Diana and Matthew meet at Oxford as Diana returns to teach history and research manuscripts at the Bodleian for a new book. Jealousy and mystery hinder their romance but their desire is made real. (All Human) NO VAMPIRES/NO WITCHES/NO DAEMONS. First story in a few years. Keeping it simpler by not adding the supernatural aspect.
Desire Made Real
By Goode Girl
DISCLAIMER: All rights to Deborah Harkness. Just borrowing the characters.
Chapter | SIX
My mind was reliving the events of the previous night. The way Matthew's hands traced along my legs, spreading me open, before he bowed his head, his eyes locked on mine as he pressed his lips to the inside of my thigh. His lips finally found purchase on my heat, bringing me to orgasm quickly. After the first, he played my body like an instrument, knowing each stroke, touch, and kiss that would bring about his desired result. I returned the favour and had him on his back as my mouth trailed along his thighs, hips and eventually his hard length. The sighs and groans that emanated from his lips, urged me on and he finished in my mouth. I rolled over in bed, a silly smile on my face as I replayed the events once more, only to find it cold. Matthew wasn't there.
My tired eyes blinked open to see Ysabeau posed above me, a worried expression on her face. "Diana?" She whispered. "Ysabeau? Where's Matthew?" I queried, rising to a sitting position and taking in the view of the sun peaking in the window. "We've had news," She began as the early morning sun blinded me, suddenly. "What time is it?" I asked, pushing the covers off my legs and noting the wall clock had barely reached 9:00AM. "Diana, something's happened." Ysabeau interrupted. "What do you mean, what's happened?" I called in worry. "It's Matthew, Diana. He's been in an accident." She phrased darkly. "What do you mean an accident? Ysabeau, what's happened?" I urged. "Marthe is bringing the car round, he's been taken to hospital." She finished. "What fucking happened, tell me!" I ordered.
Two hours. I'd been sitting in the waiting room for two hours, while waiting for the doctors to tell me what was wrong with Matthew. All Ysabeau could tell me was that he was driven off the road by another car and was unconscious. The tears didn't stop. I was in a state of shock. 'At least he was alive,' was what my mind would tell me. I kept replaying our night together, how he'd taken me in his arms, moved inside me, brought me pleasure. The feel of his naked skin next to mine. I was roused from my musings by a new voice. "Ms. Bishop?" Was called. "Yes?...Yes, what can I do for you?" I finally posed. "My name is Detective Baldwin." I nodded in understanding at his introduction. "Do you have news on Matthew? Please tell me?" I cried. "Ms. Bishop. Please, take a breath." Detective Baldwin issued, trying to calm me. "He's okay, Ms." He confirmed. "Then what news, please anything?" I cried. "We believe, based on the evidence that your….," He trailed off. "Boyfriend, Matthew's my boyfriend." I confirmed. "We believe that Matthew was being followed by another car, and it forced him off the road. Sadly, there is no trace of the other car, just evidence that it exists." Detective Baldwin informed. I gave the Detective all the information on Peter Knox, Gillian Chamberlain and even Juliette Durand. Even though she hadn't showed up as of yet. "I need to see him, please." I begged. "I believe the doctors have him under surveillance. He's unconscious I'm afraid. Blow to the head." Detective Baldwin admitted. "How do you know he's okay, if he's unconscious?" I bellowed. "He was awake during transport but fell unconscious. From what the doctor told us, he's in shock. And will wake soon." Detective Baldwin informed. "Please, take me to him, now?" I pleaded.
Detective Baldwin conversed with the doctor and nurses before I was allowed admittance to his room. His personal nurse was giving me evil stares. It made no sense, she was no one to me or to Matthew. I finally entered his room. Matthew looked like he was asleep. An IV was in his left hand, issuing fluids and pain medication. The head nurse informed me that he should wake soon. Ysabeau and Marthe went to get a coffee and to give me time to sit with him.
A bandage was across his forehead. Likely where it met the windshield or dashboard, from my understanding. A hard sob broke from my lips at his appearance. 'He's alive,' was my mantra. My feet led me slowly to his bedside. I gripped his right hand in mine and rested my forehead in his neck, where I could feel his heartbeat. "I love you," I mumbled into his neck. I swear with that small utterance that I could feel his hand grip mine. The tears were more prominent. "Please be okay." I uttered in his neck, my lips lightly tracing the side of his jaw, before forming over his lips. "Please wake up. I need you Matthew." I cried. It was difficult to not wrap myself around him, trying to find the life in him in this prostrate position.
