Room to Breathe

by Nicole Brightman

  “Jefferson will see that one of the maids un-packs your bags in your room for you. Have you eaten yet? If not we can stop and get something,” he says as we pull on to the main road.

  “I am good. I ate earlier but thank you.” He turns the volume on the music up to my surprise it isn’t the Beatles.

  “I didn’t know you like Muse too.”

  “They make good music. Why wouldn’t I like them?”

  “I just figured you only liked music by people born before 1960,” I smile at him so he knows I am kidding.

  “Well I am surprised you like them. I mean they are no Katy Perry,” he winks at me. I roll my eyes at him. He doesn’t need to know that Muse and Katy Perry are both on my favorite playlist.

  We follow the signs heading towards a larger town not too far away. Even on this grey January day the country side is beautiful. I love the way the rural setting gives way slowly to the modern world and then back again. It is like they have been carefully blended with a paint brush.

  We pull up to the car park in front of the visitor’s center for the castle. The ruins loom in the background silhouetted against the grey sky and green hills. The castle itself looks as old as time. About a third of the walls are crumbled but somehow some of glass is still in the windows. It is a strange mix of ruin and preservation.

  “It is beautiful,” I say to Eric as he helps me from the car.

  “I like to think so,” he responds walking towards the entrance.

  He speaks for a moment with the young man taking admission before leading me towards the castle. It is a long walk to the actual castle entrance from the car park.

  “This castle was completed in the thirteenth century”, Eric informs me as we walk along.

  “It is crazy to think how long ago that was,” I say, genuinely in awe. We start up the steps leading inside. Once we are inside there is a clearly marked path we are supposed to be taking.

  “I love this place,” Eric comments helping me down a flight of stairs. “We used to come here when I was a kid. We used to go to a lot of the historical sites, really. My mother really enjoyed them.”

  “I can see why,” I respond carefully placing each step. “It is really fascinating.”

  “I am glad you think so. We should visit some more of them once the weather warms up.”

  “I would like that,” I say calmly even though I am secretly thrilled that he thinks we will still be spending time together in a few months. We climb up a spiral staircase in one of the turrets.

  “I know this climb is a little mad but the view at the top is just brilliant,” he calls over his shoulder. I think I might die from all the stair climbing so this view better be as good as he says it is. “Ah and here we are.”

  I step out on to the viewing platform behind Eric. He is right the view is stunning and totally worth the climb. You can see the surrounding forest as well as the river that runs nearby. It is prettier that anything I have seen in any movie.

  Eric moves in behind me and wraps his arms around my waist. There are only a few other groups of people visiting today. We are lucky enough to find ourselves alone at this moment. He hugs me tighter to him and leans down to kiss my cheek.

  “Mmm, you smell so good,” he says nuzzling my neck.

  “Thanks,” I respond. I could stand here for hours but the noise below tells me we are about to have company. Sure enough in just a few seconds an elderly woman steps out on to the platform. She ignores us and continues to talk to the younger woman following her that must be her daughter.

  “Let’s head back down,” Eric smiles at me. He descends the stairs first and I am close behind him. “Watch your step. There is a loose stone there,” he calls a few steps from the bottom.

  “Where?” I ask and a moment later I pitched forward. I am lucky that Eric seemed to anticipate my fall. Fortunately, he catches me before I tumble down the remaining stairs. “Son of a...” I stop myself short as a family with small children comes around the corner.

  “Are you alright?” Eric asks still hold me against him.

  “I think so,” I answer pulling away from him. “Ouch! I think I may have hurt my ankle again.”

  “Come here,” he says as he lifts me easily into his arms. He carries me over to a bench and gently lowers me. “Do you want me to have a look? Or I can carry you back to the car if you want to leave.”

  “No, just give me a minute to rest,” I ask as I stretch my legs out. Eric sits on the bench next to me.

  “I am starting to think we should get you some safety equipment.”

  “I will be fine honest. Maggie used to joke that the insurance on the pub doubled after I started there because I am such a klutz.”

