“Okay,” she said in a leery voice.
“Stay here.”
“Hey, I brought my overnight bag.”
“No. I mean stay here.” Arthur pinned her with a set face, almost braced for the word no.
She’d expected it. She went to respond, but he cut her off.
“I’m not trying to rush this, hear me out. This place is massive. It was hard only to go to mum’s a few times a week, it felt… so comfortable, easy, and I wanted to be with people I love, all the time. Since mum died and being without you, I’d think of all the ways I should have done this. I should have moved mum in with me years ago, but then we’d never have met. I should have been more focused on her. I shouldn’t have pushed you away. There were so many times I nearly came over but didn’t think I should. It was ridiculous. I weighed things up and thought about them instead of doing them. My best memories are those moments when I didn’t think but acted. The paddling pool, and the water fight. Dancing with you. Kissing you.
“This place is lonely. We can potter about and not see each other if that’s what you wanted. There’s the den, and the front room, I have an office, and there’s here. There are five bedrooms, the second master is the other side of the house to mine and is en-suite. Leave Stella’s and come here, have your own room if you want. I can take you to work, pick you up. You don’t have to spend time with me all the time, you can do your own thing, but I want to be with you.”
“Is that all you want?”
He moved around the table and pulled her up and off the chair, face close to hers. “No, I want you, any way you’ll have me. At least think about it.”
Think about it? They’d been fannying about for long enough, and she wasn’t throwing the gift of another chance away.
“I’m tired of waiting. I don’t need to think about it. We can go get my things tomorrow if you really want this.”
“Really?” He sounded genuinely surprised.
“On one condition.”
“Name it.”
She reached up on tip-toes, so her lips brushed his. “Only if I sleep in your room.”
Arthur set her on the table and kissed her. Rebecca put her legs around his waist, holding him tighter, but he pulled away. “Wait, there’s more.” After a brief peck, he stood back. “Stay here.” He vanished, and Rebecca felt silly sat on the kitchen table, swinging her legs.
“Right, here’s your watch.” He put it on her wrist, and Rebecca held back her tears. “And these.” He gave her a small stack of hardback books, the Jane Austen ones they’d read, and the ones they didn’t get around to.
“You’re my Mr Darcy you know. All stern-faced and from a different world.” Rebecca ran her finger down the spine of one of them.
“Then let me tell you how much I admire and love you.” Arthur smiled as he said it.
Rebecca laughed, her heart light, excitement in her veins, and relieved.
He kissed her lips. “Last thing. But, I’m going to keep them in the safe unless you’re wearing them.”
Putting the box in her hand, he took the books, and she stared at the black velvet before opening it. The earrings were exquisite.
“I can’t take these.”
“They’re for very special occasions, and will live in the safe, but legally, they are yours.”
“I’d be terrified to wear them.”
“You’d look beautiful in them.”
She gave him the box back, unwilling to even handle something so valuable. “I miss her.”
“I miss her too. Thank you, for giving me a family.”
Rebecca blinked furiously, trying not to cry.
“Right. Come on.”
In his room, Rebecca’s excitement crept down her back to other places, and she thought about the previous night.
Arthur took her hand and kissed her briefly, eyes lingering, and tension thick.
He half-smiled and stepped back. “I need to go shopping, I have nothing in. Why don’t you have a nice bath, or settle in a bit? There’s plenty of space in the wardrobe, please find your way around. We can have a glass of wine, and a light dinner later.”
“And then?”
“Whatever you want.”
She took that bath. It had been a strange day, and she wasn’t sure about the sudden change about her, but it was nothing compared to being with him.
Rebecca dithered for a second when she put the cool silk robe on making herself at home. Fuck it, she shifted some of his things around and put her clothes in the large wardrobe and drawers. She dressed in a sexy black set of underwear, and the bra did wonders for her boobs. Looking at the little section at the edge of the wardrobe, she picked out a dusty blue dress, the front was a deep vee from the wrap, tailored silk, and went to her knee. She paired it with the stilettos that Arthur had insisted on.
Rebecca smiled thinking that these things didn’t really matter to him, he didn’t care if she had them or not, and he wanted her to feel good. She did. She left her hair down and wore only a little makeup.
Checking her watch, she ran her finger over the dial. “Finally, Alice.”
Downstairs, she opened and closed kitchen cupboards, finding her way around, when Arthur came home.
“Bloody hell, did you buy the whole shop?”
Arthur didn’t move but stared at her. His brow was damp from the heat, and he looked her up and down holding a dozen carrier bags.
“Why don’t you go and freshen up, I’ll put the shopping away.”
He nodded and put the shopping down in silence before tearing his eyes away.
“Hmm.” She poked through the bags and figured out as best she could where to put everything.
With no sign of him, she went up, unsure what to do, and he was sat on the bed, staring at nothing wearing a towel around his waist.
“Hey.”
He startled, turned to her, and held his hand out.
“What is it?” She took it, trying not to stare at him.
“I never thought you’d be in my life again.”
She stood in front of him, and he put his hands on her waist.
Rebecca blinked back tears.
