Chapter 10. Unsinkable love
His kisses were fervent but sweet. Unlike all the other times we kissed there wasn't a shred of doubt in my heart, not anymore. His lips and his warmth was all i can think of, i was drowning in him and i wouldn't change a single thing.
"I love you" i whispered. Our breathing was laboured and heavy. Our bodies pressed together as he laid me on his bed.
"I love you too" he said as he kissed my lips once more. His tongue parted my lips, i could taste him, everything about him. I don't care what society will think of us as long as we can be like this, always.
His lips left mine and trailed butterfly kisses down my neck and collar bone. My fingers tangled in his dark brown hair pulling him closer to me, his hands found their way to the back of my dress, slowly he slid off the sleeves of my dress until my shoulders were completely bare. I could feel him trembling as he traced my bare skin with his fingers. My breath hitched in my throat as he bit me softly on the base of my neck. The heat of his mouth devouring me with the flame of desire. I fumbled with his coat until finally being able to slide the piece of fabric off his shoulders and onto the floor. He pulled away from me just enough to look me straight in the eyes. His hair hung in his eyes as he whispered to me softly.
"Are you sure about this?" He asked as if he was asking a small child, i would be lying if i said i wasn't scared but still, i want him, i want him to be a part of me, forever.
"As long as you'll still love me in the morning" i said as i grabbed the back of his neck and pulled him in for a chaste kiss. His lips brushing against mine with such tenderness that it almost felt foreign but none the less wonderful.
"Until my heart stops beating" he had whispered so solemnly that i couldn't help the tears from over flowing. He pulled away from my lips and kissed my closed eyes as if to make the tears stop.
We sat up on his bed, my back was towards him. Shadows danced around the room as the small fire of the candles that lit the dim room flickered slightly. Slowly he undid the laces at the back of my dress. His fingers lingering as they brushed against my over heated skin. His lips trailed just above his hands as he continued to undress me, i could hear my blood roaring in my ears as my breathing became more laboured. I felt his fingers touch the back of my neck as he tried to unlock the necklace.
"I'd like to keep it on... Cal" i had said and he just kissed the spot the diamond chain rested on. I felt a shiver run down my spine. His hands finally stopped fiddling with the laces and now rested on my shoulders. The dress slumped and i held it to my chest as it fell open exposing my back. His lips traced my spine with such gentleness that made me release a breath i didn't know i was holding. I clamped a hand over my mouth to muffle the moan that threatened to escape my lips. He traced his way upwards until his lips was just behind my left ear.
"I will make love to you, Iris" he whispered huskily. I shuddered almost visibly as his breath ghosted against my cheek. He slowly turned me towards him, his eyes were dark with desire but they shimmered with a hint of tenderness. He kissed me fiercely drawing my lower lip in his mouth as he bit it softly. He grabbed my wrists pulling them away from my chest making the dress fall to my waist, i felt utterly exposed. He pulled away from me and i blushed a deep red as he stared at my naked torso.
"Beautiful" he breathed. And as i stared into his deep brown eyes, for once i truly did feel beautiful. He touched the heart shaped diamond that hung just between my breasts. The blue stone glimmered beautifully in the dim light of the candles.
I pulled him towards me once more and our lips met in another searing kiss. My fingers blindly unbuttoning his white dress shirt. He grasped my clumsy hand and pulled them away before yanking the annoying fabric when unbuttoning them became too much trouble. He threw the fabric to the floor and he kissed me once more as he laid me down on the bed. His mouth went from my lips to my jaw, he trailed down to my neck and finally landing at the valley between my breast. He kissed me there softly, his hand cupping my left breast, kneading it in his large hand. I moaned loudly at the new sensation. Soon his mouth covered my other mound. The heat was consuming me like flames that slowly consumes a candle. It was spreading through me like a wildfire. His other hand yanked my dress once more, pulling it completely off of me along with my knickers. He pulled away from me and surveyed my now completely naked body. I felt so bold and desired at the moment.
I pulled at his trousers and unbuttoned them. His hands guiding mine as he slid off the dark fabric. Soon after a few more articles of clothing such as shoes and socks we were now completely naked.
His lips were everywhere, and so were his hands. Trembling fingers and shaky breaths was all that i was able to grasp as he finally claimed me as his own. Tears leaked from my eyes but he kissed each one. Every thrust and every gasp became lost in the heat of skin sliding against skin. Fingers tangling in hair and hands clutching the bed sheets. Silent murmurs of sweet nothings whispered in each others ears and the creaking of the mattress were the only sounds to break the silence as we lost ourselves to heat of our love making. And soon the pleasure was too much. Pressure built and then came the rush of relief as we both panted heavily. Limbs entangled and forehead pressed against the other's.
