Page 33 of A Rogues & Gentlemen Christmas

“Mmm,” he murmured, turning her back over so his chest was to her back. “I do like these. Such a bounteous gift.”

Odette huffed, but did not protest in the least.

“I wonder you can bear to look at me. I’m the size of a whale this time,” she said, her tone light, though there was the tiniest thread of truth behind her words.

Chance stilled, and then pushed himself up on his elbow, staring down at her. She glanced back at him as he smoothed the hair from her face to get a better look at her.

“What nonsense is this?” he asked. “Do you still not understand how besotted I am, wife? I fell headlong into love with you the moment you peeked around the pantry door at Corry Brook Farm. Indeed, I fell so hard, it’s a wonder I don’t have a concussion still. You are everything I never dreamed of, everything I had no idea I even wanted.”

She laughed at that and he grinned.

“It’s true. I could never have dreamed something as lovely as you. I’ve not the imagination to create someone half so wonderful. You are my friend, my lover, my wife, mother to my children, and keeper of my heart. I love you like this,” he said, placing his hand on her stomach. “And in all your beautiful guises. You may rely on that.”

Odette blinked away tears as he settled back down beside her.

“J’taime.”

“I know,” he said, sounding smug.

She smiled and closed her eyes, listening to the waves crashing on the shore beyond the cottage garden.

“There’s quite a storm out there tonight.”

Chance nodded. “A snowstorm.”

She turned her head to look at him. “Truly?”

“Yes. I looked out before I came to bed, the world is white and pristine, just like the day I took refuge in an abandoned farmhouse. I remember waking beside you, listening to the wild melody of the storm outside.”

“A melody?” she said doubtfully as the wind howled about the walls of the cottage.

Chance nodded, trailing his lips over her shoulder.

“Mm-hm. When I am warm in a bed with you, and my heart is at peace, the rest of the world can rage and go to the devil, and all I hear is a melody. I heard it the first time I woke with you. My word, I was in agony. Did you know that? I was so desperate to act the gentleman, but I wanted you so badly.”

“I wanted you too,” she said, pleased by the way his eyes darkened.

“Yes, I know. I remember the look in your eyes.”

“Just like this.” She lifted her hand to trace a finger over his eyelid and he laughed.

“I expect so. I wanted to tumble you onto that mattress and make you mine, there and then, and instead I had to run out into the snow and take matters into my own hands,” he said ruefully.

Odette laughed until tears rolled down her cheeks.

Chance snorted. “It wasn’t funny at the time I assure you. I suffered agonies.”

“Oh,” she managed, chest heaving. “Oh, my… my poor Charlie.”

He grinned at the name, one she had kept to use when they were alone, to remind them of those first days together.

“I’ll let you make it up to me,” he said, his voice low and a wicked glint in his blue eyes.

“Ah, yes. You did teach me how to please you, after all. I suppose I ought not let your lessons go to waste.”

“That would be a crying shame.”

She snorted at the gravity of his words.

“Still, I shall make allowances for your….”

“Bulk?” she offered, one dark eyebrow quirked.

“Delicate condition,” he corrected, making her splutter again as he pressed his hips closer, his shaft hot and hard against the cleft of her bottom. “In the circumstances, I shall do all the hard work.”

“What an excellent husband you are,” she sighed as his hand drifted to the dark curls between her thighs.

“A paragon among men,” he agreed.

Odette closed her eyes and gave herself into her husband’s care, safe and beloved, and very well satisfied with her lot, and outside the wild melody of the wind howled across the countryside.