Fallen - chapter 21
Clarisse fumbled in her bag for the key, suddenly it felt as if she'd received a new dose of energy and she almost raced across the field towards her house. Joseph followed somewhat slower behind; he'd teased her for most of the walk home about having to shield her with a towel whilst she changed on the beach. She in turn had mocked him about the teenage crush that had developed.
Now he was exhausted, the walk home in the increasingly hot afternoon sun had worn him out. Clarisse meanwhile appeared to have found a new lease of life.
Crossing the garden he wearily sighed as he entered the kitchen and dropped his bags to the floor.
"Thank god, I was beginning to think I wouldn't make it."
"Here you go." Clarisse handed him a cool glass of water. "Old man."
He sat and watched as she emptied the bags, putting the towels and blankets to wash, emptying the cool bag of any uneaten food. She then opened the cupboard and took out two glasses and stood them on the side, from the fridge she took a bottle of white wine and effortlessly uncorked it.
"Won't be a second." She said as she exited the room.
He listened to her climb the stairs two at a time, within in a few minutes he heard her make her way back down and he stood and crossed the room placing his now empty glass on the side.
She was humming as she closed and locked the back door.
"Excuse me." She said gently as she stood on her tiptoes to reach the blind on the kitchen window.
"What are you doing? It's 4:30 in the afternoon."
"And I don't want any interruptions." Clarisse said pulling the blind down. "Now, Joseph…"
Smiling seductively she spread her hands out over his chest. "I know you're tired from the walk. So close your eyes…"
"Clarisse?"
"Just do it."
Sighing he closed his eyes, arms folded in front of him.
She moved around the back of him resting her hands on his shoulders, rubbing his muscles. Her mouth kissed his earlobe and she whispered.
"Imagine we're back in the ocean, alone, it's warm and heady, your body pressed into mine."
"Mmm…"
She smiled and trailed her hands along his arms then down his sides until she reached the bottom of his t-shirt. He unfolded his arms and allowed her to lift it off.
Discarding the t-shirt on the floor Clarisse moved around to the front of him, blowing cool air onto his chest.
"And you're utterly relaxed, you want to lie back and float away."
"Clarisse." He breathed her name as she licked his neck. God she was good.
"Are you relaxed?"
"Yes… I guess."
She laughed, her hands reaching down to the tie on his trousers. Opening it she heard his sharp intake of breath, his hand rest on her shoulder.
She paused and stood back looking at him, his eyes were still closed, his mouth slightly open as he tried to control his breathing. Taking hold of his hands she placed them on her body, one on her waist, the other on her breast. Now he opened his eyes.
She said nothing, stepped forward and kissed him, her tongue drawing lazy patterns on the inside of his mouth.
"What have I done to deserve you?" He said huskily rubbing her body through her dress.
Arching against him she bit her lip smiling and throwing her head back. He kissed her neck, suckled on the skin at the base.
"You smell of the ocean." He whispered.
The feel of him touching her was divine, the friction of the material of her dress rubbing her skin delicious.
She moaned out loud and grabbed his hands forcefully. "Let's not waste a second."
He didn't argue!
Following her upstairs he insisted on nuzzling her neck as they climbed the stairs, his hands firmly placed on her backside.
She was in no mood to wait and the foreplay seemed to have been going on all day, pulling him into the bedroom she quickly stripped him of his trousers and pushed him back onto the bed.
He lay and watched as she pulled her dress up and over her head and threw it aside. At the way she tantalisingly unhooked her bra and dropped it to the floor, how she twisted her thumbs around the lace of her panties and slowly, seductively trailed them down her shapely long legs.
"You will be the death of me." He whispered as she climbed on top of him.
Smiling alluringly she leaned over him, her nipples brushing his chest.
"Would you care for some wine?"
"I think I care for something else a little more at the moment."
"Ahh," she traced her forefinger down his nose, rubbing his mouth. "And what, may I ask…" She lowered her hips, rubbing herself against his increasingly growing bulge and then retreating again. "Might that be?"
