This is one of my favorite chapters, I really enjoyed writing it, so I hope you like it too!
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The training room was shaped like a small auditorium, where occasional wrestling exhibitions were held, with a grandstand to one side. Underneath the grandstand, there was an empty space that Adam used as his hideout when he was a little boy.
He took Teela's hand in his and guided her beneath the grandstand.
There was an improvised bed. Upon closer look, it was far from improvised. It was a carefully placed mattress, with fresh clean sheets, surrounded by a few candles. He lit them one by one and invited Teela to sit on the bed, which she did.
She really liked the way Adam just sat there by her side, asking her about her recent trip to the mountains, her plans for her younger pupils, just letting her unwind. Even though they were in a private location, and candlelight turned the place into a romantic refuge, she felt the way this night would turn out was entirely her choice. That was exactly what made Adam irresistible.
Teela ran her fingers through his silky hair. He smiled with delight and took it as an invitation to get closer and kiss her. He was right.
Adam helped her out of her armor vest so now he could run his hands freely down her back. She returned the favor by removing his tunic and his tightly fitted shirt.
He brought his lips to the soft skin revealed by her cleavage and started to unbutton the front of her bodice, until her navel was visible. Not much was in sight, but his hands compensated for what his eyes weren't able to reach. She was evidently pleased.
Teela scraped lightly from his pectorals down to the lower portion of his abdomen. His body signaled 'ready' and Teela gave him an amused stare, lifting both eyebrows.
"You have that power over me," Adam said, with a crooked smile, "You know that. Don't deny you enjoy having such power."
"Who says I was denying it?"
They looked into each other's eyes, smiling, eager and elated that this was happening again. Their mood was playful and they derived much pleasure from it.
Later on, while they rested in each other's arms, Adam told Teela he was pleased to have found a way to meet her far from the public eye, "That way no one will find out…"
Teela felt a spear of rejection in her stomach. Her face turned stone cold as she solemnly declared, "Oh, yes, we can never be too discreet."
Adam was saddened because of her misinterpreting his words, "It's nothing like that, Teela. I get tired of this secrecy too. But you have to concede that this being known would affect us in very different ways. I learnt it the hard way."
Teela felt both reassured and a bit ashamed by his words. She knew immediately what he meant. She softened her voice, "You mean Ileena…"
He nodded. He was only sixteen when his first infatuation hit him full-force. The beautiful eighteen year old daughter of a diplomat caught his attention right away. They were bold and imprudent as anyone their age, with the little difference that all eyes of Eternos were upon them, "I got away with a private scolding and even praise within certain circles. But for her, there was a lot of turmoil and gossip. It still haunts me."
That had happened almost then years ago and it was a painful lesson Adam would never forget.
"She's now happily married," said Teela, trying to ease his heavy heart.
"Yes… to an older man. Someone who understands that past lovers are just history. But I still wish I could have spared her so much pain, just by being more reserved about what happened behind closed doors."
"And to think that I was jealous of her…"
"You were?" This was something he had never suspected.
Teela paused for a moment, before answering, "Of course I see things differently now, but back then it seemed like the biggest deal. You only had eyes for her, she was your first time and… and you seemed lost to me…"
Adam couldn't believe her words, "I thought you hated me back then, that you couldn't stand the sight of my face!"
Teela pursed her ruby lips, as if trying to keep the words inside, but she was already halfway through confession, "That was my way of dealing with my troubled feelings, Adam. I was crushed, and I hadn't seen it coming."
Adam felt a surge of joy, learning for the first time he had not been the only one holding that flame, "I don't think I would have been so swayed up by her, had I known I had the slightest chance with you…"
"Wait, what?"
"She was beautiful, all right, but she won me over because, finally, someone I liked found me attractive too. That was new and exciting."
"You liked me, before that?"
"Teela, I'd always preferred your company to any other girl's. I didn't understand what it meant until I was… twelve, I think. But at some point I was convinced you only saw me as your favorite sparring companion."
Teela was surprised to hear that he was aware of those feelings so early on. It had been a different road for her. Since childhood, she liked being around Adam a lot, but didn't think much of it, perhaps because he was always there when she wanted to meet him. "For what it's worth… I didn't know my own heart, until you were too busy for our hiking trips, and all the other things we used to do together. It was painful to see I had taken you for granted. I knew only then… Afterwards, I kept a safe distance."
"Until now."
"Until now."
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Oh, so much was finally revealed! I had a difficult time not uncovering this in previous chapters. So that's why Adam was so obsessed with discretion, and why Teela kept Adam at arm's length all these years! Now you know why they tried -and failed- at relationships elsewhere... BTW, yes, Teela knows about Adam's past and she's cool with that.
Don't forget to revisit chapter 5 now that I changed the rating to M... :D
Please review!