Hi guys! Another update yay! For those of you who might be interested, I recently retrieved my old hard drive and all my documents along with it. This was supposedly a part of the previous chapter, but that didn't happen, so now we're here. I hope you like it! It's kinda longer than the last.
This is for my baby Zaibi, because it was her birthday yesterday and I wanted her to have this as gift. Anyway, belated happy birthday Zai! I love you, precious smol bean.
Unbeta-ed so pardon the mistakes! Enjoy!
Also, explicit love scene after the wedding part, so skip if you're not into it
Chapter Thirteen
London was far too grey for a city on February—it was cold and damp, and mostly glum. Cora loved the city, loved that she lived there, and the loved the fact that she found love in a beautiful place, but sometimes it was just too cold. Regardless of the cold though, it was still the month when Rosamund would finally tie the knot with Duke, and Cora couldn't be happier or more excited for her friend.
It was to be held in the Abbey (as per Violet's request or order, Cora wasn't sure that made a lot of difference) on the first Saturday of the month. As was expected, and as he had warned her, the whole of Robert's family had come down to Yorkshire for the event. From what Cora knew of the ceremony, and the Crawleys for that matter, it was to be grand, something like the event of the year.
Two days before the wedding, Cora and Robert had gone down to Yorkshire themselves and had stayed over at Downton. It was nothing short of a surprise when they'd arrived and had been instructed to stay in the same room for the duration of their stay. When Cora had thrown Robert a questioning glance, he'd only shrugged, indicating that she was just as clueless as she was.
"The house is probably full," Robert said, in a way of and answer or reassurance, as they got ready for the rehearsal. "Don't worry too much about it."
But Cora couldn't help but worry. At the back of her mind, she wondered if Violet knew of her son's tryst with his girlfriend last Christmas. It didn't really matter, Cora tried telling herself, they weren't being prosecuted for it, had only been made to share a room which was actually a good thing—it meant she could sleep so much better, so she let it slip from the forefront of her brain. She'd examine it a later date, just not right then.
She couldn't help thinking about it, however, no matter how hard she tried, and sometimes the thoughts would bleed through and plague her mind. She couldn't do anything about it, it seemed as though she was born to worry about everything. She just wished she didn't worry about this, right about now when she was getting ready for Rosamund's wedding. It was just entirely too irrelevant to anything about this day.
With a sigh, she slipped on her dress over her head—in an attempt to banish her worries for today. Her dress was a dusky blue colored dress with a lace top that had a high neck but dipped on her back, enough to hopefully entice her boyfriend, but not enough to be indecent. The skirt was a-line, made of chiffon material that flared from her waist down to about less than an inch from her knees. It was a gorgeous dress that cost her a leg and an arm (not that it was really much of an issue, but she cares just a tad bit—she hates spending with so much extravagance on such frivolous things—though she justifies that it was time for such frivolity, maybe just this once), but she absolutely loved it. She wore a black platform heels to go along with it and carried a small black Chanel boy bag. She themed it with a fresh makeup and soft pink lips, and then hoped to blazes that she looked well enough.
Judging by Robert's reaction when she'd finally come out of the bathroom, she was more than just.
"You look breathtaking, darling," he'd said, with dropped jaws and a glimmer in his eyes that had been hard to chalk up into anything else but admiration. He had walked over to her and had taken her in his arms, kissing her soundly, though seemingly careful not to wipe her lipstick (which had not been the case, her lipstick had smeared over his lips). "Just absolutely gorgeous," he repeated, sounding a little awe struck and breathless.
She'd felt heat crawl up to her neck and cheeks, and she knew she was getting redder by the second. She had hoped for a response, but had not expected such an enthusiastic one, and she didn't really know what to do. She'd been told many times in her life that she was beautiful, had been offered a modelling job back in the US when she'd been eighteen (she'd turned it down, wanting to focus on University and having been unsure how to be under the cameras and the lights all the time), but never had she had this kind of experience—this kind of awestruck reaction.
Robert stared at her like she hung the moon in her eyes, and that made so many butterflies to flutter in her stomach.
"Thank you," she whispered, reaching up to place a kiss against his lip and then nuzzling his nose. He smiled while she tried to wipe out some of her lipstick from his lips and face. "You look pretty handsome yourself, though this particular shade of lipstick is not you color." She winked and he chuckled.
In all honesty, he did look pretty fucking amazing himself. He wore a grey-blue tux that made her stomach twist and turn with want, and it had set off his blue eyes even more because of its blue undertone. His hair was swept to the side and he looked so clean and crisp and positively delicious, she wanted to jump on him right then and there.
He would be the best looking best man in the history of weddings, she just knew it (she was to him, any other arguments that could be presented would be invalid), and he was hers, all hers. The thought made her swoon.
"No, it suits you though," he told her, flattering her yet again and making her smile. He added then, "Too bad I'm going to just be kissing it all off later." He squeezed her waist and she smiled.
She knew he was anxious because they hadn't really made love in a week due to her monthly visitor, and he'd been very patient about it (it wasn't something she could control after all), but he was still a man with needs, and so was she, and really, it was torture.
She smiled at him coquettishly. "Would you now?" she asked, looking at him through her lashes. "Anything else you'd be kissing off later?"
He looked at her with a promise before he pulled her closer and growled. "I'd like to be kissing off every part of you later," he said. His voice was low and dangerous, and his hot breath hit her skin making goose bumps rise. "And I will. You just wait."
She sighed with longing.
She could hardly just. But wait she must, for there was a wedding to go through. This truly was a happy day, for Rosamund and Duke, and also for Cora because she wanted Rosamund to be happy, too.
