WARNING: There is a love scene in this chapter. It's not really explicit and I am not very good at writing love scenes since I am only 16 and don't have any experience in that er... department (haha need I say more?) But please bare with me even though it's not that good...
Thank you for all the reviews, each readers reviews mean so much to me! You're the reasons I keep writing. And to make you all happy this chapter isn't the last one. There will be one more chapter and an Epilogue then Love In Tara will be finished. I've been thinking about finishing my story This Time (Where Rhett gets Scarlett to accept his marriage proposal) or begin a new one about the early days of Rhett and Scarlett's marriage. Let me know what you all would like. Well enough said. Enjoy!
Part 26
The preacher had just asked Rhett his vows and he gave an resounding, "I do." His voice vibrated through Scarlett's ears as she stood before him, their hands clasped. Wade and Melanie were by her side while the small household of Tara watched the wedding of Scarlett O'Hara Hamilton and Rhett Butler take place in the parlor.
Rhett had offered Scarlett a grand wedding. And Scarlett did love extravagance but she preferred a small wedding without all of Atlanta's eyes on them. Rhett agreed and the wedding was set with only friends and family as the witness.
She wore a simple cream colored gown that could have been mistaken for a simple ball gown but it fit her every curve and she had a flimsy veil over her face. Her eyes were constantly on the man before her, who always had worn the height of fashion. His black suit with his white caveat was a startling contrast with his tan swarthy face and gleaming white teeth.
She still couldn't believe she loved him and mighty Rhett Butler loved her! She had met the approval of his mother in a whirlwind and all of Charleston as well as Atlanta had been talking and speculating how she had caught him and how long their marriage would last. They all agreed it wouldn't last long. But Scarlett knew better, to hell with what they thought... they could all go to halifax for all she cared.
Oh she did love him! She knew this was her last marriage and even though her and Rhett would quarrel they would last through life's storms. They had known each other for almost six years now and they hadn't killed each other yet. The future did look promising. Scarlett smiled and was glad for the veil that hid her sudden tears. Looking to her left she saw Melly's beaming face and Wade's little face wreathed with happiness.
"Scarlett?" the preacher said, breaking her from her revere.
"Hmm..." she murmured, turning her face towards the preacher who had a knowing smile on his thin face.
"Do you take Rhett Butler as you're wedded husband?"
Scarlett's face flamed, her eyes met Rhett's and she saw his big body shaking with silent laughter. She couldn't see his eyes and wished this blasted veil was off of her face.
"I do," she answered in a steady voice.
The preachers voice droned on but Scarlett didn't hear what else he said until she felt Rhett's warm hand close over hers as he slipped a wedding band on her finger and then finally she heard, "You may kiss the bride."
Her heart stopped as Rhett's large hands delicately grabbed her veil and lifted it off her face. He leaned closer and whispered, "That's better." Then in a show of passion he lifted her in his arms, off her feet and kissed her quiet thoroughly until she almost had to beg him to stop or else she'd faint.
Her eyes met his and she saw a warm glow in them. She heard the claps and shouts of the household of Tara: Melanie and Carreen were crying and even Mammy's dark face had a reluctant smile on it. Gerald was yelling happily with his Irish brogue. She didn't want to pull her eyes away from Rhett's but now was the reception where more people would be showing up, she did have to keep appearances after all. And soon there would be dancing. And she did love to dance especially with Rhett. He danced so well.
Rhett grabbed Wade and hoisted him on his shoulder. "You're my son now," he said which caused Wade to beam with joy. She saw Rhett walk off and talk with Gerald, she wanted to follow him and have time alone with him but she knew it wasn't to be as Ellen, Carreen and Melanie swamped around her with tears and congratulations while Suellen sat in the corner moping. She was upset that Frank hadn't married her yet while this was Scarlett's second wedding.
"Oh, Scarlett darling!" Melly cried, clutching her hands. "Dear Charlie would be so happy knowing you're marrying Captain Butler... what a wonderful man he is!"
"Thank you, Melly... he certianly is," Scarlet said her eyes going over to Rhett and shining with pride. "When Rhett and I have a house in Atlanta you're always welcome... You know you have always been like a sister to me."
Melanie's eyes filled with tears. "No sister could be sweeter," she whispered as she kissed Scarlett's cheek and left to congratulate Rhett.
"Be happy, my dear," Ellen whispered, her hand caressing her eldest daughter's cheek. "Captain Butler is a fine man, both Mr. O'Hara and I think so."
Scarlett was glad she could agree. Once she would have laughed and in her head she would have hated him, calling him a low-down skunk. It didn't seem that long ago that she had hated him or at least thought she did.
Ellen kissed her cheek and gracefully went to Gerald's side. Scarlett felt a sense of loss that she would no longer live with her mother, yet she was so excited that she would have her own home... then she could tell all of Atlanta if she wanted to go to Halifax... Her eyes gleamed.
