Freedom Of Expression

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict breathed out in enjoyment; a content sound where he felt so much at ease, so peaceful as she placed light touches on his skin with her lips and fingers. A comforting action, a warm sensation. "And neither of us are cruel individuals," he told her with a smile. Hearing her continue to encourage this -- them -- just added to that comfort. Able to find ease in the fact that this would not be their last time. He assumed that they would naturally find way to one another when both were in attendance at such an event again, but assuming it and being assured of it were two different things. And he need not concern himself of it not being possible or likely. No. They both desired this and thus, they would both continue to explore what formed between them. Whatever that was. Benedict felt no need to define it. It was incredible just the way it was. She was incredible. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ He was about to respond to her words when she added onto them, causing him instead remain silent. But there was no shock nor disagreement upon his features. Instead, his just looked at her with the same soft intent he held in this precious moments following their pleasurable actions. He knew that men took mistresses. He knew that this was how it started. He'd hear those bold enough to discuss it at clubs, and sometimes overhear such conversations during a night of gambling or at a boxing match. He even knew his brother had one. But this, this felt so incredibly different. Intention was everything and neither of them held the intention to . . . use the other. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ They had left all title and rank at the door before entering this house. All that was left was desire. A desire between woman and man. He softly smiled, his hand returning to her cheek as he leaned forward to kiss her again, a nonverbal agreement before he would voice it so that he could diminish any doubt that he did not agree with her suggestion. Easing out of the embrace, he lightly kissed the corner of her mouth, before moving along her cheek until he reached her ear, lips pressed against it. "I would very much like that." To have another place to just be. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ "Perhaps somewhere with proper furniture we can use to our advantage," he said jokingly with a breath of amusement. Leaning his head back but remaining close, a playful look of realization crossed his features. "Not that I even looked around long enough to find any in this room," he sheepishly admitted. Even with the build up of their actions and removal of their clothing . . . he had only been looking at her and only her. But truth was, it would be nice to find a place of privacy that they both knew would not be as short term as well, a vacant room in a household full of people. Tag lennie3 Note: Better layout coming soon!

                        the rules of society.

[lennie3]

Genevieve had never seen much purpose in denying herself what she wanted, nor had she allowed much to get in the way of it. She had managed her way through society with meticulous intent to get to where she was, she had worked hard and she was comfortable. Perhaps it was that comfort which made her willing to risk some of it to spend more time with him, she felt secure not because Benedict offered her his continued attentions but rather because she was already content without his affections.

She didn't see panic in his eyes as he reflected upon the meaning of her words. What she did saw was a man trying to comprehend the meaning of them, trying to fit together words with the reality they lived in as if they were parts of the same puzzle. Genevieve was not sure it was possible to take whatever this was between them consisting of soft looks and gentle touches anywhere else, did not know if it would ever feel the same outside of the protective roof of the party. His gaze was kind and so very different from other men's, holding a vulnerability which Genevieve could not have denied she was not drawn to. Perhaps it was the fact that he was a good man, a man who was quite known for caring deeply for his family, and still a man who had not before allowed himself the opportunity to explore his own needs outside of the expectations placed upon him.

Yet she smiled at his confession, his agreement that he too wanted what she had offered him. Genevieve turned her head, capturing his lips in a slow kiss before whispering against him, "and it pleases me to hear you would like such a thing."

"I do believe somewhere with proper furniture could prove beneficial," she agreed with him, unable to hide the amusement in her voice. Genevieve let a laugh slip, her gaze following him as he looked around the room, his features taking on a near boyish charm as he excused himself sheepishly. "And yet you must know I do not mind you didn't," she mused, caressing his jaw softly, it was the truth, even though Genevieve could not say honestly whether or not her back would feel the same way in the morning. "I do believe you would not be entirely at fault for placing some blame on me, I didn't take into consideration much more than finding an empty room," she admitted, fair was fair after all, and she enjoyed this rapport they had built, of saying what was on their minds whether it was hidden behind words with double meanings or not. For now it felt as if they had left those double meanings behind, both of them speaking openly about the future.

