A/N: M-rating

Chapter Thirty

When the wedding reception ended, Harry whisked Ruth off to a grand hotel, the one where visiting glitterati always stayed in the capital. Ruth herself had never stayed there before, as she lived in the capital so why would she need a hotel? But Harry had planned their honeymoon—which was still a surprise that she hadn't been informed of yet—and apparently they'd be leaving sometime the next day. But their wedding night was special and needed to be somewhere special. The grand suite of the hotel was certainly special.

A bit of the romance was lost when they had to wait for Tom and his team to do all the proper checks before allowing them to go inside the hotel and up to their room. But for once Ruth appreciated getting the royal treatment; she could walk holding her husband's hand and wearing her wedding dress and her mother's tiara that was now her own and did not need to worry about being seen or bothered or anything else. And at last, they were inside the hotel suite and the door was closed and locked behind them, and Harry and Ruth were finally alone.

Ruth noted with pleasure that their bags were already in the room, including the one where she'd packed her very special wedding night outfit. She'd need to change into that soon.

She gazed around the room and smiled, knowing Harry was watching her and smiling softly himself. "Could you help me with my dress, please?" she asked.

"Of course," he answered.

Ruth stood with her back to him. There were a few dozen buttons all down the back of the dress that a whole team had helped her get into. She would obviously need assistance getting the dress off. Harry set right to work.

"You described the dress to me last week, but I didn't imagine how beautiful it would be on you. I think I stopped breathing when I saw you walk down the aisle today," he told her.

"I didn't want anything poofy like that grand gown from my twenty-fourth birthday. Nothing that said Princess Louisa more than Ruth. I wanted to be myself and feel like myself when I married you because you've always treated me like me and not as a princess. Unless you're teasing me about it," she said.

Harry had the first few buttons undone now and pressed a kiss to the exposed nape of her neck. "You are Ruth, first and always to me. My Ruth, my wife," he murmured into her skin.

She felt shivers pass through her at his gentle words. She stayed quiet, though, while he continued on those buttons. When they were all undone, she gently stepped out of the dress. That was more effort than it should have been, thanks to the long train and layers and layers of lace. She was still in her slip and her shoes and her tiara, and she kept those on for a little while. Ruth made her way over to the wardrobe to hang the dress. Someone would be by tomorrow after they left to collect the dress and the jewels and put them into proper storage for her. But she did not want to leave the dress in a wrinkled heap, not something as beautiful as that.

Ruth went over to the mirror by the vanity table in the hotel room and found the pins that held the tiara in place. She saw Harry in the mirror behind her removing his formal jacket with his medals clinking as he did. Ruth was not really too concerned about his military heroism any more than he was about her royal status, but they both admired such things in the other as such a vital part of what made them who they were. And for that, she was proud to have an army hero as her husband. Harry had suffered and bravely fought and defended the country and led his men to great victory, though she had to admit that she was glad to not have known him during that period. Better that they should have met when they did, when he had gotten all of that heroism and the strange sense of confusion and loss and chaos that followed out of his system.

But there was time to contemplate Harry later. Time was moving swiftly, and Ruth did not want to waste any of it. She went back to carefully removed her tiara. "This was my mother's," she said. "Dad gave it to me today. I don't think I've ever seen it except in pictures."

Harry smiled in the mirror at her. "It's perfect for you. Some of the others I've seen you wear at various events have been a bit much. This one suits you best, I think."

Ruth very much agreed with him on that. She left the tiara and slipped out of her shoes, leaving them next to the vanity and out of the way. Left just in her slip and stockings, Ruth padded over to her overnight bag, kissing Harry's cheek on her way. "I'll be right back. I've got something for you," she said cryptically. And with that, she closed the door to the bathroom behind her.

As quick as she could, Ruth took off everything she was still wearing and slipped on the lingerie set that she'd purchased for their wedding night. White lace knickers that barely covered anything and a teddy on top. Her breasts were encased in white silk and the silk straps held it up and the rest of it was made of delicate sheer lace. She looked at herself in the mirror and combed her fingers through her hair to make it a bit less elegant and a little more enticing. She also considered washing her face to get all the makeup off, but what did it matter if they got the pillows and sheets all dirty? They were in a hotel and they'd only be there for a single night.

At last she was ready. Ruth opened the bathroom door and stepped out to where her husband was waiting. Harry was standing there, now with his tie and shoes and socks off and his shirt unbuttoned halfway down his chest. His eyes bugged out when he saw her, and she noticed his hands twitch, almost as though he could not wait a second before reaching out to touch her. "Oh…Ruth…" he breathed.

She was quite pleased with her effect on him. But she wasn't going to let him have all the fun. "I'd like to undress my husband now," she announced.

