This story is for Tengland2 as a personal thank you for being an awesome person, YOU ROCK!

I hope it's Okay and you enjoyed it as much as I did writing it ;)

Enjoy everyone.

x

~ o ~

After a crazy month back in Genovia, Joseph, Queen Clarisse's head of security managed to talk her, his Queen, into taking a trip away to the beach house she bought herself a year after her husbands passing several years ago. Often using it as an escape hideaway to relax and spend time with her family, and Joseph, who she's been seeing secretly for the past 6 months.

Being accompanied by Charlotte, Clarisse's good friend and personal assistant and her partner, Shades who also works at the Palace as Joseph's second in command. Over the last 6 months the pair have helped Clarisse and Joseph be alone on more than one occasion, both honored that their Queen trusts them to help, knowing that she's been a private person ever since becoming Queen.

Arriving at the beach house late last night after stopping off for dinner on the way, everyone unpacked and went straight to bed. And after getting up and ready this morning, Clarisse and Joseph came out the suite together, to see Charlotte and Shades cooking breakfast for everyone.

"Good morning," Clarisse smiled while feeling Joseph's hand on her back as they headed over to the kitchen.

"Morning," Shades smiled "I made a start on breakfast, I hope that was ok?" He asked.

"Oh of course," Clarisse nodded with a smile and sat down at the table "Thank you." She smiled.

"Not a problem," Shades smiled as Charlotte grabbed some plates and headed over to the table.

"Do you want some coffee?" Charlotte asked as Joseph took the plates from her and started laying them out.

"Um..." Clarisse thought a second then nodded "Please," She smiled and watched Joseph.

"Coming right up," Charlotte smiled and looked towards Joseph"What about you Joseph?" She asked.

"Please," He nodded and grabbed some cutlery and started placing it next to the plates while looking at Clarisse as she started reading the paper.

After everyone ate, Clarisse and Charlotte stood at the counter while looking through the paper as the men sat at the table talking.

"I have a good idea," Joseph pipped up as the ladies looked over at him "How about we have a picnic out on the beach this afternoon?" He smiled while looking at Shades then looked back over at Charlotte and Clarisse "We could go to the farmers market in town and get some stuff for it?" He smiled.

"That sounds like a lovely idea," Clarisse nodded and sipped her coffee.

"Why not." Charlotte nodded as Joseph stood up.

"Great," He smiled pushing his chair under the table "Shall we leave, say?" He said checking the time "10am?" He asked while looking around everyone as they nodded "Great," He smiled and headed over to the bedroom.

Leaving dead on 10 they headed towards the farmers market. As they walked around Charlotte noticed how close Clarisse was with Joseph, sure she knew that they were an item but she had never been that close to him in public before, if truth be told it surprised Charlotte as she watched them, she couldn't help but smile when she realized that her Queen was clearly in love and letting her hair down.

"What are you smirking at?" Shades asked while standing next to her.

"Them," Charlotte nodded towards Clarisse and Joseph as they stood at a stall.

"What about them?" He asked while looking over at them as Clarisse put her hand on Joseph's back.

"How close they are today, how they keep looking at each other lovingly," Charlotte smiled while looking back at him "And how Clarisse keeps touching Joseph," She smiled and looked back over at them as Clarisse laughed with the stand owner, as Joseph stood watching her, smiling to himself.

"Well I guess that's what she gets for being in love," Shades smiled at Charlotte and took hold of her hand, kissing the back of it.

"Yep," Charlotte nodded and bit her bottom lip as they started walking, following Clarisse and Joseph as they made their way in front.

A short time later they stopped at another stand, as Joseph checked the fruit with Shades, Clarisse and Charlotte stood talking behind them.

"Here," Joseph smiled while turning around with a punnet of strawberries in his hand "Try this, does it taste ok?" He smiled while holding up a strawberry for Clarisse to taste.

"Joe?" She whispered and noticed him raise his hand up a little more with a smirk.

"Just want to make sure I am buying the right punnet, that's all." He smiled "They got to taste right," He grinned and moved his hand closer to her mouth and smiled as she opened her mouth, taking a bite as he stood grinning knowing Charlotte and Shades were stood open mouthed "Well?" He asked watching her chew.

