The conductor came by, shouting for all the passengers who were going to Creekland.The woman beside me snorted and came awake as I pulled my suitcase down from the shelf above us.
“You’re getting off here?”she asked, sounding shocked and a little scandalized.
I frowned.“Yes…”
She eyed my attire, which covered me completely.Penny had called me “buttoned-up” for a reason.It didn’t always keep the men at bay, unfortunately, but it helped a little.
“Wouldn’t have figured you for a harlot.”
Shocked, I stared at her, then the conductor was yelling again, and I had to hurry to get off the train.The word echoed in my mind.Why had she called me that?I didn’t have time to ponder the mystery, though.Almost as soon as I stepped off the train, I saw the man I was to meet.
There weren’t many people about, which made it very easy to see the two men on the far side, one of them holding a small bouquet of pink, white, and blue flowers—the only one on the platform holding flowers.
My lips parted in surprise.
I didn’t know what I had been expecting, but I knew it wasn’t this.Both men were tall and broad-shouldered, although William was a little shorter than the man beside him.He had a wide smile on his clean-shaven, handsome face that instantly made me want to like and trust him, a rather scary feeling after not being able to trust anyone for so long.The man standing next to him was handsome despite his scowl, his face scruffier than William’s but still quite striking.
To my surprise, something in my body stirred as I looked at them.Something I had only felt a few times before when one of my customers had been more attentive than usual—a little ache inside.I wasaroused.The shock of it held me still for a moment before I managed to shake it off and approach them, quaking from both fear and my body’s reaction.
2
William
Looking at the few people coming off the train, I knew the moment I saw her, I was looking at our wife.She was the only woman traveling alone.My body reacted, my cock thickening at the very sight of her.It didn’t matter that her dress had sleeves to the wrist and was buttoned all the way to her throat, or that her hair and face were completely hidden by her dark green bonnet.I could see the grace in her movements, her neat waist, and the generous curves of her body, and I wanted her.
When she approached and finally lifted her head, so I could see her face, my breath caught, and I nearly choked.
“William West?”The soft lilt of her voice had an accent I recognized from some of the soldiers who had made their home in Creekland, but I scarcely paid attention to that as she put her bag down and stood before us.
Considered comely.
That’s what her first telegram said.I had hoped for fair enough to be attractive to both Clive and me, but I never expectedthis.Beside me, Clive cursed under his breath, low enough, even I couldn’t hear exactly what he said, but it didn’t matter.I stared back at our soon-to-be-wife, transfixed.
Skin that looked sun-kissed—likely her natural coloring if she wore bonnets like that all that time—a heart-shaped face, finely pointed dark brows over wide black eyes, a man could fall into and drown.Her lips were a dark pink pout, plush and full, the kind of lips a man wanted to see wrapped around his cock.
Wrapped aroundmycock, which had hardened so fast, I felt almost dizzy from the need pounding through me.
Her eyebrows began to furrow, and I realized I hadn’t answered her.Clearing my throat, I thrust the flowers in my hand at her.
“That’s me.Sorry… I just… you’re beautiful.”
“Thank you,” she said, but her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes, which made me wonder.A woman on her own, who looked like she did, probably garnered unwanted attention, which explained the deep bonnet.Protectiveness welled up inside me.She tilted her head at Clive.“Hello.I’m Sassy McCloud.”
“Sorry,” I said, jumping in as I realized my mistake.“This is Clive North, my partner and your other husband-to-be.”
Sassy’s eyes widened in alarm, and the hand she’d started to hold out was snatched back.
“Other…” Her voice trailed off faintly.
“Told you this was going to happen,” Clive scoffed and looked at me.I could tell from his expression, he was just as attracted to her as I was, but that didn’t stop him from being his usual grumpy self.
I glared at him before turning back to Sassy.
“The ad said we were looking for a wife.Creekland is known for having a different way of marriage.The founders of the town decided they wanted a place where they could follow their own customs and settled here.We mostly marry two men to one woman.”
I pointed at the town, where several triads walked down the town’s only thoroughfare.Sassy’s head turned, the wide brim of the bonnet blocking my view, so I couldn’t see her expression as she examined them.I paused, giving her a moment to take it in, but of course, Clive had to comment.
“If that’s a problem, speak now or forever hold your peace.”