  “How are things with Maggie? Have you heard any more from her?”

  “Just a text message this morning telling me she doesn’t want to talk to me again.”

  “I am sorry to hear that. She will come around. Just give it time.”

  “I guess we will see,” I say as I smile up at him. I know he is wrong but I don’t think I need to tell him that. I don’t want him to feel like this is his fault at all.

  “How is your ankle?”

  “It is good. I just needed a rest. Where to now your Lordship?”

  “Hmm,” he puts his arms around me and pulls me close. He leans down and kisses my lips briefly. “You are cold. Why didn’t you say so?”

  “Because we were having fun and I will live.”

  “You should have told me. Let’s go. There is a tea shop here that has wonderful soup.”

  “That sounds really good.” I am surprised what an appetite I have worked up and the truth is I am freezing.

  We walk back the way we came. Eric has his arm around my waist like he is afraid I am going to fall again. We enter the little tea and gift shop that is near the car park. It is warm an inviting. We sit at a small table just big enough for the two of us. Before I even have my coat off an older heavyset woman has come over to the table. She is wearing an apron and her light strawberry blonde hair is pulled back into a messy bun. She has a round face with rosy cheeks. She greets Eric like he is a long lost relation.

  “Hello, Aggie. How are you?” Eric greets her back, standing to kiss her cheek.

  “I am better than I could’ve expected,” she says beaming at him. Clearly he comes here more than I thought. “I wish you would have phoned first. I would’ve whipped up something special.”

  “Aggie everything you make is something special,” he gives her one of his heart stopping smiles. I can see the color rise in her cheeks.

  “Well aren’t you just full of flattery,” she responds playfully swatting at his arm. “It is enough for me to forgive your poor manners. Who is this lovely young woman with you?”

  “Oh of course, I apologize. Aggie, this is Cora Allen. Cora, this is Aggie Thomas.”

  “Please to meet you,” I say offering my hand which she takes right away.

  “You too, my dear. Oh goodness, you’re American,” she smiles broadly at me. I am not sure if she thinks that is a bad or a good thing. I have found about an even mix here in England.

  “I hope that is okay,” I smile back nervously.

  “Oh it is wonderful. It means there is a better chance of you having enough spunk to deal with his Lordship here. I had been hoping he would meet a nice girl that was strong enough for him.”

  “Aggie, you won’t be happy until you have me married off,” Eric responds shaking his head.

  “I am sorry to disappoint you, Aggie, but we are just friends,” I say as lightly as possible.

  “Well maybe for now,” she replies with a wink at me. Eric scowls at me slightly across the table. “I take it you would like a bowl of soup,” she motions to Eric.

  “Yes, of course,” he answers the smile returning to his face.

  “I will have the same,” I add.

  “Perfect. I will be right back with that and drinks,” Aggie says heading to the kitchen.

  “
She didn’t ask us what we wanted to drink,” I realize.

  “It will be milk or at least for me it will be. Aggie is worried that since I am a bachelor I am going to die of malnutrition.”

  “Oh, that makes sense. She seems sweet.”

  “She is great. I was glad we found her and that she wanted to run the tea shop.”

  “What do you mean ‘we’? Don’t tell me you own this place?” If he tells me he owns a castle on top of everything else I will pass out.

  “Oh, no. I just helped with the restoration and opening of this place,” he shrugs like that is everyone’s normal chore for the day.

  “Oh, well if that is all,” I roll my eyes at him. Before I can ask him anything else Aggie returns. She is carrying a tray with two bowls of soup, a basket of bread, two glasses of water, and a glass of milk for Eric.

  “Thank you,” I say as she places everything on our little table. She nods and walks back towards the kitchen. The soup is chicken with dumplings. It is fantastic and I may have to start driving up here just for soup.

  As we eat, Eric fills me in on the history of the surrounding area. I love listening to him talk. His voice is so comforting I swear I could listen to him reading the dictionary and be captivated. When we both finish, Aggie shows up with a to-go bag with a treat for later.

