My eyes flutter open as a beam of light shines onto my face. I attempt to move, but find myself tangled in a mess of limbs. I tilt my head and see Gray and I cuddled together. I smirk. This was how I was supposed to wake up with a guy. I think of Gajeel on my floor and have to suppress my laugh. I wriggle out of the cold embrace and giggle as my ass grazes a harder aspect of his body.
I bend over to get my outfit for the day and hear a grunt from bed.
"Enjoying the view?" I laugh, wiggling my hips.
Another grunt. I hear his feet touch the ground and the bathroom door close.
"Someone didn't want to be seen," I chuckle quietly. I hear the water start to run and take the chance to change. I put on a pink skater skirt mini dress and a pair of white wedges. I decide not to intrude on his shower time, so I sit on the bed and stare at the bathroom door, waiting. After a few minutes he opens the door wearing a loose hanging towel around his waist. I do my best not to stare and walk past him without a word.
"No snide comment?" He asks.
"Did you want one?" I ask as I start my make-up.
"No, I was just expecting one."
"I don't want to disappoint you."
"You won't by staying quiet."
"Alright. Question: Do you always cuddle girls so tightly when you sleep with them?"
I hear a pause in his movements. "What do you mean?"
I giggle. "Well this morning I woke up and tried to get up, but I was stuck. We were tangled together and I couldn't move cause you were holding me so tightly."
"What makes you think I sought you out?"
"I don't cuddle. Plus, you were wrapped around me."
He goes silent again.
"Did I mention you were pretty excited when I woke up?"
Something crashes from the room and I peek out the door to see him on the ground. It looks like he tripped over his pants trying to put them on. I laugh at him and finish up my make-up. I went for a more neutral feel than usual and put on a light pink lip stick.
"Almost ready for breakfast?" I ask.
"Yeah," He says quickly. He finishes putting on the khaki pants and then puts on a solid black polo.
"I've never seen you so flustered," I point out.
"I..." He silences himself and simply takes my hand and pulls me to the dining room.
I look at him curiously. He seemed concerned about something.
A maid greets us at the dining room and directs us to a patio on the second floor. The patio was over the garden. It showcased the size of Pascal's garden labyrinth. Pascal was waiting at a rounded table. A camera hung around his neck.
"Good morning, love birds," He chirps.
We both smile in response. In unison we say, "Morning!"
"I was thinking after breakfast we could jump right into the shoot. I would like some in the garden and also in the library. Then we can eat lunch and move on to the pool. I have bathing suits for both of you. You'll get some free time at the pool because I want some sunset shots. Then I'll give you free range to explore and then we'll have the other couples join us for dinner and the ball. I'll move the two of you to the patio for a solo dance and more pictures. That sound good?"
"That sounds perfect," I smile. I look towards Gray who still seems deep in thought. "He's nervous. He's never done a photo shoot before."
"Understandable. You sure he's not upset about last night?" Pascal asks.
Gray looks up at Pascal. "What do you mean?"
"I heard about what happened. I don't blame you for getting angry. They were completely disrespectful, which is why I've retracted my invitation. We will be joined by new couples tonight," Pascal explains. He seems to be hiding his full anger.
"You didn't have to do that," Gray responds.
"Yes I did, Merek. You two are my guests and I will not have you so blatantly disrespected. Especially not over something so trivial as money," Pascal reassures him.
Gray smiles. "Thank you. Demi was right about you. You're a very good man."
Pascal blushes and waves his hand. "Now eat and mingle. Ignore me." He gets up and starts to take pictures of us.
Gray and I sit facing each other and I begin to eat while he stares at me. I take a forkful of my food and move towards his mouth. He opens and closes his mouth around the fork, but continues to stare at me. I was getting self-conscious.
"Is my makeup messy-" He cuts me off with a sudden kiss. He then turns to his food innocently and starts to eat, keeping a hand on my leg.
I smile and place my hand over his and continue to eat. When we're finished I get up and go to the railing and stare out at the garden. He follows and wraps his arms around me and kisses my neck gently. I hold his arms and we look at the garden in silence.
