Leonine could have joined her mother at the tavern, but she decided against it.  Even on a night when she was not feeling the woeful ache of womanhood, she preferred a quiet evening at home to holding her ground against bawdy drunkards.  Her mother had more patience than she when it came to things like that.  Patience, and charisma.  She could always find a man to woo into siding with her and seeing that none would disturb her peace.  Leonine had but one man she desired that attention from, and one man who would give it to her willingly and with nothing expected in return.  Alas, she did not wish to bother her dearest Simon in her current state.

The two had been nigh inseparable as of late, just like the days of their youth.  Yet unlike the days of their youth, much of the time they spent together was spent as lovers rather than friends.  As she lazily lay in front of the fire, hoping the warmth would bring some relief, she let out a wistful sigh.  She missed her Belmont terribly.  Yet her mother taught her well and she knew if she were to lay with him now, a baby would soon follow.  ‘Twas not that she did not want to bare his child.  Nay, she wanted nothing more!  But she did not wish for Simon’s first to be conceived outside of wedlock.  She’d had her fair share of shame having been born under those circumstances herself.  Thus, she had not sought him out, fearing that the temptation would be too great.

It seemed the night had other plans for her.  A knock on the door had her reluctantly rising from the comfort of where she lay.  When she opened it, she was greeted by that beautiful burly frame of her betrothed.  In spite of her good intentions, she was overjoyed that he had instead come to her and beamed at the sight of him.

“Sir Belmont,” she swooned, leaning against the frame of the door.  “Oh, I did not expect to see such a handsome visitor at this hour.”

“Nor did I expect to visit, but your mother happened to pass me by on her way to town,” said Simon.  “That woman made it very clear that you were at home by yourself.  ‘Tis a pity for a beautiful maiden to fare the eve alone, said she.”

“‘Tis a pity indeed,” she replied.  “Oh, how blessed am I that a big, strong man has concerned himself with my well-being.”

Leonine wanted to roll her eyes, but her mother was not present to see that which would be directed at her.  Instead, she had Simon, and she had him all to herself.  Curse the heavens that she could not take him as she wished tonight!

Simon chuckled at her sarcasm, but played along no longer.  He leaned in to catch her mouth and backed her into the house, closing the door behind himself without daring to part.  She could feel the racing of his heart as her own chest pressed flush against his.  She felt the urgency of his need as his tongue danced along hers and his fists gripped the fabric of the dress on her back.  Oh, it was just like she feared.  It had been days since he saw her last, and he was unable to resist her.  It took all she had within her to break the kiss, and all her strength to deny him when that fire blazed in his half-lidded gaze.

“Need I remind you, Belmont,” she said, her damned voice wavering as she placed her hands on his chest and pressed back to create a slight distance between them.  “That we are not yet wed?”

“Nay, you need not,” he said, holding one of his own hands atop hers right above his thumping heart.  “For I feel the pain of this truth every waking moment.  ‘Tis why I need you so.”

“Do you need me so that you would have me with child before I have your name?”

Simon stopped and stared her down at this abrupt question.  The furrow of his brows questioned her on his behalf.

“‘Tis not that I do not want you,” she added, reaching up to twist the hair draped over his shoulder.  “God above knows I crave you most desperately.  Oh, I could have climbed you the moment I flung open the door!  Yet it would not be wise for us to couple for the next few days…  Lest…”

Her voice carried off as her hand drifted away.  He reached for it before she withdrew it entirely.

“I understand,” he said to her.  He straightened up, furthering the distance between them while keeping her hand. “I do not wish to bring shame to you.  I can take my leave if you think it best.”

“You are a good man, Simon Belmont,” she said.  A smile cracked on her face as her dainty hand squeezed his.  “Do not think I am so cruel to turn you away into the cold of the night after you braved it so valiantly to see your woman.  Your company is always most appreciated.  Come, sit with me.”

Taking his hand, she led him closer to the hearth.  She urged him to seat himself on the rug in front of it and seated herself atop his crossed legs.  The strong hold of his toned arms wrapped around her.  The comfort of his embrace helped her forget what ailed her.

For many minutes, they sat together like that without a word exchanged between them.  She had nearly dozed off on his lap by the time he spoke again.

“Leonine,” he whispered. 

“Hm?”

“What of the other ways to please one another?”

“Such as?”

She knew of a few ways, but was curious to see what the man would come up with on his own.  His hand crept over her thigh and he squeezed the supple flesh.  She whipped her head around to look into his eyes that were so darkened with desire for her alone.  Of all the ideas, this was not one she had considered.

“Belmont!” she laughed.  “Your need is that dire that you would settle to take me betwixt my legs?”

“I do not consider it settling when yours is still the body I cling to.”

He said this in earnest, and she knew it to be so.

“Very well.  I do not wish to deprive you,” she said, slipping off of his lap.  She lay on her side, facing the fire with her back to him.  Looking over her shoulder, she beckoned him to do the same.  He was soon right behind her, drawing the skirt of her dress up.  She opted to rest her head on her arm and watch the flames as they danced before her as he did as he pleased, but she grew greatly distracted when she felt the searing heat of his manhood pressing against the back of her thigh.  She gushed with arousal, then felt a slight pang that she would not be feeling the exquisite fullness of his love this evening.  Ah well…  At least Simon could enjoy himself.

With ankles locked, she kept her legs together as her lover slipped his length in between them.  His content sigh fanned past the back of her neck; such a sensual sound just amplified that aching emptiness of her core.  She could feel the slick head coat her inner thighs with each cautious thrust.

“Nor do I wish to deprive you,” he breathed after settling into a comfortable rhythm.

Deprive her he did not.  The back of her neck and slope of her shoulder were covered in kisses.  A firm hand tended to her breasts, alternating its attention between the two.  The other arm snaked beneath her; its hand wound up deftly finding that pearl of pleasure that hid between her legs to tease it.  The calloused pads of his fingers so gently circling such a sensitive spot had her thighs clenching once again.  The extra incidental friction earned a low groan from her lover.  That alone was so divine, she found she could not trouble herself to be sore at the satisfaction he was receiving.