Part 5
After the storms of the previous day Clarisse wasn't holding out much hope regarding the weather therefore she was pleasantly surprised to find the sun streaming through the bedroom window and waking her up.
She turned over in bed and pulled herself up using a pillow to support her back, Joseph seemed unperturbed by her movements and never even shifted from his spot in the bed, face down with the sheets gathered around his waist. She smiled and couldn't resist running a finger along his spine until he shivered.
It was still only early but she was wide awake now, deciding to take a shower she gently climbed out of bed without disturbing Joseph's rest.
By 10 she was clean and dressed and had even chatted with Mia on the telephone for rather a long time and still he slept. She had never known him to be a late sleeper, for a start the nature of his job demanded he be up in the early hours of the morning ready and prepared for the day ahead.
She circled the bed a couple of times carrying a mug of coffee to no avail, either he was ignoring her or sleeping really deeply. Putting the coffee down she drew the curtains back and allowed the warm sunlight to caress the bed and stroke his back. He shifted slightly and murmured something in his sleep.
Feeling mischievous she climbed onto the bed and kissed his hand that lay spread out above him on the pillow, still no response, with a deep breath she closed her eyes and slowly licked his index finger, this time he visibly jumped beneath her. Spurred on she licked each finger individually until he turned over and grabbed her lying her flat beneath him, her arms held above her head. She couldn't help but laugh despite his serious expression and as soon as her chest shook against his he found himself laughing along with her.
"You're a terrible tease Mrs. ???, do you know that."
"Oh I have a new name." She exclaimed instinctively folding her fingers with his.
"You only just realised that?"
"I never dwelt on it, my mail may get lost."
Joseph laughed dropping his mouth to her neck.
"You're creasing my dress." She stated strictly but at the same time wrapping her arms around his back, this was becoming too easy, already her body knew him so well, responded to his touch so readily, reached for him when apart.
"You shouldn't dress so early."
"It's 10:30, and I thought we might go out."
"You did, did you." He murmured against her skin, his fingers pushing the neckline down just far enough so he could taste the skin at the base of her neck, the place where it was softest and tender.
"Joe... this isn't fair."
He lifted his face to hers. "Tell me why."
His smile was wicked; she could feel his hand on her knee pushing her skirt higher up her leg.
"I'm still wearing shoes." She said flatly.
He chuckled, sliding his body down hers until he got to her ankles; he removed her shoes and kissed each foot rubbing her toes. She squirmed under his touch.
"I told you I'm ticklish." She said breathlessly.
"I know." He moved above her again, holding himself up high enough to continue pushing her skirt up until he reached the hem of her stockings.
"I just dressed." She said, a rather lacklustre attempt to dissuade him from his goal.
He pulled the silk scarf from her shoulders and let it float to the floor. "Would you like me to stop?"
In response she pulled him to her for a kiss, the warmth in her stomach felt exhilarating and his hands on her body intoxicating. She didn't want this to ever stop, yet somehow at the back of her mind she was aware this was the heady stages of a 'just married' period and despite her apprehensiveness she was determined to relish each and every second of his adoration.
For his part Joseph wasn't even considering that this was a honeymoon period, oh no, this was what he'd waited for, this was what he'd dreamt of for so many years. To feel her body beneath him, the slope of her shoulders, the curve of her breasts, the way her waist dipped in just before his hands reached her hips. Her smooth perfect legs, they way she would shift underneath him allowing his body to rest between them, it had happened so easily, there was no need for instruction or guidance anymore. He knew her so well even now. How she liked to be touched, which side she slept on, how she liked to be held and kissed and loved. Each second seemed like an eternity, a blissful future stretching out in front of him, and no matter how long it was going to be it would never quite be long enough. The thought startled him and his body froze for a second, he raised his head taking a breath.
She placed a hand on his face. "Are you alright?" She questioned affectionately.
Her eyes caught him again, such clarity and splendour. It didn't matter, whatever was to come after this didn't matter, right now all was as it should be, that was comforting, right now that was more than enough. Nobody can plan entirely for the future, nobody can predict it, and perhaps the unexpected was what made it so enthralling.
