Chapter 8

Disclaimer: JER/NBC own characters

"Grace, I do love you so." Completely spent, Samuel smiled at his wife. "You are the most beautiful and loving woman in Harmony."

"And you are the most handsome and charming husband. No wonder I adore you the way I do." Grace laughed. "I do hope we didn't wake up the children with our lovemaking."

"They're fast asleep, just like little Helene." Samuel began to kiss her neck. "That being the case, I think we could love one another once again."

"Let me check on Helene first. We left her in the kitchen by the door, and I don't want the night air to give her a chill." Grace playfully swatted Samuel's hand from her breast. Wrapping the sheet around her body, she entered the kitchen.

"Samuel!"

Still naked, Samuel came running into the kitchen. His eyes widened at Grace's stark white face.

"What is it, Grace? What's wrong?"

"Helene is gone! Gone! Even her cradle is missing!" Panic filled her eyes. "What could have happened to her?"

"It could not have been an animal; an animal would not have taken the cradle too," Samuel reasoned. "And Eve and Julian would have called out to us if they wanted to come get her."

"We wouldn't have heard them anyway, Samuel. We were too busy making love."

"Then, perhaps they didn't want to intrude on our exquisite love-play."

"Samuel!" Grace blushed at his words. "We are speaking of Helene!"

"It could have been none other than her mother and father. You worry too much, Grace."

"After what happened to Eve, do you blame me?"

"No, I do not." Samuel crossed the kitchen and took Grace into his arms. "That is one of the many reasons why I love you so much. You care about everyone."

"I love you, too. But Eve--"

"Eve was safe, Grace. She returned unharmed if you recall."

"I know she did."

"Then rest easy, my dear. The Crane family is well."

"I just have a bad feeling about this, Samuel."

Grace closed her eyes as Samuel pressed against her, his renewed need for her obvious.

"I have a feeling as well, my lovely wife," he whispered against her hair. "And it is my wish that you let me take you to paradise again." Grace soon put her troubling thoughts out her mind as Samuel drew her into a deep kiss.

Julian smiled at Eve as he sat at the large table. "Supper was quite delicious," he said. "Healer and cook. My, you are a sprite of many talents."

Sitting on top of the table, Eve rolled her eyes at the backhanded compliment.

"Would you please desist with the names?"

"Does it disturb you to hear the truth about yourself?"

"Deep down you know I am no such thing, Julian. Your persistence in repeating the insults will not make them true."

"Ah, but the fire in your enchanting eyes when I do heats my blood so." Julian reached over and caressed her cheek with his index finger. He laughed heartily at Eve's sudden blush. "I daresay you feel the same way."

Eve scowled at him.

"I do not."

"Why do you lie, beautiful one? You want me as much I want you, do you not?"

"No."

"Pray tell, my dear, why your face has become such a lovely shade of rose?"

"I--we are sitting rather close to the fire," Eve stuttered. She hated that she reacted to Julian when he was not himself, but a lecherous version of her husband.

"Nay, my lady. We are not that close to the fire."

"Close enough. Why do you want to argue?" Eve stood up in a huff. She walked about the giant table. "I just want to lie down. It is late and the day has been a long and trying one."

"What an excellent idea." A sly smiled followed a lascivious purr. "And I think the bed will be most comfortable for us."

"Us?"

"Mais oui, madame. We are husband and wife, or so you have insisted. Therefore we will sleep together this night."

Eve stared at him.

"I cannot and will not share a bed with you, Julian."

"Why ever not?"

"It--it simply isn't safe, Julian. And I want to sleep near Helene in case she needs me." Eve turned away from him.

"You can sleep on top of my chest--I will not roll over knowing such a treasure is asleep on top of me."

"But Helene--"

"Helene is asleep. But I can place her cradle near the bed. If she cries in the night, I will help you down so that you may go to her."

He thought of everything. Dear Lord! "I don't suppose I have a choice in this matter?"

"Precisely."

"Very well, Julian; however, you will not act in an inappropriate manner with my person."

"Meaning?"

"You will not touch me."

"Touch you how?"

"You know what I mean, Julian."

His gaze went over her slowly, lingering on her cleavage so temptingly overflowing her corset.

"You mean caress your long legs, your luscious breasts, your sweet--"

"Julian!"

"I understand, my dear. I will be a perfect gentleman."

"Thank you for that," Eve muttered. She prayed he would keep his word, for she did not know what she would do if he did not.

Julian was in agony. His little prisoner slept upon his chest, her shapely form wrapped in a deer fur. Eve explained the fur was ideal to sleep in, being thin but insulating. She refused to sleep in her corset, insisting the whalebone would make it too uncomfortable for her.

"Oh Eve," he moaned. "I cannot sleep with your tempting body on mine. Why would I do this to myself?" He gingerly touched her with his finger. "I must have been mad to subject myself to this sweet torture." He closed his eyes, praying for sleep to mercifully overtake him.

Julian breathed heavily as he looked at the beautiful woman who lay in wait for him. Her golden skin shimmered in the sunlight and her hand reached toward him.

"Do I please you, my lord?" her soft voice called to him.

"No other woman compares to you. Your beauty outshines all," he told her.

"I've waited so long for you," she whispered.

"And I have waited forever, my beloved." Julian took her into his arms, his lips worshipping hers. He then suckled her breasts, causing her to cry out in pleasure. His hands stroked her body, until they both could stand it no longer and he joyfully entered her.

"I love you so much," he breathed.

"And I you," she told him, her eyes closed...

Julian awoke with a start. He had been making love with Eve, and he had never felt so alive, so complete... He was ready to continue, when his gaze fell upon the tiny woman still sleeping on his chest.

"No," he moaned. "It was nothing but a dream." Julian looked closer at her. The fur wrapped around Eve had loosened, and he could see her magnificent breasts and inviting hips. His mouth went dry as he drank in her beauty.

"If only I could make you mine," he whispered. Eve still slept, and Julian could feel himself becoming aroused at the sight of her breasts rising up and down with her breath.

"You will not touch me." Eve's words came unbidden to his mind. He did promise that he would be a gentleman. Yet that was when Eve was awake.

Julian smiled to himself. "What Eve does not know will not cause her any harm."