A/N: Thanks for the reviews so far. I love the positive feedback, but constructive criticism is also helpful. I feel like this chapter is a too wordy. I'm having trouble striking a balance between playful banter and actual substance without using a couple thousand words! ;)
Chapter 4
Pushing his apartment door open, so Elizabeth could pass though, Henry decided to let her lead any conversations. He figured he'd already messed things up enough. He took their coats and hung them on the coat tree near the door, then he took Elizabeth by the hand. "Do you want something to drink, hot cocoa maybe?"
"Yes! That sounds wonderful. It is much colder now than when I left for my walk. I didn't expect to be out long."
Henry set to work getting a pot of water on to boil and pulled two Swiss Miss packets from the cabinet. "Marshmallows or French Vanilla?" he asked, laying each one over his arm for her to view as if it was a fine wine.
Laughing, Elizabeth pondered her options, " I think I'll go with the marshmallows this evening. Thank you fine sir.' Henry grinned at her and turned to mix the drinks. A few seconds later, he handed her two mugs and opened the freezer door and grabbed a carton of Rocky Road ice cream. "Ice cream! I love ice cream!" Elizabeth screeched.
"I am aware," he said, reaching into the drawer to get a couple spoons. With his hands full, he bumped the drawer with his hip causing it to slide shut.
"Look at you Mr. Skills!" She met him at the end of the bar. Holding the mugs of cocoa out away from her body, she went up on her tip-toes to catch Henry's lips in a flirty kiss. "Let's sit down before we spill something."
Nodding, Henry sat down on the couch first and placed the ice cream carton on the coffee table. He then took his mug of cocoa. Elizabeth sat down in the middle, turned so she could face him, her right leg tucked under her left. They drank in silence. When Henry finished, he asked, " Are you warming up?"
"I'm much better than I was, but now if we eat ice cream, I might get cold again."
"Does that mean you don't want the ice cream?" Henry cocked an eyebrow at her.
"Of course not. It just means I may need you to warm me up."
"I aim to please," Henry smirked, and reached out to get the ice cream. He gave the first spoonful to Elizabeth.
"Mmmmm, that is so good! More please," Henry obliged by feeding her another spoonful. His aim was a little off and she ended up with ice cream at the corner of her mouth. Henry leaned over and sucked it off.
"You taste good," he muttered against Elizabeth's lips.
"Yes, I do." Elizabeth raised her eyebrows and leaned in for a deeper kiss, and another The ice cream carton was deposited back on the table, freeing Henry's hands which wrapped around her back. "Your hands are cold," she squirmed but then quickly forgot as Henry planted kisses along her jawline then sucking the sensitive flesh behind her ear. "Mmmm," she purred a low, gravelly sound that suddenly made Henry's pants very uncomfortable.
Henry pulled back, leaving Elizabeth to wonder what had just happened. "Uhh, I need to put this ice cream away." He untangled himself from her and grabbed the ice cream heading into the in front of the refrigerator with the freezer door open, he hoped the cold would quite literally cool him off.
Elizabeth, sensing something was off, came to stand at the bar a minute later. Feeling her presence, Henry closed the door. "What's going on?" she asked.
Henry's cheeks flushed. This is about to be awkward. "I, uh, was having a small issue and just needed a minute.
"What kind of issue? Did I do something?." Elizabeth seemed genuinely concerned and was definitely not getting it.
"Nah. I'm fine. You just made a little sound a minute ago and it caused a surprising reaction. All is fine and dandy!" Henry said just a little too enthusiastically. Confusion was written all over Elizabeth's face. Oh no, please don't make me spell this out to you!
"I made a sound… surprising reaction? What?" She was definitely not getting it.
I might as well concede this one. It's not the first time I've been ridiculously embarrassed and I'm sure it won't be the last. "Well yeah. When I was kissing you, you made this sound kind of like a cross between a growl and a moan." Henry paused. Elizabeth is still perplexed. Might as well throw all of my dignity away. "And, it was really hot… arousingly so." Henry raised his eyebrows at her, hoping she would catch on. Suddenly her eyes went wide. "I got up because I needed a distraction to keep me from , um, going too far."
Elizabeth grinned wickedly. "I did that to you? With this sound, that by the way, I didn't even know I made. Interesting." Henry could tell that she was amused to have that effect on him. "How far is too far?" she flirted.
Between the cold air and his general embarrassment over the entire topic of conversation, Henry's pants were fitting much better now. He moved toward her, put his hands on her waist and lifted her up on the bar. She now sat where he could look at her eye to eye. "Make no mistake about it. If you were willing, I would love nothing more than to lay you down in my bed and make love to you all night long. I won't lie. The temptation is great, oh so great. I love you so much, but I don't want to turn our relationship into one that the foundation is built on sex. I'm hoping to wait."
