Warning: consensual sex

Chapter 21

Love can deny nothing to love.

Frollo was nervous.

It had been more than two months since his pact with Esmeralda, and summer was soon approaching. His relationship with Esmeralda had improved vastly, but there was no sign that she was persuaded to, well, be intimate with him.

Frollo had shown how much he had come to trust her when he brought her out. He did not care about people's eyes and the gossip when they saw them together. Recently, he even agreed that Esmeralda could go to the station at Notre Dame to help whenever she wanted. He knew that through this means, she could communicate with her friends and plan any number of plots. And she knew all of this too.

He thought that by taking her out, Esmeralda would finally yield to him. When it did not have the desired effect, paranoia made him suspect that she held no real affection for him, and that she stayed by his side because she could see that it was benefitting other people and she was only using him.

But whenever he returned to their chambers, he saw how she welcomed him home, and how eager she was to chat with him. He was moved by the little things she did to make him comfortable, like how she noticed that he liked to have a glass of wine after work and how fastidious he was about his wine. The servants would inform her whenever his day ended so that she could prepare a glass before he came back and he did not have to wait for the wine to breathe. Frollo's heart stirred whenever she leaned towards him as they sat together to chat. Her mere presence soothed him, and her prattle, however inane, was currently worth more to him than the erudition among his peers. The way she looked at him, that look that he had so fervently wished she would bestow on him just as she did others, made him grow warm. That she was happy, and happy with him, shook him to the core.

One day, just before daybreak, Frollo woke up in fright, thinking that everything was not real. He looked at Esmeralda's silhouette and reached out to touch her back, just to make sure that she was there. To his surprise, he heard her sigh. Still asleep, she turned round to him and rolled into his arms.

Frollo's heart beat fast. Save for a rare kiss here and an occasional embrace there, and walking together arm in arm, he had not had much physical contact with her. Careful not to disturb her slumber, he wrapped his arms around her and relished this stolen moment. He pressed his face against her soft cheek, and felt her breath tickle his neck.

In the twilight and the quietness of their chambers, Frollo felt the familiar yet surreal emotion that they were alone. He could lay beside Esmeralda forever. His soul swung between pure joy and heartache. Solitude was a welcome friend before he met her. Loneliness was a stranger. Now Frollo did not want to imagine life without Esmeralda.

Too soon, Esmeralda's eyelids fluttered and he knew she would wake. Frollo shut his eyes, pretending to sleep, wanting to stay in this position for as long as possible.

The problem was that his arousal was pressing against her.

"Claude, you are awake, aren't you?" he heard her whisper.

Frollo sighed, and opened his eyes to look at her. She was frowning, and he panicked.

"I did not pull you here while you were asleep…"

"Ssh. I know." Esmeralda grinned, and he realized she was teasing him. "You look like a boy who's caught stealing sweets."

"Perhaps it is because I feel like one…"

Esmeralda gazed at him, comfortable in his company. Unconsciously, she curled her body, thereby accentuating her curves. She craned her neck up to kiss him softly. Their lips melded, and her heart fluttered as he tugged her lips and caressed her tongue. He had become a very good kisser. She was tempted to believe he was better than anyone else, but that could be biasness talking. Frollo's arms circled her body tightly and his hands moved up and down her back rapidly, as though trying to get the most out of the situation. But she sensed he was holding back. When his hands strayed to the lower half of her body, she felt them immediately move back up.

"It's ok…" She said, and shifted her body to give him easier access. At her consent, she felt his hands move eagerly to stroke her bottom and caress it. It was difficult to describe the sensations, but she was getting aroused by his caresses. His own arousal was pressing hard against her belly. Esmeralda had laughed with other women about men boasting about their voracious appetites and how they could last all night. Frollo had proven to be a very virile man during the marriage. Since their understanding though, he held his end of the bargain admirably well, and did not touch her unless she initiated it, even though she could tell that he was frustrated. This was the most intimate they had been since their understanding, and it felt natural. Esmeralda tingled with anticipation.

