Spit Shine (Open)

[henry]

Henry was in uncharted territory and he didn't quite know what to do with himself, so he acted on instinct. It probably wasn't the smartest thing to do with the full moon only a day away. He barely had time to get the words out of his mouth before Elina pressed her lips against his. He tried to be slow and gentle with her, but he couldn't. He dimly heard her growl as his hands wrapped around her, one behind her neck and the other to the small of her back to pull her closer. He couldn't get enough. It would never be enough. Desire raged in his veins, his fingers aching to pull her even closer. Everything he had burned for her. Like she had flipped a switch, everything in his mind cleared. There was only Elina and himself, everything else fading into the background.

Giving her an answering growl, Henry worked one hand under her shirt to feel the silky skin of her waist. He could almost hear the pounding of her heart over his. Turning slightly, he pinned her against the bookcase with the entire length of his body, pressing himself into her and hating the clothes between them. He broke the kiss, but only to ravage the soft skin of her neck. She felt small and fragile in his arms, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't be any more gentle than he already was which wasn't much. He let out a groan as he ran his mouth along her collarbone. He should stop. He really should stop. Between panting breaths, he whispered her name, not caring that it sounded like a plea for mercy.

Elina's scent filled his nose and she tasted like sweet sunshine. He had to have more. Removing his hand from the back of her neck, he let it slide down her ribcage, his fingers tightening on the waistband of those blasted shorts of hers. His mouth moved back to hers, his tongue sliding over her bottom lip. He still didn't have enough and he leaned back, pulling her with him as he slowly started backing toward the desk. Without breaking the kiss, he mumbled to her. "Tell me to stop.... You have to... tell me... to stop...." He wasn't sure that he could even if she did, but it might be just enough to get him to stop himself. Henry ran into the desk, and he turned around, taking Elina with him before picking her up and setting her on it. "We have to stop..." But he couldn't. He nestled himself between her legs and kissed her with everything he had, somehow trying to convey his feelings for her through physical contact.

He had no idea where he found the strength, but he managed to pull away from her slightly. Panting like he'd run a marathon, he looked into her eyes for a long moment, his entire body on fire. Slowly, he started shaking his head. "Not like this." He clenched his teeth and moved his hands from her flesh to her shoulders, as if that would keep him from her. "I don't know that I've ever wanted anything more than I want you right now, but you'd hate yourself for it tomorrow." He gave her a sad smile, his eyes still filled with desire, before resting his forehead against hers. Still overflowing with emotion, his muscles tense, he closed his eyes and pried himself away from her. For a moment, he just stood there with his eyes closed. Very slowly, he opened them and took a deep breath. He had a plan, and it didn't involve either of them caving in now. "I don't want you to ever regret sleeping with me." With a rueful shake of his head, he added, "I'm going to regret saying this... but make me wait." He stroked a thumb over her cheek, his breath still ragged.

[Baroness Elina Cali]

Another soft growl escaped her lips. He made her burn. In every way. His touch sent fire running through her veins. His lips sparked a tingling sensation running through hers. Every little touch of his skin to hers just made her burn hotter. She wanted him. It was obvious in the way that her body responded to his every little touch. Luna she wanted him so badly! A soft gasp escaped her lips as she yielded to him and he pinned her into the bookshelf with his body. She did not fight him. She could not. Her eyes fluttered shut as she let out a soft moan for him, happily welcoming the touch of his body pressed against hers. She let out a soft moan as his lips trailed down to her neck. Trembling under his touch, she lifted her head, baring more of her neck for him. She let out a soft gasp as she whimpered out his name.

She wrapped an arm around his neck as she felt him backing away. She moved with him with knees like jello. She felt like the first time she'd ever been with a man. No, this was so much better than her first time. That giddy, fiery passion was there, but it was about ten times stronger. The excitement was there, but once again, about ten times stronger. She nipped at his tongue teasingly as she felt it trace over her supple bottom lip. "Please don't make me." She murmured weakly in reply as her lips pressed to his once more. She couldn't make him stop. Not even if she wanted him to. She didn't want him to stop now. She let out a soft groan as he turned her and placed her on the desk. Her legs spread for him instinctively and he happily nestled himself between them. "No." The words were so soft they were almost inaudible. "No, we don't." She pressed her lips into his , nipping and nibbling at his bottom lip with a hunger that burned deep to her core.

She could not deny that she was very much disappointed when he finally broke the kiss and pulled away. A part of her realized it was for the best though. Her eyes fluttered open and met his gaze as he panted for breath, her own breathing shallow and labored. She laid a hand over one of his gently, nodding her head weakly in understanding.

Unfortunately, he was right. Very right. She wouldn't be mad with him as much as she would be mad with herself for sleeping with him. As much as she suddenly burned for him to take her right there on the desk she sat on, she couldn't. She would forever regret it, and as much as Henry frustrated her, she didn't want their first time together to be a regret. She met his gaze and softly laid a hand over his cheek. "You're right." The words were a soft murmur as she took deep, cleansing breaths. "I promise I won't make you wait long." She said calmly as she stroked her thumb along his cheek bone. She took a deep breath, calming her suddenly frazzled nerves before she very slowly slipped down from the desk. Her knees felt like jello under her, but she kept a firm grip on the desk.

