“I’m sure he is, Mrs. Cochran. If your miscarriage happened a while ago, I’m amazed the man is still walking.” She sat back and studied her. “What does your husband say about this?”
“Um, he, ah, doesn’t know I’m here.” Tori picked at her skirt.
Sadie lit another cigarette, blowing smoke directly into Tori’s face. “All right, I’ll tell you what I do. But if your husband finds out where you got this information, I’m going to lie and say I never met you before. Gentlemen don’t take kindly to having their wives ask my type of woman for advice.”
Tori took a deep breath and smiled. “That’s okay, he won’t find out.”
Sadie moved her chair forward. “What we do here is take a small sponge with a string attached and soak it in vinegar. Then put it in, you know.”
Tori frowned. “Put it in where?”
Sadie sighed. “Lord, girl, you don’t make this easy. You put it where he puts his, you know.”
“Oh.” Tori leaned back and wiped sweat from her forehead this time. A color in the rainbow did not exist to cover what she assumed her face must look like.
“Cause I like ya, honey,” Sadie said, leaning closer, causing Tori’s eyes to water with the smell. “I’ll give ya one from the new supply of sponges I just got in.”
“Well, I would appreciate that very much.” Somehow washing the dishes with a kitchen sponge, then shoving one into her body held little appeal.
Sadie lumbered up the stairs much faster than Tori would have given her credit for. She sank back with relief, pleased she’d gotten the needed information.
The next time Jesse watched her with hunger in his eyes, she would let him know everything was all right. Anticipation of the pleasure that awaited them both made her heart race. Thanks to Sadie, her former cellmate.
Tori and Jesse strolled along the river hand in hand. The setting sun behind them cast a rosy glow over the red dirt at their feet.
“So when are you going to show me the land you bought outside of town?”
“Anytime you want to go.” He glanced at her. “Are you getting cold? You’re shivering.”
“A little bit. A definite nip in the air tonight.”
Jesse put his arm around her shoulders, then tucked her against his warm body. “Let’s head for home.”
The walk home went much quicker than the leisurely stroll they’d taken after supper at The Café. Once inside, Tori ran her hands over her upper arms. The house even seemed chilly tonight.
Jesse took her in his arms from behind and nuzzled her neck. “I’ll start a fire. Why don’t you get into your nightgown and make some tea?”
Tori opened her dresser drawer to take out her nightgown. A little sponge with a string attached sat in one corner. Glancing over her shoulder, she pulled out the nightgown and slammed the drawer shut. Would she have the nerve to use it? Her heart beat faster at the possibilities.
She returned in a few mi
nutes, snug in a nightgown and wrap. Jesse stood in front of the fireplace, his forearm resting on the mantle, staring at the flames. Tori’s mouth went dry at the sight of his broad back and trim waist, both above firm buttocks. His muscles rippled under his white shirt as he poked at the fire.
Lord, it’s getting warm in here.
Chapter 19
Tori joined him at the fireplace. “Did you want some tea, because I don’t feel like it myself.”
“No. Just skip it.” Jesse pulled her into his arms. He removed her spectacles, then placed them on the mantle. “I’ve wanted to do this all day.”
“What?” She croaked. His burning eyes held her still.
He kissed her lightly, brushing his lips back and forth. Never leaving her mouth, he swept her into his arms and crossed the room, settling them in one of the plush new chairs. His mouth covered hers hungrily, and she returned his kiss with reckless abandon.
Jesse was already hard, and a whimper escaped her at the sensation pressing against her bottom. She shifted. Jesse pulled away, leaning his forehead against hers. “Darlin’, don’t do that. You’re killing me already.”
A wonderful warm feeling crept from her toes to pool in her most private part. Jesse sought her lips a second time, easing his tongue into her mouth, touching all her sensitive parts he knew drove her crazy. She moaned again, then slid her hands up his shoulders and around his neck, reveling in the bunched muscles of his back. He moved his lips to her jaw, then her neck, using a series of slow, shivery kisses. She leaned her head back to give him greater access. He untied her wrap and with one hand spread it open and unbuttoned the nightgown.