Atem was thankful that he was given his own body this time. As much as he enjoyed having a rare and special bond with Yugi, he was very excited to be able to do whatever he wanted whenever he wanted. He was a Pharaoh after all; he was the king of his land. Taking orders such as when to go to bed, definitely did not sit well with him. While he missed the technologies of the twenty first century, he was now beginning to miss his home, the warm sand that moulded with the natural shape of his feet; the soft winds from the heavens, the cheering of his people whenever he emerged from the palace. He opened the door to his large room that was a fair way down the long hall from Yugi's. It only made sense that they share the same living quarters. But now that the young Yugi was a young man, he certainly needed his privacy. And the Pharaoh had matured physically as well. Duelling with his hands for so long while he and Yugi shared the same body made his arms his strongest physical asset, as soon as he returned to his own world; he immediately went under his initiation and began his training. He was trained in archery, hand to hand combat, sword fighting, everything a Pharaoh would need to defend those he cared for.
He did not even bother to find a wife. He was the most powerful Pharaoh they had seen, he only chose to court women when they genuinely captured his interest, or earned his respect. No woman had succeeded in doing either.
Until Yugi had introduced him to Roxanna; such an uncommon name, Atem was truly fascinated by her. Her name was Persian for Dawn or bright, it didn't seem to suit her. She was dark, mysterious, eluding, beautiful, strong, smart, determined, everything that a Pharaoh could look for in a potential queen. But Atem couldn't let himself be distracted by her or her rare ability to not be dazzled by him. He often relied on not having to deal with people when they always became dazzled by either his looks or his off-putting nature. But she saw right through his tactics almost as soon as their eyes met. She saw he was afraid of failing; she saw he was not in the realm or time he belonged. And most shockingly, she had a soul of her own. She was not reincarnated, even though she bore a striking resemblance to the young Cleopatra from his own time. Long black hair, skin almost as dark as his; she was a pure bred, that much was clear. You didn't receive nearly black eyes like hers simply by one fluke in the gene pool. No, he could tell that her family had carefully considered who they had children with, determined to keep the family line strong.
He didn't know very much about her, but he wanted to know everything. She was different. She was almost as stubborn as he was. As soon as he opened his mouth to try to make her think he was uninterested, she simply laughed. Leaned forward and studied him for long moments. He immediately knew she was playing a mind game. Whoever became uncomfortable first was not the superior, not the alpha. But he was a Pharaoh and he would not be taken down by some newborn little girl that had the guts to stand up to him for a few moments. He would make her heel. And maybe reward her for being the only one brave enough to ever try to challenge him. She wouldn't be the only one getting a reward, though. He would enjoy the reward as much as she would. Thinking of what kind of body was hidden beneath those clothes she dared to wear in public. She kept her hair down, nearly reaching her waist. Her clothes reminded him very much of Mai, only more revealing. She didn't bother to wear a coat, only a very small black corset that stopped just above her naval. Her breasts pushed up to the absolute max, becoming perfectly round and voluptuous. She wore black tights as well, that barely covered her ass, and what an ass. It was quite large, as were her breasts, they were natural, too, he could tell. Her waist wasn't exactly tiny, but it was firm. She was actually not exactly skinny at all, he realized now thinking back; her back was naturally bowed from the size of her behind, her thighs were thick but strong. She wore eight-inch stiletto black heels, with a pattern that exposed part of her feet and he was immediately distracted by the glaring shine of a naval ring he saw last. She had a large black snake with emerald green eyes that seemed to thread through her naval and a thin golden chain that was wrapped around her waist and round, full hips. He also noticed she had a small diamond in her nose, glamour he was very familiar with back in his ancient times. She also had even more piercings on her ears, all the way to the top, with different piercings in each one. Some had simple onyx stones; some were connected by a metal bar that stretched across her ear. Her lips he saved for last, knowing it would be the only thing that could rattle him. Her lips bore no shade, just her natural color a lovely light red. Her lips were full; her bottom lip seemed perfect for biting… that was when he began to sweat a little.
A knock at the door startled him from his daydreaming. He hadn't realized he had left the door open and was standing in the middle of the room like an idiot, fantasizing about Roxanna.
"Atem?" Yugi asked from the doorway.
He turned around, meeting his old friends' eyes, "Yes, Yugi?"
"Is everything alright?" he walked towards Atem, nearly coming up to his height now.
Atem nodded, smiling slightly.
"You seem distracted." Yugi said, sitting on the couch in the corner watching Atem.
"I guess I am." Atem mumbled.
"Let me guess, Roxanna, right?"
Atem shouldn't have been surprised, but he was. Yugi could still read him like no other.
"What is it about her?" Atem asked, sitting down next to Yugi.
Yugi laughed, "I thought the same thing when I first met her, she's very different from most people."
"She's so… hypnotizing."
Yugi continued to laugh, "You'll understand her a bit better once you get to know her. She's just a bit rough around the edges but I promise she's a very loyal and good friend. She's helped me out a couple of times."
"Go on." Atem waited for Yugi to elaborate.
