Chapter 15 The Honeymoon Begins
I am working on a more detailed chapter that I will post in the M section, but I wanted to have something for everyone. I hope you enjoy.
The Windsor is ready for them and they are swept up to the honeymoon suite where a light supper and iced champagne have been laid out for them. Crystal champagne flutes twinkle in the soft light of the fire. The room is softly lit and very inviting. "This is lovely," Phryne says to Jack with a soft smile. She is suddenly overcome with shyness. Swallowing convulsively she moves toward the fireplace to warm her cold hands. She doesn't know why she is nervous; she knows she has plenty of experience, but not with a man who truly matters to her. Someone whose body, heart and soul she wants for her very own. What does one do when the sex is the beginning of the rest of your life she muses as she stares into the flames? She wonders if Jack is nervous. He seems so calm, cool and collected and he is so handsome in his tuxedo she notes as she watches him surreptitiously from beneath her lashes. She feels heat beginning to suffuse her body.
Jack is incredibly nervous though he is trying not to show this to Phryne. He has only ever been with Rosie while Phryne has vast experience. How can he compete? As he looks at Phryne standing by the fireplace he draws in his breath. She is ethereal standing there in her wedding gown, the flames dancing off of the silk and the crystals, her pale flawless skin glowing. "I agree. This suite is lovely. I'm glad you approve of my choice for the evening," Jack says quietly to her as he moves toward their private bathroom, "I'll be back in a few minutes." She nods, glad for a few minutes to compose her tangled thoughts. Once in the bathroom with the door shut he looks at himself in the mirror. Concerned eyes stare back at him. He takes a deep calming breath attempting to reign in his uncertainly as he looks at his reflection in the mirror.
Looking at his image in the glass he thinks, "This is ridiculous. Get ahold of yourself Robinson! Phryne – the woman you love more than you can even begin to verbalize is here, wearing your ring. You have been waiting for this moment for such a long time. Everything is going to be ok. You are safe with her and besides tonight is only the first of many." Shaking his head ruefully at his reflection he washes his hands and face, brushes his teeth, and combs his hair glad he had the foresight to send their luggage ahead. He feels calmer performing these mundane normal tasks.
He goes back into the suite once again his breath hitching at how striking she is standing in the fire light. "The bathroom is all yours," he says quietly moving to her side the slightest quiver in his deep voice, "I'll pour the champagne if you want to wash." "I would like that," Phryne says moving gracefully away her dress swishing slightly. She takes her time, her nerves causing her hands to shake as she finally reapplies her lipstick. She shakes her head sheepishly. She has never once been concerned about how a lover would perceive her. She feels vulnerable and it scares her. She hears the sound of the champagne bottle cork, its distinctive pop echoing into the bathroom. "This is Jack," she whispers to the slightly scared face in the mirror, "He won't exploit your fears." Upon saying these words she relaxes slightly and leaves the bathroom.
As Jack watches her cross the room from beneath his long lashes, noting her slight tremor, he visibly relaxes. She is nervous also and the realization cheers him. He hands her a glass of the bubbly champagne and gazes down at her with hooded eyes. The wireless is playing soft music in the background. Jack takes a sip of the champagne as does Phryne. He sets his glass on the fireplace mantle and turning back to her he says huskily, "Waltz with me Phryne." At her slight nod he takes her glass and sets it beside his on the mantle. She moves into his arms, grateful for the suggestion of dancing. He tugs her close and they move slowly around the room waltzing to the tune on the wireless. When the song ends they stop dancing. She gazes up at him, her fears giving way to desire. Her blue eyes darken with passion causing Jack to catch his breath. Ever so gently, as if afraid she might run, he dips his head and brushes her lips with his.
Phryne waits as Jack begins placing soft kisses along her jaw and down her neck. He kisses the skin of her shoulders, light feathery kisses that make her long for more. Jack may not realize it, but he is a gifted kisser and she aches for him to ravish her mouth. He kisses down her arm and back up capturing her mouth again, this time deepening the kiss while his hands softly move over her back and then up her sides just brushing the swell of her breasts before moving to tangle in her silky hair. Groaning softly he pulls her closer until they are molded together, his kisses more insistent, his tongue seeking entrance into her soft warm mouth. Yielding to him she presses her body closer to him wanting to feel all of him, needing to feel his skin against hers.
Impatient hands push his tuxedo jacket off of his broad shoulders and Jack allows it to fall to the floor before placing his hands on her hips his thumbs rhythmically rubbing her hip bones. "Definitely lethal," he says with a lopsided grin. Phryne smiles and moves to undo his tie. "You seem a bit warm Inspector," she quips as she loosens the tie and unbuttons his collar exposing his neck. Jack swallows, his Adam's apple moving and catching her attention. She kisses it and the rest of his neck as well breathing in his unique scent. She nuzzles his neck. "I adore the way you smell," she remarks, "it's irresistible." Jack blushes slightly and pulls her into a searing kiss. Phryne melts against him, all nervousness washing away as their mutual passion flares between them.
When they are both breathless Jack lifts his head and traces his finger along the skin that is exposed between the beading details of the dress. He then kisses her again his hands running along her back, feeling for the bow on the dress and pulling it loose. Phryne grins beneath his lips. She takes the opportunity to begin unbuttoning his shirt. Jack lets her; he is enjoying the touch of her small hands moving over him. He kisses her neck, letting his tongue softly stroke the hollow of her throat. He feels the rapid beating of her heart and he places a soft kiss there as well letting her pulse beat against his gentle lips. His hands are not still either. They are exploring her contours beneath the dress. He is thoroughly entranced by the idea that he can touch her wherever he likes and he allows himself to run his hands across her bottom pulling her to him letting her know just how much he is enjoying the freedom he has with his wife. As she meets his obvious desire Phryne lets out a soft moan of need.
