left, with a twin on either side, she winked at Daniel. “Keep her warm,” was all she said, but Daniel got the message.
Finally, they were alone. The house was quiet and no longer in any danger of attack.
He locked the back door and shoved the table against the entrance leading to the foyer.
“Expecting more trouble?” Karlee gripped her coffee with both hands and leaned toward the fire.
“No. For once I'd like not to be expecting anything or anyone.” He crossed to her. “I'd like to be alone with my wife.”
Karlee looked down at what a mess she was. “I'm sorry for embarrassing you, but while I swam last night my camisole ripped away and the bloomers fell off when the drawstring came untied.”
He moved about the room as though he wasn't really listening. When he returned she noticed he had an armful of candles and the tin of matches.
“If you're worried about me killing myself, forget it. Murder may have crossed my mind a few times in the past ten hours but never suicide.”
Daniel spread a quilt on the floor in front of the fire and lit the candles one by one circling the quilt. Then he stood and slowly peeled away his wet clothes.
“What are you doing?” Karlee asked.
“I'm going to finish what we started last night in the study.” His voice held a hint of formality, but he was smiling all the way to the twinkle in his eyes.
“But it's eight o'clock in the morning.” Karlee couldn't believe what he was thinking. “The children are up. Everyone in town is awake. Folks don't do what we were doing in daylight. It isn't natural.”
“I don't care.” He stopped unbuttoning his trousers and pulled her against him. “I'm going to make love to my wife. Unless my wife has any objections?”
Karlee stared at him, wondering if he'd been drinking or maybe he'd been clobbered in the head once too often. This was not like Daniel.
But he certainly looked like Daniel. “No,” she whispered. “I've no objections.”
“Good.” He pushed the blanket from her shoulders. “Then first I'd like to look at you in all kinds of light. I want to see you. Really see you.”
Karlee stood in shock as he removed the wet coat he'd placed around her in the water and gently lay her down on the quilt.
Her damp body glistened in the sunlight. Firelight warmed her side, and candlelight sparkled in her eyes. When she would have curled up, he gently spread her arms above her head and lifted her hair so that it offered no covering.
After a few half-hearted efforts to cover herself, she lay still before him letting the light warm her. His large hand spread across her abdomen. She drew in a deep breath and released it slowly while his hand pressed against her.
“I want to see and touch every part of you. I want to make love to you, Karlee.”
When she looked up, he was staring into her eyes, his thoughts unreadable.
Without another word, he leaned over and kissed her. His chest warmed her like a blanket. She closed her eyes but the image of him before her remained. She was floating now as she had in the darkness when she'd been too tired to swim. His hands passed over her, keeping her warm, keeping her alive.
She'd dreamed he was there in the night, moving beside her while she swam. Touching her softly as he was now. Silently telling her of his love.
Slowly, in the morning sunlight and crackling fire-light, he stroked her. He didn't need to tell her that he'd been frightened for her life, that he'd gone mad searching for her, that he'd felt her absence like a blow. She knew.
Her fingers slid into his damp hair as she pulled his mouth to hers. “I love you,” she whispered as she gave herself willingly to his caresses.
The night in the study had been wild, the morning tender and loving. He took his time, caressing her fully, bringing her to a level of need that made her mindless.
She rocked beneath him, wanting more. But he was in no hurry, driving her to the edge of sanity again and again. When his hands were finally not enough, he moved his mouth over her. Tasting her, kissing her, devouring her.
She wanted to touch him, to please him, but all she could do was react to his lovemaking. She lay unaware of anything but him. She rocked slightly to his embrace and moaned with pleasure. When she made a sound, he'd repeat any action until desire washed over her. Her body felt like it was on fire with need.
His rough hands moved so gently over her tender flesh she shivered. He pulled her against him but didn't stop his discovery of her.
He was her world, and she was his. He felt her happiness as his own and she felt his desire in the very core of her. The loneliness they'd suffered made their closeness far sweeter.
Suddenly, he pulled away and stood. For a long moment, he stared down at her.
She saw the passion in his eyes. A wild animal ready to run with her into a paradise he'd never known. A man looking at what he cherished most… her.
He pulled off his trousers and knelt beside her. Without a word, he put his warm hand on her thigh and encouraged her legs to open.
As she opened, he stroked her gently, completely.
“Are you frightened?” His voice rumbled with need.
“No,” she whispered as he lowered over her, entering her swiftly and fully.
Karlee felt the pain and opened her mouth to cry out, but his lips closed over hers, swallowing her cry. The kiss now was deep, no longer with longing but with passion. He took her breath as he took her body, without resistance.
She moved with him, and the pain disappeared. He dug his hands into her hair and shifted in the timeless dance of lovemaking. She joined him, wanting more. He moved faster, giving her his weight with each thrust.
All the years of being alone, of never being touched, of never being loved melted away. Her heart pounded wildly, beating to the rhythm of his movements.
He carried her in passion's fantasy higher and higher, until the world shattered and pure pleasure bolted through her body.
He shoved into her, once, twice more, before she felt him tense, and she knew the bolt had struck him as well.
For a few minutes neither of them could move. They lay wrapped in one another's arms. He rolled to his side, drawing her with him.
Karlee laced her arms around his neck and rested her head on his shoulder.
Daniel stared at the fireplace for a long time. Finally, he found the energy to stroke her hair and kiss her forehead lightly. His fingers slid lazily along her back.
As much as he'd denied it since the moment he saw her, he loved her. He'd fallen hard and landed solidly on his heart. A heart he thought long since made of stone.
“I love you,” he whispered as his mouth took hers with the sweet taste of satisfaction.
His hand slid over her body lovingly, caressing, cherishing.
“I know,” she answered almost asleep.
THIRTY
WHEN DANIEL FINALLY MANAGED THE ENERGY TO move, Karlee was sound asleep. He unfolded from her wondering if she had any idea how perfect she was for him.
Somehow in this insane world, she'd come into his life. Her unpredictability kept him guessing. Her self-doubt only made him want to cherish her more. Her unwavering love wrapped him in a warmth that thawed all his emotions.
And her passion… there were no words for how her passion made him feel. He only knew that if he made love