The flighty, evil-staring nurse stepped into the room and gave me another evil stare. "Can I help you?" I offered in politeness. "Mr. Clairmont is not to have visitors." She intoned, and that's when I felt it. His hand gripped mine, hard. I looked to his face to see his bright green eyes on mine. "MATTHEW!" I called, my hands cupping his face. "Mon Coeur. I love you." He stated flatly. The nurse called out, "I will get the doctor." She huffed, leaving the room abruptly. My tears were a river of emotion as my upper body collapsed on his, holding him to me. "You're awake, you're okay? You're okay right?" I pleaded. "I'm alright, Love." He assured. He lifted his right hand, cupping my cheek. "What happened?" I intoned, as he lifted me to lay in the bed next to him. "Just let me hold you first." He added. "Tell me, please, I'm driving myself crazy." I extorted. He took a breath, his arms holding me flush against him in the small bed. His eyes found mine before he spoke. "I was heading to town to get a few groceries for Maman, and a few things for you," He began, leaning down and kissing my forehead. "I got to town, got the things I needed and I felt off." He explained. "What do you mean off?" I implored. "Like I was being followed. But I didn't' see anyone, so I took off, to head back to Sept-Tours. That's when I saw it." He elaborated. "Saw what?" I pushed. "Don't know for certain, just that someone was following me and trying to force me off the road. I tried to control the car, but I couldn't." He affirmed, keeping me close as his arms surrounded me. "Mr. Clairmont!" We heard, breaking our solitude. "I'm Doctor Satu Jarvinen. But please call me Satu." The Finnish beauty intoned. "Hello, Doctor Jarvinen. This is my girlfriend, Diana. So, anything you have to say to me, she can hear." Matthew stated plainly. "Very well." She nodded before continuing. "You have a minor concussion, and we wanted you admitted to keep an eye on things, but it looks like all is well. The slight brain swelling seems to be almost gone, but you might experience some headache issues for the next few days." Dr. Jarvinen intoned. "Thank you, doctor, but when I can I go home?" Matthew posed. He was being cheeky and his hand was under me groping my ass. My head turned suddenly to his face where he looked at me innocently. "Well, you've been here for about seven hours, and no issues have arisen, if anything, you're back to normal. So, I will file the forms for your release, but please be advised to return to hospital if any new symptoms arise or any new pains begin. Agreed?" Dr. Jarvinen negotiated. "Agreed. Thank you."
Half an hour later, Matthew was released, but his clothes were covered in blood from his head wound. He was forced to wear scrubs from the hospital. "Matthew?" I pushed. "Yes Love?" He replied, taking my hand in his as we left the hospital. "Are you certain you didn't see who was following you? Or had any idea of who it could be?" I argued. "I think it was Gillian. But I didn't want to tell the police, because I want to deal with her myself." He explained. "Why would Gillian hurt you like that, she claims to love you!" I added. "I don't know. Diana, look at me Love." He pleaded. "I love you, Mon Coeur. Whether it was Gillian or Knox or even Juliette for that matter, it doesn't matter, we don't go anywhere alone!" He informed. "I was so scared, Matthew. Two hours. For two hours, they didn't tell me anything." I cried, as the car, led my Marthe, took us back to Sept-Tours.
Ysabeau held Matthew in an embrace like only a mother could. We'd arrived back at Sept-Tours and Marthe was ordering Matthew to rest. "You should lay down." I offered. "I will Mon Coeur. But you're coming with me, yes?" He replied as Ysabeau finally released him from her grasp. "I don't want to be anywhere else but with you." I cried, slipping under his offered arm and wrapping my arms around his mid-section. "Detective Baldwin will be by later to get a full statement, Matthew." Ysabeau informed. "Yes, Maman. I expected as much." Matthew replied before finally leading me to his tower.