Besides, it was such a cheerful day for a wedding (for once the weather was cooperating and the sun was out, and though it was cold, it didn't feel like North Pole).
"Let's go," she told her boyfriend as she ran her hand down her skirt unconsciously. "We don't want you to be late. Rosamund will have a fit." She grinned.
Robert chuckled and shook his head. "We won't want that," he agreed. He then offered his arm to her and smiled at her in that cheesy manner that made her heart flip and flop in her chest. "Shall we, milady?"
She grinned at him, broad and wide and foolishly besotted, "We shall, milord."
And off they went.
…
Robert watched as his sister walked down the aisle, one hand tucked against their father's elbow and the other holding a bouquet of white and pink roses sprinkled with baby's breath. She was a sight to behold, and from the corner of his eye he spotted Mama dabbing at the corner of her eyes. Duke looked like he was about to burst from happiness or cry from it, and it warmed Robert's heart to know that Rosamund had found someone who made her happy and was happy to be with her.
Robert looked away for one second to look at his gorgeous girlfriend. She was sitting just a row behind Mama and she was tearing up as well. It had been a surprise to him and to Rosamund when mama had insisted that Cora be sat just behind her, but Rosamund had instantly agreed. Robert almost couldn't believe his luck—his sister adored his girlfriend, and his mother did not seem to be intent in seeing her gone.
She seemed to feel his eyes on her because she looked away from the bride to look back at him. She smiled at him, bright and wide, though her eyes were glassy, and he smiled back, looking at her with all the love he couldn't yet tell her of. She blew him a kiss, and he almost felt disappointed he couldn't catch it and blow one back to her. It was cheesy and he should be ashamed of his own thoughts, but he couldn't bring himself to.
In a few seconds more, Rosamund reached the altar, and words were spoken between Duke and Patrick, and then Rosamund was kissing their father's cheek and then her hand was being passed between the two men. Duke kissed Rosamund's gloved knuckles, and she smiled through her tears.
It was over an hour later that the ceremony finished, with a 'You may kiss the bride' from the minister, and Duke lifting the veil from Rosamund's face so he could swoop in and kiss Rosamund soundly. There were cheers and wolf whistles, and Robert might or might not have let out a whistle of his own.
After that, there had been pictures, with the family, with friends, with the wedding party, with just the parents, of just the newlyweds. Cora had been called in by Rosamund to some of the family shots, and Robert just about passed out when Mama had not interjected with a denial of this particular request. He wasn't sure if it was just because it was Rosamund's wedding and she should get her way all the time that day.
By the time they piled out of the cathedral and into the reception (it was to be held at the Abbey's gardens—not the best for such a wintry day, but there had not been snow just wind so Rosamund went on with it, everyone would just have to wear their coats), Robert was extremely exhausted and just wanted to take off his tux. He climbed into the car with Cora as Branson drove them out of the church back to the house.
"I just really want this tux off," he commented as he tried to loosen his bow tie, realizing he couldn't just take it off. He felt rather stiff in this outfit. "I'm exhausted."
Cora chuckled and kissed his cheek, letting him pull her close and snuggling into him when he did. "Too bad, I really like the tux on you," she said, and then reached up to whisper on his ear, nipping his earlobe in the process and sending a jolt of want through his veins down to his cock.
He pulled back just a little so he could look at her. He leaned to kiss her, swiping his tongue at her lips and biting down her bottom lip. He didn't say anything more, letting his hands roam and then letting it land on her thigh where he squeezed once, twice, telling her without words how he wished it was now, rather than later.
"Later," Cora promised as she pulled away and laid her head on his shoulder.
They arrived to the house shortly after that, and Robert led Cora to the gardens, holding her hand the whole time. The garden had been decked out in such finery. Large pergola sized tents had been erected and dozens and dozens of tables filled it out. Right at the very front was the table for the newlyweds and to their right was the five layer cake. The tables were covered with white cloth and at the center was a vase of pink and white roses, sprinkled with baby's breath (very much like Rosamund's bouquet). Some of them were already filled with guests and Robert moved along to find his seat. He had insisted and had begged his sister that he be allowed to sit with his girlfriend today, that the wedding party didn't have to sit at the table at the front with the newlyweds, and Rosamund had immediately agreed.
Robert pulled the chair for Cora before taking a seat himself. Some of his friends had come by to say hi, some already had before the wedding had started, and he'd introduced them to his girlfriend. Some of them already knew her from that party before and some from Christmas, but everyone seemed to have been enthusiastic to meet her. And no wonder, too, because Cora was just about the nicest person he knew—always so warm and so kind, bestowing them with a soft smile. In another life, she'd have made a great countess or duchess or something like that.
"Stop staring," the object of his thoughts hissed as she waved a hand before his face in an attempt to get him to focus. She was smiling though, so she knew she wasn't pissed off, just probably conscious.
"You have to excuse me," he said earnestly, lifting their entwined hands and bringing it close to his lips so he could place a kiss on her knuckles. "You're just too beautiful."
She blushed, and he thought it adorable, before she rolled her eyes and called him a 'flatterer'. He chuckled and leaned in to kiss her cheek. He'd flatter her anytime, anywhere, any day, because she was the most enchanting woman he's met.
And she deserved every compliment she gets.
"This is such a beautiful wedding," she said then, as she looked around. People had been piling in more and taking their seats. They were just waiting for the reception to start. "It's so grand, like something out of a fairytale."
