A/N - Just another heads up that I rated this M for a reason :) Enjoy!
Chapter 28
He had woken to an empty bed that morning. Sarah had left a note that she was with his mother and had no idea what she was in for. That had been four hours ago and still no sign of her. The first of their guests had started arriving a half hour ago, but he was hesitant to leave the room.
Last night had gone exactly as he'd hoped. Sarah hadn't been intimidated by his father and had fought back. He remembered the first day of McFadden's class and knew he had expected nothing less. Today was a complete unknown, however. The people downstairs knew Jareth better than most; he had grown up around these families. Not only did Sarah not have that luxury, but she would no doubt be the focus of attention. He had promised her a weekend with his family, and instead she was being thrown to the wolves.
Frustrated, he pulled open the small drawer inside the wardrobe and grabbed the first pair of cufflinks he could. Fastening them, he checked his appearance once more before descending to the party. He heard the din well before he caught site of the room. If the noise was any indication, his father certainly had outdone himself. He was about to round the corner to the ballroom when he heard his mother call his name. When he turned, she waved him to her studio. "I thought you might want to enter with your date," she winked.
Jareth stopped dead when he entered the room. He had seen Sarah dressed formally, but his mother had never gotten a hold of her before. The silver mermaid gown clung to her figure before flaring out into a sea of tulle and silk. Her hair had been swept up into a simple updo and decorated with crystals that matched those dripping from her ears and neck. "You have outdone yourself, Mother"
"If this doesn't make a statement," Sarah smirked as she made her way to him, "I have no idea what will." She gave him a quick kiss when she reached him. "I think we should go before I lose the bravado this dress is giving me."
He offered his arm, and she gladly took it. "I have no idea who is on the guest list," he warned. "Stay with me and you should be fine." She shook her head, the crystals glittering in the sunlight streaming into the hall.
Entering the ballroom, it was easy to forget that this was an Easter Brunch. Every guest was draped in red carpet fashion, and the decorations were reminiscent of a royal wedding. He noted that the servers flitting between the crowds were not the normal household staff. At least his father hadn't ruined their holiday with this nonsense.
It was only a moment before the first guests noticed their arrival and flocked to them. Introductions were made, and questions were asked of them both. Sarah was faring better than he could have hoped. Some of the business talk was over her head, but he knew that the topic was only broached due to her demeanor. It was impossible to guess that she was a college freshman.
Jareth was in the middle of reminding a group of clients that a party was hardly the place for contract negotiations when a familiar face appeared. He had never been so happy to see Brian McFadden in his life. "Jareth," Brain announced as he boldly forced his way through the pack surrounding Jareth. "Your father insisted that you were here, but I have spent the last twenty minutes searching this ridiculous party. Ah, Sarah. It is good to see you again, dear. You look absolutely ravishing."
"Back off Brian," Jareth warned playfully, "She is taken."
"It's good to see you again, Professor McFadden," Sarah greeted eagerly. It was clear from her tone that she was more than pleased to see a familiar face.
"I am no longer your professor, Sarah. Call me Brian."
She was obviously uncomfortable with the concept but smiled her agreement. "I am sure you will both join me for some food. It looks like you have not had the chance to eat." Thankful for the excuse, Jareth said quick farewells to those still waiting and followed Brian and Sarah to a table where Brian's family was waiting.
Sarah was drawn to Brian's children immediately and chatted with Brian's wife in between telling stories to them. An announcement for the Easter Egg Hunt went out, and Sarah followed eagerly after the children to watch the festivities.
"Maggie will make sure she does not get bombarded," Brian assured after seeing Jareth's concerned look. "Though I do not think you need to worry; she is doing brilliantly."
"It is good to know that someone has noticed. This is my father's absurd idea of a test, and he has not bothered to acknowledged us," Jareth snapped. "I had hoped that you would have convinced him that this was unnecessary."
"Your father is a hard man to convince. Besides, this is as much a test for you as it is for her."
"What is that supposed to mean?"
"Your father has not forgotten your history with women, Jareth. I knew that this was more than a fling, but I had the luxury of seeing you with her. Hell, if my son ever told me that he was in love with a girl a decade younger than him, I would balk at the idea as well."
"Who said I was in love with her?" Jareth asked, suddenly concerned. He had not actually admitted his feelings to anyone aside from Sarah's father.
"It is painfully obvious if you know what you are looking at," Brian explained. "You look at her the same way I look at Maggie. Have you told her yet?"
"No," Jareth sighed. "I did not want her to panic if she was not ready to hear it."
"But she is now."
"Yes, she is."
Nothing further was said between them; it was simply not needed. Jareth's attention turned to the activity on the terrace. Children were running in every direction at once, but his eyes focused on the woman in the silver dress cheering them on. There was no reason to delay any more; he had to tell her.
