Addictive
Step by step, I got acquainted with him. It was very difficult to appreciate him. At some point, I absolutely did not understand what all those women found so wonderful about this man. So I guess I noticed something else about him. He got me so confused that I did know how to behave myself around him. I would either be ice cold, or impertinent. It was awful and thrilling at the same time.
Addictive.
SKY'S POV
"Why did you flee?" She surprised me with that sudden question. We were sitting together in the salon, three days after the ball. I had escorted her home afterwards and hadn't really left her side since that bleeding idiot had spoken to her. Well, I had not gone as far as accompanying her to her bedroom, although I could not deny I longed for that.
"I shot someone." I replied promptly.
"Well, sometimes people can be that annoying." She smirked at me, unfazed. Right. She shot me.
"That's correct. You of all people should understand." I tried to provoke her.
"That depends, sir. Who did you shoot?" She asked in a conspiring whisper, moving closer to my chair.
"Some arrogant prick." I said dismissively.
"I am sure not everyone knows him by that name." She admonished me.
"Riven Harville." I said unwillingly.
"Oh yes. He is quite… the plague." She admitted hesitantly. It was endearing how she refused to cuss.
"Come on, Miss Elliot, say a naughty word. I know you can." I urged her, leaning in a bit.
"No! I was not…"
"Come on!" I squeezed her waist suddenly, making her yelp. I ignored the voices in my head that told me to just pin her down and kiss her senseless. As she did not react, I started tickling her.
"Fine! He's a prick!" She exclaimed loudly.
"I am so proud of you." I beamed at her and tightened my hands on her waist, pulling her near. She stiffened abruptly. "What's wrong, love?" I inquired softly, never loosening my grip. I was so damn close.
"You are very close, sir." She admitted reluctantly, staring at the ground. "It is not the first time."
"Look at me." I ordered. I was not prepared for everything bundled up in those amazing turquoise eyes: fear, happiness and even some hope. I averted my face and let her go.
"Haven't I behaved like a true gentleman?" I asked faux innocent. She chuckled mirthlessly , sending me a contemptuous glance.
"You are not a gentleman. You can be called a nobleman instead." She suggested.
"I see the difference." I observed mildly, earning another scornful glare.
"You embody the difference." She remarked drily, without any notice of humour. That hurt. She noticed, because her next speech explained a lot.
BLOOM'S POV
"Whenever I am around you…" I shook my head, trying to form a better sentence."You have this influence over me. It makes me act…" I stood up nervously. He mimicked my move instantly.
"Alluring?" He suggested grinning calmly.
"Impertinent, prince Sky." I corrected him and turned around. Before I could complete the movement, he grabbed my arms to stop my fidgeting.
"Alluring." He confirmed, making me blush. "I like it, you know."
"It is not how I was brought up." I shook my head sadly. His lips curled into a comforting smile.
"There's that true noble Elliot-blood again. I'll console you. The behavior you consider impertinent is a perfectly normal reaction to my appallingly rude conduct towards you. You have born a great deal from me. And you have born it like a lady." He bowed elegantly and leaned in a bit, taking my hand.
"Prince Sky." I murmured timidly. "Are you trying to seduce me?" He laughed heartily. God, I loved that sound way better than that cold smirk or contemptuous grin people mistook for a smile.
"You never let your guard down, do you?" He inquired amusedly.
"Not very often sir." I admitted, albeit a bit proud.
"Are you proud of that, Ms Elliot?" He sensed my thoughts, making me blush instantly. "You are terrible at hiding your emotions, are you aware of that? Your cheeks," he placed his hand on one, "turn into this delicious shade of red."
"Prince Sky… I…" I stammered, confused by this attention.
"I know, I know…" He removed his fingers, leaving a cold, throbbing spot on my skin. "I can wait." He whispered, gazing at me in a strange combination of admiration, desire and impatience.
"That sounds as if you want me to test you." I placed my hands over my mouth in horror as the words left. Did I just say that? Out loud?
"You just said that out loud. God I love…" he laughed, but changed his mind. "I love that about you."
"I apologize for my impertinence, sir."
"Allure." He corrected with a delicious wink. "No need to apologize. I am intrigued actually. When does the test start?" He inquired interestedly.
"It does not." I was unable to suppress a small smile.
"Why not?" He stepped away from me, pretending to be horrified.
"Because you would not be able to control yourself. Sir." I replied.
"Aren't you a bit over-confident in your own skills, my love?" He murmured affectionately.
