Chapter 77 - Wanting

Delaney and Vincent stood looking around them for any sign of the fairies but there was nothing left. After a moment, Delaney turned back to her husband and threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly.

"Thank you so much for this," she whispered, "This has been the most amazing night! It was like a dream!"

Vincent held her in his arms and chuckled softly, "I'm happy you enjoyed it my love. I was hoping it would cheer you up."

"It did," she looked up at him, studying his face, "Did you enjoy it though?"

He smiled before leaning down and kissing her slowly. When he came away a moment later she was breathless.

"I did enjoy it. I spent an amazing, unbelievable night with the woman I'm in love with. Nothing could be better."

Delaney's eyes flickered over his face and she felt a sudden longing for him fill her.

"I love you," she spoke in a hushed tone, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling him down until their lips met.

She kissed Vincent with hunger and eagerness unlike any she'd felt before. As she tasted him and lightly bit at his lip, his groan thrilled her.

His hands moved over her waist and slid around to her backside where the heat of his skin could be felt through her soaked dress. He picked her up, Delaney wrapping her legs around him and not breaking away from their kissing.

He moved until she felt her back against a tree, pinned there. One of Vincent's hands moved down over her thigh and calf. Delaney gasped when she felt his fingertips on her ankle for a second before moving up until he was holding her thigh under her skirt, the heat of his skin warming hers, ice-cold from the rain.

A sound like a growl came from him as he pushed closer to her, their hips smashed together. He grabbed one of her hands in his and held it above her head against the tree. Delaney broke away from his mouth, her head falling back as she worked to catch her breath, leaving her pale neck exposed.

Vincent didn't pause, his mouth dropping to the fragile skin, kissing and letting his teeth lightly graze over it. Delaney moaned quietly and felt his hand under her skirt move farther upward, his fingertips pressing into her the back of her thigh and the base of her buttocks.

His mouth moved farther down her neck and over her shoulder, catching the top of her sleeve in his teeth to pull it down onto her arm. His kisses were hot across her skin.

Delaney felt as if she was being wound up like a spring. Everything inside her wanted her husband. Suddenly she wasn't afraid anymore. She wanted to be with Vincent and she knew he would never hurt her.

His hand moved farther until his fingers pressed into the soft skin he found. With her free hand, she twisted her fingers around in his hair. When she got a small handful she pulled it, breaking his mouth away from her collarbone. A sound rumbled from his chest before she brought his mouth to hers again.

He tore at her hungrily and she felt the proof he wanted her as much as she wanted him. He let go of the hand above her head and slipped it under her skirt to join the other. She felt the heat from more of his skin meeting hers and gasped again.

Delaney grabbed his shirt with her free hand and pulled it upward. She suddenly just wanted his clothes to be off. She wanted to look at him. All of him.

As if someone, somewhere, was judging them, an unexpected crack of lightning suddenly split the sky above, so loud and bright it made both of them jump.

Vincent looked at her then, sucking in a quick breath with his eyes widening. He stepped back from her, setting her on her feet and quickly removing his hands as he dropped his eyes.

"I'm so sorry," he apologized quickly, shaking his head, "I-I lost my head for a moment. Did I... Did I hurt you?"

Delaney looked at him confused, "I'm fine... Are you alright?"

"Yes, of course," he said quickly as thunder sounded, bringing with it a light sprinkling rain.

"Then why are you so worried?" Delaney asked with a smile, stepping towards him, "We're both fine."

He met her eyes as drips of rain slid over his face, "I don't want to force you to do something. I just got carried away and..."

"Shh," Delaney giggled, stepping to him then and taking his face in her hands as she smiled lovingly up at him, "Did I seem like I was being forced to do anything?"

Vincent hesitated, studying her face. After a moment he began to relax.

"I love you Vincent," she said seriously but with a smile pulling at her lips, "I love you and I want to make love to you... tonight."

He nearly jumped from the shock her words gave him, "Tonight? You-you want to? Are you sure?"

"Yes," she laughed, "But only if you get us home before we both catch cold."

Vincent stole a quick kiss before he stood back and beamed at her.

"Come on," he said quietly, "Let's go home."

They walked quickly through the woods as the rain came down on them. Vincent was limping but didn't let it slow him down.

