Chapter Text
Chapter 2 – First Light of Day
Agnes smiled as she started to wake up. She could sense Henri in the bed next to her. Her eyes fluttered open and there he was, looking like a Greek god where he slept peacefully on his back. She slowly rolled over on her back, careful not to jolt him awake. As she moved she realized that she was a little sore. She bit her lip, smiling, remembering how that had come to be. Glancing at Henri again, making sure that he was still asleep she slipped out of bed and hurried to the washroom.
A quick look around awarded her a piece of soft flannel that she soaked in warm water before washing away the remnants of their encounter. Drying off, she felt refreshed and left the bathroom, tip toeing back to the bedroom. She froze in the middle of the room when she realized that he was awake, his dark eyes taking in her nude body. Her cheeks flushed and she hurried back to bed, slipping between the sheets.
“You were asleep,” she mumbled into the pillow.
“I’m glad I woke up.” He pulled her close and kissed her. “That was the loveliest wakeup call I’ve ever had.”
She giggled and swatted at his shoulder. “Henri!”
He just laughed and stole another kiss. “If you will please excuse me for a moment.” He kissed her again, long and slow, until her head was spinning. “Don’t go anywhere, chérie.”
She averted her eyes when he tossed back the covers and got up. It still felt odd to look at a naked man. When she heard the door close, she turned and pulled at the covers. She frowned when she noticed something on the sheet. Tossing the duvet back further, she gasped as she stared at the dark stains. Her face flushed in embarrassment. He would need to wash the sheets, or most likely he would take them to someone to have them washed. Whoever the woman was, she would know what had happened. Agnes felt mortified. Unable to look at the stains any longer she pulled the duvet up to her neck. She jumped when she heard the door to the washroom open. Staring up at the ceiling, she took one calming breath after the other. He walked around the bed and returned to her side.
“Agnes?”
“Yes?”
“Why aren’t you looking at me?”
“What do you mean?”
“Do you regret this?”
“No!” She turned and stared at him, her eyes wide. “Of course not.”
“Then what’s wrong?” She looked away and shook her head. He gently touched her chin. “Please?”
“The sheets,” she whispered. “They’re ruined.”
“To hell with the sheets!” He laughed and pulled her close, kissing her forehead. “Do you really think that I care about the sheets?”
“I feel stupid.”
“Nonsense.” He tilted her face up and kissed her. “It’s a natural thing that happens the first time.”
“Thank you.”
He tugged the covers down a little. She grabbed on when the sheet started to slide past her breasts.
“I’ve already seen you,” he said, his eyes twinkling mischievously.
“I know, but…”
“But what?”
“It’s different now somehow…” She gestured to the window where the sun was coming in. “In the daylight, I mean.”
“I know – it’s better!”
“Henri!” She rolled her eyes at him when he laughed in delight.
He gently pried her fingers away from the sheet and pulled at it again. This time she let him.
“So beautiful.” He touched her breast, caressing its soft roundness.
Agnes smiled and her eyelashes fluttered a little as she enjoyed his gentle touch. He moved closer to her and her eyes opened wide when she felt his arousal press against her hip.
“Henri!”
He grinned and nodded. “That’s what happens to a man when he wakes up with a beautiful woman in his bed.”
“I see.” She laughed a little nervously when he continued to pull the sheet down. “Henri…”
“Does it make you nervous to see me?”
“No, I suppose not,” she muttered. “It’s just that…”
“It doesn’t seem proper,” he finished for her. She glared at him when he chuckled. “You’re so lovely, Agnes. The English, or whoever it was, that put that thought in your head, are wrong. There’s nothing bad about taking pleasure in looking at your lover. Does it make you feel bad when I admire your beauty?”
“No it doesn’t.”
“What does it make you feel?” he asked in a gentle voice. “When I look at you, and tell you that I desire your body, does it upset you?”
“Of course not.” She smiled softly. “It feels nice, actually.”
“Don’t you think I would feel the same, if you were to look at me in such a way?”
She frowned. The thought had not crossed her mind. “I’m sorry, Henri. I didn’t mean to make you feel bad. I’m just not used to seeing a man naked.”
“And that makes me very glad, chérie.” He caressed her cheek and nudged her chin. “Pull the sheet down.”
She swallowed nervously and did as he asked, baring his navel, then the dark hair below until the tip of his erect penis came into view. She gasped but kept pulling the sheet down until it only covered their lower legs. He kicked it off the rest of the way.
“See, nothing happened.”
She swatted at him again as she made a face at him. “You’re a cad.”
“I’m not familiar with that word. It means something good, oui?” he drawled.
“No.” She rolled her eyes at him, realizing that he was teasing her.
“That’s too bad.” He took her hand, playing with her fingers. “Just like a woman enjoys being touched, a man greatly enjoys his woman to touch him.”
She swallowed nervously and nodded as he moved her hand closer. She gasped when he stroked her fingers over his arousal.
“What do I do?”