"God," he groaned. "You know exactly. You're teasing me."
"Don't you like it?" She kissed his forehead, moved her head to the side and nibbled his earlobe, her hands slid up his arms and held his wrists lowering his arms to the bed and pinning them there.
She was too much, too good. He never realised a woman could drive him so close to the edge, could make him feel so complete.
"I love every second." He lifted his face, nudging her chin with his nose, desperately trying to kiss her. "I love you."
She resisted his kiss, pulling her face just far enough back to avoid meeting his mouth. Her movements had become stronger now; the thought of having him so close to her yet not inside made her feel hot and full of desire and want. The movements of the lower half of her body mirroring their battle of wills as he tried to kiss her.
His lips momentarily touched hers and for a second she almost gave in, then she pulled back abruptly giggling at his groan of frustration.
"I want to kiss you." He breathed watching her through half open eyes.
"I know, you need to earn it."
She was grinding herself down onto him now, drawing her flesh across his, feeling his heat radiate through her skin. Feeling her body silently cry out for him, desperate to once again be one with him.
Rubbing their bodies together she watched as his eyes completely closed, at the way his fingers folded with hers, stroking her thumb with his as they found a rhythm and rose and fell together in one delicious moment.
Still sat astride him she reached down and finally took hold of him, guiding him deep inside her in one smooth fluid move. Against her will she heard herself groan, felt the breath tightly catch in her throat as she exhaled.
For a second both were completely still, holding their breath. Finally she leant over him and kissed his mouth. She felt his lips twist into a smile as her mouth slanted over his.
"I earned it?" He barely said the words, almost breathed them.
"Maybe." She replied in a whisper.
When she sat back again he sat up with her, his arms wrapped tightly around her back.
She stretched her legs out balancing them, then wrapped them around his back as they began to rock together. He was so deep inside her she wondered how he could stand it, no real friction, no frenzied movements. It was slow and deep and steady, like their heartbeats, she felt it intensely inside, something hot and desperately aching.
Moaning his name she leant back slightly, he supported her back, holding her steady as she moved against him. His hands skilfully traced over her body, down between her breasts, over her stomach, to the warmth of her thighs. She called his name when he touched her there and jerked against him. He knew how she enjoyed being touched already.
When she came it was raw and extreme, a powerful surge of fire that swam into her stomach and exploded deep inside her body. It was unexpected and she realised she was shaking uncontrollably, Joseph was kissing her neck, still supporting her back and holding her, his mouth moved over her breasts, worshipping each one in turn.
She lifted herself up, holding onto his shoulders for support, his mouth moved to hers and it started again, she felt him moving, felt the sweet remnants of her last orgasm still swimming through her body as he moved stiff and whole inside of her. She was moaning again already, his hand was between her legs and she felt each nerve shaking with passion as he touched her. It was building again, so soon, she wasn't prepared for it. She wondered how on earth he was holding back.
His other hand gripped her hip as she slid back and forth onto him, his eyes concentrated on her beautiful face.
"Oh god Joseph…" She groaned pressing her mouth against his.
He sucked on her bottom lip, felt her pace increase and somehow he held his breath, biting back the urge to come with her. He wanted to last, wanted to make it unforgettable for her.
This time when she came it was frenzied and quick, she almost broke into laughter as the sensation shot through her, she felt so deliriously happy.
Now, now her body was totally his. He could have done anything with her, moulded her into any shape, all she wanted was more of the utter delight, the utter joy of having him inside her and making love to her the way he was. The way they made love together.
He was still holding her tightly, kissing her shoulder, over her collarbone. She kissed his head, held onto him, shifting on his lap as she stretched her legs out. He had slipped out of her yet she felt him stiff against her thigh.
"Have I earned it yet?" His voice was husky, heavy with desire.
Finding no words would form she giggled, finally pulling back to look at his handsome face. She stroked his beard and over his mouth.