[henry]

Henry wanted nothing more than to take Elina up in his arms, lay her out on that desk, and have his way with her. It was an exercise in self control to move away from her. He took a couple of deep breaths, using a calming technique that he'd been taught when he was still a pup in preparation for his first full moon. He closed his eyes and continued to focus on his breathing. In to the count of three... out to the count of three. Slowly, very slowly, he felt himself relax. Of course, he was only partially relaxed and that was compared to being tighter than a bowstring like he was a few moments ago. Tension still radiated out from his shoulders and his heart was still racing. That seemed to be his normal state around Elina anyway.

Knowing that he was as calm as he was going to get, he opened his eyes and watched Elina bring her hand up to his face to stroke his cheek and promise him that she wouldn't make him wait long. In his current state of mind, long was any amount of time greater than five seconds. With every rapid beat of his heart, he was a split second away from wrapping her up in his arms again, and with every rapid beat of his heart, he had to consciously make the decision not to. It was quite a magnificent battle. He watched Elina slide from the desk with his teeth clenched. Against his better judgement, he closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms around her. He didn't kiss her and he tried not to press himself against her, knowing for a fact that he wouldn't be able to stop himself a second time. He simply held her while his thoughts tumbled. She deserved so much better than the likes of him.

With that thought, he started forming a plan. He would set the stage and seduce her like she was supposed to be seduced, and he would leave it completely up to her when she gave in. The ball was in her court, but that didn't mean he wasn't still playing. Not this night, but the next... he'd put his plan into action. There were some things that he'd have to start on immediately. A slow grin spread across his face as his ideas formed in his mind. Part of him was still afraid, but in this moment anticipation was winning out over the fear.

He pulled himself away from Elina once again and it was only fractionally easier than the first time. Henry sighed as he let his hands drop from her, already missing her touch. He walked to the bookcase and leaned against it, keeping his back to her. If he was to keep himself under any sense of control, he couldn't look at her in those shorts. Not for a moment, at least. Taking one last steadying breath, he turned around and smiled at her. "I honestly don't know if I've told you this or not, but you are extraordinarily beautiful, you know that, right?" He shook his head ruefully, wondering if he still had blank paper in the bottom drawer of his desk. If she didn't know how beautiful she was, well, he was going to tell her. Better yet... he'd show her.

[Baroness Elina Cali]

She watched in silence as he pulled away and began a process of calming himself. She wished he would just... throw her down on that desk and ravage her. He had her nerves all frazzled. That kiss. Luna that kiss! It was almost better than that first kiss they had a few days ago. Damn him. Why did he have to be so handsome? And why did he have to be such a good kisser? She straightened out her shirt, which was a little askew from his roaming hands. She lightly tugged at the hem of her shirt and tugged at the hem of her shorts, straightening herself out while he calmed himself and worked to gain his control once more.

She watched him as he leaned against the freshly polished book shelves. She had a quick flash of memory as she remembered how it felt to have herself pinned to those shelves. Then she started thinking of how his hands felt on her bare flesh. She quivered as he turned back to her and she took a deep breath to calm herself. Now was not the time to get all worked up even though he managed to do that to her already. She wanted him. So badly. She could not deny that to herself. She wanted him and she wanted him to just take her right where she stood. She wanted him to take her in every way imaginable as a matter of fact. She gritted her teeth and gripped the cloth in her hand, having realized she never let go of it.

She smirked and picked up the mess they'd made of the desk. "I don't need a man to tell me I'm beautiful, Henry. " She grinned at him as she tucked the rag in the back pocket of her shorts. She studied him thoughtfully for a moment as she leaned against the desk. She had a few other plans for the day, mostly wedding related. She sat there for a long time, debating on if she wanted to bother inviting him. He would probably turn down any invitation she made to him, but she supposed it wouldn't hurt to ask. "I'm meeting Gerard at the Blue Parrot to go over meal plans and sample some of the dishes." She said as she looked down at the desk. "You're welcome to join us, if you want." She looked up to Henry. She wasn't going to get her hopes up. She really didn't expect him to join them. So far he had shown no interest in any of the wedding plans. At least up until today.

[henry]

As Henry's plans were taking shape in his mind, he kept his eyes on Elina. There was still a flush to her skin that made his blood boil. It was the mutual effect that they had on each other that made their connection so intense. Her reactions only fueled his desire for her. Every little touch, every sound that escaped her, every breath against his skin... it just made him want her more. He didn't know how it was possible to want her more than he already did. Surely something within him would break first. Perhaps he really would have a heart attack. A stroke maybe. Why did her promise her fidelity? He almost wanted to kick himself for that. But surely he could hold out a few more days... surely... couldn't he?

He watched as Elina straightened up their mess, and he didn't trust himself to get close enough to her to help. "You may not need to hear it, but I wanted to say it anyway." And soon he was going to show her just how beautiful she was. He needed to get started and he needed to find the right supplies to make it perfect. Henry cocked his head at Elina as she tucked the rag she'd been holding into her back pocked, effectively diverting his attention to those blasted shorts again! He was going to find out what company made them, then he was going to kiss whoever had designed that particular style. Even if it was a man.