He smiled, pleased with her eagerness to touch him. “Like this.”
Henri closed her fingers around his hardness. She licked her lip a little nervously as she watched him move her hand over him. He pressed a bit firmer as their hands closed around the tip and then pushed down. Her eyes opened wide in surprise when the head was bared. He felt firmer suddenly and her brow furrowed at this new discovery. When he let go of her hand she kept stroking him, marveling at its softness.
“Agnes, chérie, your touch is merveilleux.”
She smiled at him. “What you did with your mouth?” she whispered. “Does a man enjoy that too?”
His manhood firmed up further at her request and she gazed at it in wonder.
“Yes, chérie, but only if you want to.”
“It is bigger now. Why?”
“I find the thought of what you just asked very arousing,” he said with a low groan.
She giggled and stilled her hand. “May I try?”
“Of course.”
Agnes leaned down and pressed her lips against the side of his penis. Henri moaned and stroked her hair. Encouraged by his response she touched her tongue to him. He did not taste bad at all so she stroked the length of him, finishing with a soft kiss on the tip. He moaned her name and she grinned as she peered up at him. He smiled at her, and stroked her cheek. She kissed him again and he nodded. Parting her lips a little she touched her tongue to him, just like when they had kissed earlier. He bucked up against her mouth in response. Her eyes widened as the tip pushed inside her mouth.
“Mon dieu!”
She felt his fingers tighten in her hair as she held still, her lips still around him. When she swallowed he moaned as her lips tightened around him. Surprised by the reaction she did it again, and he moaned deeply. She held him firmly as she moved her mouth over him.
“Agnes, mon dieu, that feels incredible.”
Agnes blushed furiously. She could not believe what she was doing. Surely it could not be proper. Remembering what he had said, she tried to push the thought aside. She enjoyed what she was doing, and he clearly did too.
“Come here.” He tugged at her arm and she reluctantly let go, allowing him to pull her up for a kiss. “Thank you.”
She smiled and nodded. “I understand what you mean now. How wonderful it feels to give your lover pleasure.”
He nodded and kissed her again. “May I return the favor?”
She grinned and nodded. He sat up and knelt next to her. Curious, she followed his lead, allowing him to put her hands on the headboard, making her face the wall. She sighed when he knelt behind her, wrapping his arms around her as he kissed the back of her neck and shoulders.
“Oh, Henri.”
“Mmm, you taste so good.”
She whimpered softly when he cupped her breasts, stroking them gently. His arousal was pressed firmly against her buttocks, and surprisingly it did not make her feel embarrassed or nervous.
“So good,” she whispered.
He kissed his way down her back, then traced her spine with his tongue. She sighed and leaned her head back when he cupped her breasts again. Suddenly he was gone and she frowned only to gasp when she felt him move between her legs. She looked down and into his grinning face.
“Come here, chérie, let me love you.”
Agnes gaped when he pulled at her hips, bringing her closer to his face and his mouth. She whimpered and cried out softly when she felt his lips against her intimately. Tossing her head back she pushed down against his mouth.
“Oh God!”
He flicked his tongue over that special spot and her arousal started to spiral out of control. She whimpered and her legs trembled. Her eyes widened and she gasped when Henri pushed a finger inside her. He rubbed gently and then eased it out, setting a slow pace that made her tingle all over.
“Oh…”
Her legs shook more and she gasped and sighed as he continued to build her up. She let out a protesting sound when he let go of her. He moved behind her, cupping her again, stroking softly.
“It this all right? Are you comfortable?”
“Yes.”
He grinned and moved again, pushing against her. She gasped when he entered her, and instantly clamped down on him. He held still all while stroking her hips. Slowly inching inside her, he allowed her to adjust to him again. He groaned as he tried to hold back. It was incredibly hard.
“Am I hurting you?”
She shook her head. “Just stretching me. I’m all right now.”
He kissed her shoulder and eased out, then pushed inside again, just as slowly. She shivered and sighed, clearly enjoying it. He kept touching her folds while moving steadily behind her. When her sounds became louder and more urgent he grabbed her hips and pushed harder, taking her faster. She cried out and he noticed her grip tighten on the headboard.
“Oh God! Please, please, please…”
He closed his eyes and focused on her sounds and the feel of her, moving frantically against her. She started to squeeze him, and he slammed into her faster. Then she clamped down hard on him and he felt her hair in his face as she tossed her head back, crying out her release. She pulsed around him as he moved behind her. Just before his release he pulled free and finished on the sheet, holding her gently around the waist.
“What?” she whispered confused.
“It’s all right, chérie.” Henri flopped down next to her and she collapsed in his arms. He cupped her cheek, kissing her softly. “I was careless last night. I don’t want you to get pregnant, ma chère.”
“God! Do you really think that..?”
He smiled and stroked her cheek. “I hope not, but there’s always a chance.”
She stared at him, shock and worry on her face. “No, I can’t. Henri, I can’t.”
“Hush, chérie.” He kissed her forehead. “No need to worry just yet.”
