DESIRE

Clarice pulled Hannibal close and spoke against his ear as if they were not alone in the room, "H, I can't scream apologies or anything else…they'll hear us!"

Unaffected by her concern, Hannibal busied himself with the pulse at her throat.

He covered the area with his mouth, pressed his tongue against the beating source and concentrated on the throbbing.

He used the rhythm of her pulse much like a metronome counting as he composed a fugue. Hannibal added an underlying theme from Bach's prelude and fugue in C major BWV 531 to more fully develop the necessary layer of counterpoint and lend the majestic quality he correctly believed would match his feelings for Clarice. Within his mind and in her arms, Hannibal Lecter was truly joyful.

The music Hannibal composed by the beat of her life's blood began to flood the halls of his memory palace soaring to the highest ceilings and filling the corners of his mind. He was quite pleased as thus far the exposition was, of course, nothing short of brilliant.

As he composed, he flooded each room with rich layers of color, deep hues of purple and crimson to lend an air of aristocracy to the expanses. Rooms he barely visited were now decorated with banners of fine silk adorning the walls rejoicing his memories, each so new and vital, calling out with exaltation:

Love Lives Here

Hannibal smiled.

The conversation with Clarice now running a parallel track with his composition, Hannibal's less than spontaneous retort was more an afterthought than a fully formed intention. He mumbled as his mouth was still placed firmly against her flesh, "I don't much care if they hear us. They are both adults."

The vibration of his voice against her throat caused her to giggle and knowing if he continued she would have difficulty controlling her laughter she pushed her palms against his shoulders to briefly to release him from her throat.

Though disappointed at the loss of his sanguinary metronome Hannibal continued to compose as he leaned over his wife. His hair, now beginning to dry, tumbled slightly across his forehead.

Clarice brushed back an errant lock of hair.

I can see his boyhood.

Hannibal was such an intellectual powerhouse that he often seemed Clarice loved when her husband's hair was slightly disheveled as it humanized him. Somehow, his hair slicked back connected him to the dungeon in her mind. She wanted to see more of H, so, Clarice reached up with both hands and ran her fingers through his still slick hair, tousling it.

I hope the baby looks exactly like him. I hope the baby is exactly like him.

The thought caused her to smile. Thinking of their past together, suddenly she realized how to counter his apathetic response to her request for silence.

She continued to play with his hair as she spoke. Her voice was tender but in no way fawning. "So, H…you really don't care if they hear us making love?"

Hannibal leaned on one forearm and began to do the same, curling a lock of her hair around his index finger as he spoke plainly.

"Not even remotely. Our enjoyment is my only concern."

"H, do you take pride in being an exceptional host?"

"Yes, of course."

"Well, if our guests heard us, they would be uncomfortable and a good host never makes his guests uncomfortable because that would be rude and as you take pride both as a host and a gentleman you would never do anything that would be considered rude."

A quick blink as he processed her comment caused Hannibal to shift his laser-like focus momentarily. He cocked his head briefly in consideration and without comment returned his attention to the round of her shoulder as he kissed and nibbled the slim sinews probing the striations with his tongue. All the while he was simultaneously composing and blissfully considering elegance of her musculature as the blood symphony played on.

Clarice understood he was not ignoring her, simply processing her comment and formulating a response. Her question to him was posed more to needle him a bit than to prompt an immediate answer.

She pursued, "I see the wheels turning, H. Your thoughts?"

He was at present enjoying the flank of her hip as it curved to cradle their child.

"A moment, please, my Love."

He often admired her body and was genuinely enthralled with so many aspects of her anatomy and physiology that it was not unusual for Hannibal to shift his thoughts to such things, though he rarely gave them voice. Clarice was uncomfortable with such intense scrutiny and too often shied from his admiration.

Considering her assessment of his pride as a gentleman Hannibal spoke offhandedly, "Oscar Wilde believed a gentleman to be one who is never unintentionally rude."

