I'm baaaackkkkk. Still slow but doing better perhaps? I do hope you enjoy. As you all know, reviews and comments power the little bunnies. I do hope everyone is doing well. And I just love reading all the updates and new entries into our little Andith world.
Edith awoke the next morning in her bed; well, the bed in her hotel room. She smiled as she remembered the night before. It had been such a romantic evening, so much so that even the wicked witches of Anthony's past hadn't upset things.
Edith had suggested to him that he take her to his flat instead of the hotel as they walked back to his car, once the boat had docked. He'd merely flashed her a warning smile, demonstrating both that he wanted that to happen and that it wouldn't in one bright eyed glance. So she'd tried another tact, "you know, staying in a hotel all this time is really quite expensive, and extravagant."
His smile morphed into the slightly crooked one with a bit of teeth and an anguished glint in his eyes. "Only a few more days," he'd replied.
"Yes, but…"
"Edith," he'd whispered loudly as he stopped on the pavement. She turned to face him and saw the very determined set of his face and knew she'd lost…. Again. "Please, I don't think you understand how much you tempt me with your, erm… suggestions. And I've told you why it is important to me that we wait. Please stop doing this to m…..us. You're only torturing the both of us. The hotel expense is one I've gladly accepted so that we can begin our life together with a clean slate. Please don't underestimate the importance of it."
"I'm not…. Underestimating, that is. I do understand. Please don't you underestimate how much I want to be with you, though."
His demeanor softened. "As do I. But we will wait, my darling, and do things properly."
Their parting at her door had been agony. He'd kissed her, or had she kissed him? Well, they'd kissed. And kissed again…. And again, each becoming more probing and intense until her body hummed with the pleasure of it. Her heart hammered as she recalled the excited warmth that had shot through her with each kiss, not to mention the pool of heat and moisture that had gathered below. She knew he'd been equally affected from the pressure of him against her as he held her one last time before leaving. Edith grinned as she recalled the sight of his trousers, a definite bulge disturbing the smooth lines of the fit. And then, there was his sheepish grin as he stepped into the lift and turned for one last look at her before the doors closed.
Lying in her bed contemplating those things, Edith was suddenly anxious for the remaining last few days before their wedding to disappear. She could not have him soon enough. But have him, she would.
Having finished her shower, she'd just stepped back into the room when her phone chimed. Checking it, she saw there was a message from the only person she really wanted to see or talk to, Anthony.
Breakfast?
Lovely idea, she replied.
Meet me downstairs.
Now?
Whenever you are ready.
5 Minutes
Longest 5 minutes of my life…
They walked hand in hand to a pastry shop around the corner where they selected a couple of croissants and coffee. Anthony was quite this morning, she noticed. He seemed content with simply watching her. Which was fine because she could never get enough of watching him. But she did try some small talk, which he seemed to only be half following.
"Goodness Anthony, you seem very distracted this morning," she finally chided with amusement.
"I am. By your loveliness, my sweet."
"What shall we do today then? Obviously, nothing that requires your concentration."
"One of the galleries? You could look at the paintings and I could look at you," he said softly.
"Not a gallery. Too many people. Shall we start with a walk in one of the parks?"
"Thought you didn't want too many people. There will be far too many on a beautiful day like today."
Edith chuckled as she glanced outside through the window. "Darling, it is quite dreary out."
"Is it?" He asked without letting his eyes leave her. "Feels very bright and sunny to me."
"Anthony Strallan, you are impossible."
"Mmmm, yes. Impossibly taken with you. What should we do then?"
"Your flat? We could really brighten your day there," she teased.
That brought him out of his distracted state. "Edith, I thought I made it clear last night…"
"I know," she said, cutting him off. "But I had to do something to snap you out of it. Otherwise, you might have found yourself being molested on the street. Your fevered gaze has set me on fire."
"Has it? Has it really?" His eyes travelled from her head down to her feet as his eyes darkened. "Consider it a foretaste."
"You make it sound almost religious," she snickered.
"Appropriate. Since you are a goddess, my very own Aphrodite."
"And just how do you think I should be able to resist when you talk to me like that?"
"Like what?" he asked with a startled look but a certain twinkle in his eyes.
"Looking at me like…. As you have all morning and then calling me a goddess and saying it is a sunny day and… Well, just how am I to behave with you doing all sorts of things to me like that. And you haven't even touched me. What am I to do when you actually kiss me or … well, anything?" She paused, took a deep breath and then continued. "Honestly Anthony, I don't think you have the slightest notion of your effect on me."
"I have an effect on you? And here I've been believing I was the only one in this relationship so affected." But his surprised expression was obviously for show and again, there was that teasing sparkle in his eyes.
"Anthony Strallan, either you stop this now or I will jump you right here in this place."
His eyes widened, his eyebrows rising nearly to his hairline as his expression reflected genuine shock. "You wouldn't," he croaked after a moment.
Edith felt the smirk that blossomed on her face. "Don't tempt me," she threatened.
Blue eyes studied her seriously now and then he chuckled. "I'm sorry, I just was imagining the reaction of the other patrons, not to mention the girl behind the counter. But I do think you really might… jump me, that is. And I confess I find the notion of it quite… intriguing."
"Well, you just keep behaving as you have all morning and you'll be more than intrigued."
Again, with that certain twinkle in his eyes that Edith thought of as one he reserved especially for her had returned. "Yes, dear," he replied like a boy waiting in the headmaster's office.
"Oh god," she sighed. "I can see the future."
"How is that, dearest?"
"If we have children and they are boys, I'll be spending all my time at their school, speaking with the headmaster about their latest mischief. They'll look like you and worse, behave just as naughtily as you have this morning. And they will look at me just like that and I'll be done for."
Anthony smiled but shook his head negatively. "No, my sweet. They will be girls and be every bit as lovely as you and I shall spend all my time at the front door with my shotgun, chasing all those dirty minded little boys away."
Edith laughed. "And just how do you know those boys will be dirty minded?"
"All boys are, and men. Some of hide it better than others."
"Wait, are you trying to tell me that you, Mr. We Will Wait, is dirty minded? Because I'm not believing it. You have been very much a gentleman. I am the one who has tried to push the limits."
"I have tried to be a gentleman, yes. And I hope I have been successful. My mind, on the other hand, goes in very ungentlemanly directions when I am with you or even alone with just my thoughts of you. Quite a strain, actually, keeping my hands to myself when my mind imagines them doing all sorts of things."
"That's the nicest thing that has ever been said to me, I think."
Anthony sputtered the sip of coffee he'd taken and looked at her in genuine surprise. "You're joking."
"I'm not. You just told me that while you want me in a very real, physical way, you also respect me. I think it is quite nice."
"I do respect you and not just because you are a woman, a lady. You are so much more, dearest. I think you are most charming and unique, rare. And so very, very lovely. And I can't wait until we are married and I can revere you in ways beyond words."
Edith was positively beaming as she basked in his words. "Neither can I, wait, I mean," she said softly as a flush rose in her cheeks.
Just as Anthony was about to speak, her phone chimed. "Oh god," she sighed as she looked at the screen.
"What? Who is it?"
"Aunt Rosamund," she groaned.
"Best to answer it," he said as he glared at it in her hand.
Taking a deep breath, she hit the button and put the phone to her ear. "Aunt Rosamund, how nice…."