Even though Jack is distracting her with his hands and lips, Phryne succeeds in unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it free from his trousers. With a growl of victory she runs her hands underneath it along his firm flanks the silk of his union suit sliding across her searching fingers. She sighs in delight as her hands feel the hard muscles of his back and the scars that are slightly raised beneath the silk before moving around to the flat planes of his stomach stopping to rest on his waistband before reaching to remove his cufflinks and putting them carefully on the table. She then very slowly removes his shirt revealing his sleeveless union suit shirt. She can see the hair of his chest curling above the neckline of the underwear now and puts her fingers into it, scratching lightly before pulling him close for a passion filled kiss her fingers lightly brushing across his chest catching his nipples along the way. Jack growls kissing her more fiercely and pulling her tight against him allowing her to feel his arousal again.
Her hands move between them to the buttons of his pants, her fingers fumbling, brushing against him. Jack twitches pulling her hands up to his lips, "Let me," he says his voice almost a whisper. "If you insist Inspector," she says a bit breathlessly. Putting a bit of distance between them and sitting down on one of the chairs in the room, Jack unlaces and removes his shoes very conscious of Phryne's gaze on him. He moves back to her, an idea coming to him, "Phryne hold my hands." She does so slightly confused but coloring prettily as his intention dawns on her. Holding her smoldering gaze, Jack brings their hands to the buttons of his trousers, slowly unbuttoning each of the buttons, slowly, oh so slowly. When at last the final button is undone, he moves their joined hands to the waist band of his pants and pushes them over his hips. They fall silently to puddle around his ankles. Jack brings Phryne's hands to his shoulders and traces her lips with his tongue, slipping elegantly out of his trousers, kicking them away and standing before her in his union suit and socks. "Why Jack, I would have taken you for a long sleeved, long pant union suit man," Phryne says impishly, her gaze devouring him, taking in his muscled arms and legs, well defined chest, his erection straining against the silk of the shorts – he is still far too covered up for her taste! "I told you once before Miss Fisher that it is a tactical error to think you have me figured out just yet," Jack quips back his eyes shining with laughter. "I remember," Phryne purrs, "and I am glad to hear it!" She moves to kiss him, starting at his jaw and moving down his body until she has to kneel to continue her exploration. She licks her lips, but Jack sensing her intent quickly pulls her to stand against him. "Not yet Phryne," he says his eyes dark with desire, "You are overdressed for the occasion." Phryne shivers in anticipation her heart fluttering in her chest.
Jack kneels before her and unbuckles her shoes, slipping them from her feet and running his hands up her legs relishing the feel of the silk covering her legs beneath his exploring fingers. He stands again, drawing her in for a kiss, his hands brushing over her wedding gown causing her to shiver again. Jack feathers kisses down her neck and shoulders turning her away from him and kissing her back where it is exposed. His hands run down her sides and snake around to explore her stomach and Jack pulls her tight against him. He places his hands on her shoulders letting them slide down her arms to hold her hands before wrapping his arms around her and pulling her hips back against him, whispering into her ear, "You feel divine my love." She responds with a slight moan, "As do you Jack."
He releases her and his hands move to the buttons of her gown undoing each one allowing his fingers to brush the skin each button exposes and following those touches with feathery kisses and brushing her skin with his eyelashes, enjoying the little moans and gasps this activity causes Phryne to release. Jack is on the edge of losing control, the feel of her skin making him wish to strip the gown from her body with little thought to its ruin. He stills fighting to discipline his desire for her. "Jack, are you alright?" her soft concerned voice asks penetrating his contemplation.
Truth time is here. He strokes the exposed skin of her back placing kisses along her vertebrae "I am more than alright. You are so incredibly beautiful. I have never had an experience like this night. I don't want it to end and it has been so long for me that I expect it will be a short evening," he confesses sheepishly against the skin of her back, "I want so much for this night to be perfect."
"Jack, please come here," Phryne says patiently. Jack comes around to face her. She places a gentle hand over his heart, "We have a lifetime for perfection and besides, the night is young." Jack is deeply moved by her reassurance and kisses her hands before locking gazes with her. As he looks into her eyes seeing that she is feeling vulnerable as well, he slips the gown from her shoulders. He allows the dress to fall as far as it will before breaking the communication of their eyes to feast his gaze on her alabaster body.
Jack sucks in a ragged breath; so beautiful; all his. In a sudden movement Jack sweeps Phryne up in his arms and he captures her mouth in a burning kiss as he carries her toward the bed. He sits on the edge cradling Phryne in his arms, kissing her as if he is dying and she is his life source. Somewhere in his befuddled brain he realizes that she is kissing him back just as fiercely. Jack, operating on instinct not experience at this point drops kisses along her neck his hands and fingers searching and moving them into the future.
Later, much later they lay in each other's arms sleeping. Jack's body curls perfectly around Phryne his arm across her waist, her body pulled close against his warmth. They sleep the sleep of the physically and emotionally sated; neither one has a nightmare this night. The shadows are held in abeyance by the love flowing between them, their hearts beating as one.