  “Aggie, thank you so much. That really was the best soup I have ever had,” I tell her as I stand.

  “Oh you are very welcome. Please come back anytime,” she smiles at me.

  “She will. No one can stay away from you for too long, Aggie,” Eric grins at her. Blushing Aggie heads back to the kitchen where someone is calling her name. “Are you ready to leave?”

  “Not yet. Would you want to go wander through the gift shop?” I have always been a sucker for gift shops.

  “Sure,” he says placing his hand on my back as we cross the tea shop to the attached shop.

  There are the usual souvenirs you would expect to find. Shirts, mugs, racks of post cards, and books all about the castle. There are also general England souvenirs. A spinning rack of bookmarks grabs my attention. They have the spine of a classic book on one side and quote from the book on the other.

  I am reading the back of a one for Jane Eyre and Eric is on the other side of the rack. “You have bewitched me body and soul,” I hear him say in a soft voice.

  “What did you just say?” I ask as I feel all the blood rush to my head. My brain has literally gone blank.

  “Oh, just reading this bookmark for Pride and Prejudice. I am just amazed that people would talk like that.” I exhale as my blood goes back to where it is supposed to be.

  “Why? You have never talked to a woman like that?” After seeing how thick he put it on for Aggie I find it hard to believe.

  “No, I haven’t,” he says steeping around the rack. I give him a look of obvious disbelief. “Honestly. I have never said anything like to any woman.”

  “You must have said something at least close to your wife,” I worry at little that he will be upset I mentioned her but I know he loved her.

  “No, we never talked like that to each other. There wasn’t ever really a need for it.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Well, for either of us to feel like this,” he says waving the bookmark like it is evidence, “Sarah and I were always calm. We made sense on paper and in person. No one ever questioned us being together, even us. It just always seemed like it was planned. We only had two fights the entire time we were together. You have to have a certain amount of passion, of crazy, to talk this way and mean it.”

  “Oh, well that makes sense,” I say as he wanders away from the bookmarks. I can’t imagine a relationship like the one he described. “It might be nice to have things always fall into place but I don’t think it would work for me. I want someone I drive a little crazy.”

  “I don’t think you will have a hard time with that,” he smiles playfully at me.

  “Geez thanks.”

  “I mean that in the kindest way possible.” He takes my hand as we exit the store. We climb inside the plush car and head back to Greenwood Manor. It has gotten gloomier in the past hour. It looks like it will be raining before long. I find my mind drifting to the man sitting next to me. I have really enjoyed learning so much about him. Just when I think I have him figured out I find out something else that throws me.

  I look over at him and feel a heat rush through my body collecting between my thighs. He is staring intensely at the road with an almost scowl that makes him look even sexier than usual. His velvety brown eyes are burning with that slight fire. His strong jaw is set tight and has a little bit of manly stubble. My gaze lands on his perfect full lips and it takes every ounce of self-control to stay in my seat. I want Eric right here and now.

  Since I am pretty sure climbing into his lap while he driving is a bad thing, I decide to have a little fun with him. I bring our entwined hands to my lips and gently kiss at his fingers. He looks over and smiles at me. I then take his index finger and gently suck on the tip. I swirl my tongue around it and then lap at the pad. He lets out a soft moan.

  I lean towards him and I am just able to reach his neck with my lips. I start kissing from just under his ear down to his collar bone. I then work my way back up to the soft spot just under his jaw. He inhales sharply and grips the wheel tighter.

  “You better be careful. You are going to make me pull over and have my way with you,” he says in his gravelly voice.

  “I might be okay with that but I would rather you have your way with me in bed,” I say against his warm skin.

  “Are you serious?” He looks down at me briefly.

  “More than you know.” I stretch my body up so my lips are almost to his ear. “I want you to fuck the hell out of me,” I whisper softly and smile my cutesiest smile.

  “Thank God we are almost there,” he says as he steps on the gas.

