FFS - insatiable lot. ok... One for Norah... (and now I've caught up with myself again so you'll have to wait unti I've had time to pull bits together.)
Previously we had lots of plot, coming up - not so much plot.
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"You were right about the wedding dress anyway." Porthos spun the mug in his hands, grinning.
Norah glanced up from the table, startled "You asked her?!"
"No, she guessed - I told her you wanted to see you. Besides, I doubt you'll see her for a while - she split her head open again." Norah's surprise turned to alarm "She got it stitched up in Treville's office - some woman came from the castle to collect her. Looked like she was sucking on lemons, that oen did - even the Captain was keeping out of her way."
"Is she ok?"
He shrugged "She's looked happier - mind you, she did a brilliant job on- on Rochefort, sent him off with his tail well between his legs." Norah flinched slightly at the name, shooting a quick glance at Porthos, who was busy draining his mug. "Anyway - are you done?"
Norah forced a smile and tidied the table. Porthos looked at the expanse of empty table and grinned at her, eyes twinkling mischievously. She blushed as he sauntered towards her, placed one hand either side of her, trapping her against the table. She pushed an arm aside, and moved past him, unsettled by the mention of Rochefort. "Let's get some air, eh? We can walk along the river and come back by the Place Royal?" Porthos frowned slightly, puzzled by her reaction, but shrugged and picked up his hat, following her out of the door.
They walked in silence for a while, her hand tucked into his arm. He finally broke the silence "What's up?"
Norah decided to be vaguely truthful "I'm worried about Kate - and I don't like Rochefort."
Porthos laughed "I think she can handle him just fine."
Norah stopped and glared at him "And what if she can't? I know about him - his reputation..." she turned away, hiding the tears that threatened.
"Hey!" he grabbed her arm and pulled her back to him "Norah, she'll be fine - he won't dare touch her, not while she's got the Queen's protection." Norah bit down on her lip. Kate might have the Queen's protection, but she didn't; Porthos pushed aside the thought that if the Queen herself wasn't safe from the Cardinal's machinations, her protection would count for little if Rochefort was determined to cause trouble.
"Besides, we're keeping an eye on her too - don't worry?" He stroked Norah's cheek and pulled her in close. He kissed the top of her head, then tilted her chin up to him, searching her eyes. "It will be ok." She buried her head in his chest, drawing comfort from the feel of his arms holding her tightly against him.
He looked down at her, concerned. Now was probably not the best time to remind her that he was going on exercise next week. "Why don't you go and see her tomorrow? She'll probably be glad of the company." He grinned "I'll get you in...."
Norah stayed pressed against him, she could feel the heat of his body through his clothes and suddenly wanted nothing more than to pull them off him. She smiled up at him "You know, fresh air is a bit overrated - shall we go back...?"
Porthos' smile was wolfish as he raised her hand to his lips "Your wish is my command..." He kept her hand gripped tightly in his and strode through the streets, Norah found herself almost running to keep up.
He looked back and grinned at her, then stopped, spun her round and pulled her down a side alley - a chicken squawked under their feet and shot out into the main street as he pulled her close and kissed her. His hands roamed over her clothes, tracing the outline of her body, squeezing her breasts through the material, feeling her nipples hardening in response. She returned his kisses with increasing urgency, the noises of the street ignored as she worked her hands inside his jacket. She stumbled back against the roughly rendered wall and he ran his hands up her legs, lifting her skirts - she recoiled as the cold chill of air startled her. She pushed him away, laughing "We're only two streets from my rooms, for goodness sake."
He looked wounded "Two streets? You want me to walk two streets in this state?"
Norah turned away and gave him a coquettish smile, holding out her hand. He sighed, straightened his jacket and followed her home, cursing under his breath.
Porthos barred the door behind them and grabbed her round the waist. "Now, where were we...? Were we here?" He pulled her close and bent to kiss her neck "Or here?" his hand ran up her leg and he smiled at her sudden indrawn breath. She undid the buckle on this sword belt and it fell to the floor as she moved on to his jacket. He pushed her hands aside and swept her up in his arms, carrying her up the stairs.
They pulled off their clothes and fell laughing onto the bed, kissing each other while their hands roamed freely. He suddenly pulled back from her, gazing at her as they lay on the bed "You're beautiful, you know?"
Norah blushed scarlet, embarrassed and delighted at the unexpected compliment "You're not bad yourself - now come here." She reached out to him and pulled him in close, running her hands over him and relishing the feel of his muscles quivering at her touch. Their earlier passion was now tempered with a tenderness, each trying to please the other, drawing gratification from the other's pleasure - hands, lips and tongues exploring each other's bodies as they lay together in the bed.
Eventually she rolled over on top of him and lowered herself gently down, teasing him as his tip brushed against her, straining to enter more deeply. She grinned into his brown eyes and he reached out to grasp her hips, drawing her slowly down on him to mutual sighs of pleasure. She moved slowly, rocking gently against him.
He reached up to cup her breasts, lifted his head to lick them and suck on her nipples, tongue circling and teasing. Her rhythm faltered, shuddering in pleasure as he thrust deeper into her and pulled her down to kiss her lips - one hand still caressing her breasts while the other was buried in her hair. She felt him growing harder inside her, thrusts growing faster, more urgent. She whimpered against his lips, pleasure flooding through her entire body as her fingernails dug into his shoulder and they collapsed together, bodies slick with sweat. He gazed down at her, her skin pale and milky against his, small nimble fingers gripped round his large callused hand, and wondered how he had been lucky enough to find her.