"Until when," Elizabeth queried.
"Until we're married." he stated factually, hoping that it sounded more appealing to her than it did to him in that moment.
"You know we don't live in Biblical times, right?" Elizabeth said, half playful and half serious.
"Actually Biblical times aren't really the best example," Henry countered, throwing his religious knowledge around. "Abraham, Boaz, David. There was fornincaiton everywhere!"
Elizabeth giggled and then looked at him thoughtfully, "Is this a Catholic thing?"
"Yes, but it's not just that." God, if you could help me convey this in a way that isn't going to make me look incredibly dumb, I would appreciate it. Henry took Elizabeth's hands in his, "When I get married, I want to be able to give all of myself to the woman I marry. If I go around and have sex without that commitment, then my future wife gets short-changed. I would give some of myself away every time. There is also the potential of getting someone pregnant or getting an STD. I'm not interested in either right now. Really, I'm not even touching the whole Catholic/mortal sin/going to hell thing. That's a guilt trip and a half!" He grinned at her.
Elizabeth sat quietly, pondering his words, "So you're a virgin?" He nodded. "Really?" Her disbelief was evident.
"Look, it's not like I haven't had the opportunity. Geez!" he smirked and rolled his eyes. Elizabeth blushed at the admonishment, teasing though it was. "There hasn't been anyone that I thought I would want to be with forever. Until you. Which is why we are talking about it."
Elizabeth suddenly looked very uncomfortable. "Henry," She paused, dropped her eyes and her words came out almost a whisper, "What if I'm not?"
"Not what?"
"A virgin," Elizabeth kept her eyes down, refusing to look at Henry, although he still had her hands. "I'm not whole. I doubt you would even want me now." Her voice cracked and Henry knew she was on the verge of tears. She pulled her hands back and slid off the bar. "I think it's time I go."
"No. Wait a second," Henry slid between Elizabeth and the door. "We just did this a few days ago and it was miserable. I'm not going to prevent you from leaving, but if you walk out every time there is something hard to talk about, we won't make it. We have to be able to talk through problems, even when it's hard. Hell, maybe especially when it's hard. " Henry stepped back allowing her to leave if she wanted. Elizabeth took another step forward and put her hand on the door knob. Henry looked at her pleadingly.
Elizabeth stood with her hand on the door knob and staring at the door for what seemed like an eternity, It was too good to be true. Now that he knows, he won't want you. You put your guard down and what happens. You fall for him and now your heart is broken-again. Henry could see her struggling and was unsure if he was doing the right thing. It was killing him to let her stand there, but he wanted to make sure she stayed because she made the choice to, not because he persuaded her to.
It took only a fraction of a second for Henry take Elizabeth in his arms when she released the door knob. "Never, ever doubt my love for you. My desire." He kissed her hard, taking her breath away. "I have made my decisions based on what is right for me. I am very aware that my waiting is not something most people even consider. I would never consider you less or undesirable because of the choices you have made." He paused, 'Well, unless you were a serial killer, that might change things. You aren't, are you?"
She looked up at him and rolled her tear-filled eyes, "I will need to confer with my other personalities, but I don't think so." Henry laughed and she cracked a smile.
"Seriously though, it doesn't matter to me. I take you and love you just as you are." Henry captured her lips again, this time in a much slower manner showing her just how much he treasured her. When they broke apart, he asked the question that had been haunting him, "Do you think you can do this with me? Are you willing to wait?"
"I do love a man who is principled. I'm in, but I may need to point out on occasion how much it sucks."
"Short term pain for long term gain," Henry cheekily replied.
"Oh stop. That's lame!" Glancing up at the clock on the wall, she said, "Hey, it's almost 11. Do you think you could walk your girl back to her dorm? I have an early class tomorrow."
"It would be my pleasure." Henry helped Elizabeth put her jacket on before sliding into his own. He opened the door to let her step out before flipping off the lights and locking the door behind them.
As they walked hand in hard, Elizabeth asked, "How much more is there to this Catholicism thing?"
"A fair bit. You know it's been around over 1900 years." She pushed into Henry knocking him sideways.
"You know what I mean."
"Yes, but I think we've done enough heavy discussion for tonight. Let's wait until the weekend, shall we?" Looking up, he squeezed her hand tighter. "The stars are beautiful." Elizabeth looked up and smiled. In that moment, Henry looked at her and his heart pained him, he was so full of love for her.
Elizabeth glanced up and caught Henry looking at her. She couldn't even identify what his look was saying, but it caused her stomach to flip, her breath to quicken and she felt the heat rising up her face. This may be harder than she anticipated.