I had sex outside in the woods with my almost boyfriend. Under glittering stars, crickets chirping with our moans and grunts. Little woodland animals nibbled on grass near our feet, and Arthur slept like a baby next to me, his hand resting on my thigh. I had sex outside… what in the hell was I thinking? You don't have sex outside in a tent, wait, I was never in a tent… on a blanket with stars twinkling down on us, our sweaty lusty bare bodies. It was good sex, amazing sex, tender and hot… write home to mama sex. One note that will never be sent to my mother.

"Good morning, Guinevere."

His fingers cupped my jaw," I can guarantee that tonight will dull in comparison to last night. Never felt t so connected to anyone woman until you snickered into my life with a tape measure and name tag."

What is it about him? Everything is so easy and inviting. His words are so alluring and attentive; he seduced my mind; tempted my heart, and tantalized my body.

"Good morning, Arthur. You were exceptionally rude, but all is forgiven now."

"I have a few berries for breakfast, or we can ride back to the Manor for a proper breakfast?"

Stretching my arms," Berries are always splendid for breakfast."

"Anything is splendid with you."

"Spoiling me."

"Every chance until forever."

Arthur rolled away to collect our breakfast. I can wait to discuss last night with him… nothing can ruin this moment.

8*8

Popping a birth control pill into my mouth, I chased it with a gulp of water. Not the same as Jack followed by Coke. Everything is a blur; Arthur's father and step-monster- his word- weren't home when we returned to the main house. Morgana didn't plan to arrive until the start of Vivian's party. His moody brother locked himself in his den-another of Arthur's words- to examine papers according to one of many housekeepers. I don't know if Kara is here for Arthur's stepmonster's party.

Arthur slipped behind me, his arms encircling my waist, pushing silk seductively across my bottom. We didn't have time to play before dinner.

"Arthur… we can't be late."

"I know," he whispered into my ear. "We can't arrive late, but can you do me a favor?"

"What?"

"I have a fantasy about my girlfriend attending a fancy party with me panty less."

Did he just call me his girlfriend? It should have been established before our romp in the woods. Haven't had a boyfriend in a while. What do I do now?

"Why do you look distress? Wheels are spinning. Guinevere, give the hamster a break. Was it too kinky for you?

Like a store mannequin, I gaze into his eyes; eyelids pressed open, searching for guidance to his question. Was being his girlfriend too kinky? Or did he mean his request about panties? Or did he mean last night in the woods? It's like being in an old fashioned soap opera, random questions being asked by a faceless voice.

Arthur traced my jaw," What are you thinking?"

Blinking," I'm your girlfriend now?" It needed to be asked, clarified, and reinforced. Girlfriend status morphed things into another different reality. Arriving as a potential, being a sealant after complementing the deal, and teetering on the edge of permanency. Words, in his voice, I wanted the words.

"Guinevere, I can't think when you enter the room. Loneliness is my best friend when you aren't around. Of course, you're my girlfriend. If you weren't my girl, Darling, lamb might be on our menu tonight, but I would never subject you to this unless you are the center of my world. I can't describe the depths of my emotions for you.

"Oh."

"Just oh."

Launching myself into his arms, my head buried into his neck, and everything made sense to me. Hot hands roaming along my spine.

"Arthur, you bring me so much joy."

"So… about your panties."

8*8

Our fingers tightly joined; we walked into his father's grand ballroom. At least my dress is a deep shade of mauve, I hoping to the gods of Fashion that my layers of silk chiffon are enough to hide my bare bottom. What was I thinking? Trotting down into a group of people without bloomers. In away it was rather liberating. Silk caressed my bum with every swish of my dress, and heat from his heat radiated though layers of thin silk. Desire burned hotly as we seemed to merge into one being, a unit.

He clutched my hand hard; almost gasping until I noticed his father bearing down on us. In Ancient times his father would have pierced Arthur's side with a sword or lance. He galloped in our direction, a demonic smile on his face.

"Arthur, my boy, welcome to Vivian's party."