"I think so." She mouthed.
"Good." He reached up to touch her face. "You're all flushed."
"I'm all completely horny!" She smiled devilishly. "This feels so good." Gently she kissed his mouth. "So good."
"It feels so right." He replied folding his hands with hers.
"I don't want it to end."
"Me neither." He murmured, it suddenly dawned on him that this couldn't last forever… she meant making love, he meant being together, in less than four days he would have to leave her.
"Joseph." She mumbled kissing him.
Her nails in the back of his neck broke his reverie and he opened his eyes to look at her. He stroked her swollen lips.
"So very beautiful."
"Right now I feel incredibly sexy."
"Oh that too. All the time. From the moment I saw you."
"Naughty man." Pushing him down onto the bed she laid full length on top of him. "I always thought that King's would have terrible dirty minds, always fantasising about the maids and what they wore beneath those smart little dresses."
"Now they are your fantasies not mine… I think you'll find I fantasised about what a certain housekeeper was wearing."
"And now you know."
"A-ha."
"And your fantasies?"
"Oh they keep being fulfilled, over and over again."
"Mmm…" She kissed him hotly, licking his tongue with hers. "I want to feel you over and over again."
"You're a demanding madam."
"You better get used to it. Sir."
"Right." He lifted her up and twisted her over, tickling her waist as he did so. She was laughing and giggling as he devoured her chest, licking beneath the curve of her breasts, down over her stomach.
Sitting back Joseph leant down over her and licked her stomach, teasing her belly button with his tongue.
"That tickles." She reached for him and he sucked on her fingers.
"Joseph, Joseph…" She writhed beneath him. Lifting her foot to rest on his chest and push him back.
Her other foot joined the first one and he held her ankles.
"You want me to suck your toes?" He asked, a hint of laughter in his voice.
"Do you want to?"
"Do you want me too?"
She laughed and shook her head. "I asked you what you wanted first."
"You did."
"So tell me what you want."
He breathed deeply and kissed the tips of her toes. "You already know… I think you've known from the beginning."
Pulling her legs back she rested her feet on the bed again, her knees bent and now resting against his chest instead.
"I'm not sure where this is going." She said gently. "And right now I don't want to think further than today, this evening, the next hour…"
He nodded. "Probably a wise decision."
His hands rested on her knees and he bent to kiss each one, if she'd have asked him she was convinced he would have kissed every inch of her body without her doing anything in return for him.
Slowly she parted her legs and he moved between them, lying above her, supporting himself on his elbows he kissed her face, her forehead, cheeks, mouth, nose, eyelids, murmuring gentle words of love as he did so.
Without words they once again joined only this time it was slow and loving, she held onto him as they moved together, lifted her legs driving him deeper inside her. Their kisses were frantic, communicating through touch alone.
This time Joseph felt the tightness build in his groin, longing to drown within her, warm and welcoming. The scent of her surrounded his every sense, the feel of her body in time with his, of her hands on him, her nails digging into his skin, her mouth joined to his.
She had become everything; everything centred in her, began and ended with her. He called her name, pressed his face into her neck and felt her hands grip his arms as he lost control and his movements became odd jerks, uncontrollable and erratic.
Clarisse closed her eyes as she felt his warmth flood her body, a delicious surge of heat, she groaned as he buried deep within her and lifted her hips. In his haze Joseph reached down to touch between her legs and moaned with her as she too reached her climax.
Breathless and sated they collapsed on the bed, twisting onto their sides. Joseph was absently kissing Clarisse's head as she sleepily reached down the bed and found the sheets pulling them up over their bodies. She wrapped her arms around his waist, rested her head upon his chest, he was still kissing her, breathing her name.
One of her legs slid between his and his arms held her tightly against him as they both drifted to sleep, cradling the other close.
"Mmm…" Clarisse grumbled as something tickled her nose, she swatted at it and turned her head.
