A/N This chapter is rated M, but it has been edited down and is not sexually explicit. If you prefer to read the full, unedited chapter, it can be found at the website A Teaspoon And An Open Mind, where this story is posted under the penname WhoMe.

Extra special thanks to A Who Down in Whoville and T'Kirr for helping me keep this edited version from becoming too hot to handle. You ladies are FANTASTIC!

Chapter 8

The Doctor stepped into the tub and settled himself across from Rose, the water sloshing gently as he positioned his legs on either side of hers. The barest trace of a smile, which spoke a promise of things to come, graced his lips as he gently lifted Rose's left leg from the water and dropped a kiss to her inner ankle before placing it to rest atop his thigh. He ran his fingertips up and down the slick skin of her calf as Rose breathed out a slow, deep sigh.

"Your skin is so soft," he marveled in a hushed tone. "Like warm silk." The Doctor bent forward and placed a kiss to her knee before cutting his eyes up to hers. "Come here," he gently requested.

Rose's heart began beating that little bit faster in her chest. This was a request she would certainly never refuse. She moved across towards him and turned, leaning her back to his chest as her head lay against his shoulder. Her hands came to rest on his knees as his arms encircled her. The Doctor nuzzled the nape of her neck, then followed a descending path, drifting his lips lower, kissing his way to her shoulder as his tongue swirled in tantalizing patterns on her skin. His hands moved to caress her in long, sweeping strokes.

Rose moaned softly as she turned her face into the crook of his neck, kissing the juncture of his shoulder and neck as his intimate touch continued to bring them both pleasure.

"Oh, Rose," he murmured into her hair, "do you know how much I love to touch you like this, knowing you're mine?"

Rose peppered kisses along his jaw until he turned his face to her and she captured his mouth, tracing her tongue along his upper, then lower lips. He opened willingly to her. Their tongues met and glided languidly against each other, the moment unrushed and every second relished, before Rose pulled back, placing another kiss to his jaw.

"And you're mine," she breathed, raising her arm to wrap around the back of his neck.

His hands continued exploring her, fingers like those of a skilled musician playing an instrument, and he could elicit the most beautiful melody from her.

Rose turned in his arms as he dipped his head and stole her rapid breaths in a searing kiss.

With her left hand threaded in his hair, Rose moved her right hand between them. Now it was his turn to gasp as he wrenched his mouth from hers, breathing heavily and erratically as his eyes fell shut and he lost himself to her touch.

The Doctor gave himself completely over to Rose as he dropped the last shred of his barriers with a resounding thud. There was no stopping or slowing this now. An aroused Time Lord with his barriers removed would have the primal, untamable need to join with his mate even if the universe itself was disintegrating around them. Fortunately for them and the universe, there was nothing in their way tonight.

Rose continued, knowing just how to touch him to make him come undone. With his head thrown back and eyes clenched shut, Rose kissed the hollow of his throat as his low groans vibrated against her lips. It was quite possibly the hottest sound she'd ever heard.

Somehow, the Doctor was able to find some fading thread of control as he lowered his hand and wrapped it around hers, urging her to cease even though his body was screaming for her to continue.

"Want to share this together," he panted.

His words and the look in his eyes were enough to send her over the edge then and there. Rose kissed him roughly on the mouth. His hands tangled in her hair, freeing her golden strands from the messy bun as her hair cascaded through his fingers and down her shoulders. They kissed hungrily and desperately, and somehow Rose managed to whisper breathlessly into the kiss, "Bedroom?"

"Don't care," he growled, nipping at her neck. "I just need you. You're everything to me, Rose. How much I need this, how much I need you, it's uncontrollable."

If Rose wasn't already off her feet, her knees would have just given way beneath her. Yet despite his ability to turn her to molten liquid, Rose found the strength – spurred on by urgent need – to stand from the tub, grasping his arms and urging him up. His mouth was upon her as soon as he stood.

"Rose," he rasped into the kiss, low and deep. Their kiss became bruising and frantic. Each and every time they made love, it only seemed to make them more desperate for each other. The honeymoon was far from over. Knowing the level of their passion, it never would be.

In spite of the heat coursing through Rose's veins, a slight chill passed over her skin as she stood in the open air. The Doctor, in tune to her every sensation at this moment, felt her slight shiver and slowed their kiss. She was his priority. Always. He stepped away from her long enough to grab a large, fluffy towel hanging on a hook, then turned back to her. With infinite tenderness despite his ardent need, he ran the towel over her body, drying away each drop of water from her skin and adoring every inch of flesh along the way.

When he had finished, Rose took the towel from his hands and did the same for him, adoring him from head to foot. She dropped the towel to the floor as he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bedroom.

They simply kissed for a span of time as Time itself seemed to be suspended around them. Their kisses alternated from frenzied and ravenous to heartbreakingly tender as they feasted upon each other's love.

The Doctor forced his eyes to open, to look into the eyes that held his entire universe as Rose looked through his and into his soul. The Doctor thought his hearts might burst then and there as he gazed down at his Rose. His Rose. It still astounded him.

"Oh, I love you...so much," Rose breathed out, her voice hushed.

The Doctor lowered his lips to hers in a breath-stealing kiss that would've had her quivering if her entire body wasn't already trembling from the sensation of pleasure, love and passion surging through her.

-:-:-:-

Later, the Doctor held Rose in his arms as she settled into his chest, delighted to feel his hearts still beating out a fast rhythm and knowing she was the cause. The Doctor dropped a kiss to her temple as his hand trailed up and down her back. He whispered to her in Gallifreyan, repeating his pledge of love. Rose felt tears form in her eyes as his love once again consumed her. Her entire body hummed within and without in the afterglow of their passion. They had long since learned this is truly what it meant to make love, because that is exactly what was created.

And yet, love was not the only thing that was made on this night. The first spark of a new life had just been created between them.