  Within just a few moments we pull through the gates of Greenwood Manor. He brings the car to a stop in front of the main door and turns off the engine. Eric jumps out the car leaving the keys in the ignition. I have just undone my seatbelt when he is opening my door. He grabs ahold of me and lifts me out of the car. He literally throws me over his shoulder and heads towards the front door.

  “Um, I can walk you know,” I say as I’m swaying behind his back.

  “I know but not as fast as I will want you too,” he says as he is already starting up the staircase taking the steps two at a time.

  Chapter 12

  When we reach the top he turns right down a hallway and pauses only a second to open the door to the room. He walks in and closes the door behind him. It is only then that he sets me down on my feet.

  I take a quick look around the room. It doesn’t look at all like the kind of room Eric would call his. The walls are a very light pink with large white trim. There is a large four poster bed a few feet from the door. The linens are white and the duvet has a soft rose pattern. I am unable to look around further as my focus is on the very good-looking man in front of me.

  Without a word he takes his sweater off exposing his chiseled frame for the first time. Right now I couldn’t even tell you what day of the week it is. His body is very lean and muscular. His shoulders are strong and clearly defined, as are his chest and arms. My gaze travels down over his hard rippled abs and stops at the indents above his hips pointing down to below his jeans.

  He grabs the bottom of my sweater and gently pulls it over my head revealing my black lace bra. I feel my nipples harden from just the heat of his stare. Eric reaches behind me and expertly unfastens my bra pulling it down my arms and letting it fall to the floor. I kick my boots off to the side. I am thankful I picked a pair that slide off so easy. His hands move swiftly to the waist of my jeans. He unfastens them and eases them over my hips with my panties in one quick move. I step out of them and my socks at the same time.

  I am standing before him completely naked. For the first time in my life I am
completely comfortable standing in front of a man utterly exposed. He rakes his eyes up and down me a few times. The way he looks at me makes me feel sexy. His desire is so clear in his eyes.

  “Dear god. Honey, you are fucking beautiful,” he says as he continues to scan my naked form. I love how sexy he sounds with his beautiful polished accent. Even the word “fucking” sounds romantic. The ever present fire in his eyes is blazing like I have never seen before.

  “I want you to touch me,” I plead.

  “I will, I need a moment to gather myself. I plan on spending the rest of the day touching you.” He takes a deep breath and slowly exhales. After a few seconds that feel like hours he wraps his arms around me. He buries one hand in my hair. The other hand cradles my face turning it up to him.

  He kisses me painfully soft, barely brushing my lips. I stand on my tip toes pushing our mouths together. He responds passionately, kissing me deeply. His tongue enters my mouth and dances gracefully with mine. I wrap my arms around him and crush my body to his. I can feel his hardness pressing against my stomach.

  “Come here,” he says, pulling away from me and taking my hand. He leads me over to stand next to the large four poster bed. He spins me around so I am facing the bed.

  “Put your hands on the bed in front of you,” he commands in a whisper behind me. I do as he asks and bend at the waist to rest my hands on the bed. “Keep them there.” I like his stern tone. It sends a chill through me.

  Eric cups one of my breasts in his hand, slowly working the nipple between his thumb and finger. I moan softly as he moves his hand over to the other breast. He takes his hand from my breasts and gently runs the tips of his fingers down my spine. He softly brushes his hands over each of half of my backside. Every fiber in my body is standing to attention. I close my eyes, enjoying the sensation of his soft touch.

  Thwack! He brings his hand down on my bottom. I yelp in surprise. He quickly smacks the cheek causing me to yelp again.

  “Does that hurt?” He asks, rubbing my flesh warmed from his attention.

  “A little but in a good way.”

  “Good,” he says and I can hear the smile in his voice. He brings his hand down twice more causing me to squirm a little. He grabs ahold of my hair at the base of my head and gently pulls, tilting my head up. He kisses my mouth, his tongue teasing mine. With his mouth still on mine he smacks my backside once more. I moan against his mouth.