We stayed in that tight embrace for a long time, neither one of us wanting to relinquish the other. I felt Mr P soften and slip from me, a warm gush of fluid following his slow retreat, but even that didn't break the embrace. I think we may have even dozed for a while in each other's arms as we sat on that kitchen chair.
I didn't realise just how long we'd been in that same position, until I raised my head and saw that the kitchen was darkening. Shaking myself all over, like a dreamer resurfacing from some deep sleep, I stroked the back of Mr P's head and kissed his cheek. His arms were still securely wrapped about my body, his fingers locked into position against my skin. It felt entirely too wonderful and I didn't want to break the contact, but we just couldn't stay here all night.
I drew back, stroking his face, his neck, as I planted light kisses against his brow. Sighing faintly, Mr P came to, turning his face towards my questing lips, as his lips met mine in a warm, soft kiss.
"Come on," I said gently, as I shifted sideways and removed myself from his lap, being sure to retain my grasp on his hands as I drew him up and out of the chair.
The towels forgotten, I led him down the hall and into his bedroom. Guiding him over to his bed, I gently pushed him back onto it, laying him on his back and making sure he was comfortable. I sat beside him, looking at his face, touching it with my fingers as I stroked a lock of his hair back from his brow. I smiled gently at him before leaning down to brush a light kiss against his lips.
I stood up and made to leave, but his hand shot out and stopped me. "Where are you going?" There was a quiet desperation in his voice, a fear of being left, so faint, so well hidden that you might not even have noticed it if you didn't know any better, but I did and it made my heart ache again for him.
I turned back and squeezed his hand, smiling in reassurance. "I'll be right back," I told him softly. "I promise." And in those two words I infused all the truth I could possibly muster for his sake. He let my hand go, although his eyes were still clouded with a hint of doubt. It broke my heart to see; that he had such trouble trusting in a promise, that I silently cursed his ex wife for all the pain she'd caused him. "I promise, Sir," I whispered again for him.
I walked away from him slowly, but once out in the hall, I quickened my step and made my way back to the kitchen. He'd been right earlier. The body cannot subsist on lust alone. And the pangs of hunger that were cramping my stomach were not to be denied. If I was feeling this way, then how must Mr P be feeling? Although I must admit to myself that I didn't believe I could have much of an appetite after everything that had happened this afternoon.
Rummaging around in the kitchen, I threw together a couple of quick sandwiches, some fruit and cheese and two glasses of milk. Loading it all onto a tray, I made my way back into the bedroom and back to Mr P.
He'd been lying on the bed with an arm thrown over his eyes, looking for all the world like a man trying to settle issues with his inner demons. As soon as he heard me coming though, he quickly threw off the arm and sat up in the bed.
I smiled as I waved the tray at him. "Hungry?"
His smile was like sunshine breaking through the clouds and I felt a warm glow centre itself inside my chest. What I wouldn't give to see him smile like that every minute of every day. I walked over and placed the tray on his bedside table. Handing him a glass of milk, I took the other glass and set it beside the lamp, before retrieving the tray and plonking it lightly on Mr P's lap.
Being careful not to jostle, I crawled over his legs and tucked myself up against his side as Mr P held the tray steady. Snuggling against his side, I reached over and grabbed a piece of apple. Raising it to my lips, I bit it in half, a small dribble of juice leaking out to coat my bottom lip. I flicked my tongue out slowly to swipe up the errant dot, looking up at Mr P. His eyes were glued to my tongue and mouth and as I gave him a half smile, his eyes shot up to stare into mine.
My eyes gleamed with sinfully wicked thoughts as I dropped them to stare at his mouth. Raising my hand, I brought the piece of fruit up and gently smoothed it over his lips. Tracing it all around his fine, hard looking lips, his bottom jaw dropped a little, parting them, as I slid the fruit slowly back and forth between them, teasing him. Pressing the apple against his lips, he opened his mouth more, allowing me to slip the sustenance inside. I popped it in slowly, savouring the feeling and sight of it as it disappeared, savouring the feeling of seeing my small digit slip between his lips and into his mouth as well. His tongue moved against my finger, licking at its tip lightly before drawing it fully inside his mouth and sucking on it.
