Your reviews indicated that you wanted more of the Careen/Peter story. So here it is; I hope you enjoy.

GWTWGWTWGWTW

For Carreen, the ride to Charleston was full of anxiety. She loved Peter and marrying him was a dream come true. But as the arrangements became final, she began to think about all that being his wife would include. After her experience with the priest, she wasn't sure that she could fulfill her duties.

Scarlett sensed Carreen's worry and the night before they were to leave, her oldest sister had pulled her aside for a talk. "I know you are worried, Carreen. But being with Peter…as his wife, will not be the same as what happened at the convent. Peter loves you and I know he will be careful. He won't…force you as that monster did. But he has a right to expect…well, to be intimate with you. Men…need that. And as you become accustomed to his attentions, you will find you need it too. As close as you feel to him now, if you …share yourself with him, you will find that you will grow even closer. Give yourself to him, Carreen. Let him take pleasure in you and take pleasure from him."

Carreen was surprised by Scarlett's instruction to take pleasure from Peter…in that way. Her expression must have revealed her confusion because Scarlett flushed a little before continuing. "Yes sister, a woman can enjoy a man in that way. In my first two marriages, I was a dutiful wife, tolerating the attentions of Charles and Frank but never really opening myself to them, in part because I didn't truly love them. Rhett and I share a very different relationship. I welcome his…er, uh…advances and enjoy his…company. In doing so, I think our bond is so much stronger. Intimacy strengthens our union, creating stronger bonds between us. I think that is how it is meant to be between a husband and wife, not the nonsense that so many women are told about tolerating their men. Enjoy your man, Carreen, delight in his attention and let him enjoy you."

As she and Peter rode towards Charleston, Carreen mulled over Scarlett's words. She glanced at him sideways, taking in his gentle countenance. He'd given no indication that he was concerned about that aspect of their marriage. The one time she'd tried to bring it up, he's smiled tenderly and patted her hand. "It will be fine, Beloved," he'd said. "You'll see…when the time comes." And now, sitting next to him, studying his grey tinted curls and his well-trimmed beard, she hoped he was right.

Carreen smiled to herself. She loved it when he called her Beloved…or Honey, or Sweetheart, or any of the other endearments he'd used. He was always so soft spoken with her, almost shy. But whenever she looked into his bright blue eyes, she saw his determination and inner strength. She also saw love. Sometimes his looks made her tingle, as his eyes danced over her. But he never looked at her the way the priest did…or even some of the other men she'd met in her life. Surely, she would be safe with him.

Her trepidation wore on her and she began to tire. Without thinking, she rested her head on Peter's arm, eventually falling asleep. Peter, innately a gentleman, shifted to make her more comfortable but was very careful to observe the proprieties. They weren't yet married after all and it would be improper for him to hold her as he wanted to.

Once they arrived in Charleston, Peter secured their room at a hotel and then left her to freshen up while he arranged for their wedding. He returned to collect Carreen and by 4:00 that afternoon, they were husband and wife. They ate a quiet dinner in the hotel restaurant and then retired to their room.

By then, Carreen was all nerves. "We should go to bed early," Peter suggested. "Our train leaves early in the morning." He didn't seem to notice her anxiety at all.

He left the room to give her privacy while she prepared for bed. She wasn't sure where he went and admitted to herself that while she was nervous, she missed his presence. Once she had changed into her gown, she slipped between the covers of the bed and waited. Peter returned a short time later. The look he gave her as he doused the lamp went straight to her heart. There was such love in his expression, such tenderness. Then the room went dark and she listened to the rustle as he disrobed and tossed his clothes over a nearby chair. The bed creaked and shook as Peter sat and then moved under the covers.

Carreen's whole body was tense. Peter shifted in the bed, his hand reaching over to stroke her arm, making Carreen jump. "Oh Honey, please don't be afraid," he whispered. "Nothing's going to happen that you aren't ready for but…I just want to touch you, to hold you. It's been so hard these last few days, not being able to touch you."

