A/N: So, the sickness is not good. And I'm sorry its been so long. I've been to a lot of doctors, and I started rehab today. I've got permanet damage to my inner ear, so I have to have rehab to reprogram my brain. Sad day.
But here is a little semi-smutty treat to celebrate the One coming out tomorrow!
Please excuse all the typos and such. I'm struggling at editing right now.
One week.
The castle was full of guests, from every country around the world.
My family was here.
One week from today we would be getting married.
My mind was in a thousand different places. We were at a luncheon, one meant to celebrate Maxon and my engagement, but I felt it was more for King Clarkson to continue to negotiate with France and hold his power over us. He kept his face cordial, but every once in a while, he would shoot a glare in my direction. I was seated by the King of Italy, who was absolutely smitten with me. Now that we had the Italian's support, King Clarkson was a tad less hostile towards me. He still wasn't happy, but at least he looked cordial at the proceedings. After all, he had to if he wanted to stay King. With Maxon's help, we had played him at his own game, something he wasn't quite over yet.
"I have to say for one, I absolutely loved your plans for removal of the caste system, Lady America. I cannot wait until the happy day I can start calling you Princess," King Giovanni said with a bow of his head. I graciously inclined my head.
"Neither can I."
A hand placed itself on my shoulder, and I felt the smile spread across my face. I couldn't stop it every time I heard Maxon's voice.
"Do you mind if I steal my fiancé for just a few minutes, Your Majesty?" Maxon asked in his most princely voice. I knew he was grinning from ear to ear. King Giovanni inclined his head, and Maxon whisked me out of my seat and out of the banquet hall into the servant's corridor.
"Maxon," I laughed, "what are you doing?"
"You looked like you could use a break, darling."
He took me to one of the secret entrances that stood at the tunnels and quickly punched in the code. He looked around quickly, making sure no one saw us entering the tunnel. The gossip magazines had gone crazy with rumors lately, no doubt being fueled by his father. It was a last ditch effort, although a pathetically weak one. Amberly was absolutely enraged by them. I saw him holding a box in his free hand. He pulled me inside, shutting the door firmly behind us.
"Maxon, what's in the box? And why are we in a tunnel? This is one we can get out of, right?" I heard Maxon's exasperated sighed in the dark as a faint light lit the tunnel. He had lit a candle in a small outcropping, giving us just enough light where I could see him.
"In the box is a surprise, we are in the tunnel because it was the closest private place I could think of, and yes, we can get out. I'm not stupid," he huffed out.
"Could've fooled me."
"Keep that talk up, Miss Singer, and you don't get what's in this box," he chided me as he shook it front of me.
"And what's in the box?" I replied as I rolled my eyes and sat in the stone alcove. This had to be one of the older tunnels, which use to be a part of the old castle.
"Only your favorite chocolate cake, freshly baked and iced." Maxon sat beside me, opening the box to show a tiny version of the cake he knew I loved so well. "I know things have been stressful lately, and you've done such a wonderful job and-
I threw my arms around him, and I felt Maxon smile against my lips. I kissed him with all my might, and I broke away, reaching for the box and the two forks inside.
"Did I ever tell you that I loved you?" I wondered as I shoved a pieced into my mouth. It was absolutely heavenly.
"Once or twice," he replied as he took a bite of his own.
"Good. You are literally the best husband ever. Or will be. Whatever!"
We sat together, laughing and talking about our day so far. It didn't take long for us to demolish the cake.
"One bite left."
He held it to me mouth, and I opened my mouth obligingly. He fed me the last bite, both of us erupting into laughter as a little spilled from my mouth. He gestured to the side of my mouth, and my tongue darted out tasting the smear of icing there.
"You better not spill any next week," I playfully warned him.
"I have every intention of making a mess," Maxon replied with a wink.
"Oh really?"
"Yes, that way, I can help get the icing off of you."
Maxon leaned forward, placing his lips against the corner of my mouth. He carefully sucked the icing off my skin. I thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest. He moved to my lips, taking his time as his lips molded against mine. I closed my eyes as the taste of Maxon and chocolate cake blended together on my lips. His hands rested on my waist, gripping softly into me, and mine held on to his shoulders.
"It tastes a lot better coming off of you," he whispered in between our kisses. I couldn't help but agree. Maxon's hand drifted down my waist, settling down on my thigh. My skirt was hitched up slightly, and his fingers traced a faint pattern there against my skin. He pulled back for just a second, his warm brown eyes staring intently into my own. His fingers traced my jaw, making parts of me come alive I wasn't even aware could have this type of feeling. "Do you have any idea how beautiful you are America Singer? Any idea how much I love you?"