Robert nodded. "It's Rosamund's dream," he confided. "And Duke wanted to make her dreams come true, I suppose." He paused and then sighed. "I guess it's every girl's dream."
She hummed thoughtfully, and then shook her head slowly. "Not me," she said, and he'd smiled, instinctively just knowing how different she was. "I want a garden wedding, but a little more intimate—with just my family, my husband to be and his family and a few very close friends. I want it on late summer, gearing towards autumn when the leaves are changing colors and falling about, when the weather isn't too hot but not too cold either. It would be like an explosion of reds and oranges, and it would look great." She sighed wistfully before looking at him smiling embarrassedly.
He leaned in and nuzzled their noses together. "I'm sure it would," he said, agreeing, his own way of saying that she had nothing to be embarrassed about. He wished he could make her dream come true, that he was going to be her husband to be.
Maybe someday.
It should scare him, having avoided commitment as much as he could after the heartbreak he'd suffered through, but it didn't now, he wasn't scared. In fact he could almost say that he looked forward to a future with Cora.
He pulled back and kissed the tip of her nose before looking at her eyes. The blue in them was vibrant and bright, glimmering with hope and happiness, and he couldn't help but smile back at her.
Yes, definitely, someday.
…
The wedding was going on full swing, and Cora was having a good time. She had been chatting with some of Robert's friends, those that were Rosamund's friends too, and had been there at the party Robert had brought her to at the beginning of their relationship. Some of them were ones she met during the Christmas holidays.
Sometimes, it was hard to believe that they were dating for no more than five months, their lives had become so intertwined. Robert had been a regular at the Castle to the point that some of the patrons know him, too. Her band mates and the staff at the pub had become his friends as well.
She, on the other hand, had been well acquainted with his assistant and some other colleagues. She had lunch with Robert and his friend John Bates more than once since the Christmas party, and though she found the other man elusive and more of an acquaintance than a friend, he had never been anything but nice and kind. Some of Robert's other mates had become a permanent fixture in her life as well, as they'd been mentioned in so many conversations, and she always knew Robert would be with them for a night out if he failed to make it to her apartment on a particular night (he'd always tell her first, so she never worried).
Her life had changed so drastically since meeting Robert. She now lived in an apartment where her things were moved to make space for his things. Her bathroom was filled with his products too—her moisturizer sat next to his shaving cream, her toothbrush next to his. It was a little bit terrifying to have moved so quickly in each other's lives, but it was exhilarating, too, and really she wouldn't change any of it.
She smiled at him now, as he stood up, preparing to make the best man's speech and to toast the couple. He was nervous about it, he'd confided in her, wasn't really the type to go and speak in front of so many people, but she'd told him he'd do well, that it was his sister and her husband and surely they would appreciate him trying. Of course, they'd appreciate more if he didn't out their secrets, she'd told him.
He'd only laughed at that and committed to nothing.
"I was given the task of delivering the best man speech today, which means, you lot are not allowed to fall asleep right at the middle," he said, smiling as the crowd chuckled collectively. "It would certainly be a bruise to my poor ego, but I'm going to make this really short so you don't all get to do that to me." He smiled then and paused, letting the crowd settle down. "I had been told by my lovely girlfriend, Cora, that it is bad form to share secrets about the bride or the groom, but I'd like to anyway."
This made the crowd chuckle again as he turned to look at Cora and wink at her, making her shake her head fondly at him.
"For those of you who don't know, Rosamund is quite a hard woman to deal with, I won't say handle because both she and my girlfriend would box my ears if I do, but it's the truth. Rosamund is her own woman—strong-willed, independent, doesn't take anyone's shit—all the qualities that I had found annoying about her when we were kids, though rest assured she still annoys me now…" he paused and smiled at the couple, while Cora laughed along the crowd as Rosamund let out an indignant exclamation, "All the qualities that I admire in her now, and wish that Duke would cherish in her as well, although, I'm already quite assured he does. You both embody the sickliest sweet but perfect for each other couple that I'd ever known."
Robert paused to blush and chuckle when Rosamund let out an "As if you and Cora aren't!", before he shook his head at her and began speaking again:
"As I was saying before the bride interrupted my speech, I know that there are a lot of people out there who long for that and I am very happy, for the both of you, that you found it in each other. I am sure that you will have many, many years together, happy and still in love. After all, I do believe that once you find the one, then you should hold on to them and never let them go." He gave Cora a longing look when he said that, and Cora could literally feel her heart melt, knowing and feeling that that part was for her, or she could always hope, but his eyes told her so.
Then he continued with, "I only ask Duke to take very good care of my sister, or Papa and I will personally hunt you down, otherwise, welcome to the family, Duke." He grinned in that boyish way that Cora loved before he raised his glass in a toast, and then walked back to seat beside Cora.
"How was that?" he asked her once he was seated, and she beamed at him, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing his lips softly. He smiled at her when she pulled back, obviously influenced by her own giddiness.
"You are amazing," she said, smiling at him as tears glistened at the corner of her eyes, "It was a beautiful speech."
He pulled her closer and leaned down to kiss her softly, sweetly, totally uncaring as the bridesmaid made a toast, too, in the background. She closed her eyes, letting the feel of this minute encompass her—being here, in this place, watching the union of two people in love, and be there with the man she loved, loves—well, it was hard not to get caught up in the moment.
It seemed as though his feelings were in sync with her because he gave her nose a small peck before he nuzzled it with his own, his soft, warm breath hitting her skin and making shivers run down her spine. She was happy, ridiculously so, and sometimes when she was alone, lying awake in her bed (on the rare days that she hadn't been with Robert), she wondered when it would all be snatched away from her, when the happiness and the bliss would end, because nothing really did ever last forever—though she did hope he would prove her wrong and he would prove her that forever was real, and they were it.