"Mmm," She nodded "It tastes, delicious." She nodded again while putting her hand up to her mouth wiping the corner of her lips with the tip of her finger and watched him pop the rest in his mouth, smiling as he nodded while stepping closer and kissed her a couple times as Charlotte gasped and quickly turned around.

Standing back seconds later as Clarisse licked her top lip "You are right," He said looking down at the strawberries then turned to the owner of the stand "I will take these," He smiled handing them to the owner and started looking for some other stuff.

"Clarisse," Charlotte whispered and watched as she slowly looked at her "Are you ok?" She asked.

Clarisse nodded "Never better," She smiled and looked back at Joseph as he paid for the stuff.

"Right," He said putting his arm around Clarisse's shoulders "Let's move on shall we?" He said looking at Charlotte then Clarisse who nodded "Great," He grinned as they started walking off.

And again as Charlotte and Shades walked behind them, they saw Joseph move his head closer to Clarisse and whisper something in her ear, making her laugh as he lifted his head studying her face as she looked at him, both stopping for a second to share a kiss.

Stopping themselves they couldn't believe what they just saw, looking at Charlotte, Shades smirked "They really need to do it already," He laughed as they all started walking again.

"What?" Charlotte gasped "You mean they actually haven't, you know? yet?" She asked.

"Not from what Joseph was saying last night," He realized that she was glaring at him "Not that he shared anything, just said that they are waiting for the right time," He said looking at her "He didn't say anything bad, so you can relax." He whispered and kissed her cheek.

"I just can't believe that they can be that close, so romantic and still haven't slept together yet, even though they are acting like they have." Charlotte said as Shades looked back at her.

"I know, it's amazing isn't it?" He smiled and looked ahead as Joseph moved his hand down Clarisse's back and took hold of her hand as they carried on walking.

"Why do I get a feeling it's probably gonna happen on this trip?" Charlotte whispered as Shades started laughing.

"I get that feeling too," Shades smirked as she looked at him "But then it may off happened last night after they went to bed." Shades smirked as Charlotte couldn't help but laugh and blush at the thought.

After a while they all headed back to the beach house, stopping at the supermarket on the way, and as Shades stayed in the car with Clarisse and Charlotte, Joseph ran inside to get what stuff they needed.

"Your Majesty," Shades said as Clarisse looked up at him "Can I ask you something?" He asked while turning in the front seat to look back at her sitting next to Charlotte.

"First of all," Clarisse started "What did I tell you Friday evening?"

"Um..." Shades started as Charlotte smirked at him "You told me not to say Your Majesty, but to use your name." He said as Clarisse nodded.

"And why haven't you?" She asked.

"Because I forgot," He whispered.

"I will let you off this time," Clarisse said looking at him over the top of her glasses with a cheeky smile "Now," She said looking back at her phone "What do you want to ask me?" She asked while looking at him again.

"I can't remember now," Shades sighed while turning back in his seat as Joseph climbed back in the car.

"That was fast?" Clarisse gasped while looking at him as he turned back to them.

"I don't hang around, I get straight in and back out again." He smiled and looked out the front window "I like to get the job done as quickly as I can." He added.

"I bet you don't," Shades smirked as Joseph looked at him, followed by Charlotte.

"Shades," She whispered and put her arm over, slapping his arm as Clarisse looked up, not even hearing what was said.

"Lucky Shades, you are lucky." Joseph whispered then smirked at him.

"Why is he lucky?" Clarisse asked while putting her phone away.

"Oh no reason," Joseph smiled back at her as Shades started driving.

After the stuff was ready for the picnic, they all got ready to go down to the beach when Clarisse's phone started ringing, leaving her up in the house as she took the call then headed down afterwards, joining them for the picnic.

"Who was on the phone?" Joseph asked while standing up next to her.

"Mia," Clarisse smiled "She just wanted to make sure we were having fun." She grinned at Joseph while putting her hands on her hips.

"Ahh I see," He nodded and looked at Shades standing up.

"Right, I'm going to go for a swim." Shades smiled.

