“What is it?” she asked.
“It’s for our new and improved cottage,” he said. “I thought it might be good to include you in the plans since I know how much you love surprises,” he teased, and then got serious. “But really, you should be involved in the plans. It’s our home!”
She brushed the side of his face, “We don’t need new plans—I loved it exactly as it was!” Just knowing they would rebuild their cottage gave her more energy; it just didn’t reveal itself in her voice.
Alex lowered a single brow and looked at her for a moment. “Well, I was thinking that we needed another bedroom.”
“For guests? They can stay up at the main house, can’t they?” And then her eyes widened in understanding. “Oh!” she said. Her eyes lit up in sudden joy from her husband’s seeming acceptance, and of the possibility of a life here at Morgana in their new and improved cottage, with their miracle child.
“Is that all right?” he asked, suddenly concerned as her eyes filled with tears. “I know it isn’t like jewelry—”
“Are you kidding?” she interrupted and tears began flowing down her face. “This is the most precious…the most beautiful gift anyone—even you—have ever given me!” By the time she spoke the words, she was sobbing uncontrollably.
“I had intended to get you something else. Something more romantic,” he said apologetically. At that, she began to sob even harder and Alex looked concerned.
“Val?” he said as he sat down on the edge of the bed.
She tried to control the sobs as each one tore into her broken rib. “That is just the…the most…romantic thing I’ve ever...A home! Our home. With a room for our…for our baby!” she cried.
Alex wasn’t quite sure whether to smile or comfort her. He bit his lip and watched his wife until he was fairly certain that she liked the gift. He rolled up the blueprints and placed them back in the tube and then he crawled onto the bed to hold her.
Once the sobbing stopped, he said, “I’m a bit nervous to ask, but is there anything else that you would like for your birthday? Anything you would like to do?”
Valeria smiled as she pulled out another tissue from the box on the bedside table and blew her nose. Her sweet Alex was terrified of making her cry again, and suddenly, she broke into laughter—and he did too.
“I love the plans!”
“You’re sure? It didn’t seem like you had a chance to really look. Do you want me to get them out again?” He started to rise and then, remembering her response, changed his mind. “No. Let’s do that another time.”
He was so nervous with her that it touched her heart.
“But, Val, is there anything you want that I can get you today…that won’t make you cry?”
She had to laugh at that. She touched his face and kissed his lips. “Yes…I want a bath.”
“A bath?” Alex repeated.
“Yes.”
“Hmm, Mani only has a shower here, but let me see what I can do.”
“Are you going to leave?”
He shook his head. “I had to shower and check on our project out there, but other than that, I am with you all day—”
“And all night?” she interrupted.
He smiled. “And all night. I am sorry to say that we will have to move you back to the main house soon.”
“When?”
“When Melitta is revived. I gave them this home for a wedding gift. I expected that they would build another but they seemed to like it.”
“I love this place,” she said glancing around. “It’s like your family—”
“You are my family,” Alex interrupted, making Valeria smile sweetly.
“It’s like they all moved on, but their hearts remained.”
They curled together on the bed and read for an hour when an old-fashioned claw foot tub was delivered into the bedroom.
“That is the most beautiful tub I have ever seen!” she said in awe. It had a high area in the back to rest her neck and was the perfect size and depth.
“Don’t get too excited about the tub. It’s a birthday present for you today and a coming home gift for Lita.”
There was a knock at the door and Tavish entered.
“So the lass wishes for a tub! I’m here to do yer plumbing.” He winked at Valeria. “As you might have guessed, plumbing is my specialty,” he said with a wicked glow in his eyes.
It took a little over an hour—as Valeria learned several new Scottish curse words—and finally, the banging of pipes and drilling was over.
“Your bath!” Tavish presented, and then nodded and left.
Alex went over and turned the brass handles, and in a moment, she saw the steam rising from the tub.
“I’ve checked with Mani and he has confirmed that you can have a bath as long as it isn’t too hot.”
He wrapped a trash bag around her broken leg and the soft cast. Then he helped her out of her hospital gown and wrapped a large towel around her. There were still traces of the mock blood from two nights before. It was the first time he had seen her naked since the accident and he noticed how many bruises and abrasions she had all over her body. He shook it off and unbuttoned his blue cotton shirt. Then he lifted her off the bed and into his arms. This time, it only hurt her for a few seconds, and then his closeness stirred something inside her.
She brushed her fingers over his chest. “I like being here in your arms,” she said.
“I like you here in my arms,” he replied, his mood getting serious as he gazed into her eyes.
As Alex stepped toward the tub and lowered her into the lightly scented water, Valeria moaned.
“Did I hurt you?”
“No…it is heavenly!” she said.
Alex saw the goose bumps on her arm. He took a washcloth and poured her favorite soap onto it. “Here, can you lean forward just a bit?” She nodded and he moved the cloth over her neck and shoulders and back. She moaned again.
“Are you comfortable?” he asked and she nodded.
She drank in the feel of the delightful water with the golden fire in the fireplace beside them—her Alex beside her. It was more than glorious, it was also incredibly sensual.
