7.
~ For a very long time, he stayed with her. His lips rarely leaving hers as their bodies began to cool off from their heated adventure. The candles had burned low and were warbling in the gutted final moments of their life. Casting strange inconsistent shadows across the room.
Arthur couldn't take his eyes off of her. She had told him she loved him. He had heard it plain as anything. Ariadne, who was always so calm and in control had told him she loved him. He had to wonder what it meant. Did this mean she wanted more then just their arrangement? Did she even mean it? Or was it a natural thing to say after their experience together. No woman had ever told Arthur she loved him, other then his mother. He had been with his fair share of women, most were smart and independent, like the Architect. None of them let him get close enough to them to admit feelings other then sexual needs.
Yet here she was, her nose touching his as her delicate fingers grazed up his face. Her lips tasting him gently as her big eyes refused to leave his.
"We... um... we should take a shower." He said finally. The feeling that he was sweating and that their bodies were covered in evidence of their lovemaking made him long for the hot stinging relief of a shower. He wanted her with him. A smile came to her face as he pulled her free of their bed. Her halfhearted attempts to cover her nakedness, causing him to laugh at the modesty that she still had.
~ The cool air felt good on her skin as he pulled her to their bathroom. She was still not used to being naked with him. Even after they had performed the most intimate of acts, she was still shy about such things. Her hands going to her breasts as the light from the bathroom stung her eyes.
The hot water felt like the cure for everything. Her body felt slightly sore, like she had exercised too much. Arthur had taken her into the shower with him and the hot water fell over them as his lips danced over her neck and face. His hands washing her gently as the time in the shower almost felt like play time instead of cleaning or another chance at intimacy.
The cocoon of warm, falling water made her feel safe and less inhibited about her nudity. Arthur's hands and body shielding her as she giggled under his kiss. Her once finally made hair style washed away from the water and the luxury soap she was massaging into her scalp. The Point Man carefully rinsing the soap away without it getting into her face as she felt the air hit her naked flesh.
Fresh and clean, Arthur wrapped his lover in an over sized towel. Her hair neatly tied in a turban like style. He quickly slipped on a pair of pajama bottoms and roughly toweled dried his hair.
"You finish in here." He said leaning down to kiss her. She gave him a smile as left her to comb out the snarls of her damp hair and redress.
~ In their bedroom Arthur was quick to strip away the spoiled sheets of their time together. He didn't want Ariadne to return to a bed stained with their love making, or see the blood. Such a thing might panic her. She hadn't seemed particularly traumatized by any of it. Rather he was sure she had enjoyed it. She had climaxed for him, and kissed him. Even told him she loved him. She seemed happy in the shower. Her laughter as he had taken it upon himself to wash her.
He sighed as he balled up the used bedding and tossed them in the closet. Pleased they had fresh sheets at the ready. Quickly and efficiently, he made the bed. The new sheets smelling clean and like lavender. Hopefully she wouldn't notice. He didn't want anything to embarrass her or cause her to regret this night.
~ Ariadne took her time about returning to him. She ran a blow dryer through her hair and carefully redressed in a modest pajama set. It was a pale lavender, nothing white. She examined herself in the mirror. She was surprised to see she looked just the same. She felt like a new person. Someone who was loved and cherished. Arthur's whispered words of how beautiful she was. She smiled to herself as she examined her face in the mirror and sighed deeply.
"It's alright. He doesn't have to say it back." She told her own reflection.
~ Arthur finished smoothing out their fresh bedding just as she came out of the bathroom.
A heavenly smell of soap and lavender came out with her. Her skin was pink and clean and glowed in what was left of the romantic mood lighting.
He had to smile at her. At how lovely she looked. How lovely she always looked. But now, she seemed especially radiant.
"Did you want to got to sleep?" He asked handing her a bottle of water from the mini fridge. She took it gratefully and drank long time before nodding.
"I'm a little tired." She admitted bashfully as she claimed back into bed. He was quick to follow her. His body curling up next to hers, spooning her.
She had to breath a contented sigh.
"Thank you." She whispered just before she dropped off to sleep.
"For what?" He asked innocently. His lips close to her ear.
"For making it good." She said.
~ She fell into a deep and dreamless sleep. She didn't rouse until almost dawn when she felt his side of the bed was cold. She woke up alone in their bed. The Point Man was missing. She looked around their bedroom. Arthur's suit, as well as his overnight bag were gone.
