Then There Was You

XXVII

After our ride, Henry took us to the closest cafe near the stables and we enjoyed a big, greasy lunch together.
When we finally got back to the hotel it was late in the afternoon. We'd just unlocked the door and stepped inside when suddenly his earlier comment about needing a shower after our date popped into my mind.
I took a tactful sniff at my hair- it reeked of burgers and horse.
He was right.
My whole skin itched to be purged of the scent.

"I need a shower," I groaned, sliding my feet out of my shoes one by one, neatly popping them in the bottom of the sliding, mirrored wardrobe. A quick glance in the mirror showed me that Henry was watching me with a small, secret smile on his mouth.
I suddenly had an idea, my stomach fluttering in excitement.
"You need one too," I told his reflection, sounding very businesslike- Careful to keep my face perfectly blank.
He simply arched his dark brows at me.
"Wouldn't it make sense to just shower together?" I suggested innocently, spinning around to face him. He really smiled then, but he was shaking his head.
"Can't," he said, feigning a loud sigh, "We need to be ready for dinner in a few hours."
"That's plenty of time!" My voice rising with amusent. "Anyway... It would be quicker if we showered together," I wasn't done stating my case, "Think about it: I shower, then you'd have to wait on me showering before you could shower? That's a waste our of time- and water."
He laughed loudly, crossing his thick arms across his chest.
"Lara..." His voice was quiet and serious, but his eyes were sparkling with mischief, "We both know that if we went into the shower together, we would never make our dinner reservations."
"That's what room service is for, right?" I say encouragingly, only half joking, gesturing to the phone by the bed.
Suddenly he's in front of me, holding me by the shoulders. I could have sworn I only looked away for a second. I suppose someone his size would have no problem clearing the small distance between us that quickly.
"Get in the shower," he commands, his eyes boring deep into mine. For a second, I forget to breathe and the witty remark I had planned seems to vanish.

He's so close. My hands automatically reach for him; fingers tingling blissfully as I try- and fail- to wrap them around his forearms. Without taking his hands or his eyes from me, he manoeuvres us into the bathroom.
I've won.
He's coming in with me.
I can already feel my delighted grin spread across my face. Then suddenly he drops his arms from my shoulders, takes a quick step back and simply says, "Shower." He disappears from the bathroom with a flash of a smile and gently closes the door behind him.
I stare it for a few moments, thinking he's just teasing me. But he doesn't come back.
Well damn him... I puff with a sigh. The excitement leaving my body with it. Reluctantly, I turn from the door and go about the now extremely boring process of showering.

I stepped out of the shower a short time later and wrapped one of the soft, hotel towels around my body.
Washing had definitely helped get rid of some impure thoughts that were driving me insane- some but not all.
I tried not to dwell on the fact that Henry kept telling me no. I knew that he just wanted our time together to be perfect but some small, scared part of me was worried he didn't actually want to sleep with me. Insane, right?
I sighed loudly and gently started to pat myself dry. Great, now I'd made myself sad with my silly fretting.

Slipping into the white cotton bath robe hanging on the back of door, I braced myself to go out and face him. Why was I suddenly so nervous?
I wiped the steamy mirror with one hand and surveyed myself thoughtfully. My complexion clear; my hair a wet, copper snarl of curls and waves. I looked grim. My playful mood nowhere to be seen. I tried a small smile but it didn't quite reach my eyes. I sighed again and turned away from my reflection.

I opened the door slowly. A quick glance told me he was reclining comfortably on the bed, ankles crossed. I had planned on ignoring him but my eyes were drawn to him instinctively. He was watching me carefully, taking in my bath robe and wet hair with an amused expression. He took a breath as if to speak but something in my eyes must have told him to keep his mouth shut and I watched him firmly press his lips together in a tight line- his cool, blue eyes regarding me thoughtfully.
Damn it, he is gorgeous.
I suddenly felt self conscious and I had to suppress the urge to hide my face.

"Lara?" His voice was soft and questioning. I turned my face away from him. I couldn't look at him. I didn't really understand what I was feeling myself.
"Hey... What's happened?" He moved slowly to the end of the bed to stand in front of me. I risked a quick peek at him, his eyes were full of worry. I shook my head. I felt like the silliest girl to have graced the planet.
Here I was, standing in front of the most handsome man I'd ever seen, practically naked and about to go on a date with said man, and I was about to cry.
Pull it together, Williams!

Squeezing my eyes shut, I felt his hands soothingly run up and down my arms. His movements were slow and firm. Focusing on that sensation helped bring me a bit of calm and I leaned my head against his chest, breathing him in.
"Are you okay?" He bent his head down close to mine, his voice a comforting whisper.
"No..." I mumbled into his chest, "but I will be. I just had a strange feeling."
"Tell me," he asked gently.
I shook my head, burying my face deeper, pressing my whole body against him. Maybe I could just hide here forever?
"Please?" He held me tightly against him, his hands moving to caress my back, applying the same soothing strokes.
"I had a moment of doubt," I said reluctantly. The stroking stopped.
"About me?" The fear in his voice forced my face from its hiding place and I looked up into his eyes. He looked stricken.
"Oh Henry, no," I gently placed my hands on either side of his face, "I was worried you didn't find me as attractive as I find you." The words came quickly tumbling from my mouth. "I want you so bad and you always seem to be telling me no, and I got in my head about it."
His eyebrows furrowed in confusion as he processed this.
"Lara..." he was struggling for words and quite rightly so. I was extremely embarrassed. Why was I acting so childish?

I could feel my cheeks burn furiously and it was a huge effort to keep looking at him. I watched his expression change from confused to amused and he sighed softly, stroking my flaming cheeks with his fingertips.
"Lara," he tried again, looking down into my eyes seriously, "There is no one in the world that I find more attractive than you. But I don't want to just have amazing, passionate sex with you." Well, now we're getting down to business.
"I want to treat you like the amazing woman you are and make you feel cherished, loved and respected."
Wow. My heart was practically leaping.
"Of course, I want to tear this robe off you now, throw you down on the bed and have my way with you..." his fingers traced my mouth which I eagerly opened, my tongue tasting his skin. His eyes shut briefly, jaw clenching. "But..." his voice a little breathy, "I want to love you first. We had such a rocky start and you've given up so much for me. I just want this to be perfect."
Now how is a girl meant to argue with that?

His eyes were still focused on my mouth. Slowly he slid a finger between my lips and I sucked it, biting gently. He groaned and pressed himself against me. He was hard. And I was practically naked. God, I have never wanted someone so much in my life. "But my god, you're making it hard," he told me, withdrawing his finger from my mouth.
"I know," I said, pressing myself against him suggestively.
He laughed.
"Not that kind of hard," he chuckled, cupping my face in his hands.
"Not wrong though," I smiled up at him, wagging my eyebrows. He shook his head at me, gazing at me fondly.
"You are a piece of work," he said kissing my lips briefly."Here I am, bearing my soul to you and you can't keep your mind off my penis."
I laughed loudly and gave him a gentle shove.
"I am a hussy," I shrugged playfully, "It can't be helped."
He kissed me once again before unwinding himself from my embrace.
"Go get ready," he said, sending me in the general direction of the wardrobe, giving my bum a pat for good measure. "And feel free to dress to impress." He winked at me before he disappeared into the bathroom.

Dress to impress huh?
Now that, I can do.