"Did anybody tell you, you have the most amazing mouth?" He said simply.
"Yes, my Grandma."
"A wise woman I think."
"You seemed somewhere else for a moment."
"Just thinking, things get to be so good you begin to wonder what's going to go wrong."
"Nothing I hope. Enough heartache for one lifetime... for both of us." She smiled at him and brought his mouth down to hers again, gripping his legs with her own.
Thoughts about going out were forgotten, plans for breakfast abandoned, the importance of her expensive dress being creased seemed pointless. Coffee cooled on the bedside table, her shoes lay discarded on the floor, the sun climbed across the sky and to her it seemed the world halted for just one blissfully long, slow, indulgent morning.
It was almost 3 in the afternoon when Clarisse finally got her wish and they left the cottage. Joseph walked slowly behind her along the lakeside her shoes dangling from his hands. 'Lucky I took the stockings off', he thought to himself wryly as she dug her toes in the damp grass. Whilst his body was still recovering she was practically skipping along looking for what she termed "rarest of rare pebbles." Though what exactly they were he couldn't be sure. He was happy enough to watch her search for them.
"You know there used to be flowers all along here." She gestured up the bank. "And the scent was heady in the summer."
"Passage of time I guess."
"And lack of care." She called to him as she moved further away.
"We can't all have our own roses." He called back.
She turned to face him, one hand shielding her eyes from the sun the other resting defiantly on her hip. "Are you mocking me?"
"Never." He laughed looking out across the water.
"I should think not."
He stopped walking and watched a boat lazily crawl across the water off in the distance. "I wonder how far it is over there." He said half to himself.
"Sorry?"
"I was just thinking," he turned to look for her, knelt down digging something from the bank, he shook his head. "I was thinking we should get a boat and have a sail while we're here. I should have arranged it."
"We hardly have the time." She replied moving back down to where he stood.
"How do you mean?"
"Well for some reason my companion seems reluctant to leave the home."
He laughed. "A bad thing you think." He turned his face from her, it was fun to tease.
She followed suit and stood next to him staring out at the wide expanse before them. "Hmm, I'm not sure, he could be after only one thing."
"A problem." He stated calmly.
"Maybe, one never knows..." She bit her lip trying to suppress the laughter.
"The way I see it," he reached out for her hand. "Most people have passion first, then some of them are lucky enough to find love. We found love first."
She said nothing but rested her head on his shoulder.
"Do you think the water is cold?" She asked after a while.
"I'm not sure," he looked down at her feet. "Your toes are dirty, you shouldn't stand her barefoot too long it's still wet from yesterday."
"Yes sir." She quipped.
"Perhaps you should clean them."
"I will when we get back."
She was unprepared for him dropping her shoes and scooping her up into his arms, and as a result screamed rather loudly. Joseph was thankful nobody was around otherwise they'd have thought he was trying to murder her.
"What are you doing?" She clung to his neck terrified he would drop her.
"Testing the water for you." He smiled broadly as he waded into the lake.
"Joseph don't be so... Ahh it's cold, don't drop me." She protested as her feet skimmed the water and her nails dug into his neck.
"Loosen your grip, I won't drop you."
"Your shoes, your clothes – soaking." She struggled to say as she kept looking beneath her mentally trying to work out the depth of the water.
"Now, what were you saying about my preoccupation?"
"Preoccupation?" She asked puzzled, she shook her head as it dawned on her. "Oh Joseph I was joking, this isn't fair, you wouldn't do that to me would you?"
He shrugged, keeping her guessing was part of the fun.
"But you wouldn't I mean... Ahh no." She screamed again as he dipped her lower to the water then brought her up again laughing. "You're horrid, I won't ever speak to you again, I'll hang you by your toes in the courtyard." She stammered.
"Mia has to give those orders now."
"I still have some clout." She claimed lifting her chin defiantly. "I will ban you from my bedroom."