The blissful, wonderful smile he gave her had hope fluttering inside her chest.
…
Cora was resplendent in her beautiful her dress, she was almost a dream, and it had Robert wondering all night about how lucky he actually was to have her, to be the one by her side, to be the man she spent her days and night with, the man she was with.
They were sat on their table, feeding each other bits of cake (which less than a year ago he would have sickeningly and annoyingly sweet), while they laughed and talked in hushed tones. She looked giddy, and Robert could not help but bask in that giddiness. She was like a child on Christmas day, with her eyes glinting and her lips smiling from ear to ear.
He leaned down and stole a kiss from her lips as she told him about that one time one of her uncles had drunkenly crashed a family gathering, and how he'd barrelled right into the ice sculpture, sending it toppling into the ground and shattering it into many pieces, earning him a stern lecture from Martha the day after. It had been pretty hilarious, and she had been laughing while telling him of it that he couldn't possibly resist but kiss her.
God, she was breathtaking. And maybe that made him a fool in love, but a fool he wished to stay as long he felt this happy when she was at his side.
"What was that for?" she asked him, smiling shyly at him when he looked down at her.
He snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her closer until there was very little space between them and she was almost sitting on his lap. He should control himself, try not to show so much affectionate display on public, or Violet would give him a stern talking down, but he couldn't care less. This felt good—they felt good together.
He nuzzled her nose with his and kissed her lips once more. "Nothing," he whispered, his voice low. "I just wanted to. I reserved the right to kiss my girlfriend whenever I please."
She laughed. "Do you?" she asked teasingly as she looped her arms around his neck and hugged him close to her. "I'm so happy."
"With me?" he asked, a little tentative. He found it hard to believe that he'd be the cause of happiness to a woman as wonderful and as beautiful as the one he's holding in his arms, but wonder of wonders it was the truth.
"With you," she said, her words holding so much promise, it made his heart leap in his chest.
The confession was said in low tones, merely a hushed whisper, but it brought so much joy to his heart. And he never thought anyone could ever be fulfilled with being someone's case of happiness, had always thought it such a burden and an unfortunate circumstance to have your happiness dependent on other people than yourself, but it felt wonderful now. He felt like he could conquer the world. And he would, for her. For her, he would do everything.
"You make me the happiest man alive," he told her, pulling back just so he could kiss her again. And maybe they are being sickeningly sweet, and maybe he wouldn't normally be like that, but Cora was different, she made him a different person—a better man.
The smile she gave him was one that he would always remember.
Behind them, the first strings of Can't Help Falling in Love began to play, and Robert pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes and grin at her. He pulled away and stood up, holding out his hand to her.
"May I have this dance?" he asked her, smiling as she stared at him with wonder in her eyes. She smiled at him and slipped her hand into his, letting him hold her up and lead him to the dance floor.
He held her into his arms and sighed as she snuggled closer, her nose burying to the space between his shoulder and neck. He felt her breath hitting his skin and he shuddered, pulling her closer to him. He rested his cheek against the crown of her head and swayed with her to the soft croon of the Elvis song.
"This song will always remind me of our first date," she murmured against his neck and he hummed in agreement. "Thank you for that."
He smiled. "Thanks for letting me take you out on a date, I know I seemed more of a bumbling fool than the smooth man I had hoped to come across."
"You're a donk," she said, laughing. She looked up at him and scrunched her nose.
He chuckled at her. "What does that even mean?" he asked, raising an eyebrow at her.
She laughed harder. "I made it up," she confessed. "But it seemed fitting, don't you think?"
"I won't know, it sounds rather stupid," he mocked, pouting for good measure.
She only smirked, and then smiled softly as she cupped his cheeks and brought his face forward so he could kiss his breath away. "But you're my Donk," she whispered breathlessly when they pulled away.
And he smiled because he would be anything she wanted him to be, as long as he would remain hers for the rest of his life. He shook her head and twirled her away from him and then back into his arms within a quick second because he couldn't bear to be apart from her for that long.
She smiled at him while she danced her way back to him, and he felt incredibly lucky, his heart fluttering in his chest as she beamed at him, twirling in his arms. The music played behind them and couples danced around them, but he couldn't have noticed, didn't care enough to as she took every bit of his attention.
She's a wonder and she is his to love and to cherish. And the most wonderful thing of all is that she seems to return his feelings.
He gazed down at her and let their foreheads touch. "You're so beautiful," he breathed. "I'm so lucky you're mine."
She blushed prettily, and even through the dimmed lights he could see it, and it endeared her to him even more to see that he could make a grown woman like her blush like that. "You're not so bad yourself. This tux is doing you wonders. I can barely keep my hands to myself," she admitted, and then leaned up to whisper down his ear, "And though I love this tux on you, I can't wait to get you home so I could rip it off of you."
She smirked at him when he raised an eyebrow, and he gripped her hand, squeezing it, while he gulped down hard, and letting her know without words that he was excited, too.
…
Cora ripped his tuxedo off of his body the moment they stepped into their room, and though it was late and they were both tired (it had been a long day after all, and the party had continued on for a while even after the send off for the bride and groom), Robert felt himself responding to her touch, to her kisses. She gripped his lapels as she shoved her tongue inside his mouth, and he couldn't say he didn't enjoy the feral way that she was handling him now, the way her passion burned through the both of them, and how wild she was right now as she held him, pinning him against the wall.