For now it had to remain the future. As wonderful as the idea in her mind of spending hours basking in the afterglow of their activities on comfortable sheets sounded, there were no comfortable sheets. She reached up, kissing his lips softly before she drew back, reluctantly slipping out of his embrace. They could not stay like this forever. Genevieve found her breeches where she had discarded them on the floor a few steps away, pulling them over her hips before tying them in place. She stepped into her shoes, enjoying the added height they provided her with as she dropped a kiss to his shoulder, "dress, Bridgerton," she urged him, "there's still a party out there for you to enjoy, brandy to consume, conversations to be had." While she spoke Genevieve had begun lacing up her corset, hands pulling at the strings in the back as she adjusted it to her frame.

tag Benedict Bridgerton .

[Benedict Bridgerton]

I'm not bound by                                  

Benedict felt it impossible for the smile to fade from his lips as the conversation progressed. Being in her company in general, made it feel impossible to cease from smiling. To cease from this enjoyment and playful nature. Ah yes. Furniture would certainly help. And upon looking around the room, it revealed that there was indeed some furniture they could have used to their advantage. Though need trumped all else; his focused being her and solely her. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Though her reassurance saying that she did not mind . . . brought his mind at least a little to ease, especially when she said that he was not entirely at fault; that she shared blame. "You did your job exceptionally well," he praised her when she commented that her focus had been to find an empty room. "I feel I came up a bit short when it came to mine," he said both with jest and truth. He could have done a better job. "Though you do not mind, I hope that remains so and that your back does not disagree with you in the morning." Considerations of her comfort had not stopped him from continuing . . . though perhaps, he should have been more mindful; more aware of such things. Next time. The thought causing his smile to grow a little. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ When she stepped away from him, he felt the immediate deprivation of the warmth of her skin against his own. But, he also knew they could not remain here forever. Benedict paused for a moment, closing his eyes as his back was turned to her, taking a slow breath before opening them once more and turning around. "Must we?" He asked when she spoke of returning to the party, his voice once again joking . . . but once again, hold some truth. He moved towards his pants, reaching into the pocket to pull out a handkerchief to wipe himself off, then proceeding to put his shirt on and quickly buttoning the bottom few, before pulling on his pants. He watched her begin to dress, pulling at the ties on her corset. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ Pausing from finishing, he began to walk towards her, standing behind her. "Allow me," he offered, reaching for the laces to help pull and tie them . . . though he certainly took his time. Allowing his fingertips to purposely brush against the skin of her back were exposed from the clothing. ◈   ◈   ◈  ◈  ◈ He carefully brushed her hair to the side, leaning down to place a few light kisses on the back of her neck, his fingers able to tie the garment far too easily. The only reason he even knew how . . . was a result of what Eloise often made him do during her dress up play time when she was a child. He made her vow never to speak of it, but what could he say; he had a soft spot for his dear sister. And in this case, learning what he had presumed to be quite useless skills came in handy. Tag lennie3 Note: Better layout coming soon!

                        the rules of society.

[lennie3]

It was frightening, how much longer Genevieve knew she could have remained in his arms, leaning back against the wall and exchanging slow kisses between soft spoken words. Perhaps her own fear played into how suddenly she had slipped out of his embrace, the will to stay right where she had been too strong for her to allow it. It was comfortable and as of now she was not sure if she was ready for it to get to that point.

Despite the distance now between them it didn't mean she had to stop watching him however. With a coy smile playing on her lips Genevieve observed as he cleaned himself off, covering himself with his breeches. Her gaze was slow and steady as it moved over him.

He surprised her as his hands covered her own, and Genevieve nodded. She could only imagine how he knew how to lace up a corset, lots of men had sisters, wives and mothers, very few of them probably took the time to learn. Shaking her head she laughed, "do not worry about me, Bridgerton, I'm more than fine," she insisted, leaning in ever so slightly to his touch as he continued lacing up her corset, "thank you," Genevieve smiled, lips parting open to let a small moan free as his fingers brushed over her skin. The temptation to lean into him was strong, his presence overwhelming her senses even now. He was slow on purpose she noted, every pull strategically allowing him to brush over her skin and she fought the temptation to sink into him, to drop her head to his shoulder.

The kisses along her neck were the final straw; turning around she was back in his arms, hands on his chest to steady herself. "You're quite incorrigble," the brunette hummed not quite scolding him, voice filled with mirth. Despite the height her shoes now provided her with he was still much taller than her and Genevieve had to tilt her head back ever so slightly to meet his gaze. Genevieve offered a polite nod, "Bridgerton," she brushed her lips over his, "enjoy the rest of the evening."

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