Andrea, Brian's youngest, stumbled in her pursuit of an egg and skinned her knee. As any three year old would, she started bawling. Maggie and Sarah both rushed to her side. It was impossible to tell what had happened through the crowd, but after a few moments he saw Sarah returning to the table, Andrea secure on her hip. By the time she reached the table, the small girl was giggling.
"Why don't you show Daddy what you found?" Sarah asked the child. Andrea promptly held up a bright pink egg with a triumphant smile. "Maggie stayed to watch the others," she quickly explained to Brian. "But I think Andy here had her fill. She really only wanted the pink one anyway."
She sat down and shifted the girl to her lap with a skill only a mother or older sister could possess. Brian watched with obvious admiration as she laughed when the girl began to play with her earrings. "You certainly have a way with kids, Sarah."
"I have two siblings at home," she confessed. "Toby was a total nightmare at Andy's age. She's an angel compared to him."
Brian laughed and reached out to his daughter who quickly clung to Sarah, refusing to move. Brian rolled his eyes and scoffed, "Normally she is a complete daddy's girl."
"It's alright," Sarah assured him.
"It looks like the hunt is almost over," Jareth pointed out as a mass of children exited the terrace. "Which means that we will be expected to mingle again."
Sarah groaned, "Must we?" He simply nodded in response, and she sighed. "Alright Sweetie, time to go to Daddy."
"I don't wanna. I wanna stay with you Sawah." She smiled at the little girl and whispered something in her ear. Andy promptly scurried off Sarah's lap to her father.
When she stood to join him, he asked, "What did you say to her?"
"I told her that we were going to face trolls and goblins, and they may want to eat her."
"The trolls maybe," he chuckled. "The goblins would just want to play." The same nagging feeling he had in Bailey's class washed over him. He quickly changed the subject hoping it would pass. "She could have stayed with us. I am sure Brian would have been happy to lend her to us."
"Oh please. Rumors would immediately start that she was ours. Wait, never mind. She looks nothing like you. She would be my illegitimate child from a teenage pregnancy that you are so graciously accepting into your life."
"I wish I could argue that." A slow waltz began to play and he offered his hand to her before leading her to the dance floor. As they found the rhythm of the dance, a memory of a younger Sarah flashed through his mind. It was impossible, he knew. She appeared to be little more than a child, long before he had met her. Yet he was certain the image was a memory and not a fabrication.
"Jareth," a familiar and unwelcome voice broke into his thoughts. "May I cut in?" Amelia asked sweetly.
Sarah's face may have turned to stone, but her eyes had not. He saw the hatred there and knew that there would be hell to pay for what he was about to do. "Amelia, I did not realize that you were here. I am sure that Sarah would not mind." He knew that he couldn't be further from the truth, but he also knew what this was. The Kavanaghs could not be avoided, and a dance was the least Amelia could have done to cause a scene. Playing her game would be better in the long run.
"Of course not," Sarah purred. He wasn't fooled by the sweetness of her tone. In fact, he knew to be frightened by it. She backed away and let Amelia take her place.
Jareth focused on the woman now in his arms, suddenly desperate for the music to end. Unfortunately, he recognized the song and knew that luck was not with him. "Jareth," Amelia crooned. "When will this silly fling be over? I mean honestly, she is half your age."
"I will not play your games, Amelia. Please, let us just enjoy this dance."
"I do not know what you mean," she pouted. "I am not playing games."
He just sighed, hoping that silence would deter her. Once again, he was not that lucky. "I mean really Jareth, the Italian was simply a distraction. He was meant to make you jealous, not to send you after a child."
"Sarah is less of a child than you are Amelia. Please just accept that we are together and move on."
"I will if you can tell me that you felt nothing." Before he could register what she meant, she was kissing him. In his shock, he didn't fight her off. The haze didn't last long, and he pushed her off the moment his brain caught up to what was happening. He saw the flash of silver and cursed. He had hesitated too long.
"Enough," he spat. "I would suggest you go before you humiliate yourself further, Amelia."
Finally, the woman seemed to accept his rejection. With a huff, she stormed out of the room, a trail of whispers following her. He desperately searched the room but could not find Sarah. "Damn it," he cursed.
"That was an interesting display," his father's cool voice came from behind him.
"I was trying to be civil, and it backfired. I would appreciate it if you would have Kavanagh put a leash on his daughter." Jareth was seething, and his father was unlikely to help.
"I saw where she went," Aaron offered. "But before you leave, know that I approve."
"Like that matters now," Jareth growled.
"It will." There was something left unsaid, but Jareth didn't care. "She retired to your room," his father advised.
Jareth didn't even bother to make a graceful exit. By the time he reached his room, he was preparing for the worst. What he hadn't expected was a perfectly calm Sarah sitting on his bed. "Sarah, please let me explain," he begged as he entered.