"Cora," he murmured while she fiddled with the buttons of his shirt, unbuttoning it completely and sliding it off his shoulders, letting it fall to the ground. Her mouth was on his, tongue sliding in and out of his mouth, exploring every contour and curve without mercy or inhibition.
She pulled away when they were both out of breath, but her fingers didn't stop and she unclasped his pants, letting his step out of it long enough, before she's pulling his boxers down his hips as well. He was already hard, had been s0 since their dance that night. She had been pressed so close against him (though that was his own doing, he had been unable to let her go for one second), and he was so sure that she'd felt it too, as she had subtly tried to press closer, her breath had tickled his neck, and there had not been anything he had wanted more than to take her right there and then—except perhaps, taking her right here and right now.
"Robert," she moaned when he cupped her left breast in his hand, fingers pinching against the fabric once he'd found her nipples. He couldn't wait, could not have waited one more second, before he's undressing her, the ruffling of her skirt clear against the silence of the room. She was braless, and apparently, panty-less too
"Were you like this the whole goddamn time?" he asked gruffly as his hand sought for the treasure she hid beneath all that skirt. His finger brushed against her clit and she bucked against him, hips lifting towards his.
"Yes," she cried out when he pinched the said bundle of nerves, and she threw her head back, giving him the chance to lean down and suck fervently on her neck. It would leave a mark, but honestly Cora was past caring.
"Fuck, Cora," he growled at her skin before he was helping her wrap her legs around his waist and he was bringing her over to the bed, their clothes strewn about the room, forgotten. He laid her down on bed and crawled over her, peppering her skin with tiny kisses, sometimes sucking on her succulent flesh, leaving rosy welts that he'd soothe with his tongue.
She was helpless underneath him, only managing to moan and groan, writhe under the assault of pleasure he'd wreaked upon her. She tried to reach for him, to grasp his hair and pull him up so she could taste his lips, but he wouldn't let her, moving his hands up and pinning hers above her head as he sucked on her nipple hard, making her yelp from the sensations it caused to travel down her body.
Her eyes fell shut and she let herself enjoy him, but then they snapped open when he let go and crawled away.
"Wha-What are you doing?" she asked as she watched him rummage through their luggage, his back to her. He didn't answer, but when he faced her, he was holding a tie in his hand and there was a devilish smirk placed firmly on his lips.
He walked over to the bed and grabbed her hand, bringing them together above her head. She looked at him in silent challenge, as though she knew exactly what he's about to do (and she did). She was daring him, it was obvious, and naturally he rose to the occasion. He wrapped the tie around her wrist and knotted it tightly enough that she wouldn't pull it out and loosen it, but loose enough that it wouldn't hurt. He moved just a bit so he could tie the extra fabric around the pole of the bed. He tied it just so, that she could still move around, change positions if needed.
"Robert?" she uttered quietly, eyes darkened with lust, and she knew that she was flushed, that she was probably red from head to toe. She was excited, felt her nerves tingling with excitement. They'd never done this before and it was already exhilarating.
"Does it hurt?" he asked, and she shook her head in answer. He hummed and then got her on her hands and knees, his hands immediately coasting up and down her buttocks. He shapes and reshaped it in the palm of his hand, slapped it once, and then twice for good measure, making a moan slip past her lips in delight. It was naughty, incredibly so, and god damn it, it was exciting her. She was beyond aroused, could feel her wetness trailing down her legs. She gasped when she felt his finger trace up her thighs to her wet centre where she was hot and pulsating. She needed something, she needed him, NOW!
One finger slipped inside her, causing her to groan. And then he added another, making her head to fall down, her forehead hitting her forearm. It felt so fucking good, and she could not help but grind into his pumping fingers, her hips moving in sync to every thrust.
"Robert, ungh—yes, right there, oh!" she breathed as he moved his fingers inside her, and he bent it just at the right angle to hit her g-spot.
He lifted his free hand and mapped up and down her torso, down her back, and then upwards to her breast. He flicked at one puckered nipple, and then pinched it before palming it and repeating the same process until she's a sobbing mess of wanton need, and then he gave its twin the same attention.
Robert then pulled out his fingers, making her snap his head at him but he only smirked mischievously and place himself underneath her right below her dripping wet cunt, and then he lowered her carefully towards his mouth, his tongue darting out to flick against her clit. He used both hands to grip at her waist and keep her in place but she really couldn't help but move her hips when he started sucking on the sensitive little bundle of nerves, and god, good god, oh, that feels so fucking amazing.
"Oh fuck, Robert, please," she said, begging for what—she wasn't even sure, but she needed something, something he knew, and he didn't disappoint her as he stuck his tongue right inside her slit, fucking her with it as he straightened it and stiffened the muscle enough so he could trust it in and out of her pussy. His hands moved to her ass and he gripped it, helping keep her steady as she positioned herself so that she was kneeling before him, his face in between her legs, tongue inside her hot sex fucking her with it. It didn't take her long before she's coming, coming hard, in his mouth, coating his lips with her wetness, his name falling from her lips in a hoarse scream.
God, it felt so good.
