Quick note: Again if you prefer to skip over explicit 'scenes' stop reading at the double line of stars you can continue the story when you see another double star line that will signify the end of that section. Enjoy!
Chapter 31
Vatulele Island, Fiji
Late Evening
Aine POV
They'd been sequestered to their cabins on the Adelisa while Alfie and Tommy went through whatever requirements they had to. The specifics had always been a well guarded secret. She was so fucking pissed off, she hated things being out of her control. Their papa had just announced on the PA that it was done and they could return to the island when they wished.
Walking through their lavatory she knocked on the shared door. After a moment there was a click and Aoife swung the door open to let her in. Aine watched as Aoife jumped up into her hammock while she went and laid down on the bunk below.
"What's wrong Aoife?"
"Tommy and I just started seeing one another Aine. I've told him absolutely nothing about any of this shite. He told me he doesn't like being surprised... We haven't really gotten to the part where I share my heritage with him, you know. I don't know what kind of a choice Tommy had in coming here even. He was trying to take care of some important business back in England, what if this has thrown a wrench in that?"
"Take a breath Aoife. Stop worrying yourself with questions you won't find the answers to. We should both go down. Talking to him is going to be the only way to put your mind at ease."
"How are you feeling? You were getting hot under the collar earlier with mathair."
"I just... I wanted to do this at my own pace. Yes, I agreed to marry Alfie but he's got business to deal with and well he doesn't mind waiting. I love him and want to spend my future with him... I'm just not ready to let this go yet. I wish we didn't have all these stupid rules and hoops to jump through."
"You know it's really not mathair and papa's fault. There's no reason to take our anger out on them."
"You know I really wish you hadn't chosen today to grow up and be all understanding of everything."
"I know, it's horrible timing... Right now would be perfect timing to rail and rant at them about the injustice of it all. To denounce our Empyrean blood and run away to our scandalous Grounders, forsaking the sky for all eternity."
"God that's bloody fucking beautifully dramatic! Will we do it?"
"No."
"...Why not, it could be poetic."
"Just said you weren't ready to leave it. Besides we don't need to Aine. Can you imagine anything, even the Empyrean Rules and Regulations stopping Alfie or Tommy from getting what they want?"
Aine felt a smile start to spread across her face before she answered her sister's soft question.
"No, nothing could keep Alfie from me. I don't know Tommy but I'm betting he's not one to let anything stand in his way either."
"He's not. As long as he thinks I'm worth this hassle."
"Aoife...he came, it's safe to say he thinks you're worth it."
"I guess we'll see. We missed the evening meal though. We should grab something from the galley before we go down, otherwise we won't get anything till breakfast."
"Part of me wants to say that you're stalling but my stomach agrees with you."
Aoife POV
When Aine and she had left the Adelisa they'd taken the quick route. Neither one of them interested in making the noise the lift would produce. So over the side and down the suspended rigging they went. Quietly making their way to the ground below, swinging and jumping from rigging setup to rigging setup, guided by the light of the moon.
The beach was silent, almost everyone having turned in for the evening after the long day of fun and festivities. Alfie would be waiting for Aine in her hut no doubt since they were officially engaged. She had no idea where they would have put Tommy. He could be with his family or he could still be aboard the Medb. Before she sought him out though she needed a moment to herself so she headed for her own hut.
She took the shaded path in silence and ensured that her footsteps made no sound. She wasn't really sure why she didn't want to attract any attention. She hadn't done anything wrong. Perhaps it was just that she had no desire to deal with anyone, except Tommy. She needed to face him and see how he felt about the intrusiveness of her family.
She took her turn off the path and went quickly up the steps and through her door, closing it gently behind her. A deep breath left her as the sense of safety her hut offered consumed her. Why she felt as though she wasn't safe a weary question in her mind. Turning around she stilled when she saw a dark figure sitting in one of the arm chairs.
Aine POV
She'd separated from Aoife on the path that split into the interior. She knew Aoife'd switched huts with Ada and she seemed to prefer it, she'd at least have some privacy with Tommy to discuss her worries.
Aine raced forward and toward her own beachside hut. Her feelings had been all over the place recently and she just wanted to wrap herself in Alfie's arms. He always seemed to make it easier for her to breathe.