Still tense, she edged closer to him. "I would like that….for you to hold me," she said quietly. Gently he took her in his arms, wrapping her in his warmth, her head fitting into the cook of his neck. "Relax, my love," he whispered softly. He began to stroke her hair lovingly and she did relax. "Peter," she said, "I'm afraid."

"I know," he answered. "After what happened to you…I know it will be….difficult. I won't hurt you, Carreen. I'm not a crazed twenty year old that thinks I have to have you or I'll die. I can wait until you are ready, until you're not so afraid. I love you, Carreen. I want to hold you, whisper sweet things to you, feel you next to me."

Carreen's mind replayed Scarlett's words, give yourself to him…take pleasure form him.

"Peter…I want to…for us to…but…" He tightened his arms around her. "It's all right," he reassured her. "We don't have to …"

"But I want to," she said, sitting up. "I …I want you to…but…"

Sitting up with her, Peter took her hand. "What if…we go slowly? And if you feel uncomfortable…if it is too much for you, you say stop and I will." She sighed heavily. "You can do that? Stop like that?"

He chuckled. "It won't be easy once…well, once things get…exciting. But I love you and I can do it….stop if you need me to. I want you to be comfortable with this, my darling. I want you to be happy."

"Yes, let's try," she told him. And then she felt it, felt his nervousness too. Smiling, she snuggled into him. "No one has ever made me feel as safe as you do, Peter. Not since I was a little girl. I know you won't hurt me."

He lifted her chin and sought her lips. Their kiss was gentle, Peter being careful not to push her. His hand caressed her cheek and then moved to her neck, his fingers strong but not forceful. As they kissed, she could feel his tenderness and her fear began to diminish.

This was not at all like the time with the priest. "Please Peter, I don't know what to do. You've… done this before but I…"

She heard him sigh. "If you are assuming that I have some vast experience with women, then I must warn you…I have never been with a woman that was not my wife. I only know what my heart tells me, to love you. Perhaps you should do the same, follow your heart."

Carreen moved her hand to cover his rapidly beating heart and felt his intake of breath. "Please Peter, make me your wife." He kissed her more passionately this time and she let herself respond to him, accepting his love. Slowly, carefully, he began to kiss her neck and then nuzzle at the collar of her gown. His hand began to move over her gown, tracing her arm and then moving across her stomach, caressing as it went. She followed his example and began to run her hand over him, eliciting a groan as her hand met with the skin on his chest. She blushed as she realized how much more exciting he found her touch on bare skin and she contemplated his hands on her bare skin. She could feel heat building between them and knew that Peter was very involved in his attentions to her.

His hand moved to the hem of her gown and began to pull it up, his fingers finding the skin on her thigh. Then he ran his hand up over her hips and onto her back, causing her to gasp. "Oh my love, I'm sorry…I…" he sputtered, alarmed.

"No…no, please…"

Peter pulled his hand away, physically moving away from her. Careen reached out and stopped him. "No…I…don't stop…I was surprised. Your fingers…made me feel so…alive."

"Are you sure," he asked.

"Please …I …like the way you made me feel." And then gathering her courage, she slipped her gown over her head, leaving her naked in their bed. "Love me, Peter. What happened … before…that wasn't love. But when you touch me… I feel your love."

After a few minutes of love-making, with Peter's hands exploring the length of her body, Careen began to imitate his actions, her hands investigating him. She heard an intake of breath as her hand slid down his thigh, tracing the natural lines created by his hip. And suddenly, she wanted to see. They could make out each other's outlines in the dark, but she wanted to see him, see his face, read his eyes. "Could you…would it be…wrong to…"

"To what?" He asked.

"I want to see your face. Could you turn up the lamp, just a little?"

Peter lay very still for a moment. Carreen sensed his confusion, an awkwardness in his demeanor. "Is that not…appropriate?" She stumbled through the question.

