After Brian ran away, he often just stayed nearby in case there was an emergency, but occasionally he left to check his traps and sort his thoughts, seeking guidance from the spirits about the sudden affections that he felt for her. He had experienced very strong feelings for her in those early days, enough to make him question if it was right, given the loss he had suffered. He stepped into the carriage and now he sat across from her as she settled, admiring her beautiful nature, entranced by her beautiful features. She raised her hand and he took it, then she pulled him towards her and he moved to her side. He slid his arm behind her and held her waist as he took her hand, kissed it, and returned it to her lap. Leaning forward, his eyes looked desperately into hers, and he leaned forward gently kissing her lips and returned to his position beside her. A fire burned between them but they both patiently leaned back as the carriage began to move. His fingers gently pressed against her waist and his thumb gently caressed her side. They both struggled to cool themselves, and the gentle breeze certainly helped, but his hand still felt incredibly warm against her body.
When they arrived at their hotel, Sully exited first and held his hand up for her. She smiled at him as her hand gracefully slipped into his and he led her down the steps to his arm. She fit so naturally there, like she always belonged there. Not one awkward step was taken, and they made their way into the lobby of the hotel. The concierge welcomed them and asked for a name. Sully stepped forward and said his last name, to which the concierge replied, "Ah yes, hear you are," he looked at the hotel porter, "the honeymoon suite for Mr. and Mrs. Sully." Elizabeth had arranged for their room, and she had done the respectful thing by putting it in Sully's name. The concierge, seeing that they were listed as newlyweds, had carried on as one normally would, and addressed them as one would. Sully stammered a little and looked down at Michaela, he opened his mouth to say something, and she stopped him. When she had decided to keep her professional name, it had been a good decision, but now hearing herself referred to as Mrs. Sully, it had brought a smile to her face. She softly whispered, "Sully, it's alright, I like the way it sounds." His worried expression changed to a smile as one corner of his mouth slowly lifted and he realized she really was okay with being referred to by his name. His eyes shifted to her lips and then back to her eyes, and they shared a moment but the porter quickly spoke up, and said, "Mr. and Mrs. Sully, if you'll follow me."
They moved together and followed the man along with other porters to the top floor of the hotel. After the bags and trunk were placed in the room, Sully tipped the men and the door closed. It was a fantastic room, and Michaela stood in the middle of the entryway and surveyed it, her eyes eventually arrived at the four post bed, and she breathed in, just as she paused, she felt his hands caress across her sides and encircle her abdomen as his lips kissed her neck. She slowly exhaled. He was standing against her and he breathed in deeply and sighed. Michaela turned in his arms as she slowly breathed in and out. Smiling when she looked into his eyes, she leaned into him and kissed him. It was a long, slow kiss followed by smaller affectionate ones. It was so very difficult to pull away.
She nuzzled into him and kissed the side of his neck. His hands rubbed over her back and he whispered. "It's been a long day, let's go get something to eat, we'll take a bath, and then turn in for the night." He wanted nothing more than to lay her down at the moment but he wanted to give her time. Time to show her that marriage was about more than just demanding his rights to her body. He had already demonstrated this and he thought she already knew he was a gentleman, but he wanted to show her more. The train to Denver had been full of limitations, but now they would be free to take their time.
They made their way back to the lobby, and out onto the street. The sun was setting and everything glowed with golden tones. The copper color of her hair was beautiful and Sully's golden locks were highlighted. Her light blue dress was as lovely as it had ever been and Sully committed this moment to memory. She was his wife and he could fully admire her beauty, he could admire her dress knowing that she would always wear it for him, and it would always remind them of the happiest moments they shared. They were quite the couple, as many people noticed them and admired their love for each other. They held hands and shared little glances at each other.
It reminded Sully of her birthday, the first time they had kissed. When he pulled away from her that night, he was scared, scared of what he wanted and scared of what he had admitted. Her lips had softly pressed against his cheek and he had very much wondered what those same lips might feel like pressed against his own. He was close enough now to find out, but should he? Before he knew it she was pulling away from him, but the moment he felt her fleeing, there was no question that he would kiss her. They were pulled together by an attraction that neither one of them fully understood, but readily desired for themselves. Her lips were soft and sweet and he sweetly kissed her not wanting to scare her with any further passions. She had stared into his eyes and he could see that she had been longing for those very affections. Both of them knew they had started something that was out of their control. He had escorted her to her party that night, and on the way they shared gentle caresses of hands.
Entering the cafe, he released her, after all, he didn't want people to ask them questions and he needed the time to sort out his own feelings. But they shared small intense glances the rest of the night and anyone else that had even been paying attention knew there was much more to their affections than a strong friendship. All night they would keep returning a look here, a look there, and occasionally meet to exchange a few words. All of the ladies noticed the slightest blush that didn't seem to leave her cheeks. He had returned to the homestead that night, escorting them all safely back in the dark. Not wanting the children to know that they had kissed, he simply smiled and bid them goodnight as she left him at her door. But the children had noticed she was distracted and when they went to bed, she lay in her bed as her chest pounded, thinking about the moment their lips touched, and how good it had felt. She was a proper woman, but she knew she was lovestruck. In his lean-to Sully lay wide awake thinking about her soft lips, thinking about the way she had looked at him. Maybe he had been unprepared for her to relinquish her walls of propriety so suddenly. He had prepared for the rejection of a stolen kiss. He hadn't prepared for her acceptance, and now he wondered how he could ever be good enough for her.
