Page 80 of Wherever My Heart Roams

"I should, I soaked in that tub you bought for an hour, I went to sleep actually. It felt so good. I poured that lavender oil in the tub and it was so sweet and inviting."

"God, I've missed you," he bent to plant a more than inviting kiss on her lips. She gave herself freely to him.

"And I you…" She cried. "I can't wait to prove it to you. Will you have a little extra time for me tonight?" She asked looking with longing in her eyes.

"I'll take the time… I promise you." He smiled. There was an eagerness in him too, now and Beth was so glad. She was afraid she might have to beg him to make love teo her, but from the look in his eyes, she wouldn't.

She wanted to be in his arms so badly, she could hardly stand it. "Could we take a stroll around the deck, I need to walk off this fabulous supper."

He stared at her intently, "Of course."

The young Confederate Lieutenant came up to them. "Are you the Captain of this boat?"

"I am the owner; may I help you?"

"Yes, my men and I are going to Natchez, there will be some cargo we need to load on the ship there. Then we'll take our leave." He informed him.

"Fine, we'll tend to it." Wade assured him and started to walk off.

The young Lieutenant looked at Beth, "Would you excuse us, we have some business to attend to."

"I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but my wife and I are just reunited and I promised her this night. I'll get with you about business, tomorrow." Wade informed him.

"But…"

"Excuse us, will you?" Wade insisted, frowning at the young Lieutenant for not having better manners.

The officer seemed put out but Wade didn't care at this point. He hadn't seen Beth in over a month and he wouldn't be put off with cargo problems tonight. He'd done nothing but handle their precious cargo and soldiers for a solid month and tonight he reserved for his family.

General Martin didn't appear the rest of the night and Wade talked with Beth as they strolled along the deck.

"I wasn't expecting you back so soon." He said. "But, I have to say, I'm glad you are."

She smiled into his serious face. "I couldn't stay away any longer."

He bent his head and touched his lips to hers in a kiss that spoke of missing and of reuniting. As his lips trailed down her neck he whispered.

"You're just the sunshine I needed." He whispered, his breath tickling her nerves and sending chills down her spine.

"I love you Wade, and I can say it proudly now. And I want to be your wife…in every way…"She announced in another whisper.

"My God!" He looked intently into her eyes.

"Yes…tonight. I can't wait a moment longer to be yours." She cried. "I've thought of nothing else since I left."

"Let me secure everything for the night, and I'll be right with you…" He promised, kissing her passionately in the moonlight. "Are you sure?" he asked.

"More than sure. Being away from you has taught me one thing, I don't want to ever be away again." she whispered at his ear.

He closed his eyes and swept her into his arms with another passionate kiss.

"I can't say no to you…not now, not ever again." He kissed her forehead, his nose touching hers.

"I was hoping you'd say that." She smiled boldly now.

"You've changed." He smiled. "You're more confident than ever."

"About this, I am." She nodded, kissed him enticingly on the lips and backed away from him, her arm extending to hold his hand. She kissed his face, all over as she spoke. "I've missed you every day, and thought constantly of you. I know where I belong, and that's by your side, helping you, doing whatever it takes to win this war and make a home for you. And I've thought of us making love, having children of our own, and making a family and home for us. Right here on this boat. This is our lives. the war be damned."

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