She bounded up the steps to her hut and raced inside, calling his name out as she entered.
"Alfie? Where are you?"
"Back here, eh. Sweetheart."
She swiftly made her way into the bedroom, lifting her skirt as she stepped onto the bed and over his legs to straddle him where he reclined against the headboard. She dropped her head to his shoulder and settled against him nestling her head into the crook of his neck.
"What's all this sweetheart, hm?"
She shook her head against his neck, "I don't know, just hold me Alfie."
She felt his arms wrap around her, firmly locking her in place before one of his hands started rubbing her back and his voice sounded low in her ear.
"You'd think ya were the one who's spent most o' the day jumpin' through hoops and answering questions."
"How did it go?"
"Eh, it went fine sweetheart. Did ya doubt it?"
"No... I was surprised when I saw you, it was a nice surprise but then my parents started going on about the damn Empyrean traditions and I had to stay on the Adelisa the entire afternoon... I just... I felt like I was suffocating, like I was trapped."
"Mm. Well now you're 'ere, ain't ya. How do ya feel?"
"Like I want to stay here forever."
"In Fiji? Or wit me?"
"Mm. With you, always with you."
She felt him nod his head and the soft pressure of his lips on the top of hers.
"Good ta know, sweetheart. Ya know you're always welcome 'ere and ya don't ever have to leave if ya don't want ta."
She nodded her own head and kissed his neck, breathing him in. He always smelled wonderful to her, all the mixtures of the bakery, including real fresh baked bread and just the smell that was him. She found his pulse and started sucking on it, the low rumble from his chest her reward.
Aoife POV
"...Tommy?"
"I thought you'd be back earlier."
"We were topside."
"I heard. Kept you and your sister squirreled away until everything was finished."
Aoife found it strange, that for the last couple of months all she'd wanted was to be near him again and now they were in the same room but neither one of them had moved toward the other. His voice continued to fill the silence of the darkness around them, it sounded slightly hollow.
"It was interesting learning about your way of life... Things went well... so I'm told."
"I wasn't aware that you were here until I was already topside. I had no idea my parents even knew about you. I hadn't told them yet. If they've messed something up for you businesswise by dragging you here..."
"Aoife... I wouldn't a come if I didn't want ta."
"...What's going on then? This isn't exactly what I had in mind when we saw each other again."
"... I need ta tell you something, I need you not ta say anything till I'm done."
"Whatever it is, it isn't good is it?"
"No...no it's not."
Aoife nodded her head but realized he probably couldn't see her in the dark.
"I haven't bothered starting up the generator to power the electricity. Wait a moment while I get some light for us."
Aoife slipped into the bedroom and lit the two hurricane lamps that sat on the bedside tables. Picking them up she carried them to the main room and set one down on the sideboard across from the sitting area and the other on the coffee table.
She could have chosen to sit in the chair next to him but for some reason she found she was more comfortable in the one across. After settling in she finally allowed herself to study his face in the lamplight.
There was something in his eyes she hadn't seen before and she wasn't sure what it was but it didn't look good on him.
"I made a mistake Aoife. I need ya ta tell me if I can be forgiven."
He paused and she watched as he bowed his head and closed his eyes, his hand going to rub the back of his neck. He took a deep breath and then raised his head once more to look her in the eyes.
"...Aoife...I kissed Grace."
Out of all the things she'd been worried about she had to admit Tommy kissing Grace hadn't been one of them.
Tommy POV
Tommy studied Aoife as his words sank in, her arms crossing over her chest like she was protecting herself from the next blow. She turned her head away from him and looked out the window into the darkness outside.
"I ran into her when I was coming out of a meetin'. Her basket had broken and I helped her pick her things up, then I carried it ta her flat for her. She tried bringing up the past. I told her it wasn't going ta happen. She kissed me... and I kissed her back...it was only a fuckin second... and then I pushed away and I left... it was just one fuckin...second. It never should 'ave happened and I regret it happenin'. If I could go fuckin back I'd of just fuckin left her ta... it never would a fuckin happened, but I know it doesn't work like that. She isn't who I want Aoife...I've been fuckin bangin' my head against a fuckin wall over and over again trying ta understand why, and I still don't have a fuckin reason. I 'ad no desire ta do anything with her. I was...I was fuckin moving ta push her away from me and...FUCK!..."
