her hand to his shoulder and laced their other hands together. A smile curved her lips as he began slow dancing.
There was no stopping his heart from pouring out. “You’re my oxygen, Relsy.”
“Ben,” she whispered.
His eyes met hers and drew him deeper into her. Their mouths came together in a luxurious kiss that wound through his veins, spreading heat through his chest and lulling him into a different state of mind. Gone was the urgency, the need to take or dominate, replaced with the sheer, soul-deep desire to love and cherish. He guided her to the bed, kissing her as he lowered them to the mattress. He loved his way south, slowing to tease her nipples the way he knew drove her crazy. Every slick of his tongue, every suck, nip, and tease, brought a needy sound, a rock of her hips, a breathless whisper—“Ben—”
He heard that dizzying plea in his dreams, and he wanted to hear it every single day for the rest of his life. He moved down her body, cherishing every inch, and then he made his way back up to see the blissful look on her gorgeous face. He was overcome with love. He’d promised her wild sex, but as he held her beneath him, as he kissed her with all the love and devotion he possessed, all he wanted was to be inside her so she could feel the strength and power of his love as her own.
He drew back, gazing down at the woman who owned him so completely, he wasn’t sure how to survive without her. Her green eyes moved slowly over his face, and then, as if she’d read his mind, she said, “Make love to me, Benny. We can be wild later.”
“Oh, sweetheart, I’m going to do just that.” He kissed her deeply, cradling her beneath him, feeling her heart beating in time to his as their bodies became one, and he whispered, “I always knew we’d be good together, but I never imagined it would be like this . . .”
A long while later, after they’d made love slowly and sensually, and then wildly and without inhibition, Aurelia lay with her back against Ben’s chest in a warm bubble bath. It was wonderful making love without worrying about waking Bea. No, it was better than wonderful. It was magnificent seeing Ben so unrestrained. He was a sexual animal, and oh, how she loved it! They’d christened the bed, the couch, and when they went to the kitchen to get a snack, he’d swept the dishes off the counter, sending them crashing to the floor, and then they’d christened the counter. Her love for him was endless, and their passion grew with every kiss. She had never felt so in love, or so at peace, as she was right then, so why, as she lay in a romantic bath with the man of her dreams, was her mind tiptoeing to Bea? Was it weird that as much as she’d love to have the rest of the night to cuddle with Ben and not have to worry about feedings or changing diapers, she wanted those responsibilities?
Ben kissed her temple and ran his fingers down her arm. “What are you thinking about, Relsy?”
“Us.” She tilted her head so she could see his handsome face, and he lowered his lips to hers in a temptingly warm kiss.
He traced her jaw with his fingers and said, “And?”
“Bea,” she confessed. “I can’t help it. I miss her.”
“Oh, baby,” he said with a rough voice. “Me too. I was trying not to say anything because I didn’t want to ruin the moment.”
“Thoughts of Bea could never ruin any of our moments. Do you think your mom would mind if we picked her up now? Even though it’s late?”
A dazzling smile, alive with affection and delight, brightened his face, and he said, “There’s only one way to find out.”
She squealed and popped to her feet, dripping with bubbles. He snagged a towel and wrapped it around her. He kissed the tip of her nose and said, “Let’s go get our girl.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
THURSDAY MORNING AURELIA sat in the rocking chair they’d bought for her bedroom, feeding Bea as the first spray of sunlight peeked through the curtains. Bea made contented sounds as she ate, as if every drop was exactly what she needed. Aurelia kissed her forehead and glanced at Ben, lying in his briefs on top of the covers, one arm stretched over his head, the other on