Part 10

Maria sighed as she plopped down on the grass in the garden. She leant back against a tree as she watched the children play a game of tag. A week had passed and with it had come the stress of a governess. Not only did she have the threat of Herr Zeller on her shoulders but she now had to make up a play with the puppet show Max had bought for the children. She had the basic plot and they had even started singing some of the song but it was times like these when she appreciated the peace.

She closed her eyes for a moment letting the hot summer heat wash over her. The heat had not let up over the past few weeks and it was beginning to take its toll. Suddenly an idea sprung to her mind and she opened her eyes quickly, watching as Brigitta ran over to her.

"Fraulein Maria can we go swimming?" she asked wiping her forehead.

Maria laughed and touched the girls cheek "Well it seems my dear you have read my mind, come on then" she said getting up "Let's go find your costumes" she said holding the girls hand, the other six rushing into the house.

Just before they went inside Maria stopped looking at the Captain, Baroness and Max who sat at a table on the terrace "Would you like to join us swimming?" she asked them all.

The Captain smiled and looked at Brigitta hope in her eyes "Yes I would love to join you, Max, Elsa?" he asked looking at them.

The Baroness looked at Maria and then at Georg "Oh no darling, I would rather not, but you go have fun with your children" she said taking out another cigarette.

Georg then looked at Max "No no I will stay here, I can keep Elsa company" he said taking a swig or the lemonade laced with vodka he had.

Georg nodded and got up ushering Maria and his daughter into the house "Alright so I will meet you all outside in a few minutes" he said as they walked upstairs before separating to change.

As Maria walked towards her own room to change butterflies filled her stomach. It was ridiculous, she had worn costumes and bikinis before but the fact that she would be so bare and the Captain would see her. Not to mention he would be practically naked too. To see what lay beneath all those refined tight suits and neatly cut jackets sent chills through her body and a distinct burning sensation straight to her core. She shook her head as she entered her bedroom and fished through her drawers for her costumes and bikinis. Finally getting them out, she threw them on her bed and looked at her selection, biting her lip at how revealing and quite sexy they were. On missions she had to look sexy it was all part of the plan usually and though her plan still consisted of her being sexy to get into his mind, something tugged at her, whispered to her not to. But then the picture of Herr Zeller ripping at her clothes flashed through her mind and she shook all doubts aside.

Deciding, she picked up the costume and slipped it on before looking in the mirror. It was a red halter neck one piece costume. It was low cut but not too low showing off enough chest to be enticing and the back of it showed most of her back even the sides of her stomach. Satisfied with her choice she grabbed a towel and a sarong and wrapped it around the lower half of her body before going into the children's room. All of the girls were gathered in Leisl, Louisa and Brigitta's room, Leisl helping Marta put on her costume as Gretl waited patiently. They all turned when she walked in and all immediately smiled.

She smiled back confused "What? Why are you all smiling like that?" she said as she walked over to Gretl who was trying to take off her dress with no success.

Louisa, who had been in the bathroom, walked out and stopped when she looked at Maria "Whoa! Where did you get that?" she said looking at Maria.

Maria tugged Gretl's dress off and lay it down as Gretl took her nickers off "Get what?" she said helping Gretl slip into her yellow costume.

"That! Your costume! It's the most sexist thing I have ever seen!" Louisa spat out gobsmacked and Maria spun around in shock.

Maria's eyebrows hit the ceiling "Excuse me?" she said looking at Louisa in her blue costume.

Louisa blushed as the other girls chuckled "I mean pretty, very pretty" she smiled.

Maria smiled looking at the girl. Though she try to dull it down you could already the small defining's of a woman. Her hips that use to be small and undefined were now gaining shape and though they were small you could see her small breasts forming. Maria smiled again, she knew she shouldn't feel such emotions and had only known these delightful children a month or so but she felt almost like a mother to them, watching as they grew through the summer and she knew when it came to leave her heart would break.

She sighed "Well thank you, I must say you all look lovely" and then her eyes landed on Leisl in her purple two piece, she raised an eyebrow and Leisl raised one back looking at Maria's own costume and Maria smiled giving in.

She clapped her hands "Alright grab your towels and we will go collect your brothers and meet your father outside" she said ushering them out of the room, holding Marta and Gretl's towels because they were tripping over them.

They quickly collected the boys and went outside, Georg already waiting for them. As they walked out Max whistled, the Baroness quickly hitting his arm and she watched as Georg's eyes seemed to pop out of their sockets. She blushed and bit her lip as she walked down towards the lake as Georg trailed after her, ogling her swim wear.

The children ran down and opened the gate before dumping their towels at the side and jumping in apart from Gretl who waited for her governess.

Gretl stood on the steps "Come on Fraulein Maria!" she said happily.

Maria smiled "I'm coming darling" she said as she placed the towels at the side and took off her sarong and Georg had to swallow a moan.

Maria walked down the steps and took Gretl's hand as they stepped into the water. The water was a nice temperature between warm and cold, refreshing Maria's body and taking the edge off the heat.

Gretl gripped Maria's hand as they went deeper. Gretl didn't know how to swim she knew so she couldn't help but smile when Gretl held onto her tighter.

"It's ok I've got you, we won't go any deeper if you don't want to" she said feeling the water swish behind her as Georg entered and a shiver went down her spine.

Gretl nodded to go a bit further so that the water came to just above the little girls chest and came to Maria's thighs. Maria smiled and knelt down in the water, Gretl doggy paddling around her trying her best to swim and Maria helping her. She watched the other children splash around and then suddenly Georg emerged from under the water, the droplets glistening on his chest against the sun and her breath caught in her throat.