Tommy wiped his hands over his face, trying to fuckin think of anything he could say that would make this fuckin all right between them. His insides were all twisted up and he could only take shallow breaths.
"...I'm sorry, Aoife. I know for a fact that you are the one I fuckin want in my fuckin life... no one else. I don't know what else ta say. It'll never fuckin happen again."
Aoife was still facing away from him, her face had seemed to turn to stone, he couldn't read her expression at all. He watched as she lifted one of her hands and wiped the cheek facing away from him. It fuckin gutted him, he'd made her fuckin cry. She never turned her head to look at him as she spoke.
"Did she offer you a drink?"
He had no fuckin clue what that had to do with anything but he'd answer any fucking question she wanted to ask.
"Offered me tea, then rum when I declined."
"Did you decline the rum as well?"
"I told her I didn't want anything."
"Did you notice if she drank anything?"
"I can't say that she did... she was messing around the kitchen when I went ta put her basket on the table."
"So she could have but you didn't see her?"
"I suppose so. What does it matter Aoife?"
"You said she kissed you and you kissed her back, meaning she initiated the kiss?"
Tommy sighed lightly before answering her, "Yes, Aoife."
"Closed mouth, open mouth?"
"Aoife what does it bloody matter, is this really what ya want ta know?"
Aoife turned her head towards him and her eyes were like hard stones a flame of what he was sure was anger burning in their depths.
"Tommy, answer my question."
"...Closed. Till she stuck her tongue in my mouth, that what ya want ta hear. At that point I started ta kiss her back. The details making any of this fuckin better?"
"What did she taste like?"
"Fuckin hell Aoife!"
"Fine! Did she taste like you remember her tasting in the past?"
"No! All right, it wasn't like I fuckin remember, that was over five fuckin years ago Aoife... fuck it."
"How was it different Tommy? Was it like a fruit, a fucking nut, was there an aftertaste?"
"What?"
"Tommy I need you to concentrate right now and think hard about any specific flavor that you remember. You said you had no desire for her, now think."
"Aoife."
"Do you want me to forgive you for fucking kissing Grace or not!"
He couldn't fuckin believe he was discussing the fucking taste of kissing Grace with Aoife. Would she seriously fuckin forgive him if he could tell her how Grace tasted? Not bloody fuckin likely. Nevertheless, he closed his eyes and recalled the memory that'd been haunting him for the last couple a weeks.
Graces lips pressing softly against his as her hand held him to her. Her pulling away slightly but not losing contact. Her tongue coming out and swiping across his lips, the harsh breath he'd released, his mouth opening slightly and Grace diving in... a rich sweetness like honey, then a... grass taste...with a subtle bitterness, rose petals came to mind.
"A rich sweet honey, with...fuckin grass and I don't know fuckin roses and a bit of...bitterness afterwards."
Aoife POV
...That fucking bitch! She was clever Aoife'd give her that. Oh when she got back to Birmingham she was going to fucking show that sneaky conniving little two faced...
"Aoife what the fuck does it matter. I made a mistake, I'm sorry for it... I don't want you ta fuckin walk away because of this. Tell me what I need ta do, ta make things all right between us."
Aoife focused in on Tommy sitting across from her, looking at her like he was grasping at straws and trying to hang on to any kind of rope he could find. That's when she realized it was fear that she was seeing. Tommy was scared... scared of losing her because he'd made a mistake and kissed Grace.
Only he didn't realize Grace had used a, well a fucking tincture of sorts to get him to kiss her. Something she picked up at one of the exotic ports of call while living on an airship... A natural, powerful and potent aphrodisiac created by a skilled apothecary, no doubt with some additives included.
Aoife closed her eyes and let the hurt and anger that she'd felt for Tommy drain away. Yes he shouldn't have placed himself in that situation to begin with, but, well men could be fucking stupid. Grace had kissed him before and he'd been clear to make the distinction that he hadn't kissed her. He hadn't felt guilty about that one, he felt guilty now because he'd kissed her back. He'd kissed her back because Grace and used a powerful aphrodisiac to entice him whether he was interested in her or not.
