Unexpected
It took a long time to grow comfortable with such things. In most contexts, Robert would never be comfortable with it. It simply wasn't…well, it certainly wasn't proper, but more than that, it wasn't something he liked to confront so directly. But with a brave, head-strong American heiress as a wife, Robert wasn't given much choice.
They had both been nervous on their wedding night. Through the honeymoon, their relations had grown less awkward. But always in the darkness of her bedroom, often without removing all their clothing, and always with Robert kissing her gently and leaving after they were finished. It wasn't until she once asked him to stay with a waver in her voice that told him how afraid she was that he would refuse her that he realized what it was she felt about such things. About him. She wanted him to stay with her. She did not feel that their marital duties were a burden on her. She did not find his amorous acts to be distasteful. In fact, she very quickly became far more open about such things than he was. But together, they learned and explored. They loved.
One night while back at home in Cora's bedroom, they had left the lamps burning and they had thrown off the bedsheets and all their nightclothes. They did not do such things too often, but Cora had been particularly spirited and Robert had been inspired for a bit more recklessness.
As their skin cooled and they caught their breath, Cora lay draped over his body. He lightly ran his hands over her bare back, indulging in the magnificent softness of her. Her fingers drew patterns in his chest hair, something he'd never imagined he could enjoy so much. And then she asked, "Robert, did you have many lovers before we were married?"
Such a question was quite uncomfortable for him to say the least. "I…well…"
"Did you have lovers, or did you just go to brothels like the other young men?"
The fact that she portrayed not an ounce of embarrassment of asking such a thing was at once appalling and calming. She shouldn't be talking of such things, of course, but the fact that she broached the subject without any apprehension helped him to feel as though he might be able to answer her. "I did not have lovers, no. Only the brothel. And even then, I was not a very frequent visitor."
"Why not?" she asked curiously. Cora shifted her body to prop herself up on her elbows to look at him.
"I never took much interest in romance, as I think you well know. And with the brothel, well…I was never quite comfortable with such things. The pleasure was not worth the discomfort I felt otherwise."
"You're not uncomfortable with me when we make love, are you?" she asked with concern.
"No," he assured her, pushing an errant dark curl out of her fact and smiling at her earnest worries. "No, we've moved past the discomfort, I think."
"What made you uncomfortable?"
Her questions would have been irritating if they were posed in any setting other than right here, right like this. But Robert could not be annoyed with her for anything just now as she reclined so soft and warm in his arms. And such was the joy in his heart for his beautiful bride that he indulged her somewhat impertinent curiosity. "I have always been bothered by circumstances where I am at a disadvantage. I was inexperienced and learning when I was in those brothels, and I did not like those women looking at me with pity. But with you, I was the experienced party and hoping to teach you. My discomfort stemmed from my worries of hurting you or making you uncomfortable in any way."
Cora leaned in to press her lips to his gently. "You have been a very patient teacher, darling. I have enjoyed my education with you. And I'm glad that you were able to learn in those brothels," she added with a giggle.
He shook his head indulgently. "The things you say, Cora," he scolded lightly.
"Only to you," she promised.
Robert pulled her closer and kissed her once more. "Good," he whispered.
Cora sat back, obviously not wanting to get distracted from her continued questions. "What else did you learn? I mean, was there anything that you did with those women that we have not done?"
The very idea that Cora might be interested in not only hearing about what sort of things a young man in a brothel gets up to but potentially wanted to do such things…his mouth went dry at the thought. "Oh…well…"
Her hands danced over his chest again, calming him and yet agitating him in a different way. "Please," she pressed.
"There was…erm…well, there was one thing that…it's not…"
"Robert, just tell me. If I faint, at least I'm already in bed. And I hardly think I'll blush too badly while we're both sitting here entirely naked already."
"One girl used her mouth on me," Robert confessed, blushing rather terribly himself.
Cora frowned. "How?"
"I-instead of between her legs, it was…er…between her lips," he said, trying to explain without actually explaining.
She went quiet, her eyes moving from his face and down his body. She was obviously lost in thought. "Interesting," she muttered to herself.
"Cora, a man isn't supposed to talk about such things with his wife."
Her eyes moved back up to his face. "I asked, and you were kind enough to answer my questions. I don't see what's so wrong about that." She smiled and kissed him again. "Thank you for telling me. I've been very curious."
Robert wasn't sure what to say to that. 'You're welcome' did not seem a proper response. But thankfully Cora saved him from answering. She got up from the bed and put her nightdress back on and tied back her hair as best she could. Robert put his own pajamas back on and then turned out the lamps once Cora was back in bed. They fell asleep soon after, though Robert's mind was plagued by the things his wife had convinced him to talk about.
The matter was soon forgotten, however, and nothing more was said between them about sex acts performed in brothels. Their world continued to turn and their lovemaking remained pleasurable and lovely for them both.
Nearly a month after Robert had first explained such things to Cora, however, something happened. They were locked in a passionate embrace. Robert's hands roamed Cora's body, pulling up the hem of her nightdress as they stood beside the bed. She unbuttoned his shirt and pushed it off his shoulders, and he had to unhand her in order to get it off. When his arms were otherwise occupied, Cora pulled back. She grinned in a rather mischievous manner, and the glint in her eye gave him pause. Without any warning, Cora dropped down to her knees before him. Robert hardly knew what was happened when she untied his pajama trousers and pulled them down to his ankles, leaving him bare before her.
Her pale, thin fingers curled around his growing erection, making him jump slightly. She had done that before, but not often enough for him to be used to the feeling of her touch. But then she did something she had never done, something he would have never thought to even allow from his wife.
Cora leaned forward and took him in her mouth. Robert emitted a sound he hardly recognized, something between a gasp and a groan emanating from deep in the back of his throat. Her tongue swirled over the head of him, making him shudder. His hands found their way to her hair to himself standing upright and unknowingly guide her. The slide of her lips over his cock was exquisite, as was the light suction created by her efforts. He moved her slowly over him, and she took his direction very well.
Robert felt as though reality ceased in that moment. Cora on her knees and pleasuring him with her mouth. He was overwhelmed and couldn't control his reactions to such a shocking thing. "Cora, I'm…" he grunted, trying to warn her.
But she paid no heed. He finished in her mouth with a loud cry of pleasure. Cora unhanded him and he collapsed down on the chaise, panting. He vaguely noticed her stand up and get some water from the pitcher on her nightstand to rinse her mouth out.
Robert's head fell back as he gasped for air. Cora came to sit beside him, watching him with concern.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
He blinked and looked at her. "Well that was unexpected," he said, his voice still strained.
"I knew it would be a surprise, but was it a good surprise or a bad surprise?" She had a very worried expression on her face.
Robert pulled her into his arms. "Shocking, actually. But incredible. You are…oh Cora, I cannot fathom how I got so lucky to marry you."
She nuzzled against him. "No luck about it. I fell in love with a fortune hunter who has proved himself very worthy of my love."
"This fortune hunter fell in love with the most magnificent woman," he answered.
Cora scoffed teasingly, "Certainly took you long enough."
He laughed, still feeling quite dazed. "We got there in the end, and I hope that's what matters."
She kissed him lovingly. "Of course it does, darling. And maybe you'll tell me more about what you got up to in those brothels sometime. I think it's been worth our while to try."
Robert stared at her beautiful, adoring face and felt filled with awe for his wonderful wife. It was all so shocking, so improper, so incredible. And regardless of what other things they got up to in the bedroom, Robert knew that the most unexpected thing he would ever experience in all his life was Cora herself.