"I will treasure them forever" i said to him and he lifted his head to look at me, his elbows supporting his weight so as to not crush me. "Each kiss, each whisper and every lingering touch... All of them" i said as i traced his lips with my fingers. His eyes closing momentarily before looking at me once more, his hair hung in his eyes as they came off of his usually neat style. My other hand traced his strong jaw and sliding down to his bare and solid chest. He just kissed my forehead. I could feel his heart beating loudly beneath my palm. I wanted to stay like this forever.
Suddenly the ship shuddered, trinkets and other items fell from desks and shelves as the lights flickered slightly until steadying again, the chandeliers swung slowly, the crystals chiming together like the sounds of broken glass. Cal got up and sat at the edge of the bed.
"What was that?" I asked a bit worried. The ship must've hit something. Cal shook his head and looked at me.
"I don't know, maybe one of the engines broke down." He said and i grasped the sheets closer to my chest. I looked at him with worried eyes. What if the ship sinks?! As if sensing my fear cal cupped my cheek in one hand and leaned in to kiss my forehead. "Im sure theres no need to worry, love" he smiled reassuringly and helped me get up from the bed. Moments later we were almost fully dressed. Well he was completely dressed, it was me who still couldn't manage to put on my dress properly. He then helped me lace up the back of my dress, kissing my back as he trailed up until finally tying it in a ribbon.
A knock sounded on the door before suddenly it swung open with a slam. Cal looked at the steward annoyed for disturbing us.
"Sir, i've been told to ask you to put your lifebelts on and come up to the boat deck, please" a steward said popping his head in.
"Get out! We're busy" cal almost yelled. But the steward refused to listen as he opened a few drawers and took out lifebelts.
"Im sorry about the inconvenience Mr. Hockley but its captains orders. Please dress warmly it is quite cold tonight" he said. Then turned towards me when he saw my worried expression. "Not to worry miss. i'm sure it is just a precaution" he said but i still cant shake off the horrid sinking feeling at the bottom of my stomach. Cal wrapped an arm around my waist as if to ease my nerves.
"This is ridiculous." Cal muttered as he pressed me closer to him. I clutched the fabric of his shirt tightly. The steward handed us the lifebelts and soon left us. I wrapped an arm around cal's waist.
"We better go see how my mother is faring" i said and we quickly walked out of the room, cal carried the lifebelts almost as an after thought. We met my mother in the hall, dressed in a dark fur coat and a lifebelt. She eyed me and cal suspiciously for a mere second before her expression turned blank again.
"Mother are you alright? What's going on?" I asked her and she shook her head.
"I don't know, dear" she sighed and cal held my hand tightly.
We made our way up the boat deck. Almost every first class passenger was gathered at the area. Molly was there too.
"Its just the god damned english doing everything by the book" cal swore and his hand let go of mine only to wrap around my waist. His other hand held the lifebelts. Mother scowled at his choice of words while i walked almost mechanically.
"Theres no need for language, Mr. Hockley" my mother said then turned to trudy and Helga who were standing beside her. "Go back and turn the heater on in my room, so it won't be cold when we come back" my mother said to trudy and Helga. And soon enough they were gone. I looked at my mother.
"Mother, where is rose?" I said a bit worried for my sister. What if theres an emergency and we couldn't find her?! What then?!
"I don't know, dear. I haven't seen her since this afternoon, i've had Helga and trudy look for her earlier but they couldn't find her. Im really starting to worry" my mother said with a sigh as she rubbed my arm.
"You're freezing, dear! Where is your coat?! You'll catch a cold" my mother said and i looked down at my clothes. I was wearing a soft indigo chiffon dress that has a long flimsy train and sheer sleeves that were off the shoulders along with the blue diamond necklace also known as the heart of the ocean. Cal stared at me. He shrugged off his long black coat and draped it over my shoulders, i unconsciously slipped my arms through the sleeves.
"Wouldn't want you getting sick now would we, love" cal said and wrapped an arm around my shoulders.
Thomas Andrews entered the hall, looking around the magnificent room with sorrow in his eyes. I quickly ran towards him, cal soon following behind me.
"Mr. Andrews tell me what is going on? I can see it in your eyes, please tell me the truth!" He looked at me a bit uncertain then sighed.
"The ship will sink" he said blatantly and i gasped but didn't let myself quiver with fear.
"You're certain?" I asked.
"Yes. In an hour or so... All this... Will be at the bottom of the Atlantic" he said and i felt cal hold my hand.
"My god!" Cal said stunned at the revelation.
"Please tell only who you must. I don't want to be the cause of a panic. Get to the boats and don't wait. Understand?" He said with a serious expression.
"Yes, i understand. Thank you" Andrews nodded then left, waving through passengers as he told them to put on their lifebelts and get to the boats.
I turned to face cal, my face etched with worry and urgency. He held my shoulders to keep me from shaking.
"Rose! I have to tell rose.. And jack. She's probably with him. I must find her, cal!" I said and my voice were coming out in shallow breaths.
"Calm down, Iris! Im sure we'll find her" he said in a hushed tone and kissed my forehead. Oh rose, please be alright.