"Perfect. He's a natural. Did you give him any tips?" Pascal asks.
"Just told him to keep being in love with me and there wouldn't be any problems," I smile.
"Perfect. Let's walk to the garden. My favorite part of the film we got yesterday was the Cupid incident. Right as you were struck by his arrow Merek appeared with a bouquet of carnations, almost as if Fate had put you together," Pascal says dreamily.
He had voiced my superstitious fears. I had been hit by Cupid's arrow only to turn around and see Gray.
"Well fate didn't make it easy," Gray laughed, nudging me lightly.
I smile up at him brightly and grip his hand tighter. I could tell Pascal was still taking pictures so I needed to focus my mind on our act. He follows us into the garden and lets us wonder around again.
"Take me to the carnations," I say to Gray.
He smiles and nods. He leads me and I look at him admiringly. He was strong and the respect he had for people, even me, was beautiful. He was fiercely loyal and protective and had amazing control over himself, except when he slept. I giggle at the thought.
"What?" He asks looking back at me.
"Oh, nothing," I smile.
With a fluid movement he pins me against the edge of a statue and leans in closely. "Tell me."
His sudden mood change warms my insides. It was hot having him dominate me so quickly.
"Cat got your tongue?" He purrs, leaning even closer.
Time to turn the tables. "Just thinking about this morning."
He falls apart instantly. I take my chance and press my lips to his. He pulls me closer and and lifts me to sit on the edge of the marble. Our kiss breaks and he starts to walk away casually, leaving me sitting on a very tall statue.
"Not funny!" I call after him, laughing slightly.
He turns back and smiles devilishly. "Say it."
Say what? Was I supposed to come up with something that I would usually say for punishment. I scrunch up my face. "In front of Pascal?"
"I'm not here!" Pascal hisses.
Gray and I both laugh. "Yes. Say it and I'll rescue you, Princess."
I groan. What to say? "I love you."
"I know that."
"And you're the smartest, kindest, most amazing, all be it poor, boyfriend I've ever had!"
"Poor? You must not want to get down."
"Money doesn't matter! I was kidding! You really are the best thing to happen to me and you're really good in bed. The best I've ever had. I mean the way you-"
"Alright! I'm coming!" He shouts. He lifts his arms and easily lifts me up by my waist. He spins me around for good measure and then pulls me into a tight hug.
So talking about sex and sex related things flustered him. Cute. "Thank you, Merek."
"You're welcome. We're almost to the carnations," He smiles.
"Yay!" I cheer.
We walk a few more feet and round a corner to a beautiful open area. The carnations flow in a semicircle around a beautiful water fountain. Gray picks one of the pink carnations and places it behind my ear.
"It matches perfectly," I smile, as I hold his hand to my face.
He smiles and leans in to place a soft kiss on my lips. "Almost. It doesn't nearly match your beauty."
"Are you trying to have me take you right here?" I smirk.
"No, I just speak the truth. Not my fault honesty arouses you," He smirks and then pulls me away to explore more.
I hold in my comment about this morning and groan internally. All this nice lovey dovey stuff is frustrating. All I want is someone who will pin me to a statue, grab my ass, bite my neck, bend me over, basically someone who isn't afraid to be rough. This act was the opposite of everything I'd ever had in my life. The words "I love you" stung every time I said them.
"Hun," Gray breaks my thoughts. "You've got that dreamy look on your face. It's border line painful."
"It looked beautiful. That was a great picture. We should head back for lunch. We've been out here a while," Pascal says.
"Really?" I ask. Had time really gone that fast?
"You want me to carry you back?" Gray asks. It wasn't a Merek question, at least I didn't think so. "Your feet can't be happy in those things."
"I'd love a ride," I purr soft enough so Pascal can't hear.
He rolls his eyes and instead of putting me on his back he scoops me into his arms bridal style. He rubs his nose against mine and then kisses my forehead gently. It made me feel like a kid.
After what seems like forever we make it back to the manor. Gray sets me down gently and immediately takes my hand in his. I kiss him on the cheek as my thanks and then follow Pascal to lunch.
