Page 72 of Robert

She turned her head to look at him. “You have been putting off your business trips so that you can stay with me. I don’t like that. I don’t like feeling this way, vulnerable and needy.”

His expression softened. “And you especially do not like staying at home while there are homelessness around and people who need help. Don’t you think you have more than made up for the past?”

Her lashes drifted over her eyes. “I don’t know what you mean.”

Lifting her head, he forced her to meet his gaze. “You were a child then and had no idea and did not care that you were hurting people. What you are doing now, all those charities that you are involved with, more than make up for past mistakes. You do not have to try so hard. You have already made your mark and I am so proud of you.”

His words and the intensity of his deep voice had her tearing up again. The man had such a way with words! “What have I done? Except beg for money to contribute to the various causes. You on the other hand have managed to remake yourself.” She sniffed. “I have been to several functions and have seen the way people gravitate towards you.

They ask for business advice and listen when you talk as if they have never heard those words before. You’re magnificent, darling and I am incredibly proud to be your wife.”

Emotions stormed through him, and he marveled that he was not swept away by the force of it. Her opinion was all that mattered to him, no one else’s. She was what mattered, and it will always be that case.

“Now you’re making me feel wobbly.” He took a shaky breath. “I adore you. And I would like the chance to hover. I cannot help myself darling. I see you going through all of what you’re going through and loving you the way I do, it pains me to see you suffering.

I want to take the sickness away. If I had the power, I would take everything away so that you never feel a moment of discomfort. Do you understand what I’m saying?”

“Come to bed,” she whispered achingly. She had the sudden violent urge to show him how much she loved him.

“I will in a minute. I want to make certain you get some sleep. I…”

“No.” Her fingers were digging into his wrist. “I want to make love to my husband.”

He simply stared at her and could not help the stirring of a desire so thick; he had to push it aside. He was not a damn monster, not even the fact that they had not made love for the past two days was going to make him turn into one.

“No.” He shook his head firmly. “You’re not well.”

“I am feeling fine now and there’s a law against refusing a pregnant woman anything.” Her eyes were glowing with desire and lighting a fuse inside him.

“Darling, please don’t look at me like that,” he pleaded.

“Then take off your clothes and come to bed.”

“We can’t,” he murmured weakly, hating himself for being so damned susceptible to her. “We can’t,” he repeated, trying to sound authoritative.

She shredded his self-control or the little he had, by simply moving away and shrugging out of her robe. She had lost some weight, but her breasts had not followed suit. Because of the weight loss, they appeared to be more rounded and were certainly fuller.

His eyes wandered over the pointed peaks of her nipples which were already responding to his avid gaze, and he knew that even if a gun was held to his head, he was going to make love to her. His body was already consenting, even if his mind was desperately trying to hold onto reason.

“We shouldn’t.” His weak mind was still trying to hold onto reason of course but had slowly lost the battle. His cock was straining against his slacks and had a life of its own.

“Are you going to just sit there?”

Damn her, he thought hazily, feeling his brain turning into mush when she cupped her breasts and offered them to him. He was lost and they both knew it.

Jumping off the bed, he wrestled with his clothing, the frustration obvious as he tried to ease the zipper down.

Her tinkling laughter had him smiling as he finally managed to rid himself of his clothing and joined her.

“Uh, no!” She stopped him when he reached for her. “I am in charge here. Pregnant and all, I call the shots.”

“That’s emotional blackmail,” he growled.

“Call it what you will. Now lie back and no touching.”

“That’s not…”

“No talking either!” He did not say anything when she straddled him and wrapped both of his hands around the thick intricate pattern of the headboard.

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