"Are you in any pain?" I queried, as Matthew entered the bathroom. "No. I'm fine, really, Love." He confirmed as he turned on the water to the bathtub. "Join me?" He intoned simply before shucking the shirt the hospital left him with. Matthew must have seen my face, flushed from tears and worry. He sat on the edge of the tub and pulled me near. "Come here, Diana." He whispered, wrapping me in his arms. "I was so scared, you have no idea, Matthew." I cried. "I know, Love. Believe me, I know. I'm sorry you were so worried." He alleviated. "They wouldn't tell me anything and Ysabeau and Marthe had already seen you. They went to get coffee, so I was just left there waiting. That stupid nurse of yours kept glaring at me." I harrumphed. He pulled back to look at me. "Glaring at you? Why?" He questioned as he slowly pulled my shirt from my body, tossing on the floor. "I've no idea. I was polite to her, and just before you woke up, she told me you were not to have any visitors, but the head nurse said different." I explained. "I heard her tell you that, actually." He nodded. "Come, let's get in the bath." He added, helping me off with my yoga pants before pulling the last dregs of the scrubs from his body. Matthew stepped in, the bubbles foamed at his knees, as he helped me step in as well before laying back and pulling me down with him. I was facing him, straddling his lap as his hands traced the naked flesh of my back, causing goose bumps to arise. "I love you, Diana." He whispered, his lips touching my forehead in a soft kiss. "I love you, Matthew." I replied, wrapping my arms around his neck, gently before tracing them up to his bandage covered forehead. "Can I look?" I posed, nodding to his head injury. "Yes, Mon Coeur." He replied, as his hands continued to roam along my back, one finding purchase on my left butt cheek. "You like my ass, don't you?" I teased. "No, I love your ass." He smiled back as I gently peeled the bandage off. There was a long gash on his forehead and my fingers traced it gently. "Ten stitches." He explained. I nodded in reply. "It's not hurting you? No headaches?" I urged. "No, no pain, no headaches. Although I have a different sort of ache." He smiled.
Matthew allowed me to wash him before he washed me. We climbed into bed naked and Matthew was trying to prove that he was very much okay. No words were needed as he pressed into my flesh, letting me feel his arousal against my thigh. My legs parted instinctually as he rested his body in the divot formed. My legs wrapped around his waist and without warning, he slipped himself inside of me. His thrusts were hard and urgent and he brought me to climax twice before finally finishing himself. We never did sleep. Laying together, chest to chest, my nipples pebbling at his touch as he caressed every inch of my skin, over and over. Like he was trying to memorize every last inch. My hands found their way over his chest and pectorals as they took in the soft bruised flesh from his seat belt. His head wound was the worst but he was still bruised elsewhere. "What are you going to do about Gillian, if you're not going to tell Detective Baldwin?" I finally released. "I don't know, Mon Coeur." He relayed, resting his head on my breasts. "I told him about Knox and Gillian and I even mentioned Juliette." I explained. "I didn't know you wanted to keep it quiet." I apologized. "It's okay, Love. He does need to know; I just can't be sure it was Gillian." He replied, as one of my hands played with his hair, the other tracing along his back. "Would Juliette really try to hurt you like that?" I started. "I mean it's more likely she was involved simply based on location. When you said she'd moved to Venice, I just figured, we're in France..." I trailed off. "I was thinking that as well, but how do we get proof?" He posed, lifting his head, his eyes meeting mine as his chin rested on his hand, which covered my breast. Our bubble was popped when Ysabeau called into the room from the hallway that Detective Baldwin was here and wanting to speak to Matthew. We reluctantly climbed from the bed and after Matthew assured Ysabeau we would be down shortly, we dressed, quietly. Matthew took my hand in his, kissing the inside of my wrist. "We will tell the detective, Mon Coeur." He began. "He has the resources to find things out." Matthew finished.
