Chapter 11 #3
Oh, I didn’t know how badly I missed this, she thought fuzzily.
Ellen stroked his tongue with hers, then took more initiative and explored his mouth.
His husky chuckle at her boldness made her insides quiver.
He tore his mouth from hers, and she began to protest, until he nipped his way along her jaw and down her neck.
Mark skillfully avoided the spot on her neck where she didn’t like being touched—the one that made her cringe and wriggle away—just as if he remembered, and gently bit the soft part of her shoulder.
“God, Ellen, you don’t know how I missed you,” he murmured against her skin.
Ellen ran her fingers through his hair and peppered his forehead and temple with kisses. “I was right here.”
“Fool that I was,” Mark got out as he nibbled the column of her throat. “I did regret leaving at night. I’d lie in my tiny, cramped cabin and think all sorts of lustful thoughts about you until I couldn’t bear it and had to use my hand.”
Ellen had trouble focusing on his words. She licked the shell of his ear and smiled when she felt his shudder.
“I,” Mark managed between kisses, “plan never to be away from such a rapturous woman ever again.” He brought his mouth back to hers and groaned into it. His hands left her hair and stroked down her back. “Do you know when I first wanted to kiss you?”
“No.” Ellen curled his hair around her fingers as she bit his lower lip. His hands gripped her, fingertips pressing into her lower back, at the sensation.
“When you slapped me.” Mark tucked his hands under her bottom and held her, massaging it as he had his way with her mouth.
“What?” Ellen was dazed.
“I knew,” Mark said, and nipped the tip of her nose. “That you were so much more than I remembered.” He pressed their foreheads together, gasping for breath. “God, I’ve missed doing that.” His chest heaved.
Her chest heaved too, and when it did her breasts pressed against him. Catching her breath, she looked down to see she was in his lap, straddling his waist. Her nightrail and dressing gown had rucked up enough to show her knees, and the hard length of him pulsed beneath her.
Embarrassment trickled in. Her cheeks heated. “I didn’t mean to get so carried away.”
Mark tilted his head to the side to flick her earlobe with his tongue. “I am glad you did.” He leaned back, hands still on her bottom, and surveyed her lazily, smugly. “This is the best Christmas I’ve had in years.”
Ellen loosened her hold on his hair and wrapped her hands around the sides of his neck. “I’d forgotten how wonderful you smell.” She had half a mind to take him back to bed right then. Or maybe even there, in front of the Christmas tree. What has gotten into me? On the floor, in front of the tree?
Mark gave her arse a squeeze then slid his hands out and smoothed down her hair with a tender smile.
“I’m sure it’s a rat’s nest.” Ellen raised a hand to comb through it but he batted her hand away.
“Exactly how I like it. Mussed because we couldn’t keep away.” There was a spark of male pride in his eyes, but Ellen didn’t miss the sweet affection in his voice. “We weren't the right people for one another back when we wed, Ellen. But maybe we are now.”
Was he right? She didn’t know. Not yet. Ellen allowed him to pet her, and had to admit it was heavenly to have someone else care for her. “The locket was perfect,” she told him shyly. “Especially because I shan’t be having any more children.”
His hand froze on her head for a split second, then continued to comb her hair down her back. “Should we see what Cook set aside for us for lunch?”
Ellen was confused. “Are...are we not continuing this?” The heat between her legs had turned wet and slick, and his arousal still throbbed against her thigh.
But Mark shook his head. “Not yet. As much as I’d love to unwrap you, my dearest Christmas present, I’m not sure you’re ready.”
“We’ve done this before,” Ellen protested, not sure why she was protesting. “I remember quite liking it, actually.”
His eyes darkened with desire. “I quite liked it myself. They were my fondest memories when on a ship for weeks on end. But I want you to wake up the next morning and smile at me with nary a regret. And I’m not sure we’re there yet.”
Ellen opened her mouth to disagree, but he was right.
She hadn’t made love or been kissed in eight years, and now that he was back in her life, her body had awakened from its stupor as a yearning, aching beast. But her heart still wasn’t sure about him.
She mock-frowned at him. “I hate it when you’re right.
It’s been eight years for me, Mark. That’s too long. ”
Mark threw back his head and laughed. He kissed her forehead and eased her off his lap. “I had wondered if you’d sought companionship while I was away.”
She shook her head. “I was too busy.”
“I want you,” he said. “Believe me, it’s been eight long years since I’ve been intimate with someone and I plan to savor the experience when it does happen.”
Ellen’s jaw dropped. “Eight years? But that means…” She looked at him suspiciously as she stood, still holding his hand. “Are you just saying that to make me fall in love with you?”
Mark shook his head, puzzled. “No?”
“You’ve not had another woman? In all this time?”
He cocked his head. “Ellen, I’m married to you.”
“You fell out of love with me. You never planned to see me again.”
Mark flushed. “I still meant my vows. And it’s not like I had plenty of opportunities anyway. I was at sea for two or three months at a time.”
“And…not with other sailors?” Ellen asked.
He furrowed his brow. “How do you know about—? Never mind, of course you’d know.
You know all sorts of things. I had a few offers, discreetly of course, but I was never interested.
I’d…like to claim I was being honorable, but honesty compels me to explain how few chances I had to be with a woman, between the ship and hunting foxes with my brothers while on leave. ”
Ellen couldn’t hide her grin.
“What?” Mark stared at her. “What’s that smile for?”
“Nothing.” Ellen walked toward the hall, tugging him along. “I’m hungry again. Let’s find this cold lunch.”