She was still panting when Robert moved from her legs and positioned himself behind her. He guided her a little bit so that she was still kneeling but with her upper torso down and her arse up. Then without another word or preamble, he thrust inside her soaking wet cunt and started thrusting. She was expecting him to have her suck him off, and she would have been more than happy to do so, but this was good too. She could feel him, all of him, stretching her, filling her up, making her feel complete. He leaned down so that he was covering her back, and then started rasping naughty sentences in her ear, only serving to further rile her up and push her over the edge. He tilted her hips slightly, and the change in angle somehow made her fill even fuller and he was hitting all the right spots that she was gasping, clawing against her binding though it wouldn't come off. She heard the unmistakable sound of a hand slapping skin, and belatedly she felt the tingling on her ass where he'd given it a smack. She gyrates her hips and thrusts further, instructing him without word to give her another sharp blow, which he did. And then another, and then another, following it with sharp thrusts of his hips as he pumped away inside of her. God she was so close, so close, and she threw her head back, muttering that she was about to cum, just a few more.
"I'm cuming too," he murmured harshly against her ear, biting down on her lobe. Then he gripped her hips and gave her three sharp thrusts before her orgasm explodes, starting from her core and spreading through every part of her up to the tips of her fingers down to her toes. Her inner walls were gripping him tightly, she could feel it, but he was still thrusting away behind her, giving her a few more thrust before he was coming inside her, her name falling from his lips, as his lips fell to her shoulder as the both collapsed into the bed.
He placed a small bite on her flesh before he pulled away, breathing heavily, and untied her. Then he rolled over and brought her to rest against his chest. She sighed contentedly and closed her eyes, soon falling under and joining him in the land of dreams.
...
The next few days were busy for the both of them, with it seeing their return to the city from the Abbey, to being back to work for Robert and back to school for Cora. His sister and her new husband had been off to the French Riviera for a few weeks, while he and Cora had settled into a kind of domestic bliss. They spend most of their days in his house, and though it added a bit more commute for Cora, she didn't mind. He would drop her off her school most days, anyway.
She still played at the Castle every Friday, it was something that hadn't changed through the new year and new semester, and he still watched her from the same corner booth and waited for her sets to finish before he went home with her.
All in all, it was a good life.
One thing though that had rattled him was the arrival of Valentine's Day. It never mattered to him before, having been accustomed to being single after Adeline had, well, left him, and even before that he'd never made such fuss. He knew his girlfriend, knew her down to earth nature and her need for less fuss and less drama, and she probably wouldn't mind if they spent their valentines inside their house, cuddled on the couch, but he wanted to do something nice for her.
However, the fact that it was now only three days before the event put a damper on his plans to make a grand gesture. All the restaurants and hotels are booked, every other person had ordered every bouquet from the florist. He was getting desperate. Even if there were restaurants he could still get a reservation from, it seemed futile, seemed so paltry and dry compared to what he'd had in mind. He was at a loss.
He was just grateful that despite all that, he'd found the best gift he could find for her. It was simple, and it cost a pretty penny but he didn't mind that. He wanted the best for her. He'd gotten her an eighteen karat white gold necklace with a simple tear drop diamond pendant. The necklace itself had an intricate design, it has diamond studded leaf shapes attached to the chain that goes up and around the neck and there are bigger diamonds at five points, making it look like a little rose vine. It was beautiful and he was sure Cora would love it.
He has that part together, at least. Now, he wondered where he would take her for Valentine's Day.
It seemed that he needed not worry though for later that night, when she was snuggled up in his arms after a few hours spent in passionate lovemaking, she turned to look at him and traced her fingers up and down his jaw.
"Valentine's is coming up," she told him, making his breath hitch as he looked at her. If she asked him where he was about to bring her, he'd be screwed because he still didn't know. She bit her lip and looked remorseful. "I hope you hadn't planned something yet."
He looked at her with a raised eyebrow, confused. "Why not?" he asked her, watching as her expression changed.
"I have to work at the pub," she said, sighing. He opened her mouth to say something but she held out her finger. "I know it's on a Sunday, and I have gigs on Fridays, but our bassist asked to swap Friday for a Sunday because of a family party thing, and obviously we can't play without him so we couldn't help but agree. Please don't be mad at me."
She looked up at him with her wide, doe eyes, and of course, he could never be mad at her. Not over this, or over anything really. So, he nodded, pulling her close and placing a soft kiss against her brow.
"Of course," he said. "I'll just go with you. To be honest, I haven't quite reserved a place yet, anyway. It doesn't matter where we are, as long as we spend it together."
She hugged him closer and sighed. "It's going to be a formals night, so you know, wear something nice."
He nodded, agreeing without fuss, though at the back of his head he wondered why he would have to, he didn't work there. And he wondered who would be spending their Valentine's on a pub, but then again, apparently he and his girlfriend will, so with that thought in mind, he drifted off to sleep.
...
Valentine's never used to be a thing for Cora. Usually, she'd spend the night in and watch movies, not bothering with the fact that outside, the world is flooded with little red hearts, pink and red roses, and balloons and chocolates. To her, it's just another day.
But not this year.
This year, she had a wonderful boyfriend, who had just a few weeks ago created a winter wonderland in his backyard just for her. While she knew a relationship wasn't about competition, she still wanted to do something for him that was of the same calibre.
And so she began planning their Valentine's date. It had been difficult to find a place she could rent out that wasn't already booked out or reserved, but alas she found one. She found it through Phyllis's help, and when she did, she knew it had been the most perfect location.
It wasn't too far away from the city, mostly on the outskirts, just a few minutes drive. It was an old country owned by the Drewes, and it sounded odd, but it had the most beautiful garden that had been frequented by the Molesleys. Phyllis had said that Joseph's father had even help develop the landscape of the garden, and maybe by relation or maybe simply because the place had been extremely beautiful, Cora had fallen in love with it and rented it out for a night until the next day.