Again their past revisited Clarice as flashes within her memory caused her to smile.

She spoke her revelation with a the twinkle of mischief in her eyes, "Yes, but to you all discourtesy is unspeakably ugly."

Hannibal nodded in amusement at her reference to their initial meeting.

"I am heartened you remember our first encounter so clearly that you're able to toss my own words back at me. Allow me to I say with a husband's pride that you have become all I saw within you that first day, Clarice."

"I'm not tossing them back at you, I'm merely recognizing and asserting that you take pride in your aristocratic and well-mannered upbringing."

"Under normal circumstances that is true, but today was not a normal day and as such I must admit to feeling particularly selfish and as such I am finding it challenging to work up concern for anyone's comfort but my own. As I stated earlier, they are both adults."

Realizing on that point he had check and mate she was forced to digress rather than tip her king.

"It doesn't matter if they're both adults when the one who's barely an adult wants to bang you."

Surprised she pursued the point even after he had obviously countered her every move, Hannibal angled his head as he considered the unfamiliar reference.

"Bang me? What an unattractive and singularly uninspired colloquialism."

Still seeking to deflect his thoughts Clarice directed her attention to his chin, reaching up to kiss it repeatedly as she spoke, "Hey, it isn't pretty… but it's true so… I think that means…we have to be quiet…really, really quiet."

Planking on his elbows he leaned in and whispered very low in her ear speaking so close that she could feel the heat of his breath on her lobe. His voice was rough and rich, making no effort to mask his desire as he nibbled at her ear, tugging it with his teeth as he spoke.

"Sex is purely recreational, Clarice but making love is a celebration of all of one's senses and as such I refuse to place restrictions on that particular pleasure."

The contact ticklish, Clarice giggled and attempted to push him back.

"You can enjoy it without making noise."

"Yes, but my enjoyment will be limited if you do not, therefore I will take it as a personal challenge to discourage your silence."

Asserting his desire with a predatory lunge, Hannibal captured his wife's mouth and began to kiss her passionately. There was nothing of his usual patient seduction, his motivations obvious as he moved his hands boldly, immodestly down her body.

Now accustomed to his body language, Clarice altered her position to accommodate his movements by scooting her hips slightly to the side.

Hannibal grasped her shoulder and, as he moved from the upper position, scooped her within his embrace and very quickly swept her with him so they rested face to face, each of them on their sides. Hannibal maintained an embrace by keeping one hand beneath her body thus encircling her.

Clarice was amazed at the speed with which he moved.

"You know, you're pretty agile for a guy your age," she teased.

"Have your fun, my Love but know that I intend to test your agility thoroughly."

With both hands he grasped the muscles where her buttocks joined her thigh gripping and releasing as he kneaded the flesh and pulled her as closely to him as their child allowed. Clarice was kissing his chest, allowing the curls to tickle her nose as she trailed her lips over his body.

Hannibal shifted his focus for a moment, looking back over his shoulder. Clarice, her head still lowered, did not notice his brief auditory and olfactory assessment. With the briefest of moments, he was with her once more.

His appetite only partially fulfilled earlier in the day, he buried his face along her neck, nuzzling as he spoke. His voice was hot with passion as he growled his need making no effort to lower his tone.

"Clarice, I've missed you terribly…the touch…the taste of you."

His wife moved her hips slowly, responding to his touch. She pulled at his shoulders bringing him close to her as she whispered, "I've missed you too, H…all of you."

His face still fervently buried against her neck, she could feel his lips slowly draw away from her flesh.

He's smiling...he's happy…

Hannibal skimmed the pads of his fingertips across her neck and turning in, rubbed his thumb along his wife's collarbone. He stretched his fingers and spun the widened span of his hand, rotating it to gently grasp the rounded dome of her breast brushing his thumb across her nipple to watch it peak at his touch. He enjoyed the warmth of her flesh and lingered.