My eyelids fluttered as I raised my eyes to his, looking deep into his brown eyes; I smiled as I raised myself up and brought my lips to within millimetres of his. I flicked my tongue out and licked up the juice glistening on his lips. Mr P's light moan made me moan in turn as his tongue slid along my bottom lip.
Reluctantly pulling away, Mr P gave me a serious look. "If you keep that up you won't be eating much except me!" He said then chuckled, giving me a wink.
I blushed and giggled. "Mmm, well that would be a meal in itself." I said, licking my lips again.
Mr P's pained groan set my heart racing. "Erika! Behave!" He growled softly, which sent a shiver up my spine. I really couldn't get enough of this man. It seemed I constantly craved him, like an addict craved her crutch, dependent and aching for him every second I took a breath.
"Sorry Sir, I just can't help myself." I told him, trying to sound contrite but failing miserably.
"Oh I think you can, Honey, but you choose not to." He said with a sly smile. "Not that I'm complaining. But at least give a man a chance to get some food down. You don't want me passing out from hunger right at a crucial moment, now do you?"
"No, I guess not!" I replied with a big smile. "That'd definitely be a bit disappointing."
"And I so hate to disappoint you; Erika."
"I doubt whether you ever could, Mr P." I said with a small smile, though the look in my eyes was serious and the tone of my voice implied more that I was saying.
I was surprised to see Mr P's skin flush slightly in embarrassment. "I'll certainly try not to, Erika." He said and I could hear the promise in his voice.
His words sent a small thrill through my body as I stared up into his eyes once more. "Me too," I responded, knowing that he would understand. And he did as he smiled and leaned over to lightly brush a soft kiss across my parted lips.
As he drew back he smiled at me again. "Now eat," he ordered, taking on that persona of command so easily it sent another shiver through me. "You need to keep up your strength. I'm nowhere near finished with you yet!"
"Yes Sir." I responded automatically as I reached for my sandwich.
The next half hour passed in relative silence as we devoured the food set down on the tray. Not a scrap was left once we'd finished and I heard Mr P sigh in contentment as he placed the empty tray and glasses on the bedside drawer. He sat back against the headboard and stretched, yawning wide as he rubbed a hand over his full stomach. "Mmmmm," he groaned in satisfaction. "Erika, that was just what the doctor ordered! Thank you."
"You're welcome, Mr P." I replied.
Mr P draped an arm over my shoulder, tucking me in against his side as he scooted down the bed, until he was stretched out and comfortable. I lay with my head on his shoulder and I quickly hooked a knee over his thigh. Sighing, I relaxed against him as I felt him clasp my free hand as he brought it up to rest on his chest. I could feel the steady thud of his heartbeat beneath my fingertips and I closed my eyes and smiled in contentment too.
Mr P's fingers stroked lightly back and forth on my hand, and his breathing echoed in my ear, slow and languid. I sighed. The emotionally wrought afternoon, the food and his close proximity all combined to make me one very tired girl. I yawned, snuggling closer to get comfortable. I felt his arm tighten around my shoulders and heard his big exhale of breath. He was just as tired as I was.
I felt my body relaxing, sinking down until I was just on the edge of sleep. I sleepily tried to snuggle even closer to his body, which was humanly impossible, but I still tried nonetheless. Shifting my hand from his chest to hug around his waist, I pulled myself tighter against him as I softly sighed, "Mine."
Just before I dropped off into slumber land I felt him shift his head and bring his lips to press against my brow, and I heard his low words. "Mmm, mine too." He said softly before I finally succumbed to the need for sleep.
~
I awakened to the sound of shrill ringing. I groggily tried to rub the sleep from my eyes but I just couldn't bring myself up and out of the land of nod that fast. I heard Mr P groan beside me, his warm body still pressed against mine, his arm thrown over my waist. We'd spent the entire night, tangled together in some way or form, always touching if not cuddling, awakening a couple of times during the night to make slow, languorous love. But now, Mr P had to remove his arm from me and roll over. I heard his hand as it searched out the culprit of that incessant ringing. I realised it was his mobile phone when he flopped back against his pillow, flipped it open and brought it to his ear.
"Mmm, Hello?" Mr P answered groggily.
I couldn't make out what was being said on the other end of the phone call, so all I got was Mr P's half-a-conversation.