“Don’t cry, please.” He pulled her down and pressed a kiss to her lips, one of comfort.
She wanted more than reassurance but was afraid to ask for it. Instead, she stared at his mouth.
He tucked her hair behind her ear. “What do you want?”
“You.” She flushed as she spoke.
Arthur urged her onto his lap and kissed her. All hands and tongue. She pulled away breathless, her lips tingling, and he lightly kissed her again.
“Take what you need from me.”
The words went through her, the soft rumbling of his voice in her ear sparked want. She ran her hands up his arms, and down his back, and more forward in her kiss, she stroked his tongue with hers. He responded and put his hand in her hair, restrained, and body rigid.
They kissed until they lay down together.
Her fingers wandered over his chest, delighting in ridged toned muscle and the softer bits of his body, the light hair, his warmth and skin. Rebecca sat up and licked her lips as she watched the sharp rise and fall of his chest.
“I don’t know what I’m doing.”
“I think you’re doing pretty well.” He smiled, and she laughed, breaking the tension. “Tell me what you want.”
“To look at you.”
He didn’t take his eyes off her as he pulled the corner of the towel at his waist, and he raised a brow, daring her.
She pulled the towel open, and he swallowed. She did it slowly, his mouth opened, watching her reaction, but her eyes never left the tent he made under the towel. Her breath hitched when he was naked.
Last night they had known each other under a sheet, she had made him come, but looking at him felt more intimate. Her breath came in short little pants as her eyes raked over him. She was so turned on she was practically
shaking. Rebecca’s face flushed deeply, and she swallowed, transfixed by his lovely cock.
She put her hand on his thigh and ran it up his body to his shoulder. He closed his eyes and moaned. More confident, she explored his body with her fingers. She followed the little trail of hair under his belly button down to his erection, and he sucked in a breath, but she hovered, removing her hand.
Arthur relaxed and opened his eyes. She stood up and undid the tie at her waist, opened her dress to the satin bra and briefs she wore, simple but flattering.
He ditched the towel, and kissing her, pulled her back down. Her passion matched his. He undid her bra, and when he cupped her breast, her heart pounded beneath it.
He pulled back. “I want you, but you need to say if you want this before we go any further.”
“I want you, please don’t make me wait anymore, I can’t.”
He kissed her again, and she undulated against him. He rolled her onto her back and sat up, he pulled down her briefs and looked at her naked, she went to hide her face, but he lay over her, arms braced either side.
“Rebecca, you are so beautiful. Your soul is extraordinary, and I want you.” He peppered her with kisses until she laughed, and kissed down her neck, stomach, avoided her breasts, and covered her with them. Little pecks and long needy ones with his tongue tasting her skin.
He covered her body with them, all the way down to her ankles. She giggled as he neared her feet.
“Ticklish?” His voice was almost drunk sounding. Unable to speak, she panted and strained against him as he moved back up her body.
He knelt up, her eyes raking him.
“I’m debating what to do. I want to taste you, I want to make you come, but you’ll be tight after, and it’ll make it worse for you.”
“That can wait, please, I need you.”
He smiled a knowing, dirty smile and moved to the top drawer of his bedside table and pulled out a new box of condoms.
She watched as he rolled one on, a little nervous again. He didn’t move to her straight away, but lay on his side next to her, caressing and kissed her breasts until she made the little breathy moans again, and when she couldn’t stand it anymore, she pulled at him, so he rested between her legs.
He smoothed her hair. He nudged inside, and pressing in, he moaned. When he reached the barrier, he didn’t breach it, but moved slowly backwards and forward, until she relaxed, and when she lifted her legs higher around his waist, he shifted his position.
“Ready?”
She swallowed and nodded. He covered her lips with his as he thrust forward. She cried out into his mouth, and he went still.
“Okay?”
She nodded. A sharp sting, not pleasant, but not awful. That was it. So much stress for such a small thing. Fortunately, Arthur completely distracted her.
“Say it.”
“Please.”
He moved slowly, and she sucked her breath, it still stung, but as he moved, the discomfort eased. He held back, restraint making him shake. She cupped his bottom and urged him on. Resisting, he went still.
“What is it?” She spoke as Arthur kissed her.
“I will not come not until you do.” He sounded pained.
“I know that I’m probably not going to, I mean, it’s a nice idea, but it is my first time, and that doesn’t really happen. You can make me come later.”
He leant back, all urgency gone. He flipped them over in an impressive move, managing to keep inside her. She giggled as she settled above him.
“Please yourself, show me what you want.” Arthur ran his hands through her hair, and carefully guided her down to him until her nipples brushed his chest, and her tongue was in his mouth.
She made herself comfortable, and he slowly moved his hips against her in little circular motions. He moved to take a nipple into her mouth, and she braced herself on the headboard. She went of her own volition with and against him, guiding his pace and finding a rhythm.