"I am over-confident about your own foolish passion and impatience, Prince Sky"
"Hmm…" He pretended to think and led me to a sofa, laying himself next to me. This is just a game to him, I assured myself as he hovered over me and traced his finger over my side. Just a game, I repeated to myself as his warm breath travelled over my neck. Just a game. "Is that really what you think of me?" His lips asked me. So close. I didn't reply as he moved his mouth to my ear again and whispered: "Do I affect you, Ms Elliot?" His fingertips ghosted over my face, sensing victory.
"Yes, Prince Sky. You affect me like… a throbbing headache actually." I splayed my fingers over my forehead exaggeratedly. "I am quite fatigued."
"I am sure you are, darling." He smiled contemptuously at my over-used excuse. "One day, there will be no excuses for you to use, Ms. Elliot." Not if could help it. He was bad for my health.
"Are you referring to…?" Our wedding.
"I assure you that the more I am in your company, the more my dislike to the event disappears." He offered me a smile that was supposed to be encouraging and closed the door behind him.
This was very bad. I could not fall for him. Bad Bloom.
It was no longer secure to be around him. To be myself around him. Or maybe I had to be that cold distant but ever polite person again. Then it hit me that it wasn't me. I could be myself around him and now I had to find a way to repress that new sensation. The problem was that I really did not want to, I was too stubborn and egoistical to deny myself from his attention even if it was in order to protect myself. I was utterly distraught and elated at the same time. Was I in l- No, I would not say the L-word. It was impossible. I could never be equal to him.
He did not understand. No, I figured he was never that ignorant: he did not want to understand.
I had fallen so quickly for him that I had been cut off guard. I hadn't been able to secure everything my survival, such as oxygen. He took my breath away when I was still in need. But what craved for even more than the oxygen, was the need for it.
I could not give him up because I had fallen so irrevocably in love with him. Yet, after our little intimacy yesterday, I was again determined to resist until he would grow tired of wooing me and move on to some blonde tramp. Certainly, some part of my mind wished he would never abandon me, but the major part knew better. The rational part could never triumph over hope. My mind was made up. I had to resist him. My rehabilitation had to start now.
Three soft knocks on the door interrupted my relentless stream of thoughts.
"His Majesty requested me to give this to you, Ms Elliot." Andrew entered with a big package. "He wishes you to open it right away and give your opinion about it. I will transfer your message."
Tell him to shove it up his royal butt.
That would have been be too harsh for dear Andrew. I could deliver the message myself, but that would make Prince Sky think I came to see him on purpose and it would render Andrew useless, thus making the latter really unhappy. I walked over to my writing desk, grabbed a quill and scribbled away.
"Here you go." I hand the note over with a sweet smile. "And do not forget to take the gift back." I added, still looking sugar-sweet.
"Gift… back?" he stammered incoherently and albeit looking horror-struck.
"Trust me. He'll understand when he gets the note." I dismissed him. Exactly 43 seconds later, I heard unmistakable shouting.
"I gave him too much credit." I sighed and rolled my eyes, preparing myself for his entrance. I gave him thirty seconds to reach my room.
"Andrew, you God damn fool! Can't you do one simple thing right, you blockhead?" He would be here faster than I thought, considering I could already hear him bellow like a rude pig. 5…4…3…2…1
"What the hell where you thinking?" He stormed in, right on time.
"Language, Prince Sky." I reprimanded him, only enraging him more of course. "You should really consider knocking, you know." I explained carelessly to the fuming figure in front of me.
"You're joking, right?"
"I'm very serious. I could have been indecent." His face expression altered a little.
"All the better for me." He grunted and looked me up and down, making me blush instantly. "And now you blush like the virgin Mary herself. Though a minute ago, I could have sworn you're the devil himself."
"Why did you write that?" He furrowed his brow and ran a hand through his hair. He almost looked… hurt? "'I have received your gift sir. I thank you for your kindness but I cannot accept it as it belongs to my sister. I wish you a good night.' How many times do I have to tell you?" he asked, stepping forward and grabbing my hand. I looked at him questioningly as he absent-mindedly rubbed my fingers. He opened his mouth to as if to say something –to explain more hopefully- but averted his look and stared at our intertwined hands.
"Your sister…" He made a nervous gesture. "You are the one I am here with now. I would have gotten rid of her after two weeks. I would have tossed her out anyway."
"You know…" I glanced at his face, that looked almost pleading. I told myself sternly that no such thing was possible. "Offending my sister does not exactly plead in favour of your cause." He groaned and retracted his hand to slap it against his forehead exasperatedly. He turned away from me and plopped down on the bed. I forgot about decorum and placed myself next to him. Two feet seemed like a correct distance.
"I don't understand. Why don't you go a little easy on me?" Because it has been going all too easy for you, Prince Sky. I felt almost as foolish and light-headed as Stella by succumbing to his flirting so easily. Of course I did not tell him that.
