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The only thing that could have made hith He’d lost at least a stone and could not even make it up the stairs on his own, but by God he could kiss his wife

"Edward," she gasped

He tugged her through the door "We’re staying married"

"Oh God"

He had no idea what she meant by that, but he didn’t think he cared

The room was small, with a bed that took up nearly half the floor, so it wasn’t difficult for hi her along with hi her face in his hands "I want to look at you"

"Why?"

He smiled "Because you’re mine"

Her lips parted into a delectable oval, and he took that as a sign froain She did not respond at first, but she did not push hi herself very still, holding her very breath, waiting to see if the ht he must pull himself away, he felt it--a tiny h his skin as she made a small moan

"Cecilia," he whispered He did not knohat he had done these last fewto be proud of It had not been pure, and lovely, and everything he sahen he looked in her eyes

When he kissed her, he tasted the promise of redemption

He brushed his mouth over hers, softly, like a whisper But it wasn’t quite enough, and when she let out a littlethe soft skin of her inner lip

He wanted to do this all afternoon Just lie next to her on the bed and worship her like the goddess she was It would be just a kiss; he was hardly capable of anything more But it would be an endless kiss--soft, slow, and deep, each caress ency He decided he liked it--for now When he was strong, when he once again felt like himself, he would make love to her with every piece of his soul, and he knew enough of himself--and of her--that the experience would take hiht over

"You are beautiful," he murmured, and then, because it seemed so important that she knew he saw the beauty she held within, he said, "and so good"

She stiffened It was the tiniest motion, but his every sense was so attuned to her he would have known it if she had breathed differently

"We ret in her voice, he did not hear a lack of resolve

He sighed He wanted her He felt it inside like a growing plume, but he could not make love to her in this state--unwashed, exhausted She deserved far row cold," she said

He glanced over at the tub It was not large, but it would do, and he knew that the steao downstairs," she said, aardly co was a soft, dusty pink, and her hand see the ers

She looked utterly mortified, and he could not help but find it adorable

"You should not feel embarrassed," he reminded her "I am your husband"

"Not yet," sheinside

"I really should go," she said without actually taking a step

The srin "Do not leave onone’s husband was considered an important wifely duty"

At that she rolled her eyes, and a war when she was e her own against him

"I could drown, you know," he said

"Oh please"

"I could I’m very tired What if I fell asleep in the tub?"

She paused, and for a few seconds he thought sheto fall asleep in the tub," she finally said

He gave a drah, as if to say--You never know, but he took pity on her and said, "Come back in ten eneral level of filth?"

"Yes," she said quite plainly