She touched him tentatively, then closed her fingers around him. To her surprise and delight, she felt him harden.
“Chauncey, you’d better consider well what you’re doing.”
She grinned against his shoulder. “It’s most exciting that I can make your body . . . different with but a touch.”
“I have told you that men are simple creatures. Their control ceases at the groin. If you keep caressing me, I’ll . . .”
“You’ll what?” she asked softly, nipping at his shoulder blade.
“Sweetheart,” he drawled, his voice cracking a bit, “stop it. I refuse to take the chance of hurting you.”
“But you promised last night that you’d shift all my feelings lower.”
“I changed my mind after I changed your bandage.” Resolutely he removed her hand and brought it to his chest and held it there, palm down.
“Your heartbeat is fast.”
“I imagine so. Now, listen to me, you seductive little wench. Depending on how you feel today, I’ll bathe you and let you move about for a while. No, love. Keep your hands still or I’ll have to get up.”
“I love how you smell.”
He could feel her warm breath against his shoulder, and his body quickened. He closed his eyes a moment, willing his enthusiastic member to calm. It was like swilling a powerful aphrodisiac, having his wife bent upon seduction. “Thank you,” he said. He refused to think about her lovely body pressed against his side. When he felt her thigh moving over his, he gently eased away from her.
“No, Del,” she said, clutching at him. “I promise I’ll not move again. Don’t leave me just yet.”
“Lie on your back, Chauncey.”
“Why?”
“Just do as I tell you. You are my wife, and it is your duty to obey me.”
She pulled at the hair on his chest, then quickly kissed him. Slowly, careful of her shoulder, she turned onto her back and gazed up at him. “Why do you want me on my back?”
He smiled at her, studying her face as he eased his hand under the blanket to her belly. She sucked in her breath. His fingers splayed downward, probing gently until he found her.
“Ah, it is a grave situation, just as I thought.”
“What is?” she managed, her eyes on his beautiful mouth.
Her delicate woman’s flesh was moist and swelled against his caressing fingers. He felt his own need growing by leaps and bounds, but kept a firm grip on himself.
“Your body, love.”
Her hips lifted without her even being aware of it. “You will make love to me, Del?”
“In a manner of speaking. As a responsible husband, it is one of my duties. Lie still, love. God, Chauncey, you feel so warm.”
She moaned softly, turning her face away from him. His fingers left her and she shifted back to look at him, her eyes huge with silent question and disappointment.
“I want you to look at me while I give you pleasure.” She shuddered at his words, embarrassment at her body’s response dissolving when he found her again. “That’s right. Believe me, I will let you return the favor once you are well again. No, don’t close your eyes. Give me the pleasure of seeing you respond.”
She gasped when his fingers took on a purposeful rhythm. Her tongue moistened her dry lips and he saw her eyes begin to take on a glazed sheen. Within moments she felt every ounce of her being concentrated beneath his fingers. “Del,” she whimpered softly, biting her lower lip, “it is more than I can bear . . . Oh God! Help me, please!”
He felt her muscles tighten, felt the convulsive move
ment of her hips against his fingers. He thought he would yell at the pleasure of seeing her respond so completely to him.
“Del!”