finally let
go. A wave of disappointment crashed through him as she pulled away and sat up.
Still, she hadn't left his bed. She brushed the hair back from her face and
licked her lips. Gilles rolled on to his back and scrubbed his face with his
hands. He was going to lose his mind if he couldn't bury himself within her
soon.
"I was worried about sleepwalking into your
room and taking advantage of you. I never thought to lock the door from my
side." He rolled on to his side and rested on his elbow.
"I'm so sorry. I'd only meant to help. You
were quite miserable, calling out and thrashing around." Gilles stared up
at Elise. She'd stopped the dream? Hope and need fused within him. "Once
you were calm, I tried to leave but you wouldn't let go."
"Ah. So this is my fault." Gilles
teased as he took her hand in his and kissed her palm. Elise swallowed loudly
and swayed forward. He could have her this night. She wanted him to seduce her.
The robe had slid from one shoulder revealing
the pale, gentle curve and a thin silk strap in a light shade of blue, green or
grey. Whoever chose her garments had a good eye and understood her. Could he
know her as well?
"My hands are my eyes, in a way. Sometimes,
they have a tendency to wander and explore. I don't always realize what they're
doing."
"Mmhhmm..." Gilles was currently
exploring one of her hands with his lips and tongue. Nipping his way down a
digit and then licking along the seam back towards her palm. Had women's hands
always been this sensual, or was it just hers? Elise gasped.
"May I touch you?" She asked, her
voice trembling.
Gilles stopped. "Darling, you can touch me
as much as you'd like but you're going to have to undress if you're going to
touch me like that."
"Not like that. Can I touch your face? I
want to know what you look like."
How could he say no? Gilles sat up and faced
her. Elise scooted in closer, her hip rubbed against his thigh and they were
nearly face to face. She brought her hands up and tentatively touched his
cheeks, orienting herself. Her hands rose and her fingertips brushed across his
forehead. Elise found the faint furrow and traced it. Her thumbs brushed along
his brow and down over his eyelids. Then swept gently along Gilles' lashes and
she sighed.
"They are lovely."
"Excuse me?" Gilles' voice was barely
there.
Elise shook her head, dismissing the question
and continued studying him. She found the creases by his eyes and smiled.
"You used to laugh a lot." Gilles
nodded as her fingers skimmed along his cheeks, just under his eyes, tracing
along his cheek bones towards the sides of his face. Elise followed his jaw
down to his squared chin. She ran the backs of her hands back up, letting the
light stubble scratch the softer skin. Her thumbs went back to the bridge of
his nose and followed it downwards. Her fingertips brushed over his lips,
learning the dips and contours. Gilles' heart pounded in his ears, it seemed
unnaturally loud and slow. His heart nearly stopped as a thumb pulled on his
lower lip gently and traced along the inside, rubbing along his teeth. He
remained still, afraid of doing anything that might cause Elise to stop. This
was easily the most intimate and erotic moment of his life, Gilles felt
intoxicated and she'd only touched his face. He opened his mouth slightly and
her thumb slid in, found his tongue and stroked it. He let his tongue lick the
pad of her thumb and Elise gasped. Emboldened by her response, he closed his
lips and began to suck. Gilles heard her moan and her face swayed towards him.
She was within inches of his lips when she stopped. Elise shook her head and
retreated. She withdrew her thumb and
Brauna E. Pouns, Donald Wrye