eyes. “What happened to the two of you?”
Heart pounding, Amy glanced down at herself. She’d missed a button, and she wore neither boots nor socks. With growing trepidation, she turned toward Rika, who was equally barefoot. The laces of her corset weren’t tightened properly, and now her bodice bunched in a few places.
“What’s going on?” Nattie pointed the hairbrush at Amy, then at Rika. “Your hair looks as if you’d just climbed out of bed.”
“Nattie...” Amy held out her hands, palms forward. “It’s not what—” She stopped herself. Did she really want to live her life ducking her head in shame for loving a woman as wonderful as Rika? Did she want to lie and deny her love even to her own sister?
No. She’d never again run or hide when something scared her. She reached for Rika’s hand and entwined their fingers. Slowly, she lifted her head to meet Nattie’s gaze. “All right,” she said, trying to keep her voice from trembling. “It’s exactly what it looks like.”
Nattie swallowed audibly and stared at them. “You mean you...the two of you...?”
They exchanged a quick glance and then nodded.
Pale, Nattie turned an accusing gaze at Rika. “Is this,” she gestured at them, “why you didn’t marry Phin?”
“I didn’t marry Phin because I don’t love him.”
“He’s a good man.”
Rika tilted her head. “I know. And I thought that would be enough. But then I met your family, and I realized that I want more. I want love.”
The lamp in Nattie’s hand trembled, throwing flickering shadows across the cabin. “And you love my sister?”
Rika turned to Amy, a smile easing the tension on her face. She reached out and smoothed the crooked shirt collar. “Yes,” she said as their gazes locked. “I love her.”
Warmth spread through Amy. “And I love Rika.” When she looked back at Nattie, her sister was still frowning. She swallowed. “I know this is a lot to take in. But please understand, this is who I am and who I love.”
“It feels like the whole world has tilted, and nothing is right anymore,” Nattie said, her voice trembling. “Finding out about Papa...and Mama was hard enough, but now you too?” She shook her head. “How can it be that in a family full of women, I’m the only one who’s in love with a man? I don’t understand it. And I don’t understand why everyone in the family kept secrets from me.”
Amy clung to the comforting grip of Rika’s hand. “I’m sorry. I know it must be terribly confusing. I didn’t mean to hurt you, Nattie.”
Nattie’s gaze softened. “I know.”
“Do you think that after a while, you’ll be able to forgive me for not telling you sooner and get used to the thought of...us?” Amy pointed at Rika and herself.
The new floorboards creaked as Nattie shifted her weight. “I’ll have a lot of time to think once I’m in New York.”
Amy’s heart sank. Would Nattie even want to come back now?
Nattie crossed the cabin in a few quick steps and pulled Amy into an embrace. “You’re my sister, and nothing will ever change that. I want you to be happy. If that’s with Hendrika...” She let go and shrugged. “I’ll make my peace with it.”
Tears burned in Amy’s eyes. “Thank you.”
Nattie smiled at them and handed Rika the nightgown and the hairbrush. “Goodnight. And sorry for...interrupting.” She blushed and hurried away.
The cabin door fell closed behind her.
Amy sank into Rika’s arms. “Oh, Lord. That was... Rika, I’m so sorry. This wasn’t how I wanted our first...our wedding night to end. We’ll have to be more careful in the future. If that had been one of the ranch hands instead of Nattie...” The thought made her tremble.
“It’s all right.” Rika combed her fingers through Amy’s hair, putting it back into some semblance of order. “At least we don’t have to lie to your sister anymore.”
“Yeah.” Amy squeezed her eyes shut and pressed her face against a comforting shoulder. Then something occurred to her, and she lifted her head. “Wait a minute. Did Nattie just say she’s in love?”
Rika smiled. “She did.”
Her little sister was all grown up and in love. But with whom? She eyed Rika, who calmly looked back. “Did you know about this?”
Rika crossed to the door and locked it. She reached for Amy’s hand. “Come to bed, and I’ll tell you everything I know about it.”
Amy didn’t have to be told twice.
Epilogue
Baker Prairie, Oregon
April 27, 1871
“Run!” Rika gripped Amy’s arm and dragged her across Baker Prairie’s dusty main street.
“I can’t!” Amy gasped. “Not in these shoes.”
“Stop complaining and run.”
Amy stumbled. “Damn petticoats!”
Under the pretense of helping her, Rika gripped Amy’s hand and encountered smooth silk gloves instead of the familiar calluses. “The organ has already started, and your father will be a nervous wreck if we’re late.”
“You’d think it was Papa’s wedding, not Nattie’s.”
They slid to a stop in front of the church portal. Rika smoothed a hand over the blue satin of Amy’s dress. “You look beautiful.”
Amy stopped grumbling. “So do you.”
Their gazes touched and held.
Rika finally wrenched herself away. “Come on. Let’s go in.”
When they slipped into the church and hurried down the aisle, whispers rose in the pews.
“Poor girl,” Rika heard one woman say. “Having to watch him marry someone else...”
“She seems fine since the Hamiltons took her in,” another woman said.
Rika sighed. After almost three years, she’d thought people had finally stopped talking about her, Phin, and the Hamiltons.
“Don’t mind them,” Amy whispered and pulled her into the first pew.
Nora leaned over, her red hair glowing against the dark green of her dress. “Where have you been?”
“Oh, she had one of her horse ideas.” Rika lovingly nudged Amy’s knee.
“Horses? Now?”
Amy pointed over her shoulder to the pew behind them, where Frankie sat in an elaborate lace dress. “Frankie gave permission to have Mouse and a carriage waiting for Nattie and Phin in front of the church.” Her pride was so endearing that Rika wanted to lean over and kiss her, but she settled for a quick press of their knees.
Nora squeezed Amy’s hand. “A gray horse pulling the carriage—what a good omen for their marriage.”
Organ music started up again, and the portal opened to the first notes of the wedding march.
People in the pews turned and craned their necks.
Rika caught a glimpse of Nattie, who floated down the aisle in her pale yellow organdy dress. A veil covered her face, but her hands clutched Luke’s forearm and gave away her nervousness.
Luke strode with measured steps that made Rika wonder how often she had practiced the walk down the aisle. When it came to her daughters, Luke left nothing to chance.
