Chapter 22: Her Father's Watch

Maisie's POV

He undid the gown himself, a hook at a time, and it took a long time because neither of us wanted to rush.

I stood in the gray light with my back to him and felt each hook let go.

"I thought you'd gone," I said.

"I know."

"I stood in that doorway and thought, he left, and I came in anyway."

"I know." His mouth was on my shoulder. "I'm here."

The gown slid down and pooled on the floor.

I turned around and pulled him down onto the mattress with me.

There was no hurry in it tonight.

I took off his shirt and put my lips against the scar on his side, and he breathed out slowly.

He kissed me from my throat down to my navel and stayed there, and I pushed my fingers into his hair and told him what I wanted.

"Slower," I said. "Please."

He went slower.

He put his mouth on me and was patient, and thorough, and he made me wait.

I came the first time quietly, with my eyes shut, and the second with his name.

He moved up my body and I took hold of him and guided him in.

We lay on our sides, face to face, with my leg over his hip.

He filled me slowly, all the way, and held there with his forehead on mine.

"Too much?" he said, and I heard the joke in it, from the first night.

"Put it in the file."

He laughed against my mouth, and then he began to move.

It was deep and unhurried, his hand spread wide on the small of my back, drawing me against him with every stroke.