“It would be perfect if you got in with me,” she said with her eyes still closed. He laughed softly and brushed his lips over her neck.
“Doc says none of that until later,” he whispered without looking her in the eye.
She took his hand and kissed it. “Well maybe you could just…sit in here with me.”
He picked up a pitcher.
“Lean your head back,” he said, his voice getting husky. He poured the warm water over her hair. “I don’t think I can climb in there—or out—without hurting you.” He picked up the bottle of shampoo and squeezed out a bit, rubbing it between his palms before massaging it into her hair. His hands moved up and down her scalp and neck in a way that sent her head spinning into thoughts best left until later.
“I think it would be all right if you got in.” She gulped.
He poured a pitcher over her hair several times and then brought his mouth down on to hers with a passion she hadn’t felt from him in some time. Her arms reached up for him forgetting their discomfort. He pulled himself back from her, breathing heavily, and then kissed her lightly one more time.
“I think…” he said, with his face barely hiding his amusement, “I had better get you out of this tub before you turn into a prune. Are you ready?”
She nodded, so he pulled the plug on the drain as they stared into each other’s eyes. Alex gritted his jaw and turned to grab a towel. He wrapped it around her lovingly and then lifted her into his arms and carried her to the bed as if she were weightless. Then he took the other towel and rubbed it briskly through her long brown hair.
“Do you want to blow dry your hair? I can help,” he said.
“No. I want you to lay down with me,” she said, as she stared at him dreamily. Her beautiful husband...the man who just had a claw foot tub delivered so that she coul
d bathe...the man who just shampooed her hair...the man standing next to her with the perfectly delicious, bare chest.
He crawled into bed and lay next to her.
“You know I am feeling better today,” she said as she pressed her mouth to that chest. She felt that recently absent feeling of heat and moved her fingers over his chest and he leaned his head back and sighed in pleasure.
“Easy there,” he murmured as his eyes rolled back as he moved away from her, but not so far that she couldn’t continue. “You know, in some respects, I am only human.”
Then the curves of his mouth turned up and he took her face in his hands. “You are driving me crazy, you know.”
She kissed him passionately and then moved her lips to his neck as she ran her fingers over his stomach. This time he moaned lightly and took a quick breath.
“Beautiful, I don’t think you’re ready for this yet.”
Valeria buried her face in his chest, hesitating, and then kissed his ribs lightly. “Well…I was thinking…” She bit her lip and stroked her hand along his side. “I thought maybe we could try…other things,” she said, attempting to hide her embarrassment.
Alex closed his eyes for a moment and gently pulled her away, moving his face until he could look directly into her eyes.
His smile softened as he kissed her, but barely hid the amusement in his eyes. “I would love to try...other things…after you’ve healed a bit more. But right now, I think we need to cool it and allow you to recover.”
She could feel the flames of deep crimson lashing against her cheeks and down her neck.
“What is it?” he asked, his eyes lit with love.
She buried her face in his chest again and swallowed. “I just…I know we’re not on our honeymoon anymore, but I loved the way we were and it’s probably naïve of me, but I guess I thought that we would be like that forever. And now, it feels like it’s all changing and...I don’t want that part of us to go away,” she whispered.
His eyes glowed with love. “Do you think that’s what I need?” he asked. Valeria shrugged and looked away, but he gently lifted her chin.
Still embarrassed, she pulled her chin from his hand and drew a deep breath. “No—I know you have extraordinary will power. I’ve never doubted that. But it’s me...it’s what I need.” She looked into his eyes. “Alex, I need you!” She tried to catch her breath. She didn’t want another hysterical sobbing scene like before.
Alex pulled her into him as he kissed her deeply, running his finger along the side of her face and down to her shoulder. Then he looked her in the eyes and said, “Beautiful, I promise you that as soon as you’re healed,” the corners of his mouth turned up, and this time, it was not from amusement, but desire, “the honeymoon will begin again and continue as long as you want.”
“I don’t want it to ever end,” she said.
“It’s decided then.” He kissed her again and when he pulled away, she saw the spark of amusement back in his eyes. “And once you’re healed, I would love to try…other things…if you still want to.” He winked.
They curled together and the distance dissolved.
Alex’s eyes closed in relaxation. He turned and murmured in her ear, “By the way, you might wish that you had allowed me to dry your hair.”
“Why? Is it bothering you?”
“And you might also want to take a nap while you have the opportunity.” His eyes lit with mischief.
“What’s going on?” she asked.
“Hmm…let me just say that today is your birthday and you really don’t believe that anyone here is going to let that slip by uncelebrated, do you?”
“I really don’t like birthday parties—and especially not surprise parties,” she said, brushing her hand over his chest.
“In that case, I am sorry to tell you that Camille hasn’t had a party to plan in four whole months and she certainly wasn’t going to permit this opportunity to slip away. Besides, it will be a wonderful way to get reacquainted with old friends.”
She curled into his chest. “Well then, I’ll tie my hair back. You will give me some notice so I can dress won’t you?”
“Absolutely,” he said as he stroked his fingers over her shoulder and up her neck. Within minutes, he felt her breathing slow, and he knew she was asleep.
