***For organization's sake this whole chapter is the unnecessarily added, gratuitous couple time. That includes explicit sexual content but by today's standards it's probably *yawns*. Nevertheless, if you feel like giving these two dorks privacy, this chapter has nothing to do with the plot and you're missing absolutely nothing by sitting this one out. Chapter 24 will be up by tomorrow night after I finish with a couple more edits! :)***
Reader: Thank you!
I began to remove my boots. I trembled and my heart raced; but this time it came from delightful anticipation, not anxiety.
Valek sat beside me on the bed. He took my hand and brushed his lips across my wrist.
I leaned forward and kissed him, steadily rousing the hunger that had lain dormant between us.
My hands glided through his hair and down his arms with warm familiarity that filled my heart with light.
He broke the kiss abruptly when I began to unbutton his shirt. Assessing me with cautious eyes, he asked if this was what I really wanted. And safely knowing that I could always change my mind, I only grinned and nodded. Yes. Absolutely yes.
I laughed as the feel of Valek's body beside mine brought nothing but complete happiness the entire night. His eyes shone at my enthusiasm when I only encouraged and pulled him closer. Hesitant, halting Is this alright? and Is this too much? soon became steadfast Tell me what you want. Tell me what you need, love.
I teased him, "What I need? Shouldn't you have a pretty good idea by now?"
"I like being thorough." He chuckled and pressed his forehead to mine. I tasted his warm breath against my lips. "And I like listening to you."
"It's nice to know the Liaison will always have a fan during dull diplomatic talks about corn."
"Ah, but corn is such an important commodity. Although," He kissed below my ear and whispered, "I had hoped to keep the Liaison's mind off work tonight. She's been working so hard as of late."
My breath caught at the admiration and esteem in his voice.
"And while I'm at it," Valek touched my lips with the tips of his fingers, "remind her of how much I love her."
Remind. I kissed his fingers and they began tracing my jaw.
"I can do this all night." He murmured.
It was beyond pleasure; beyond an ardent lover demonstrating his prowess and then using that to preclude and justify his own satiation.
I took his other hand and placed it on my calf. "To my neck."
He didn't hesitate to do so. His warm caress trailed upward.
It was beyond comfort.
I sighed and wished it was possible to be closer than we already were.
He reached my neck and drew me in for another kiss.
It was about achieving a most intimate understanding: How do I remind you of how precious you are to me?
I weaved my hands through his hair and kissed his sharp jaw. He pulled me close and I urged his caresses toward and down my lower back, delighting in the warm shivers they brought.
I buried my face in his neck as he gently massaged my shoulders. He established a steadier hold and eased me onto my back.
Valek leaned over me and pressed slow, lingering kisses up my chest as the tips of his fingers trailed up my thighs. His hands stopped at my hips and his lips at my neck when the position enticed a more enthusiastic moan.
My senses proceeded to heighten to every murmur, every caress, and every affectionate glance until I could only sigh from the bliss of it all.
"I adore you, Yelena." He murmured fondly against my collarbone. "I adore your kindness, your perception, your resilience."
I giggled. "Flatterer."
He looked up in mock affront. "You think you can do better?"
"Well I am the Liaison." But eager to meet the challenge, I turned my head and kissed his hand affectionately. "I love you, Valek. I love your loyalty, your generosity, your integrity, your…" I smirked as I reached up to brush a strand of hair aside. "...abilities as a lover."
He laughed and admitted defeat.
"Always have your remarks reflect the immediate situation." I said.
"Indeed…" He purred. I gasped when he abruptly cupped my breasts, his thumbs teasing my nipples relentlessly. He brushed his lips across mine with a wicked grin. "And as the Liaison's loyal lover, I should do everything in my power to bolster her credibility by keeping her honest. It's the generous thing to do."
"…You forgot integrity." I congratulated myself on still being able to speak, let alone process half of what he had just said.
"I didn't." He whispered, his warm breath tickling my ear. "Because we both know I'd have no intention of stopping until you are completely satisfied."
I laughed, arching towards his touch while my hands slipped beneath the pillow, relishing the feel of the soft, warm sheets against my skin. My legs fell open as his caresses journeyed lower and lower. He pressed his lips to mine as they glided up and down my sides and across my abdomen. There was no hurry or goal as we just focused on becoming intimately reacquainted over the next several hours.
At some point, I murmured his name and wrapped my arms around his neck. When he leaned in close, I told him what I needed.
He watched me carefully as he slipped his hand between my legs, dipping sensuously into the liquid that had accumulated there.
I shut my eyes with a soft whimper when he began to stroke me lightly. He paused and kissed my ear and the side of my face. "Do you want me to continue, love?"
Eyes still closed and arms still locked around his neck, I smiled and nodded. "Yes. Don't stop…so good…" I trailed off into incoherent moans when his other hand traced down my face and neck to my ribs. My hands relaxed around his shoulders as the rest of my body reacted to his warm touch and kisses; a most thorough excursion of all the erogenous areas of my body.
And he never stopped stroking, patiently coaxing out the full extent of my arousal.
When the ache reached its peak, I called out his name, pausing the ministrations. "Now."