Delaney had no idea where they were and couldn't tell the difference from one step to the next but Vincent did. Without any fear, he stepped through the trees and brush, slowing only to help her.

When they caught each other's eye, the couple smiled, blushed, and laughed. Drenched, his shirt clung to him as he walked, perfectly sculpting to each muscle. Delaney couldn't help but watch these muscles move beneath the fabric. She bit her lip and couldn't believe he was hers.

They got to the stream and Delaney swallowed. It had swollen since earlier, higher now. There was no way Vincent could carry her now and she didn't want him to think he had to. When he looked back at her she smiled at him.

Delaney took a deep breath and squared her shoulders with determination. Without waiting for Vincent, she walked out into the water. He was quickly behind her though, hands on her waist to steady her against the rush of cold water.

When they were almost to the other side, the water barely covering Delaney's waist, she turned to look at Vincent, grinning happily. Her hair was plastered to her head and shoulders, a piece flung across her chin.

Vincent chuckled when he saw her and reached out to move the piece of hair before taking her chin in his hand and leaning down to kiss her.

They made it to the bank and Vincent again took up the lead, taking his wife's hand. He still watched the woods closely for threats but seemed more concerned with getting back to their estate quickly.

Delaney's own legs were getting sore from the exertion so she imagined his must feel so much worse. At last, ahead the bright light from the enormous torches that surrounded Edgewood Manor could be seen through the trees.

Delaney smiled and felt her heart warm. Their servants had made sure to light their way home. She would remember to tell Ms. Crouch to reward them all somehow.

Breaking through the trees finally, Vincent turned to look back at her, his long black hair hanging down to his shoulders. Delaney smiled and as soon as she did, he did too.

With her hand still in his hand, Vincent worked his way back toward their home, slowing down a little as his limp got worse. Delaney knew after dancing as much as they had there was no way his pain wasn't terrible in his leg.

He had walked so well though. Then something dawned on her and she remembered the little pink fairy. Nell had kissed them both on the noses before she left. Delaney had felt more... excited. Wanting to make love to her husband even in the middle of the trees.

Maybe the kiss from the fairy had taken away Vincent's pain though just as it had calmed him when she'd said it before the dancing. Delaney watched him walking ahead of her now, his limp not nearly as bad as it should be.

The fairy had done something. He wouldn't have been able to last this long if she hadn't.

Walking up the steps of Edgewood, they were met first by their noble butler and then by the last few servants who'd waiting to see them.

"Thank goodness you're home my Lord," The man smiled in relief, "I was just about to send some men looking for you."

Vincent smiled back at him but was already easing away towards the stairs, "I told you we'd be alright. Go get some sleep now."

Delaney giggled as he pulled her after him. She felt her excitement to be with him growing again now.

They reached the top of the stairs and he stopped and pulled her to him, kissing her slowly and passionately until her legs felt unsteady again. When he slowly eased away from her, he wore a mischievous smile with his green eyes bright.

"Go dry off and get changed in your bedroom," he whispered, "Then come to me in mine."

She nodded, her face mirroring his. He walked her to her bedroom door where he gave her a quick kiss on her forehead before hurrying to his own room.

Stepping inside, Delaney chuckled when she saw Ms. Bird was asleep sitting up on her couch. She cleared her throat and the older woman popped awake. Seeing it was the duchess she was quick to jump to her feet.

"I'm sorry my Lady," she yawned, "I only meant to sit for a moment."

"It's alright," Delaney giggled, "But come help me quickly."

Her maid did as she was told and soon Delaney stood naked in the middle of her bedroom. Ms. Bird pulled a wide-necked nightdress over the younger woman's head and tied it. Delaney pulled on her robe and sat by the fire to try to warm up while her maid brushed and tried to dry her long hair.

At last her hair was in a braid and she was covered up. Delaney whispered to Ms. Bird a thank you and told her she would see her in the morning. As she had all those weeks before, Delaney got to her bedroom door and paused, building up her courage.

She loved Vincent and wanted to be with him but that didn't clear away her anxiety.

She pushed the door open and walked down the now dark hallway to her husband's door. She took a deep breath and lightly knocked. Smiling when she heard him call.

"Come in my Love."