"I may come down in a bit." Joseph nodded and looked back at Clarisse as she slipped on her sun glasses and looked back at him just as a breeze swam around them, lifting up the skirt of her dress making Charlotte and Shades gasp as she quickly put her arms down to hold it down "Oh my." Joseph exclaimed and watched as Clarisse started laughing, while a blush crept over her body.

"Well," Clarisse said leaning over a little and brushed it down with her hands "That was embarrassing." She said standing back up straight and looked at Joseph and Shades both stood open mouthed.

"It's only embarrassing if you let it be," Joseph smiled and stepped closer while putting his hand on her side, lowering his head "I however," He started and whispered in her ear "Had the best view," He smiled as she gasped and looked at him "You have very sexy legs," He whispered and kissed her neck, as she closed her eyes.

"Oh my," She whispered and watched him step back from her.

"I'm going for a swim," He nodded with a cheeky smile and rushed off down to the sea.

"Clarisse," Charlotte said while looking up at her as she looked down "Are you ok?"

"I am," Clarisse smiled and looked at Shades as he headed down to the sea "Did that just get even more hotter out here?" She asked while kneeling down beside her while fanning herself with her hand and grabbed a bottle of ice cold water.

Charlotte smirked as she watched Clarisse take a couple sips, then moved to sit down with her legs stretched out in front of her.

"Charlotte, can I ask you a personal question?" Clarisse asked, her heart beating faster and faster at the thought.

"Of course you may," Charlotte nodded feeling honored at the request.

"Well," She started while looking towards Shades then back at her "I know you and Shades have been dating a year now," She said while thinking of the right words "I just wondered when you knew the time was right for you and him to, you know?" She said feeling a blush fill her body again.

Charlotte smiled "You will know when the time is right," She nodded as Clarisse looked at her "Your heart will tell you," She nodded again and watched her look towards Joseph for a second and couldn't help but smile when she saw her biting her bottom lip "I take it," She stopped as Clarisse looked back at her "You are starting to feel ready?"

"I think so, I'm not sure." She said putting her hands on the blanket behind her and lent back on her arms "I know with Rupert, it was different." She said looking at her then out towards Joseph "It was our Wedding night, it was how it was back then."

"I know," Charlotte nodded and smiled as Clarisse looked back at her.

"I guess," Clarisse shrugged a little "I'm just scared to take it further in case it ruins the friendship that we've built over the years." She whispered.

"I felt the same with Shades, granted we haven't been friends as long as you and Joseph, but I wanted to wait until I knew the time was right." Charlotte whispered "And waiting, it didn't change anything." She smiled "I believe that if you do take it to the next level, and it doesn't work out because of course you waited for the right time, it won't ruin your friendship." She smiled "But that's just me."

"Yeah," Clarisse nodded and sipped some of her water "God if my Mom was here now, she'd hit the roof." She said while putting her bottle down as Charlotte gasped "Shes one of those women who think sex before marriage is wrong," She whispered.

Charlotte nodded "I see," She smiled "Well Clarisse, all I can say is," She smiled as Clarisse looked at her "If you feel ready and your heart is ok with it, then take that step." She smiled.

"Yeah," Clarisse answered and watched Joseph for a few moments before looking back at Charlotte "Please keep this between us,"

"Of course," Charlotte smiled with a nod "Thank you for trusting me to speak to."

"Of course," Clarisse smiled "You are one of my good friends, and even though I have many good friends." She smiled with a nod "I can't trust them with some stuff, like I trust you." She smiled "I mean come on, how much stuff do you do for me? I couldn't trust anyone else to do that stuff." She smiled "So thank you, Charlotte."

"You're welcome," Charlotte smiled and looked back out at Shades "You know," She started and looked at Clarisse "I hope you don't mind me saying this, but your really cute when your in love." She smiled.

"Aww thank you," Clarisse nodded while looking at her "I guess that's what I am," She smiled while looking out at Joseph again "In love," She sighed contently and bit her lower lip again.

Charlotte couldn't help but smile and watch her for a few seconds as she continued to watch Joseph swimming. Then after a while they came back and everyone enjoyed their picnic.

After popping inside to slip into a tshirt and shorts, Joseph returned and sat beside Clarisse as she looked back at him with a smile.

"You Okay?" He asked while leaning closer as she nodded.

"I am," She smiled while studying his face "What about you?" She asked.

