Chapter Six
Pandora's Box
Henry began to stir and slowly flicker his eyes open, it took him a few moments to focus on his surroundings to realise he wasn't in his own home. But in fact in Elizabeth's living room. He felt a heavy weight on his lap and looked down to see Elizabeth asleep in his lap. He smiled softly and closed his eyes again as images of their evening together flashed into his mind. Henrys hand automatically fell gently upon Elizabeth's head, running his fingers through her silky blonde hair, he watched as she began to stir at his touch; how could one woman look so adorable when waking up…
'Morning sleepy' he whispered as she stretched out, she turned from her side to her back, her had still in his lap and her eyes now wide open and smiling at him.
'Hey you' this felt normal to her, the reality that they were not meant to fall asleep on the sofa together had not even occurred to her. Henrys hand wondered down her arm, his fingertips caressing her skin and leaving a loving trace before it came to a stop on her waist, softly resting upon her tummy as his fingers began to trace small circles along the bare skin at the bottom of her hemline. Elizabeth smiled at the contact, her body flushed with a warm cosy feeling.
'We fell asleep' she stated the obvious, her brow furring as her mind began to wake up.
'We did, I think I might just pay for sleeping upright' he laughed twisting his neck to stretch it out. She slowly pulled herself up and sat upright next to him.
'In case I didn't say it last night, thank you for a lovely evening' she turned to face him.
'Always a pleasure spending time with you' he took her hand and gave her a reassuring squeeze.
'Shall I make us some breakfast?' he stood up and headed towards her kitchen 'A drink at least' he shouted back to her as she came padding in behind him.
'Urm… No it's ok' she smiled awkwardly causing henry to raise an eyebrow at her
'Well, you have to get back and I do not want to make you late' she tried to find an excuse to get him to leave, she couldn't explain why she wanted him to leave, she just knew she wanted him to go.
'Elizabeth you have to eat something, get your energy for the day' he teased but she wasn't having any of it.
'I will, just later I am not hungry now' she tried to keep her tone calm but even she could sense the irritation in her own voice.
'Ok then just a drink, how about a coffee?'
'No' she replied all too quickly. Henrys head snapped up and his eyebrows arched, why she was being like this. He stepped closer to her and cautiously reached out to rub her arm
'Is everything ok? Did I do something wrong?' his words were hushed. She swallowed and looked at him. Why did he have to be nice?
'Sorry, I'm cranky in the morning, please help yourself, I am going to take a shower' she kissed his cheek tenderly in an attempt to reassuring him she was ok, but they both knew she was lying.
Henry decided to give her the space and make himself a coffee, he looked around her kitchen and living room having a little nosey opening a draw or two to get a feel for who Elizabeth was, he looked over at her unpacked boxes and one caught his attention, he inspected it on a closer level before resuming his seat on the sofa. He began to think about working in the marines, and realised he didn't really know much about her future, he plans, goals and aspirations. He glanced up when she came back to the living room, her hair dampened and in fresh comfy clothes.
'Feel better?' he asked and she giggled
'Much, sorry I can get a little irritated for no reason in the mornings' she explained, the shower had washed away her changing mood. She took a seat next to Henry and rested back into him. The smell of the morning coffee hitting her senses as she crinkled her nose. Henry placed a hand on her knee
'So I was thinking…'
'Steady on, we don't want you to get too carried away' she teased him and he playfully nudged her ribs
'I don't have to be back at the base until this evening, so we have a good seven hours of the day where I am free, would you like to spend the day together?'
'I would very much like that Henry' she leant forward and planted a soft kiss on his lips. She pulled back and pressed her lips together
'God your coffee is strong' she teased and he rolled his eyes.
'What would you like to do? We can head out, maybe go for a walk and grab some lunch or we can stay here and I can help you unpack?' his eyes narrowed, the contents of the box he found pressed on his mind and he wanted to speak to her about it, but one thing he knew for sure, it was that timing is everything.
'I do not want to unpack here' she huffed causing Henry to laugh, he wrapped a hand around her neck and pulled her close to him.
'Walk and food it is'
'Does that make me sound like a dog? To make me happy all I need is a walk and food?' she teased and henry tilted her chin up
'I don't think all things doggy related are bad' he winked and slowly pushed his lips onto hers. Elizabeth responded and kissed him back, their bodies desperate for one another's touch as their minds fought hard to remain respectful and forbid the contact. Elizabeth wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him down onto her, so his body was covering hers. His hands slowly found their way to her breasts, her back arched in pleasure as her head tilted back, her neck and collar bone exposed ready for him to devour her in kisses. Henrys length began to harden and press into her thigh, her hands walked down his back and gripped tight as he sucked on a spot behind her ear, as his fingertips tweaked at her nipples. Soft moans escaped her mouth, her core burning, yearning to be touched by him.
'Elizabeth' he panted in her ear. She nodded, pressing the side of her face into his, she needed him, she wanted him but she knew she couldn't have him. Not yet.
'I need to stop' he whispered knowing he couldn't control himself. She nodded and kissed the side of his cheek.
'It's ok' she reassured him, and moved a little as he slowly backed up off her. Her cheeks flushed crimson as the passion ran through her body, she wanted to reach out and hold his hand but she was sure the contact with his skin would blow her mind right now.
'I think going for a walk and being in public is needed, otherwise I won't be able to control myself around you today' Henry explained
'God Henry I want you so bad' she hadn't realised those words escaped her lips until she noted the smirk on his face, he leant in close to her, his lips millimetres from her ear, he softly brushed her hair out of the way and whispered
'I cannot wait to run my hands over your body, to feel you, taste you, pleasure you' his words were dripping with sex and lust as she swallowed hard, she felt her core tingle and her stomach flutter. She locked her gaze onto his and raked her bottom lip through her mouth
'I cannot wait either' she whispered back. Henry pushed himself away from her and stood up, needed to break the contact before he took her there and then on the sofa. She winked at him and stood up also, she took his hand in hers and held it up to her chest, she pressed it firmly over her heart and covered the back of his hand with the palm of hers. She looked at him; Henry stood before her curious about what she was going to offer, whatever it was he already knew he was all in.
'You have my heart in your hand, please don't break it' she murmured, her voice thick
'Elizabeth, I know' he whispered, her eyes fixated on him, that was not the reply she was expecting.
'Know what?' she wanted to clarify. Was he talking about knowing he had her heart or something else?
'I seen the box…' his tone soft but clear. It was like a switch flicked inside her, her head straightened and her body stiffened, what did she do now?…