James was sleeping soundly next to her, just has he had for decades: ever since she and the rest of the five had gone after Worth. It was after she had seen John that she realized she needed to chance the dance, move on and switch to a new beat. James had wanted to court her; she placated him and let him take her to dinners and shows. It was months and months later that he had entered her bed chambers and even months after that before he had the courage to stay the night.
She lay awake next to his very quiet and relaxed form. She could see the aging on his face, the extra lines here and then a few gray hairs. Yet, she knew that he was working on a way to stall the process. He had wanted to stay with her for longer than this lifetime and, she had to admit, she wouldn't mind one bit.
She felt his presence as soon as he entered the room. The fire was dim, but she could make out his form in the corner. Glancing at the man next to her to make sure he was still sleeping she took a throw off the bottom of the bed and threw it around her naked body. She made her way over to him, her face looking up into his. A pale hand came out and grasped her shoulder—she felt the electricity flowing through her cells as he teleported them.
She would have turned to grasp her bearings, but his eyes were not leaving hers. His hand did not move only held on tighter pulling her closer. Lips crashed into hers as his other hand made its way into her hair. Her fingers released the material where it held and exchanged it for the cloth of his coat. Her throat issued a moan as fingers glided over her front, down her breast and to her stomach.
His mouth tore from hers and his voice was low when he spoke, "I can smell him on your skin, love." Taking hold of her shoulders he pushed her back into a bed. She tumbled down on top of the covers gasping at the sudden move. He undressed quickly and clambered on top of her, pressing her into her body heavily.
His lips where on hers again, tongue forcing its way into her mouth his hands bruising her wrists as he pulled them above her head, the grip threatening circulation. She moved her hips up to meet his, arching her back as far as she could. Her teeth skimmed over his thin lower lip, biting as he pulled away to ravish her exposed neck.
Breathing picked up as tongue and lips made trails down her body. He bit harshly under breast over her ribs, marking her someplace she would be able to hide it from him. Her voice cried out at the sudden pain as it raked through her body. He released her hands, but she kept them above her head, knowing that if she moved them to his flesh he would only hold her again. His nails scraped down her sides to her hips moving her body as his tongue found her wet and waiting.
"Has he ever made you tremble like this?" His teeth nipped lightly and her entire body convulsed and shook with tremors of pleasure. She didn't answer instead drawing a lip in her mouth and biting until she tasted blood. He continued his ministrations until she was on the brink. He stopped suddenly, pulling away from her body before moving to her mouth again. He stayed above her until she opened her eyes looking at him. "Does he worship your body, sing praises to its beauty, give you what you deserve?"
She watched his face, her entire being unmoving until she lifted her head off the pillow, her lips covering his. He moved into her quickly, taking her fast and hard not allowing deep breaths. She felt her release as he found his.
He returned her to her chambers as dawn broke through the night sky. Her skin was humming as she looked at the man sleeping next to her—his body unmoved in the hours since she had left. They were alone, the only sounds from his soft snoring and the crackling of a dying fire. Her voice was barely above a whisper as her finger curled over James' cheek. "No."