Slow Burn – Chapter 10
Hunger pangs were what awoke Rachel in the middle of the night, the portions served at formal dinners weren't exactly generous, and she was starving. Moving slowly so as not to disturb Tom, Rachel slipped out from under the arm that had been draped over her stomach, and paused to look down at him. To wake up next to this handsome, charming man who was fast becoming the centre of her world thrilled her more and more, so much had happened since the day they'd met that day in the Helo bay. So much loss, so much pain, yet in amongst the chaos that the world had become they'd found love in each other's arms. More than that, they had begun building a family, something Rachel wanted desperately but thought she'd never have. As she couldn't be bothered to traipse all the way back to the flat she shared with Bertrise for PJ's, Rachel donned Tom's dress shirt and her lacy panties that Tom had removed earlier with such gusto.
"I love you Tom" Rachel whispered quietly as she left the room in search of a snack.
Silently she made her way down the stairs and into the Kitchen; as she knew Jed kept a well stocked larder. Tom's father become an adept trader since the family had arrived in St Louis, but then Rachel remembered Tom saying he'd been a logistics expert in the Army, and it appeared from the well stocked cupboards the man hadn't lost his skills. Perusing the fridge, Rachel spotted a tub of home-made Ice Cream from a shop on Main Street, one that she Bertrice, Sam, and Ashley were very fond of – their version of Chocolate chip Cookie Dough was heaven as far as she was concerned. Grabbing a spoon, Rachel hopped up onto the countertop and tucked in, moaning in delight at the taste as the Ice Cream melted on her tongue.
"Enjoying that by any chance are we Rach?" a voice called from the doorway, causing her to drop the spoon with a clatter.
"Tom! You startled me!" Rachel replied a little breathlessly, admiring the sight he made stood there in little more than loose pyjama bottoms.
Not for the first time she paused to admire the gorgeous body of her Navy lover; as much as she loved his heart and soul, Rachel knew she'd be lying if she didn't admit he was probably the most handsome man she knew. The way he looked at her, as ifshe were dessert and he was very, very hungry–it made her heart race as her breath hitched in her throat. Flashing Tom a sultry smile, Rachel picked up a clean spoon and dipping it into the ice cream she made a show of licking the spoon, moaning loudly once more – Tom never took his eyes off her. Silently, he stalked toward her, never breaking eye contact with her as he trapped Rachel with his burley forearms and leaned in to kiss her slowly, sensuously. Rachel responded eagerly, her tongue dancing with his as she wrapped her legs around Tom's waist and rubbed her body against his .Tom could taste the ice cream on Rachel's tongue as he kissed her, his hands exploring her body through the soft cotton of the shirt she was wearing, caressing her petite curves
" You look better in that shirt than I do Rachel" Tom purred, as he kissed his way down her neck "but do you know what would look even better sweetheart?"
"No what?" Rachel replied breathlessly, as he began unbuttoning the shirt
"You out of it" Tom grinned as he undid the last button, slowly pushing the shirt off Rachel's body, caressing each centimetre of skin he uncovered.
Tom 's lips followed the path his fingers had followed, nibbling and sucking his way down till he reached his goal, her breasts.
Definitely a breast man Rachel thought to herself, moaning lustily out loud as he suckled lazily, tweaking each nipple gently, then laving the skin with his tongue.
"Dear god Tom! Don't stop, please don't stop!" Rachel keened, loving his thoroughness, the way he paid such attention to her pleasure.
"I've no intention of doing so sweetheart, in fact ..." Tom replied as a wicked glint appeared in his eye as he reached over her and grabbed the ice cream, drizzling it in a leisurely fashion down her body, causing Rachel to yelp in surprise at the cold sensation.
"Tom! What...ohhhhh!" Rachel gasped as Tom's mouth followed the sticky trail, the contrast of his hot mouth and cold ice cream had Rachel writhing in Tom's arms, the sensations were just so deliciously erotic. Lower and lower he went, licking away the sweet treat, but ignoring the one place Rachel wanted him desperately to pay attention to, frustrating her no end. Noting her frustration, Tom grinned wolfishly, he knew exactly what she wanted – far from it to deny his lady her pleasures!
Kneeling in front of Rachel, Tom draped her legs over his shoulders leaving her feeling so exposed yet utterly turned on. Gently he laved her clit with his tongue, alternating fast and slow strokes, turning Rachel mindless with need as he added one, two, and then three fingers into her slick channel, pumping them in time with his tongue. Rachel could feel the desire building low in her belly like a tightly wound spring, the sensation building until her release coursed through her body, like a dam bursting, causing her to moan softly in satisfaction. Tom watched Rachel's body flush once more with release, savouring the sound of her passion filled moans, knowing he was the cause. Tenderly he pulled her into a sitting position, delighting in the sensation of holding her in his arms skin to skin, as Rachel came down from her high. Rachel pulled back and kissed him leisurely, making love to his mouth the way he'd done to her body just hours earlier, but eventually the stickiness of the drying ice cream had her wanting a shower.
