But that realization hadn’t stopped him from loving Charlotte—and wanting her. Sarah was his daughter; he knew that with every fiber of his being. But even if she hadn’t been, even given Charlotte’s lack of virginity, he didn’t care. What he wanted was this warm, laughing, exquisite person to be next to him his whole life.

Alex’s hand found her and Charlotte moaned, her body bucking against his palm. Alex’s mind clouded. She was ready for him.

“Charlotte?” he whispered. “Are you sure it’s all right? It’s been only a few months since Sarah was born.”

Charlotte opened her eyes and looked into Alex’s eyes. Hers were unfocused, glowing, until they saw the concern in Alex’s eyes. His face was strained with the effort of holding himself back.

In response she opened her mouth and ran her tongue along the line of his lips, a delicious, teasing gesture that made a silent pronouncement. With a groan Alex took her mouth and in the same breath he thrust into her, a jagged moan leaping from his throat.

When he didn’t move again Charlotte nudged her hips up against his. Her heart was racing. Her entire being was focused on the incredible sensations radiating from her hips. The racing heat in her belly demanded that he respond, that he adopt the fierce cadence she remembered in her dreams. Why wasn’t he moving?

Alex stared down at his wife as Charlotte’s long eyelashes fluttered. Her eyes stared bewilderedly into his.

“I can’t do it,” he said brokenly. “Charlotte, please …”

Charlotte stared at her husband in absolute perplexity. What on earth was he asking for? She bucked her hips gently against his, closing her eyes a minute, coaxing him to leap into movement. But Alex remained still, so she opened her eyes again.

He was looking down at her silently, eyes strained and vulnerable.

“Alex?” she asked hesitatingly. “What is it? Doesn’t it … don’t you want to?”

“Oh, God.” Alex groaned. “Can’t you feel me? Don’t I want to!” He pulled back and thrust into her again, just to show her how much he wanted to be where he was. Irresistibly he did it again. But just as a broken moan drifted from Charlotte’s lips, he stopped again.

“Alex?” To her horror, Charlotte saw that his eyes were bright with tears. “Alex!”

Abruptly Alex withdrew, pulling away and swinging his legs over the side of the bed—as if he were leaving, Charlotte thought with alarm. She reached out and touched his elbow.

“Alex?”

Sitting on the edge of the bed, Alex dropped his head into his hands.

“Alex, what’s the matter?” Charlotte hastily pulled her nightdress past her hips again. Then she sat next to her husband.