“Eventually we will need breakfast,” she said, shifting onto her side.
Henry scowled and stood, nudging her back down on her back and kissing her soundly. “I ordered a tray, and it should be here any moment. Now stop moving. You are being a most aggravating muse.”
A shimmer of unexpected pleasure rang through her. “Your muse?”
Henry did not respond, just darted his focus between his sketchbook and her before closing it with a contented sigh. “I hadn’t been able to draw anything that pleased me for months.” He put the book aside and crawled towards her on the bed. “Until you.” He punctuated each word with a kiss. “And now I am pleased with my art, so I can please you.”
Ellie giggled even as heat dashed through her, throwing her arms around his neck to pull him close. “What do you plan to do with that drawing?”
He groaned, tugging the sheet away from her body and pulling her flush against him. “I spent a great deal of time imagining what you would look like without clothing, and the reality is much better. I intend to memorize you and keep you close, so no drawing will be necessary.”
Her mind raced as he brought his lips to her jaw, dropping kisses down her neck and across her shoulder.
“A question,” she said, pulling herself away from his mouth. “When you say, ‘a great deal of time,’ could you perhaps… clarify that?”
Henry looked comically puzzled for a moment before taking her lips again. “More than an hour, less than a lifetime.”
She swatted his shoulder. “You are not very helpful.”
“I rarely am.” He tugged her tight nipple in his mouth and made all thoughts dissolve like morning fog.
This is why it is beneficial to take a lover with experience,she thought as his lips and hands moved over her body in concert, drawing pleasure from every nerve, until she was panting and hungry with want.
How long would it take for him to tire of her and find someone more interesting? Nothing bound them together, and he made no indication of wanting more than a physical relationship. How would she survive seeing him marry another woman? Henry promised he would end the engagement, but did he mean it? When he had to look his father and Miss Brightling in the eye, would Ellie be enough to convince him to walk away?
Ellie squeezed her eyes shut for a moment, trying to push the pestilential thoughts from her mind as her throat tightened.
Henry propped himself on his elbows and considered her. “What’s happened? Are you all right?”
No, she wanted to say, to scream.I want to know if this means something, if you’ll grow tired of me. If you’ll ever want to be seen by my side.
If you would abandon your fiancée for me.
If you love me like I love you.
“I’m fine,” she replied, her voice tight. “Nervous about going back to England.”
Henry gave her a curt nod and wrapped his arms around her, rolling until she sat straddling his waist. Ellie gasped and nearly laughed at the pleased expression on his face. “If you’re nervous,” he said, cupping one breast in his palm and caressing her nipple to an impossibly tight peak, “I suggest you spend some time finding what makes you happy.” He arched his hips, pressing his erection against her sex, eliciting a gasp and shudder.
Pursing her lips, Ellie shifted until his tip aligned with her center. “Guide me home, my love,” he rasped, his eyes blazing as she threaded a hand between them and impaled herself on his length.
My love. My love my love my love.
The words echoed through her head like a song, an ancient melody in time with the rhythm of their bodies moving together, the notes new and exciting but somehow comforting.Home.
Even as they chased their pleasure together, Ellie knew this could not last. Henry was the sun, burning bright and bringing warmth and life and joy to his surroundings. Ellie would only blind herself by looking at him too long, and would watch her wings melt if she flew too close before tumbling back to earth.
When they had each found release, she collapsed against his chest, tracing lines over his belly, watching the muscles tense under her touch. “Where are we?” she whispered.
“On a boat, my darling.”
She pinched his nipple and he jumped with a laugh. “Still being unhelpful.”
He stroked her hair off her forehead. “I believe we’re in port at Lisbon. We should be departing shortly, once the new passengers have boarded.”
His voice was uncharacteristically tense, and she pushed up to her elbows to get a better look at him. His eyes were distant, unfocused. “Henry,” she said, and he started. “Are you well?”
He nodded, then gave her a brilliant grin. “Simply tired.Someonekept me up last night.”