"Tom ...mmm ... Sweetheart ...I really need a shower thanks to someone's enthusiasm with my favourite treat" Rachel sighed quietly as Tom nuzzled her neck in a leisurely fashion.
"A shower? Rachel I think I need a few more minutes before I can go again!" Tom laughed, chuckling low in his throat. Rachel just shook her head, laughing delightedly at his suggestive remark.
"Whilst your idea has...merit love, I need to get this ice cream washed off me, but you're welcome to join me of course" She replied, her voice low and sultry, filled with suggestion.
Tom watched Rachel hop nimbly off the counter and walk slowly past him wearing not a stitch of clothing, swinging her hips just as she had that night in the hotel all those weeks ago. He blessed whatever fates had made sure he heard the gunshot and had ensured he was in the right place to save the life of this vibrant, beautiful woman. Tom couldn't imagine his world without Rachel in it, and whilst he would forever treasure the memories of his beloved Darien, he knew it was long past time to move on. Darien had always been one to live in the moment, insisting that to dwell on things past meant you'd miss today's joys – he knew she'd be the first to tell him to stop using those memories as an excuse not to begin building a new life with Rachel.
Tom quickly strolled after Rachel, following her back up the stairs and into the shower, delighting in the feel of a hot shower and his lover, his soul mate in his arms. He picked up the soap and began lathering Rachel's body, enjoying the time to explore her body intimately. This sensual side to her nature was one he didn't see often and he loved the fact she felt relaxed enough to let him see it. Oh Tom knew he desired Rachel and she him, but this was simple human contact and the pleasure that came from just touching another human being was another sensual pleasure they often didn't get the time to explore, and Tom was revelling in it. Rachel sighed quietly in his arms, delighting in his touch and the way he held her, as if she were something infinitely precious to him. For long moments they just stood like that under the spray, enjoying the silence and the presence of each other, and the joy they'd found together, in their love for one another.
"Tom?" Rachel murmured softly, nuzzling his cheek "Think we need to get out now, I'm starting to look like a prune"
"And what a beautiful prune you are Rach" Tom replied, kissing her gently "But yes, I think it's time to get out the shower, however nice this is"
Stepping out of the shower, Rachel reached across Tom to grab the large, fluffy towel someone had thoughtfully left for them. As she began to dry her lover's body, she took the opportunity once more to look, touch, and truly savour his physique. Silver hair, blue eyes you could drown in, broad shoulders she'd cried on more than once, and his steadfast heart that beat steadily under her fingertips. Tom watched as Rachel began touching him again and took it as a cue to do the same to her, running his fingers over her curves, her soft skin, not to mention the long chestnut locks he loved running his fingers through.
"Enjoying this are you?" Tom murmured, watching Rachel as she almost purred under his touch. She smiled up at him sleepily, as she snuggled into his embrace.
"You know I do, I love the way your hair feels under my fingers, the way you hold me, I feel so safe, so loved" she told him "I love hearing your heartbeat, so steadfast, you're my rock, my constant in this crazy world"
"The feeling's mutual you know" he replied "I love running my fingers through your hair, the way your skin feels under my hands, the way you feel in my arms, like you were made just for me"
Tom lowered his head and kissed her in a leisurely fashion, exploring her mouth in the same way he'd caressed her body, savouring her sensual response to his kiss.
Rachel wrapped her arms around him, delighting in the kiss; she knew Tom was more than just a good looking man – his courage, integrity, sense of honour, and the strength of his love both for her and his family were just a few of the many qualities that had drawn her to this wonderful man. They'd had their share of arguments, and had butted heads often, but somehow they'd become friends and now so much more, Rachel couldn't imagine her world without him in it anymore.
"Penny for them Rachel" Tom whispered gently, breaking through her revere, as he ended the kiss.
"Just thinking how much I love you, how nice it is just to spend time alone together" Rachel smiled back at him "remind me to thank your lovely children not to mention your rascal of a father"
"I'll second that Rach, but for now how about we get some sleep? Don't think we've done much of that tonight" Tom chuckled ruefully, brushing a kiss across her lips "And for the record, I love you too"
Rachel grinned at him, her happiness shining in her eyes as Tom hoisted her up in his arms and carried her back to bed. Placing her on the bed, Tom reached up and turned the bedside light off, plunging the room into darkness as he pulled Rachel into his arms and covered them both with the duvet as they snuggled close to one another. Rachel felt her body melt into the circle of his arms as she finally realized that for the first time in her life, she felt truly safe. Now she truly understood what it meant to really love someone heart, body, and soul – she would cherish that love for the rest of her life she thought as her eyes closed in sleep. Tom listened to the soft sound of Rachel's breathing as she dozed off. As he lay there holding Rachel, he felt complete, whole – in a way he hadn't since learning Darien had passed away. In his heart, he knew no greater joy than feeling that this precious woman belonged to him and he never wanted to be apart from her, not ever. His love for her pulsed through every fibre of his being and he felt her love for him as they both drifted off to sleep.