“Of course.” She shivered and put her arm around him. “Thank you.”
“It is possible to prevent.”
“It is?” Her eyebrows shot up.
“The English call it a French Letter.”
“The French are brilliant, aren’t they?” she drawled.
“I cannot argue with that.”
She wacked him and he howled playfully and laughed when she rolled on top of him.
“Brilliant, my arse.”
“You seemed to think so only a moment ago, darling.”
Henri wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly against him. She leaned down and kissed him, licking his lower lip, slowly tracing it. He groaned and buried his hand in her hair as he stroked his tongue to hers. She wiggled above him causing him to moan into her mouth.
“I need to take a bath before I go.”
He sighed and nodded. Allowing her to slide off him, he held her close, her head resting on his shoulder.
“This is not the last time, ma chère.”
She nodded. Unable to meet his eyes she played with the hairs on his chest.
“So you want to… see me again?”
Gently tilting her head up until she met his eyes, he smiled and nodded. “I do. Is that all right?”
“Yes.” She grinned widely at him. “Yes, it’s absolutely all right.”
“Good.” He gently smacked her bottom and she squealed and made a face at him. “Then how about we get up and go for lunch somewhere?”
“That sounds lovely.”
Henri held his silk robe open for her and she smiled at him, kissing him softly as a thank you. Locating his undershorts, he slipped them on before heading to the bathroom. Agnes leaned against the doorframe, watching him turn the knobs to fill the tub.
“You know, I haven’t had a bath that I didn’t have to heat up the water for myself since I was very little.”
He smiled at her over his shoulder. “One of the modern things I’m very fond of.”
“Absolutely!” She laughed and stepped closer. “I might have to come over just to take a bath.”
He rolled his eyes as he let out a dramatic sigh. “First you want my job, now you want my bathtub too?”
“Yes!” She kissed him firmly. “But I also want you.”
He laughed and squeezed her tight. “I’m glad, ma chère.”
“Now get out so I can take a bath.”
She pushed him out of the small washroom, disregarding his protests that he wanted to stay and join her.
~ O ~
Henri had taken her to a small restaurant not far from his flat, where they had enjoyed a lovely luncheon together.
“May I walk you home?”
“Oh, you don’t have to.” She looked down and picked up her cup again, sipping her tea. “I have to stop by the market first. I’m sure you’ve things to do.”
“The market sounds fun. I’ve never been to an English market.”
His eagerness made her smile and she nodded. “Goodness me, we can’t have that.”
He called the waiter over and paid for their meals. Offering her his arm, the two left the sanctuary of the little restaurant.
~ O ~
Agnes had felt a tight knot in her stomach the whole time they were strolling through the market. She knew she could not bring Henri back to her place. The neighbors would surely notice him in his fine clothes and regal look. No, she could not bring him there. Then of course there was the matter of where she lived. Her small flat that she shared with her brother was nothing compared to Henri’s. The more she thought about it, the worse she felt. Henri had grown up in a French castle; she had grown up in the East End of London. Their worlds were so different. She glanced at him, blushing when she noticed that he was watching her.
“Where did you go?”
“No where really.”
“Are you having regrets?”
“No!” Her eyes widened and she stopped, turning to face him. “I would never regret you… us.”
“But there is something.”
She nodded. “Please don’t be upset, Henri, but I can’t have you walk me home.”
He gently touched her chin and smiled at her. “I would never do anything to hurt you, or go against your wishes.”
“It’s just that the neighbors are so nosy.”
“Ah.” He chuckled. “And a woman has a lot more to lose by having a gentleman visitor, than a man having a lady friend visiting.”
“Exactly.”
He looked around and spotted a woman selling flowers. Steering Agnes over to the stall he gestured to the bouquets sitting in buckets.
“Which one do you like?”
“Oh, you don’t have to.”
“Ah, but I want to.”
“All right. That one, please.”
He told the woman and she gathered the flowers, wrapping them up nicely. He paid and handed Agnes the flowers.
“For a beautiful woman.”
“Thank you.”
The bouquet was prettier than anything she had ever received. She looked up at him with tears in her eyes and he gently stroked her cheek.
“Something to remember me by.”
“I don’t need flowers to remember you, Henri.”
“Just in case,” he whispered in her ear.
“I hope that I can look at you tomorrow without blushing.”
“You will.” They started walking again. “Even if you do, no one would really think much about it. I’m known to be a terrible flirt.”
“Are you now?”
He chuckled and nodded. “I never mean anything by it, Agnes. For me there is only one woman, the one I’m with. I don’t look at anyone else. Please believe that.”
She just nodded. Her thoughts went to his French lover, Valerie, wishing that she could ask about her. Noticing the twinkle in Henri’s eyes, she smiled at him and took his arm again. After all, Valerie was in New York and Henri was here, with her. Whatever the future might hold, the present belonged to them. Her smile turned into a wide grin as he squeezed her hand.
“I do believe you, Henri. I truly do.”
The End