A Cold Wife, Sweet Husband

―I could deal with that. He finished his bath and asked, ―Will you please hand me my towel? It's right behind you. He stared at her and waved his hand to get her attention. She blinked and concentrated on his face. ―What? He grinned.

―I need my towel. It's on the hook on the door that's behind you. I need you to hand it to me. That is unless you want me to stand up and get it myself.

―Don't be silly, she quickly replied. She turned around and got the towel for him. She held it out. He looked amused.

―My arms aren't that long. You'll have to walk over here. She loudly sighed and slowly walked toward him. ―At the rate you're going, it'll be Christmas by the time I'm out of this tub. She picked up the pace.

―Here you go. Her heart raced with a mixture of apprehension and excitement. She wasn't sure what was going to happen once he got out of the tub but wanted to find out. To her surprise, he grabbed her other hand and pulled her toward him.

She lost her balance and ended up kneeling by the tub. Her face was close to his and he gently held her hand. Her other hand still held the towel.

―Say my name, Jessica, he softly requested. ―Leo, she whispered. The very nearness of him was making her weak. ―Say it again. I like hearing you say it.―Leo. He smiled. ―I love you, Jessica.―I love you too, Leo.

―Then will you come to my bed?―Tonight and for the rest of our lives. He kissed her. She responded to the softness of his lips, forgetting all about the water in the tub or her embarrassment at being with him while he was n.a.k.e.d. He reached up and drew her into his arms.

She parted her lips and he slid his tongue into her mouth. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered as his tongue touched hers. When he pulled away, he whispered, ―Let's go to bed. Blushing, she forced aside her sudden unease and nodded.

Standing up, she retrieved another towel from the small closet and turned to him. As he got up from the tub, her gaze fell to his erection, but she quickly looked up again.

She couldn't look him in the eye though. She focused on the wall behind him. He stepped out of the tub and wrapped the towel around his waist. She waited for him to take her hand and lead her into his bedroom. He softly closed the door, making her jump.

She cleared her throat and wiped her sweaty hands on her dress. Though Helen had taken the time to explain what happened between a man and a woman in the privacy of their bedroom shortly after her mother died, she had the sudden inclination to change her mind and go back to the safety of her bed. But she wouldn't. She did love him and she wanted to finish what they started at the Davidsons'.

―Do you need help out of this dress? he softly asked as he approached her. Nodding, she turned her back to him, her face flushed with heat as his hands unbuttoned the back of her dress. It felt strange not having one of the servants do it, but it was a nice change at the same time.

He was gentle and slow, taking his time as if she were fragile. She held her breath as he finished and allowed the dress to slip off her shoulders and down to the floor. ―I'm not familiar with corsets or petticoats, he whispered. She pulled the strings of her corset, noting her trembling hands. Why was this easier when they were at the Davidsons'?

Was it because they were already in bed and had time to prepare for this? Taking a deep breath, she removed the rest of her clothing, aware that he watched in the moonlight.

She could feel the weight of his stare as if his gaze had the power to touch her. Self-conscious, she

went to the bed and slipped under the covers, thankful for the reprieve from his intense stare.

He followed her and slipped in next to her before she had the chance to settle into the comfortable mattress. The sheets and the pillow smelled of him. Masculine and clean. When he gathered her in his arms, his warmth enveloped her, and she knew she was safe with him.

He wouldn't hurt her or force her. She lay in his arms, her head resting on his mostly smooth c.h.e.s.t. A few fine hairs dusted the flat surface, and she lightly touched him, wondering if he'd let her explore him for a moment. And he did. He remained still for a good while, just holding her.

He gently rubbed her back and kissed the top of her head. She was grateful to him, for he was giving her time to adjust to him…and what was to come. Her body gradually relaxed.

Her breathing was still shaky but she was no longer trembling. She swallowed the lump in her throat and closed her eyes, engaging him in her senses. His touch, his smell, his patient breathing. She did want him. She wanted to do this with him. She lifted her head from his c.h.e.s.t and looked at him. He smiled at her, his love shining in his eyes.