Almost, Completely His

Chapter 16

Arthur

It was a bit after sunrise when I woke.

Celeste was at my side, curled into a ball under the duvet and holding on tight to me. Her curls were falling elegantly around her face and spreading out on her pillow. Her lips were slightly parted and she let out little snores.

I smiled to myself, my heart warming at the idea of waking up to her every day. When she had suggested we run away together I nearly said yes, but I couldn’t do that to her. She was so young, so naïve and eager and I knew better than to take her away as she wanted-as I wanted as well.

If it were up to me I would have taken her and fled to Scotland last night but I couldn’t do that to her, I couldn’t take her away from her brother, her father and ruin her… especially because we both ran the risk of her regretting it.

I leaned down and kissed her cheek. She was so warm and her citrus smell engulfed me.

I would never regret her. Ever.

I’d spend the rest of my life with her if I could, if I had the chance to.

As I got up and left, I looked at her once more and prayed that I’d get that chance.

Celeste

It was at dinner that Arthur broke the news.

Theodora couldn’t muster a word and began to cry and Charles and the Earl promised they’d find a way to stop it.

But after comforting his mother Arthur reminded them that this was bigger than them, it wasn’t something he could escape.

Father tried to put the Earl at ease but Enrique kept looking at Charles, as if waiting for him to snap.

I tried to keep my head down, knowing far too well that if I looked up and made eye contact with anyone that I’d cry.

Later that night I bid myself to bed as the Harris family talked in the study. I desperately wanted to talk to Arthur, to ask him to stay with me again, but I reminded myself that he was also saying goodbye to his family.

Enrique walked me to my room and he sighed. “I can’t imagine how this must be hurting Charles.”

“You two seem very close.”

“We are. We’ve both shared the weight of learning to take up our father’s mantels and being older brothers.” He grabbed my hand and held it gently. “And I can’t imagine the idea of losing you.”

I stopped him and smiled at him. “You need not to worry about that brother. I’ll be living under the same roof for years to come- I’ll keep bothering you.”

He laughed and wrapped an arm around me. He smelled of soap and pine.

When we arrived at my room he frowned. “You seemed quite upset about Arthur’s news. I know you two are becoming fast friends.”

I clenched my jaw, trying to stay collected. “Yes, it is rather unfortunate that he is leaving.”

Enrique kissed my forehead and went to bed. I stumbled to my bed, kicking my shoes off on the way.

I fell face forward and buried myself on the side that Arthur had slept on. It still smelled like him.

I felt sobs rise in me. I didn’t want to imagine a life without him- a life where I didn’t know where he was, if he was in danger- or a life where he didn’t exist anymore.

I cried and cried and was startled when I felt a hand on my shoulder. I turned quickly to see Arthur standing next to me, his blonde hair was loosely tied back, his waistcoat was wrinkled and eyes red.

“Are you ok Arthur?” I immediately stood and pulled him to me. Seeing him in such a dreary state hurt.

“Not really. Mother is beside herself and father and Charles are too stubborn to understand that nothing can be done.” He pulled back and wiped my tears away.

“I wish you didn’t accept this so easily Arthur…be so at ease about leaving.”

“My dearest Celeste, I am not at ease,” he said tears forming in his eyes. “I wish I did not have to leave my beautiful mother, say goodbye to my strong father or loyal brother… and most of all not leave the side of the woman I love.”

I felt him begin to shake. “I do love you Arthur.”

“I love you too.”

And I knew he meant it. With his whole heart. I felt it.

And I wanted to feel more… more before he left me.

“Arthur..”

“Yes?”

I took a deep breath. I tried to compose myself as I looked up into his bright green eyes. I knew what I wanted- and I wished to get it.

“Make love to me Arthur.”

—————————————

“What did you say?”

“Make love to me.”

Arthur looked at me with confusion and eagerness.

“No Celeste I can’t.” He shook his head. “I cannot take your innocence- it is not my right. It is your husband’s.”

“It is my body and it is my bloody right to choose.” I grabbed his face in my hands. “And I choose you… the man I love. The man I’ll always love.”

