“What are those two Sesame Street words?” Kate archly inquired, a mischievous light in her eyes.

The merest flicker of a frown, quickly gone. “The remote. Please. And thank you.”

She handed it to him.

He clicked on the TV, tossed the quilt aside, and threw the remote at his feet. Before she could utter another syllable, he flipped her so her head was near the foot of the bed, rolled over her, settling between her legs all in one smooth, kinetic flow of brute force and muscle. “Just so you don’t forget who gives the orders here,” he murmured as he flipped through channels. “Although you’ve done a very nice job of keeping my dick up the last three days.” He dropped a kiss on her nose. “We both thank you, even though you wore us out.”

Kate shifted her lower body slightly against his erection. “He doesn’t seem worn out.”

“That’s a relative term with you, baby. Anything this side of last rites is a go, so we’re good.” His gaze was on the TV. “So what can we do for you this morning?”

“Oh, I don’t know. I was thinking about maybe an orgasm to start the day.”

“Only one?”

“Hey, do you mind?” She tapped his cheek.

He glanced down at her. “Really? They’re rewiring the electrical system in an old Camaro. I can do two things at once.”

She glared at him.

“Okay, okay.” He hit Record, then clicked off the TV. “There.” He smiled at her. “Here we are, baby. Full concentration.”

Taking her face between his hands, he slowly kissed her and even more slowly entered her, knowing exactly where she wanted him, how deep, and how high.

“I need to feel you inside me and over me, touching me,” Kate whispered, lifting her mouth for a kiss as Dominic languidly slid inside her. “Always…”

“That works out then,” Dominic murmured, smiling as he kissed her. “Because we have this insatiable craving for you.” But she was swollen, tight. “Tell me if I’m hurting you.” He stopped to rest, waited for her flesh to relax. “You sure you’re okay with this?”

Her green-eyed gaze was sleepy. “You feel good,” she whispered. “Big.”

No shit. Because she was super tight. He gently flexed his legs, advanced a fraction more, felt like a fucking explorer mapping new territory. But her sleek tissue slowly turned supple, yielding, and ultimately he reached his goal. “Is that too far?”

“Ummmm—no… umm,” she groaned. “Oh God—do… that again.”

He always felt absurdly pleased when he could give her pleasure, as if he were placed on earth to indulge her; a bizarre thought always quickly forgotten after sex. “Like this?” He barely moved, but he shifted his hips enough to exert a tenuous pressure on her favorite sweet spot.

“Oh, God, Jesus, Dominic,” she panted. “You can’t ever leave…”

“Just a little,” he murmured, withdrawing enough to add friction to the pressure when he thrust in again.

Her protest died in her throat, altered to a low, rapturous moan. Then she jerked his head down hard and hissed, “You’re perfect, damn it. I hate you for it. Now do that again.”

He did, several times and in several different ways, until she’d come, he had, she had, until much later she finally punched him hard in the chest.

“Sure?” he said with a faint smile.

“We’re not all machines,” she gasped.

“You’re the boss, baby.”

She rolled her eyes.

“You don’t have a clue,” he said with a smile, having altered his entire life for her. “But no complaints.” He kissed her lightly. “Time for a soak in the tub?”

She almost said, How do you know that’s exactly what I want at this exact moment? But after all those lovely, gentle, balmy morning orgasms, she wasn’t in the mood to ask any questions she might not really want to know the answers to.

They were in the tub when Patty arrived, the kitchen noises drifting up the stairway an indication that she was setting up for the day.

“Hungry?”

Kate was sitting between Dominic’s legs, her back against his chest, her head on his shoulder, half asleep. She nodded.

“Want breakfast in bed or downstairs?”

“Whatever you want.”

“Can you stay awake to eat?”

“Coffee,” she murmured.

“Coming right up, baby. Don’t move. I’ll be right back.” Easing out from behind her, he stepped out of the tub, saw that she was resting comfortably against the tub back, and turned on the faucet to warm the water while he threw on a pair of sweats.

Semidressed, his wet hair dripping on his shoulders, he flicked off the tap and frowned; Katherine’s eyes were shut, her breathing slow. “Should I lift you out? I wouldn’t want you to drown in your sleep.”

“I won’t drown,” she whispered. “Hurry.”

He was in the kitchen moments later, rubbing his hair with a towel. “Morning, Patty. I need coffee five minutes ago.”

“She must be hot. You don’t fetch and carry.” Flicking her blond braids over her shoulder, Patty pulled out a tray and set two large cups and two spoons on it.

“She is.” Dominic grinned, tossing the towel on the white marble counter. “So I fetch and carry. Some pastry?”

“Warm chocolate croissants?” The coffee was poured, sugar and cream added to the tray.