She'd had them set up the gardens, had fairy lights adorn every tree and had a table set for two right in the middle. It was a little bit like what Robert had set up in his backyard, minus the snow and more of the flowers. It was beautiful, or so she thought from the picture she had been sent after the set up.
She'd discreetly packed them a bag and tucked it away in the boot of Robert's car on the day they were to leave. She imagined it would be quite the surprise for him and she looked forward to his reaction. There was however, one hiccup to her plans. She needed to be the one to drive, and she's not sure Robert would like the idea very much. He didn't mind her independence and would surely let her do as she pleased, but he was very deeply attached to his car and trusted no one else but himself to drive it.
"Will you let me drive your car?" she asked him, looking at him with pleading eyes that she knew he found hard to resist.
He looked at her with confusion in his eyes an bit his lip. Indecision was clear in his face, and she watched him inhale and exhale deeply as he weighed his options. She knew he wanted to ask why, but didn't want her to feel like he didn't trust her. She thought he'd save him from his own mind.
"I miss driving. I haven't driven in so long and you know I can drive your car. You let me do it once," she told him, which was the half truth anyway. Then she batted her eyelashes at him as she moved closer to him until they were almost one breath, leaning in to nuzzle his nose. "Please?"
He closed his eyes and sighed, handing her the keys, "Okay, but be careful," he said, sounding a lot like her father that she wondered briefly how they initially couldn't get along when they were basically woven from the same fabric.
"Okay, thanks baby," she said, leaning in to kiss his lips for good measure.
The drive was silent for a while, up until Cora passed the pub and went straight ahead, going to the exit on the way to the country house. Robert had looked at her in bewilderment then, before realization dawned on him.
"Oh, you tricked me!" he'd said, chuckling and not seemingly mad at all.
She threw him a grin though she kept her eyes on the road (driving on the other side of the road was not easy), and nodded.
"I'm sorry. I don't have a gig tonight, I just said that so I could surprise you. I didn't want you to make plans for us on Valentine's. I wanted to be the one to make plans," she confessed as she turned left.
"Well, I am quite surprised," he told her, smiling and grabbing her hand that wasn't on the steering wheel to place a soft kiss against her knuckle.
She smiled, feeling her heart flutter at his sweetness. She then turned right when saw the sign with Drewe's place on it in big letters, and it said about a kilometre more, so she leaned back and continued to drive in a relax pace.
She slowed the car to a stop once they arrived at the town house, and then turned the engine, before turning to her boyfriend.
"Not a scratch on your baby," she told him proudly while she undid her seatbelt and he did the same.
Grinning, he made a show of inspecting her, raising her arms, and moving closer to check her face, making her a bit conscious in the process. He kissed her lips and nuzzled her nose. "You're right, not a scratch on my baby," he said, winking at her.
And damn him, he was so smooth that it had taken her off guard before she chuckled and shook her head, calling him a flirt.
"Only with you," he told her as he got out of the car and walked towards her side, opening the door for her too.
She told him that she had a bag packed for them in the boot and asked him to retrieve it while she went in and checked themselves in for the night. When she walked in, Mr. And Mrs. Drewe were waiting for her, greeting her with a smile.
"Everything is as you had asked," Mrs. Drewe said, as she handed her the key to the cabin they'd rented for the night. They would come back to the city tomorrow, which meant she would have to miss a day's worth of classes and he his work, but it would be worth it.
"Thank you," Cora said just as Robert walked in with their bags. He had a smile on his face and he greeted the couple before them, before Cora ushered them both to the back cabin where they would be sleeping in for tonight—well, maybe not a lot of sleeping would go on.
Robert placed the bag on the floor next to bed and pulled her in his arms. "Thank you for the surprise," he murmured, kissing her cheeks and then down her neck.
She chuckled though her breath hitched, and she could feel herself getting warmer. "This isn't all of it," she said. "I still have one more surprise." She smiled as she pulled away. "Let me just grab something then we'll be on our way."
She'd been quick, rummaging through her back to grab her gift for him, and then she took his hand and led him outside to the gardens where everything had been set up to perfection. The flowers surrounded the tables and lights glowed from where they were wrapped around the trees. It was so beautiful.
They spent their dinner in silence. It was something that the Drewe's had cooked for them, made from all organic ingredients that can be found in the farm and god it was delicious. Everything was perfect. Even the night was cooperating, with it not being too nifty. It wasn't warm by all means, but it wasn't freezing either, and for once, it was a beautiful February night without the torrential downpour that had been somewhat a fixture to the day's events.
Once their food was all but devoured, Robert smiled and handed Cora his present. She'd been timid and reluctant to accept at first, but he'd convinced her and she'd been pleasantly surprised to find the most beautiful necklace she'd seen in her life. She trailed her fingers over the sparkling jewellery, and smiled at him. She thanked him and tried to hold back the tears she felt stinging her eyes. He was just too wonderful.
After thanking him a third time, and him chuckling saying it was nothing, Cora unearthed her gift for Robert. She handed it to him shyly, and only smiled at him when he tried to protest that it was too much. She'd already planned the most perfect night.
"I know it seemed extravagant but this is our first Valentine's, I want it to be special," she told him.
"It is," he'd said as he accepted the present, and opened it. Inside the box was a simple but elegant watch. It was the same one he'd eyed when he and Cora had been out shopping and strolling one day. "It's beautiful." He looked at her with wonder in his eyes.
"Look at the back," she instructed and he did as she instructed.
"Yours for all eternity," he reads aloud, reciting the number inscription beneath the words that was the date of their anniversary. He smiled at her and leaned across the table to place a kiss on her lips.