"A penny for your thoughts," Rhett whispered close to her ear.
Scarlett jumped, her hand going to her chest.
"Rhett Butler! You scared me to death," she chided with a smile on her face as he caught her in his arms.
"I saw your eyes gleam in that calculating happy sort of way when you think about money... that's what you were thinking about weren't you?"
A smile crept to her lips as she leaned against Rhett.
"You know me so well. I was just thinking I can finally tell all of Atlanta and those old cats to go to Halifax!"
Scarlett's head turned as she saw Ashley making his way towards them out of the corner of her eye. She felt Rhett's arms tighten momentarily before releasing her. Looking up at his face she saw a spark of possessiveness and jealousy come into his dark eyes but he forced a smile on his face.
She suddenly knew Rhett would maybe always be a little jealous of Ashley Wilkes... that couldn't be helped but she could prove to him she had no feelings for Ashley aside from friendship.
She took Ashley's hands in hers and gave him a kiss on his cheek. The feelings he had once awakened in her were gone. The way his gray eyes used to hold her captive was replaced with the way Rhett looked at her and made her feel hot and cold. She smiled.
"I'm so happy, Ashley!" she said, a light laugh sounding.
Ashley froze, a light coming into his eyes but it was quickly replaced with a neutral look. "It's been so long since I heard you laugh like that... before the war..."
She didn't want to look back today and was glad when Rhett steered her away after a quick good-by. She leaned against him as they went outside away from Ashley's ramblings and the eager voices of the family. They sat on the porch and Scarlett looked over at her new husband as he pulled out a cigar, a smile on her face.
"Thank you, Rhett."
His brows rose. "For what?"
She leaned towards him resting her head against his shoulder and breathing in that masculine scent of him, of brandy and cigars, the scent that clung to her father and made her feel safe.
She sighed like a contented cat basking in the sun.
"For taking me away from Ashley... and thinking about the past. I don't want to look back..."
She felt Rhett's fingers caress her hair and was that his lips that settled in her hair as he pulled her closer? Words of love flew to her lips but she was still shy to voice them. She sighed as she tilted her head and her eyes met his, hoping he could read how she felt in her eyes.
By the darkening of his eyes, she knew he knew.
"Take me away, Rhett. I want it to just be us for a while before everyone is watching every step we take in Atlanta, especially those old cats." A light came to Scarlett's eyes like an eager child as she clutched his hand. "Can we travel? Oh Rhett I'd love to see the world like you have and go to the moon for all I care."
He laughed at her excitement, a warm glow in his eyes.
"I'm taking you to New Orleans for our honey moon."
She squealed in delight and threw her arms around Rhett. "Oh I do love you Rhett! I think..." she paused a smile on her face.
"What is that, my love?" he asked, his eyes interested as he returned her hold.
"I think marriage will be fun after all,' she said in a rush with a laugh in her voice. Her eyes met Rhett's and she saw happiness there and love for her. Her toes curled from his look.
"It will be, honey," he assured her confidently. "I'm going to see to it."
It was late when they arrived at Atlanta's National Hotel. Wade would stay with the household of Tara until after the honey moon. Tomorrow they would head for New Orleans by train but for tonight they would stay in Atlanta. Now it was only Scarlett and Rhett making their way up the steps hand in hand. And Scarlett was glad to finally have him all to herself.
She nearly shivered with excitement and a little fear. She knew she couldn't put Rhett off with excuses as she had with Charles, not that she really wanted to. But after her marriage to Charles and being raped by that Yankee, she wasn't sure if she wanted intimacy yet.
Sometimes in her nightmares she could still see images of that man over her and feel the tearing pain of it all. She'd wake up crying or writhing, wrapped and held captive by her blankets. She looked over at Rhett and he gave her an assuring smile as they stopped in front of the hotel room.
He opened the door, set down his suitcase in the door and before Scarlett could catch her breath he lifted her into his arms and carried her over the threshold, kicking the door shut behind them. Scarlett laughed as Rhett threw her down on the bed and her hair tumbled around her shoulders.
Her laughing eyes met his.
"Rhett Butler, I do declare you swept me off my feet," she teased, laying against the pillows with a sigh.
"As you swept me off of mine," he returned seriously but his eyes were twinkling.
She watched him with interest. This was a side of Rhett she had never seen. Where he desired, loved and wanted her. Her eyes went to his mouth on their own accord and she wished he would kiss her. Dare she be so bold?
He lit a couple of laterns with matches, making a soft glow around the room, he moved around and sat their suitcases in the corner. Finally he sat down next to her. The bed creaked slightly under his weight.
"Kiss me," she commanded, her head tilting back and her eyes closed.