Aoife opened eyes and stood up from her chair, she took note that Tommy was possibly starting to panic that she was going to walk out on him. He stood and came toward her. Hesitating when he came near. Was he worried she wouldn't want him to touch her?
Aoife lifted her hand and placed it on his chest, his heart beating rapidly beneath her palm, she moved forward stepping into his space. Looking up into his eyes and seeing the wildness in them, knowing he'd more than likely tortured himself enough over Graces trick. Her voice was low but smooth and soothing.
"There's nothing to forgive Tommy."
"...Aoife...please just..."
Aoife placed her other hand over his mouth to stop his unnecessary plea. Lifting up onto her toes she replaced her fingers with her lips. Kissing the warm soft smoothness she found and enjoying the fact that she was the one he wanted in his life, he'd said so just moments ago. His lips were slow and hesitant in their response. She felt the soft weight of his hands as he gently placed them on her back. Slowly pulling her in against him. He was being extremely careful with her.
As their lips parted from one another she found his pale blue eyes staring into hers.
"This is fuckin goodbye, is it Aoife."
"No Tommy, no one is saying goodbye."
"Your word?"
"Sit down Tommy."
As Tommy returned to his seat Aoife stepped over to the small writing desk that was against the wall. She opened the drawer and pulled out the stack of letters that she'd written to him. Flipping to the last letter, she pulled out the one she hadn't known if Tommy would ever read.
Walking back over to his chair she handed it to him.
"Read this. Take your time. I need to cleanup, I'll be out when I'm done."
Tommy POV
Tommy watched as Aoife disappeared back into the bedroom. He'd taken a cursory look around when he'd first arrived to acquaint himself with the space. He knew the washroom was through another door in there.
He looked down at the letter she'd given him to read and moved closer to the light.
***************0***************
A dealer, a fuckin marksman...
*0*
Jasper Anderson, he sounded like a fuckin tosser.
*0*
Everything and three words... three words... everything.
He had to fuckin make this right. Tommy set the letter down on the coffee table and got up to grab a glass and fill it with some water from the pitcher that had been on the small kitchenette in the corner.
He'd heard the water in the washroom shut off a little bit ago and knew Aoife would be coming out shortly. She'd said there was nothing to forgive and then kissed him. He still felt off though, something wasn't sittin' right. As he took a swallow of water his collar felt tight so he pulled the stud out and removed the damn thing, unbuttoning the neckline of his shirt once it was removed.
He stared out into the night, watching the strange shadows that the tropical plants and trees created. He just wanted to feel like everything was good again, but he still fuckin had that fuckup replaying in his mind and driving him mad trying to figure out what the fuck happened.
Tommy heard the movement of fabric behind him and turned around. Aoife was coming into the room with her hair twisted up off her neck, wearing a dressing gown tied closed around her waist and stopping midway down her thighs.
Her voice as beautiful as ever when she spoke to him.
"Have you figured it out yet Tommy? About Grace?"
"No."
She nodded her head to acknowledge that she'd heard him.
"What is it she's said she wants?"
"Me."
"Mm, and you've already told her no. So what's the next course of action she'll take to get what she wants?"
"Ta insert herself. So that I'll see her constantly."
"Mm. And what's the next logical step in that process? What has she been trying to get you to do when ever she's in your presence?"
"Ta talk about the past...remember her, us...think about her."
"And what have you been doing since you kissed her?"
"...Fuckin thinkin' about it."
"Would you say she used to know you well Tommy? The kind of man you are, what would force your mind into a loop?"
"...Aye, she would."
"Have you ever heard of 'love potions'?"
"There fuckin bullshite."
"Well they certainly can't make anyone fall in love but there are tinctures. Mixtures out there that enhance and help produce the desire to...well fuck, and everything that goes along with it. Really depends on the blend and how much you ingest. They usually taste fucking horrible, they have to use a lot of sweetener to cover up the bitterness that it leaves behind."
"...Even if those work and she used one, I still..."
"What will ease your mind on this Tommy?"
"...Not a bloody fuckin thing."
"Then I guess... she's won."
"Won?"
"She's playing a game Tommy, a game where the end result is her getting what she wants... you. She wants you to think about her. Wants you to question your decisions about what you want. So that she has the opportunity to win you over. To win you back. Is she going to win Tommy?"
