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“Better not make a noise then.” He flashed her a wicked smile and then kissed her as if he hadn’t spent the past twenty years doing exactly this. He was as hungry for her now as she was for him. Those two decades hadn’t dulled the edge of desire. She’d never stopped wanting him, or he her. Every touch they exchanged was tinged with a delicious familiarity, an intimacy that only came with deep knowledge of a person.
She gasped as he fastened his mouth over her breast. “Todd! What are you doing?”
“I’m searching for your flaws. So far I haven’t found any but I’m going to keep looking.” He kissed his way to her other breast and then paused, his breathing uneven. “God, you’re beautiful.”
Flattered, charmed, she slid her hands over his shoulders, her fingers lingering on his muscles. “You’re not so bad yourself. I love your body.”
“Me? I’m a puny architect. Can’t lift more than a pen.” But he quickly disproved that by flipping her easily, so that he was on his back and she was on top. “Except when it’s my wife. For her, I’ll move a mountain.”
She stroked her hands over his chest and lower to the towel. “Did you lock the door?”
“No, but it’s early. No one is awake. Aiden is a teenager so no chance of seeing him until lunchtime, and as for the Americans—with the time change I calculate that it’s three in the morning for them. They’ll be dead to the world for a while.”
“Molly will be awake soon.”
“If she appears in the doorway I’ll tell her I couldn’t undo the knot on the towel and you were helping me. No one is going to come in, Clare.” He slid his hand behind her head and drew her face to his. His kiss was hungry and demanding and she melted into it, wondering how it was possible to love him more each day. They had their moments of course. Those minor irritations that were inevitable when you shared living space with another human being, even one you adored. But the foundations of their relationship were strong and solid. She wouldn’t tempt fate by saying that nothing could shake them, but she was confident they could withstand most anything.
“I love you, sweetheart.” He murmured the words against her mouth. “I love that you’re shy and that you listen more than you talk. That’s not a flaw, it’s who you are, and when you say something it’s always worth hearing. I’m not surprised you enjoy your own company—I enjoy your company, too. There’s no one else I’d rather spend time with. I don’t give a damn that you hate public speaking, and I promise that whenever I can I’ll be by your side when you have to walk into crowded rooms full of strangers. Did I miss anything out?”
“Team sports?” She was reminded of all the reasons she loved Todd, not that she needed much reminding.
He put his hands on her hips and held her firmly. “When there are balls involved, I’ve always been more of a one-on-one kind of guy.”
She gasped. “Todd Dickinson! What would your mother think?”
“I’m not having this conversation with my mother. I’m having it with my wife. And if we’re having a conversation about flaws, I have more. And they’re bigger.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Are you being competitive about flaws?”
“I don’t need to be, because I win. And I w
in big. I’m stubborn and never see obstacles—”
“—which is why we’re together, because you ignored every obstacle I put in your path.”
“It’s also why I’m currently handling a nightmare project with an engineer who is desperately trying to make my design work.”
“It will happen. You always make it happen.”
“I talk too much. I dominate a room.”
“Not true. You entertain people.” She kissed his jaw, smooth now against her lips. “You’re the perfect host. Maybe we’re a perfect pair.”
“Maybe?” He slid his hand down her back and pulled her closer. She could feel him, hard and ready through the flimsy towel and she pulled it away.
He tipped her onto her back so that he was back in control. With hands, mouth, the whole of his body he used the knowledge he had of her to drive her wild and she did the same. Here, in this bed, with Todd, she’d never felt shy. She felt powerful and beautiful and sure of herself, and she was sure of herself now as she wrapped her legs around him and rose up to meet and match his passion.
Afterward they lay together, slick skin and tangled limbs bathed by the morning breeze and birdsong. Warmed and softened by love, she nestled in the curve of his arm. “I’m so lucky to have you.”
“True.” His eyes were closed and he grunted as she poked him in the ribs.
“You’re lucky to have me, too.”
“You won’t hear me arguing with that.”
She pressed her lips to his chest. “I suppose if I’m honest, losing Becca made me appreciate what we have even more. Not that I ever took it for granted—”
“You don’t have to explain. I know what you mean.” For once the teasing note in his voice was absent. “I know it’s been tough for you, Clare. Losing your friend.”