Harry just nodded a bit uselessly. Ruth's hands were gentle as she pulled his shirt from his trousers and unbuttoning the rest of it. His breathing grew a bit heavier as her fingers danced over him, tracing the defined muscles of his shoulders and arms as she pushed the shirt off him, smoothing over his chest and abdominals after pulling his vest over his head. It wasn't until she'd undone his belt and pushed his trousers to the floor that his attention snapped back.

He stepped out of his trousers before he pulled her into his arms and placed his hands on her bum to lift her up. Ruth immediately wrapped her legs around his waist. With a growl, he began kissing her hungrily.

As his tongue surged into her mouth, Ruth felt her whole body begin to tingle with the telltale arousal that Harry never failed to inspire in her. He swallowed her moans as she anchored his face to hers and moved her hips to try and get a bit of friction between them. She was in her fancy lingerie and the feel of the lace was rather pleasant. But she would need to feel his skin on hers, every single bit.

It took her a moment to realize that they were moving. Ruth was too caught up in their passionate kiss to take much notice, but by the time she did, he had placed her down in the middle of the bed. She lay there, gasping for air, and pushing herself up on her elbows so she could watch him stand at the end of the bed in front of her. Ruth let out a happy little sigh.

"Yes?" he asked, his eyes dark and shining as he gazed down at her.

"Oh I was just thinking that I have the most beautiful husband in all the world."

His face broke into a proud grin, but he laughed, "You must love me very much if I've tricked you into that, Ruth. But I am quite certain I've got the most beautiful wife."

Her heart beat faster at his words. She had known since their first date that Harry found her attractive and sexy and beautiful. He was never short of compliments for her body and appearance. But despite her youth and her royal status giving her every adornment imaginable, Ruth had never put much stock in her own beauty. She'd never much cared. Harry, though, said things like that to make her truly believe that to him, at least, she was the most beautiful wife. And she was his wife, which was all that mattered.

Harry seemed to have a plan now. He knelt on the bed by her feet and lifted each of her legs, caressing her calves and thighs with his gentle but powerful hands and his equally gentle and powerful kissed. She reveled in his attentions. But very quickly, he removed her lacy knickers and spread her legs before him. And before she knew it, his lips and tongue were tracing lines up her inner thighs and buried between them.

Ruth bit her tongue to keep from crying out with the sudden onslaught. But then she remembered that they were not at home where the children were just down the hall. They were in a hotel room and all alone. And this was their wedding night. She gasped loudly and moaned his name as his tongue tortured her to the very heights of ecstasy.

The noises Ruth made were uncontrollable. She bucked her hips against his face and cried out his name. He sucked hard on her most sensitive spot and plunged two thick fingers inside her, curling to heighten every sensation. She was panting and begging for him to move harder and faster for her release. Harry was nothing if not obedient to her in bed like this.

Ruth felt herself be built up and up an dup until her body trembled and spasmed beneath his touch. Her core pulsated around his fingers, radiating pleasure through her whole body. Harry pulled away as she settled. He moved beside her on the bed and rolled over, pulling her into his arms.

She felt his hands caressing her silk-covered breasts, and she hummed in appreciation. "This is a very lovely surprise. I like you in lace very much," he murmured.

The next thing she knew, he'd pulled the teddy off and she was lying on her back again. Harry had a hand on one of her breasts and his mouth on the other. "Oh god, Harry!" she groaned, feeling herself be built back up from the beautiful attention of his teeth and tongue.

Harry just chuckled proudly, undeterred from his task. He tried a few different things to elicit a specific high-pitched gasp from her. "I love the sounds you make," he growled against her breast.

Ruth was starting to feel a bit frenzied. Already he'd made her come once, but she knew from experience that there was plenty more to come. But this wasn't what she needed. It took every ounce of effort in her body, but she pushed herself up and reached down to shove Harry's trunks down his legs.

He did not pay much attention to what she was doing, but very quickly, Ruth's nimble fingers were wrapped around his hard cock. She stroked him with the confidence of experience over their last two years together. It wasn't until she'd been with Harry that she had ever felt like a woman who knew what she wanted and how to get it, but she certainly did with him. Harry abandoned his exploration of her breasts and fell back, moaning her name.

"I want you, Harry," Ruth whispered.

That was all it took. He rolled over and settled between her legs, already spread and waiting for him. He gave no buildup as he rubbed the head of his cock against her wet folds and thrust hard inside her.

Ruth cried out at the way he suddenly filled and stretched her. He felt so good, absolutely perfect in every way. Her Harry was very good at this always, and Ruth knew their lovemaking was unparalleled, particularly after all the practice they'd had over their years together.

But he wasn't moving the way she wanted him to. Ruth reached out and dug her fingernails into his bum, pulling him in deeper and grinding her hips to create the friction she needed. Harry watched where their bodies were joined in awe as she took her pleasure on him, even with him poised on top of her as he was. It didn't take long, as he'd already built her up so much, till she jerked against him and gasped in her next orgasm.

