Author's Note: This chap has a reference to slash, though there's none here…there is also a very brief sexual encounter in the last paragraph…and this chap is a little cheese-ridden. Aside from that, enjoy!
Nicolette's head was resting in Noel's lap in the library of the castle. He was reading out loud to her (she had confessed to loving the sound of his voice). It didn't matter whether he read a great work of art or a child's ramblings, it all sounded heavenly to her. When he had finished a chapter, he closed the book and gazed into his lover's eyes. Something had been praying on his mind ever since they made love several days ago. Now was as good a time as any to voice it.
"Darling?" His voice, as always, was soothing to her.
"Hm?" She smiled up at him.
"There's something I both need to ask…and tell you."
She sat up. "Is everything all right?"
He smiled gently. "I hope so." He sighed. "Can I ask you something about your Jacob?"
She nodded. "Of course."
"Was he your first lover?"
"Mm hm."
"Were you his?"
She shook her head. "No. Jake was a pirate. He was honest with me about his 'relationships' from port to port."
"Were you ever with anyone else while you were with him?"
Nic could very well have thought this an odd question, but one must remember that she was a pirate as well. "No, he was the only man I've been with…until you." She smiled with the last two words.
"I want to be honest with you as well," Noel said softly. Nic nodded, understanding and accepting all at once. She'd rather him tell her about his past than hide it from her. "I've had my share of women lovers, but my sexual past doesn't end there."
Nic cocked her head, unsure what to expect, though leaning in a particular direction. "Oh?"
His expression was open and honest. "I've been with men as well."
"You? But you're royalty…"
Noel was a bit shocked at her response. "Um…I wasn't really expecting that."
Nic continued her thought. "What you've just said…it's not something I haven't heard of – I lived with it on Jake' ship – several of his crew…were friendly with one another. But you're a prince, surely you had women…when you wanted them."
Noel licked his lips. "I wasn't with them out of sexual desperation, Nicolette. I was with them…because I wanted them." A more surprised "oh" escaped her mouth this time. "Does this bother you?"
Nic thought, very briefly before answering. "It doesn't change who you've been to me…No, it doesn't matter at all." A slightly wicked smile crossed her face. "Noel, I'm curious."
"Hm?"
"Why do men seem to enjoy…satisfying one another?"
Noel smiled back at her. "I adore that you're both liberal and curious." He looked at her as if he was about to reveal the secret to life. "Men who pleasure one another for more than a substitute for a woman because they find absolute sinful pleasure in it."
"Have you done that…lately?"
"No, no…and, hopefully I never will again."
"Why not?" Nic asked, oblivious to what Noel was implying.
"Because, silly girl," he laughed, "I only want to be with you."
"Me?…Only? Why?"
"I've already told you that I love you, Nicolette. Why does it shock you that I wouldn't want another lover?"
Nic shrugged. "You're…well, who you are and…can have anything, anyone…"
"And all I want is you." He wasted no time in taking her lips with his own. After several lengthy kisses, Noel pulled Nic onto his lap. "You bring out two very different sides of me, my darling. Both a lion and a lamb…I'm feeling like a mighty beast at the moment."
Nic blushed. "Noel…"
"Mm…fancy the sofa, love?"
She abandoned her inhibitions. "Whatever makes you happy."
"You," he growled, his hands lifting her skirts to her waist. His trousers were already opened and Nic squealed happily as he slid deep within her. Using her knees for leverage, Nic rode her prince, no longer looking to her past for solace, but her future.