"Why would I?" I rejoined rhetorically.
"Usually gifts do the trick. Or compliments about the eyes. Why doesn't that work on you?" He looked at me in honesty, but it felt threatening. Relax, Bloom, he cannot read your mind, nor see through you. I rolled my shoulders and sent him a small flirtatious smile.
"Depends. What do you think of my eyes?" I asked, sliding a bit closer. Why did I do that? Who was controlling my limbs? This was not resisting!
"I love the way they seem to burn when you're angry." He whispered and moved closer too. Alarm bells started ringing in my head as he crossed the one foot-zone.
"Is that why you get on my nerves all the time?" I inquired softly.
"No." He shook his head negatively and looked at me in that way. "That's not why." I stared at him expectantly, but he only laid his hand on my waist. I closed my eyes.
"Really?" I asked, almost inaudible. Pull away now Bloom. NOW!
"Really." He replied in a strangely soft voice. I shivered when I sensed his sudden proximity. Pull away or you'll be lost. My eyes fluttered open reluctantly.
"Well that's too bad, because I thought I had finally figured it out." I sighed and pulled away from his grasp. He stopped me half-way and decided to pull me flush against him. I gasped –very audibly, which made him smirk- and placed my hands against his chest in defiance.
"Why do you do that?" he asked seriously.
"Because I want you to let go of me." I wiggled a bit to prove my point.
"You should really stop squirming like that." He said mischievously.
"Why?" I asked provocatively. As an answer, he put his hand on my lower waist and pressed it against his lower body.
"You're turning me on, Bloom." I didn't know if I had to be repulsed or rejoiced. He caressed my cheek slowly. "But you didn't really answer the question."
"I…uh…" I stammered as he buried his face in my neck. "Oh." I squealed surprised. You have to stop him! Stop him!
"Am I distracting you?" He grinned, looking anything but sorry. "I apologize for your inconvenience." He kissed my neck and explored it further until he reached my chin. "Or should I call it convenience?" He smirked arrogantly. "That sounds more accurate."
"You have to stop this." I protested feebly.
"That's an interesting choice of words." He smiled as he traced his fingers over my collar bone and lower. "You do not consider yourself a…" He leaned in and whispered lowly in my ear. "Participant?"
I sighed as his roaming hands disappear from my body, leaving a burning spot.
"I don't get why you keep resisting it. I will have you for myself in the end. Why don't you give in?" I did not answer, but got up and opened the door for him. That was probably the poorest resistance-attempt ever known to men.
"Why don't you give in to me?" He repeated, glaring at me now. I glanced at the doorway pointedly. He stepped through it with an angry sigh. I slammed it shut, not caring if it hit him on the way, and supported myself against it. He asked me why.
I sunk down against the polished shiny wood and buried my head in my hands.
Why?
Because I wanted to.
A/N: There you go, things are heating up, but drama arises! Did you really think a rational, clever girl like Bloom would fall that easily for someone who has a reputation worse than Casanova? She has regrets. I'm thinking she should be convinced by someone like.. say Diaspro? Or Sky himself? What do you think? Or should I just throw Stella in the mix?
Let me know what you think! Suggestions are always welcome!
R&R
IsisIsabella
Loveablebunny: Right, I totally forgot that they haven't kissed that. Don't worry, I have already thought of an excellent moment for that. Thanks!
xSapphirexRosesxFanx: well I know you like the cute Sky, but is that the guy Bloom fell for? Besides, if Bloom starts being stubborn again, he will not just let her. He has been in full-blown seduction mode the last few chapters, and he only gets more aggressive. But there is only so much a man can take, you know? I do not vouch for Sky's actions in the following chapters :p He is still a rascal, you know ;)
FireFairy213: I am very sorry. Well, I am not actually, you should have already been addicted to Dramione already! There are a lot of amazing stories about them (also a lot of crappy ones of course), they remind me of Damon and Elena. Ha, Diaspro as Ginny, that's a actually a very good comparison. I think Di is a little bit more superficial, but still. I love making her an agreeable character. I mean, I like her too now :p The last scene of chapter 8? Yeah, I know, but I had to do something like that before everything starts spiraling down again, you know? :p I was unsure about that scene, but I had written it and I know those things are quite popular here so there it was. But it's the last one ;) what have you been writing lately?
Prettycurefan: Hi! Thanks a lot! I updated fairly quickly this time. I am not so sure about next chapter. I will try to post it next week or around the weekend of april 29. Thanks for your review!
WestAnimeBrigade: you know, your comments are very good for my ego ;) Thanks for your review!