Without breaking contact, they moved as one and Frollo rolled on top of her. She drew her legs up to the side of his waist and caressed his chest. He was pushing his manhood insistently between her legs. Even through the clothes, he managed to brush her nub. A jolt of pleasure ran through her and she froze, gripping his nightshirt.

"Claude…"

They heard the bells chime.

Frollo had felt Esmeralda freeze and was afraid that he had gone too far. The bells saved him and served as a reminder that he should be working. Pulling himself away, he got out of bed and said shakily, "Duty calls." He hurried to put on his clothes, and avoided looking at Esmeralda. When he was ready, he walked to the door. He turned back and saw Esmeralda sitting up on their bed, with an anxious look on her face.

He tried to make light of the situation.

"You are a dreadful influence, my wife," he jested, "My work risks being compromised because of you." So saying, he opened the door and left.

Esmeralda watched in silence.

-0-

That night, when Frollo returned, he wondered whether he was supposed to pretend nothing had happened that morning or whether Esmeralda was going to confront him about it. The gears in his mind halted when he saw Esmeralda standing in the middle of their chambers in a red gown. It was the same red gown he first saw her in at the Festival of Fools.

He did not come with a huge announcement or a promise of a huge gift for her. Why…

"Where on earth did you get that?" Frollo asked.

"I have my ways." Esmeralda winked at him. Frollo shook his head. No doubt, she had asked her friends to pass it to her. What was she planning to do, torment him until he keeled over?

Esmeralda sashayed to him and took his hand. "Claude, I have something for you." She guided him to sit on their bed. Spinning away, she picked up a tambourine on his desk. Tapping it a few times so that he would be used to the sound, she began to dance. There was no loud music, like at the festival. The tambourine was enough to give her a rhythm. She had been practicing all day to make sure her dancing wasn't rusty, although she had little to worry about as dancing was second nature to her. She kept her eyes on him, watching his reaction, and smiled. It really was like the festival all over again.

Frollo was absolutely captivated. Her gown stretched over her body. Her arms were like scarves, twirling around her. With every kick, he caught a glimpse of Esmeralda's shapely legs. She winked at him again, and slapped the tambourine on her bottom. The minx.

Round and round Esmeralda danced giddily, transporting Frollo to her world. A world full of warmth and light. No longer did Frollo see a demon sent from hell. The visions he saw in the fireplace were his own fears manifesting themselves, he realized. Her bright green eyes did not scorch him, they healed him. She was not a demon, she may not be human, but the fact that God allowed their marriage in Church surely meant that He approved of them together.

Esmeralda hopped onto Frollo's lap, and he blinked at her sudden movement. She threw her arms around his neck and, like before, she pecked him on his nose.

"My, my, Minister," Esmeralda questioned huskily, "Have you not seen a woman before? You look quite, quite stunned."

"Not a woman such as you." Frollo murmured. "I remember this well. I told Captain Phoebus your dance was a disgusting display. It should never be made public."

"Enlighten me. Do you mean that my dance was disgusting or it was disgusting because it was in public? Because, you know," her hand reached behind his ear and her fingers grazed the back of his neck, "This is quite different. It's a private dance for only one audience member…"

Frollo's eyes roamed her face.

"It is… for me?"

"Well, there's no one else here."

"I suppose then it is acceptable."

"There's something missing though." Esmeralda leant back and pretended to think, "Oh yes, where is my scarf?"

Frollo schooled his face and kept a neutral tone. "I burnt it."

"You did? That's too bad. It was part of my plan."

"What plan?"

"Well, if I had my scarf, I would wrap it around your neck again and do this." Placing her hands on his shoulders, she pulled him forward. And kissed him fully on his lips.

"Do you like that, Minister?" she blew against his lips.

"Much better than having my chaperone squashed on my head."

"You have no sense of humor." Esmeralda said. Her expression changed from one of impishness to tenderness, "Claude, I am ready."

Relief filled Frollo. "After this morning and the seduction just, it is a wonder that I have not gone mad! You look very inviting in this dress, Esmeralda. How do you take it off?"

Esmeralda huffed. Trust the man to take away the romance. "You are impatient."

