Page 89 of The Miracle of Love
He lifted her in his arms and set her gently back on the bed. “Stay right there. Try not to look so beautiful.”
“I look beautiful to you?” She touched her hands to her face. “My cheeks are on fire.”
“You are either reacting to my magnificent body or the mulled cider. I am afraid it is probably the cider. Is your head still spinning?”
“Yes. And my heart is racing, but I would blame that on your body. Are you going to put your breeches on?”
“I had better.”
After doing so, he propped her pillow against the headboard and did the same with his. “Your stomach is not going to make it through the night if you lie flat.”
He settled in bed, took her into his arms, and held her warm body against his until she fell asleep.
Grace often spoke of miracles…a miracle they had found the crown. A miracle that he loved her. A miracle they were to share the rest of their lives together.
He would add another miracle, that she had not cast up her accounts in this big, lovely bed they shared.
Chapter Fourteen
Deklan awoke thenext morning to the sound of Grace’s light snores. “Happy Christmas,” he said in a whisper, laughing as he placed a kiss upon her cheek.
She looked delicious.
Pink and warm, and displaying a tempting length of leg because her chemise had ridden up her thighs. A sinful amount of breast was peeking out from the bodice because the sheer fabric had also twisted and ridden downward as she tried to curl herself into a comfortable position against him.
She was now sprawled half atop him, her hair somehow twisted around his arm.
He tried to unravel himself from her with painstaking care, but it did not work. She stirred and opened her eyes, smiling when she looked up at him.
“I did not mean to wake you, love.”
“Thank you for a wonderful night. I’m sorry it didn’t end quite as you hoped.”
He cast her a lazy grin. “You were in my arms. I have no complaints. There’s always tonight.”
“What do you have in mind for us tonight?”
“Nothing, if you prefer.” As for him, it was all he could do to keep from devouring her right here and now. Women were usually the ones desperate to marry, but seeing her wake with a smile just for him brought forth this very feeling in him.
He needed Grace, her smile and her sweet, warm body.
As well, he needed her earnest goodness and deeply caring heart to balance out the hollowness of his after all his years as a Crown agent. Taking on the most dangerous and often dirtiest assignments had taken its toll on him. “Truly, Grace. We need do nothing, if this is what you wish.”
Her lips curved upward in a sleepy smile. “Oh, no. I am not missing out on any of your leopard love.”
“For pity’s sake.” But he laughingly growled as he set himself over her and began to tease and lick her as though he were that beast.
What started out as playful soon turned hot.
There would be no waiting for tonight.
“I knew it,” Grace said, stroking her fingers through his hair. “The jungle cat is aroused and now giving me his leopard stare.”
He groaned as he kissed her on the nose. “How do you think I am looking at you?”
“With a sharp and hungry eye, as though you want to pounce on me and eat me.”
“Well, I am always hungry for you and you do look quite delectable this morning.” He sat up and curled one arm around her waist, drawing her up against him as though she weighed nothing. “How do you feel?”
