Four of Hearts by Roz Lee

held fast to her hand as they filled the bath and set out two clean towels for the other couple. Candace tried to pull her hand from his, but he couldn’t bear to lose the contact. He needed her touch. Needed to have that physical connection with her. “Let’s get them in here, then I’m taking you to my bed, our bed.”

    * * * * *

    Richard carried Fallon to the bathroom, nodding a farewell to Ryan and Candace as he did so. There would be time to talk to them later, but for now, Fallon was his only concern. She lay between his outstretched legs, a limp, satiated mass. He bathed her with a tenderness he didn’t know he had. She was so strong when she was with him, taking his orders, obeying, submitting. But with Ryan she had been someone else, someone confident, in charge, even though Ryan had done his share of asserting his wants. In those moments she was as fragile as glass, and he was afraid now that his touch might shatter her.
    “Richard?”
    “Yes, love?”
    “Thank you.”
    What was he supposed to say to that? “Is that what you wanted?”
    “Yes. I’ve never told a man what I wanted before. It was. . . different.”
    “Is that what you want from me?” He could do it, if it meant seeing her body accepting as much pleasure as he had witnessed a few minutes ago.
    “No. I love the way we are together. Don’t change.” His shoulders eased at her words. He hadn’t realized how tense he was, until her words released him.
    “I would, if you needed me to.”
    “This was nice, but what you do to me is. . . well, it’s you, and I don’t want to lose that.”
    “You’ll never lose me.” He kissed the top of her head, her neck, her shoulders. “As soon as you’re ready, I’ll tie you to our bed and show you how high you can fly.”

    * * * * *

    Ryan held on tight. He and Candace shared a shower, touching and loving until they were both exhausted. Then they’d fallen into bed. Ryan pulled her close, spooning her in the tightest grip he could without hurting her. He couldn’t let go. Something inside him told him his world was shifting and he was deathly afraid of losing Candace, so he held on. She loved him. And he loved her. There wasn’t any doubt in his mind, or his heart. But something else nagged at him, remaining on the periphery of his understanding.
    His life was shifting, and he didn’t know if that was a good thing, or a bad thing. He had to hold onto Candace. No matter what else happened in his life, Candace would be there, and that made it all right. He could weather anything as long as Candace was by his side.
    In the wee hours of the morning, her sweet hand closed over his erection, and when she pushed him to his back and slid the covers past his hips, he closed his eyes and thanked whatever god had brought this angel into his life. She took him in her mouth and his heart almost burst with love for her. She made the sun come up in the morning, and she held the moon and stars in her hands at night. She was the center of his galaxy, the anchor in his universe.
    When she offered her body to him some time later, sinking into her was like coming home after months wandering lost at sea. Her love caressed him, filled in the empty places he’d lived with for so long. That she loved him too was a miracle beyond comprehension. She gave herself freely. He took, and in return, he offered her everything he had, everything he was.
    He fought off the sense of impending doom. There wasn’t anything he couldn’t do with her by his side. As he took her body, he gave his in return, and he knew beyond any doubt he’d do anything to keep her.

Chapter Nine

    Candace was through trying to understand him. After their first sexual encounter with Richard and Fallon, Ryan had retreated into his shell, and it had taken her a week to coax him back out. This time was different. This time he wouldn’t leave her alone. On some level, she knew it was a good problem to have, an attentive husband, but on another