They walked to the end of the block and found the restaurant they had seen upon their arrival. He led her in and they were taken to a table that looked out onto the city. They ordered wine and had a light meal. The lights were low and gently glowed upon their skin. They were both enjoying the time together but after a while, the need to return to their room could not be ignored any longer. Sully paid the check and they made their way back to the top floor of the hotel. They walked into the room, and Sully had made sure to leave directions for the staff to fill the tub with hot water. He led her to the bathroom and slowly helped her out of the light blue dress. Then he undressed himself and stepped into the tub. She secured her hair. Reaching for her hand, he held it as she stepped into the water. He sat down and reached up for her. Then she turned her back to him and lowered herself down slowly sliding back into his arms. His lips found a place beside her ear and he softly whispered affectionate compliments as he slowly caressed her arms and her body.
He was so gentle with her, more gentle than she had ever seen him be, and his hands, although slightly rough, glided over her. She had hoped for this so many times when his hand would slide across her waist as they danced or as he held her. And she couldn't help but remember the way his hands had grasped her shoulders so kindly long ago as he had given up his poncho to cover her. She had been close to uncontrollable tears as she relayed her fears about Brian being out in the wilderness alone. She felt like a total failure, and that was not a feeling she was used to. But as he wrapped his poncho around her and gently squeezed her shoulders, she felt heat, a desire from him that made her nervous. Quickly laying down, she trusted that after everything they had already been through, he was a good man. Still, as she lay there fighting all her emotions, his scent was all around her, and she wondered if the feelings she had were just a product of her vulnerable state, or the beginnings of something more.
He used his hands and the rose scented soap to wash over her arm. It felt just as pleasant as the short washcloth bath they had experienced on the cattle drive. At that moment in time she had wished they were already married, and she had wished to be alone with him. If Matthew hadn't interrupted them she didn't know how far things could have gone. He had caught back up to her after dinner that night and smiling like a lovesick boy, he pulled her behind a nearby tree and kissed her passionately before whispering goodnight and leaving her to be with the children. She burned in the heat of the night, she could still feel his breath upon her ear and the whispered farewell. She had to get up for a moment. Much to her relief, she found a cool washcloth upon her neck and a cool drink of water were in order.
He continued softly washing over her, taking great care to be gentle. Finally he moved his hand back up her body, caressing the underside of her breast and turning her head up to him. They shared a deeply passionate kiss. She could feel him against her back and they both stood and helped each other out of the tub. Drying off quickly, he released her hair and picked her up.
Carrying her to the bed he pulled the cover back and placed her on the cool sheets. He was over her now and she was anticipating the wonderful way he would please her soon. She was already aroused by the thought, and as he pressed against her, he realized they would not have to wait. Rocking back and moving forward, he slowly entered her. She closed her eyes and gently bit her bottom lip. He just felt so good. He looked into her eyes. Her lip slowly slipped from under her teeth."Thank you for loving me, thank you for being my wife, this is the happiest day of my life, and you are beautiful Mrs. Sully." He leaned in and kissed her again. She smiled and caressed his face, "love me Sully." He kissed her passionately and began to move within her. It was powerful and passionate, the way they loved, and her hand slapped against the bed as she grasped it. Coming over the edge of her pleasures, she cried out, feeling more passion than she ever had. She was shocked that he had brought her to such completion, and he took her hand away from the sheet and interlocked their fingers, pressing it back against the bed. He leaned in and kissed her throat then he moved to the small area just at the bottom of her throat and slowly caressed her with his tongue. He kissed her lips and she could taste the salt from her own body, mingled with the slightest hint of roses. She instantly thought of their bath moments ago, his hand had caressed her breast and slid up the middle as he caressed her throat and kissed her neck, then his finger ran down her center and she gasped with delight as he had pressed into her and continued his caressing through the warm water. He looked into her eyes desperately as she felt the desire within her return. Repeating his previous consistently powerful passions, he brought her once more to completion and he shuddered as he moaned and released himself.
She was completely weak and she simply waited for the gentle contractions within her to stop while she calmed her breathing. He waited for her and then withdrew himself and collapsed beside her. He breathed heavily and instantly reached for her as he embraced her body and gently kissed her skin. He couldn't believe that she had learned so quickly and he knew things would only be getting better between them. Michaela was well pleased, satisfied that the unknown pressure she had experienced earlier that day which was at first, alarming and unsure, now indeed continued to grow into more beautiful expressions of love and passion. She only hoped that in time she could learn to please him the same way he pleased her. They held each other close and as Michaela thought about how pleasing it was to be in his arms, their eyes grew heavy and they both fell asleep.