"On the contrary, I have been very patient. Do you know how difficult it is for me? Wanting you all the time?" Frollo's voice cracked, and it was raw with yearning.

Esmeralda softened. This was what she had been working towards, what they had been working towards. Without breaking eye contact with him, she slid off his lap and stood up. Reaching the back of her dress, she untied the laces. Then, she shrugged off the sleeves, and let her dress fall to the ground.

Frollo did not bother saying another word. Still in his sitting position, he pulled her back to his lap and claimed her breasts. Esmeralda sighed and closed her eyes. Frollo's hot breath against her bare skin was stirring her own desire and a warm pool was forming between her legs. She decided to tease him further.

"What, no romantic gesture to win a lady over?"

Frollo scoffed. Turning her abruptly around, he lay her on the bed.

"Much as I enjoy our chats, my dear, this is not the time," he said. As he removed his clothes, he studied her intensely, as though he was memorizing her every feature. When he was nude as well, he smothered Esmeralda with kisses and bites. "Am I too rough?" he asked in between them.

He was rough, and Esmeralda was probably going to have aches or marks the next day. But Esmeralda didn't care. She was enjoying herself too much and was overwhelmed. She saw the desire in Frollo's eyes, and was certain that it was reflected in hers as well. She answered breathlessly, "It feels wonderful…"

Frollo's heart fluttered. "Good." He fondled Esmeralda eagerly and thought his heart was going to burst when he felt her caress and kiss him in return. She was no longer a passive captive, she was his wife, truly, and he was thrilled. Although the night air was cool, a sheen of sweat formed between them as they rubbed against each other.

Frollo shuddered when Esmeralda found a sensitive area on his back that he was not aware of. Feather-light touches fluttered across his back, leaving a burning trail. "Is that all right?" he heard her ask nervously. He replied by kissing her deeply. Their moans mingled even as their tongues danced with each other. When Frollo broke the kiss for air, Esmeralda mewed in disappointment. That was made up for when Frollo moved to her breasts again and devoured them, sucking her flesh and biting her nipples. Her hands became entangled in his hair as she cried from pain and pleasure.

Esmeralda wrapped her legs around his waist. "I was waiting all day for this," she said, emphasizing her own desire, "Make love to me, Claude."

Frollo lifted his eyes to meet hers. He was heady with joy. Esmeralda wanted him to love her, and he readily obeyed. She was his completely. No one else shall have her.

When Frollo became one with her, Esmeralda lost her control. Clutching his arms, she moved her hips to meet his thrusts and she heard Frollo groan in approval. How did he know that moving in this angle would rub against the right places? Her eyes widened and she screeched involuntarily when an intense shock of pleasure shot through her, "Don't stop! Don't stop…" His manhood was sending wave after wave of pleasure through her body and her walls squeezed him and begged for more, "You feel so good inside me."

An animalistic growl emitted from Frollo as he abandoned all feeble pretense to be gentle. He did not think that he could get any more aroused, but Esmeralda's words and actions were spurring him on and pushing him beyond the brink. He slammed himself inside her and pounded hard, shaking with heat and desire. Oh god, she was so wet and her moans maddened him. He was going to live; he was going to die. Trying not to fall apart, he continued pushing inside Esmeralda until she climaxed first. He followed thereafter, grounding himself fully inside her as he released himself inside her over and over again.

"Claude…" Esmeralda whispered when she felt him pull away, "Stay."

"Aren't I heavy?" Frollo asked exhaustedly, although he was secretly pleased that she kept her legs wrapped around him. He in turn kept his arms wound around her body. Limbs entwined, they remained joined, her walls still twitching about his throbbing manhood.

"I like you on top of me." Esmeralda's eyes twinkled. "Although, come to think of it, I don't think we have tried any other position."

"Oh." Frollo murmured, "what other position is there?"

Esmeralda's mind was going through all the tricks other women taught one another. But she noticed that Frollo was drowsy. She felt herself falling asleep too. She pressed her lips to his cheek.

"Goodnight Claude."

"Esmeralda, I love you."

A/N:

You can't imagine how much your readership means to me. Thank you all for even reading. And your follows, and favs and reviews.

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