In case anyone is wondering, I had to delete my songfics since quoting lyrics is prohibited. Which means, songfics are prohibited, because songfics without lyrics make absolutely no sense. I know, it's the copyright law (...), but it makes me question fanfic writing in general. I just can't enjoy it anymore... so I'm not sure, when I'm in the mood for the next chapter. My flow is gone... at least for now, sorry. :(

But since this chapter is complete, here you go. Hold your knickers, ladies! You might need it!


Chapter 6: Unconditional surrender

In the next few days Jasper caught Eleanor several times secretly staring at him. It made him somewhat nervous, because she never said anything about it, and her expression was unreadable. But apart from this she seemed in a good mood and even blatantly flirted with him. He wondered with what he'd earned so much attention, but he liked it. He liked it way too much, to be precise.

"Okay, what is it?" he asked finally.

Eleanor looked surprised. "What?"

"You were staring at me. Is there something in my face I should know about?" Jasper raised his eyebrows with a questioning expression.

Her cheeks turned a bit red. "Like what?"

"Well, I don't know. Tomato sauce? An elephant trunk?" he shrugged.

Eleanor laughed. "No... you look ridiculously perfect... as ever."

"Why are you staring then?" Jasper went on.

'Because you look ridiculously perfect.'

"I'm not staring!" she objected.

He folded his arms and looked at her expectantly. "Yes, you do!"

"I don't! I... I was just wondering, if you could be on duty tomorrow night." she changed the subject, Jasper noted.

"I think, I could, but it's Liam's party tomorrow. You're not leaving the palace and there are only close friends. This Beck will be there too." he teased. "Besides there is enough security already. You will be fine."

Eleanor pouted "But I need YOU to protect my body, Jasper!" pronouncing the last syllable of his name like a purr.

She was clearly up to something, but he couldn't resist (he never could). "Okay then. If you need me so desperately."


Liam had this party badly needed. His last weeks had been exhausting and his schedule was packed full to the brim. Being King really wasn't that easy. He did well, but now he needed fun and relaxation with his friends. He just wanted to be Liam tonight and not 'His Majesty'. Cheerfully he welcomed Holden, Ivan and Ashok. And Beck was there too (he wasn't sure if it was a good idea to invite him, now that Lenny and Jasper were closer together again). And then he saw another familiar face. "Willow! You came!"

Jasper had picked up Eleanor from her room and now they entered the party. While Eleanor greeted her friends and made small talk here and there, Jasper slipped into a corner switching into bodyguard mode, his eyes fixed on her. Her little black dress was barely covering the important parts of her body and looked more like a negligee. It made him crazy and his suspicious gaze fell on Beck, who was embracing Eleanor with delight. His jaw tensed but his expression remained calm and stony.

"Hi, Beck!" Eleanor said, greeting her ex-lover.

He pulled her into his arms "Lenny! It's so good to see you. How are you?"

They chatted for a while about this and that. She was polite but distant. It was good to see him, but she noticed, her former feelings for him were gone. He was just a good old friend now, nothing more. She looked over to Jasper, who was still standing in his corner, eyes on her with a dark glance. She became fidgety.

"Beck, would you excuse me, please." she said, not waiting for an answer, and headed in Jaspers direction, leaving a miffed Beck behind.

But she didn't get far. Suddenly a tipsy Holden bumped into her. "Ah, Lenny! My favourite princess!" he beckoned.

"Holden!" she smiled "What can I do for you?"

He looked a bit nervous as he touched her arm in confidence. "Maybe you remember that red-haired girl who was with you on your birthday party?"

"Imogen?" Eleanor asked.

"Oh yes, I guess that was her name... I was thinking about her for a while now and wondered... she looked like a good friend of yours and maybe you can give me her phone number?" Holden looked at her like a puppy.

Eleanor grinned "Really? I don't know if she's currently interested in men... after what happened with that Viktor brute."

"Yeah, I heard about that. But I promise I will be nice to her. You know me." he begged.

"Well, Casanova..." she contemplated "I guess she appreciates what you have done for her at the party. I tell you what: I give her your number and let her decide. How's that?"

"Fair enough!" Holden said smiling and joined Ivan and Ashok at the bar.

Finally Eleanor was free to continue her way to Jasper... but she couldn't see him anymore. His corner was empty and she looked around. After a while she noticed him standing on the balcony and joined him.

"Neglecting your job, bodyguard?" she teased.

He didn't look at her, his gaze wandering over the palace grounds. "I needed some fresh air... and you had enough men in there to take care of your body."

She grinned. "Are you jealous, Jasper?"

He turned to her, his jaw clenched but his eyes filled with sadness and longing. "I'm always jealous when it comes to you. You don't know, what you're doing to me."

She smiled and came closer until they were almost touching. "Believe me, I know." Then she put her arms around his neck and kissed him tenderly.

Jasper lost his control almost immediately, his blood was boiling in less than a second. He pulled her closer, kissing her harder, his hands wandering down her back and a little bit lower, transforming her knees into jelly. She made a lustful noise as he pulled her hair to gain himself access to her neck, leaving a prickling trace of wet kisses on her skin. His breath was heavy when he nibbled on her earlobe, whispering: "Lenny... I want you so much..." She pulled him back to her mouth and their lips met once more with desire. Eventually they had to catch their breath and she took his hand and purred: "Follow me, bodyguard!"

Eleanor pulled him all the way to her room, not caring who might see them. She closed the door and locked it, looking at Jasper.

"Is this what you want?" he asked in a dark clouded voice.

She nodded and suddenly his hands and lips were all over her, pushing her against the wall, leaving burning marks on her skin. It had been so damn long and her whole body was craving for him. She stripped off his jacket and began to unbutton his shirt while he kissed her fiercely.

"You belong to me!" he growled, sending butterflies all over her body.

God, she had missed this so much! Soon their clothes were spread all over the floor and Jasper carried her to her bed where they melted into each other.

"Finally!" she whispered.