Rolfe shed his boots and chausses, kicking them from the pool. He lifted his wife and her buttocks filled his hands. She wound her legs around his waist and Rolfe was surrounded by her sweetness. Her scent tantalized him, her breasts were crushed against his chest, and her warmth drew him deeper withinher.
Rolfe moved slowly at first, but Annelise soon began to echo his rhythm. Her wet skin slid against him in an intoxicating manner. He could think of nothing but his desire, his Annelise. Their lovemaking nigh overwhelmed him; indeed, it was more potent each time and he began to think he would never have his fill of her. He managed to last until she reached her pleasure, but in the moment she cried out, he could wait nolonger.
He roared with the force of his release. He strained for the heavens even as he felt Annelise do the same. He gave her his all, his heart warming with the awareness that she was his equal in everyway.
There was only they two. Rolfe was barely aware of himself falling to his knees in the shallow pool. He gathered Annelise protectively to his chest and they sank together into the water, their mutual blisscomplete.
* * *
The man might have inventedlovemaking, for all his skill withit.
Annelise nestled against her spouse, more than glad that he had returned to the palace. It seemed quite decadent to embrace in the pool in the moonlight but it waslovely.
If they broke the curse, would the palace disappear? Shewondered.
As much as she liked it, she wouldn’t mind. She wanted her husband’s curse broken more than anythingelse.
And his heart in her possession, ofcourse.
She caressed his shoulder, smiling at the wet state of his chemise, then kissed his ear. He seemed to be dozing a little, but then, he would have been active in the forest all day in his wolfform.
He stirred and gave her a sleepy glance, thensmiled.
“Is your name Ethelbert?” sheasked.
He blinked as if startled, then abruptly stood up. The water splashed, but he set her upon her feet, his agitation clear. He even stepped away from her, bending to retrieve his wet chausses. “Annelise! You cannot guess myname!”
She watched him, wondering. “You could just tell me what itis.”
“You know that Icannot.”
“No,” she said with care. “I know that youwillnot. That isdifferent.”
He glared at her. “You do not know what is atstake.”
“And I am unlikely to know, if you refuse to tell me more,” she replied, keeping her tone calm. “Indeed, sir, if I had to guess, I might conclude that you did not trustme.”
He shoved one hand through his hair. “I told you about thecurse.”
“Yes, but I suspect that you confided only half the tale,” Annelisereplied.
His gaze flew to hers and Annelise saw hisfear.
“Yes, I see the truth in your eyes, husband of mine. There is more to this tale than you would have me believe, and I would know the truth. How else can I help you?” She raised a hand when he would have protested. “Our lives are bound together, no matter how much you would prefer that they werenot.”
“Annelise! I do not preferthat.”
“And how would I know as much? Surely a woman should know her husband’sname?”
He frowned down at his wet boots, then met Annelise’s eyes. “I cannot tell you myname.”
“Because you do not trust me.” She said it, hoping he would deny it, but saw the truth in his eyes. Annelise inhaled sharply. “I must have my freedom,then.”
He stared at her. “You mean to seek anannulment?”
“Why? Is that what youdesire?”
“No, Annelise.” He shook his head with reassuring vigor. “Neverthat.”
