Forever My Love(141)
"No, love. But it doesn't matter… you were right, it's better left in the past. I'm not going to look for the . answers any longer… the answer to every question of importance is right here in my arms."
Oh, how she loved him! Right in front of Juliana, Carr, and anyone else who might have been watching, Mira pulled Alec's head down to hers, her lips passionate and sweet. She touched the tip of her tongue to his in a secret promise, felt a slight tremor in his arms, and pulled away with a shy smile.
"Has either of you had any supper?" she asked Carr, who shook his head in an unusually bashful manner. "I'm going to tell the cook to prepare something for you this very moment," she said. "I know how long the journey must have—"
"Thank you, but I'm too tired to eat," Carr said, throwing her a grateful smile. "Several hours of sleep is what I need."
"The only thing you can do for me," Alec whispered in her ear, "is take me to bed—right now."
They all retired to their rooms, and Mira acted as valet for her husband, helping him off with his boots and laying his clothes neatly across the back of a chair. He complicated the process, however, by insisting on removing her clothes at the same time, which resultedin a few tangles of arms and legs, several muffled laughs, and even a few popped buttons. Finally the task was done, and Alec fell onto the bed in a magnificent sprawl, tugging at Mira's wrist until she collapsed on top of him with a giggle.
"I love you, Lady Falkner," he murmured, straining his fingers through her sable hair as it cascaded over his chest.
"I love you, my lord." Her lower lip curved into a smile as his thumb caressed it gently.
"Don't call me your lord… call me your love, your husband, your—"
"My life," she whispered, her eyes glowing. "My love… my joy…" She trailed kisses across his neck and shoulder. "…my heart… my strength…" She pressed a kiss to his chest and then rested her cheek against it. "… or perhaps I should simply call you mine."
"Call me a fool for having left you," he said huskily, turning onto his side and gathering her close. Her slender thighs intruded between his and her hips cradled the hot, pulsing length of his manhood. They were both aroused by the contact, but neither of them moved, merely remained in the intimate clasp until Mira shifted slightly, eager to hasten their joining. "Always so anxious," Alec murmured, making no move to enter her.
"Always," she admitted readily, urging her hips against his until she felt the hardness of him riding between her thighs, and she gasped with anticipation. Alec smiled and bent to kiss her breasts, cupping them with his hands. Though his touch was far from rough, Mira couldn't help wincing suddenly. Instantly Alec was aware of her discomfort, and his hands became so light on her skin that he was barely touching her.
"More sensitive than usual," he said, a question in his voice, and she nodded breathlessly, trembling as he caressed her with incredible gentleness. His mouthmoved tenderly over the soft peaks of her breasts until they hardened into rosy points. She moaned, lifting up to him, drawing closer to the source of her pleasure, drifting among blossoms of feeling… but then one of his hands moved down to her abdomen, and his palm pressed against the slight swell of her stomach. His hand was exploratory and curiously protective. Mira froze at the gesture, her eyes widening as they locked with his. His gaze was warm and searching, and he was touching her as if he thought…
"Mira," he asked softly, "is it possible that you're—?"
"No."
"I know every inch of you… and there's something different."
"No, you're wrong."
"When was your last monthly flow? You should have had it by now if—"
"I missed it because of the wedding. I was tense and upset, and in a few days I'm sure I'll… I know my own body far better than you.do, and there's nothing different, nothing at all—"
"All right…" he soothed, his hand moving up to her arm. "Of course you do. It was only a question."
"It's… it would be too soon," she said, trying to explain her sudden apprehension. A baby, on top of everything else she had to worry about… She sighed inwardly at the thought. "I need more time with you… alone… and I would be so helpless and clumsy, and you wouldn't want me for months. Besides, I don't know how to take care of a baby—"
"Mira… shhh, wait… I wouldn't want you? Where did you get such a ridiculous idea? There won't ever come a day when I'll stop wanting you."