Was there a note of regret there? He hoped so. “Oh well. A man can still hope.”
“Paul…”
He turned on his side, facing—well, staring at fur. The sole candle was guttering, so it almost twinkled at it. “Harry, I am so damn exhausted right now, I probably wouldn’t be able to respond even if you did decide to cross the hills.” He yawned. “But that only goes for tonight.”
“I understand.” Her voice was sleepy. “Good night.”
“Good night.”
“Meow.”
“What the hell…?”
“It’s only Belle. She’s cuddled in here on my side. Looks like she dined very well tonight.”
Paul sighed, and realized that if he paid attention, he could hear a rumbling purr that certainly wasn’t Harry snoring.
It was actually rather pleasant.
Sleep came rapidly to all of them, encouraged by the warmth of the bed.
Followed by morning, which arrived far too soon for Paul’s liking. Especially since at some point during the night, the landscape had changed yet again.
Gone were the hills, pushed down to the bottom of the bed. They were replaced by a warm and snuffling armful of woman, who had tucked herself into Paul’s body and even now was heating his chest and thighs as he held her comfortably cuddled against him. He had no idea where the cat was, and at this moment he didn’t care.
Toasty beneath the heavy fur, Paul simply lay there, enjoying the feel of Harry’s hair against his chin and the rise and fall of her body as she breathed. His arms encircled her, her bottom tucked perfectly into his groin, and—inevitably—his manhood awoke at that moment as well, eager to acknowledged this new presence it its vicinity.
He didn’t want to move. For one of the few times in his life, Paul experienced long minutes of absolute peace and contentment. It dawned on him that this was the way he wanted his life to be—waking with the woman he loved in his arms, facing the day with her at his side, hearing her laugh, making her smile and sharing their burdens with each other.
It was an epiphany in many ways, and yet perhaps he’d known it on some subconscious level when he’d claimed her publicly as his wife.
He was puzzled and more than a little confused, but whatever this new attachment was, it was there now, and he knew it wouldn’t go away.
Neither would his arousal, and sadly he eased himself away from Harry. She deserved a few more minutes of sleep, since he guessed they’d have another hectic day ahead of them.
Sliding from the bed, Paul turned his back on visions of lazy morning pleasures.
He’d bring her a cup of tea. It would be a start…