"After you two eat you can go ahead and change in the bath over there," He points to an ornate looking shed. A glorified outhouse. I'm sure it was beautiful on the inside, but I couldn't help thinking it looked out of place. Pascal walks back inside with his camera and leaves us to eat.
"About this morning," Gray starts.
I put a hand up. "Don't worry about it. I just tease you because it's funny how flustered you get. It happens."
"Exactly, it happens. I don't want to encourage you," He says.
I laugh and nearly spit out my food. I swallow with difficulty. "I don't take morning wood as encouragement."
His face reddens and he looks at his plate. "And the cuddling. I seek warmth when I sleep, so I usually cocoon myself with lots of blankets. You were the closest warmth."
"I could have warmed you up, all you needed to do was ask."
"Is everything about sex for you?"
"It's been a while," I groan.
"I'm sure someone back at home can help," He laughs.
"I'm betting on it."
"We should get changed."
I take his hand and pull him into the bathhouse.
He looks down at our hands and then back at me with an eyebrow raised.
"Shit. It's become a habit," I growl. I release his hand and lift the dress over my head.
"Ah!" Gray gasps and turns around quickly.
"What?" I ask, stripping out of my bra and undies. I debate on whether to graze my chest across his back but hold back the urge. That would be so mean. I slip on the tribal print bikini bottoms and then adjust the matching string top and hold it to my breasts.
I clear my throat. "Tie me up?"
"No thank you. I'm not into that," He responds.
I laugh loudly and almost lose my top. "I meant the strings, although, I am slightly disappointed."
He chuckles and I feel his fingers on my back. He ties two bows quickly, but then his fingers trace the jagged scar on my ribs. I shudder at the feeling and then smack his hand away. I turn and glare at him for the intrusion.
"I won't ask," He says, putting his hands up defensively.
"I wouldn't have told anyway. Your turn," I spit.
"You going to turn-"
"No. I've seen you in just a towel, stop being a baby."
He groans and strips off his shirt and then drops his pants. I hand him the solid black trunks and smirk as he adverts his eyes from my gaze.
"For someone who publicly strips so often, you're being awfully shy," I smirk.
"I'm not used to people staring me down as I unconsciously strip," He points out.
"You can spin when you're done," I laugh, ignoring how uncomfortable I made him.
He amuses me and does a spin. That's when I notice our undoing.
"Your guild mark," I hiss, placing a hand over the dark blue mark on his pectoral.
"Where's yours?" He asks.
"Never got one," I shrug. "I wasn't official until two days ago."
"Do you know how to hide it?
I nod. I think about the concealing spell and concentrate on the Guild Mark. With a flash of light it disappears. I smile to myself and finish getting dressed. I slip on the translucent silk cover up and tie a loose knot in front. I then slip on the strappy black heels I was given. I do a spin for Gray and then lean against the wall of the bathhouse casually, but sexily. I notice him shift his legs as his pants strain.
"You going to blame this one on natural occurrence too?" I laugh. "Just admit it: you think I'm hot."
"Of course I do. I'm pretty sure every man on this world does. It doesn't help that suit doesn't cover too much," He hisses.
There's a knock on the door. "Miss Demi, Pascal would like me to do your hair and makeup."
"Come in," I say.
A petite woman steps in and bows. "Mr. Merek, Pascal would like to talk to you."
"See you in a bit, love," He says to me with a peck on the cheek.
I nod and turn towards the woman.
"I'm Jolie," She introduces. "You two are very cute. Pascal wants me to tell you that he has a direction for the shoot. He wants the two of you to be very physical. Very intimate. He says to act like you haven't seen each other in a long time and to act on the emotions that separation would evoke."
"Really? Hmm. Okay. He usually doesn't set up scenes," I say thoughtfully.
"He says your previous shoots have been too safe and he wants to see a desire between the two of you, not just love," She explains.
I smirk. "I can do desire."
She smiles and finishes up the brown and red eye makeup and then finishes with a red lip. She gestures me out. "The shoot starts as soon as you exit."