After that, Cora asked Robert for a stroll around, and he'd obliged, holding her hand all the way as the marvelled at the beauty of nature. It was dark and only the dimming fairy lights illuminated their way but it didn't matter. Not when the night was as beautiful as this, and the company was even better.
Cora could feel her heart filling with the love she felt for him, and suddenly she didn't want to hold back anymore. She wanted to tell him, wanted him to know what she really felt for him.
She halted her steps and grabbed his wrists, making him stop and turn to look at her as well.
"What is it darling," he asked, giving her hand a squeeze.
"I just..." she began as her heart raced against her chest. She could actually hear her heartbeat and she half wondered if Robert could hear it too. She bit down her lip and sighed. It's now or never. "I um, I, my life changed when I met you," she said, and great, wow she's off to a great start here (she could absolutely kick herself right now). She decided to forge on. "And I, you mean so much to me, Robert. In such a short time, you've become someone that I turn to for comfort and to share my joy and happiness with. I can't imagine a life without you in it." She looked into his eyes and sighed, feeling herself falling into the abyss that was his baby blues. God, she loved him. "I love you, Robert. With all my heart, I love you."
She stood there, looking at him, watching as a myriad of emotions flicker through his face. A minute passed in silence, and then another, and then Cora felt like a fool, felt like someone just poured a bucket of cold water over her head, and she could feel the ice splinters digging through her heart. She could feel tears prickling at the back of her eyes, but she didn't let those escape, instead she breathed and jutted her chin.
"Anyway I just wanted you to know," she told him before she was leaving him by himself and she was half sprinting away from him. She'd been wrong. Whatever he felt for her, it wasn't like what she felt for him. It wasn't love. He didn't love her.
Oh god, Jesus.
He didn't love her.
She could feel the tears slipping free now as she walked away from him and she reached up to wipe them away but then she felt someone grab her forearm, turning her around and making her reel backwards until she was face to face with Robert.
She wanted to apologize or maybe say something, but she didn't get the chance because suddenly his mouth was on hers, and he was kissing the daylights out of her. His tongue wasn't gentle in its probing and it slipped past her lips without preamble or permission. His hands moved to grip her waist and then he was pulling her close, closer to him until they were chest to chest, nose to nose, and she was standing on her tiptoes, head thrown back as he kissed her senseless.
She couldn't stop. Instead, her own hands moved upwards, until her fingers were tangled through his hair, and she was holding on to him like he was her lifeline. Right now, he was. She wasn't entirely sure what was going on, all she knew was that the man she loved was kissing her senseless.
"I'm an idiot," he murmured once he pulled away. His breathing was labored and harsh, but so was hers, and she fell back to the balls of her feet as she tried to catch her breath. She shook her head and tried to protest. "I am. God. I love you, Cora."
She smiled for a moment, the words filling her ears and it made her heart flutter, made her feel as though she was floating. But then no...she frowned. "You don't have to say it just because I said it," she told him, feeling her heart break in her chest at the thought. He might kiss her like no tomorrow, and make love to her like she's the only woman in the world, but that didn't really mean that he's in love with her.
"No, no, Cora, I love you," he repeated, and hope began blooming inside her chest, taking root in her heart. "I'm in love with you. You...you are beautiful and kind, and selfless. You are passionate and empathic, intelligent and clever, funny, witty, and you fascinate me. You are...I can write a whole book of adjectives describing what I think of you, how I see you as, but that wouldn't be enough. You're you and that...you're perfect. I was trying to digest the fact that you, an amazing, beautiful woman who could have anyone you want, wants me, loves me. And that...that was like heaven to my ears. You handed me the stars and the moon, and best of all, you handed me your heart, and it took me a while to just...it took me a while to get down from the high, but by God, Cora, I love you." Cora felt tears stream down her eyes, and she almost couldn't breathe, his words were beautiful, he was so beautiful. "I'm so in love with you, with your beautiful eyes and your smile and your laugh, and everything else that makes you who you are. I have never felt like this before, not to anyone, and maybe it makes me a donk sometimes, like right now, but that doesn't make it any less real or less true. I love you, that is the simple fact. I can't live without you either, and I can't imagine a life that you aren't in it. In fact I don't ever want to, because that is just unthinkable. A life without you, is not a life worth living, and I cannot begin to explain to you how happy you've just made me."
He breathed.
"And I'm sorry I'm not good with words," he began, but she cut him off, telling him that he was doing a marvellous job just now, making him chuckle as he hugged her to him, "But I do know three simple words that sum up what I feel for you. I love you."
She could pinpoint the exact moment her heart had burst from happiness, and she threw her arms around him and peppered him with kisses as he held her closer to him, whispering against her ear his promises of devotion and love, and Cora couldn't help but think how this has got to be the best night of her life.
"I love you, Robert," she murmured once more, just because she can.
"And I love you, my darling Cora," he answered, and Cora could swear she just got handed the whole world.
A/N2: Just a bit of sharing time, yesterday I got a bit of anon hate from the other fandom for reasons unknown to me and everyone else, so I'm filtering through the anon reviews for now. You can still leave them, but if you leave anything mean or hateful, you can bet your ass I'm deleting it. I trust that if you hate what I wrote, you'd have the guts to say it to my face without hiding behind anonymity where I cannot respond. Anyway, I trust the cobert fandom will be nice and kind and sweet as usual, so yeah I don't worry much! I love you guys! I just want to thank you for being so kind to me and for being the least problematic fandom I ever knew. Love you!
Let me know what you guys think!
Also happy birthday again Zaibi!