She heard him swallow. "I...don't think it is a matter of being appropriate," he said as he sat up. She felt the bed move as he reached to the table to turn up the flame. A soft warm glow enveloped the room as he lit the lamp only a little. "Is this…all right?"

"Yes," she answered shyly, seeing his naked form for the first time. He's beautiful, she thought. "I…please, can you turn around? I want to see your face."

Peter turned to her, slipping back under the covers. His face was flushed and his eyelids were lowered. Why, he's shy about this…

Tentatively, she used her fingertip to trace the lines of his chest. He watched her hand on him, his blue eyes clouding over. She noticed his breathing became deeper, his chest raising and lowering more rapidly. "Oh Carreen," he moaned, almost whimpered, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath. "Peter?" she whispered fearfully. "What is wrong? Did I do something wrong?"

Opening his eyes, his normally bright blue orbs dark with lust, he looked into hers. "Oh no, you are…perfect. So beautiful and…your innocence so…compelling. You could never do something wrong." She looked at him in confusion. "Oh Cara, don't you understand what your touch does to me?" He looked at her with such tenderness that it made her eyes tear. "No, I don't understand…," she replied. And then she giggled.

"Have I said something funny?" he asked.

"Well, you called me Cara…"

"Yes, I think it fits. It could be short for Carreen and in Latin, it means beloved. So that is going to be my name for you." His hand traced her jaw, his eyes following his fingers. "My Cara," he said before kissing her.

Her head began to spin. As he pulled away form her, she gasped for breath. "Oh Peter, I didn't expect…" Peter waited for her to finish. "This is so…exciting," she finally managed. He smiled imperceptibly. "You are exciting," he told her.

"Oh but Peter, surely you…this isn't the first…I mean, you have been married before."

He sighed deeply. "Yes, I was. I loved Sara…she was the teacher at the little school in our town. By most standards, she was an…old maid, in her thirties when I met her. We were a good match mentally and shared a love of literature. And I was tired of being alone. So we courted and eventually married. We were happy, well suited to one another." He paused and looked away for a moment. And then looking back at her, he continued. "But when I first saw you, even as sick as you were, there was something about you that reached into my chest and gripped my heart. I loved Sara but with you, I know for the first time in my life what it is to be in love. Oh Cara, the things I feel when you are in the room…and the loneliness when you are not…I love you with everything that I am." His look was so intense, so fierce that it mesmerized her. As she gazed into his eyes, she knew that coupling with him would be wonderful, a fulfillment of everything they both felt, and so emboldened by his confession, she took the initiative and kissed him. And in doing so, she unlocked all the passion she felt for him and opened herself to him. Her nervousness fell away as he took her hint and laid her back onto the bed and began to make love in earnest.

Her head spun and her body seemed to lose all self-control as his searing lips made their way over her. She found herself arching toward him as waves of desire rolled through her. And as she became more responsive, his passion gained more energy. She felt his want, his need as his hands roamed over her and his lips found sensitive places she didn't even know she possessed. She tried to respond in kind, but found herself weak with want, craving more of him. She felt his manhood against her and longed to explore the mysteries of him. He sensed her thoughts and took her hand, gently placing on his hot throbbing tool. He watched as her eyes widened and then she let loose a nervous giggle. "It's so…so big…and …hard," she giggled timidly.

Peter smiled. "My dear, every man wants to hear that form the woman of his dreams. You have made my life complete." She giggled again. And then her mind turned to the culmination of their love-making and she realized what his size might mean. Her eyes grew wide again. She wrapped her hand around him, still marveling at his mystery and then cast a lusty look down, gazing at her small hand over his manhood.

"Are you ready, Cara? Or should we wait a while longer?"

"Will it get bigger if we wait? I don't think I could stand it if it gets any bigger…"

Peter chuckled. "Then perhaps we should make it smaller…"

Carreen looked at him happily. "You can do that?"

Peter grinned. "You can…" Her mouth formed a very round O as she absorbed his meaning. Then lying back, her eyes invited him to her. Hovering over her, Peter paused. "Are you sure you are ready, my love?"

