There was a long moment before he withdrew from her, not because he was savoring the feeling, but rather because it took his mind a few seconds to remember that removing himself from her body was the next step. All of the previous occasions of intercourse between the two of them had been so mundane by comparison to what had just occurred that it seemed as though he was breaking new ground and learning this process all over again. Even with Valeria things had been far more focused and more businesslike than the no-holds-barred way he had just ravished his wife.

With what felt like the last bit of strength in his limbs he lifted himself off of her and rolled onto his back on the empty side of the bed. He was still breathing heavily as he stared up at the ceiling, though he was starting to regain his regulation. His muscles relaxed without his intending them to.

"You liked that," he said. From his flat tone it was difficult to tell whether he intended the words as a question, a statement, an accusation, or a taunt. Honestly, Tiberius wasn't sure, either.