I take a step into the room and lean against the doorframe. A crackling fire fills the space with warmth, and Hector sits on the sofa by the hearth, eyes fixed on me. He watches as I cross to him and kiss his cheek.
“What has you in such a good mood?” he asks.
Laughter twinkles in my eyes as I straighten. “Will you not greet me properly?”
“Hello, wife,” he murmurs, his voice a deep rumble.
Happiness hums in my chest like a gentle lullaby as I take a seat across from him and nod. “Husband.”
“What about handsome?” A smirk tugs at the edges of his mouth “Or dashing?”
“Do you need me to stroke your ego?” I ask with a grin.
His smirk deepens, gleaming in his eyes. “No, but you can stroke something else.”
I roll my eyes as I smooth my cotehardie, appreciating the soft silk beneath my fingertips. “I’m going to use the rest of your coin to buy Lila fabric.”
“Suit yourself. It’s your coin now.” He leans back and crosses one leg over the other as he rests an arm across the top of the sofa.
“Lila seemed genuinely grateful. She’s never had anything new before.”
Hector nods. “That’s good of you to think of her.”
“It’s the least I can do.” I pause, then add, “I asked her to accompany me to town tomorrow. We’re going to buy the fabric together.”
“Where are your purchases?” He allows his eyes a slow pass over me.
“The shop owner will have them delivered.”
A smile twitches at my lips as I stand, move to Hector, and sit on his lap. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me closer.
“Thank you for everything, Hector.”
His eyes drink in my form, as if he is tasting the finest wine. “You are dressed very finely today. Is this for my benefit?” Lightly, he strokes the edge of my bodice, sending a shiver of pleasure up my spine.
I lean in to whisper near his ear. “You know it is, husband.”
His lips skim along my neck until he reaches my earlobe, where he nips it lightly between his teeth. “I want you to take the cotehardie off.”
I press my palm against the firmness of his chest. “You’re impossible.”
“I mean it, Sol. Take off your gown,” he says, his words an insistent demand that carries a thrill of anticipation and desire.
Our faces nearly touch as I hover near him, allowing only a tantalizing breath, a hint of what my lips taste like.
With a coy look, I slowly breathe out. “No.”
“Challenge accepted.” He rises from the chair with me in his arms. His fingers nimbly work at the laces of my cotehardie, slowly undoing them one by one until the fabric falls away, giving way to the thin chemise covering my body. That too is removed with a swift yank, leaving me standing before him without any clothes.
His gaze lingers on my breasts, then travels up to meet mine. “You’re so beautiful, Sol,” he says, his voice raspy and thick with lust.
“Truly?”I smirk at him. “I thought I would do?”
He groans. “Don’t remind me of how horrid I was to you.”
I laugh, enjoying the way he follows my every move as I reach for his surcoat. My fingers work quickly, pulling off his surcoat and revealing his broad chest and toned abs.
His muscles ripple beneath my fingers, each one flexing as I move my hand along his body. I don’t ever want to stop touching him. Feeling him. Adoring him.
