Pour another round

[aspecialkindofwoman]

There are many descriptors that can be applied to Milady deWinter. Perhaps the most important is the term survivor.

She will always do what she needs to do to survive. She's not surprised that things turned out how they did. Not really. She has learned to expect the worst.

But here she is back in this place. This strange, modern place where she can, if she wants, be anything she wants to be. Milady supposes now is the time to figure that out. Surely, it's only a matter of time before Athos lives through what she has. Will he still want her?

Someone will. Surely.

She sits at the hotel bar, draining one glass of sharp, bitter alcohol and signalling for another, her skirt - the finest Parisian silk - covering the barstool, the curve of her shoulder gleaming in the low light.

Comments

[armedagainstlove]

Sighing as though this is a hardship, he does as she says, thinking that perhaps they can pour the water again and make it hotter. Perhaps he will even be able to entice her into the tub. "How many more layers of dirt must come off before I am recognizable?"

[aspecialkindofwoman]

"Only about five," she teases, her expression fond once more. "You're nearly there."

And it won't take much to entice her in; once the water runs more clear, that is.

[armedagainstlove]

Athos stretches his back out and glances at her with tenderness and softness. "What must I do in order to convince you to join me?" he asks. "Perhaps if we drain the water and fill it again, anew?"

[aspecialkindofwoman]

"Perhaps," she says, tone entirely coy.

When she rinses his hair clean again and does run more water, she stands, her head cocked as she watches him watch her. While it isn't as complicated as undressing him, her dress does take some time to undo, but she'll make a show of it for him.

[armedagainstlove]

He settles back against the comforting wrap of the tub and stretches his arms out, breathing out a slow and happy sigh as he gets comfortable. "I hope I haven't missed too much," is his quiet comment. "Even if you won't tell me."

[aspecialkindofwoman]

What could she say to that? What could Anne say? How so much had changed?

She merely goes about undressing, watching his face for a reaction; that is one thing she could rely on, isn't it?

When her fine dress is merely a heap on the floor, she steps closer, eyebrow arched in question: does he still want company?

[armedagainstlove]

He nods, beckoning her in. He feels weary and as though he hasn't seen her in far too long. Even exposed like this, it is different under the roof of this hotel.

[I've caught up to episode 8!]

[aspecialkindofwoman]

{oooh}

The tub is wide and deep, and Anne twists her hair high on her head before she steps in, straddling his hips, fingers skating up his chest. "Have you been without all this time?" she asks.

[armedagainstlove]

"Without bathing? Or without companionship?" He gives her a look that says she ought to know the answer to the second, because he's a loyal man and he's been in the middle of a war, which hasn't left him very much time to enjoy himself. "You already know that answer."

[aspecialkindofwoman]

That makes Anne smile. Regardless of anything, she can have this. She brings his hands to her breasts. "Then have me, however you wish, my love."

[armedagainstlove]

At this point, his exhaustion is running into his bones. He bows his head forward in order to curl into her body, his hands sliding up the warmth of her skin. He rounds and cups her shoulders, holding on and peppering soft kisses along her neck, hesitating where he knows the scar to be.

"What's waiting for me?" he finally asks.

[aspecialkindofwoman]

As much as she wishes to stand up straight in the face of the truth, Athos can feel Anne curve, nearly bow. "Must we speak of this now? Can we not have this moment?" she asks in a whisper.

[armedagainstlove]

Then it must be bad. He cannot imagine that she would put it off unless there is a fear of the events and how he will react. Sighing, he continues to touch her, his hand descending lower as it slips between her thighs. "You will have to tell me sometime," he points out.

[aspecialkindofwoman]

With her cheek against his, Anne doesn't have to look at him and to stay close as her breath catches at the touch. "No, I won't," she whispers. He'll live it soon enough, won't he?

Not that she will shirk her experience. She is no coward. "But let us talk after."

Let them have this.

[armedagainstlove]

He gives a soft hum and a nod of agreement, seeing as he greatly understands the need to isolate and treat the wound with whatever medicine applicable. His hand moves and he allows his thumb to begin rubbing slow, teasing circles. "You are counting on having the ability to speak, then?"

[aspecialkindofwoman]

He can feel her smile against his cheek, her own hand wander down his chest, his belly, and lower. "That sounds like a challenge..."

[armedagainstlove]

"What would life be without its challenges?" he dares her, thinking that if he can rob her of her breath and speech, then it will be an accomplishment indeed. He begins his work now, with a twist of fingers and a careful slide of them with the water to help.

[aspecialkindofwoman]

There is little in Milady deWinter's life that isn't political. Sex is no exception. It's only been with Athos that she has let herself appear vulnerable. Even now, she holds to his shoulder with one hand, his manhood with the other, and lets her eyes fall shut. Her muscles clench around him as she starts to rock.

[armedagainstlove]

That robs a soft gasp of him, unable to do much more than allow himself to give in to the physical relief that being in her presence allows him. Sometimes, he thinks she could have him out of his head and forgetting the world, which is what he needs now.

The blissful sound he lets out is proof of her control now.

[aspecialkindofwoman]

If given the chance for control, she will take it, smiling when she hears that noise. Whatever will come, will come. Now? Now, they have this.

She leans down, ghosting words over his mouth. "To bed," she not so much urges as commands, gently easing off of where he touches her, even as her whole body tingles with it. Then she rises, a hand in his to rise too. It will be much more comfortable in bed.

[armedagainstlove]

He must be clean enough, then. He gives her a light nudge and reaches for her hand when offered to him, giving a nod of his head as he knows that they will be more comfortable when they reach the sheets. He stops for a towel only to wipe off the majority of the droplets before continuing on, waiting for her to arrange herself on the bed first.

[aspecialkindofwoman]

Is that for her benefit or his? Still smirking, Anne moves to lie down, hair splayed behind her when released from the pins, arms spread. He can come and get her. And perhaps she can hold tight to him and not let him go.

[armedagainstlove]

Athos stands at the edge of the bed and watches her for a long moment. For all their strife and complications in the past, he knows that there is a bond between them that will never be severed. Now, at least, they can enjoy the physical aspects of it.

He slowly crawls atop her with a glint of idea in his eye, ready for more. "Ready?"

[aspecialkindofwoman]

The only response to that is to bite down on her lower lip and for Anne to pull Athos down over her, a leg hooking around his hips even as she can feel his hardness between them. God, the desire that tightens her belly is enough to make her breathless. Yes, she's ready.

[armedagainstlove]

He lets his gaze slide over her body to enjoy and appreciate, having been starved of feminine affection and contact for so many months, now. Porthos had enjoyed himself when he could, but even that has become a rarity. "Will you have me in you?" he asks.