Some mild mature content

Part 2

Two days earlier

Tristan sighed in contentment and closed his eyes, he was truly enjoying himself. He was sitting in the bathtub, letting the gentle hands of his new mistress to carefully rub him clean. Normally a servant helped him to bathe, but now his lovely Elise had wanted to do that. He certainly wasn't complaining, her touch was more than pleasant.

"That feels good," he murmured.

"I am glad to hear that, my lord," she replied. She was standing behind him, washing his back.

He leaned back as she moved on to his arms and chest. Slowly he opened his eyes and looked at her. She truly was beautiful; he had wanted her from the moment he had laid eyes on her and he had got used to getting what he wanted. Making a peasant his mistress… He had never thought that he would do something like that, not before he had met her. There was simply something about her that made him want to mark her as his. To claim her.

He had never felt like that toward any of his mistresses. Elise was so concentrated on her task that it took a moment before she noticed him looking at her. The smile that she gave him was warm and it looked genuine. She wasn't like his other mistresses, they had all been noblewomen. She was modest, unaffected. He liked that.

"I would like you to join me, my little cherry blossom," he stated.

"Of course, my lord," she replied, she didn't look nervous at all.

She hadn't been nervous when they had spent their first night together, even though she had been a virgin. Somehow she had still known how to drive him crazy. She had only been uncomfortable when he had asked about the scars on her back; she had apologized if they bothered him. They didn't. Clearly her father had been a pitiful drunkard; he had sold his daughter for few coins.

As strange as that was, she hadn't shown any fear when Tristan had taken her with him. On the contrary, she had seemed more than willing to come with him. He looked at her as she undressed, smiling at him the whole time. The beauty of her body didn't cease to amaze him. The smoothness of her skin, the roundness of her curves, the softness of her lips that were made for kissing… She was nothing less than exquisite. He held out his hand and helped her into the bathtub.

"Thank you," she said.

He ran his thumb gently over her cheek.

"Do you have everything you need here, darling? Is your bedchamber comfortable?"

"It is, my lord, thank you."

He observed her face for a moment before continuing.

"I am curious about something, darling. You have never seemed in any way afraid of me. Why is that?"

"I… If you wish me to be afraid…"

"No, no, that is not what I meant, I was merely curious."

Most people, especially women, were usually more or less scared of him. He was a ruthless man, but for some reason Elise didn't seem to care about that.

"I do not get scared easily, my lord," she stated smiling and slowly moved closer to him.

"I can see that," he murmured. "And I find that…refreshing."

He wrapped his arms possessively around her waist and pulled her on his lap. He couldn't believe how beautiful she was. Her breasts pressed against his ribs, making him lust for her even more. No other woman had ever made him feel like this, he would have given her anything she would have asked.

"Elise… Tell me that you are mine."

"I am yours, my lord," she whispered in his ear and moved her hips seductively. "Only yours."

That was more than he could take; he crushed his mouth onto hers. She was just as responsive as always, mimicking everything he was doing. He had never met a woman like her. She truly was driving him crazy.

Tristan couldn't deny that he felt satisfied when he noticed how the other men in the garden were looking at Elise. Clearly they liked what they were seeing, but obviously none of them would have ever dared to touch her, she belonged only to Tristan. She looked absolutely stunning wearing a pale blue silk gown.

This was her first public appearance; he had needed to teach her some basic etiquette first. She had been a fast learner, clearly she was intelligent. That was something he appreciated, unintelligent women bored him quickly. Elise however was everything he wanted from a woman. He couldn't imagine getting bored with her.

"Would you like some wine, my lord?" she asked. "The day is very hot."

"Yes…"

He paused and glanced at the servant who seemed to be staring at Elise. It was one of his father's servants, Lucien if Tristan remembered correctly. Tristan frowned and motioned the servant to approach him.

"My lord," the servant murmured and bowed.

"Bring me some wine," he ordered and turned to look at Elise. "How about you, darling? Would you like something to drink?"

Elise smiled and moved beside him.

"I would, my lord, thank you."

She didn't even glance at the servant; her eyes were on Tristan the whole time. Tristan didn't pay attention to the servant either when he led Elise to meet Aurora and few other members of the court. He didn't notice that the servant was still staring at Elise.