CHAPTER 17
Awakening from the dream, Valeria lifted her head off Alex’s chest and realized she was still wrapped in the towel. She lowered her brow. She was certain that she had heard something outside.
Suddenly, the front door flew open and a naked young man in his mid-twenties ran into the bedroom. He was extremely pale with light blond locks, a thin and hairless frame, and a face as guileless as a child’s. Valeria released a small scream—which was a mistake with her injuries. The man froze in horror. Alex bolted straight up in bed, causing the intruder to cover his face in terror.
“Please do not harm me, sir!” the intruder said, as Alex covered Valeria with the sheet to shield her.
“Elliot!”Alex sighed in relief.
The intruder uncovered his eyes and then they widened. “Dear God! Is that you Alexander?”
Elliot seemed to come to life once more, and then realized that he was naked. He shrieked and covered his lower extremity with his hands and, seeing Valeria nearly naked, he shrieked again and moved his hands to his tightly clenched eyes.
“Oh, dear lord, I pray I shall wake from this nightmare fully dressed in my fine silks and lace.”
Alex was out of bed in an instant. He grabbed the throw blanket at the foot of the bed and handed it to Elliot. “Elliot, let’s get you some clothes.”
Calmed by Alex’s voice, Elliot opened his eyes again.
“Yes…please forgive me, madam, but somehow I have misplaced my clothing!” he said, holding the blanket, but not covering himself.
“Elliot!” Alex said and raised his eyebrows in a subtle attempt to remind the young man that he had again exposed himself. Elliot held the blanket in front of him but was completely distracted by the view of Valeria in bed. He leaned toward Alex and whispered loudly enough for her to hear.
“Alexander, pardon my question, but it appears that you have bedded the fair Cassandra!”
Valeria snickered as Alex grabbed him by the elbow and guided him out of the bedroom. She heard as he said, “I suggest we get you dressed first.”
Elliot continued to hold the blanket in front of him as he walked with Alex to the main room—while exposing himself from the rear. He leaned to Alex and said in a loud whisper, “But you’ve bedded her? Please tell me what miracle allows you to bed such a woman.”
“Elliot!” Alex warned.
“I only ask because I would like to—”
“Clothes now—answers, later,” Alex said with slight irritation.
It was a few minutes later when Elliot said, “Alexander, what has happened to your fine clothing? Have you lost your fortune?” He continued, “Perhaps bedding the fair Cassandra cost you your fortune?”
Busy with searching for size-appropriate clothing for Elliot, Alex stopped at the young man’s statement and lowered a brow. “Elliot, I am going to forgive that comment as I’m certain that this new world is a bit confusing. I’m certain that these sudden changes must be quite a shock to you. However, I will not tolerate inappropriate comments about my wife. Is that understood?”
Elliot lifted his arm and pointed toward the bedroom. “But she—”
“It would take me less than five seconds to turn you back out into the forest and then good luck finding more than a burlap sack.”
“Alexander, I swear, I never meant a word of disrespect to Cassandra or to you!”
“Cover yourself with the blanket. I will return with some clothes.”
Alex went back into the bedroom and rolled his eyes as Valeria continued to laugh—which continued to be painful. He grabbed a pair of jeans and a T-shirt from Mani’s dresser and carried them into the main room.
“Here, these will be l
ong, but they should fit.”
Alex returned to the bedroom and flopped down onto the bed next to Valeria who still had a smile on her face.
“I would guess that’s Elliot,” she said.
“Yes, that would be Elliot.”
Elliot’s voice came from the other room. “I beg your pardon, Alexander, but these britches only have but one button. I’m unfamiliar with the gold metallic design, but I think it to be highly inappropriate.”
Alex called out, “It’s a zipper. Pull up on the—”
They heard a screech. “Have they not made safe clothing?” Elliot muttered to himself.
Valeria and Alex heard someone call out from far beyond the shack.
“ELLIOT! Where are you…you fool!” The low, irritated voice shouted through the woods.
“Maxi?” Elliot said. “I’ve not seen him in…I’ve not seen him since…Oh, dear, that was awful.”
Alex glanced at his wife. “I suspect we should get you dressed. It appears we may have more company.”
“That might be a good idea.”
He picked up the hospital gown and Valeria scrunched her nose.
“Real clothes, please?”
The Louis Vuitton suitcase that Camille had packed was on a wooden chair and Alex opened it. He sorted through silk underwear and smiled.
“I don’t believe I’ve seen most of these on you.” His smile broadened as he held up a translucent silk g-string. “Something to look forward to.” He bit his lip and then said, “All right, there are some yoga pants, a pair of jeans, and a T-shirt, or a sun dress?”
“I’d like to wear my jeans,” Valeria said.
“Val…” he glanced at her stomach. “I don’t believe you will be wearing your jeans for a while.”
She frowned and quickly looked down at her belly. What had looked like mild bloating last week now definitely looked like a baby.
“I guess you’re right.”
“Considering what’s to come this evening, how about this?” Alex brought a sundress and underwear to her and helped her dress. The movement while dressing was far less painful than earlier. In fact, she hardly noticed her rib.
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