Chapter 9
Catherine, who was more than aware of her own nakedness, stretched herself lasciviously. At the same time she tried to put a bored expression on her face.
"One day you're going to be the end of me," Henry muttered while running his fingers over his shaved head in a frustrated gesture.
She suspected - no, she knew - how embarrassing the situation had to be for him, nevertheless she decided to keep on torturing her husband.
"Are you talking about coming to a comparably quick end as you did just now?" The sound that came out of his throat upon hearing this was deep and glowering.
Quite obviously Henry didn't like to be teased about his premature ejaculation.
Basically, his lack of self-mastery was a compliment to her and her sexual skills. In fact, she was delighted that she was able to drive her adventurous husband into such a state of lust and arousal that he had completely forgotten himself in the throes of passion and climaxed at an early stage.
But she wouldn't let him get away that easily.
Henry had ignored, humiliated and embarrassed her for years, a little humbleness would certainly suit him well for a change.
"What now? Is there a specific etiquette for a mistress? But no matter what you may have in mind, I certainly won't sneak out of my own chambers." Catherine chose to use a particularly indifferent tone.
"Give me a moment and I'll show you things that are contrary to any etiquette you may know," Henry promised and in an attempt to seduce her, he fondled Catherine's pubic mound.
"Henry, don't bother. I have decided to terminate my borderline experience as your mistress at this point, as I see no benefit in it. Jewellery, clothes and other means of reparation I have already received enough to last me a lifetime whenever you felt the need to silence your bad conscience. But apparently, even as your lover, I am still being deprived of the privilege of sexual fulfillment."
At this bitter announcement Henry looked down at her in shock. After a moment's hesitation he raised his hand and gently caressed her face.
"Don't say such a thing, Caterina!"
While speaking, her husband let his fingertips slide down her cheek towards her neck. His fingers rested there for a few seconds before his hand moved on to the base of her breasts.
Catherine tried to ignore the pleasant tingling sensation of his touch that gave her goosebumps.
Meanwhile she wondered what Henry would do or what kind of promises he would make to get a second chance to prove his virility. For they both knew that he wouldn't give in to this shame.
Since she neither fended of his caresses nor discouraged him, Henry became bolder and he bent down in an attempt to kiss her. She let him have his way for a few seconds. Seconds she unduly enjoyed. But when his hand slipped between her legs, she vigorously slapped it away.
"Catherine?" The uncharacteristic insecurity in his voice pleased her contrary to her expectations. Nevertheless, she escaped his eager hands by rolling to the other side of the bed.
"I've had enough for today, Henry," she explained dryly. To show him the hopelessness of his efforts, Catherine left her bed. Barefoot and stark naked, the Queen of France crossed the room to fetch her nightgown and slipped it over her head. All the while feeling Henry's hot gaze on her body, even when she turned her back to him.
She could actually sense the frustration that was seeping out his body at her refusal to give him a second chance to prove his sturdiness. But she knew better than to give in to her incorrigible husband without resistance. He would have to work hard for the privilege of making love to her once again. And she would certainly not make it easy for him.
Judging by his tortured mien, her plan was already bearing fruit.
Catherine had not only awakened his hunting instinct, she had also stung her husband by ambition. Not to mention that she was threatening his male honour.
The moment she had welcomed her husband in her birthday suit, Catherine knew that she had him on her hook. Most likely Henry believed that it was he who had seduced her, but truth be told SHE had been the sole maestro of this intimate symphony of seduction. And though she had not expected their lovemaking to come to such a premature end, Henry's performance played perfectly well into her hands. For this admittedly very passionate act had not experienced the perfection Henry had striven for, it now ensured that his interest kept on being focused on her person.
"Don't do that. Don't turn your back on me. Give me a chance to make it up to you, ma chérie."
All of a sudden Catherine heard Henry's deep baritone right next to her ear. While whispering sweet words of seduction, her husband reached out for her and pulled her into his arms. Catherine closed her eyes briefly and enjoyed his intimate embrace.
How long had she longed for him to hold her like that?
Each and every nerve ending of her body urged her to give in and for a split second – for the duration of the universe batting an eye - she lost herself in that desire. It would be so easy to just indulge into her yearning, to be swept away by frivolous feelings, by lust and passion.
A pleasant shiver seized her overheated body and prompted it to tremble with arousal.
But then she bethought and freed herself almost violently from Henry's grip to turn her back on him.