"Good," He smiled while putting his hand on the blanket behind her "And I am feeling brilliant." He grinned.

"Good," She smiled as he lent closer and kissed her softly for a second before leaning back on his arms.

"I have been thinking," Joseph started as everyone looked at him "How about I cook tonight instead of us going out?"

"I think that's a brilliant idea," Shades smiled "If you want any help, let me know." He nodded.

"Nope, I got everything." He smiled and looked at Clarisse as she stuck a piece of fruit in her mouth "In fact," He said standing up "I'm going to make a start on it now." He nodded while looking down at them "See you in a bit." He smiled and headed back towards the beach house.

"Already?" Shades asked while checking the time.

"Yep, he takes his cooking very seriously," Clarisse smiled and sipped her drink "He's very passionate about it, it's got to be perfect, or he won't let you eat it." She grinned "Something I learned recently," She chuckled.

"Ahh." Shades smiled with a nod.

After a while Clarisse headed back up to the beach house, leaving Charlotte and Shades to have some time alone. Standing in the door way, leaning against the door frame for a few minutes just watching him in charge of the kitchen, she couldn't help but bite her bottom lip and found herself slowly walking over to the counter, smiling when he noticed she was there.

"Hey," He smiled and lent forward, kissing her before stepping back.

"Did you want some help?" She asked while watching him grab something from the fridge.

"Um," He smiled while tipping some stuff into a large bowl "You could mix this all up for me?" He asked while holding up the bowl.

"Of course," She smiled and started mixing it all up "What are you making?"

"This is for the cake," He smiled and looked into her eyes for a second "I am just about to start on the dinner." He grinned.

"Ok," She smiled and watched him for a moment before looking back down at the bowl as she mixed it all together.

After a few minutes Joseph stopped and watched her "How are you doing there?" He asked while moving and stood behind her, putting his hands on her sides as she stopped what she was doing as he moved his hands forward, taking hold of hers.

"I am, um..." She answered and closed her eyes as he stepped closer, helping her mix up the stuff in the bowl "Joseph," She whispered while turning her head a little.

"Yep," He whispered while looking at her face.

She was about to speak when Shades come bouncing in the door, not seeing them step apart "Shades," She exclaimed as he stopped and looked at them.

"Sorry, did I make you jump?" He asked with a laugh "I just came to get a couple beers," He grinned heading over to the fridge as Joseph looked at Clarisse "Want one?" He asked turning to Joseph.

"Not yet, no." He said looking back at him.

"Ok," He smiled and headed back out to the beach.

"What was you going to say?" Joseph asked while looking back at Clarisse.

"Um..." She whispered "I can't remember," She stepped back "Excuse me," She turned and rushed over to the bedroom, pushing the door up behind her feeling a little stupid.

He stood for a second while shaking his head with a small laugh and carried on doing what he was doing, a few moments later he looked back up as Clarisse came back out "Are you ok?"

"I am," She nodded while walking over "Sorry about that," She whispered while leaning against the counter.

"It's alright," He whispered "Do you still want to help?"

"Of course," She nodded with a smile.

After an hour, Joseph noticed Clarisse kept watching him so he stopped what he was doing and placed his hands on the counter in front of him.

"Do you want to say something?" He asked with a smile as she looked up "You look like you want to ask me something?"

She slowly nodded "I do," She answered.

"Then ask me," He grinned.

"It's kind of personal." She whispered.

"That's ok, I don't mind." He grinned while turning and rested his hip against the counter.

"Ok," She looked down while taking a deep breath then looked back at him while letting it out "Do you..." She started feeling herself blushing "Do you ever think about us?"

"About us what?" He asked.

"Us," She said looking up into his eyes "Being together,"

"In what way?" He asked.

"You know, together, together." She whispered.

"Oh," He exclaimed and smiled "All the time," He said and watched her look back down "And I meant what I said to you ages ago," He whispered while moving closer to her as she looked up at him "I will wait, I am not going to rush you into anything Clari," He whispered "I promise."

"I know," She nodded and turned to face him.

"Is everything alright?" He asked as she nodded "Clari?"

"Everything's fine, I promise." She whispered and looked into his eyes as he put his hands up, placing them on either side of her head.