Arthur hugged his father; he appeared reluctant to squeeze tightly.

"Hello Father, you look well."

What is this visiting day at prison? No eagerness. No joy. Watching an episode of science fiction show… waiting for aliens to eat us.

"Arthur, my son, my boy," Uther crooned lovingly." One day, you will join me at Pendragon Industries at my right side where you belong."

"Father, I have my own company."

"It's a hobby… not a legacy."

Our little movie enticed other viewers, but they didn't bring a container of hot buttery popcorn. Smiling Arthur patted his father's arms; he firmly stated over and over again that he doesn't desire a position at the family firm. He scoffed at Uther's assertions that it was his legacy. Over their shoulders, a handsome young man with crisp blue eyes, dark curling hair, tall, and a nice body… an unsettling intensity floated around him. I mean a buzzard waiting for its dinner would be less in engrossed in Arthur and Uther. A vein pulsing in his neck, a finger tapping an empty chair back, he stood waiting and watching as silently and deadly like a germ.

"Father, have you met Guinevere," Arthur injected changing the subject smoothly.

Uther beamed in my direction, "No, I haven't. I heard you brought a friend with you."

Uther pressed his lips on my cheeks, "Lovely to meet you. It's good to see Arthur spending time with a beautiful woman."

I shined… free compliment, nothing like an ego stroke.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Pendragon."

"Please find refreshment and drink. Hopefully, you will join us on many more joyful occasions.

"Oh, yes, my older brother Morded, Guinevere."

Arthur grinned brightly as his brother. His shoulders sagged when Mordred offered him a look of disgust.

"Nice to meet you."

He don't bother to shake my offered hand or behave cordially. Did a double check to look for dirt on my hand. Nope, it was clean. Stepping back, I inclined into Arthur. What a jackass.

"Gwen," a female voiced shrieked. Kara rushed forward outstretched arms. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm with Arthur."

"Ohh," she cooed.

"You look amazing."

"We have to catch up."

"Most definitely," she called over her shoulder before she blew me a kiss. Dumbass cupped Kara's elbow and yanked her away without a second glance. He didn't appear to have his father's charm or Arthur's effortless personality. Mordred appeared to have everything, looks, money, and power, but he lacked a personality.

"Ignore my brother. He mistakenly believes that we're in some sort of race for Father's affections, and we aren't. He's lost his mind."

Dropping a kiss to his cheek," I think if you wanted this, you would go after it."

"I could have this, but I won't be my own man. Controlled by a last name, not me."

I watched a smile reach his eyes," There she is, my sister Morgana, my personal lioness."

I caught a glimpse of her at Merlin's gala, and it didn't do her justice. His sister was beautiful with hints of sadness in her green eyes; her dark brown hair tightly bound at her neck. A champagne flute held loosely in her hand.

"Finally, my manner less brother deems it appropriate for you to meet me. I'm Morgana Pendragon. It's lovely to meet you, Guinevere."

She knows my name. He is serious about me. Just breathe, and don't spit on her hand when you speak. Keep calm.

"It's a pleasure, Morgana."

Morgana linked our arms together pulling me in the direction of a table.

"Am I going to meet your stepmother?"

"Why, she's like every other stepmother in fairy tales, horror stores and scary movies. Sweet in front of others, and downright nasty to children. Hell, she would eat Mordred to get ahead."

8**

Step monster, I didn't mean to call her that. Morgana said it several times over dinner. It stuck in my mind. Anyway she gathered her family for photos on a balcony, natural moonlight. Morgana claimed moonlight would act as a natural photoshop to hide her wrinkles and warts and her crows could hover in the background. Dinner was delicious beef dish and fancy stuff mingled together. Morgana and Arthur were lively over dinner even though darkness hovered when their father came close to them.

"So, you and Arthur," Kara's voice broke into my thoughts.

"Yes, it's rather new."

"I met Mordred a few months after your brother dumped me for his oversexed cougar. It's been a rocky road. He's intense and confident. Not a golden charming boy. He's super jealous of Arthur's freedom."

