Unfastening the cuffs of my shirt, and another button from the neck, I lean against the doorjamb as I watch my wife staring out into the dark as the fresh snow falls.

Twenty-eight years she’s been by my side and the woman still causes my breath to catch at the back of my throat. She can still make me want her with just one word, with one look. She’s beautiful on the inside and out, and I sure as hell got lucky that day many years before in the elevator at McKenzies.

Moving toward her, I smile when I realize she’s spotted my reflection in the window, and slide my hands around her midriff. She leans back against my chest with a long sigh. “Did you enjoy tonight?”

“You know I did,” I reply, nuzzling into her neck. “You always arrange us like soldiers so nothing goes wrong,” I tease.

“You’d do anything for me,” she intertwines her fingers with mine, “just like I would you.”

“I would.” Frowning, I lift my face away from her neck and turn her in my arms so that I can see her beautiful face that appears etched with worry. “What’s wrong, honey?” I tilt her chin up so I can search her gaze, but all I see is love.

“There’s nothing wrong.” She wraps her arms around my waist and nuzzles her face against my chest. “I was just standing here thinking about the life you’ve given me and how I wouldn’t change anything. I was worrying about our youngest with him being in law enforcement. I think I worry about him the most.”

I brush my lips against the top of her head, and admit, “I worry about him too, but honey, he’s been trained by the best and we need to trust him to know what he’s doing.”

“I know that, but I still worry.”

I chuckle. “Me too.” Guiding her down to the plush rug in front of the blazing fire, I wiggle my brows. “I thought I’d have my wicked way with my wife.”

“Hmm, is that right?”

Kneeling, I slowly unbutton her blouse, revealing a white lacy bra. I ease a cup to one side and fondle one small globe before my lips touch the hard bud with tantalizing possessiveness.

Lily moans, gasping for breath as she quickly unbuttons my shirt, shoving it down my arms. “I want to see you. All of you.”

Pausing, I hold her gaze before moving away to remove my clothing that keeps me from her gaze. Her eyes heat as I reveal more and more flesh, and when I’m standing in front of her, highly aroused, Lily plants a kiss to the tip of my cock before removing her own clothes.

She lies on the rug and the sight with the shadow of flames flickering over her body is beautiful. She holds her hand out, which I take as I lie down beside her on my side.

I lean in and capture her lips in a sweet kiss, one that is so familiar, and one that always tells me how much she loves me.

Caressing her jaw with my fingers, I slowly move down her body. Smiling, I hover over her aroused body and let my tongue caress her sensitive swollen nipples while my hand slides over her silken belly. My tongue follows, making a path down her ribs to her stomach, finding her pleasure points.

“Not tonight,” she begs. “I want you inside of me, Michael, while you hold me close.”

Slowly making my way back up to her, I slide my hands over her smooth thighs, and sheath myself inside her warmth.

I can’t help the shudder rippling through me at the feel of her wetness as it wraps around me. I gather her close so not an inch separates us and slowly love her while holding her gaze.

“You,” I whisper, “are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” I kiss the curve of her neck, her earlobe, and finally her sweet lips.

“I love you, Michael.” Her hands hold my ass, keeping me inside her. “Nothing feels this good.”

“Lily,” I moan, “I need to feel you.”

She gasps and the feel of her release rippling along my cock sets my own off, and I grunt, gently thrusting, filling her the way I always have. Time stands still while my wife clings to me, trying to catch her breath.

I keep her wrapped in my arms and roll us to the side, taking the weight. “I love you.” I kiss her shoulder.

“Mmm,” she mumbles, snuggling more deeply against me. “I can’t believe that our oldest daughter is going to be married… We need to help Joshua along.”

“I think Joshua has his hands full with his job right now.”

“He looked lonely, though. Didn’t you notice? The others had someone with them, but he was alone. It bothers me more than I guess it should. It was as though he looked troubled.”

Sighing, I suggest, “Our kids are still in their twenties, they don’t need to rush into anything. Look at Sirena…she rushed when she was younger.”

“Hmm, and Alexander and Rachel.”

I frown and wonder what she’s talking about. “What about them?”

“You haven’t noticed anything?”

“If I knew what I was suppose to be noticing then maybe I could answer you.”

She chuckles. “If you’d noticed then you’d know exactly what I was talking about.”

“Lily,” I groan. “Spill it.”

“I think they’re in love with each other.”

I capture the hand that’s wandering between our bodies, and bring it up to kiss her palm. “I don’t know whether or not you’re correct, but I’m not thinking about anyone else but you tonight.” I kiss her mouth to silence her next words. “Whatever is going on with them will still be there tomorrow. Tonight you are mine in front of the fire.”

“I’m always yours, Michael.”

“And I’m always yours, Lily.”