"A couple of times, I was in a lot of trouble financially; me and my grandpa, actually. He was at risk of losing his shop and she just gave him the money to pay off the debt he owed and even paid for all of the renovations he needed to get done on the store. I was about to drop out of college because I couldn't afford to keep going, I couldn't even afford the textbooks anymore, let alone my living conditions. But she saved me, she paid for my entire tuition and paid off my student loan, gave me this beautiful apartment completely for free, she actually pays the rent and utilities for me to live here. And she never asks for anyone to re pay her. She's a really good person, Atem."
"But how can she possibly afford all of this without expecting anyone to repay their debts to her?"
"She's filthy rich, but she hates the way people look at money. She hates money in general. She prefers to treat her friends or just give the money away, but she says she makes so much more than she can give away. She lost everyone in her family a long time ago when she was a child and she doesn't have expensive taste. So, she spends her money on her friends when she can. She's a big believer in karma, too."
"Hmm…" Atem thought about this, about Roxanna; such a unique, interesting woman.
"She's so young to have accomplished such a feat." Atem mused.
"Half of it is inheritance, and the other half is her work."
"What does she do?"
"I'm actually not sure, she never tells me or she just avoids the question whenever it gets brought up."
"Doesn't that seem a little strange to you?"
"Yes, but there's always a reason for everything she does, I don't usually worry about her intentions or question her."
"Where does she live?"
But before Yugi could answer, the door bell rang.
"Hold on."
Atem followed a few steps behind while Yugi opened the door. And there stood Roxanna.
"Roxanna, we were just talking about you." Yugi smiled, welcoming her in with a long hug.
Her hair was tied into a high ponytail, but that was the only thing that had changed about her appearance. She still wore the revealing clothes that made Atem's zipper begin to tighten a little too much.
He watched her, studied her, noticing how comfortable she was with Yugi.
"So, what secrets of mine have you revealed?" She asked Yugi.
"Nothing of importance, just how your filthy rich and care about your friends, that's as far as we got until you came."
"And why do you always look so angry, by the way? I mean seriously, lighten up." she said, insulting the Pharaoh.
"How dare you! Do you— "
Yugi interrupted Atem's rant with his loud laughter, trying to calm the Pharaoh down, "He's always been like that, and it kind of comes with his job."
"Ah yes, the Pharaoh lost in time."
Atem gasped, shocked at how she somehow knew who he really was.
"Roxanna, how'd you know he's a Pharaoh?" Yugi asked.
"Easily. His entitled attitude, the way he can't take a joke, the way he stands, his ridiculously skinny yet strong body."
"I'm not that skinny." Atem mumbled.
"Maybe not where you come from, where slaves are starving and dying, but here you'd make a good model with that physique."
Atem leaned against the wall, allowing her to walk further into the apartment.
"So, who pissed you off?" Yugi asked her.
Atem cocked his head to the side, confused. She hadn't done anything to suggest that she was angry or irritated.
"A bunch of idiots down a dark alley, the usual."
"The usual?" Atem was curious now.
Yugi answered for her, "Everyone knows who she is, so thugs constantly try to rob her."
Atem immediately walked towards her, worried for her safety, checking to see if there were any bruises or scratches on her, "Are you alright?" he asked, meeting her eyes.
She snatched her hand away before he could grab it, "I'm fine, I'm always fine. I can take care of myself."
"How?" he asked.
"I've been taking martial arts since I was a child; I know how to defend myself."
He backed away, continuing to study her.
"So why are you here?" Yugi asked, bringing her into the kitchen. Atem kept a fair distance, but was still able to hear their conversation.
"I was actually wondering if I could spend a couple nights here. Someone burned down my apartment and they're working on figuring out who it was."
"Someone burned down your apartment? Was anything of value there?" Yugi asked, worried.
She shook her head, "No, just materialistic stuff."
"Well of course you can stay here, Roxanna, after all, it is technically your place." Yugi laughed.
She smiled back, leaning in to hug him, "Thank you, Yugi."
"Although…" Yugi looked worried suddenly.
"What is it?" she asked.
"There are only two rooms and Atem is staying in the guest, and I've unfortunately only got a single size bed."
"That's fine; I'll bunk with Atem."
"Are you sure?" Yugi asked.
"Yeah, I haven't had a sleep over in years."
She looked at Atem and he didn't like the look in her eyes.
She walked over to him, more than a head shorter than his height; she was all curves and attitude.
She leaned towards his ear to whisper something so dangerous, it was impossible for him to not take her challenge.
Later that night, Atem didn't know what to expect. Her words hadn't left his mind since she dared whisper them.
If you can resist me, the bed is yours
What the hell did she have in mind?
She quickly answered his question without intending to.
She walked through the door wearing not a damn thing but her black bra and matching panties.
Atem's breath was caught between a gasp and being stolen from his lungs. He really didn't give a damn about the bed, but he did care about her innocence. Although he was beginning to think she wasn't all that innocent.
He couldn't speak; his mouth was just left open, gazing like an idiot under a spell.
But he had to make her understand that it wasn't wise to challenge him. He was a Pharaoh, all powerful, and she was just a simple human being. Granted she was an extremely irritating human being, but he was stronger than her in all ways. He just had to make her swallow her pride.
