Chapter Two

Clarisse had convinced Mia to take princess lessons and use the car. Joseph was out of the sight of the queen for most of the week now. He was suffering without seeing her face. All he needed was a smile from her, and he would be filled with hours of unbridled, no-one-can-touch-me, joy. It was silly how simply she made him happy. He'd be thinking about a comment that she made, and smile to himself days after she said it.

In any case, Joseph had attended most of the lessons, and even helped during a few. Clarisse would always approach him with the schedule for her lesson so he could get her prepared. She had asked him to purchase some stockings and nice shoes for Amelia to wear when she came to lessons. He protested out of embarrassment, but Clarisse insisted. Luckily, she had Charlotte call in and order them, and all Joseph had to do was pay.

"Joseph" The queen entered the room, and everyone flew to their feet. "Today we need to teach Amelia one of our traditional ballroom dances; I will need you to teach her since I am not used to leading."
"Which one, your majesty?"
"You choose the one with which you are most comfortable. She just needs to start preparing for the ball."
"Yes, your majesty." Joseph found some music and set up the Bose CD player in the ballroom. He would teach her how to spin, the steps and everything else that she needed to look like an elegant and royal woman during the Independence Day ball. Suddenly Joseph was struck with an idea. He would ask the queen to dance with him when the opportunity presented itself. If the opportunity presented itself.

At the start of the lesson, he asked Clarisse to show Amelia what the dance would look like. Clarisse summoned Charlotte and had her step in. Joseph was discouraged, but Clarisse was going over some important documents. When Amelia was dismissed, Clarisse told Joseph he could go as well, but he snuck up behind her and whispered in her ear.

For the first time, Clarisse allowed herself to feel something as she was lead onto the dance floor. His hand was warm in hers. His body moved against her. Her mind was a flurry of feelings that she had all at once always and never felt for anyone. Joseph was melting her into the music.

Joseph could not believe what was happening. He must have been wrong about how Clarisse felt. She had given herself over completely to him as she had never done before. He could feel her, warm against him as they danced in the private room. He took the liberty to pull her in and inhale her scent. He felt that it reached his soul. Nothing had ever been so amazing as this moment. He fought himself to keep control of his mind and his body.

Clarisse nuzzled against Joseph as he held her from behind. She never wanted the dance to end. He twirled her around to face her, and she closed her eyes. Her feelings were too intense to look directly at him. She pulled on his hand to turn herself back into his body, his chest pressing against her back. She could smell his cologne joining with her perfume between them. In this position, she could enjoy being so close to him for the first time. They didn't need to make eye contact here.

He leaned his head against her cheek, and he couldn't pull her closer if he tried. He heard her sigh softly and he wondered what she was thinking in that moment. He knew what he was thinking, but saying it out loud would be completely inappropriate. He wanted so badly to kiss her shoulder, and he wondered if testing out her feelings in this setting would really be fair for her. Anyone could come in at any moment. A simple dance misinterpreted by the media would be a disaster. These thoughts almost made him pull away, but Clarisse was holding on tightly. He could see that her eyes were closed and her whole body was relaxed.

When the music ended, she let go abruptly, but Joseph grabbed at her, catching her wrist. She looked up, shocked, but he softened his grip just in time. He was staring at her lips. She could tell. Did she want to kiss him? She asked herself over and over if she should do so.

He wanted to taste her, but he couldn't do anything without her permission. He was staring at her lips in anticipation of an answer. He didn't know how much control he would have if she said yes.

She was nodding softly by the time Joseph exited his thoughts. He put a gentle hand on her face.

"Are you sure?"
"Completely"

Their lips met slowly. She was trembling and shaking, tears sprang to her eyes. It was all too much emotion. She'd never acted on her feelings. 30 years she had been waiting for this kiss. And here she was, in the middle of a ballroom, tears spilling out of her eyes. Joseph pulled back and immediately began apologizing. He was afraid she didn't want him, that the kiss had scared her or worse. She smiled slightly and brought her hand to his face.

"I'm so sorry. I'm a mess" Another kiss. This time urgent, needy, quick and slow, all at once. She felt herself moving backwards as they kissed. Joseph was slowly pushing her against the marble column. She knew she should have been appalled at his behavior, but instead she was thankful for the support of the stone. He was holding her face by running a hand across her cheek and through her hair. Years of suppressing his feelings travelled through her lips until she put a hand against his chest. A wide smile spread across her face. He looked shocked, both at her and at himself. They stared at each other for a moment before Joseph spoke.

"Clarisse…" She raised a finger to his lips.
"No, I don't want to talk about it."
"We should." He urged.
"Yes, I suppose we should. Later, please. I need time to get myself together." It was then she realized that Joseph had removed her scarf and it was currently in the middle of the floor. She smiled and added, "Literally." Joseph ran over and picked it up, putting it back around her neck and smiling sheepishly.
"Clarisse, I've wanted this for so long" He put a hand up to rest on her cheek. She cast her eyes downward and covered his hand with her own, sliding it off her face but continuing to hold it.
"Later, Joseph." She cautioned, seeing Charlotte pass by the room. "10:00 in the garden." She would have invited him to her chambers, but she had lost so much self control already. She wasn't sure what she had left.