"There's no need," she replied.
"I was trying to be cordial," he explained, ignoring her response. "Had I known the tart would bloody kiss me I –"
It registered that she was laughing. "Jareth, I know. I have eyes. I saw that she was kissing you, not the other way around."
"Then why are you here?"
"It was either leave or kill her. I figured you would be more appreciative of this option," she smiled. "I was coming back."
Relieved, he knelt in front of her. "Regardless, I need you to know that I would never betray you like that. Not with Amelia or any other woman." No other woman could compare to her. As he watched her beautiful face study his, he knew that he needed to tell her, timing be damned. "I should have said this sooner, but I had convinced myself that you needed time, that you were not ready. Saying it out loud, I realize how ridiculous that sounds." He paused, cursing his timing. Voice thick with emotion, he confessed, "I love you, Sarah."
She gasped and fell silent. He couldn't tear his eyes from hers, and he saw the tears forming. She deserved the clichés. She deserved rose petals and champagne and sunsets. Not kisses from other women and apologies. "I know it is not the best timing," he groaned. She silenced him with a gentle kiss.
"I love you too," she breathed against his lips. He refused to accept that he had actually heard the words. Surely, it was his imagination. Those wonderful emerald orbs told him otherwise.
His kiss was not gentle in the least. It contained both his heart and his desire. He smiled when she responded in kind. He lost himself in the feel of her lips and the taste of her on his tongue. He needed more, and he was certain she did as well. He stood, dragging her with him, his hands seeking the zipper of her gown. He growled in warning when her attempts to remove his jacket hindered him. She nipped at his bottom lip in response.
Gods, he needed her. He removed the coat and returned to the unresponsive zipper. She turned her focus to the buttons of his shirt, and he hissed as her lips found his neck. Tired of his battle with her gown, he ripped the offending zipper open. At the sound of the material tearing her head shot up, and she glared daggers at him. "Your mother is going to kill you."
"My mother should not have sewn you into the damn thing," he retorted before pushing the ruined gown off her shoulders. He was pleasantly surprised to find that she was wearing nothing but a thong beneath the gown. She blushed at her sudden exposure, and he was reminded that she was a virgin. As much as his body craved her, he would make sure she savored the experience.
He pulled his shirt off before gently pushing her back on the bed. His mouth found a nipple and gently sucked and nipped, reveling in her soft moans. His hand gently traced the curve of her waist and the swell of her hip before brushing against her core. He tucked a finger under her panties and into her while another found her sensitive nub.
She moaned his name, thrusting her hips in response to the contact even before he slowly began to move his finger within her. She practically screamed his name when he added a second finger to his ministrations. Her moans grew louder as she writhed beneath him, and he could tell that she was close. Instead of bringing her to climax, he withdrew his fingers and smiled at her frustrated groan.
He grabbed the band of her panties and deftly removed them, grateful the barrier was gone. He ran his fingers over her folds again and watched as she bucked to meet his touch, silently begging him to continue. Instead, he lowered his lips to her core and licked greedily at the wetness that he had created. Her surprised gasp was followed quickly by moans as he continued to savor her taste. He plunged a finger into her and, with a few thrusts, was rewarded as her walls clenched around him. He didn't stop until her orgasm was long past.
He stood long enough to remove the pants that had grown uncomfortably tight. She was watching him with a lusty appreciation as he removed the restricting garment. Her eyes widened in surprise at his size, but need quickly returned to them. He had wanted her for too long to wait much longer. He positioned himself over her but hesitated knowing that discomfort would follow for her.
"Please, Jareth," she begged.
He captured her lips and thrust gently into her, breaking the barrier of her innocence. He stopped when she flinched in pain, allowing her time to adjust to him. The waiting felt like eternity. She was so hot and tight, it was taking everything he had to restrain himself. She shifted beneath him, and he gladly began to move within her. He kept his pace painfully slow for as long as he could stand until it eventually mirrored the strength of his desire – of his love.
She called to him with breathy pleas, and he answered, savoring the moans his response caused. She suddenly bucked under him, and in his moment of confusion, she seized the opportunity to roll them both until she was straddling him. He was no stranger to this position but growled in appreciation at the dominance that she was displaying. His Sarah was never one to completely submit.
She was in control now, and her movements were sweet torture. He was close but could feel the new position had brought her to the edge. As her walls clenched around him, he felt his own release building. She screamed his name, and he quickly joined her ecstasy, spilling himself deep within her.
He did not move, content to remain within her, and simply watched her come down from the heights he had brought her to. They were meant for each other, he realized. No matter what happened, he would be with her forever, and he knew by looking in her eyes that she felt the same. He kissed her, desperate to share his soul with her, and he felt her respond in kind.
He only had an instant to register the blinding light that had surrounded the pair before the blackness overtook him.