He didn't feign ignorance. He didn't make me beg.
Meanwhile, years of acquaintance and experience with my body had taught him the perfect amount of pressure and speed to apply to my clitoris.
"Faster." I called out when I was close.
His fingers quickened and I gripped his shoulders, silently glad that I had carefully trimmed and filed my nails prior to this.
My entire body stilled for the climax. There was a twinge of impatience as my breath strained and I waited.
Then, in one latching, ecstatic wave, it finally came. His hand lingered and didn't stop, gliding me through it. Eventually, I clasped his wrist and signaled him with a satisfied nod.
Valek brushed his lips against the side of my flushed face as I lay gasping and reveling in the aftermath. My legs drifted comfortably closed and I curled onto my side.
I faced him and yawned, my head all too aware of the soft pillow it rested on, and my skin of the warm blanket; surrounded by his scent and essence. "Hold me." I murmured drowsily.
"Then come closer. You're too far away, love."
From the edge of the bed, I made a pathetic attempt to do so. "Can't move. Nap first." I sighed with great resignation.
Between incredulous laughter, "You're getting worse than Kiki!"
"Your fault." I smirked as I shut my heavy eyelids.
But the bed dipped and warm arms encased me, pulling me toward a steady heartbeat that matched mine. It was always nice to have a considerate lover.
When I woke, Valek was stroking my hair, at its ends, where it splayed on the pillow we shared. He grinned at my satisfaction and my hand found his beneath the covers...a silent, mutual signal for more.
I interlaced our fingers and playfully pinned him down beneath me. His contagious laughter warmed the room better than any fireplace. As I placed a trail of kisses across his shoulder, musk and the indescribable, yet delightfully familiar scent of my lover quickly aroused me again.
His free hand tangled in the stray strands of hair that kept getting in the way. "Wait."
I stopped and watched as he gently gathered the black tresses to one side and braided them. "We'll put this aside for now, love."
Lying back down, he softly beckoned me to him again. But, playfully running a hand up his leg, I did not oblige him.
Instead of yanking me down as he could have easily done, he sat up and took my hands, pressing them to his chest.
He tried unsuccessfully to kiss me while I teasingly pressed my lips to his jaw. When he leaned in again, I became preoccupied with nibbling on his ear. A third attempt failed when I ducked my head at the last second to brush my lips across his chest. I couldn't stifle a giggle at his disappointed groan.
He shivered when my hands not only lingered, but began to wander. "...Yelena." He managed to say when I evaded him yet again.
"Hmm?"
"Kiss me already."
"Alright." I kissed his sternum, near his heart.
Before he could make another sound of protest I pressed my lips to his.
Valek laughed against my mouth and I heard myself sigh at the taste of him.
I nudged him back down onto the pillows and glided my knee slowly up his calves and my hands across his toned abdomen. I took my time to trace each and every scar, enticing delighted trembling.
My eyes widened when his arms abruptly snaked around me, gathering me to him. His hands began to trace the scars on my back and I moaned softly. "Returning the favor?"
"Always." Valek murmured into my neck. I felt his hard organ against my hip.
"Now?" I asked as we broke apart to catch our breaths.
He moaned and kissed my cheek when I stroked him. "Now."
I gripped his shaft and moved with familiar confidence. When he tensed, I slowed and loosened my grip. He nodded in approval when I gradually began again, only to end in a similar fashion. My face flushed as I listened to him vocalize his prolonged pleasure with each repetition.
Eventually he reached down and lightly clasped my wrist, breaking the cycle. His voice was hoarse. "Finish it, love. Please."
I maintained a steady pace until I felt the warmth of his release. He relaxed and sighed deeply against my neck. His arms curled around me as I reached over and dipped my hand into the wash basin on the nightstand beside the bed.
I turned back to him and smiled as he took my hand and kissed it reverently. He undid the braid and idly ran his hand through my hair. "I love you."
We slipped into a relaxed intermission in the quiet of the night, making small talk. The moon shone through the window, bathing us in its ethereal light.
At one point, I propped myself up on one hand and was content to simply watch and admire Valek as he laid beside me for a minute.
Valek played idly with my hand and smiled up at me. "What are you thinking about, love?"
"How good it feels." I laid down and rested my head on his chest.
He chuckled, the warm sound reverberating against my cheek. "Which part? I'll be sure to do it more often."
I blinked and considered.
"Everything." I replied after I had gathered my thoughts. "I didn't really realize I was feeling better. You'd think there'd be some grand epiphany or at the very least, a party."
"A party?"
"You know, dancing through the trees...my hair billowing behind me as I spread my arms wide and feel nothing but complete, magical recovery. It'd pulse through my veins and my whole body...that sort of thing."
Valek made an amused noise but ever the analyst, added, "It might be because it's the wrong season, love. You're so attuned to survival your body might have forgone that to ensure you didn't catch a cold."
"What a shame, what a shame." But I grinned and looked at him. "Ah well. This is better anyways."
"I very much agree."
Our eyes met and I wanted to remember this moment forever.
He understood as he pulled the duvet up more securely around us. "We won't go to sleep yet."
I could only smile at him. "I love you."
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