He softy chuckled. "I'm only happy to comply with your command, madam."
And after that their wasn't speaking only his mouth over hers, moving almost lazily as if they had all the time in the world. He finally pulled away and rose to his feet, he went to the sideboard and Scarlett watched him in confusion as he poured two glasses of wine and handed her a glass, sitting down.
"Let's make a toast my pet," he said. "May there be much laughter in our marriage."
The glasses clinked in agreement and Scarlett downed the glass in one swallow, hoping it would calm her nerves. Her hands were shaking and she couldn't meet Rhett's eyes.
"Rhett? I... what if I'm not good?" she blurted, her face flaming. "Charles... well that is I don't have much experience in that er... department."
Rhett threw back his head and laughed.
She frowned wanting to throw her empty glass at him.
"Rhett Butler how dare you laugh at me. You... er!"
He stopped laughing and grabbed Scarlett's hands in his, she tried to pull them away.
"No darling," he soothed. "Don't pull away... soothe your ruffled feathers, I wasn't laughing at you."
"Really?" she asked suspiciosuly.
"Yes, really. Charles Hamilton was only a boy, Scarlett and as for that Yankee, I'm not a man that would force myself on you... Look at me."
She did.
His hand went to her cheek. "I love you and I would never hurt you... Do you believe me?"
She looked into his solemn eyes and nodded. She trusted Rhett with everything that was in her. Before she could change her mind and let fear take hold of her she pulled his head down to hers and sank back on the bed with Rhett over her.
But suddenly Scarlett reared back and her eyes went to the lanterns anxiously. "Can you turn them off?" she asked, blushing.
She felt shy and embarrassed as she asked. Charles and her had only been intimate twice but each time she had no light of any kind that would let her see him or that he would see her. She felt safer that way and couldn't imagine Rhett looking at her whole body... she wasn't the sixteen year old girl she had once been and after one child and hard labor, her body didn't have the youthfulness it had once possessed.
"No," he whispered, "I want to see all of you and see those green eyes as I kiss every inch of you." Understanding was in his dark eyes however. He softly kissed her but he pulled away after a moment, looking into her hazy eyes, their lips only an inch apart. "If you think you could disappoint me, Scarlett, you don't know how you make me feel..."
She looked at him and wonder. She knew he affected her but she didn't think her kisses affected him half as much. But seeing the desire burning in his dark eyes had all fear melt away and a liberating feeling came over her.
"Show me," she whispered, not caring about the lanterns any longer. He claimed her lips until his lips began to move across her, creating wicked sensations that curled her toes. His lips roamed all over her whole body, making her hot and her skin felt on fire.
She didn't want him to stop and she urged him on with her sighs and pulling him closer. Their eyes met and Rhett's breath caught. He saw the love she felt blazing from her green eyes with such fire. He never thought he'd see such passion directed at him from her.
Clothing was removed, carelessly thrown to the floor and finally there was no barriers in between them. No Ashley, sarcastic remarks or concealed feelings. Only their love and the need to explore one another with pent up passion that had been held back for too long.
Rhett drove her to heights she had never imagined and she felt a wild excitement take hold of her. Her blood felt like it was on fire as she gave into these feelings and matched Rhett's ardor. When she thought she could take it no more and urged him on with her desperate pleas, he only chuckled and stared deep into her eyes as they became one.
Her breath caught.
He looked at her, his face strained and concerned and she saw how he held himself back, his arms trembling as he held himself still.
"Do you want me to stop, Scarlett? I don't want to hurt you." he rasped. She saw the strain in his face and how it would cost him to stop. But he would if she asked him to.
She shook her head and could only manage, "N-no"
She moved under his body and that was the only encouragement he needed. She slowly matched his movements, a little unsure but the look in his eyes melted all her uncertainty. His eyes were alight with pleasure and tenderness. She had never imagined that she could feel this wonderful in his arms and the fact that they were joined in this way caused wonder to spread on her face as she lightly kissed him and wrapped her arms and legs around him.
"Rhett, I love you," she whispered.
He caught her lips in his as he began to move all over again.
"Sweet," he whispered. "Scarlett."
He brought her to the peak and brought her to it all over again. She couldn't take the pleasure yet she couldn't stop it. Her body didn't seem to be under her own control She moved against him and whispered how much she loved him and urged him to continue with his quickening movements that sent her over the edge. While he whispered in her ear words she could have never imagined hearing up until that moment. If she wouldn't have been so intoxicated with pleasure she would have blushed.
Over and over again he brought her pleasure and then at last his eyes met hers. They were glowing brightly like twin coals. Only when he was sure she was completely satisfied, only then did he take pleasure for himself. They were both thrown over the edge at last, their cries blending and muffled as they disappeared into the oblivion and wonder of it.
