Fetching Charlotte Rose by Amelia Smarts Page A

over it when I asked.”
    Tim and Max snickered, and Charlotte’s face turned a shade of pink. “I suppose I shouldn’t complain then,” she said wryly, and sat back down. “What is it with you men out here? Is there a woman in Arizona without a sore backside?”
    The marshal laughed again, and Max reached for her hand. “What do you say, darlin’? Fancy me for a husband?”
    Charlotte huffed and frowned at him, but her frown transformed into a smile as she looked into his twinkling eyes. “I admit the prospect of marrying you is not entirely displeasing to me.”
    Max laughed and kissed her hand. “If mine was the worst proposal, then that was the worst answer to one.”
    The marshal grinned. “Bet you’re glad I didn’t ask you to join the posse, eh, Max? I think the errand of fetching Miss Rose worked well in your favor.”
    “Yes,” Max agreed. “I reckon it’s the greatest thing I ever fetched.” He squeezed Charlotte’s hand before releasing it. “I’ll remind you that I do know how to shoot a gun, though, marshal. I’ll be wearing one these days, now that I know what kind of threat we’re facing with Simon.”
    “It’s not a bad idea,” the marshal admitted, standing. “I hope to ensure it doesn’t come to that, though.” He crossed the room, removed his gun belt from where it hung, and buckled it around his hips. “I’ll start by having a conversation with Simon Evans. Hopefully that’s all it’ll take.”
     
    * * *
     
    The wedding ceremony was short and sweet, just like their courtship. Charlotte wore her pink taffeta dress, the same dress she wore when she first met Max, which brought a grin to his face.
    That night, he laid his wife on the bed and said, “Now I get to take off this pretty gown and spend some time looking at what’s underneath.”
    She sighed as he slowly unbuttoned the front of her dress. Before he removed it entirely, he glided a hand under her shift to touch her breasts. Charlotte’s breath hitched as he massaged and flicked a nipple with his thumb.
    “More than a handful, just like you,” he murmured, and bent to enclose her lips in a kiss. He couldn’t get enough of her, and his kisses became deeper and more sensual as his hands roamed her body. Her tongue played with his until he released her from his kiss long enough to peel the layers of clothes off her body. When her naked form stretched out in all of its raw beauty on the bed, he continued his ministrations. She let out a soft moan when he kissed her lightly along the collarbone. Her hands fumbled with the buttons of his shirt. He smiled and collected her wrists in his left hand, then placed them high above her head on the bed.
    Charlotte looked at him in a haze of desire. “I want to touch you. Please,” she begged.
    He kissed her again while still holding her wrists above her head, then peppered her with kisses along her chin to her neck. “Where would you like to touch me, my love?” he asked huskily against her neck. “Here?” He laid his right hand on her breast.
    “Mm hmm.” She nodded and arched into his touch.
    “How about here?” he asked, raking his fingertips down her soft torso.
    She mewled her answer. “Yes, Max.”
    “And here too?” He released her hands and wrapped both of his around her delicate waist.
    “I want to touch you everywhere,” she said eagerly.
    “Mmm,” he intoned. “That sounds nice, darlin’.” Max moved his hand to between her legs. Her eyes met his and widened as he teased his fingers along her wet slit and circled her nub of nerves. Pinching and flicking, he took her nearly to the height of pleasure before he removed his hand, causing her to whimper. He worked out the buttons on his shirt and shrugged the material off, while she watched his every movement. Unbuttoning his trousers, he watched her gaze travel south to his erection, which he exposed when he shucked off the pants.
    Her almond-shaped eyes rounded and she stared at him unabashedly. He