"No."
"...Then come here."
Tommy walked back over to the small sitting area where Aoife waited for him. As soon as he was close enough, he felt her hands on him and closed his eyes to hide how fuckin relieved he was that she still wanted anything to do with him.
Her fingers made quick work of the buttons of his shirt, and he felt the slide of material as she untucked it from his trousers. The tension of his braces disappearing before feeling them land against his legs. The sides of his shirt fell open before the heat of her hands ran over the bare skin of his chest and up his shoulders to wrap around his neck.
He felt the cool slide of satin as she leaned against him. Her lips exploring his neck and a gasp was forced from him when he felt her hand through his trousers rubbing over the heavy bulge in them. His own hands grasped at her waist as she guided him back into the chair behind him.
Her lips came back to his and he didn't hesitate this time. He released her hair from the clip it had been in and tunneled his hands through it, holding her face to his so that he could enjoy kissing the woman that he did want ta kiss.
***************0***************
***************0***************
He felt her hand open his trousers, freeing him, her fingers warm and agile caressed him as another groan released from the back of his throat. When their lips parted he heard himself moan her name out lowly, as she worked him over. He was hot and hard and he needed more of her. Her hand was lovely and talented but... ahh, fuck. Her warm slick heat surrounded him slowly as she lowered herself onto his lap.
He ran his hands down past her hips to feel her thighs. She'd slipped her legs through the arms of the chair locking them in. Running his hands back up to her hips he assisted in shifting her angle and she slowly slid down engulfing the rest of him. He heard the satisfied little hum of delight that seemed to purr from her throat and he started to make his way up her neck, sucking on her delicate skin until he got to his destination.
The feel of her nails scraping gently across his scalp and the shiver that he felt run up her spine telling him he was where he needed to be. His mind hazing over slightly in pleasure when she started to rock her hips against his own. A slow tantalizing torturous dance. Her voice a whisper drifting in to entice him further.
"What do you want Tommy?"
"You..."
"You have me... now how do you want me... slow and teasing until we can't take anymore... or hard and demanding because even that won't be enough?"
The gentle humming moan at the end of her question had him wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her down hard on him. Both of them gasping out at the explosion of bliss it created. Hard and demanding it was then, he'd been dreaming about her for months and he found that he was ravenous. The heaviness surrounding his heart lifting little by little with each surge that brought them closer together. The feel of the satin she wore against him was indulgent but he wanted the heat and softness of her skin. He worked her belt loose and off, brushing her dressing gown open in order to press their skin together.
Aoife POV
She could finally feel Tommy letting go of the fear that had gripped him. His hands no longer hesitant and uncertain, asking for forgiveness and permission to still touch her. His hold was firm and strong taking what he wanted and giving what she needed.
His lips and tongue dancing across her skin, tasting and marking where he wished. The scrape of teeth and light nips and bites making her quiver. He bent her back over his supporting arm and leaned over to treat her breasts to the same exquisite torture.
It was beautiful and satisfying yet not enough at the same time. He lifted her back up to claim her lips with his. She felt his grip around her tighten and he carefully extricated them from the chair making sure that her legs didn't catch. She guessed he was going to take her to bed, but he surprised her when he pushed her back up against the wall and adjusted his hold so that her legs draped over his arms. Using his own body and strength as leverage to keep her in place.
It was exactly the change she had needed. She had been thinking of him and craving his touch for quite some time now. Her body seemed to have a specific idea about what it needed from him. It needed deep and hard and rough, a mindless kind of abandonment where he didn't worry of breaking her.
She was happy she'd traded huts with Ada. The relative seclusion of their location left her own mind free of worry over anyone hearing the sounds she made or the banging of the wall each time he sheathed himself inside her.
***************0***************
***************0***************
She awoke feeling warm and languid, utterly satisfied after the gluttonous nature of the night. No matter how many times they'd both cum, they couldn't seem to get enough, only stopping when exhaustion had set in. She felt the rise and fall of Tommy's chest against her back, their bodies aligned and legs entwined, his arm draping over her, keeping her close. His warm breath ghosting over her neck in even increments, letting her know he still slept.