He quickly stood, not giving her a chance to defend against him. Sworn promises or not to keep chaste until he took a wife, he could still intimidate her in more ways than one.
His long legs got him to the other side of the large room quickly. She didn't flinch, meeting his eyes, gazing up at him in her skimpy lingerie. His pants were growing too tight for comfort, but he was used to ignoring the urge to satisfy himself and focusing on whatever important job he had as Pharaoh.
He leaned over her, his hand laying against the wall flat, peering down into her dark brown eyes.
She is a strange creature
He studied her once more. But he couldn't make any sense of her. She somehow hypnotized him and that only made the powerful Pharaoh angry. He didn't lose control to anyone. Who the hell was this little girl to get under his skin so easily?
His lips quickly crashed to hers, making her release a cry of surprise. His strong arms lifted her against the wall, her arms and legs immediately wrapping around his slim frame.
In his ancient times, the male was strong and healthy, while the female was weak and frail. While he certainly wasn't weak or frail, she was certainly strong and healthy. He could tell she was not afraid to eat. Holding her weight as he was he could feel her weight estimated around 140 maybe 145.
His hands greedily clutched her behind, massaging the supple flesh while she moaned against his lips.
He could feel her smiling. Thinking she'd won the challenge.
He pulled away only slightly to whisper into her ear, "You haven't won anything yet."
He pulled her bottom lip gently, making her body go slightly limp in his embrace.
"Then please, claim such an easy win." she laughed.
"I refuse to play your game for such a pathetic prize. Have the bed for all I care, but I will take this prize simply because I want to."
"How dare you! I am not a prize to be won!"
He silenced her with his mouth, daring her to challenge him. And she took up his offer only too willingly.
He thrust his pelvis upward to make her cry out, her hands reaching up to grasp his hair tightly.
She pushed him down easily, her legs going to either side of him. She leaned over him, her breasts nearly reaching his face. He had to resist the urge to swallow, to move his head just that little bit to take part of her breast into his mouth.
He moved to touch her, but she quickly bound his wrists above his head with her small hands. He was nearly helpless to whatever she wished to do to him, but he didn't become Pharaoh just by birth. He also had to earn it and he knew when a woman was trying to seduce him to simply do her bidding. True she was the most tempting woman he had encountered; however, he knew some tricks, too.
He began to thrust upward, earning slight cries from her small now whimpering mouth. He watched her lick her lips and bite her full, lush bottom one.
He watched momentarily as she nearly found her release. But that was what he was intending.
He quickly pushed her sideways, pinning her to the carpet, her breasts bouncing quickly. She gasped, giving away her poker face only for a minute, but then she began to smile.
He didn't give her the time to bask in her near glory. She knew she was close to winning her little game. But he wanted to play with her a little before he stole her victory.
Her hands bound above her head, her legs lifted slightly, her hair tousled, he nearly lost control right there. Damning all the oaths he took.
But he restrained somehow, stepping back, staring for a moment.
"Are you giving up?" she whispered.
He extended his hand, waiting for her to accept. But she held her ground, refusing to accept his help.
"You can trust me, Roxanna. I don't know who hurt you, but I promise I won't ever betray your trust."
She waited and finally accepted his hand.
He lifted her and waited for her to dress, but she stood, watching him.
"Aren't you going to dress?" he asked.
She shook her head, "I don't wear clothes while sleeping." she smiled.
"Then the bed is yours." he turned and was about to walk out the door to sleep on the couch but she grabbed his hand and turned him around.
"Stay." she said quietly.
He didn't say anything.
"I don't want to be alone."
"Why?"
"I think… someone is after me."
He faced her fully, trying hard to not gaze upon her luscious curves.
"Tell me."
"It's only been recently, but lately there have been these strange occurrences or accidents that keep pulling me somewhere. I fear my life may be in danger."
He wrapped his arms around her without thinking. She turned to stone, keeping completely still until he felt her shaking from her tears.
"I'll protect you, Roxanna."
She looked up at him, but there was something wrong with her eyes. They were completely black.
"Can you save me from Death itself?"
It happened so quickly he nearly missed it. Her eyes returned to their original color and she looked confused.
He continued to hold her, but he was finally beginning to see some trust in her eyes.
She walked away for a moment, pulling a long shirt over her head. She then gripped his hand and pulled him to the bed.
He shook his head, "I will not bed a woman until she is my wife."
She smiled sweetly, "I know. But this isn't bedding me."
"I can't trust myself to not…"
"I won't let you. I won't give myself to any man, Atem, he has to earn it. Although… you are the first to make me think you have a chance."
He smirked, "I do love a challenge."
"I only hope you can rise to it."
He pulled her to the bed and lay underneath the sheets, waiting for her to join him.
She easily snuggled in beside him and he eagerly gripped her curves, pulling her closer. She laid her head on the pillow and closed her eyes.
He allowed his thoughts to wander, but they settled on a very disturbing place as he began to fall asleep. He worried for both worlds; his home and the one he currently resided in. And the most worrisome was that someone was hunting Roxanna. But who would want her dead?