Burned By The Flame

Chapter 10

Celebration

Matt and Kitty were waiting in the study when the Madsons arrived home. Matt heard them and went out to help put the horses and buggy away for the night. Betsy joined Kitty.

"Would you like some brandy, or would you rather I put on some coffee?"

Betsy wore a smile of satisfaction and pride, both wanting dominance of her pretty face. "It's too late for coffee, but I will gladly take you up on that glass of brandy."

Kitty walked over to the bar and pulled out a bottle of her favorite Napoleon Brandy. "I have a feeling we're toasting a special occasion." She reached for a pair of snifters and poured the rich, caramel-colored liquid into the bottom of the glasses. "This will give the brandy time to breathe until Matt and Barlow get in here."

Betsy saw the label and with an arched brow, gave her subtle approval. "I'm impressed. Thank you." She took the snifter and paused to enjoy the aged, sweet aroma. "Thank you for bringing Bethany to Dodge too."

"What are you thanking her for?" Barlow entered the room, with Matt behind him, but stopped at his wife's side.

Kitty stepped away from the bar. "We were waiting for you two so that we could make a toast, I'm guessing to an engagement?" The Madsons' pleased reaction was enough to confirm the news.

"Well, you can have some of that sissy brandy…or a whiskey. Which will it be?" Barlow vetoed the brandy and opted for the whiskey. Matt walked over to the liquor cabinet, suddenly remembering, and wishing he hadn't drunk all the Tennessee Walking Whiskey the other night. When he pulled open the doors, the first thing that caught his eye, was a red and white label attached to a brand new bottle of Tennessee Walking Whiskey.

Blue eyes—the color of a summer sky, searched out blue eyes—the color of sapphires. For a moment, there was only his wife; even after all these years, she never ceased to amaze him. Kitty could read his thoughts as easily as if they were written across a page, and she responded with a smile. That smile.

"Tennessee Walking and Napoleon? Are you two trying to impress us?"

"Nope; just wanted to serve the best, to the best." Matt handed Barlow a glass "Now, what about this toast?"

"We are about to become Dodge City citizens-by-marriage. Thad proposed." The women naturally had to hug and Matt gave his friend a hearty pat on the back. "He was so nervous. We all watched him pace, back and forth in front of the restaurant for half an hour, trying to work up his courage."

"He is a great young man," Matt spoke with the same affection he would use with his own son. "I know Bethany is a fantastic girl. Here's to a wonderful young couple and a great future." Glasses were raised and they all drank to honor the toast.

Betsy took a seat and motioned for Barlow to join her. He slipped his arm around her as he sat down. "She really is happy here. In the beginning, I was kind of hoping she would get Dodge out of her system and come home." He glanced at his wife, "I don't think Betsy ever thought that she would."

His wife studied the swirling, caramel liquid. "She's a lot like your daughter when it comes to dedication. I knew when she took this job that it would become her mission. And it has. I'm just happy that she will have someone to look out for her." Betsy's huge brown eyes darted up toward the Dillons, "Not that you two haven't watched-"

"It's ok, Betsy, we know what you mean." Kitty sat down on the arm of Matt's chair. "I know that Calleigh is in good hands too." Now her eyes rested on Barlow.

"I sure hope so, Kitty. I'm trying the best I can…"

LadyKLadyKLadyKLadyKLadyK

Kitty stepped out of the water closet and closed the door behind her. She was surprised to see the bed was empty and equally surprised that Matt had turned down the covers. She found him in one of her favorite spots—out on the balcony. She was surprised, still again, to see that he was wearing the robe she had bought him for his birthday. Before she could join him, he had turned and was coming back into the room. So Kitty turned to climb into bed but stopped when she felt his hand on her shoulder. Before she could respond, or ask any questions, he used just enough force to turn her around. "Do you think you need this tonight?" He held her captive with his eyes, as he pinched the soft lace and silk between his fingers.

When he stared at her like this, she felt like he was looking into her very soul. She stood still as he released the buttons, one by one until the silky material slid from her shoulders and seemed to glide toward the floor. He cupped her face in his hands and then scooped the long, loose curls behind her back. "My God, you are beautiful." He pulled her naked body up into his arms, as his lips succumbed to her sweet, hungry kisses.

He backed her up carefully and dropped his robe, his naked body pressing against hers. Gently, he pushed her onto the bed, their bodies naturally twining together, as his leg slipped between hers. Slowly, he rediscovered her body with his lips, tasting her first, then trailing slowly down the slender curve of her neck. His fingers spread across the full, firm breasts, massaging them, while the pad of his thumb teased her nipples until they became hard, erect and she moaned in obvious pleasure. Her slender fingers slid against his scalp, then gripped his thick curls. He continued to move down, lips following hands, scattering kisses between her heaving breasts, trailing again along her stomach. His giant hands rested at the apex of her thighs, allowing him to use his thumbs to part the fiery curls, revealing the pearl that had already started to swell from anticipation.

He kissed the tiny bud, and she arched up, offering herself to him, wanting him to take more, to take it all. She grabbed handfuls of the cotton sheet, wadding it in her hand like a lifeline to reality. Matt was the only man that could bring her to that ultimate height with the stroke of his tongue and touch of his fingers; and he was taking her there now. Kitty was reduced to a whimpering cry that begged him to possess her fully, to join his body with hers. When he knew he could hold off no longer, he slid into her warm, wet center. He felt her tighten around him, as he began to move. Slow. Steady. It wasn't going to be long, their bodies in unison, each knowing what the other needed. It began easy, but quickly burst into a rhythm that propelled them to a cataclysmic euphoria. Suspended in, mutual joy, they began to slowly, gently tumble back to reality.

Matt was still breathless and unable to speak, but he swore his Kitten was purring as she snuggled up in his arms.

"That was beautiful." She was finally able to whisper and sealed her words with a kiss.

Matt, let go a long breath, as his heartbeat returned to normal. "You...are beautiful; but that was…fantastic." He squeezed her tight and kissed the damp curls along her temple. "You replaced the Tennessee Walking."

"We have company. I knew you would want to offer it to Barlow." She always made it sound as though she had done nothing special.

"Kitten, you really are magnificent." His fingers raked gently up and down her back "I'm still so ashamed about the other night. I wouldn't want to scare you, ever-"

Kitty pulled back enough to look into his face and put her fingers to his lips to stop his words. "Don't. We've come too far and know each other too well." When she removed her hand, there was a cryptic smile lurking there. "That's a wicked smile if ever I've seen one. What's behind it?"

He wrapped his arms tighter, pulling her closer, "I was just thinking about what you said the other night." She looked up at him again with a slight frown, her eyes questioning. "You were right; it is more fun when I wait for you."

TBC