Chapter 16

Queen Clarisse Renaldi had excused her ladies maids for the evening. If she had knew how nervous she was going to be, she would have kept them a little while longer. She fumbled with the buttons once more, this time trying hard to steady her hands behind her. She had chosen a simple mauve dress which flattered her figure. She was afraid to wear anything too revealing, as she questioned just how far the evening would go. It buttoned up the back, and formed to her breasts in front, while coming to just above her knees. Yes, Joseph would like it.

Spinning herself around in front of the mirror, she chose to remove the necklace she wore. It was an old trick her mother had used often. Spin around, anything that catches your eye, remove. It was an old way to accessorize. Clarisse had often found it helpful. The necklace was too much. Laying it back, she chose another; gold with rubies and diamonds. She spun again. Yes, that was much better. Smoothing her dress, she decided she was ready.

"You didn't say whether or not to dress," Joseph commented as he walked in. He stopped at the sight of her. "My mercy lady, you are beautiful."

"You don't need to dress, it's just you and I, here, alone..." she drug out that last word.

"You didn't have to dress either." Joseph stated, matter of factly.

"Oh?" Clarisse moved toward him. "Tell me, Joseph, if I didn't dress, then how would you and I have dinner?" She was enjoying his toying as he came even closer.

"I think we would enjoy our dinner much better that way," he said as he circled her, letting his fingers lightly brush against her. She held a breath, then let it go. He came around behind her once more, whispering over her shoulder, "I know all I want is you..." His mouth landed on her neck, devouring his appetizer. She tilted her neck, allowing him to nuzzle in its crook.

"Joseph, our dinner will get cold." She laughed at his playfullness.

"On the contrary, I believe it to be getting hotter." He proved his point by rubbing up against her.

"Ah, Joseph," she began as he tugged at her earlobe. He pulled back a little, running both hands up the buttons on her back.

"What a beautiful dress, you know I'd hate for you to get any of your dinner on it." He released the first button, noticing the deep breath she took. "Let me help you out of that." Releasing buttons slowly, he kissed the skin he was exposing.

Clarisse had shed her alter ego, allowing the Queen the night off as well. He was hot, so hot against her skin; and she was relishing in being herself with him. His lips touched her every nerve as he slipped her dress off.

"Clarisse," he sighed, raising a brow, "did you forget half your clothing?" Shedding her dress, he had reached her bare body.

"Like you said, I thought we would enjoy our dinner much better this way." She turned in his arms while slipping off her heels. "I tried all evening to deny that I really wanted you, I guess I did know all along. I do want to make love to you." Passion coursing through his veins, he drew her into a heated kiss. Joseph picked her up and carried her into her bed chamber. There he layed her down, softly. He stood, slowly removed his clothing as he admired the sight before him. When their bodies did touch, it was electrifying. It was more than either of them had ever felt before.

They touched, they kissed, they came alive inside of each other. They created electrical currents that could have lit up all of Europe. Her bed moved with a pulsing rhythm. They rolled, first to one side, then the other, donning anything they found in their way. Had not her chamber been cooled, the heat would have seared their flesh. It was pent-up passion that had been stored for too long. Together they unleashed it, trembled with it, and made the earth shake.

"Did you have a nice dinner, my love," he whispered to her, still holding her tightly against him.

"Oh yes. Yes I did." She caught his lips once more.

"Good. Clarisse, promise me something," Joseph pulled back a little, looking into her eyes.

"You want me to promise you that I'll never try that again," she stated, thinking back to the previous weekend.

"No," he quickly answered. "No, I want you to promise me that you will try and forget about it. I want you, I want us, to be able to move on." His words were soft but very serious.

"No wonder I love you. Yes, I promise." Clarisse smiled at him, happier at that moment than she had ever been.

"Good. Now how about dessert?" Her eyes opened widely at the thought.

"I'd love dessert, with you." If this was how it could be, allowing herself to be Queen of Genovia and Clarisse, then she had the power to move mountains. Right now, maybe just strawberries.

FINISHED, hope you enjoyed, please R&R!