“You think? Aren't you sure?” He raised one eyebrow, and something about
the position of his lips suggested he was concealing a smile.
“You know, I'm not,” she teased.
Christopher grinned before adopting a playfully wounded air. “If you've
forgotten, perhaps I should remind you.”
“Perhaps you should.” Did I just say that? What a hussy I've turned out to be. But she couldn't help beaming. An unknown sensation rose up in her—an unexpectedly pleasant one.
His wolfish expression turned concerned. “How's your back?” he asked.
She rolled her shoulders. “Better.”
“Let me see.”
Blushing, she turned reluctantly. I wish my scars would just go away. At least
from the front, I look…normal. From the back… words cannot describe.
“It does look better, I think,” he commented, trailing one finger along her skin. The deadened sensation told her he was touching scar tissue. “The bruises
are all yellow. Nothing's purple anymore, and all the scabs are solid. Can you lie
on it comfortably?”
She lowered herself to the cool sheets and positioned herself. “Not too bad.”
And completely hidden. That's even better.
“Good. Your belly?” He trailed his fingers across the skin.
She squirmed at the tickling touch. “Much better. That part wasn't as bad as it
looked. His strength was about gone at that point, so those bruises were colorful
but not very deep.”
His palm came to rest on her skin. “I'm glad to hear it. I was worried about
you.”
“I was worried about me too,” she admitted. “I think the corset didn't help.”
“Likely not. No more of that. You're slender enough without it.” He leaned
over her, lowering his mouth to hers and kissing her again.
She slid her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
“Kat, are you feeling better here?” He slid his hand down to her mound.
“Yes,” she admitted through her blush. “It stopped aching in the bath.”
Uncertainty chased across his features. “Would you like to be close again?”
Steeling herself against her discomfort, she hastened to reassure her husband.
“I think… yes.” She colored prettily. It felt wanton to be asking for his intimate
caresses, but she couldn't help herself. So many slaps and punches, so few hugs
had left her deprived, and she was hungry to be touched.
He sat back, stripping off his clothing and shedding it wildly all over the
floor. Then he joined her again, stretching out beside her. He cupped the delicate arch of her neck in one hand, turning her towards him for long arousing kisses.
“Are you feeling brave, love?” he asked at length.
“What did you have in mind?”
“I want your tongue in my mouth again. Can you do that?”
“Oh.” Recalling the deep kisses that had so wonderfully enhanced their last
lovemaking, she smiled. Yes. I can do that. She leaned toward him for the kiss and did as he had requested, tasted him timidly. Like the shy girl she was, she showed him she wasn't sure how to cope with her desire but felt it, nonetheless.
