The water around them had cooled considerably since D'Artagnan had slid in behind Constance. His strong hands had worked their way along her shoulders and down her back, relieving the the aches and pains in her. But now the chill was starting to work its way into her bones.

D'Artagnan eased her forward and then got up letting the water run down his body in rivulets. He grabbed a towel and wrapped it around his waist before drawing up a towel for Constance. As she stood up, D'Artagnan put the towel around her and started to rub her arms trying to generate some heat for her.

"Go sit by the fire Constance, get warm and then you can get dressed before dinner."

"I've got nothing but the dress I wore today and I really don't want to put it on again." she said, her nose wrinkling in distaste.

"Don't worry, I've got something for you." D'Artagnan smiled at the surprise on her face "It won't fit but it's clean." He pulled a soft linen shirt from his saddlebag.

Constance smiled at his thoughtfulness "Do you always carry around a spare shirt for me?" she teased.

"I always carry a few extra things, just in case. It's just an added bonus that you'll be wearing the shirt. And help yourself to anything else you want.." D'Artagnan would have preferred her to wear nothing at all but they needed to eat and Constance wouldn't be comfortable with the serving girls going in and out if she wasn't wearing a stitch of clothing.

Constance came over to him from her position close to the fire. "What else have you got in there? A hairbrush? Perfume?" She peered over his shoulder into the bag. She took the shirt and went behind the dressing screen. The towel came flying over the screen towards D'Artagnan as he pulled his pants on again.

"No hairbrush or perfume, I'm sorry. But I have some socks to keep your feet warm." D'Artagnan said, sitting himself on the bed. Constance came out and plopped herself next to him. She pulled her hair from the shirt collar. D'Artagnan reached for the riot of ringlets that swung near him. Her hair was one of the many things that he loved about her. He loved the feel of it between his fingers and when it trailed over him as she kissed his body.

"Turn around." D'Artagnan murmured to her.

"Why?"

"I'll do your hair for you." D'Artagnan ran his fingers gently through her hair, combing out the tangles from the day. He started to braid it for her and he could feel her relax even more. She gave a contented sigh as D'Artagnan finished up her hair with a ribbon he had taken from his bag. It was one he had "stolen" from her to keep with him in the weeks she had been denying her love for him but that was over now.

"Thank you! That feels so much better than it did. How did you learn to do hair D'Artagnan?"

D'Artagnan smiled, ready to do some teasing of his own. "I know how to braid a horse's tail. It's not so different to your unruly hair."

Constance whipped around "You think my hair is like a horse's tail?" and slapped his arm. D'Artagnan gave her an easy smile. "No, my Constance. I love your hair. I love you and everything about you." He placed his hand on her cheek and drew her face to his so he could kiss those soft, pink lips that were so enticing.

Constance returned his passionate kisses with a passion all of her own. After all of that time denying her feelings, they were coming bubbling to the surface. D'Artagnan pulled Constance onto his lap as they continued to deepen the kisses. They were becoming more urgent in their need to be with each other.

A sharp rap at the door brought them to a sudden stop. They pulled apart both of them breathing heavily. "Yes?!" D'Artagnan all but growled at the door. He wasn't happy at having to stop kissing her. And at what he was anticipating was to come.

"Monsieur? Madame? Your dinner is ready and there has been a delivery for you." called the innkeeper.

Constance giggled and went to slide off D'Artagnan's lap but he held her there. "Come in," he called "if you must." he muttered under his breath. The innkeeper opened the door and carried in a small satchel, while two men carried the bath out with minimum spillage and a couple of girls came in carrying their dinner.

Within minutes the door was closed once more, leaving Constance and D'Artagnan still sitting on the bed. "That looks like my satchel from the palace." Constance mused as she went to make her way over to it. D'Artagnan grabbed her hand "It can wait, you need to eat, you've not eaten since early this morning."

Constance suddenly realised how hungry she was and clutched at her stomach. "Yes, you're right it can wait." The table was ladened with food- roasted chicken, vegetables, cheese and bread, a variety of fruits and a rather large bottle of wine. The rich smell was almost over powering.

D'Artagnan filled a plate and passed it to Constance as she poured the wine. For awhile no words were spoken as they shared the meal. As Constance ate however, her eyes kept coming to rest up D'Artagnan and a mischievous smile would play about mouth. Eventually D'Artagnan got up and moved his chair to her side. "Do you want something?"

"Mmmm." Constance hand slide down D'Artagnan's arm.

"Close your eyes." Constance closed her eyes as D'Artagnan took something from the fruit platter. He traced the plump and juicy apricot half across Constance's lower lip, inviting her to open her mouth. He slowly placed a piece of the fruit in her mouth.

He took red, ripe strawberry next and traced it up her neck until it came to her lips once more. D'Artagnan teased her a little by rubbing it on her lip but when she opened her mouth he moved it away. He continued with the game until she was just inches away from him. When he finally placed the fruit in her mouth he quickly followed it and kissed her deeply. His tongue tasting the delicious blend of Constance and the strawberry.

Her hands came around his face as the kisses became more heated. D'Artagnan picked Constance up from her seat and balanced her on the edge of the table. She widened her legs so he could easily fit between them. His hands pushed the shirt up to give him free access to her. His hands feathered over her until one came to rest at her breast, his fingers gently teasing the nipple, the other at her hip.

Constance's hands fell to D'Artagnan's pants as she fumbled with the buttons of his fly. She reached in to cup him and felt him stiffen at her touch. He groaned in her ear as she fondled him "Constance, I won't last long if you keep that up. I want to take you to bed."

Constance laughed softly at him, "Our first time was on the table in my kitchen. Don't you remember?"

"I remember...I'd just told you that I loved you." He pulled her closer. Constance looked at D'Artagnan with hooded eyes and he suddenly understood. He didn't need any more encouragement. He pushed her back onto the table, his fingers opening the ties of the shirt to expose her breasts to his willing mouth. He sucked at the soft flesh.

Constance managed to get his pants completely undone and as she slid them from his well rounded behind, she wrapped her legs around him and drew him into her. There was no finesse to this encounter but it was an expression of love, of life itself.

As D'Artagnan slid himself into the very core of Constance, the world shifted again for them and everything was once more right. Constance braced herself with one hand on the table and the other wrapped in the dark velvety hair at the nape of his neck. D'Artagnan held her in place with one hand on her hip, the other pulling at the plait exposing her throat to his lips and tongue.

He plunged his full length in and out of Constance, setting a steady rhythm. Gritting his teeth, determined to see Constance satisfied and it didn't take long for Constance to come. With three more strokes D'Artagnan came to his shuddering end.