He smothered his laughter. "Alright you win." He turned back towards the bank, still attempting to suppress his laughter.
"Thank goodness." Clarisse said suddenly relaxing in his arms. "I may never have forgiven you, this is a favourite dress."
He stopped wading and looked down at her face. "Oh but sometimes it's good to just let go." And with that he did, well only a little...
Spluttering and splashing at his feet a rather undignified Clarisse raised her head and for a second he thought perhaps he had gone a step too far, her wrath wasn't something you ever wanted to draw. But instead she laughed and grabbed his legs catching him off balance and bringing him down into the water with her.
"If anybody catches us now..." he smiled getting to his knees.
"They'd think we were crazy." She concurred taking his outstretched hand. "And as for you."
He helped her to her feet. "Well let's just say I haven't finished with you just yet. Ow." She bent down and rubbed at her foot. "The bottom of this lake is rough." She complained resting a hand on his chest as she rubbed her sore heel.
"Oh come here." He lifted her back up into his strong arms.
"You drop me again I'll have you shot. I don't care what your excuse is."
"Stop complaining it was fun wasn't it." He couldn't help but notice how the dress clung to her wet body no matter what the situation was.
He bent steadily as they reached the shore and she collected her shoes.
"You can't carry me all the way back up there."
"Of course I can, have you not seen my body, I'm in great shape."
His timing was perfect and she giggled in his arms all the way up the pathway to the cottage.
Maybe it was the fun of the day, the joy and rapture of it all but Clarisse felt a calmness she hadn't experienced before. She was happy enough to allow Joseph to undress her in broad daylight, not one ounce of self doubt crept in as he removed her dress, her slip and bra. She allowed him to take a towel and dry each inch of her skin, was happy enough for him to run a bath and climb into it with her. In fact as the days went on she found her mind had run out of reasons to say no to him, what was the point, she'd never been happier.
"Day three almost over." Joseph whispered placing soft kisses on her cheek.
She was half asleep, lying in his arms, the air thick and steamy. "Don't remind me." She replied, dropping her head to the left just slightly so he could kiss her neck.
Her skin was pulsing under his touch, flushed and coloured, her body seemed to have melted into his.
"I don't want to go back." She said.
"You will, once 'home' comes into view and you see Mia's smile."
"I think home has shifted somewhat this week." She swallowed opened her eyes and lifted his hand up out of the water, rubbing away the bubbles on his fingers and circling his wedding ring with her fingertips. "I might not be the same when we get back."
"Why not?" He rested his chin in her hair, he'd been waiting for this statement.
"Because of who I am back there and what I'm supposed to do."
"You can't be 'this' person back there."
"I'm afraid I won't be, and I don't want to make the mistake of shutting you out again but sometimes." She lifted his hand and kissed it. "Sometimes it's just easier for me to be cool and secluded rather than open up and tell you how I'm feeling. I've done it for a very long time."
"I understand that, and I understand how much it's taken for us to get this far."
She sighed deeply. "I don't like having this conversation, it will ruin my day. And today has been perfect." She pressed her body back against his.
"So let's change it my dear, any topic you like."
"You."
"My name is Joseph, former head of security for the Genovia Royal Family, I enjoy dancing, basketball, winning and married life."
Clarisse laughed and squeezed his hand. "Winning, you enjoy winning!" She said incredulously.
"Doesn't everybody." He stated neatly nipping on her earlobe.
"Ah, don't." She shuddered against him. "I was thinking something a little more introspective."
"Really?" He smiled against her cheek and kissed her again.
"Stop it," she reached up for his face.
"Can't seem to stop kissing you – now I've got the chance."
She giggled playfully wriggling against him. "Twenty questions."
"Question one..." He said ceasing his adulation and leaning his head back on the wall.
"Alright, your first love."
He shook his head, exhaling through his teeth in mock annoyance. "Bit personal that one, I was seven at the time."
"Ha! And every bit the debonair charmer I bet."
"Well actually I wasn't, she was older than me, almost nine."
"Ohh."
