IT WAS SMOOTH, WET AND SOFT.  The friction of the cloth as it wiped round and round her sex. Emily writhed and moaned delicately, but his hand still found ways to move between her legs and trailed down one thigh till he got to her calf and raised it up in the air. Sending splashes of scented rose water to the ground as he did the same with the other leg. Putting one leg on his shoulder, he sat down on the edge of the tub and then with the cloth wiped the other leg slowly till he got to her upper thigh. The inner thigh. It was a sensual move. One that had Emily wondering if he was still trying to bathe her or something else was happening. His face was concentrated. But it was that muscled chest, well toned, so out of reach that sent her in a fit of madness. Without thinking, Emily snatched her legs from his shoulder and rose. Filling the space with her image. Slowly, he glanced up at her, boldly meeting those e

IMMEDIATELY Cole left, Emily shot out of the bed and wore her night rail. She bit her lips and stared at the bed where they had made love last night. Blushed as she remembered how she had writhed under Cole, demanding him in every way possible. She remembered something else too as she moved closer to the bed. What he had said last night and even this morning. “You are mine.” Emily mouthed, savouring the words. Her brows furrowed as she wondered what it meant. Dare she hope?Climbing back to the bed, Emily wondered why she was embarrassed when she was getting everything she ever wanted. She didn't mind seeing Cole naked. No, she didn't think she minded seeing that broad chest, that well-toned stomach which flexed as he took in a deep breath and those powerful muscular thighs. No, she didn't think she minded. Her problem was with herself. How she couldn't keep her eyes away from him. Emily had a mind to tell him to take her again that morning bu

At once, he wrapped his hand around her, gently lifting her off the ground until her feet were dangling from his body and one arm came crushing her to his hard masculine body as he let her feet touch to the ground againAngling his head for a better kiss he kissed her thoroughly in a way that made Emily's breath catch in her throat, and she forgot everything and everyone except this man and what he was doing to her, the wonderful flutter in her stomach threatening to explode.Their harsh breath was out in the air. His hand moving over her body in a very accustomed way. Moving past the small of her back in a frenzied manner to her buttocks when it reached the back of her thigh, he hoisted her into his arms and dropped a kiss in the corner of her mouth. Moaning.Still not releasing her lips, he blindly fumbled his way around, revelling in the glory of her lips. Walking a little more in that state he lifted his h

Present Day.“Come, milady, we must get you ready in time.”Still hovering near the hearth where the maids had left her, Emily stared at the two chambermaids who had come to help her with her bath at the request of her husband and wondered why he would even bother. She hasn't had a lady's maid in a long while and had been bathing on her own, and he knew that. So why send up chambermaids to aid her. Why now?Lowering her lashes Emily affected a small smile and followed them to the tub, letting them fuss over her dispensing with her items. “Did he say why he — er — sent you people,” She mumbled as she lowered herself in the hot tub, sighing briefly as she felt the hot caress of the water.One maid went for her back, taking a cloth to wipe it clean while the other fussed with her hair. “He didn't say milady though I heard he went into town and ...” The girl trailed off and

Emily woke up the next morning with a little flutter in her stomach as she remembered the events of last night and how her husband had been so gentle with her, holding her in such a way that had cleared all her doubts, and had her believing he must have some deep feelings for her. At the point, she had wanted nothing more than to scream out she loved him, but at the last minute held herself back because she wanted it to be a surprise. She wanted it to be the first thing she would say to him in the morning, but as she turned to the side of the bed to do as she had planned in her mind, she discovered he was gone. Though aware he was going to Derbyshire, she still felt a trifle hurt he hadn't woken her up to tell her he was leaving. But as her eyes skidded to the vanity table, and she saw the single rose. Though no note was attached to it, it spoke volumes to her. He was trying to say something to her without words Just like that day he had given her a rose af