"Arthur wants a relationship with his brother.

"Uther would wet himself to control Arthur… Igraine's son. He lost what he desired most, well the two things… Igraine and Igraine's son. The kids pay the price for everything. Vivian is nothing to her husband, and she doesn't give a damn about it.

"So, you love him?"

"I do, but I think my expiration date is near.

Why?"

"He has a preferred match in Uther's eyes. Anne is constantly a presence in our lives. Uther wants him to marry her for the sake of the company," Kara responded sadly.

"How do you know?'

"I have my ways. He is a keeper like Arthur."

"Well, Arthur is caught."

Arms slid around my waist," Arthur is caught in what," he whispered against my ear. "I'm caught in your web.

""Morded is stalking towards you, Kara."

"Lunch soon," she tossed at me before she raced off to play the dutiful girlfriend to her stupid boyfriend.

"Are you ready to go upstairs; I need to unwrap my gift.

"I didn't buy you anything."

"It's time to complete my fantasy. Just lift layer and layer of mauve silk chiffon until I reach your panty less bum."

"Oh."

"Oh, yes, ready?"

"Just another step on our adventure."

8*8

Difficult came to mind … Arthur's fingers traced my bum while we walked up so many steps leading to our bedroom. Light tempting traces to make my blood pulse around my body. Pushing hair out of my face, he guided me to our room, nuzzling my neck. Or stopping to nip my ear. Calmly his hands cupped my breasts, thumbs flicking my nipples until they transformed into hard nubs. Licking my lips, the door creaked open; desire dampening my flesh. A simple nod beckoning me into his decadent lair, closing my eyes, I remembered a heady pleasure from his body. I stood there filled with desire, my parts coating with a hot sticky liquid, and trembling fingers. Relinquishing control, I surrendered to his invitation.

Slamming the door shut behind me, Arthur pushed me into a wall, his breath hot on my neck," I want you so badly. Couldn't stop thinking about you, ready and waiting for me. A pristine lady… panty less, ready for her lover. Do you want me?"

Cupping my breasts, he squeezed lightly forcing moans from my throat.

'Yes."

I listened to Arthur fumbling with his pants, shuddering wanting his touch. His hands warped around my wrists placing them above my head.

'Don't move your hands.

He stroked my hot flesh," I knew you would be moist and ready.

I grunted when Arthur slammed his penis deep into my waiting body. Holding my hands in place, he set a deep hard blistering rhythm inside of me. My mind didn't remember to moan, whimper or grunt. Closing my eyes, I marched into a dark vortex of pleasure.

"Arthur," I whispered breathlessly as he stroked my tight channel, clenching and tightening as he thrust inside my body. His body pushed me roughly against the wall as I came screaming and gasping for air. Going limp, Arthur released himself into my body. He held me tightly as I struggled to gather my composure.

8*8

"Sleeping Beauty, you're home," Arthur whispered into my hair, his hands caressing my back. Snuggling into his lap, I didn't realize that I was downright exhausted from our weekend. Maybe I didn't want it to end. Something out of a princess movie… under the stars… the handsome guy… hot sex, and incredible dialogue.

"Another minute, Arthur," I whined, pushing my feet deeper into my lap.

"Ouch."

Wait a minute, who is that? A deeper voice than Arthur. Popping up and brushing hair from my eyes, I stared into Merlin's bemused eyes.

"Where did you come from?"

He moved a loose strand of hair from my eyes," Arthur picked me up from my parent's house. Save gas. Good weekend."

Praying that I didn't blush under his introspective gaze," It was a very nice weekend." Didn't anger just flash in his eyes? Merlin covered his gaze like a magician. A warm smile appeared on his face," Good , you enjoyed yourself. Any plans on Thursday, Arthur has a meeting with his father?"

"He didn't mention it."

"Perhaps you didn't hear him during your fun?"

"Smart Ass."

"I am brilliant, so my ass must be too."

"What's on the agenda?"

"Old Science Fiction movies from the 1950's."

"You know my weakness."

"And strengths."