His dark skin glowed against the blazing sun and she had to bite her lips to stop herself from moaning when Kurt jumped on top of him, Georg's muscles flexing against the boys weight. She quickly tore her gaze away and smiled as Gretl swam the small section between them.

Gretl quickly latched onto her and Maria hugged her.

"Did you see? Did you see?" Gretl beamed and Maria chuckled.

"Yeah I saw" she said stroking the girl's wet hair.

After a while Louisa swam over to her "Fraulein Maria come play with us" she said.

Maria looked at her and then Gretl "I can't leave Gretl on her own she's too small" she said.

Leisl came over with Marta "I will look after them" she said to Maria and Maria smiled back.

Maria kissed the girls forehead "Thank you! But don't let them out of your sight, hopefully I won't be too long" she said and Leisl nodded.

She and Louisa quickly swam further into the lake where Georg and the other children were splashing around, the two boys and Brigitta trying to push Georg down into the water.

Maria quickly went underwater, wetting her hair and back up again, noticing as Georg looked at her as she resurfaced. She smiled and pushed her hair off her face watching as Georg smiled back before grabbing Kurt and chucking him in the air, letting the boy land in the water with a splash to which everyone laughed. Kurt resurfaced and smiled.

"Alright enough trying to drown your father, let's have a race, form this end of the lake to the other" she said and everyone smiled.

"Are you sure Fraulein? I wouldn't want you to be upset when you lose" the captain said as they lined up and Maria narrowed her eyes at him.

"I assure you Captain there will be no tears because I will win" she smiled back.

Georg smiled as Louisa counted down from 5. Suddenly the all shot off. The children were indeed fast and Maria had to admit the Captain was good too but she soon raced ahead of them looking back at a gobsmacked Georg struggling to keep up.

When they reached the other side everyone was gasping and Maria smiled with triumph "See I told you I would win" she said to Georg.

Georg chuckled he was just about speak when Fredrich interrupted them "We are going to swim back are you coming?" he asked.

Maria smiled "We will be there in a moment I think your father still needs to catch his breath" she said teasing Georg.

Fredrich nodded and swam off with the others.

Maria smiled and swam closer to Georg who was leaning against a rock. They looked at each both just taking in each other's presence as they usually did when around each other.

Georg smiled "Are you sure you're still a virgin?" he asked looking at her.

Maria chuckled "I'm sure" she said dipping her head back in the water her breasts pocking out making Georg groan.

She looked back and smiled cheekily.

"You liar, you can't stand there and tell me you're a virgin when you wear things like that" he said swimming off the rock closer to her.

"Georg I assure you that I am" she laughed as they circled each other in the water the sensual charge between them almost undeniable.

His eyes scrutinised her watching the sun hit her wet golden hair, water droplets sliding down her perfect neck and into the water. They swam to the side a little and around a rock, the weeping willows drooping over them and covering them from sight. Suddenly he drew her against his chest, the water rippling around them "So you're telling me no man as ever lusted after you when you have worn that?" he said as his eyes devoured her costume.

Maria smiled "Who says I ever wear this costume" she challenged.

Her heart pounded and her chest felt heavy as her breasts crushed against his firm chest "What are you trying to do to me?" he whispered huskily.

Maria blushed her heart racing but she couldn't help the smile that graced her mouth "I'm trying to seduce you Captain" she whispered honestly as his hands caressed her bare back causing her to shiver.

Georg chuckled and looked at her "Is that so" he said his eyes glazing over.

Maria nodded, her hands on his chest tracing circles. Georg closed his eyes and breathed in relishing in the feel if Maria's hands on his chest.

Maria gasped when she felt his hand travelling up her leg and Georg smiled. It glided up and traced the edge of her lower costume causing Maria to close her eyes and drop her head to his, their breath mixing like spice. Her hands slid to his shoulders lifting herself slightly away from his burning touch only to have him kiss the top of her breast and the delicious torment continue. Their bodies burned with every touch or caress despite the coolness of the water. It was if they were chemicals and when put together they would ignite, the electric passion and pure desire driving them into a delicious sweet entanglement of limbs, but lips still yet to touch.

He turned, Maria still in his arms as he pushed her against the smooth rock. Georg nuzzled her neck and Maria's leg wrapped around his waist, her heart pounding and her desire surging through her. She couldn't understand it, how could this man make her feel like this? like she could give up everything and it wouldn't matter. His voice soothed her in so many ways it was unthinkable and when he touched her, her body tingled with fire, it dancing across her skin with sublime intricacy.

He kissed her neck and licked her jaw tasting her skin, he was so close to her lips and once again their breath mingled with delight…

"Father!" they heard a voice that sounded like Fredrich shout "Fraulein Maria!"

The two entangled bodies stiffened and she looked into his deep eyes "We should go back" she whispered.

Georg looked at her, her words dancing across his face before he nodded and let her slip back into the water fully.

Maria straightened her costume slightly before they both swam under the water and emerged in front of a smiling Fredrich.

"We've been looking for you everywhere, where did you go?"

Maria smiled "We were seeing who could hold the breath the longest" she said smiling at Georg.

Authors note: Ooo! I must say! My muse disappeared on me a few days ago but I think it has returned. Anyway thank you for all the reviews so far they are truly a delight to read and receive! So a BIG thank you! As usual please review! I LOVE to hear what you think!