She nodded, biting her lower lip. "I'll try not to hurt you," he told her. "But it will be better if you try to relax." Carreen tried. She thought of how much she loved and trusted him and how patient he was being with her. "Call me Cara again," she said.

"Oh, my Cara…" he whispered as he hovered, the tip of his rod resting in her folds. Slowly, he began to rub himself between the folds, his droplets mixing with her moisture to create a heady aroma, which only hardened him more. Finally, he decided she was wet enough. "Cara, are you sure you are ready," he asked. She tensed as she realized what would come next.

Carreen was trying to follow Scarlett's advice; she was trying to be open and to give herself to him. She was certainly taking pleasure from his body as her hands moved up and down his back and over his hips, stealing feels of his buttocks. He feels so wonderful…"I…I'm ready," she said, trying to relax. So far his actions had only stimulated her, but she knew that what he did next would hurt.

As gingerly as he could, Peter entered her. He went slowly, trying to gage her discomfort. As his head slipped in, she tensed again, her fingers gripping his ass and digging in as shelet out a whimper. He stopped with just his head inside, letting her adjust. Carreen looked up into his glistening blue orbs and saw his concern. "I'm all right," she whispered. Their eyes remained locked as he began to move deeper within her. He watched as her eyes widened and feared he was hurting her. But as he felt her hands on his ass, pushing him, encouraging him further, he kept going. She was indeed ready for him, her chamber hot and wet, his member sliding easily along her tunnel. The slow journey was sweet torture for Peter; he wanted to plunge deep into her and feel her warmth all around him. But he forced himself to ignore his urges, shaking from the effort.

Carreen loved the feel of him within. After the initial pain of his entry, it became easier and as he delved deeper into her, she felt herself widen in acceptance. Every nerve in her body seemed to be alive, tingling and warm, excited. She opened her legs wider, giving him better access, wanting more of him. Her eyelids grew heavy with lust as she pressed her head back into the pillow, arching herself towards him as her body responded to his.

Once Peter was in as far as he thought he could go, he stopped an instant before beginning the journey out. He loved the tight feel of her, fully aware that over time and after the birth of the baby, she would not be so tight. But for now, she was heaven. His tip rested just inside her when he felt her hands pressing him into her again. She was instigating another journey into her depths. He smiled, dipping his head to kiss her. Her lips claimed his until she gasped, a small moan erupting from her as he plunged deep. Using her legs for leverage, she lifted herself higher. Welcoming him more and more until instinct overwhelmed him and he began to pump.

His frenzied actions surprised Carreen at first, but as the friction built she gave into her feelings and as he moved in and out, her hips took on a motion of their own. Her undulations beneath him sent Peter into greater bliss, his motion becoming more intense and heated as he climbed into euphoria. "Oh god Cara….oh my god…."

To Carreen, his outcry sounded like a mixture of pain and pleasure, thrilling her that she could do such a thing to him. As her body moved with his, she began to climb to her own heights, her breathing becoming more rapid and her own body craving release. And then she felt his explosion. She began to cry with joy as ecstasy overtook her, filling her with such intense happiness that they could be so connected. Once her body had cooled, she opened her eyes to see Peter looking at her worriedly. "Oh Peter," she sighed, smiling. His expression softened as he returned her smile. Leaning in, he kissed her, a gentle loving kiss filled with satisfaction, which she returned, her fingers playing in his curly hair. And then he collapsed beside her. Carreen missed his warmth and snuggled into him, wanting…no needing to touch him. He held her, telling her how much he loved her and how it would only get better. She tugged the covers over them, wrapping them safely in their own little cocoon. "I don't see how," she told him. "I've never been so happy." Exhausted, the couple dozed off, smiles on both of their faces.

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So, what'd ya think? Do we need to check in on Carreen and Peter from time to time or shall we let them just fade, like so many characters do when they leave the central part of the story? Personally, I think Peter's hot, lol.