The train carrying Dr. Michaela Quinn and her new husband, Byron Sully, sped towards Denver at a blazing pace. The newlyweds were lying in the gorgeous bed that Sully had built, engulfed in the billowing white satin cloud of Michaela's wedding dress. Their tongues danced and kisses reached a fever pitch that Michaela had never before allowed. Sully was enraptured, but he knew they had to slow down before he lost all control. He pulled away to catch his breath and felt the package in his pocket. He pulled it out and gave it to his wife who met him with a quizzical look with her mismatched eyes. She opened the small tin and gave it a curious sniff. It smelled pleasantly of roses and something else she couldn't quite place.
"It's a salve from Cloud Dancing. He told me it's meant to ease...ah...the pain of our joinin," Sully looked at his bride with hunger in his eyes.
Michaela's mouth fell open and her face went white. "Sully- You told him..that we've never...?" Her usual eloquence vanished and she stumbled over her words.
"Chaela, I would never betray your trust like that. Cloud Dancing is a very wise man; he knew without me ever sayin a word," he cupped her cheek in the palm of his hand, forcing her to meet his gaze. He could see the tears welling behind her mismatched eyes.
"I'm sorry Sully, it's just-I'm just so-so nervous!" She stammered, twisting the shiny gold band on her finger. "I'm trying to navigate all of these emotions and desires pent up inside of me that I didn't even realize existed until you walked into my life. I'm trying to sort them all out in my mind, but reason and logic are failing me. You've awoken this passion that is so forceful and unrelenting. Sometimes I feel as though I'll burst with want. I need you in ways I could never have imagined. I'm desperate to fulfill these urges but still there's this nagging voice that whispers in my ear that-that- this is improper. That I'm being sinful and giving myself over to lust-"
"Darlin, nothin could be further from the truth. You gotta get that Boston society nonsense outta your head. Makin love is a sacred act. Nothin that happens in a marriage bed is improper, so long as we both want it. I promised that we were going to take things ever so easy and I meant it. I won't ask you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable. This afternoon, I just want to hold you and kiss you. Is that alright?"
Michaela smiled at her handsome husband with relief. "Oh Sully, thank you for being so understanding."
"Of course...now lets get some rest. It's a long journey to Denver. You look amazing in that dress, but I can't imagine it's comfortable," Sully gently helped her out of her constricting gown and corset until she stood before him in only her chemise. He picked her up and laid her down on the bed with a searching kiss. He could feel the heat of her body and the swell of her breasts from under the thin layer of fabric. He wanted to ravish her right then and there, but he sufficed with kisses. Michaela responded with a moan that sent a shiver through Sully's body. Ever so easy, he reminded himself as he folded his tired bride into his arms and fell asleep to the rhythmic lurching of the train.