Free Web NovelChapter 513: Wanting
There were no more excuses to be had. Irene was cornering him, so Henry knew it was time to be a man and stop walking around the truth.
"Irene, I’m not avoiding you," Henry was finally able to explain to his wife. "I’m just holding myself back so I don’t overwhelm you with how much I want you and how much I’ve been missing you. I only had you for a few days, but you found desire inside of me that I didn’t realize was there. Now I’m trying to relearn how to wait. I only want to make sure you’re okay first."
Her heart thudded so miserably in her chest. How foolish they were to be thinking the same things, but too immature to know how to express that to one another.
"I just needed time to gather myself and accept a world without my dad in it," Irene admitted, her voice taking on a more sad edge than before. "But you gave me the time I needed."
"What are you saying, my love?" Henry asked, trying not to get ahead of himself. He kissed her hands as he tried to hold himself back. "You’re going to get my hopes up."
Irene dared to lift his chin so he was forced to look at her.
"I’m saying that if you’re intent on keeping yourself away from me, it’s going to ruin my plans for the evening," she admitted, biting the inside of her cheek. She couldn’t believe what she was saying.
"What are your plans?" Henry asked. fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓
Irene’s hand left Henry’s face. Since men were visual creatures, she would have to show him rather than explain. She kicked off her boots and scooted backwards onto the bed.
"You’re going to have to help me get out of my clothes then I’ll be able to explain my intentions better."
Something that had worked on Henry when they were first married was convincing him through flesh. With that in mind, she loosened the string of her tunic by pulling on her collar. Her pale, freckled shoulders were revealed to her husband. The lack of a chemise underneath her clothing was an obvious choice. Her shirt had been thick enough not to need one, but now it was lucky that it was convenient.
Henry was quick on the uptake, and before Irene could even take a breath, her husband was crawling over her as if he were a dire wolf and she was a raw pile of flesh. When his lips connected to her neck, she realized perhaps that’s really what she was. An involuntary gasp escaped her lips.
It wasn’t fair that he was overwhelming her so easily, but how could he not be when all he wore were sleeping pants? His warm body within her grasp was too much. She had forgotten there was tension between them at all.
She could hardly think anymore as he began to delicately remove all of her clothing despite the rush that he was clearly in. Each bit of flesh revealed to him was met with a gentle kiss and a sigh as if he was relieved that she still wanted him.
Even though this was their room and no one dared interrupt the Duke when he was behind closed doors, Irene couldn’t help as Henry went lower and she pushed her hands over her mouth so the noises she was suddenly very aware of would be muffled. She was still a bit shy, especially considering the candles in their room were lit, and she was now bare for the world to see.
Before he could get too carried away, Irene prodded at his arm and pulled at him until she got his attention. Once on top of her and looking down at her curiously, Irene requested, "Please, Henry. I’ve been waiting just as long as you have."
"Your wish is my command," he whispered just before their lips connected and, shortly after, their bodies.
Even though it had been weeks, Irene’s body came alive as if no time had passed since the last time they made love. It was a mutually satisfying dance between them.
The dessert brought by the maid was forgotten for a long while. When the two of them came out the other side, they laughed that the dessert had at some point fallen over and was likely less beautiful than when the maid offered it to them, they laughed together as they finally got to share their treat. freewebnσvel.cøm
Henry took care of Irene so tenderly after that. It was all he could do to show his appreciation of giving herself to him after what felt like so long, but it wasn’t as if she got nothing from their lovemaking. She had never felt more connected to another person. He was also helping her discover things about her physical being that she was unaware were possible.
With the blankets pulled to her chest, she was spoon-fed dessert until there wasn’t a bit left. As Henry gave her the last bite and put the tray towards the door so it wouldn’t bother them anymore, Irene settled into the pillows more heavily.
Once Henry was at her side again and cuddled up to her, Irene couldn’t help her tired confession as she muttered, "Let’s never do that again. I never want to be without you at night for so long."
Irene could feel his smile as he gently kissed her shoulder, even though she was facing away from him as they spooned with one another. She placed an arm over where his was wrapped around her waist.
"Your wish is my command," Henry whispered. "I feel pathetic. As if I were starved without you wanting me at night... When I’ve faced true starvation in my life."
"You will never starve again," Irene quietly promised as she closed her eyes, beginning to truly settle down.
Whether she meant her husband’s appetite behind closed doors or truly starving wasn’t said. However, she knew that both would be more than possible. She never planned on straying far from Henry and she would fight with everything she had to put food on the table for them both.
