Chapter 32
Sandor could sense that dawn was near, so many years of waking to train and being on the battlefield had honed his awareness of the changes of the night. He had never slept so peacefully. No dreams or thoughts haunted him. He kept his eyes closed, breathing in the salty, citrus scented air. He could feel Shalene with him but she wasn't next to him.
He felt a loss at that but as always in the mornings, his cock was hard as steel. He slowly opened his eyes and found Shalene facing him, watching him sleep, she smiled at him as his eyes opened. He desperately wanted to touch her but he held back. He realized that his leg was thrown, protectively over her hip yet, she hadn't moved. Their upper bodies were close, but not touching and again, he didn't want to ruin this moment by pushing her into anything she might not want, he moved his hand between them to cover himself and hold his throbbing cock to his own body. He knew he was going to have to move soon, he was too aroused and he hadn't been with a woman in many weeks. He could feel his cock throbbing in time with his pounding heart. He closed his eyes and tried to slow his breathing and control his body. his body shook when her felt her hand on his, moving it from his cock. He met her gaze and could barely speak, desire thick in his deep, rasping voice," Shalene, If you touch me, your going to make me lose control. It's been so long, I can barely lay here with you. I.."
He lost his train of thought as she took him in her hand, leaned to his chest and rubbed her face in the hair on his chest, breathing deeply. She heard him moan and felt his hands in her hair holding her head and she inhaled his scent over and over, her hand moving slowly up and down the length of him. He held her to him in a desperate gentleness. Breathing heavily, unable and unwilling to hold back the sounds and words of pleasure that he spoke to her.
She felt the familiar changes in his body and she knew he couldn't hold back much longer. He moved his hips against her, slowly fucking into her hand, holding her as she felt the muscles of his thighs, stomach and arms tense, his grip in her hair would have been painful if it wasn't so arousing. She felt his cock pulsing and heard him groan long and deep, calling her name, his body shaking in his release. She bit his nipple just hard enough to make him growl and thrust himself roughly against her as his essence exploded on her stomach and hand. They lay there for several minutes, lost in the lingering feel of being together again, in even this brief way. Sandor wrapped his arms around her and held her to him, they were both relaxed and he dared to believe that he could fix this. He had done what everyone said to do, gave her time, and she came to him. He wouldn't press this. He would watch and follow her lead. He wasn't going to be a fool again.
They finally made it to the bath, it was comforting to the both of them not to have so much tension between them. It was a start. Sandor would be with Edgar, Bronn, and Tyrion much of the day, making himself familiar with his holdings, meeting others, generally beginning to learn how to be The Lord he now was. Shalene would be making sure things were in order for the feast and the arrival of her Father, who was to arrive that evening with his troops and entourage from King's Landing. Shalene led Sandor onto the balcony off the bath and sat him down, he enjoyed having her shave him and trim his beard. He kept his hand on her hip as she did this, listening to her talk and answering at times.
She said," Your hair is so long and beautiful, Sandor. I know you only let it grow because I like it. You haven't lived in an area like this, and I won't presume to tell you how to dress or anything, but maybe just some advice, I know you like your hair to cover your scar, I can braid it where it still does that, but isn't so hot on your neck and back. It does get hot here. It would be more comfortable for you. I know you like your leather breeches, I like you in them too..., but as you will just be on the grounds today, you might be more comfortable in the lighter fabrics."
Sandor pulled her to him, slid his hands under the tunic she wore, and when she didn't stop him, raised it up and took a breast in each hand, softly biting and sucking on each nipple. She rested her hands on his shoulder and arched her back towards his mouth, their eyes met as he pulled away. That sultry, predatory look that drove him wild, was there. She kissed him long and passionately and said," This can wait until later, Sandor. I'm not going anywhere." He stood up, wrapped his arms around her and carried her to their room.
He let her braid his hair, he had to admit that he like it, it was cooler. The braid was slightly loose, and she tied it with a leather thong. When she raised his arms and rubbed some type of oil in his armpits, he said," Hells, woman. What is that for? Do I smell already?"
Shalene laughed and replied," No, Hound! You will sweat more here, you'll see. Trust me! And no, you don't smell. And you will even less so now." She had laid out colors that he normally wouldn't wear, but he would for her. His boots were a very soft, smoky grey, very comfortable and fit his feet perfectly. His breeches were a lighter grey than his boots, a smooth linen that fit him well, and he could tell they were much cooler than his usual leather. He also found that with this type of breeches, he'd have to wear small clothes, they didn't hold everything as snugly as leather and definitely left nothing to the imagination. Shalene said she didn't mind, but he wasn't going to walk around in front of other women like that! His tunic was a fine, thin linen, loosely laced down to the middle of his chest. It fit his chest and shoulder well, not too tight, and the color was a deep blue.
Shalene licked her lips as she watched his body move and his muscles roll and flex as he buckled on his sword belt, dagger, then slid the sheath of the one he carried at his back under his sword belt and then bent to slide the last one into his boot. He stood up to his full, towering height, rolled his shoulders and offered Shalene his arm and said," My Lady." She nodded appreciatively as her gaze roamed over her man, wrapped her hand in the crook of his arm and said," Yes, My Lord. I am YOUR Lady." They left their rooms to break their fast with the others in the dining hall.