Scarlett couldn't move as he slumped against her, his dark head resting against her chest and his weight crushing her. She didn't care and her arms tightly wound around his waist. She felt glorious but couldn't move an inch. No words were spoken except for the quick breathing that filled the room and the mad beating of their hearts. Finally, Scarlett's heart had slowed down and she sighed with satisfaction and a giggles burst from her lips.
Rhett's dark head raised and he gave her a devilish look.
"And what's so funny Mrs. Butler?"
"I thought I'd faint," she admitted, breathlessly.
He pushed back a wisp of her hair off her face and gave her a satisfied smile.
"I assure you Mrs. Butler next time I'll make you faint."
Her eyes gleamed. "Maybe I'll make you faint, Rhett Butler. Care to wager?"
Rhett threw back his head and laughed. Rolling off of her he laid back with a sigh. "You're going to be the death of me, Scarlett," he teased affectionately.
She leaned over him. "Rhett darling, you aren't afraid are you?"
Swiftly he was over her and had both hands pinned above her head. His nose rubbed against hers with a laugh and his mustache tickled her.
She laughed. She loved her banters with Rhett and that they could tease one another even after what had happened between them. With their lovemaking still thick in the air and the pleasure running through her veins. She blushed at the thought of how she had begged him and acted like a wanton. But Rhett didn't seem to mind.
"But really Rhett..." she continued, her cheeks still flushed and eyes glittering, "Can we have a big house? I want everyone who was ever mean to me to be pea green with envy."
He chuckled and bending over her he began to nibble on her earlobe. Scarlett's breath caught and she couldn't think, she protested slightly and turned her head, giving him a playful glare.
He sighed. "We should do less talking and do something more better." His eyes roamed over her naked body with the sheet barley covering her and she laughed with a slight blush.
"Rhett, I want to talk about our house. Can it please be in Atlanta darling? I'd die from boredom at Tara even though I love it dearly."
"That's one thing I've always wondered, Scarlett," Rhett said idly playing with a lock of her hair. "How you, such a lively girl could have lived at Tara. You were meant to live in the city in a high class with everyone eating out of your hand. You'd like that wouldn't you?"
"Only if it's you darling," she purred as she sank in the pillows with a sigh. "But if it's all right with you I'd love to live sometimes at Tara... maybe part of the year?"
He shrugged. "I don't care where we live as long as you're happy. You could run down the street naked for all I care."
"Oh you rogue!" Scarlett cried playfully hitting him on his bare chest. Her mouth formed an "o" when her eyes scanned his chest. "I never knew you had a scar Rhett." She traced the scar with her finger.
A laugh vibrated in his chest. "There's many things you don't know about me, my dear." He caught her hand in his and kissed it.
"Now," he said, "since you were so insistent on discussing where we live... I think Tara would be a good place, not all the time of course but something about that red earth grows on you. Especially since that's where I saw you for the first time. Sometimes I'd imagine you walking those red hills," he admitted.
"Really Rhett? What did you think about the first time you saw me?"
A fond smile came on his lips and he chuckled.
"I thought there's a spirited girl. You were wearing a green gown that matched your eyes to perfection and men were flocked around you... enchanted. And I thought, "those poor souls." They hadn't known what had hit them. Then I knew I had to have you."
"I never knew," she said, an amazed smile on her face. "If you'd like to know Rhett Butler the first time I saw you I thought what a nasty man and you looked like you knew what I looked like without my shimmy!"
Rhett laughed uproariously.
"Laugh all you want," she continued with a smile. "I didn't like dark haired men then but I do now."
"That's a relief," he dryly muttered. "And yes, to answer your ponderings I could imagine what was underneath your shimmy. At first I only wanted your body when I asked you to be my mistress."
"And now do you just want my body?" She wiggled suggestively and laughed when she saw Rhett's eyes scan her body. Something about her new husband made her daring. But then again Rhett always had.
He shook his head. "All though I worship your body I wanted your heart and spirit too."
"You drive a hard bargain." She took his hand and placed it over her heart. "But you do have my heart, Rhett Butler. It's silly, I know but I always wanted to be first in people's hearts."
"You're first in mine," he softly said.
"I'm glad and I better warn you Rhett Butler I won't let you get away. No one else will have you and if you think for one moment..."
"Hush," he murmured as his lips captured hers. "Enough talk. I want to show you how much more fun you can have."
Her arms twined around him. "I am only willing to comply Mr. Butler but please be careful my reputation is delicate you see."
"Damn your reputation," he growled as he took her in his arms again.
Scarlett silently agreed as Rhett took her again to a rapture where she was powerless, she let these feelings take hold of her. Once again she was a young girl and running the hills of Tara, only this time she wasn't lost and alone. She had Rhett, and he was all she wanted...
TBC...
