Nodding, she pressed both hands against his silky wet skin, swirling the soap through the dark whorls of hair in the center of his chest. Holding his gaze, she let her hands drift slowly down, lovingly caressing every inch of his chest and belly, which was washboard lean and rippling with muscle.
He gasped as her hand moved lower still, his stomach trembling as she soaped the thin trail of hair that disappeared beneath the water. His closed his eyes as her hand closed over his thick shaft, and he let out a soft moan as she explored him with her fingertips. After a moment, he closed his hand over hers, showing her what he needed, and she continued to do what he’d shown her after he let his own hand fall away.
His head fell back against the rim of the tub, his entire body drawn taut as a bow. Then suddenly he convulsed, crying out, as his thick member throbbed heavily in her palm. She released him, sitting back, her face flaming with embarrassment but also feeling a heady sort of power that she’d managed to bring him such obvious pleasure.
After a long moment, he opened his eyes and gazed at her, fiery passion in those beautiful blue depths. Wordlessly, he reached out and pulled her toward him, kissing her with that same intensity. She leaned into him, half in and half out of the tub, uncaring that she was drenched from head to toe.
His hands went to the front of her nightgown, fumbling with the buttons until he finally had the offending garment in a wet puddle at her feet. Then he lifted her bodily into the tub with him.
Still kissing her, he trailed his hands over her, soaping her body the way she’d soaped his, toying with her breasts until she was moaning with pleasure, then trailing his hands to her most private area, his wonderfully talented fingers learning exactly what made her cry out even louder, until she finally convulsed and shattered in an agony of bliss.
Nothing existed at this moment but him, and the way he made her feel. And when he pulled her on top of him and thrust deep inside her, sloshing water everywhere, she cried out in pure joy.
He cupped her face and held her gaze, letting her see everything she’d always hoped to. “I love you, Serenity,” he whispered. “I have always loved you.”
“I love you, too,” she breathed. “I never stopped.”
Chapter Sixteen
Mid-morning had comeand gone before Luke and Serenity finally dressed to face the day. After their lovemaking in the bathtub, he’d washed her slowly and thoroughly, showing her all the passion and tenderness he’d held inside for so long. Then they’d fallen back into bed for even more lovemaking, which had required yet another quick rinse in the tub. By the time they were done, the bathroom had been a complete disaster, and he reminded himself to give the maid a small bonus for having to deal with it.
They’d had a late breakfast, chatting about a book they’d both read, but soon the specter of their missing child had been impossible to ignore, and they’d lapsed into uneasy silence. As wonderful as it was to renew their love for each other, neither of them could ever truly be happy until they knew for certain what had happened to their child. And he dreaded the thought of what would happen if that day never came.
When he found that they were both headed to Adrian and Vanessa’s house, he wanted to tell her to stay home, but she looked so lovely and hopeful when she mentioned how Vanessa had been so kind to her, asking her to accompany her on some errands.
Knowing how few women friends she’d had in her life, he wanted to do all he could to facilitate the relationship between Serenity and his brother’s wife, however, it made him very nervous to have her there until he’d finished his investigation. When she found out that she’d been so close to the boy who might very well be her child, yet he hadn’t told her his suspicions, she’d no doubt be furious.
So, he said nothing, and instead, he ordered the carriage made ready and they rode there together. After a little bit of friendly chit-chat, he drew his brother aside, leaving the women on the other side of the room with their heads bent together companionably.
“May I see Gabriel again?” Lucien asked quietly.
Adrian’s brows rose, and his posture immediately got defensive. “Why? He’s told us everything he knows.”
Pride for his brother’s fatherly instincts warred with his impatience and sense of guilt. “No,” he said soothingly. “I just realized that I haven’t made much of an effort to get to know the boy, given everything that has been happening the last few weeks, and I’d like to.”
“All right,” Adrian said slowly, obviously sensing that there was more to it than that. “Come on.”