Detective Baldwin was sat in the library, a pot of coffee at his elbow and biscuits on a plate nearby. Matthew and I entered and took a seat on the small sofa as Marthe brought in some tea and more cookies. "Thank you, Marthe." Matthew stated simply before looking to the detective. "Mr. Clairmont, Ms. Bishop." He addressed. "Please, just call me Diana." I informed as Matthew declared he could refer to him simply as Matthew as well. "Since your release from hospital, I've come across some new evidence." The detective began. He had our attention and we let him finish. Detective Baldwin did a search on the passports for Peter Knox, Gillian Chamberlain and Juliette Durand. It would seem that Juliette is still in Venice, and has not left in over six months, so our suspicions on her involvement were now void. Knox and Chamberlain's passports, however, are both active and place them in France. "What are you going to do?" I called in worry. "They tried to kill Matthew, that's clear." I added. "Calm down, Love." Matthew intoned, pulling me into his side. "I'm sorry." I added, looking to Detective Baldwin. "It's quite alright, I understand the worry, you're scared." He advised. "Of course, I am." I confirmed. Baldwin looked from me to Matthew before continuing. "We tracked down the rental car that Peter Knox and Gillian Chamberlain rented from the airport and they claim it was stolen. It was found in an abandoned lot and had paint transfer on it that matches your car, Matthew." The detective informed. "Do you believe them? That it was stolen?" Matthew queried. "No, the car was dusted for prints and only theirs were found. Besides, if it was stolen, there would be evidence of someone trying to break into the vehicle and the prints lifted from the steering wheel would have been smudged. There is none of that, so to me. They were both involved and likely both in the car during the accident." The detective declared. "Accident my ass." I mumbled under my breath but Matthew heard, and bit his lip to not smile. "Accident is the wrong word of course but what else do you refer to it as?" Detective Baldwin posed. "I don't know, but attempted murder would be more apt." I snarked back. Both Matthew and Baldwin laughed. "You're right, Love. But you're very adorable all fired up and angry like this." Matthew explained, curling his arm around my shoulders. "What evidence do you have against Knox and Gillian?" Matthew pressed. "Traffic cameras." The detective stated simply. My head shot up at this. "You have them on film?" I urged. "Yes. Both in the car. The footage shows Matthew passing an intersection on his way back to Sept-Tours and seconds later, Knox and Gillian follow." He finished. "Then arrest them, charge them." I retorted angrily. "We have arrested them. But there is something that might make you angry." Detective Baldwin warned. "What exactly?" Matthew interjected. "The recording Diana shared with me, of them talking in the Café in London," Baldwin began, taking in a deep breath before continuing. "My superiors were concerned that he is a murderer, walking free." He added. Matthew looked at me before turning back to the detective, urging him to continue. "Gillian Chamberlain was driving that car, we have her on film, but she might get a deal because of the information she claims to have against Knox."
Detective Baldwin left shortly thereafter, and Matthew and I sat in quiet in the library, ingesting the new information. Juliette had no part in this, despite our earlier suspicions. Knox was only involved because Gillian was blackmailing him and even though she did the worst of it and almost killed Matthew, she might still get off. Our quiet moment of contemplation was interrupted when Matthew's cell phone started blaring its familiar tone. "It's Miriam." He confided as he answered the call. "You have something?" He questioned as he listened to her on the other end of the line. "You're certain?" He posed as I waited for him to finish. "Thank you, Miriam." He added, as I rested my head on his shoulder. "I'm quite alright, I assure you. Just a small head wound and few stitches." He confirmed before ending his call. I turned my gaze to his as his hand came up to cup my cheek. "Miriam ran some tests on the evidence in your parents' murders." He began as I sat up. "And?" I pressed. "She tested the DNA evidence found under your parents finger nails and it revealed two clear DNA sequences." He explained. "What does that mean? Matthew?" I cried, as my bottom lip started to tremble. "Come here," He stated, pulling me to sit on his lap as he cradled me against him. "It means, that your parents were murdered by two people." He clarified. "Two people? Did she find a match?" I begged. "Yes. This is where it gets complicated though." Matthew stated. He described how the DNA that Miriam tested revealed that the two killers were related, likely father and son. But more importantly, it throws any deal Gillian wants out the window because the match was to Peter Knox. They don't need her or her evidence now. "Peter killed my mother? My dad?" I cried. "I'm sorry, Mon Coeur." Matthew calmed as he let me cry out my frustrations. "I feel relieved in some way." I admitted. "Because you finally know the truth." He affirmed, brushing a wayward hair away from my face. "I need to call Detective Baldwin. Before they make some deal with Gillian." Matthew clarified. I nodded in acquiescence.
Matthew paced in the library as he made his call to Baldwin. Marthe interrupted to let us know that dinner was ready and that she had sent some up to Matthew's rooms for us. I thanked her before Matthew ended his call and we went to eat. "Baldwin will be over after dinner and Miriam will fax me the DNA reports and evidence for him to use against Knox and Gillian." He confirmed. "Does this mean it's finally over? We can go back to Oxford?" I pressed. "Yes, Love. We can go home, although I wanted to ask you something." He began as the elevator finally opened to his office-slash-library. The scent of dinner wafting through the air. Marthe had made a lasagna. "Well let's eat and you can tell me." I smiled, as we sat next to the fire, both in an upright chair and a cart between us. "Diana," Matthew began. I looked up to meet his gaze. "Yes?" I intoned, setting a napkin on my lap. "When we go back to Oxford, I wanted to know if you would…" He trailed off. "What? Matthew?" I asked in concern, slipping from my chair and into his lap, cupping his face. "Move in with me?"