Thanks to those of you who stayed with me. Into every story a little angst must come (that would be chapter 3) but now we're certainly moving away from that in chapter 4. I hope you enjoy!
Chapter 4
Joseph forced his eyes open, the full moon streaming through the window casting a beam of light across the otherwise dark room. His eyes darted to the dimly lit digital clock on his dresser at the other side of his suite – 2 a.m. His dream had forced him awake. It was more than a dream, really – more like a nightmare, reliving the night they had buried Philippe. His Queen, his Clarisse had sought him out and unleashed her pain and grief while he could do little more than hold her. But that night, the kiss they had shared was for the wrong reasons. The emotions were conflicted, confused…weren't real. Well, perhaps they were real, but surrounded by the all consuming grief of losing a child, the feelings of affection and even love she harbored for him at that moment had to take a back seat.
But this time…it was different.
He focused on the warmth he felt and the distinctive and unusual heaviness on his chest. He smiled slightly as he realized that for the first time, in what seemed like forever, he wasn't alone in his bed. The scent of lavender filled his senses…Clarisse.
His fingertips slowly caressed her back, remembering the way he had paid homage to each of the freckles that adorned the creamy expanse of skin. Hearing the satisfied sigh from her sleeping form, he thought back to the moment she arrived in his suite a couple hours ago.
The knock was quiet, but steady. Joseph recognized it instantly this time and was at the secret door in a matter of seconds. Remembering her admonishment from before, he avoided the use of her title. "Clarisse – is everything alright?"
The tension…a strong emotional and sexual tension, had been building between them since that night in his suite a couple of days ago. Final meetings and preparations for the return back to Genovia were being made and that had left little time to pursue any personal matters that had started to develop between the two of them. That, along with the uncertainty of how they were going to manage a relationship in the utmost of secrecy that would be required, still nagged at the fringes of an otherwise promising future.
Clarisse smiled widely and revealed two cans of Coca Cola from behind her back. "It was rather warm and I thought a refreshing beverage would be nice and even better if I shared it with a friend. Care to join me?"
Joseph tried to focus on the red cans that must have been resting in ice as droplets of condensation covered their surface, glistening in the soft glow of his bedside lamp. Instead, his vision was drawn to the midnight blue satin robe that his Queen was clad in. While his eyes were drinking in the beauty she radiated, his mind was racing to explore the options of what lie beneath the satin covering.
"Joseph?"
He tore his eyes away from her robe and forced them to focus on the blue of her eyes. "It does seem rather warm in here." He could have sworn that a slight blush covered her porcelain features as she knew he understood the game they were playing.
Clarisse wasn't sure how she felt under the unrelenting and unmasked heat of his gaze. A part of her was embarrassed; but a bigger part felt emboldened by the appreciation and desire she found in his sapphire depths. She expelled the small breath that she had been holding. He knew why she was here and he wasn't discouraging, disappointing, or dissuading. So far – so good. She smiled demurely and handed him one of the cold beverages.
"What no glasses?" He teased.
"Straight from the can, Mister – just like you taught me."
Mutual laughter filled the room before a tense silence overcame them. Joseph knew she had taken the first and most important step by coming to his suite this evening. Now it was his turn. "I'm sure there is much that we could teach each other – things both of us have long forgotten, buried deep within the shadows just waiting for the right opportunity to be called into service again."
Clarisse's only response was a subconscious licking of her lips. Her voice was caught in her throat and her eyes locked with his as she allowed him to set the beverage down before taking her hand and leading them the few steps necessary toward the bed. She was nervous – it seemed he was moving very quickly. She forced herself to take a calming breath. She trusted Joseph with everything, with her very life. She could certainly trust him to set an appropriate pace.
Joseph sat on the edge of the bed and guided her to stand between his knees. He never broke eye contact; his hands held hers as his thumbs gently caressed them. "Are you still warm?" He whispered.
"Very." Came the whispered reply.
He lifted her hands and turned them so he could place a gentle kiss on her inner wrists. His lips remained close to the skin allowing him not only to infuse his senses with the gentle fragrance of her bath oils, but also the strong pulse that beat just below the surface. Her hands were released as his moved towards the loose knot securing the belt of her robe. His eyes found hers once again, searching for any signs of regret or a change of heart – he found none.
As Joseph's hands went to her belt, she made a decision. She stopped his hands and waited for his eyes to find hers.
"Clarisse?"
She gave him a small, reassuring smile. "It's been so long since I've had any reason to wear something of this nature. Will you allow me to do this for you?"
Joseph's heart resumed beating. "I would be honored."