I stared back at him. I knew how much I loved him, how I felt about him. He was my best friend my other half, my everything. I couldn't imagine another minute where he wasn't a part of my life. Maxon leaned his forehead against mine and placed his hands on either side of my neck.
"I'm going to show you, America. Every minute of every day I will remind you why you are the one, why you are the love of my life. I love you."
I couldn't answer with words as beautiful as his. I was never good at expressing how I felt, and he knew that. I touched his cheek, placing my lips softly against his.
"I want you, forever. I love you."
I wasn't close enough to him. Even through the heat of our kisses, our bodies weren't close enough, and Maxon seemed to sense that as well. He pulled me into his lap, which I managed thanks to the flowy design of my skirt. I pushed off his jacket, and Maxon let it fall behind him. I quickly undid his tie, tossing it behind him with his jacket. His hands pulled my shirt from my skirt, so his hands could feel the skin at my lower back. I could feel everything through his shirt: the tight muscles along with the scars left by his father. He was so beautiful to me, so handsome. Everything about him was so good. His hands came around to my front, resting against the buttons on the lower part of my shirt.
This was the farthest we had ever gone. Our kisses had never ventured farther than this, and a part of me knew we needed to stop. But at that moment, all I wanted was Maxon's skin against my own. I never wanted to stop.
"Do you trust me?" he whispered against my neck
I nodded my head, softly gasping as Maxon's teeth grazed my ear. His fingers slowly undid the buttons of my shirt, taking his precious time to make sure we were both ready for this. I wanted to see him just as badly as he wanted to see me. There was this ache, this need inside of me for him. My hands rose, shaking with nervousness, and I started undoing his buttons as well. Our kisses weren't as hurried as they were before. They were slow and careful, enjoying this new area neither of us had ever explored before. My fingers felt along Maxon's chest, feeling the dip and curves of the muscles there. His lips left left mine, tracing a line down my throat, to my shoulder and chest. He ignited something within me, and I realized I didn't want to wait a week. I wanted him to be my husband, and I wanted him, right here, right now.
"Maxon-
"I know, Ames," he breathed against my lips. Our lips warred together, fighting to get more of each other. "I can't wait to have you, for you to be my wife. To have." He kissed my shoulder. "To hold." His lips touched my neck, just underneath my ear. "For you to be mine, as long as we both shall live."
His fingers laced into my hair, and for a few precious minutes, I was lost in him. We were lost in each other. It was heaven, and if making out or whatever they called it was this good, I could only imagine what-
"Um, excuse me, sir?"
I jumped about a mile in the air, and Maxon's hands flew back, grabbing on to his jacket to fling around me. I buried my head into his neck, a furious blush blossoming on my cheeks. Maxon wrapped his arms around me, keeping me shielded and protected like the perfect gentlemen.
"Warner? Where are you?"
"Around the corner, sir. I thought it best if I stay back here." I looked up into Maxon's eyes, seeing the relief on my face mirrored there. "I'm assuming that it is Lady America with you, Your Highness?"
"Y-yes," he gulped. "She's with me."
"Your father has been looking for you, your grace, and I saw you entered the tunnel on the camera. I suspect his guard will have as well. I suggest you might want to prepare for them coming to look for the both of you. I'll give you a moment to get straightened up."
We both stood still as Warner's footsteps died down the hallway. We looked back at each other, both of our eyes wide with shock.
Then we both fell out laughing.
Maxon hugged me to him, and I rested my head against his chest for a moment.
"That's a first."
"I'm glad it was him and not your father," I said as I removed myself from Maxon's lap. I bet over to pick up my shirt off of the ground, and Maxon wrapped his arms around me from behind. He planted a chaste kiss against my neck, holding me firmly against him.
"Me too, but I'll never let him hurt you, America."
We both quickly got dress, and we turned to inspect each other. I straighten his tie for him, and Maxon got a sheepish look on his face and buttoned my shirt a button higher.
"What is it?" I asked as I tried to look down. He simply took my hand, leading me back out to the hall. I pulled him to a stop just short of the door. "Maxon!"
"Um, I may have gotten a little carried away, but no one can see it."
"Did…did you give me a hickey?"
He placed his finger on my chest, touching a spot that was just a bit tender. My blush that had started to disappear went darker.
"Maxon, if this is there on the wedding-
"It will be gone by then," he assured me with a kiss. "Besides, there are plenty more where that came from!" he added as he darted out of the door.
Hope you enjoyed! Please leave a review! :) AHH FOR THE ONE!
