When his brows furrowed, she regarded him with worry. “What is it?”
“Are you all right? Did I hurt you?” he asked again, moving to support himself on one elbow.
“I am fine,” she replied. “I felt nothing more than a pinch,” she added when he didn’t look convinced. “Although I do feel as if I’m not all here,” she whispered, lifting her chin so her head was forced deeper into the pillow.
“Oh, you’re here,” he murmured happily. “I’ve got you. But I think I know what you mean,” he added in a faraway voice. “You’re in bits and pieces and floating about.” His fingers lifted to wiggle in the air above her shoulder.
She gave a start. “Yes, that’s it,” she whispered. “You feel like that, too?”
He kissed the space behind her ear. “Since the moment I met you.” At the sound of her scoff, he added, “But more so in these last few minutes.” He raised his head from the pillow to place a series of kisses along her jaw and then onto her lips. “And here I am practically suffocating you,” he said as he attempted to move more of his body off of hers.
“I look forward to when we can do it again, but I think perhaps we should wait until after dinner. You’ll need your strength,” she teased.
He chuckled. “I like the way you think,” he said before he kissed the top of her breast and attempted to roll off her body.
Marian held onto him, her arms tightening around his back. “Don’t go,” she said.
He relaxed back into her hold. “If you’re sure. It’s just... I’m suddenly feeling very tired. I fear I’m going to fall asleep.”
Tittering, Marian inhaled and let the breath out on a sigh of satisfaction. “Then do so,” she replied. “I’m not going anywhere.” Reaching for the counterpane, she lifted the edge up and over him. “But I rather imagine your backside is growing cold.”
“I wouldn’t notice if it was,” he whispered. “But thank you,” he said before he fell asleep.
Marian’s lips lifted in a grin as she wondered how he could be so sleepy when her entire body seemed more alive than she could ever remember. Before she could think too long on it, she too was sound asleep.
They didn’t awaken until the mantel clock chimed seven times.
