Chapter Twenty-Four

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

T he remainder of the week was filled with long discussions with the beekeeper and quaint outings with Harrison. When they were not exploring the beach or visiting the shops in Poole, the pair secluding themselves to the primary apartments. Dinner was typically served on trays in their room, a simple meal of soup and bread and wine before the fire as the sun disappeared from the sky, giving way to its dark mistress. Something about ending their evenings wrapped up together in their own little world felt special. After eating, they would sit side by side and read, or talk, or play Dirty Snap.

Rubbing at a knot in her shoulder, Phee sighed. Her body ached, no doubt a lingering consequence of their journey along with the more physical aspects of their time in Dorset, and she groaned as the knot rolled beneath her fingers, persistent in inducing an annoying pain.

“Are you all right?” Harrison asked, brushing her hand aside and nimbly inspecting the tender spot. At her wince, he used his thumb to rub at it.

“A bit sore, is all.”

Placing a soft kiss to her neck, he stood and went to the bell pull, giving it a swift tug.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Calling for a bath. Nothing helps sore muscles more than disappearing in warm water up to your chin and letting it soothe the ache. Afterward, I can massage it if you’d like.”

“Oh, that sounds nice. Have them bring some lavender oil, as well. I’ve read it can help in relieving the soreness.”

Harrison gave orders to the waiting footman and in very little time at all, the bath was filled with pots of warm water and Harrison was escorting her to the door. Phee peeked into the room, the heat from the water falling across her face. Linking her hands together before her, she turned to Harrison who stood next to her with a smile. “What about you?”

He squeezed her shoulder before kissing her forehead. “This is for you. I can’t have my countess out of sorts on our honeymoon.”

Phee smiled, looking back at the tub that sat in the room.

Nudging her inside, Harrison smiled at her before closing the door. Phee turned, looking at the bath once again.

“Is everything all right? Is it too hot?” Harrison asked from the other side of the door.

With a smile, Phee opened the door to find a stunned Harrison on the other side.

“Are you all right?” he asked, peeking around her into the bathing room.

“Yes. Are you all right?”

Harrison looked back at her, his eyes searching her face.

“It’s lonely out here without you,” he said, closing her eyes.

Cupping his cheek, Phee waited for him to open his eyes and look at her, a smile at her lips. “It’s lonely in here without you.”

“Really?” he asked.

Phee laughed. “Yes, really.”

Kissing her forehead, Harrison smiled. “Get in the tub, Phoebe. I’ll grab my book and come right back.”

“All right,” she said, a smile pulling at her lips. Pushing onto her tip toes, Phee kissed his cheek then dropped back down and went to the tub where she removed her robe. She slipped into the water, the warmth wrapping around her like a blanket.

Within minutes, Harrison returned to the bathing room, his book tucked beneath one arm while in his hands he held her wine glass, refilled with the delicious brew that she had sipped on at dinner, and a pillow from the bed.

“You look as if you’re preparing a picnic,” Phee said with a smile as he handed her the glass.

Harrison sent her a heated look, his gaze raking over every bit of skin exposed to his wandering eyes. With a wink, he set the pillow against the wall before sitting on the floor, leaning against it. “Drink your wine and relax, love.”

“All right,” she said, sipping from the glass in her hand.

Harrison leaned forward and took it from her when she was finished, taking a sip himself before setting it down on the floor beside him. Opening his book, he looked at her and smiled before turning his attention to the words before him.

Phee leaned herself against the wall of the tub, the water sliding over her at the movements. With a smile, she rested her head against the cushioned lip, her eyes never leaving Harrison. His golden locks glinted in the candlelight, the red of his banyan turning a dark crimson in the dimly lit room. His beard had begun to look shaggy again and her hand itched to rub against it and feel the hairs tickle her palm.

The quiet of the room wrapped around her, the gentle quality of it soothing, as if the quiet knew that there were two hearts in that room, even if they did not speak a word.

It was nice, this feeling.

Closing her eyes, Phee let herself relax into the water’s warm embrace. Harrison’s soft breaths and the occasional turning of the page were the only things to be heard in the room, yet she was beginning to think that there were other things being spoken. There was a fullness to her time with him, a comfort in his quiet presence, and care in his thoughtful gestures. The way he surrounded her with his whole self, granting her the safety to simply be Phee and nothing more.

Just like the quiet of the room, she knew she did not have to say it, but it was there nonetheless.

Love.

Somehow, there was love. She had not planned for it. Had never agreed to it, but it was there just the same. In his loving gestures toward Mildred, in his forehead kisses and hand squeezes. In his chocolate desserts and midnight dances.

Bit by bit he had pulled her in until she could do nothing but want him. Want his hand around hers. Want his kiss on her lips. Want the smile she was becoming certain was only meant for her.