"I don't want to hurt you Clarisse," He whispered and moved his head closer to hers, brushing his lips gently over hers.

"You could never hurt me," She whispered as he moved one of his hands to the back of her head, his fingers tangled in her hair.

"Ok," He whispered and lowered his head, kissing her softly, deepening it seconds later as she placed her hands on his sides and moved them to his back.

Tilting his head one way, then the next as Clarisse done the same, both getting carried away as Charlotte came in, her gasp broke them apart and as they both stood looking at her, Clarisse's hands remaining on Joseph's back, his still tangled in her hair.

"I am so sorry," Charlotte said hurrying back outside.

"Whoops," Joseph whispered while looking back at Clarisse as she slowly looked back at him while stepping back and put her hand up to her mouth as Joseph chuckled while leaning closer to her "You are very sexy after I have kissed you," He smirked and felt her grab the counter "So firey red," He said in a husky voice, knowing what it was doing.

"Stop it," She whispered and looked back at him "Please," She said while licking her lips.

"So sexy Clari," He laughed while stepping back and washed his hands.

"Oh my," She whispered while placing her hand on her chest "I am gonna go, and..." She started while walking backwards "I will leave you to finish cooking," She exclaimed and hurried into the suite, resting back against the door while trying to catch her breath as Joseph laughed a little.

After a couple more hours dinner was ready, and after everyone had eaten dinner and dessert they all sat on the back porch to watch the sunset, Shades and Joseph with their beers and Clarisse and Charlotte with a glass of wine.

Moving inside a bit later, Clarisse started cleaning up the kitchen as Shades and Charlotte sat on the couch.

"Charlotte?" Clarisse asked while pouring herself some more wine "Would you like another glass of wine?" She asked while picking up her glass and took a few sips.

"Yes please," Charlotte smiled and watched her put her glass down and walk over to her "Thank you," She smiled as Clarisse poured some wine into her glass.

"You're welcome," Clarisse smiled and headed back over to the kitchen to see Joseph smirking at her "What?" She asked.

"Nothing," He answered back and watched her sip her wine again.

Looking back at him "There must be something?" She asked while putting her glass down and carried on cleaning up.

"Nothing, nothing at all." He smiled while watching her lean over the counter "I think I might have some more cake," He grinned while looking over at Shades and Charlotte "Anyone else?"

"No thanks Joseph," Charlotte smiled over at him then looked at Shades.

"Not for me," Shades smiled and looked back at the tv.

"Clarisse?" Joseph asked while looking at her "What about you?"

"No thank you," She answered while putting a couple things in the cupboard.

"Ok," He smiled grabbing a slice and sprayed some whipped cream over it, then stood at the counter while popping a bit in his mouth as Clarisse stood next to him "Are you sure you don't want a bite?" He whispered while offering her a forkful.

"Just one bit then," She smiled and stood still as he put his hand up, feeding it to Clarisse with a smile "Mmm, thank you." She smiled and carried on.

"Not a problem," He grinned while watching her.

After eating the slice he put the plate and fork in the dishwasher, then grabbed the spray can of whipped cream. With a cheeky smile he just couldn't help but spray some at Clarisse and laughed as she screamed out in surprise, making Charlotte and Shades spin around to look to see whats going on and started laughing when they saw Clarisse trying to grab the can from Joseph.

"I can't believe you just did that," Clarisse exclaimed as Joseph managed to spin her around, wrapping his arm around her waist and held her back against him.

"Easy," He said going to spray her again.

"Ahh No." She exclaimed while grabbing his hand to stop him, as Charlotte and Shades looked at each other with a smirk then both looked back at the tv.

"Don't worry," He grinned and put the can on the counter, but still had hold of her "I won't do it again," He whispered and started kissing her neck.

Slowly Clarisse closed her eyes while placing her hands on his arms wrapped around her "Joe," She whispered.

"Sorry," He replied and let her go, grabbing the tea cloth and started wiping of the cream.

"I," She started and stopped when she looked up at him, she couldn't help but laugh when she saw his face covered in cream "Oh," She whispered while stepping closer and put her hand up "You are too cute," She whispered and wiped the cream off his face, about to pull her hand away when Joseph grabbed it, she stood surprised as he licked the cream of her fingers, not being able to help herself she bit her lower lip, feeling her legs turn to jelly.

