“Sleeping?” Her voice was rich with curiosity.
“Not exactly.” He dared to look at her. The expression in her eyes was so intoxicating he had to stop himself from ravishing her. He let his hand rest atop her hip as his fingers traced tiny circles on her back.
Her hand stroked his forearm in a way that was starting to drive him mad. “What exactly were you doing?”
“I was fantasizing about you.” He kept his voice steady, his eyes focused on hers. Her mouth dropped open, and she seemed at a loss for words. “Again.” He added. “Why do you look so surprised? I know you had your suspicions. I could see that when you walked in the door. I was totally freaking out, as you probably noticed.”
“I wouldn’t say totally.” She giggled.
“Well, I would. I was afraid you’d think I was this pathetic perv.”
Marienne laughed. “Not at all. As a matter of fact the thought of it turned me on.”
“Really?” The intrigue dripped from his voice.
“Really,” she said, with enough emphasis that his eyebrows rose.
He noticed the flush in her cheeks.
“How turned on?” His voice was thick. He continued stroking her back, his entire body straining toward her as he kept from kissing her so he could hear her reply.
She blushed a shade darker, looking down. “So turned on I couldn’t stop thinking about it that night.”
“And where were you doing all this thinking?” He enjoyed the way the tables had turned.
“In bed.”
Daniel’s eyes flashed, a sly smile passing across his face as he pulled her closer. The heat of their conversation passed through his body as they pressed against one another. They both gasped.
“Were there toys involved in this ‘thinking’ you were doing?” he asked.
Marienne giggled, the vibration of her laughter sending further ripples of pleasure through him. “No. I don’t like toys. I prefer hands.”
He’d assumed all women had a preference for motorized devices. He was quite pleased, not to mention excited, to hear that she liked something as simple as hands.
“Which hand?” he asked, taking her left hand and bringing it to his mouth. He kissed her fingertips. “This one?”
She shook her head. “No.”
He licked his lips, trying to remember to keep breathing. He reached for her right hand and brought it to his lips. “This one?” He kissed her palm.
“Yes,” she breathed, pressing her hips tighter against his with a wicked smirk. “Well, sometimes both.”
The groan that escaped from Daniel’s throat caused another giggle to vibrate through her.
“Show me,” he whispered, kissing her palm again.
Her eyes were huge as she registered what he was saying.
“Show me,” he said again. The hunger he felt made it impossible to look away from her.
He could see her mind racing as she struggled to buy herself some time.
“We haven’t even discussed which hand you use.”
Daniel chuckled, amused by her attempt to stall. “I favor my right.” He waved his hand in the air then moved it from her hip to his crotch. His erection had already maneuvered free from the confines of his boxers. “Though sometimes.” He took a deep breath as he wrapped his fingers around himself. “I also manage to use both.”
She stared down at him, and his hand made one slow, tentative stroke. He so enjoyed the look of sheer wonder on her face that he boldly stroked a second time. “Show me. Please.”
Her eyes were glued to his hand, which he moved again. He held his breath and watched in total fascination as her hand made a slow but deliberate descent down her body.
****
Marienne’s fingers slid across her belly, curving downward as she reached the arched space between her legs.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
She gasped as her hand made contact with her tender, swollen flesh. She was so aroused, from their conversation, from feeling Daniel pressed against her, from hearing him confess he was fantasizing, about her nonetheless, from watching his fingers play up and down the length of him, from the look on his face as he watched her. It made her so breathlessly excited, so ready, she thought she might come from a single stroke.
She wanted to hold out as long as possible. Her fingers slid between the slippery folds of her overheated skin. The intensity was so overwhelming her eyes momentarily fluttered shut. She forced them to remain open, mesmerized by the view of Daniel.
She stared, entranced, as their fingers worked magic. Their breathing and moans were in sync as they made their way towards the inevitable climax. Marienne came first, her hips lifting off the bed as the shattering orgasm shook through her. She knew he was watching, his eyes never leaving her.
She felt the slick, hot, tip of him slide against the soft flesh of her inner thigh. A low moan rumbled deep within his chest. Before either of their shuddering began to subside, Daniel released his grip on himself and reached for her, swiftly placing his mouth on hers.
She responded with equal intensity, wrapping her arms around him, her leg hooking over his, the two of them entwined. She was no longer sure where he ended and she began. She was lost in him.
Chapter Fifty-Three
Marienne slept more soundly that night than she could recall sleeping in years, possibly ever. Sunlight filtered through her still-closed eyelids. She realized with a thrill that Daniel was beside her, his arm curled around her waist. As she opened her eyes, she was surprised to find him awake and staring quite intently at her. A smile played at his lips. His eyes sparkled. She opened her mouth to ask how long he’d been up, but he interrupted before she could say a word.
“I love you,” he said, his eyes burning into her sleepy gaze.
She felt as though her heart had stopped.
****
Daniel had only been awake for fifteen minutes, but the words “I love you” had been swirling through his mind from the moment he’d laid eyes on her sleeping face. Longer than that. Those words had been in his mind for months, years, nearly every time he’d looked at her. Even thought of her. They were the truest words he’d ever spoken, and now that he’d said them aloud, he felt an incredible sense of relief, along with a small amount of fear.
He knew he meant the words more than he could ever imagine meaning them. He also knew that she cared deeply for him. He’d known that for ages. The only question was whether or not her feelings mirrored his.
Is she in love with me?
He hoped so. He’d never wanted anything more. “I love you,” he said a second time.
She answered with a kiss that took his mind off the fact that he was waiting to hear the words.
