Adams, Eve - The Banished Bride [Brides of Bachelor Bay 5] (Siren Publishing Ménage Everlasting) Read Free Page B

that so?”
    When she nodded, her curls bounced playfully, and he fought the urge to bury his fingers into her hair. Would she want him to take control like that? For the year that he’d known Amelia, he still didn’t know her type. She’d had suitor after suitor with no consistency in their looks. Tall, short, dark, light, and most ending in a marriage proposal. She’d turned down each and every one of them.
    So what was she looking for? If she wanted a man to control her, to shove his hands into her hair and fist it to hold her still as he devoured her lips, he could do that. Controlling was more Andrew’s style, but Noah wouldn’t mind stepping out of his comfort zone if it meant a taste of Amelia Prescott.
    Amelia batted her eyes up at him. “Pray tell, who are you actively pursuing tonight?”
    He curled the corners of his lips as he riveted his gaze to her. “One guess.”
    She colored beautifully. “Surely you don’t mean me.”
    His grin grew, but he said nothing.
    Her color deepened. “What would Andrew say?”
    “Why does that matter? He released you, which means you are once again available to be pursued, are you not?”
    “I suppose so.”
    He pulled her an inch closer, careful to still keep enough room between them to not raise any brows of those watching. After all, as far as the townspeople knew, Amelia was still openly courting Andrew, not Noah. He might be a playboy, but he did have a sense of propriety.
    With a content sigh, he twirled Amelia as he studied the beauty in his arms. What stopped Amelia from saying yes to any of her suitors? She’d signed a contract as had all the other brides. Logan extended the deadline for the remaining brides, but that deadline quickly approached. As soon as the new shipment arrived, if any original bride remained unmarried, they had to repay the Gallaghers for their passage to Port Steele.
    Would Amelia be one of them to repay the Gallaghers?
    A thought entered Noah’s head. Perhaps the reason Amelia remained single after a year of courtships and dozens of proposals was due to the fact that she didn’t want to be married at all.
    He knew the feeling.
    He decided to test his theory. “Amelia, I’ve spent far too much time standing back and watching man after man court you. It’s high time I take matters into my own hands.”
    When she looked up at him with those gorgeous blue eyes and flush cheeks, lust bubbled in his balls. He had to have her. Just once.
    Maybe twice.
    “What are you saying, Noah?”
    He squeezed her shoulders. “I’d like to escort you home tonight.”
    Lowering her gaze, she visibly swallowed. “And why is that?”
    “Because we’d be alone. Andrew is still in San Francisco and everyone else is here.”
    Her eyes flashed in a smoldering response better than any words. She wanted to play as much as Noah did. He saw it in her hungry expression.
    “I do feel a bit of a headache coming on all of the sudden. Perhaps it’s best if you take me home now .”
    Perfect.

Chapter 3

    Amelia’s Journal, Saturday, August 12 th , 1865
    Port Steele, Washington Territory

    I can hardly breathe. Noah Gallagher escorted me home tonight and then hinted at things to come before he left again. I have no idea where he disappeared to, only that he promised to return and asked that I be in my night robes. I know it’s wrong, but I don’t care. Noah excites me far beyond anything I could have ever imagined. I cannot wait to see what he has in store for this evening. Everyone is still at the dance and we will be all alone. I’ve confided in my dearest friend, Patience Steele, of my feelings for Noah. However, having two husbands all to herself, I do not believe she fully appreciates my plight. Even she agrees with Lizzie that I should marry Andrew and settle down. Oh, but how I want so much more! I’ve received my fair share of kisses, but I’ve never done anything beyond that. What things will Noah be able to teach me? From the rumors around town,