After a moment he looked into her eyes "Sorry, I couldn't help myself." He whispered.

"Don't be," She whispered back "It's fine," She nodded and wiped the rest of the cream off herself, then turned to the counter, picking up her glass.

Watching her take a couple sips he stood behind her with a cheeky smirk and put his hands on her sides as she stopped sipping her drink and turned her head sideways to look at him "Don't say anything," He whispered in her ear.

"But." She whispered and felt him raise his hand, taking the glass from her "Joe." She whispered while watching him put the glass down.

"I just want to kiss you," He whispered "That's all," He smiled as he turned her around to face him and wrapped his arms around her waist.

"Ok," She said feeling her heart begin to race, watching him lower his head and kiss her, taking a few seconds to respond knowing Shades and Charlotte were in the same room.

"Relax," He whispered against her lips then continued to kiss her, smiling as she tipped her head back a little, kissing him back while snaking her arms up around his shoulders.

After a few moments Shades, realizing it had gone quiet looked over to see Joseph kissing Clarisse while pressing her back against the counter, with a cheeky smirk he tapped Charlotte's shoulder and motioned for her to look behind her, almost laughing as she gasped and looked back at him.

They both turned back to the tv as Clarisse started breaking off the kiss, and placed her hands on Joseph's chest.

"What's wrong?" He whispered while looking down at her hands then looked at her face.

"I..." She started while looking up at him, looking deep into his eyes seeing the passion in them she bit her lip again.

"Have I gone to far?" He asked while studying her face.

"No," She whispered while shaking her head and kissed him a couple times before looking back into his eyes, slowly reaching one hand down and made him step back as she grasped his hand.

"Clarisse?" He whispered not sure what was going on, when she started walking away from him but kept hold of his hand.

"Come on," She whispered with a small smile and motioned for him to follow.

With a grin he followed her as she led him through to the bedroom, as it clicked shut both Shades and Charlotte looked towards the door then at each other.

"Why do I get a feeling this is going to be a long night?" Shades asked.

"I do too," She answered and grabbed the remote, turning it up a bit.

A short time later, both hearing a moan over the tv they looked at each other.

"I think maybe we should go to our room and not come out," Charlotte said standing up "Until morning." She gasped and looked at Shades as he stood up.

"Yes...Oh Clari" Joseph moaned.

"Mmm...oh...yes," Clarisse moaned "Oh god...mmmm."

Looking at Charlotte as the bed started thumping against the wall "Jesus Christ," He whispered while looking at Charlotte, smirking at her as it suddenly stopped.

"This isn't right," Charlotte whispered and looked at Shades as he nodded, both hurrying into their bedroom shutting the door behind them.

~ o ~

"Oh Clari," Joseph whispered against her neck, feeling her chest rising and falling rapidly below him as he slumped on her body.

"That was incredible," Clarisse whispered breathlessly in his ear, and felt him smile against her neck, as she giggled.

"Why thank you," Joseph smiled again while moving his arms up, resting them on the bed next to her shoulders "You were amazing too, of course." He grinned while lifting his head, his eyes meeting hers.

Clarisse smiled as she unlocked her legs, slowly moving them down and wrapped one behind Joseph's knee as she kept her hands on his back.

"Amazing, that was truly amazing." Joseph whispered and kissed her a couple times as she ran her hands up and down his back.

"Yes it was," Clarisse smiled and watched him go to raise himself "Stop," She whispered.

"I was going to climb off?" He asked while raising his eyebrow.

"Don't," She shook her head "Stay," She whispered "Please?"

"Are you sure?" He asked and watched as she nodded "Ok," He smiled and kissed her a couple times while moving his hands onto the side of her head, tangling his fingers in her hair.

As he started kissing her up and down her neck she ran her hands over his back, scraping her nails along his flesh, then looked up at him as he lifted his head.

"Keep that up and we will be going another round." He whispered against her lips.

"That's what I was hoping for," She smiled as he looked into her eyes.

"Well ok then," He laughed and kissed her as she groped his bum.

To Be Continued.