As her mouth distracted him her body dragged him toward her, her arms circling around him, her legs pulling him closer, her hands weaving their way into his hair. He immersed himself inside her, moving with her as they made love yet again. It was beyond amazing to be able to touch her, to feel her all around him, to have her respond to his every caress, his every move both in and outside of her. “I love you,” he whispered into her hair as they lay breathing heavily.
She answered by holding him even tighter. While he knew what she was saying with her body a nagging sensation tugged at his heart. He ached to hear the actual words. He’d waited this long to speak them aloud, so he could wait a while longer for her to say them back. He was willing to wait as long as it could possibly take. He just hoped it wouldn’t be too long.
He breathed in the delicious scent of her, letting her warmth embrace him, thankful for what he already had, but knowing he wanted more. He wanted her, like this, forever, a thought that thrilled and terrified him all at once. So much to hope for, so much potential joy, and so much to possibly lose. He closed his eyes to the negative thoughts, kissing her again, and for the moment he had everything he needed.
****
All too quickly the weekend came to an end. It was Sunday evening and as Marienne dried the last plate and Daniel placed it in the cupboard, he heard Ruth’s car pull into the driveway.
“She’s home,” Marienne said, relief and excitement evident in her voice. She tossed the dishtowel on the counter and ran toward the front door.
“Mommy!” Ella said.
He looked down the hallway just in time to see her leap into Marienne’s waiting arms.
“Oh, I missed you so much.” Marienne held her close.
“I missed you too, Mommy. Grandma bought me a kitty!” She waved an orange beanbag kitten in the air.
“How cute,” Marienne said, touching the stuffed animal. She turned toward Ruth. “How was she?”
“She’s a doll,” Ruth said. “She can stay at my house any time. I loved every minute.”
“I’m sure she did too. Thanks for having her.”
Daniel made his way toward them.
“Don’t thank me. It was my pleasure. Hi, Daniel. I didn’t see you there. How are you?”
“I’m well,” he said. “Glad to hear you had a lovely weekend.”
“How could you not? Ella’s a sweetheart.” Ruth beamed.
“She certainly is.”
“Daniel, see my new kitty?” Ella held it up.
“I see.” Daniel crouched down. “Does it have a name?”
“No. It hasn’t told me yet. Mommy can I play Playdoh?”
Marienne stroked Ella’s hair. “Of course sweetie, let’s wait until Grandma leaves. Ruth, do you want coffee before you drive back?”
“No, I’ll be fine. I don’t like to be on the road too late. You go ahead and get Ella her Playdoh. I’ll see you soon.” Ruth kissed Marienne on the cheek. “Good to see you, Daniel.”
“Likewise,” he said.
Ruth bent down and Ella wrapped her arms around her grandmother’s neck.
“Bye, Ella,” Ruth said. “Good night.”
“Drive safe,” Marienne called, waving as she watched Ruth pull out of the driveway.
Marienne closed the front door and Daniel followed her into the kitchen where Ella was busy dragging out her Playdoh supplies.
“I should get going, too,” Daniel said. “I’m sure you want some time alone with Ella before she goes to bed.”
****
Marienne detected a hint of sadness in Daniel’s tone. She didn’t want him to leave yet. She didn’t want him to leave ever. And she still hadn’t told him that she loved him. When he had first said it she’d been too overwhelmed to say it back, then she’d been waiting for the perfect moment, and now he was heading home and she still hadn’t said it. Her heart pounded faster.
“Good night, Ella,” Daniel kissed the top of her head.
“Night, Daniel.” Ella put her arms up for a hug.
Daniel smiled and picked her up. Ella wrapped herself around him like a little monkey. Daniel closed his eyes as he held her. Tears prickled the backs of Marienne’s eyes as she watched them. He set her down gently, and she went right back to her Playdoh.
“Good night,” Daniel said to Marienne, his eyes focused on hers then he kissed her on the cheek.
She wanted to fling herself around him like Ella had, but she couldn’t move. He let himself out the back door, and she watched as he started across their yards, hands shoved in his pockets, head down. She realized she couldn’t wait another minute.
“Mommy will be right back,” she said, bending to kiss Ella’s head just as Daniel had, then she flung open the door and rushed outside.
****
Daniel heard the screen door creak and turned to see Marienne running toward him.
“What’s wrong?” he asked, as she stopped in front of him. He strained to see her features in the dusky light.
“Nothing’s wrong,” she said, breathless. “I love you.”
It took a second for the words to register, and in that moment she said it again. “I love you, Daniel, I love you so much.” Then she was in his arms.
Emotion welled in his throat to the point that he couldn’t speak. He held her, allowing her words and their meaning to sink in.
She loves me.
He squeezed his eyes shut as he hugged her closer. His breath returned and he inhaled her scent. Relief washed through him.
She loves me.
His voice reappeared and he whispered. “I love you.”
She turned her head so their foreheads were touching, and they leaned into one another.
“I have to get back to Ella,” she said, pressing against him.
“I know.” He held her tighter and kissed her. A tender kiss he’d have gladly stayed locked in all night.
“I’ll call you later.”
His fingertips trailed down her arm, to her hand, keeping contact with her until he had to let go. “I’ll be waiting.” He smiled, and watched until she was safely inside her home, then turned to make his way across the yard to his own house.
In spite of the chill in the night air, he felt warm and relaxed, and far happier than he could ever recall.
Chapter Fifty-Four
The following weeks passed in a blur of contentment. The three of them were a family. Daniel couldn’t remember ever being happier. He had a conference to attend in Maryland and was dreading being away for five days. He spent the night before his trip at home with Marienne and Ella.