Extending his pleasure he lifted up onto an elbow to watch as the sensual expression of longing slowly bloomed with his touch. An airy sigh escaped his love the moment he cupped the heavy curve of her breast, weighty with nourishment.

Hannibal eagerly confessed, "I hunger for you, Clarice."

Understanding his desire, her acceptance was unabashed, "I'm yours H…you don't need permission…I'm all yours."

Her acceptance of his want so pure and so complete, his heart pounded in his chest, the cadence thumping out the full measure of his own yearning.

Holding the love of his life in his arms, Hannibal made no effort to quiet his heart.

Instead, he dipped his head low, watching intently the circling of his palm over the coral peak. Seeing her flesh taut with desire Hannibal further lowered his head and captured her with his lips, tasting of her breast.

Clarice expressed her feelings with a long, contented sigh as the warmth of fulfillment flooded her. She relaxed her body, now pliant as she nestled protectively in his arms. She had never felt so close to anyone. She had never wanted anyone. He brought out a side of her, a warm nurturing aspect of which she had previously been unaware.

I am Care…he is Need. Together we're whole.

Clarice arched her back encouraging his intent. As her respirations slowed and deepened she drew out each breath as if it would extend his actions. He lapped gently at the pearled projection of flesh sticky with fluid. She groaned, a low carnal sound, much louder than anticipated as her husband asserted his want and fed unapologetically.

Hannibal's senses alerted and his predatory pride enhanced by his loving wife's sensual response, he was encouraged to latch more firmly to her breast. He glided a palm across her ribs and over the pleasing curve of her pregnancy and floated his hand over the growing child with the self-satisfaction of a sculptor praising his masterwork.

We will meet soon, my son. My son.

Hannibal reflected on the features his child might have as he admired the roundness and the pleasant symmetry of her shape as well as the softness of her skin.

I hope you take after your mother as your journey in life would be smoother should you possess her features. She has such lovely eyes. Mine would burden you, I fear.

The perinatal progression was more than just a little pleasing to him. Now obsessed with the pregnancy he released her breast and began to kiss the crown of her belly continuously smoothing his hand in circles enjoying the tactile experience as the baby kicked against his palm.

Suddenly, his head lifted and his nostrils flared as he quickly searched the air.

Still there?

He did not tell Clarice what he discovered. Instead he asked the question, "Did you lock the bedroom door, my Love."

"Of course I did…why?"

"Strictly a precautionary measure as I wouldn't want to entertain guests in this position."

"No worries, it's locked."

Satisfied that they wouldn't be interrupted without warning he shifted his thoughts to his wife. "There has never been a more lovely and captivating sight than you, my Love, carrying our child. You are a miracle, Clarice. You are my miracle."

Clarice rolled her eyes and spoke flippantly, "Flatterer."

Surprised by her tone he defended, "The way in which you spoke the word implies a degree of fawning or the pursuit of an ulterior motive that isn't appropriate."

She playfully smacked his backside, "You are pursuing, H."

"Yes, but I am not relying on the compliment to achieve that end. No…it is a statement of fact. You are perfection in my eyes."

Content to accept the compliment she replied, "You're not so bad yourself, H."

Clarice could see that Hannibal was pleased as sparks of light flaring from his irises swirling down to the dark centers of his eyes.

"Shall I pursue you further?" he teased as he shifted his hips allowing him the freedom to slip his hand between her legs from behind.

Clarice inhaled several short quickened bursts as her husband slipped his hand over the crest of her bottom, reached through her thighs and gently brushed his fingertips across the soft curls at the joining.

Leaning closer, he reached with his hand, opened his fingers to part the curls and stroked her flesh very tenderly.

Hannibal's mouth again sought the pulse at her throat wanting to finish his composition. The soaring sounds, mixing with her orgasm would complete the musical thought.

He teased her flesh with his tongue feeling for the pulse. His lips elicited a tingling sensation that caused goose bumps to rise on her neck. This distracted Hannibal, adding a new track for his many trains of thought.

