Page 33 of Love, Will

With hope to see you again before my departure,

Your Patron,

Henry Wriothesley

Third Earl of Southampton”

I knocked on the door, knowing it was going to be for the last time. My heart beat smaller than a flea, but so strong that it threatened to break my chest.

I walked straight into the dining room where Henry already sat at the table, holding a glass of wine. If I could describe one of the most characteristic things about the Earl, was his lower lip always stained with wine. I adored to bite and lick it, tasting a bit of the sweetness of the cup.

“Master William Shakespeare,” his steward presented me, which made Henry rise quickly from his chair and walk in my direction.

“Will.” He smiled, opening his arms to hug me. I took a step back.

“Will…” he said again, an abrupt sadness in his voice.

“I only came to wish you a safe journey,” I nodded. “I hope mother nature is kind, the sea is quiet and that your travel will be enjoyable and your business successful.” I made myself repeat the phrase I rehearsed in my mind for the past hour.

Henry scanned me in disbelief. I nodded again and slowly bowed to show my intention to leave.“Is that it? This is what you came for?” Henry mocked me, the pain I had caused coming out with treacherous tonality.

“It is my duty to wish my patron all the best in his travels.” I nodded again as if I were on stage, practicing a role.

Henry looked away, visibly affected, and stared angrily into a point at the table, frowning with his lips puckered.

“Alright, Will, if this is what you wish, so be it,” he nodded and stared back at me, angry.

“All of you leave and close the doors,” Henry ordered, not shifting his eyes from me.

I looked at him, surprised, not knowing what was happening, but then I spotted all the maids and the two footmen pacing around us to leave the dining room. I didn’t dare speak until the doors were completely closed.

“Is this it, Will? Is your love gone?” Henry murmured while tears formed troubled waves in his green, dark eyes.

I swallowed dryly, trying to conceal my true emotions, and remained silent.

My lover’s lips trembled as he stepped closer to me. He stood one step away and I could smell the rose water in his hair and his wine breath tickled my senses, but I continued to look down, ordering myself not to peek into his eyes as I knew there was no escaping that green universe once I saw it.

And he seemed to notice that, sensing the struggle to contain myself because he laid a hand on my shoulder. The one simple gesture that brought us closer together all those years ago.

I could not avoid it any longer and looked at him, stared into those beautiful spring green eyes, at his soft cheeks and sensual lips, at that wine stain inviting me to taste the Bordeaux he had been drinking.

He closed his eyes and parted his lips, gently approaching me, letting me decide if I was to receive that kiss or wanted to step away from him. But how could I move? How could I not? I copied the gesture and moved my face towards his, too eager to wait for him to come all the way. Our lips touched, and we both trembled, feeling the angst with which they recognised and taunted each other, as if the long distance had withered them.

We kissed slowly, deeply, our tongues barely touching at first. We both knew we had the night at our disposal and were in no hurry to rush what could be our last night together. After a few minutes of caressing our faces and jaws, our tongues took control, first over each other, then finding a neck, earlobe or a chest that needed to be licked and bitten. Henry kissed me passionately, making his way to my neck, ripping my shirt open and licking my abdomen down, down, until he reached my pants and slid a hand inside, grabbing me with determination.

I moaned. After so many nights together, he knew exactly how to make me hard. He licked me, savouring every centimeter, taking me deep into his mouth. I lost myself and had to grab the wall to keep my balance, while pulling his hair with the other, slowly pressing on his neck to encourage him to continue his magic.

When I finished, Henry pushed all the plates on the floor and made room for me on the table, then bent me over and pressed me against the hardwood, his thick length slaying me open before him.

Nightfall found us sitting on the floor, wrapped in a velvet curtain Henry ripped from the window covers, embraced and gazing at each other.

My lover caressed my shoulder and said, “I promise I will miss you. And I swear I love you.”

“I will miss you too, Henry,” I replied with pain in my voice.

We both knew our love story was over, but decided to avoid the goodbyes and enjoy one last moment of bliss. We fell asleep in each other’s arms for about an hour, then Henry’s erection woke me up and we started it all over again.

At sunrise, we got dressed, kissed again, and the Earl accompanied me to the door, steps unhurried, as though our feet too wanted to prolong the moment.

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