She had a feeling he would still doubt Grace's subterfuge and the remaining guilt of his actions would allow her a continued presence in his mind. She'd take him to her cousins wife, who was an apothecary and have him describe the taste he remembers again. Celeste should be able to recreate the tincture accurately enough that she could prove to Tommy that her suspicion was correct. Hopefully, erasing any remaining doubt and guilt from his mind.
Grace deserved no place in it, not any longer. She'd had him and then walked away from him, giving up any claim she'd once had. She couldn't just change her mind and take him back. Not when he belonged to her now and she wasn't about to just let Grace waltz in and dance away with him.
She supposed a portion of last night had been about reclaiming what was hers. Reaffirming his desire for her and simply reconnecting after almost losing that connection. He hadn't mentioned anything about her letter after reading it but then again they hadn't done much talking when she'd returned to him.
She needed to tell him how she felt, it was the right thing to do for both of their peace of minds. She had a feeling it would put to rest any doubts Grace might try to raise in Tommy in the future as well.
What with their conversation and then being busy enjoying one another last night she hadn't given much thought about the Empyrean requirements. She remembered he'd said that it had gone well. She supposed that meant he'd been accepted, it was good to know. Though she had no thoughts on any timeline in their future. For now she was simply happy they were together.
Her mind continued to whirl down different avenues about what Tommy's presence here at her family gathering meant. He'd met and spoken with her parents and her Mamo and Seanathair, which meant Alfie had been with Memere and Papi. She supposed Tommy would need to meet Memere and Papi at some point today.
Then there was his family. She wondered if he'd seen them at all the previous day, if they even knew he was here. He would need to spend some time with them. She imagined he'd be on one of the first ships to depart in order to return to Birmingham. They still needed to discuss business as well.
Tommy POV
He awoke to the warmth of Aoife in his arms, he could tell she was awake due to the pads of her fingers drifting lightly back and forth over his hand. He nuzzled his nose into her neck takin' a deep breath before placing a kiss on her shoulder and entwining their fingers together around her waist. His voice low and gravelly when he spoke.
"You're awake early."
"Mm. I'm an early bird remember."
He felt her shift in his arms, their legs untangling as she rolled over to face him barely a breath between them. One arm sliding up under the pillow, meeting his and holding his hand. He moved his other arm to wrap back around her so he could sift his fingers through the silk of her hair. Her own arm draping on top of his and sliding back over his shoulder so her nails could dance in soothing circles on his neck.
Her eyes were serious as she studied him but it didn't worry him. She was naked and in his arms. Any fear he'd had of her leaving washed away by the events of last night. He leaned in closer and gently kissed her lips. He wondered how it was possible that she always tasted like a perfectly ripened peach. He felt her fingers tracing his jaw and cheek and when he leaned back to look into her eyes once more there was a small smile gracing her lips.
The green of her eyes catching his attention as he studied the shape and color, took note of how a darker shade of green seemed to rim the outside of her irises. How small flecks of silvery gold rotated in a jagged broken circular pattern around her pupils.
Her hand cupped his jaw and she leaned forward placing her own kiss on his lips before pulling back and looking into his eyes again. Her voice was light and strong as she spoke to him.
"I love you Thomas Shelby."
Tommy felt his heart stutter and his breath catch in his throat at her words. I love you Thomas Shelby ringing in his ears. Then his heart started to beat harder in his chest, he felt lighter than he could ever remember feeling, like he was soaring. He cupped the back of her head and pulled her forward enjoying a deep kiss before pulling away.
"...Say it again?"
"I love you...Thomas Shelby."
Tommy closed his eyes and breathed deeply taken it in before he rolled on top of her, his weight pushing her body down in to the mattress. He was sure to look her in the eyes before he spoke.
"I love ya as well, Aoife Deveroux. I love ya."
His lips descended to hers, his tongue slipping into her mouth to stroke her own as her legs wrapped around his waist and he slid home once more.
He spent the next hour kissing and touching and showing her, exactly how much he loved her.
Comments, comments...
Hope you all enjoyed this Chapter!
Kamijin - I promise the jump will be explained within the next couple of chapters or so!
As some of you may have noticed I try to post a new Chapter every two to three days. I went ahead and posted this one early since tomorrow will be filled with activites. I hope those that observe Easter Sunday have a wonderful holiday and to those who don't, enjoy your weekend.