He assessed his wife's arousal and considered the speed and pressure of his movements in relation to her response. Concomitantly he composed his fugue as he considered the pilomotor reflex and it's evolutionary use as a defense mechanism.

As porcupines have a similar reflex, he mused at how efficient the ability was and how humorous humans would look, since the reflex was similar, if they had quills as well. Hannibal was fully entertained by his own whimsy while allowing a measure of his focus to remain with his wife, swirling his fingers over her slippery flesh.

Clarice's soft moans alerted him to remain in the moment and fully focus on her pleasure. As his touch progressed, her desire began to peak. She pulled his head down to her and clutched hungrily at his mouth.

The heat of his hand rubbing and slipping into her flesh caused her heart rate to climb steadily. Overwhelmed by the attention, Clarice inhaled deeply and held the breath as his hand continued to delve within, though careful not to penetrate.

She tensed, "H…"

He whispered against her throat, "Relax, Clarice…let me take care of you."

Hannibal took his time fondling her flesh; listening to her breathing slowly evolve from slow and steady to quick, shallow bursts, the rapidity matching her rhythm as she gripped his shoulder and slowly moved against his hand.

Slipping within the channel of her femininity Hannibal slowly caressed the flesh and assessed his progress by her scent, heavy in the air.

He took her breast once more, crescendo within the walls of his mind crashing within his ears, silenced the moment her orgasm took hold. She clutched at him.

Her chin dropped to her chest, hunched as she fought for each breath, "Oh, god…H…H!"

He left her breast for a brief moment, just long enough to encourage her to ecstasy.

"Give yourself to me."

Clarice's hips rocked with her husband's touch, her body trembling against his unrelenting hand. She gripped his arm, her neatly trimmed nails raking crimson trails along his skin as in his arms she was able to let fly her inhibitions.

Before allowing the heat of the moment to fully wash over her she reached down, took her husband in hand, and feeling he needed no further stimulation, pressed his body just slightly within her, no more than an inch or two.

Hannibal panicked and attempted to withdraw, "Clarice, no…the baby."

She grabbed his hips and braced them as she held him within, "Shhh, no deeper. It's okay…No deeper."

Quickly measuring within his mind the location of her cervix in relation to his limited entrance, he calmed and allowed the position.

"You cannot move, Clarice," he cautioned.

"I can move. You can't."

Clarice contracted and released her muscles compressing her body around his. Hannibal was thrilled with her ingenuity and too long without this level of contact, he gasped momentarily, then, allowed his head to drop back as he enjoyed the sensations.

His wife's most personal muscles gripped and released his arousal repeatedly sent him very quickly to the edges of his self-control and very soon his ragged breathing matched her own.

Knowing her end was a near as his, Hannibal's mouth tugged firmly at her breast sending a rolling shudder that rocked her small frame. As he enjoyed the throes of her passion he gave himself fully to his own enjoyment and approached his own release. Finally, he relinquished her breast so that he might enjoy the tension of her orgasm as it was slowly replaced by a satisfied smile. Hannibal then pulled her close, bit down gently on the sloping gentle curve where her neck and shoulder met, and surrendered to his own rapture.

Clarice warmed as his body spilled within her, holding him tenderly as his muscles twitched with the pulse of his release.

Suddenly he lifted his head and searched the air once more. "It seems our company has company, Clarice."

Mariyah stood in the hallway, with her ear and both palms pressed against the Lecter's bedroom door. Concentrating on the activities within the room, she didn't attend to the presence that had joined her in the hallway. Her heart skipped a beat as a hand fell on her shoulder and a voice chilled the air.

"Mariyah, please follow me. It seems we have much to discuss."

Bashandi turned and walked to his suite without attending to his daughter's movements. She would follow and she would hear all that he had to say.

Anwar Bashandi was disappointed in his daughter, she could see that, now, she would have to hear it as well.

Until the next chapter my friends!

LH