19. Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Nineteen
I Found by Amber Run
April 13, 1912
After dinner, I make my way back to the cabin while Ben retreats for another evening of cigars and brandy. He can tell by how quiet I’ve been tonight that I’m returning to the cabin with no detours this time.
When I arrive back in the room, Sarah has already left to go to bed. I’m not entirely sure if I’m thankful for the solitude or afraid to be alone with my intrusive thoughts. I lock the adjoining doors on both sides of my room. All I want is to be alone for a while. I pull off my gloves and sit down on the bed. Just as I’m about to take off my shoes, I hear a soft knock at my door. I assume it’s Sarah, but usually she knocks twice. Perhaps she thinks I’m already asleep and doesn’t want to wake me. Maybe she saw me come in and is coming to check on me.
I get up and walk across the room, trying to pull myself together for any questioning. I cautiously open the door, and to my surprise, Charlie is standing across from me. He’s leaning toward me in the doorway, with one arm propped against the wall.
“Why… why are you here?” I can barely get the words out. I can’t believe he’s here, standing before me. I can only imagine he’s finally processed the truth and is back to deliver the harsh words I truly deserve. The words I cowardly ran away from earlier today.
“I had to see you.”
I shake my head in disbelief. “Why?” I expected to receive the anger I deserve from him finally, but his face shows no rage. If anything, he looks quite calm.
Charlie quickly looks both ways in the hallway to ensure no one is watching. With an assertiveness that catches me off guard and leaves me breathless, he steps into my room and kicks the door closed. He moves swiftly toward me and cupping my face with both hands; he presses his lips to mine before I have the chance to utter another word. As my body is pressed against his, I can feel his heart pounding against my chest.
“Alice,” he whispers as he holds himself still against me, his arousal growing against my pelvis. I feel like my knees will buckle beneath me at any moment.
The sound of his voice is intoxicating, even more so when he says my name. Growing up, I never cared for my name. I insisted on being called Ali. Now I would jump through hoops, walk through fire, anything, just to hear his voice say my name.
I’m in utter disbelief that he would even speak to me after everything, let alone be in the same room with me. I look back up into his eyes and our gaze locks. Why do I tremble when his eyes meet mine? Nothing has ever had this effect on me before. I want more of it. I want more of him. I want all of him.
He pulls me back toward him and his mouth has mine captured in a mesmerizing kiss. I let out a small moan of pleasure. I’ve never had such a primal reaction to just a kiss before, but I feel as though he is masterfully stoking a fire burning deep within me. His lips curl into a slight smile, as if pleased with the pleasure he’s given me.
He pulls his head back momentarily, hovering his mouth close to my ear. “Do you want me to stop?” he whispers. We float in the moment briefly, as he waits for my consent to go any further. His breath is warm and seductive. If I paid any attention to logic, we should stop right here. But where has logic ever gotten me before?
“No,” I whisper breathlessly. Every feeling, every desire that’s been burning within me for days is finally boiling over, no longer able to be contained. I want him inside of me, to feel the weight of him above me. I want to feel every pulse as he buries himself in me.
A desperation pools in my belly, growing stronger and stronger. I slip my hand at his waist around the small of his back and pull him in toward me, our lips meeting with a blazing sear.
My hands move to the buttons of his jacket, slipping each one through the hole as his gaze on me intensifies. He somehow looks both nervous and invigorated. I pull the jacket down from his shoulders as he hastily pulls on his tie. The clothes fall to the floor as we leave a trail lining our steps toward the bed.
I lean over, grab the bottom of my gown, and pull it up to my waist. He takes it from my hands and I lift my arms as he gently slides it up and over my head. The beading snags slightly as it comes over my hair that’s been pulled back into an ornate bun. I pull the comb out of my hair and let my tresses fall loosely.
Charlie gently strokes a few wisps of my hair back behind my ear before caressing my cheek with the backs of his fingers. I clasp my hands around his neck, twisting my fingers into his hair. I slip my hands down and pull the suspenders down from his shoulders. As they fall to his waist, I move my hand around his back and direct my attention toward removing his shirt. His eyes follow mine and he grabs the fabric at both sides and quickly pulls it up and over his head, his hair finally shifting slightly out of place.
Fuck, he’s perfect. My eyes marvel in appreciation at the sight of his bare, muscular chest. He is beautiful, and right now, he is mine.
He tenderly takes my hand and turns me around, my back facing him. His soft hands begin gently loosening the strings of my corset. His hands are trembling. I feel my whole body exhale as I tilt my head backward, surprised that the slightest removal of fabric has caused a shiver to run down my body. I grab onto the raised end of the bed for support. Charlie’s breath is warm and tremulous as he nuzzles his lips into the back of my neck. Every hair on my body stands up at his touch. Just the feeling of him breathing, soft and warm, on the back of my neck awakens me with desire. He gently circles me back toward facing him as my corset falls to the floor.
The air between us feels thick and humid. His brown hair has fallen slightly over his forehead as he leans toward me, his eyes burning with feral desire. He slips a hand around my back and takes a portion of my chemise into his fist. His other hand gently runs along my collarbone, the simple graze of his touch sending an electric charge through my body and down between my legs. He pulls the chemise over my head and I feel a quick rush of cooler air. I hold my arms across my breasts, nervous to fully show myself.
“Stop,” he whispers gently, taking my hands into his and pulling them down, exposing my body. “You’re so beautiful . ”
He stops for a moment, eyes widened at the sight of my nude figure. I have never felt so exposed, yet so completely safe, in my life. His hand runs down my body to the curve of my hips, causing my muscles to quiver. With his left hand around my waist, holding me close to him, he brings his right hand up to cup my breast. My nipple hardens under his palm. His eyes devour me first, then his lips. With my tongue exploring his mouth, we move together toward the bed.
I lay down, and he settles himself above me, nudging my legs apart. His eyes move back toward mine as he pauses.
“Are you sure?”
“Please,” I beg. I desire him with a desperation that has grown relentless, as though I will combust if I don’t have him.
He gulps nervously before slowly sliding himself into the opening between my legs, letting out a small moan as he settles his penis inside me.
I inhale sharply at the feeling of him embedded in me. My body tightens around him, but the feeling is so sensuous I want him to plunge even deeper within me.
I wrap my legs around his back and pull him into me, letting out a small groan. Charlie’s eyes ignite with passion and he thrusts inside me, slowly at first. As his breath becomes faster, his movements grow stronger. I try to match his passion, bringing my hips to his. Our bodies move in unison, together orchestrating a euphoric symphony.
“Alice,” he whispers softly, as if my name is a sacred prayer.
With each thrust of his body, his breath becomes faster and faster. Every gasp, every moan seems to ignite his passion even further. With my hands clenched around his back, I feel as though I might burst wide open.
My head tilts back as I reach my climax. My body screams for him and my voice follows. I moan in grateful pleasure as my body convulses.
He goes still above me as he lets out a primal groan. He exhales and his whole body collapses. His head nuzzles into my neck, softly grazing my skin with his lips.
Fuck. That was unlike any experience I’ve ever had. It wasn’t my first time, but it somehow felt like it was. This feels like how it’s meant to be, how it’s meant to feel, when it’s the right person. It’s as though our bodies fit perfectly together, just like our souls.