In Turbulent Times

excerpt

desires and curiosity banished her better judgement. She wanted this experience. Her physical body begged her conscience for release, and her conscience stepped aside.
‘Liam,’ she said again, ‘you may take me to your bed.’
Liam rose without speaking, as if this was meant to happen, preordained. He took her hand in his and led her to his small, wall-papered bedroom. She sat on the edge of the high, wooden bed that was covered by an old, blue eiderdown. She began to undress, trying hard not to look at herself in the wardrobe mirror. Liam closed the door and drew the curtains. She heard his clothes rustle as he removed his shirt and trousers. When she slid below the bedclothes, he was pulling down his long combinations, revealing his white buttocks. His back too was white, white as the sheets, but his chest, his whole front, was covered with thick hair.
He kissed her. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her towards him, pressing the full length of his body to hers. His penis was engorged, big, hard, exciting. His knees were cold.
‘Is it painful, Liam?’ Nora asked, stroking his back.
‘Painful? How could it be painful? It’s the most natural, most beautiful thing that a man and a woman do together. Do you think God would make it painful?’
‘I’ve heard tell it is the first time.’ Nora’s more experienced friend, Eileen Slattery, had told her about it, but recommended it nevertheless.
‘Old wives’ tales. They’re meant to frighten young girls and keep them chaste.’ Liam could not believe that he was saying these things.
Suddenly he rolled over on top of her, forcing her legs apart, prodding her, pushing into her, pushing hard, eager, impatient. ‘Guide me in,’ he said imperatively.
‘I can’t,’ she replied. ‘I don’t know where exactly.’
She was afraid to touch him, too embarrassed to do anything more with her hands than rest them on his back. His back was sweaty now. He was lurching up and down as his prodding and searching went on. Then she felt something yield. Her body stiffened. Her fear returned. She wanted Liam to stop, but he was pushing hard, harder, grunting, sweating. The pain. Oh God, the pain. Liam pushing, pushing, pushing. Her flesh was ripping apart and the pain was unbearable. She bit her lip. She clenched her fists tight. The pain shrieked inside her. She wanted to scream, to yell at Liam to stop. She could not endure it any more. She whimpered like a small, hurt animal.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1926763270

https://draft2digital.com/book/3562904

The Unquiet Land

excerpt

a source of terrible fear. Bright crosses that spoke out of the dark sky were something else again.
Caitlin’s shining hair hung across her cheek. Michael pulled it aside like a black, silk curtain and kissed her neck. She leaned her head to the side, and he kissed her ear, her cheek, her lips. He lowered the rug from off her shoulders. She allowed it to fall away, revealing her white, naked body to the glow of the fire. She smiled at the surprise that showed on his face. He had not guessed she had undressed already. Her clothes she must have hidden in the bedroom or in the closed cupboard of the dresser. His hands caressed her warm shoulders; his eyes caressed her round, white breasts. The sight and touch of her nakedness wakened him into a state of sexual arousal. She reached out her arms, slid the galluses off his shoulders and unbuttoned his shirt. His body was as white as her own. Only the arms, the neck and the face were as brown as wet clay.
“You always look as if you’re wearing a white simmet,” she said.
He lay back on the sheepskin and started to unbutton his trousers. Caitlin tugged off his boots and socks; then hauled off his trousers and his long underwear and tossed them aside on the earthen floor. She leaned low and kissed him. Then she pulled the rug over her shoulders, spread her arms on either side of his white body and lowered herself onto him, feeling him enter her, then bringing him to climax with a low whimper, like a pup. She kissed him and rolled over onto her back.
“I love you, Caitlin,” Michael said quietly, raising himself on his elbow and gazing down at her. “You know that. We’ve had good times together, you and I. Have you thought any more about us getting married?”
“Yes, Michael, but I haven’t decided yet.”
“Why not, Caitlin? Is there someone else you have your eye on?”
“No, of course not, Michael. You know there isn’t.”
“Is it because I’m not a book-learned man?”
“Not at all, Michael. You’re learned in your own business. You’re a farmer, not a schoolteacher. And you’re a good farmer. And you’re intelligent enough to be book-learned if you want to be.”
“I do, Caitlin. You know I do.”
Caitlin smiled and reached out to caress Michael’s shoulder. “Dear Michael. You’d spoil me like a lady if I was your wife.”
“You’d deserve it, Caitlin.” Michael spoke with difficulty, for a strange tightness in his throat almost choked off the words. “You work hard around this place, with little enough thanks.”

https://www.amazon.com/dp/1926763203