Huddling further beneath my velvety cloak, I quickened my step through the darkened streets. Silently cursing the man who had promised me a ride home from the masquerade, but instead left with some scantily clad harlot- I was eager to reach the safety of my own four walls.
A whisper of fabric behind me had me whirling, my hand reaching for the sharp letter opener I always carried on my person. A measly weapon, but it gave me courage. Only the dark street waited for me. Briefly I considered going back to the party and requesting shelter for the night, so I might venture back in the daylight, but I was already half way home. Either destination would take the same amount of time, and I was anxious for my own sheets.
Just a few more turns, I could see the light at the end of my street. Another whisper of fabric, and a warm breath on my neck nearly had me screaming, but still no man or beast seemed to be behind me. Choking back my panic I rushed to my door, and fumbled in my pouch for my key. Dropping my bag, I swore I heard a deep male laugh as I bent to retrieve it.
Safely inside I locked and bolted the door, then checked each of the lower windows to be secure. I noticed, faintly, that I had been humming a low song since I locked the door. Whatever ghoulie had followed me home from the party, I was no longer afraid, and I nearly skipped up the stairs to bed, lighting no candle, merely relying on my intimate knowledge of every nook and cranny of the old place.
Reaching my room I removed my cloak and lit a fire in the fireplace. Still humming to myself I set about getting ready for bed. Sitting in front of my mirror I reached for my brush, but my hand stopped part way there when I saw my reflection. He was watching me from the darkest corner of the room, that smirk just visible on his lips, and that glimmer in his eyes. My humming stopped.
"I've been waiting for you, my fiery angel." His voice, a silken whisper, sent shivers through my body.
"I... had to walk home." Striving to keep my composure. I reached again for my brush, but he tsked and strolled up behind me, taking it and stroking it gently through my auburn locks. I closed my eyes and tried to bite back a purr as his masterful fingers changed the tangles to a smooth coat. He worked quickly, but not once did my hair tug painfully.
"That man is a fool," he murmured, though I had said nothing of my evening. Opening my eyes in surprise, I met his gaze and was flooded with the raw emotion in the emerald depths. While his face was carefully neutral, his eyes were blazing with fury and something I could not name.
I raised a surprisingly steady hand and touched his long, elegant, and pale fingers. Taking my hand he raised it to lush lips, holding my gaze the entire time. Gone was the fury, but not the fire. Curling my fingers into his hand he hovered over my knuckles for long heartbeats before pressing a kiss onto them. A small flame licked into my veins and my breath caught.
Smiling mischievously, he turned my hand over and pressed a kiss into my palm, the light mustache on his lip tickling and tingling deeper into me the just the spot that it touched. His eyes fluttered shut as if just this light contact was pure bliss. Inching farther down my arm he laid a kiss above the pounding pulse in my wrist; down the milky white underside of my arm; even in my elbow and beyond. My fingers slid into his raven hair as he kneeled behind me and his lips found my neck. Closing my own eyes and tilting my head to the side to offer myself to him, I let out a soft sigh.
His arms encircled me as his lips danced along my neck up to my ear and down again. Gliding up my stomach, barely skimming the full mound of my breasts, I felt the silver tipped claw ring he always wore on his finger trace the line of my collar bone in the gentlest of scratches. I leaned into his solid warmth and surrendered to him completely.
The other hand slid downward, over my skirts to my slippers, which he slid off my stocking feet. Fingers played softly on the sole of one foot and I squealed out a giggle and jumped a bit. When I did he nipped at my neck and my giggle turned to a gasp. I felt his lips smile against me as his hand slid up my leg to the garter that held up my stockings, then tickled at my inner thigh. Curling my fingers into his hair more, anticipation flooded through me and I tensed all over.
Finally his hand moved to my very center and he stopped kissing my neck. When our eyes met, surprise shone at me. "I've been waiting for you too," I whispered. Desire darkened his eyes as he slid one, then two long fingers into me. Moaning, I spread my legs wider to him, inviting him deeper and he obliged. Stroking in and out, his fingers worked their magic on me, his thumb circling the nub of nerves and flicking it.
Grabbing at his head I tugged his mouth to my own, finally kissing the lips that shaped my deepest dreams. A growl from way down in his throat spurred me on, and I pulled at his lower lip with my teeth. After deepening the kiss a moment longer he pulled back to study my face. His fingers still teased inside of me, scattering my thoughts to the winds.
"My sweet little lamb is rather bold tonight." He grinned, his long teeth shimmering in the firelight. He brought his free hand to caress my flushed face before pulling his fingers out of me. I let out a small cry of protest, but he silenced it with a kiss as he stood and lifted me into his arms as if I were a feather.
"Where would you like to go tonight my lamb? What rich place would you have me take you so I may properly worship your divine body? You seemed to enjoy the beaches of Cairo." He had started towards the window, even had a booted foot on the sill, but my answer made him pause.
"Take me to my own bed." I said softly. He blinked at me, as if he didn't understand. "Tonight, let's stay here. I want to see you against my pillows." He stepped back from the window and turned, laying me in the nest of blankets. I kissed him once more before he stepped back and fumbled at the buttons of his long coat. "Why sir, I do believe you are as nervous as a virgin," I teased, watching my normally dominate and suave lover struggle over the simple task.