It moved and was tickling her throat, some damn fly. Again she hit it away and instead turned onto her side. She wasn't quite willing to wake just yet.
Something wet touched her shoulder and she shivered at it, it was moving down her arm, lightly nipping her skin now. Somebody warm behind her, a body touching hers, a hand reaching over to her stomach and squeezing it very gently.
Joseph.
She inhaled his scent, waking slowly, twisting onto her back, her mouth blindly seeking his as her hands reached to hold him.
He kissed her softly, tormenting her lips with his own. Grumbling she lazily opened her eyes, blinking at the dim light coming from the lamp.
He was stroking her hair, kissing her face every so often as she stretched beneath him.
"Hello beautiful."
Despite herself she felt the smile creeping onto her face. "Hello." She said groggily. "What time is it?"
"Almost eight, you were talking in your sleep."
"Really? What did I say?"
"I'm not sure, you were mumbling. A dream perhaps?"
"Possibly, I wasn't aware I did that. Did I wake you?"
He shook his head, gazing down at her, a warm light smile on his handsome face. "I was already awake."
She folded her fingers with his, closing her eyes again. "Did you sleep at all?"
"A little. Would you like some dinner?"
"Mmm, I don't have the energy to move." She turned onto her side lifting her arm up around his shoulders. "Somebody sapped all my energy earlier, and now I feel rather divinely lethargic."
He was still kissing her face, stroking her bare back; so many things he wanted to say, thoughts he'd entertained for the last couple of hours, how enraptured he was, how in love, how those words didn't even come close to what he felt.
All his deepest desires and dreams and hopes and fears were now here, she held them all, fuelled them all. All he wanted to communicate with her yet dare not; she didn't wish to hear it. He'd seen it in her eyes when they were making love, when he was tickling her feet and he'd said the 'L' word again.
"Joseph…" she whispered. "You're dreaming about something."
He smiled tenderly at her. "No, just…" he shrugged. "Feeling good."
"Well I should think so. Now, didn't you say something about making me dinner?"
"I did. I'll go start raiding your fridge."
"Should I come down?" She asked stretching on her back and watching him put his robe on.
"Give me about fifteen minutes to make myself look competent, then feel free."
"Okay." She closed her eyes and pulled the covers up around her body.
Joseph stood by the door momentarily watching her. "Hey," he whispered. "Don't fall to sleep again."
"I won't." She mumbled. "Don't forget the wine, it will be warm."
He eyed the bottle still standing by the side of the bed, they never had gotten round to drinking it. Ah well, perhaps it was still salvageable.
They ate in the lounge, bowls of pasta with a white wine sauce. Clarisse had chided him to begin with for using it as base for the sauce but even she had to admit it was quite excellent and she'd quickly forgiven him as they'd sat cross-legged watching a late night film.
"For a public school boy you're not a bad cook." She'd whispered nudging his arm.
They lay wrapped tightly together on the couch, Clarisse in front of him, a cushion beneath her head.
"I'll let you into a secret," he whispered in return. "I took home economics for two terms."
"You did? How wonderful."
"It was, until Father found out and changed my subjects. You see being able to put a decent meal together wasn't deemed as important as history or politics."
She shrugged. "It depends on what you want to do with your life, what's important to one might not be important to another."
"I whole-heartedly agree, and I said so at the time. My rebellious period. But as always he won, and the cooking was dropped. I hated him at the time, I understand it now."
"How so?" She twisted her neck to look at him.
"I would do the same, being a chef isn't my job."
"Being head of a country is." She said solemnly.
"Exactly. It was a waste of my time; it certainly hasn't been called upon over the years."
"It has been this evening."
"True." He squeezed her waist. "But these are circumstances I never thought I'd find myself in."
"You've always done what's right haven't you? I mean, for your country, put it first, before yourself."
He said nothing but kissed the top of her head. "For the past two weeks the only thing I've put first is you."
She accepted his gentle kiss then turned over focusing her attention back on the film.
