Free Love Me Forever by Donna Fletcher Page A

courage sometimes disappeared
when questioned. He released her slowly then quickly set to work,
adding the heated water to the tub. His arm was around her again
before the pain could trouble her.
    “The heat feels so good. You must come join
me and enjoy it.”
    He thought it would have been wise to douse
himself in the snow before joining her in the tub, but that was not
possible. He had to remember how she trusted him to keep her safe,
but damned if he knew how long he could keep her safe from him.
    She took several deep breaths again.
“Ready.”
    He let go of her, stood, and flew out of his
clothes. He noticed she had shut her eyes, and that brought a smile
to his face. Wait until she leaned back against him; he wondered
then if her eyes would remain closed or widen.
    He hurried into the tub, though with care,
for he did not wish to send the water splashing. He eased his legs
around her and slipped his one arm around her to rest beneath her
breasts, then after situating himself comfortably, he drew her back
against him.
    She rested her head on his chest and placed
her hand on his arm. “I have never been naked in a tub with a man
before this and never thought to be, especially with a stranger.”
His laughter was a soft rumble in his chest, and she enjoyed the
sound of it.
    “I am no longer a stranger. I tend you,
touch you, and sleep with you. We have become familiar with each
other in more ways than many husbands and wives do.”
    “Aye,” she agreed, “that is the truth. Many
husbands would not do for their wives what you have done for
me.”
    “How could I not? You are a gentle soul and
so very beautiful.”
    Her eyes rushed open. She had kept them
closed not knowing if she could look upon him after feeling the
length and strength of him behind her. He had pulled her close, and
she knew how very much of a man he was, and to her surprise the
thought thrilled her. But he telling her that she was beautiful
shocked her.
    “You think me beautiful?”
    “Aye.” He kissed her temple. “I have known
no woman as beautiful as you.”
    “You tease me.”
    She did not believe him, and he found that
odd. Women enjoyed being told of their beauty, though her beauty
went beyond the common. She defined beauty and that was rare.
    “Nay, I tease you not, I mean what I say.
You are beautiful to look upon—all of you.” He gave her an
affectionate squeeze.
    She simply did not know how to respond. She
was stunned silent.
    He sensed her discomfort and attempted to
make light of it. “Are you not now going to tell me that I am
beautiful?”
    She giggled softly; she could not help it.
She knew he but teased her. But then, he did not realize that a
man’s looks meant naught to her. It was what was in his heart that
mattered, and his heart was beautiful.
    “I think you the handsomest of men.”
    Royce could not believe that she spoke with
such conviction.
    She actually sounded as though she thought
him handsome. He could not help but say, “Has the accident left you
with poor sight?”
    “I see more clearly than I ever have, and it
is clear to me that you are a handsome and caring man.”
    He was about to object when she gently
squeezed his arm. “Please allow me to feel as I do.”
    There was a tender ache in her voice that
touched his heart. He leaned his head closer to hers. “I am glad
you think me handsome.”
    “And caring, do not forget caring.”
    “I care for you.”
    His words were a soft whisper one strained
to hear. Brianna heard them, for they drifted over her and settled
in her heart. She did not question them or give them thought, but
simply held them close and made them part of her. This man was like
no other she had ever met, and if she was not careful she could
lose her heart to him.
    “You are comfortable?” His arms remained
firm around her.
    ‘Too comfortable.”
    He understood, for he felt too
comfortable himself. He had grown much too fond of her in much
too short of a time and yet why did he