Page 78 of The Earl

As he slid in and out, Conrad massaged her buttocks with his hands, every bit of Cait bursting with pleasure. Reveling in the heat of the fire next to them, the heat created between.

The slow lovemaking became a frenzy of tangled limbs and splashed water. Even more so than the first time, their joining signified the end of a very long journey as two separated people became one.

“It feels so good,” she said, breaking away reluctantly but needing some sort of temporary reprieve from the sensations that threatened to overwhelm her.

“I love you, Cait.”

As if reinforcing the tenderly stated words, Conrad thrust into her, and Cait did not hold back. She met him, hips circling in the rhythm they’d created, thrust for thrust. She wanted to say the words back, but no sound came from her.

At least, none that formed coherent words.

When Conrad’s jaw clenched at the same time as the muscles in his shoulders flexed, the sheer power of her husband coupled with the very gentle way he held her hips . . . Cait could not hold on any longer.

“Conrad . . .”

With one final thrust, Cait finally let go. The power, regret, love, pleasure . . . all of it mingled between them as she cried out his name.

Her entire body shuddered as Conrad’s head fell back against the side of the tub. Collapsing atop him, Cait somehow managed to hold her head just above the water.

With his help.

“I cannot move,” she said finally. “Nor do I wish to just yet.”

Conrad pushed a strand of her hair behind her ears.

“If we stayed in this tub forever, I would die a happy man.”

Cait smiled. “That may very well be true. But I think you would have a difficult time explaining to Terric why you did not appear at Runnymede.”

Conrad sighed. “I suppose you are correct.”

She pulled off of him and began to move away when he stopped her.

“Just one more moment.”

As he looked at her, a question in his eyes, Cait realized what her husband waited for, and she said the words gladly.

“I love you too. Always.”