None of these characters belong to me, they belong to Meg Cabot and Disney.
As Clarisse made her way to the palace terrace, the smell of soft summer lilies and musky cigars wafted to her - making her feel tired. She could smell josephs cologne drifting next to her as her hand rested securely in his. She dreaded making this entrance, their first entrance as a married couple. She was fearing more for her wonderful husband than herself, knowing this was going to be a complete roll reversal for him. She knew he often spoke with Sebastian Motaz, in fact they often went to football and basketball together - she was so relieved Sebastian was going to be there this evening. She felt strange worrying about him for the first time, a certain roll reversal for her. Usually he'd worry for her but now, now it was different - they could worry, love, care for each other at the same time.
She paused just before the French doors, stopping him as he tried to proceed further. She pulled him into one ofthe alcoves in the dull corridor, kissing him soundly on the lips, taking him in wonderful surprise.
"what was that for?", he questioned breathlessly, leaning against the wall as he pulled her body closer to his in their confined hiding place.
"you're ok?", she questioned, her hands travelling inside his jacket. He breathed in sharply, just what was she trying to do?
"yes", he breathed, " why?"
"because this is new for you", she whispered, smoothing enticing circles on his back. He laughed at her concern, flattered and touched that she might have realised the apprehension that he thought he was concealing so well.
"oh darling, I'll be fine", he laughed, "but stop that, don't touch me like that. I might want to drag you back to our room if you continue".
"oh", she said, a wicked but almost innocent smiling playing at her ruby lips as her hands returned to her sides, "my apologies".
"no realisation of what you do to me, have you?", he questioned, moving back out into the moon lit corridor.
"no", she admitted truthfully, reddening a little as they approached the doors of the drawing room.
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As Joseph watched her glide up the corridor after they had excused themselves from the after dinner festivities, he felt the sudden need to take her in his arms well up in him. Her hips swayed, he was sure with a suggestion meant for him and god, it was suggestive. She stopped at their door as she turned to him, leaning against it.
She hadn't spoken to him all evening, not because she didn't want to, but because she hadn't had the chance. Now all she wanted to do was to make love to him, until they both fell asleep, blissfully aware of the fact that no guilt rested on either of their consciences.
He smiled as she turned, taking in her angelic appearance. Her back against the door, her leg slightly raised - she looked younger than she had in years. His hands rested gently on her bare shoulders as he came into glorious contact with her soft skin, making her shiver underneath him. Her lips edged forward, kissing him softly. Joseph half registered the quick exit of the guards in the hallway, and for the first time in his life was grateful for the lack of protection and security.
He swallowed against her, as on hand rested gingerly on her hip the other fumbled calmly for the door handle, turning it open. He supported her as it swung open, preventing her from stumbling as their kiss grew deeper.
Everything in her head swam leisurely, making her feel hazy and light - it wasn't the red wine, it was him. Never had she felt like this apart from when she was with him. The heat was rising up her body as his hands wandered - making everything disappear. The guests still chatting downstairs, the brandy being swigged, the cigars being dragged and the mints being munched all disappeared from memory. Everything she could see, feel, smell was him - and heaven, was it wonderful. His hand trailed up her thigh, lifting her dress as he unzipped it skilfully with the other hand, not braking their kiss. Her slightly trembling fingers undid his tie, chucking it on the couch as they passed by on the way to the bedroom, making light work of the buttons on his shirt. He pulled her to kneel in front of him on the bed, lifting his shirt over his head and resting his hands on her thighs, he broke their kiss. The room was already warm, and in the darkness he could just make out her smile and the glitter of her eyes. He groped for her hand, squeezing her fingers gently as he brought it to rest on his chest, on his thumping heart.
"this is what you do to me", he breathed, his voice croaky and ragged with passion. She smiled again, and lifting her dress over head and laying back on the bed - he lifted himself on top of her - kissing her neck.
Clarisse closed her eyes, enjoying his worship, his adoration. Never having been aware of what she did to him, she was shocked. Had she really ignored what they had for so long - as long as they where together, she resolved to make sure she'd always have that affect on him.
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DAY 2 ;
The sun crept into the room, waking Clarisse harshly. Genovian summer began in early May and didn't finish till at least September. She could tell from the sun burning her bare back from the balcony that this was going to be an atrociously hot day. Eyes still closed, she groped for the side of the bed - where her husband should be, it was empty. Immediately coming awake, she sat up, rubbing her eyes slightly and stretching. Her body ached, reminding her she was no longer twenty as she eyed the room. The balcony doors were flung wide open, letting fresh air circle around the room - the breeze from the wind blowing the white curtains in and out. His C.D. collection in the corner, his guitars in the other. Relief swelled over her - it hadn't been a dream. She flopped back down, smiling to herself as she did so, quite content with the thought.
She leisurely dragged herself out of bed, reaching for his robe on the chair. She smiled at its enormity on her as she stood in front of the mirror - hair everywhere, wrinkles seeming to multiply each and every day but yet, she wasn't conscious - not of Joseph anyway.
She wanted desperately to go back to bed, but hardly as if she could - she had five days to the coronation and literally nothing had been done. She smiled at that, realising how relaxed she was.
She picked up the phone on the bedside table and grinning broader, dialled his cell phone.
"good morning, darling", he growled as he answered, his voice crackly and inviting.
"ahhh, good morning", she answered, flopping down on the couch with the cordless phone propped in between her chin and her ear.
"how are you this morning?"
"I'm good, Joseph no, I'm wonderful, you?"
"hmmm, we even feel the same", he laughed, " I'm sorry I wasn't there to wake you this morning darling, but Shades desperately needed some instruction".
"ahhh, taking over Mr Joseph?", she laughed, smiling at Olivia as she bustled in the door, carrying a breakfast tray.
"can you blame me. I need to organise the coronation, my darling", he laughed.
"ok, I'll go then, just phoned to make sure you hadn't ran away", she sighed, mockingly.
"ha!", he laughed, " never!"
"good", she smiled, picking up the sticky chocolate croissants in front of her and taking a bite.
"see you when you come down later?"
"mhhh", she muffled, " love you".
"enjoy breakfast, Clarisse", he laughed teasingly, " love you, my darling wife, good morning".
She hung up the receiver, smiling smugly to herself , still in a complete fit of excitement.
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The place jostled and bustled full of exuberance and life as Clarisse made her way downstairs. She nodded sweetly to the florist, to the head chef, to the stable boy, to all the people who she knew were wracking their brains to organise the hasty coronation - and god, was she grateful for them!
Mia bounced up and down as she seen her, and in one clumsy movement gripped her in a bear like hug.
"morning Grandma!", she smiled, handing her a rose from the vast flowers that now adorned the whole palace.
"thank you, darling", Clarisse smiled, " is Pierre her yet?", she continued, turning to charlotte.
"no, your Majesty", charlotte smiled, " Joseph's away to the airport to pick him up". momentarily, Clarisse worried a little. Pierre hadn't been there for Mia's wedding and although he'd reassured Clarisse over the phone he accepted her sudden marriage with the greatest happiness, she was a little unsure.
"ok", she smiled, trying to reassure herself, " now what's to be done?"
Hey! Thanks for all your great reviews - here this part, more to come!
Please R&R!
Yours,
M
P.S. CJ - I'll continue my previous one shot - just for you because you write the most wonderful reviews!