“Celeste, you’ll be ruined. If anyone finds out you’ll be ruined forever, and the possibility I could leave you with child… I can’t, I can’t risk any of that.”

“I don’t care! I don’t care about being ruined, about being shunned or having your child Arthur. And I don’t care if you won’t want to commit yourself to me after you return, I just know I chose you.”

He narrowed his eyes at me. “Is that what you think? That I don’t want to make love to you so I won’t have to marry you?”

I nodded.

“You foolish girl,” he grabbed me by the shoulders. “I’m yours. I always will be. And child or not, when I return I will come to you. I will come for you… because I love you.”

I leaned in and kissed him. “Then prove it.”

I felt his resolve melt away as he dug his fingers into my shoulders and growled into my mouth. His hands snaked down and one gripped my waist while the other cupped my breast.

Through the thin fabric he squeezed. He took my n****e and pinched it . I let out a soft yelp which he took advantage of and slid his tongue into my mouth. His other hand went to the back of my dress and began to undo the buttons. He undid enough to allow my dress to fall past my chest and to my hips.

“So perfect,” he said as he looked down at my breasts. I felt the urge to cover up but his hot gaze told me otherwise.

“Touch me Arthur.”

In a second his mouth was kissing me from my lips to my breasts. He took one in his mouth and he began to suck. I moaned and felt myself fall backwards.

He laid me gently on the bed and continued to suck, taking my n****e in his teeth and tugging.

I let out a moan that only intensified when I felt his hand go up my skirts.

He positioned himself to where he was able to continue to pay attention to my breasts with his mouth but also he could tease me from below.

His fingers playfully traced patterns on my thighs and I felt myself ready for him. I felt hot and needy and I wanted only him.

His soft golden hair fell over his eyes as he grinned up at me. He pulled away from my breasts to loom over me.

“What are you-OH MY!”

I felt his fingers brush lightly over my delicate area. He used his thumb to press on the swollen bud that craved his attention. I lifted my hips, wanting more.

“You naughty girl.. you’ve done this before haven’t you? You know what feels good to you?”

He circled it with his thumb and another finger gently traced my opening. I couldn’t speak so I only nodded.

He leaned down and kissed my neck. “I won’t completely deflower you my dear… but I will give you something to remember me by.”

Before I could say anything he slid one finger inside of me.

“ARTHUR!”

I had experienced the feeling before on my own, but it felt so much more filling with his finger in me. He curled his finger up and he pressed something on me I didn’t know I had. I let out a loud moan that he swallowed with a kiss.

“There it is… so easy to find.” He teased as he slid another finger in.

I rocked my hips against his hand needing movement, needing friction.

“Please Arthur… please.”

“Please what?”

“More, please.” I looked at him and his green eyes were wild, a wicked grin on his face and his golden hair sliding around his face. He was beautiful. Everything id ever want.

“With pleasure my love.”

Almost immediately he began to pull his two fingers in and out of me, I felt myself tighten around his fingers and I gasped when his thumb circled and pressed my swollen bud.

“Oh my… OH!”

Arthur quickened his pace and I felt my juices lubricarte me further, allowing Arthur’s fingers to slide in and out easily. He then added a third finger and I let out a light scream.

It caught me by surprise and both pain and pleasure had rocked through me. He immediately removed it and I wanted it back. But before I could protest he quickened his fingers and circled me more intensely.

I felt myself begin to reach climax- I had felt it before on my own but this was much more intense.

“Arthur I’m so close..”

I let out my words in whispers and he kissed me.

I began to tighten around him and tense against his hand. He kissed me passionately seconds before I climaxed.

I moaned out his name into his mouth and trembled against him, my walls clenching him.

His green eyes bore into mine when he looked at me, they were full of passion. He gently slid his fingers out of me and without breaking eye contact he licked them.

“Arthur..” I stared at him in both shock and arousal.

He grinned at me and kissed me. He smelled of mahogany and sweat. It was amazing.

“Will that be enough to remember me by? Enough to claim you for when I come back?”

I laughed and kissed him again. “More than enough.”