So no, she had not said it, but the quiet knew. And, perhaps, he did as well.

Soft lips pressed to Phee’s forehead and she opened her eyes to see Harrison smiling at her. “The water is turning cold, love. Let’s get you warm and in bed,” he said.

Standing, Phee let Harrison wrap a towel around her before helping her step out of the tub and onto the plush rug on the floor. Strong, sure hands rubbed the cotton against her skin, covering every millimeter until she was once more warm and dry.

Harrison wrapped her robe back around her body, tying the string at her waist securely before scooping her up in his arms. Phee left out a soft shriek and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I can walk,” she said as he set her down on the full mattress.

“I’m aware,” he said, crawling onto the bed next to her.

“And?”

“And you think I’m going to pass up the chance to hold you after watching you get all pink and soft in the bathtub?”

“Harrison,” she said, her breaths short at the look of want in his eyes.

He took her mouth in his, his kiss bold like the wine they had drank, his lips reheating her until she was inflamed. Pulling away from her, he said, “Phoebe, I’m not sure I’ll ever have my fill of you.” Cupping her face, he kissed her lips, her cheeks. “Tell me to stop. To go to bed,” he said between kisses.

“No.”

“I’m going to make you scream, Phoebe. I’ll make you scream my name until you’re hoarse. Do you understand?” he asked with a growl.

She whimpered at his words, her core already clenching at the thought of such ecstasy.

“You’re so fucking beautiful,” he said as he undid the ties of her robe. “So beautiful. Laying in that tub, pink and flushed, the water cupping every bit of skin like a lover should.” His words were strained as he pulled apart the sides of her robe, exposing her to his gaze. “Imagine, being jealous of water. Jealous that it gets to embrace you the way I do, to bring a flush to your cheeks and make your eyes flutter in bliss.” His hands fell to her breasts, cupping the orbs as his fingers toyed with her nipples. “I’ll make the soreness go away. I’ll make you feel so eased you’ll never want to be without me.”

Phee arched into his hands with a whimper, his words so raw she was not sure which one of them was more exposed. “Harrison…”

“Shh,” he said, lowering his mouth to hers. “I’ll make it better, love.”

His kiss was rough even as his hands were gentle, the two at such odds but still lighting a fire within her that burned so hot, so fast, that she would surely go up in flames. Her hands flew to his shoulders, her nails sinking into the flesh there as she lost herself to his kiss. He pulled back only briefly to remove his banyan, and when he returned, it was in all his glory. Skin on skin as he covered her.

Phee’s hands roamed every exposed bit of him, greedy as he consumed her whole, her body shaking with need. “I want…” she said, the words a pant.

“I know, love.” He grabbed both of her hands, pinning them above her head as his knee moved up to the juncture of her quim, pushing against the needy spot. Phee cried out at the pressure, her senses aflame as she ground herself against his leg, searching for relief.

“You’re so wet already,” he said in her ear as she pressed herself against his leg. “Wet for me?”

Phee squeezed her hands, her fingers twisting with his as she rubbed her quim against his leg, her climax just out of reach.

“Are you wet for me, Phoebe?” he asked as he kissed up her neck, his teeth scouring her skin. “Are you flushed for me?” Lowering his head he took her nipple in his mouth, sucking and teasing the tip, driving her mad as she pleasured herself on his leg.

“Are you nearing your bliss as you rub your cunny against my leg?”

Phee whimpered, her need so heavy she was shaking. It wasn’t enough. She needed more.

“Are you imagining my mouth on your quim, Phoebe? My cock?” His hand fell to her arse, his fingers gripping one cheek as he ground his thigh against her. “Will you scream my name as you come for me?”

“Harrison,” she chanted, his name like a prayer.

“Scream it, Phoebe.”

“I can’t…”

“Yes, you can. Come for me. Make my name ring off the rafters.” His mouth fell to her shoulder, his teeth scraping against the spot where neck and shoulder met before he sucked at the skin.

“Harrison!” she screamed as her climax took her, the waves crashing over her with such force that she could only hold on for the ride.

“That’s my girl,” he said in her ear, his voice a growl. “Fuck my leg as hard as you want. Rub your cunny on me. Let me feel your pleasure.”

Phee whimpered, her body shaking as she ground herself against him, moisture pooling from her quim. As the quakes subsided, Phee turned her face toward Harrison’s chest, her breath releasing in pants against his skin.

Harrison pulled her close before rolling onto his back, pulling her on top of him. His hard length lay against her stomach, and Phee raised her head to look at Harrison, want still pulsing through her at the touch of him. Longing poured through her at the want to feel the hard length of him inside her, but she could not find the words to voice it.

“Did you think we were done, Phoebe? We’re only just getting started.”