Harry had to pull out, breathing heavily, trying to regain his control. Ruth was panting and could not see straight for a few moments, but soon she could gaze at him with dark, smiling eyes.

"Having fun?" he teased.

She gave a breathy laugh. "With you, always." She pulled herself up, feeling a bit shaky and loose, and pushed Harry back onto the bed. He lay there against the pillows and watched her with eyes dark with lust.

She kissed down his chest, adoring the strong, solid muscles that kept her so happy and safe. He'd made a bit of a fuss at his last birthday, turning forty. But he was still in remarkably good shape for his age, even if his belly was starting to get a bit softer. And Ruth wouldn't have wanted him any other way. Harry made happy little sighs as she made her way downward, and she delighted in hearing his pleasure at her efforts. She took him in her mouth with very little pretense. It was always exhilarating to take him like this, to be in complete control of him and drive him a bit mad. She especially enjoyed when he helped her along, as he did not. Harry's fingers twisted in her hair, holding her tightly to guide her movements, giving him exactly what he needed. The way he pulled her hair against her scalp was just on the right side of painful, and she loved it. Every single sensation heightened her want of him, her excitement over what was to come.

Harry thrust into her mouth in one uncontrolled spasm before he stopped himself and pulled her off him. "Lie down," he instructed with ragged breath.

Ruth was breathing a bit heavy herself and lay herself in the middle of the bed beside him.

But Harry shook his head. "Flip over."

A shiver passed through her as Ruth rolled over onto her stomach and arched her back, lifting her hips off the bed. Harry covered her body in an instant, squeezing the firm flesh of her bum for a moment before pushing inside her so slowly, she nearly wept to feel every single inch of him fill her up. "Harry!" she breathed, gasping for air as her faced pressed against the pillow.

He readjusted his grip on her, sliding his hand under her body. His pace was achingly slow. His fingers grasped her breast, rolling her nipple a bit roughly, and Ruth whimpered in response.

"More," she begged, unable to form any other words. He was filling her, surrounding her, reaching so deep inside her, she saw stars in front of her eyes. His breath was hot against her neck, and she could feel him move to nibble at her earlobe.

He shifted again so he could reach around her body with his other hand and stroke her in time with his thrusts. He started to speed up and took her at a furious pace, pounding into her with everything he had. Ruth cried out as her climax crashed over her. Harry was unrelenting, chasing his own release inside her. Hard and deep and powerful, every thrust of his hips and touch of his hands overpowered every single one of her senses. His breath was hot against her neck, his sweaty skin sliding over hers. Ruth could barely breathe when Harry turned her head toward him and kissed her hard. And then with three last sputtering thrusts of his hips, he spilled inside her just as her inner walls clamped down with another vise grip around his cock, leaving them both whimpering and gasping.

Harry flopped down beside her, slipping out of her body to collapse on his stomach and catch his breath. Ruth rolled over to escape the wet patch they'd left on the bed. She was still trying to catch her breath but she did not want to be apart from him, not after the glory of all they'd just done. She turned to see him so exhausted, and she could not resist climbing on top of him. His back, like the rest of his body, was littered with various battle scars. She perched herself on his bum and traced each mark with her fingers and her lips.

Harry sighed happily at the love she imbued into his skin. She shifted so her breasts pressed up against him and her tongue flicked out against his skin. "That feels nice," he whispered.

"Good," she replied, covering his back in wet kisses.

"I think I've done all I can for the night," he told her regretfully.

"Me too," she told him. "I just want to be sure my husband knows how much I love and care for him."

He smiled, resting his head on his arms. "Your husband knows. And your husband loves you beyond words."

Ruth sat up again and lightly scratched his scalp. His golden curls were so soft between her fingers, though she thought she might be starting to notice them thin just a little. He was forty, after all.

After a moment, he lifted his head. "Ruth, I think we ought to get cleaned up before bed, unless you want me falling dead asleep just like this."

She agreed and climbed off him. Harry sat up and kissed her for a long moment before taking her hand and leading her into the bathroom.

It was somewhere in the middle of the night when they settled into the bath together. Harry leaned up against the back of the tub with Ruth resting against his chest. Everything was quiet and peaceful as they lay wrapped around each other. Harry's hands wandered her body under the water, and she made absolutely no effort to stop him. His fingers dipped between her legs and she shifted her hips to give him a bit more space. Her head fell back against his shoulder as she gave a happy hum.

"I think we've made a good start at marriage, don't you think?" he whispered in her ear.

"Oh I think so, especially if you're going to keep touching me like that," she teased.

His right index finger slipped inside her, making Ruth mewl in appreciation. Harry's left hand held hers, tracing her wedding ring with his own. "I'll love you and please you till my dying day, Ruth. I won't ever let you go," he vowed.

Ruth moaned and came against his hand a moment later, gasping and trembling and whispering her love for him over and over and over.