He released her hands and watched, mesmerized as she took a few steps backwards. Apparently she was delving into the shadows in order to give him a gift and teach him a thing or two as well. With deft fingers that belied the nervousness she was feeling, she slowly undid the knot allowing the gap in the material to widen as the ends fell from their joined position. Her right hand slowly skimmed down the edge of the material until the creamy expanse of a long, well defined leg came into view.
She definitely had his attention now.
She repeated the action on the other side providing him a better view of her thighs than he ever thought he would be privileged to witness. "Merde." He whispered. Before he could get too lost in thoughts of those dancers legs moving in time with him, his attention was drawn upward as she gracefully let the garment slip from her shoulders to form a pool of satin at her feet.
The garment was simple elegance. Midnight blue satin hugged her frame in all the right places. The neckline plunged below her ample cleavage; but provided enough support to lift and enhance. Each strap was composed of a half inch strip of the finest Genovian lace that had been dyed to match the color of the gown. The skirt fell to mid-thigh and was adorned with more of the delicate lace. Joseph made no attempt to disguise his slow perusal of her body from the painted toes to the short blonde tresses that framed her head like the halo of an angel and every graceful inch in between.
"Beautiful."
Her head tilted in acknowledgement of the sincere and heartfelt compliment. "Dance with me?"
He did not need to be asked twice. Any plans he had for the seduction of his Queen could wait. The thought of her in his arms, dressed like that, was more than enough incentive for a delay in his objective. He closed the distance between them and pulled her into his dance space.
Though they had danced together on countless occasions, this dance was enriched with the prospect of dreams fulfilled and futures promised. Regardless of what happened when they returned to Genovia where the ever watchful eye of the press and well-meaning citizens of Genovia were upon them, they would have tonight. "What is your pleasure, my dear?"
She turned in his embrace, placing her left hand in his and her right on her stomach. Her face turned toward his. "I wish to Wango."
Joseph gently squeezed her clasped hand in agreement. Rather than resting his hand in the center of her back, he let it drift lower to the small of her back. The placement allowed him to feel each sway of her hips which lent itself to the more intimate setting they had created.
They heard the music in their heads as they began to move – a fluidic motion that spoke of a connection that ran deeper than either cared to admit. The movements were more sensual…designed to bring the passion residing just below the surface out into the open where it could be fully experienced and enjoyed.
She turned in his embrace as they continued to move to the music. She made the twirl away from and back into this arms. This time rather than continuing the movements, she gave in to the impulse to kiss him as she had wanted to the day of Mia's dance lesson. There was no preamble, no hesitation – only the desire to be as close to him as possible and to experience the sweetness of his kiss once again.
Their bodies were just barely touching…but it was enough. Her kisses were addictive and Joseph knew that he could never get enough of her. Her scent, her touch, her smile…her everything. She angled her head to deepen the kiss; his heart was racing and blood was pulsing through his veins. He needed to take back some control before this night ended well before he had had his fill of her.
Clarisse felt Joseph release her hands and step away slightly before returning his hand to its possessive resting place on her lower back. He gently guided her back towards the bed where they resumed their former positions with him sitting on the bed and her standing between his knees. His hands skimmed along her thighs and over the material.
Large, capable hands skimmed upwards until they rested comfortably between her arms on each side of her body. His thumbs circled outwards, gently caressing in a whisper- like touch that left her body craving more.
Clarisse let out an involuntary pleasant shudder as her body was being reawakened to sensations long hidden deep within the innermost parts of her soul. She had believed that her heart would never again experience the joy that came from feeling truly loved nor the awakening of her body as it was introduced once more to pleasure. The slow, methodical torment that Joseph was exposing her to was almost more than she could bear. She could feel the silk of his lounge pants pressing against her outer thighs; his capable hands generating a heat in her that was building at a slow, but steady rate; and those sultry, desire-laden eyes watching her every movement.
He was certain he had died and gone to heaven. His angel was here, standing only inches in front of him. The invisible web that had trapped them seemingly an eternity ago had them ensnared once again. The tension was building so enticingly slow that they were both savoring the anticipation yet yearning for more. As if their souls were connected on the same wavelength, they moved in tandem into each other's embrace – giving and receiving pleasure.
Clarisse was finding it harder and harder to remain standing as her legs were losing their will to hold her upright. His attentions sent waves of pleasure that spiked throughout her body causing it to arch further into him while her nails embedded in his back holding him close. "Joseph, please…I fear I can't stand much longer."
