I'm trying to better about posting, I really am. And wouldn't you know it, just as I was ready to post something went goofy with either my computer or the site and I couldn't seem to post. Whatever the hiccup was, it seems cured now, so here we go...
This one is short but I hope satisfactory. As always, your comments are most appreciated!
As Anthony drove Edith back towards her hotel, she sighed heavily. "What's wrong, my sweet?" Anthony asked.
"It's just… I don't want. I mean…. After this evening my room will feel so… lonely."
"Would you like to join your family at Grantham House? We could get your things from the hotel and I can drive you there."
"No, not my family. I wish you weren't so determined that we,"
"Edith!" Anthony stopped her. Her heard her small gasp and was irritated with himself for his reaction. Glancing over at her defeated posture in the seat next to him, her head down as she held her hands together in her lap. "Suppose we gather your things and you can stay at my flat tonight. Sperate rooms, mind you. And tomorrow I'll take you to Grantham House."
Her head shot up, a smile quickening on her face. "I'd like that, well, except for the separate rooms; but I'll take what I can get. I just want to be with you tonight, not …. Not be with you like, like that, but be in your company."
He reached over and took one of her hands in his and brought it to his lips. "I agree, my sweet. Simply being together sounds very nice. So that is what we will do, simply be together. And on our wedding night, we will be together like that, as you say."
An hour later they were snug on his sofa, Edith's feet curled up next to her as she rested her head in the crook of his shoulder. Anthony's arm was around her shoulder, holding her close. The lights were low in the room and all was quiet, except for the subtle sounds of their breathing and occasional kisses. Anthony was quite content but he knew Edith wasn't, or at least not nearly as content as he was. "Soon, my sweet; soon you'll have your way with me."
He smiled as Edith snickered into his side. "Yes, I will; but still, it could never be too soon. I just want…"
"What?"
"It's just…. I can never seem to be close enough. I just want to be as close as we possibly can be."
"And we will be, possibly far too close for your comfort after awhile because I have a feeling that once we've started, once I've sampled what you offer, I won't be able to leave in you in peace. I shall be after you constantly, begging for more of you."
"Oh, I do like the sound of that," she said as her head shifted so that she could peer up at him. Her hand came up to rest over his heart and he lifted his free hand to cover it there and hold it securely. Her fingers teased at his chest. "Your heart beat is giving you away," she teased.
"If by that you mean that I find your nearness intoxicating, then yes; I'm certain my heart is trying to beat out of my chest. As I've told you before, do not mistake my resolve that our wedding night will be our first time for a sign that I am not interested. Nothing could be farther from it. But I won't ever have you think, even for a moment, that you are anything less than who you are to me. You are certainly the last love of my life, my friend, and soon will be my wife, who I will love and adore until my dying breath. Those vipers that would try to poison what we share, will try to convince you that I merely married you on a whim, toying with a new plaything or such. I want it to always be clear in your mind that I do not think of you in the same category as them. Celeste and the others were playthings, as much as I don't wish to admit my despicable behavior. You, my dear, have given my life meaning again. Because I cherish you, I will honor you by waiting."
Edith snuggled into him, pushing aside her own desires for immediate satisfaction. My gift to him will be to respect his wishes, she thought. I won't push him for more tonight. Soon she was asleep, propped against Anthony, who held her and planted small, chaste kisses wherever he could reach, revering her even in her sleep.
When Edith awoke, she was stretched out on Anthony's sofa, a blanket enveloping her in the warmth that she might otherwise miss without Anthony holding her. She blinked as she realized that he must've slipped off to his room somewhere in the night. But as her eyes opened, she spied him in a chair that had been pulled close. He had dozed off after apparently covering himself with a blanket, his long legs stretched out and his head resting against the back of the chair. One arm was beneath the cover but his other was stretched toward her. It looks like he was reaching for me, she thought as she noticed the proximity of his hand to one of hers that was curled next to her face. Maybe he was even holding my hand but it slipped away. A smile crept across her face as she realized that it all must mean that he was as loathe to leave her as she had been to leave him. He could have just gone to his bed, she mused. Instead, he slept in that awful chair. He can't be comfortable. At first, she was full of self-satisfaction that he would need to be so close to her through the night. But as she studied his face a different feeling settled into her. He truly loves me like no one has ever loved me before. And it isn't just sex he wants or we'd have…. She blushed as she considered what it would be like to be with him. Somehow, she knew that she would be the eager one. Oh, he'd be happy to accommodate, she was certain. But instinctively she knew that she'd be the one setting the pace of that side of their life together. With that thought, she grinned broadly. And what a pace I will set for him too!
Glancing at the mantel clock, Edith saw that it was still early, far too early to be awake. Still, she knew Anthony would awaken stiff and sore if he remained in that chair. Deftly she sat up and then leaned forward, patting his knee. "Anthony," she whispered. Then again, a little louder.
Anthony grunted and then his eyes flew open. "Edith?"
"Yes, my darling. You must be uncomfortable in that chair. Let's get you to bed."
"Nnnoo," he moaned. "Musth waait…" he mumbled.
"Yes, we'll wait. But in the meantime, we can sleep comfortably. Come now, let's get you in your bed." Standing, Edith reached for his hand and tugged. Groggily, Anthony stood and allowed himself to be led to his bedroom. Edith pointed him to his bed, where he collapsed. Chuckling, she removed his shoes and then covered him with the bedclothes. Feeling her way around the end of the bed, she eased into the other side and rolled over to watch him sleep. "Mmmmm, nice…" he mumbled.
"Yes, it is," she agreed. "Hold me?"
He lifted an arm weakly. "mmmm…."
Edith snuggled into his warmth. "Yes, this is very nice," she murmured.
A gentle wisp of his breath across her hair was the only response she got. But as Edith allowed her eyes to grow heavy again, she decided this was good enough for now. Not much longer, she reminded herself. And we're not in separate rooms either, she thought victoriously as she drifted away.