His moans and caresses spurred her on, and she let go, letting pleasure build. She tightened around his cock, and the moan he gave let her know he was infinitely pleased with himself. The sensations built, her body taut and sensitive as he played with her breasts and ran his fingers all over her body. They moved slowly in the same rhythm until it became unbearable, yet she didn’t want to stop. Then it hit her, unlike making herself come, the sore stretch inside her and his touch made it so much better. Arthur lost control as she went wild over him, and as she threw her head back, he took hold of her and thrust up until he came, arching off the bed. The desperate need of him inside her, the wetness, her own body’s reaction to him, even the little cry he made with his tensed body as he orgasmed were wonderful. She loved it.
Rebecca fell against him, all flushed skin and messy hair. He grinned into it as she panted, still moaning with the little spasms that followed her orgasm.
“I’m guessing that wasn’t terrible?” he managed to say as he got his breath back.
She laughed into his neck and kissed it. “I never thought it would be so good.”
“I know. You’re amazing.”
“So are you.” She leant up. “Thank you. Thank you for being this… is talented the right word?”
He laughed, his smile was lovely, and she had forgotten how wide it was. She gingerly lifted herself up and was unsettled by the little blood on him.
Embarrassed again, she went to the bathroom and looked in the mirror, she looked the same but felt different. Not only the orgasm or even being with him but the relief. It was done. Finally. It hadn’t been awful, and Arthur had made it fun, and so good.
She was sore when she relieved herself, and gently washed in warm water.
Arthur’s eyes were closed when she joined him under the sheet. The early evening was warm, and she was tired.
She relaxed into the gentle thump of Arthur’s heartbeat as they snuggled down together. He whispered that he loved her, and she nearly cried and laughed, she was so happy.
Such a brief moment of contentment.
Nineteen
YOUR OWN WAY
Arthur woke to darkness and an empty bed. He looked at the time. Nine. Jesus, he couldn’t believe he’d fallen asleep so quickly. Sleep was the best after months of barely any, and he wanted all of it.
Rubbing his face, he sat up and ran his hand over her pillow unable to fight his smile.
He pulled on some pyjama shorts and wandered about looking for Rebecca. She was in the kitchen, making some food wearing the robe he bought her, and he wanted her again.
“Hey, I hope you don’t mind.” She turned, her smile already there, she went over to him, and reached up on tiptoe to kiss him. “I’m starved.”
“Busy day.” He settled on kissing her neck, making her laugh.
“Do you want to eat down here or upstairs?”
“Let’s go in the den and watch TV, I’ll be less tempted.”
“You don’t want to be tempted?”
“I think you’re going to be sore, and I don’t want to make that worse. Tomorrow, I’ll let myself be tempted tomorrow.” He took one of the plates and beer from the fridge for them both.
The den had a large TV and a big soft couch, it could have been a bed it was so deep.
They snuggled down, ate, watched a film, and he didn’t make it an hour before falling asleep again. When he woke, the title screen played on repeat, and he looked at the time.
Rebecca was sprawled out over him in a perfect press on his body. How could relief be agony? Yet it was, the pain in his chest made him take a deep breath. Looking at her, he tidied her hair, and she wriggled. Her bum was half off the couch, and he carefully held her while finding the remote and turned everything off.
He picked her up, and she hummed and opened her eyes.
“It’s four, I woke up, and you were nearly on the floor. You fidget in your sleep. I’m taking you to bed. I plan to sleep until noon. I fucking love bein
g able to sleep.”
She huffed a laugh into his neck.
In the morning, after some lazy snuggling and touching, they got up and went back to her flat.
Arthur helped her pack her clothes. He was impressed by the speed at which she managed it. The car was full, and they went back up to hand the key back to Stella.
“I am sorry to leave you in the lurch like this.”
“Not at all, your deposit will be the month’s rent, and I’m sure I can find someone. I’m not sorry for pushing you. Nor are you, not really.”
Rebecca huffed a laugh. “No. I guess not.”
He watched the quiet exchange, and they left; she was really coming to live with him. He made plans for the rest of the day, and those plans included his head between her legs for an unreasonable amount of time.
“What?” she asked as they unloaded her things.
Arthur laced his fingers through hers. “I want to take you upstairs and thank you properly.”
“Thank me? For what?”
“Oh, being you, being here with me finally. And the how is introducing you to new things.”
“New, huh? I do like learning.”
Arthur laughed and pulled her behind him, and they raced upstairs.
He pulled her clothes off in seconds, and she fell back on the bed as he yanked her knickers off, making her laugh.
“I want to put my head between your legs.”
“Okay,” she panted.
He loved how she flushed. Kneeling on the floor, nudging her hips forward, he kissed up her thigh.
His mouth watered as he kissed between her legs.
She cried out, half-sitting up.
He closed his eyes at the soft skin, slightly tangy taste as she got wet, and he eased a finger in. So tight, her internal muscles clasped him as he slid in.
Her legs went around his head, and she undulated her hips. Trying not to smile, he went with her, letting her find pleasure.
“More, please.” She grasped his hair.
Arthur complied, thrusting in with his finger, working her clit with his tongue, the cry she gave as she tensed and came, followed by the rush of wetness made him so hard it hurt.
Getting a Life (New City Series Book 4) Page 20
