Shortly after everyone returned from their Christmas, we immediately stepped up to take the last ping of the year over in Scotland. I figured, we could stand to get away for a few days and have a bit more time to ourselves, even if it did involve work. Our relationship (at the sexual side of things) was still new and we were definitely in a kind of honeymoon stage where we found ourselves always attached at the hip - literally. I would have thought that with all of the traveling Helena did during her absence, she wouldn't want to step near a plane unless it was an absolutely necessity. I was incredibly wrong.
I probably should have figured it out when we were in New York for a layover and she ushered me into one of those business lounges. Then I ought to have figured it out when we got on the plane and basically had this compartment-like space with a mostly flat bed for the two of us along with glasses of red wine as soon as we sat down. To add further insult to my brain not properly functioning, I neglected to see that we were checking into an expensive-looking hotel overlooking Princes Street.
One of those little things that I was slowly beginning to notice about Helena was that she liked to splurge. I remember before the trident, before the hologram, before the absence, she always liked to try new things or do a little something extra for me. Always something out-of-the-way. Even as a new couple, she has surprised me nearly every day with breakfast in bed (either made at home or from the bakery in town) or running me (but more like us) a bath at the end of the day. She has been trying so hard to make it up to me, but I honestly don't need to have anything made up to me when I have her.
We're lucky to find the artifact and have everything squared away within 48 hours, it's certainly one of the easier snag, grab and tags I've ever had. We finish the retrieval the morning of New Year's Eve. Already, Edinburgh is bustling with visitors for Hogmanay this Monday afternoon and we make some last-minute arrangements for the evening.
We're walking down the stairs of a narrow close in the Old Town, on our way back to our room. "As much fun as it would be to be amongst the madding crowd, I'd much prefer to be locked away in our room, rolling between the sheets along with some champagne on ice." Helena coyly suggests.
I can easily get behind that. For a moment, I am taken aback by her beauty; walking with hands in her pockets, knit cap covering her ears, jacket buttoned all the way up to keep out the chill. She pays careful attention to her steps. It's impossible to tire of seeing her bundled up against the cold, casually walking down the street with me. There are certainly a good number of people on the streets, but for the most part they are headed towards the New Town and wandering over there.
Suddenly, I am overcome with a need to kiss her. No one else is walking down this particular close, we're alone, it's as quiet as it can get on a day like today and the tall buildings keep out some of the wind chill. I pull her hand from her pocket to steady her once we reach a landing and gently press her against the wall and hand rail.
"Oh." she quietly says at the contact of her back against the wall. My hands find the lapels of her (my) jacket to keep her in place, my right knee angles itself between her thighs, pressing into her just enough to cause Helena to emit another short exasperation. Her arms snake around my waist to pull me closer.
Helena leans her lips towards mine, desperate to connect with my skin in this cold. I press into her further, meeting her slightly opened mouth. My heart pounds as my tongue extends to touch hers: warm, soft and wet. The arms that were once around my waist are now securely resting at my sides, her hands in the back pockets of my jeans. When I need to catch my breath, I tilt my head so it's beneath her chin where I tug to loosen her scarf as to kiss and lick the hollow of her neck. I moan against the smooth skin there, trailing my lower lip upwards and kissing my way back towards her mouth.
"Happy New Year." I say with a smile. When I move my leg that was against her, I immediately feel the wetness that I've accumulated in this little endeavor. The sensation of being so turned on by this woman is certainly something to which I happily grow accustom. I imagine Helena feels the same way as I watch her adjust her pants and jacket.
When we part from the kiss, we finish walking down the stairs and I look up and down the street for somewhere to buy alcohol, not as though it is difficult to find a place. More and more people are accumulating on the streets, but we find a shop that still has plenty of good champagne and snacks for later.
Somewhere in the back of Helena's mind, I think she had this planned all along.