Game Of Bliss

(45)

"You're home," Florence smiles shyly as Malachi walks through their front door.

"And yet you're still on the other side of the room," Malachi replies, "why are you still on the other side of the room?"

"I wasn't sure how mad you'd be," Florence says, watching as he walks towards her, "I'm not mad," he tells her, "I'm a little frustrated but not mad, and even if I was, that doesn't mean I don't want you near me. Give me a kiss you silly woman."

Florence laughs as his hands come to rest either side of her face, tilting her head slightly so he could press their lips together.

"I meant what I said, Flo, I have nothing to say, I don't want to talk about it," Malachi says, pulling away, "I know you're sorry, I know you've been beating yourself up over what was said whilst I've been gone. I know you didn't mean what you said, and I know you only did what you did because you thought the worst. I just- in the future, talk to me. I'd never lie. Just ask me whatever you want to know and I'll tell you."

"I will," Florence promises, "I- you're too good to me, Mal, and that makes me feel even worse."

"Flo, don't, it's over," Malachi says, "what's been said has been said, what's done is done. It's in the past. I'm not going to prolong my frustration, nor am I going to prolong your guilt. I don't want to be frustrated and I don't want you to feel guilty. It was one situation, Flo. Just one, and it's in the past. Why would I choose to spend my time being annoyed when all I want to do is be happy... be happy with you. I'm not going to make you promise to never take again, because once a year, when you're overwhelmed it might bring you comfort that I can't, as long as it's not excessive, I don't care. The only thing I want from you is to talk to me. To speak to me."

"I can do that," Flo nods, "I'm still sorry, Mal, you might forgive me and say it's alright, but I'll never forgive myself."

"Why?" Malachi asks.

"Because I said unforgivable things to you, and I broke my promise," Florence says.

"And I don't care," Malachi replies, "I don't want you to spend a lifetime feeling bad about this, if one bad afternoon means we get the rest of our lives together, I'll take it, and I'll get over it. I want to spend my life with you, Flo. A bad moment doesn't override the years of good ones."

"You want to spend your life with me?" Florence asks.

"You hadn't realised?" Malachi chuckles, "you drive me fucking crazy and I love it. I don't want a life without you in it. And I most certainly will never want another woman."

"Not even that barmaid?" Flo teases timidly, and he rolls his eyes, "she was nauseating."

He sighs, "I've been meaning to ask you something for weeks, but every time it came round to it, something got in the way. I'd rather not ask you like this, and I'm sure you'd rather it be in a different manner."

"Mal, you're scaring me," Florence admits, before bringing a shaky hand to cover her mouth as she gasps, watching him pull a box out of his jacket pocket and kneel on the floor.

"I know there is something within you that keeps reciting that you are not loved, that you don't deserve to be loved, but I need you to hear me when I say this, Flo, you are loved by me, unconditionally. You have a place in my heart that no one else could ever occupy, it's always been yours, there will never be another that my heart will beat for," Malachi says, "please accept this as my application to be your doting, caring husband."

"Application accepted," Florence smiles, pulling him to his feet, her arms wrapping around his neck, going onto her tip toes to place a gentle kiss to his lips. They pull away for a moment, their lips almost brushing, "where's Eldon and Elspeth?" Malachi asks.

"He's taken her to the park, then they're having a picnic, they left a couple minutes before you got home," Florence whispers, she could feel Malachi's chest rising rapidly, "so they're going to be gone for a while?"

Florence nods in confirmation, squealing as Malachi places his arms around her waist, hoisting her up, her legs wrapping around his waist, as he presses her against the wall. Her hands fiddling with the curly hair at his nape, as his lips attach themselves to her neck, working their way down to her collarbone.

"Wait," Flo says, and he looks up at her, "yes?"

"The ring, Mr Welch," Florence reminds him, and he smiles, placing her back on the ground, removing the ring from the box and putting it on her finger, dropping a kiss to it.

He then drops the box, throwing Florence over his shoulder as he carries her up the stairs, rolling his eyes when she smacks his arse and starts laughing.

"That's how you want to play this?" Malachi asks, hoisting her dress up whilst she was still over his shoulder, her laugh becoming a moan when he caressed her arse, before letting his hand slip between her thighs.

He makes it to their bedroom, Florence shutting the door behind them, her heart beating rapidly when Mal gently places her on the bed, pulling the dress off of her, and throwing it to the side before kneeling in front of her at the edge of the bed.

Malachi places soft kisses along her inner thigh, his hands caressing the back of her legs, slowly lifting them onto his shoulders as his lips trail further up her thigh.

His hands then rest on her stomach, one of them going to knead her breast, as he flicks his tongue against her clit.

Malachi adored how Florence reacted to him when he was pleasuring her. He adored the slight shiver of her body when his tongue made contact with her clit. He adored the moans that turned into soft whimpers when he slowed his motions down. He adored how she said his name. He adored her. Everything about her.

"Mal..." Florence breathes out.

"Trust me, darling, I know," Malachi responds, feeling her hand grasping onto his hair as he slowly adds a finger, whilst his mouth was still attached. The clench of her shaking thighs around his head, the loosening of the hold on his hair, that told Malachi everything he needed to know.

"Take your clothes off," Florence states.

"Yes, ma'am." Malachi chuckles, throwing his jacket onto the floor.