Her hand rested on his chest over the steady thump of his heart. She felt almost boneless and a little dazed after the cataclysm she had just experienced. Alec’s arm was heavy across her back and arm, and she wondered if he was asleep. Damaris raised her head a little to peek at Alec’s face. He slanted a look down at her through slitted eyes, and a lazy smile spread across his lips. He ran his thumb down her bare arm as though to emphasize that he was awake, then bent to press his lips against her head. “Dear wife,” he said in the teasing tone he reserved for those words. “Did you think to catch me napping?” Damaris spread her hand wider over his chest, indulging her urge to touch him. “You seemed… quite relaxed.” His low laugh rumbled beneath her head. “Indeed, I am quite relaxed. But this feels too nice to sleep.” She snuggled closer, drawing lazy designs upon his chest, following the hard centerline of his chest, the flow of his muscles, circling the flat bud of his nipple.
