He pretended to contemplate that for a bit as he ran the sponge over the tops of her breasts. "Sometimes."
"Most of the time."
His mouth tightened slightly. "I'm trying to apologize here."
"Who's stopping you?"
His eyes met hers as he fought to control his temper. "I'm sorry for loving you so much that I feel the need to try and protect you."
Her brows shot up. "That's your idea of an apology?"
"I did nothing to apologize for." He ran the sponge slowly over her nipple, eyes holding hers.
"I don't need your help. Just go away and let me enjoy my bath in peace." She tried to sound rough but failed miserably. He was doing something to her nipple and sending shards of desire spearing through her.
"Do you really want me to?" The sponge dipped lower, moving over her quivering stomach with purpose.
"Yes. Damn you."
"You and these babies are my life. I would do anything to keep you safe. All of you." His arms dipped lower and had the breath whistling through her lips. "I don't like it when you're mad at me."
"Then stop trying to run my life. Damn you, stop!" She gripped his wrist, fingers digging into his flesh.
"Not yet." He slid down and went on his knees. Using the sponge, he smoothed it over the swollen flesh and had her moaning.
"You want me."
"I hate you," she whispered, head going back as she closed her eyes.
"You still want me. And you can never hate me."
"Don't be too sure." She opened her thighs wider.
"Tell me you want me," he demanded harshly.
"I-- God!" Her body shuddered as the climax slammed into her with force. "Oscar."
"Tell me you want me."
"Damn you. I want you," she whispered huskily. "I want you."
"Okay." Rising, he made short work of getting rid of his clothes and stepping in. Suds swirled, the water dripping over the side of the bath as he slid in behind her.
Turning her to face him, he moved forward a little so that she could wrap her legs around his waist as she sank down and took him in. His long lean body shuddered as her tightness closed around him. For a few seconds, he just held her as the fragrance from the steam rose up around them.
Her hands went around his neck, her body arching. With a tortured groan, he seized her lips, the kiss spinning and spinning. Her body reacted instantly. It started out slow, but within seconds the control had snapped.
Water sloshed over the rim, pooling on the greenish-blue tiles. But they never noticed. He went from her mouth to her throat and then thank Jesus! To her aching nipples. She climaxed again, her body seizing.
With his mouth on her nipples, he tasted the fragrance from her bath. He tasted her. His blood boiled as desire brimmed over, taking him along for the ride. He plunged into her over and over again. He would never get enough. It would never be enough.
Lifting his head as he reached the peak, he gazed at her, all the love he was feeling in his eyes. A gasp escaped her and tears came, streaming down her cheeks to mix with the moisture from the bath. He kissed her cheeks gently, sipping at the water and tasting her tears.
"I love you." His voice was velvet rough, a symphony of his love for her. "I love you." He could repeat it over and over again. There was no shame, no hesitancy. A lack of pride that had her breath hitching. Just a simple statement of fact. Something that came out of an overflowing heart.
"I love you." He trailed kisses from her eyes to her cheek and then to the seams of her lips. When he took her lips again, gentle, gentle, gentle, the orgasm burst through him like a flood.
There were no needs for further words, nothing more was needed. She buried her face in his throat, her body still trembling. Holding her tight, he closed his eyes.
