Return to Me - By Morgan O'Neill Page 0,35

personal business made Magnus no less wary, and he was determined to make the necessary changes to Athaulf’s security.

The meeting finally came to an end, the question of security still at a standoff. Heading through town to the small but luxurious villa Placidia had given them, Magnus felt more than ready for “lunch and some down time,” as Gigi would put it, an opportunity to spend some quiet moments with his wife. The afternoon was beautiful, and he was determined to put his worries aside. It seemed as though neither of them had known a carefree moment since Gigi had been given the ring at the wrap party.

Nodding to passersby, he thought about what his life had been like in the future, in Gigi’s time. It was an amazing place, a place of peace for most people, but it was also an alarmingly soft place, which led to an astonishing level of naiveté. When, exactly, had almost everyone in her culture decided to jettison the most basic skills needed to survive?

Nevertheless, he thought, I wouldn’t mind making that other world, Gigi’s world, my own once again. He glanced at his garnet ring and smiled. Victoria, grant it! The twenty-first century would be so much safer for them, and for the children.

He reached their villa, unlocked the front door, and went inside, but no one was about, not even their steward. Gigi seemed to be gone, too. Perhaps she was shopping. He went to their bedroom and splashed some water on his face to freshen up, then thought about the open-air pool in their atrium at the back of the house. He decided to take a dip.

Magnus pulled off his tunic and sandals and tossed them on the floor, then headed for the atrium. Parting the curtains, Magnus stopped short, mouth ajar.

Naked and wet, her body dappled by sunlight, Gigi lay on pillows on the far side of the pool, her iPod softly playing music unknown to him, the singer crooning a love song.

He watched as Gigi pretended to play her flute along with the tune, her beautiful breasts glistening in the sunshine.

Magnus grinned, as a powerful urge pulsed in his groin.

She saw him and smiled. “Welcome home,” she said in English, stretching languidly. “Michael Bublé. Isn’t he amazing?”

“I think you are amazing, my sweet.”

She giggled. “I gave everyone the day off. I couldn’t stand it any longer. I just had to sunbathe, even if Placidia rakes me over the coals for ruining my complexion. Would you like some lunch?” She gestured toward a tray on a nearby table.

“Not just yet,” he said. “I was looking for the matron of the house.”

“Mmm, that would be me,” Gigi answered, running a seductive finger over her wet skin. “I’m so glad you’re already naked. You’ve been so busy, I thought I’d have to coax you out of your tunic.”

Keeping his gaze on her, Magnus went down the steps into the pool, enjoying the gently cooling sensations as the water level crept up his body. He ducked under and pushed off, resurfacing next to his wife.

He leaned out of the pool and gently kissed her smile. “Would you like to come in for a swim?”

She kissed him back, mouth open, her tongue exploring his lips, and then lightly probing for his tongue. “No,” she said between kisses. “I’d rather we swam afterward. I need to have you on top of me, Magnus. I don’t want to drift. I want to feel your weight.”

Her words, so simply expressed, would have brought him to his knees had he not been holding on to the side of the pool. He smiled, knowing he’d be on his knees soon enough.

He rose out of the water, dripping wet, and sat beside her. Her green eyes dazzled in the sunshine, her gaze filled with love for him alone.

He traced a finger across her cheek, down her neck, and then circled her breast. So beautiful. He rubbed a thumb over her nipple. She moaned in pleasure.

Gigi’s arm encircled him and she pulled him down, pressing her hips against his and spreading her legs. “I want you inside me,” she whispered.

Magnus rose over her, electrified by her desire, but determined to take it slower than her insistence implied. He wanted to draw out the moment, drive her mad with longing, until they could climax together.

Magnus entered her hard, but kept the rhythm slow. Despite the soft warmth that enveloped him, despite her long legs wrapped around him, he slowed his pace even