He reluctantly pulled away from her, but only because he wanted her to be lying next to him on his bed. His hands moved back to her thighs and then started to move upwards again. This time, though, he slipped his hands under the garment, slowly lifting. He closed his eyes to focus on the feel of the well defined, shapely thighs…compliments of years in high heels. His journey continued over the generous curve of her bottom to the small of her back, the arch of her back and the gentle softness of her sides. She lifted her arms as he stood, allowing him the final permission to remove the garment. The alluring gown was tossed aside without a second thought as he opened his eyes to see the precious gift he had just revealed. "Breathtaking."
Their lips met again as their bodies enjoyed the feel of flesh against flesh as arms embraced – touching, exploring, discovering each other for the first time. Clarisse let her fingers fan out across his shoulders, moving slowly down his back, enjoying the muscles rippling just below the surface in response to her touch. As she continued her journey, she traced the indentation at the small of his back before letting her fingers slip under the waistband of his pants to cup his bottom. Their bodies were so close that she could feel his breath catch at her bold caress.
Moments later their garments discarded, Joseph lifted her in his arms and placed her gently on the bed. He took a moment to memorize the way she looked against the dark, rich colors of his bedspread. Her fair skin framed in the darkness created quite the visual. Her arms fell to their usual places – one above her head, the other resting across her torso. Joseph could see the freckles that disappeared below her neckline when she was clothed and reminded him of a promise he had made to himself months ago; the promise that, if ever given the opportunity, he wanted to kiss every freckle that adorned her body. "Would you do something for me?" He asked softly.
Seeing the love and adoration in his eyes, she couldn't refuse him. "Anything." She answered.
"Roll over?"
She didn't know what he had planned, but her curiosity was piqued. She rolled onto her stomach and pulled a pillow under her head, adjusting her head sideways so she could watch Joseph. He started on her shoulders, placing soft kisses over every inch of her back. As he moved lower, his fingers delicately played across the area his lips had just anointed. His ministrations relaxed her and excited her at the same time. With each brush of his soft lips against her skin, she could feel the coil inside of her start to tighten. Pleasure endorphins were slowly being released through her heated blood.
Joseph was nearing the base of her spine. He was certain there weren't any freckles that low on her back but had enjoyed exploring the soft, silky surface. He grew bolder with each satisfied murmur he heard coming from his beloved. While he could have spent hours kissing her, there was more that he wanted to experience before they moved too far. He gently guided her onto her back, his lips instantly finding hers again. Grateful to be an active participant again, Clarisse held his head to hers as she deepened the kiss; her tongue exploring the warm depths of his mouth, her tongue brushing against his – tasting and being tasted.
Breathless, they pulled apart for air. Joseph noticed the cans of Coke on the nightstand. He reached for a can and enjoyed a few sips of the still cold liquid. Before Clarisse could realize what he was doing, he poured a small amount of the dark liquid into her belly button; the cold liquid causing a sharp intake of her breath. That was quickly followed by a slow exhale as Joseph's tongue quickly lapped up the beverage. He lifted up slightly and smiled. "In 1959, their slogan was – 'Cold, Crisp taste that deeply satisfies.' I think I want to test that theory fully."
Clarisse watched as he poured another small amount and then resumed consuming the beverage from the small "cup" her body offered. She had never experienced anything quite like this before. Joseph was enjoying himself as well. His time with her had been unlike anything he had experienced before. Truth be told, he was torn. On one side, he wanted this night to never end as he had no reassurances it would ever happen again. Oh he knew she loved him and wanted to be with him; but her desires and wishes had to come far behind that of a nation that depended on her and the image they had come to expect from their monarchs. On the other side, he was merely a human. A human who had not made love to a woman in many years and perhaps never to a woman who captivated his entire being as much as Clarisse did. He didn't want to disappoint her.
Any decision regarding when to move things forward was removed when she whispered, "Make love to me, Joseph."
Its role in the night complete, the can was placed back on the nightstand and then full attention was given to each other again. The kiss this time was one filled with need and the unfulfilled desire to be totally consumed by the other. Their bodies had been literally coming to life again and now demanded that this course of action be finished.
Using his arms, he rose up slightly, and softly declared his feelings. "I love you."
Her hand cupped his cheek. "And I love you."
Hearing her admission spoken for the first time unleashed the primal instinct of man to claim, possess and hold onto what belonged to him. No matter what the future held, she loved him and had told him so – there was nothing on earth that he had wanted more. They made love as two souls finding their way home. Each touch, each kiss, each physical connection spoke of the deep and real feelings that they held for each other.
Joseph held her close in the afterglow of their lovemaking. There was a quiet contentment that rested between them. There were no assurances for tomorrow – they would walk that path when they came to it. For tonight, though, they had each other and the hope that someday the love they shared could be brought out of the shadows.