Chapter 70: Something Unfinished

​Xavier's black car rolled slowly through the massive iron gates of the Valois estate. The tires crunched against the gravel driveway with a soft sound. Xavier turned off the engine, but he did not get out right away. He looked at Agatha, who was still sitting quietly beside him. The porch lights cast a soft glow over her face.

​"We are here," Xavier said. His voice was still heavy.

​Agatha fixed the messy strands of her hair with her fingers. "I know. I am just gathering the strength to walk inside."

​Xavier got out first. He walked around the car and opened the door for Agatha. When she stepped out, Xavier reached for her hand. Their fingers intertwined tightly. They walked toward the large main door together.

​When the door opened, the house was very quiet. However, the lights in the living room were still bright. Agatha stopped walking when she saw a woman sitting on the long sofa with a fashion magazine in her lap.

​"Mother? Why are you still up?" Agatha asked, her voice sounding a bit surprised.

​Melynda lowered her magazine. She looked toward the door and a smile immediately spread across her face. She put the magazine on the table and stood up slowly. Her eyes swept over her son and daughter in law from head to toe.

​"I was waiting for you two. I felt thirsty and decided to sit here for a while," Melynda answered. She walked closer to them.

​Xavier cleared his throat. He pulled at his shirt collar, which was no longer as neat as it had been when they left. "It is almost midnight, Mother. You should get some rest."

​Melynda did not answer right away. She stopped right in front of Agatha. She reached out to touch Agatha’s hair, which was draped loosely over her shoulders. "If I remember correctly, you left with a very neat bun, Agatha. And your dress. Weren't you wearing a fur coat?"

​Agatha felt a heat crawl up her cheeks. She glanced at Xavier, but her husband was looking the other way. "The wind at the restaurant was quite strong, Mother. And my coat is still in the car."

​Melynda let out a soft laugh. Her voice was teasing. "The Paris wind can be quite naughty sometimes, can't it? It can pull out hairpins one by one and make your lips a little swollen like that."

​"Mother," Xavier warned. His face was starting to turn red under the living room lights.

​"What? I am just observing," Melynda said innocently. She gave Xavier a meaningful look. "You look very different too, Xavier. More refreshed. It seems dinner really worked to calm the anger that filled this house this afternoon."

​Xavier let go of Agatha’s hand and hurried toward the stairs. "We are very tired. We are going up now."

​Agatha could only give a stiff smile to her mother in law. "Goodnight, Mother."

​"Goodnight, Agatha. Sleep well. Don't let that naughty wind into your room," Melynda teased again, waving her hand.

​Agatha walked quickly to catch up with Xavier. She could feel Melynda’s gaze following them until they disappeared around the corner of the second floor stairs. As soon as they reached the bedroom door, Xavier opened it and pulled Agatha inside.

​Xavier closed the door with a firm thud and locked it. He leaned his back against the door and took a long breath.

​"Your mother is incredible," Agatha muttered as she walked toward the vanity. She began taking off the jewelry from her ears and neck.

​"She always knows how to make me feel like a teenager getting caught," Xavier replied. He took off his watch and placed it on the nightstand.

​Agatha saw her reflection in the mirror. Her hair was a complete mess. She reached for the zipper of her dress at her waist. "I feel so hot. I want to shower and sleep. Today has been exhausting."

​"Do you think everything is over, darling?" Xavier asked. His voice sounded different than before.

​Agatha stopped moving her hand on the zipper. She looked back at him through the mirror. Xavier was standing right behind her. They were very close. She could feel the dominant energy coming from him again.

​"Didn't you just say we were tired?" Agatha asked.

​"I am tired, but I haven't had enough," Xavier answered.

​Xavier placed his hand over Agatha’s hand, which was still holding the zipper. He gently moved her hand away and took over the task. He pulled the black zipper down slowly. The sound of the fabric opening was very clear in the silent room.

​Xavier bowed his head. He began to press small kisses against Agatha’s now fully exposed shoulders. Her skin felt cool from the room's temperature, but Xavier’s lips felt very hot against her.

​"Xavier, we just did this in the car," Agatha whispered. Her eyes closed as she felt his breath on her neck.

​"The car was just the appetizer, darling," Xavier murmured between kisses. "Back there, I had to share my attention with the view. Now, there is nothing to distract me from you."

​Xavier turned Agatha around so they were facing each other. The black gown slid down to the floor, pooling around her feet. Xavier pulled her against him. His white shirt, which was already messy, felt rough against her skin.

​"You look so beautiful tonight," Xavier whispered. He rubbed her cheek with his thumb. "Especially when you were challenging me at the restaurant."

​"So you liked it?" Agatha asked in a low voice. She wrapped her arms around his waist, feeling his stomach muscles tighten.

​"I hated it and loved it at the same time. You know you can drive me crazy with just one smile," Xavier said.

​Xavier kissed her again. This time, he was more demanding, filled with the need to possess her. He lifted her up and carried her to the large bed. He laid her down carefully on the silk sheets that felt cool to the touch.

​The dim bedside lamp cast a golden glow over their skin. Xavier crawled onto the bed, hovering over her. His hands did not stop exploring her body, his touch making it hard for Agatha to think clearly.

​"Tell me again," Agatha whispered in the middle of their embrace.

​"What?" Xavier asked while kissing her jaw.

​"The thing you said on the hill."

​Xavier stopped for a moment. He looked into her eyes with deep intensity. He ran his fingers through her hair spread across the pillow. "I love you. Only you, Agatha. No other woman can make me lose control like this. You are the only one who owns every part of me."

​Agatha smiled softly. She pulled his face down to join their lips again. In the room lit only by the dim light, they were lost in a passion that seemed endless. Every movement, every touch, and every word spoken between them that night strengthened their bond.

​Xavier kissed her neck with deep feeling, leaving marks of possession that might force Agatha to wear a high collar again tomorrow morning. But Agatha didn't care. She enjoyed every second of the attention he gave her.

​That night, in the grand Valois mansion, the silence was only broken by heavy breathing and low whispers of each other’s names. Xavier did not let Agatha sleep until he was fully satisfied showing her just how much he possessed her.

​When dawn finally began to break in the east, they were still awake in each other’s arms. Agatha rested her head on Xavier’s chest, listening to his heart rate slowing down.

​"Are you finally tired now?" Agatha asked playfully.

​Xavier kissed the top of her head and held her tighter. "For you, I have a reserve of energy that never runs out. But yes, I suppose we should sleep before Mother starts knocking on the door for breakfast."

​Agatha laughed softly and closed her eyes. She felt safe in his arms. She knew that even if they argued again tomorrow, or if Xavier became possessive again, everything would end in the same place. In an embrace filled with an honest confession of love.

​Xavier continued to watch her sleeping face with a very tender gaze. He stroked her dark hair one more time before finally closing his eyes, letting himself sink into a dream with the woman who had become his entire world.