"There's nothing you need to make amends for, Henry. We let ourselves get carried away and did something we shouldn't repeat." After she had taken a deep breath, Catherine slowly turned around to face her husband once again. Henry was standing in front of her, only wearing his trousers he had slipped on in a hurry, and dumbfounded stared at her. She mildly shook her head and stroked his bare chest in an apologetic gesture. "It was nice, please don't get me wrong. But..."
Her king and husband didn't let her continue by putting a finger on Catherine's lips to silence her.
"Ohhh, on the contrary, it was wonderful and we definitely should repeat this experience. And then it will be even more fabulous, that I can promise you." His last words were little more than a hoarse whisper.
"Don't make promises you can't keep," she scolded him meekly and took a step back. Judging from the determined look on his face, Catherine could tell that he wanted to interrupt her again, but this time she didn't allow him to stop her.
"Let's not pursue an illusion here, no matter how thrilling it might have been. I am not your mistress, I am your wife. Your wife, who has provided you with enough heirs and whom you have released from all marital obligations. And I have accepted that. So if you are merely looking for a place to spend the night, then you may stay for heaven's sake. But if you are searching for an easy way to get laid and to satisfy your baser needs, you must either look for Lady Kenna or for Diane."
Catherine knew that she was in danger of losing control of the situation if - contrary to her expectations - Henry decided to go the easier way and seek his fortune with Diane or Kenna instead of trying to pursue his wife. But her instinct told her that his interest in her was for real, at least for the time being.
And indeed Henry shook his head and stared at her with a defiant, almost offended look on his face. There was a pleading expression in his eyes that almost overturned her decision to make it as difficult as possible for him.
"But I want you, Catherine. And you are not only my wife. You are my greatest enemy and at the same time the mightiest ally I could ever ask for. And as of tonight you are also my lover. You're driving me crazy, making me drunk with lust and recently furious with jealousy." Henry told her and reduced the distance she had just brought between them seconds before.
Surprised by the severity of this statement, Catherine stared up at her husband. Then she slowly raised her hands in a defensive gesture. It was too early to give in to his pleading.
"Henry, that's ridiculous. In two, three days at the most, you'll be longing to return to Kenna."
When Henry shook his head in protest, she briefly with rolled her eyes and continued. "Then Diane for all I care. To endure Kenna's childish behaviour, you would have to be a saint. Someone I know you're clearly not."
Her words elicited a gurgling laugh from her husband.
"On that one I agree with you," he said in amusement and Catherine wondered which part of her statement he had just agreed on. "But there is one thing you are dead wrong about, my dear wife. I'm enjoying sharing chambers with you. I guess I've just forgotten how extremely entertaining you and your sharp tongue can be."
His burning gaze told Catherine that he was not only referring to her verbal skills.
"Dear lord, grow up, Henry," she rebuked him and without further explanation she turned on her heel and went to the balcony.
It had barely cooled down and a thick and heavy haze of heat still lay above them. Catherine stepped outside barefooted and leaned against the balustrade to gaze up at the nightly sky. At that moment a breath of air stroked over her, cooling off her overheated body.
From the corner of her eye she registered that Henry had followed her out onto the balcony.
"You keep on avoiding me. I'm trying to have a serious conversation with you."
Catherine glimpsed at Henry, then she looked up into the stars again.
"An ambiguous remark about my readiness of tongue is what you call a serious conversation?" Henry had meanwhile approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her body, complacently ignoring her criticism.
"I mean it, Caterina." One of his hands gently stroked her abdomen, while the other one slowly slid up her unclothed arm to caress her shoulder. Henry's touch and the titillation of his stubble on her neck made Catherine shiver blissfully.
"Let's forget about this silly renouncing, huh?" he whispered into her ear.
"Why, Henry? Why now? Are you already bored by young Kenna? I'm not like her. I am not one of many." While speaking, Catherine gently freed herself from his grip. But this time she didn't seek refuge in flight, but turned around to look Henry straight in the eye. "As long as you cannot value me as your wife, your queen and the mother of your children, you do not deserve the right to call me your lover."
Catherine raised on tiptoes and placed a tender kiss on Henry's lips. But before he could reach for her once again, she took a step back, stroked his chest in an apologetic gesture and returned to her bedchamber.
Update-time! I hope you liked it. I feel like apologising for Catherine's lack of enthusiasm, but she has a point to make.
Thanks for reading and for taking the time to leave a review. You're the best!