"Her father was the first person on the street to have a brand new soft top sports car, it was pale blue and the sleekest thing I'd ever laid my eyes on."
"You loved her for her father's car!" She exclaimed.
"Not only that, they also had the largest house on the street, a basketball court set up in the garden, she was the most popular girl in school and I was enthralled. Amy Fortier." He sighed remembering.
"So you've always had a taste for the finer things in life."
"I thought you realised that was my main goal for marrying you."
She pinched his arm. "Second love?"
"That's two questions for you, isn't it my turn now?"
"No, I'm changing the rules, I can do that." She smiled. "Second love."
"Second love, real love, we're talking real passion here and all, she broke my heart. Met in my freshman year at College, intelligent, bright, bubbly and absolutely gorgeous."
"I hate her." She said flatly.
"She had thick long black hair, and I absolutely adored her, she cheated on me with Carl Robertson, that bastard."
She laughed. "Would you like me to have him shot."
"If you could arrange it that would be nice."
"Consider it done." She stretched her legs out and raised one foot from the water balancing it on the wall, the steam rose from her toes and she wriggled them knowing he was watching.
"Question three?" He asked. "Or my turn."
"We always talk about me, question three – erm, biggest love..."
"You." He interrupted.
"I was going to add, besides me." She turned her face up to him and smiled.
"That would be second biggest love then would it not."
"I suppose."
"A woman I'd rather forget."
"She didn't cheat on you with Mr. Robertson too."
He chuckled. "No, that would have been easier. No she was a good woman, and I did care for her very deeply, at one point I even thought of proposing."
"Really, you never told me that." Part of her stiffened inside, it had been something of a thrill to think she had been the only woman he'd wanted to marry.
"Well things didn't turn out. We were happy enough and I suppose we probably could have married and had babies and all that. Unfortunately I was given a new job at a certain castle, training up as head of security and I met you. And over a matter of months my interest in poor Georgina faded."
"Oh dear, I'm sorry."
"Why are you sorry?" He laughed kissing her head. "Sweetheart I wouldn't change a thing, I regret the fact I had to hurt her but I wouldn't change it, my love for you and my love for her are two entirely different things. This all encompassing heart breaking feeling I have for you could never be equalled."
"Not even by Amy Fortier?"
"Well maybe by her Father's car, if I got to drive it with the top down of course along an abandoned cliff top road."
"Now there will be no driving along cliff top roads..." she pulled herself up from his grip. "Far too dangerous."
She reached for the sponge and started to bathe her arms; behind her Joseph rested his palm against her back. "So many freckles." He said.
"What?"
"Your skin," he moved up behind her wrapping his arms around her waist and cradling her to him. "Beautiful."
"No comparisons to sporty blue cars." She teased.
"No comparisons to anything." He kissed her shoulder. "Should we think about having some dinner?"
"Yes, I'm starving I have to say... these lazy days seem more tiring than rushing about organising weddings and coronations."
"The irony of it." He got up from the tub and wrapped a towel around himself. "Oh I have a treat for you tomorrow."
"Another? Am I to be spoilt like this for the rest of my life."
"Those were my plans."
"Well good, just wanted to check we were on the same wavelength."
"Oh you're so very funny," he said sarcastically. "How you made it as a Queen and not a comic genius is beyond me."
"Ah flattery Joseph, flattery. What's my treat."
"Can't tell you, would ruin the moment." He finished dressing and watched intently as she applied cream to her face.
"What's all this stuff for?" he asked picking up a pot and studying it.
"To keep me looking young and fresh. Now, don't watch." She took the pot from his hand. "It will ruin your illusions."
"Alright, alright. I'll go search the cupboards for something to eat then shall I ma'am."
"Yes, do that dear." She returned her attention to the mirror. "Oh and Joseph."
"Yes."
"Question four, what's my treat?"
"Unfair, I'm voiding the question. I too can also change rules."
She laughed. "That's insolence Sir."
"No, just being smart." He closed the door after him and she listened as he made his way downstairs humming to himself.