She didn't move for a long while after that, and she looked like she was considering something. He hoped she was considering giving in and dragging him back to the suite, but he doubted it. They'd both come to their senses a bit, although his desire hadn't really abated in the least. All she had to do was look at him, and he was ready for her. Half the time, she didn't even need to look. Henry shook his head at himself and walked to the desk. He had to have some blank paper in there. If not, he could buy some. Trying to ignore his future wife, he knelt down and opened a drawer, pulling out a few sheets of real parchment paper. He looked up at Elina with a grin. "Don't ask." Yes, he knew it was strange to have parchment paper in his desk. There was a reason, and Elina would find out soon enough what that reason was. First, he had to actually use it.

Henry stacked the paper on the edge of the desk as she apparently made up her mind about something. He quirked an eyebrow at her. "You actually want me to come with you?" He was a bit shocked that she would want him there. In his experience, most women wanted a wedding their way, and the groom was just an afterthought... part of the decor that could be decided upon at a later date. Henry laid his hand gently over hers. "In all honesty, I would. But I have something I need to do." He knew he was being cryptic, and he wasn't trying to be, but he didn't want to give away any of his surprise until it was time. He brought her hand up to his lips and kissed the backs of her fingers. "You may or may not believe me, but I really would go with you." He was a bit torn over it, but if he didn't get started on this part of his plan, he'd never get done.

[Baroness Elina Cali]

She smirked faintly at his comment. "Well, I must say it definitely won't hurt my pride any." She grinned playfully as she studied him from her spot by the desk. She just watched him calmly as he moved to the desk. She grew curious as he pulled out parchment paper. She hadn't seen parchment paper in years. Decades really. She gave him a questioning look when he told her not to ask. She didn't. But her interest was certainly peaked. She studied the stack of parchment for a moment before she looked back up to Henry.

Those doe eyes of hers met his gaze at his question and she frowned a little. How could he think she didn't want his involvement in the plans? She asked for his opinion on everything, and it was like pulling teeth out of him to get a coherent answer. "It is your wedding as much as it is mine. Why do you think I've been asking your opinion of all the plans thus far?" She was growing frustrated. The man was impossible! She wanted his opinion. It was his wedding too. She didn't want him to feel like he had no part in it, because he did. She wanted him to approve of the wedding. She was thinking maybe the food was the best way to get his attention. He obviously enjoyed food since he was such a good cook. She had hoped that the meal plans were what would really peak his intrigue.

She frowned, watching him as he claimed he had something else he had. Just when she thought he was finally showing some interest in the wedding plans, he blows her off. She glanced down to her hand as he gently laid his over hers. He was damn right she didn't believe him. She was trying to trust him, but a part of her wasn't sure she could even if he did just promise her fidelity. "If you don't want to go then just say so, Henry." She snapped at him as she yanked her hand out of his grasp and stepped away from him. She felt a tingle on her fingers where his lips had brushed over them, but she ignored that. She just backed away a little. "I have to go get cleaned up." She said faintly as she started making her way to the door. It was the honest truth. She needed to clean herself up and make herself more presentable since she would be going over the catering options with Gerard.

[henry]

Henry didn't want to admit that he was a bit hurt by Elina's reaction. His chest tightened slightly when she pulled away from him and he fought the urge to follow her. He shouldn't have let his feelings get squished just because she didn't believe him. He'd given her no reason to trust anything he said, so in his mind, he deserved it. But now that his feelings for her were getting tangled up in everything, he had more to lose than he did before and he needed her trust. It was a painful admission, but it was true. He needed her to believe in him because he thought she might be the only one to do so. Everyone else thought he was an incompetent pup. Of course, he'd fabricated that persona on purpose, but it would be nice to have someone who knew who he really was. All this time, he'd thought he was reconciled to being alone. Elina had changed that. Now, he wanted someone there, someone to confide in.

Henry mentally scoffed at himself. The part of him that always said he didn't need anyone was getting quieter and quieter, and he struggled to hang on to it, doing what he could think of to encourage that inner voice. Still, the pain of even so small a rejection was stinging and he didn't stop Elina from whisking out of his half-cleaned office. Perhaps he should have, but there was nothing for him to say really. Nothing he said would convince her to trust him without giving away his idea. He wanted to keep his plan a secret, and by so doing, he knew that anything he told her would sound like he was holding something back. He was, but it wouldn't be what she thought.

Even after she'd been gone for a few moments, he had the urge to follow her. Instead, he picked up her discarded rag and turned it over in his hands. Maybe a small concession was in order. She'd started out cleaning his office, obviously intending for him to go back to work. Since he'd been the one to drive her off... again... the least he could do would be to finish the job. Then he'd have a clean place to start work on his little project. Some of the details would have to be worked out, but he could think about that while he cleaned. Forcing his more troubling feelings to a back burner, he got started, wondering what her reaction would be.

[La Luna]

CLOSED!