Maria's answering kiss was no less fierce, no less wanting. For nine long months she had retired at night to an empty bed (although her boys had a sixth sense for knowing when she needed company the most and would often sneak into the room uninvited to cuddle up to their mother in the night), but at this moment she didn't even want to make it to the bed. With no finesse or reserve, she groped blindly for the fastenings on his trousers, desperate to touch him, to feel him, to have him inside her again where he belonged.