As if on cue, he picked her up again, and dropped her on the bed. She looked up at him, noticing for the first time that he was also dressed for bed in a banyan and a dressing gown.
He undid the knot from the dressing gown and dropped it to the floor, and then took off his slippers before sitting down on the bed, one knee folded beneath his derriere, as he considered her naked body.
She watched him watch her in silence, her embarrassment gradually receding.
“That’s how I know you do trust me. Because you let me see you.”
Her mind scrambled for a moment, confused about what he might be talking about before she remembered his earlier comment about her eyes.
She sat up. “And what of you? Do you not trust me?”
His eyes went through a flurry of emotions, too quick for her to make out and then his sinfully long lashes swept downwards, hiding his eyes from her.
“It is not that I don’t trust you…” He looked up and into her eyes, as if to prove it. “It is just that…” He inclined his head, his mouth working as if trying to find the right words. “When you are the one who is responsible for everyone… you tend to stay vigilant at all times. Add being an agent for the Crown…”
“And it is hard for your walls to come down,” she finished for him.
He pursed his lips and nodded, shrugging ruefully.
She pulled up her knees, wrapping her arms around them so that she didn’t feel so exposed. “I suppose I can understand that… being always vigilant. But now I’m here and I can help you.”
He huffed. “You are also my responsibility.”
“Yes, but I am used to looking after myself too…and those around me. So perhapsyoucan bemyresponsibility, and then you do not have to be vigilant all the time. Sometimes, I can relieve you.”
He shook his head, bemused. “I have never heard a woman speak in such a manner.”
“I understand women are meant to be retiring and frail, but I do not know how to be that. I don’t want to be another burden on you. You might get too tired one day, and then where would we all be?”
He laughed quietly, looking down. “I won’t get tired.”
“Everybody gets tired.”
He straightened his leg with a sigh, turning to lay on the pillow beside her, and looking up at her with an amused smile. “So, you want to help me keep watch?”
She nodded, as she lay down as well, mimicking his pose. “I do.”
“Very well then. We’ll start tonight. Would you like to take over then?”
She frowned. “And how would I do that?”
He just continued to smile. “You are the leader, so lead.”
She narrowed her eyes at him, suspecting him of trying to show her she was being ridiculous. Her eyes raked his body, the top of his banyan, half undone, his chest gleaming cleanly in the firelight. The bottom of his banyan hid everything beneath effectively.
“Well, let’s start with your clothes. I certainly cannot be the only naked one in this bed.” Reaching for the banyan, she pulled it off, leaving him naked to her gaze.
He lay there, smirking at her, as she looked at him, her eyes unable to avoid looking downward at his erect member. She took a deep breath, her entire body liquefying at the sight. She thought again about them in the bath and if she were on top of him.
“Can…?” she began to ask, before losing her nerve.
“Ask,” he said softly.
“Would I be able to… on top?” Her cheeks were flaming.
He smiled and then lay down, spreading his hands wide without saying a word. His member stood erect, and she was unable to look elsewhere.
Slowly she crawled to him, and swung her leg over his hips, looking down at him, wondering if she could do it, if it would hurt.
