Chapter four

"If you so desire more, my Queen," Joseph watched her eyes light with both longing and excitement, "then may I suggest we visit Genovia One in the morning." Clarisse heard his words, and what should have caused a major upset now evoked only mere longing for more of him.

"Genovia One," she answered, only half knowing what she was saying. Her heart was racing just from being so close to him, and his musky scent was intoxicating to her soul. She was pure dizzy. She needed him, and at that moment would commit to do most anything to have him once again.

"Good, then it's settled, tomorrow morning." He kissed the back of her hand and backed away slowly. "Until then, my love."

She stood and watched him disappear. He had left her frustrated, that was for certain, yet with a promise of being filled more than she ever had before. She couldn't quite explain it to herself. How was it that one person could affect her to such an extreme? "Oh Joseph," she sighed as she let herself fall back onto the small sofa.

It was early, but no earlier than he usually got up. He submitted himself long ago to being a morning person. This morning he had awoke to thoughts of her. It would be an extremely delicate morning for her, and he was unsure as to how she would handle it, and if indeed she was ready for what he had planned.

Dressed in his all-occasion black, Joseph took the west staircase down to breakfast. He had a feeling he would need to eat, as he was certain she would not. One of them needed to be fueled.

He slipped off quietly, nodding only to the various "good mornings", Joseph sat in the far corner by a window overlooking the northeast corner of the grounds. He sat his plate down in front of him, along with his coffee, and tried to do as much eating as thinking.

As he was finishing the last bite he could take, his cell rang. Unsure as to who it could be at this early hour, he pulled it from inside his jacket and noticed the number. Upon seeing it, he suddenly felt much more easy.

"This is Joseph."

"The lady you referred about, I have done a complete background check on her," a voice came over the receiver.

"And..."

"It's as clear as crystal. I've spoken to her, and she's very willing to meet with you today, and start immediately at your approval."

"Good job, thank you for being so helpful. I would indeed like to meet with her later this morning...about tenish...but I'm afraid the approval part with lie with Her Majesty."

"Of course. I'll let her know, and arrange everything."

He clicked the cell shut and stuffed it quickly back into his jacket. Today was already looking promising.

"Oh damn." She tossed her fork down once again, but this time finally residing to give up on eating altogether. 'How does he get to me like this?' Thoughts had crossed her mind all morning. She would never submit to moving on to the plane so quickly, and even he, himself, had promised her to go about this whole thing slowly. Yet here she was, a nervous wreck, all because he had used the power of persuasion over her. She took a deep breath and tried to figure out whether to laugh or cry.

Glancing at the clock, she noted that it was only shortly after seven. He would be up and ready by now, and would soon be here. She knew someplace in the back of her mind that he would ease her fears even before they left the palace. 'So why am I so worried?'. It was an honest question, and very understandable.

"I've never been so confused in my life," she couldn't help but let it out loud.

"You've never been so beautiful in your life either," a voice came from outside her door. He walked in just after hearing her confession.

"Liar," she taunted.

"Sometimes...but not about that. Tell me," he questioned, taking a stance beside her, "what are you so confused about?"

"Nothing. Everything. Oh damn it, Joseph, I can't understand how I can feel so many things at once. I've never been so emotional in my life." She finally gave up and it just rolled off her tongue. He touched her shoulder, and let it massage the tissue deep as she confessed.

"Well, then I believe I can help you." He pulled out a chair. "I knew you wouldn't eat," he added, pointing to her breakfast. As he sat he finished, "With some help, I have found someone who I believe will make a wonderful, permanent aide for you." He could almost laugh at the expression that came to life on her face. "I haven't met her yet, so don't get too excited." He could see it was already too late for that. "She'll be here at ten this morning, and has already been cleared to take the position. So if she meets your approval, she can begin today."

"Are you serious? Joseph, don't be teasing. I'm not in the mood." She almost sounded serious herself, but knew that he meant business. "I can't believe it," she added as he nodded the affirmative. "And you know she is...competent?" Joseph couldn't help but laugh.

"Delightfully so. Not only that, but intelligent, resourceful, young, beautiful, and from what I hear, can make a great cup of tea," he added, knowing it would delight Clarisse even more. "She also has a great memory and her writing is very legible. I made sure of it."

Clarisse sighed with relief. "Joseph if she works out, I'll owe you my soul."

"I thought I already had it," he bantered. She slapped him playfully on the arm. "Besides, I'm getting tired of taking your messages and sorting your mail and running for your tea."

"Oh you are, are you? Maybe I should make those things a permanent part of your job description." She couldn't help but add that last part. After all, he started the whole bantering thing.

"Anything for you. Ah. Now that I have you laughing and joking, milady, tis time." With one swoop of a sentence, the dread came back to her stomach. It was heavy again, and it pulled the smile at a downward angle on her face. Suddenly she felt heavy and cold all over. "Just like yesterday, Clarisse. Just to sit a minute or two."

"Just to sit," she reassured herself. "Somehow it seemed easier by having to just go outside the palace and not actually having to travel anywhere. Does that make sense?"

"I think so. The quicker you got to the chopper, the less time you had to be anxious about it. Makes perfect sense to me. See, you are normal...even though you are a Queen." He lifted his arm as he stood to her, ready to escort her once more. "I could try to have Genovia One landed here on the grounds..."

"Oh Joseph, don't you dare." Somehow she felt he would really ask that of them if it would make her feel better. She took his arm, and was almost subconsciously relieved by his humor.

It seemed bigger today than usual. Of course, it had beenquite a while since Clarisse had laid eyes upon it. Still, it seemed awfully large to her. Joseph had the limo driven up to the hanger where Genovia One sat firmly at home. She filled the large, empty space quite nicely, and left little room for anything else. Clarisse noticed how bright the white now looked, and how the metal glared from the morning sun that was shining directly in her face.

Again Joseph urged her onward, his hand on her lower back and his words soothing to her ears. "Remember, this isn't the plane that you were in. This is not the plane that crashed." He stopped at the bottom of the stairs that had been unfolded for her. "Ready?" Clarisse stood for a moment just looking. She swallowed hard and nodded, taking the first of a dozen steps to board.

When she reached the top, she again slowed, and stopped altogether. She still felt the pressure he put on her back, and was ever grateful just for the feeling of his hand anywhere right now.

He could see how the fear had risen, and was rising as he stood watching her. She had every right to be scared. Every right in the world. 'If there was some way to make it easier...', he thought.

Stepping up closer to her, he whispered in her ear, "I love you Clarisse." He let a few fingers trail down her side, from under her arm to her hip. "I couldn't help but dream of you last night. Your body was soft and warm, and gleaming with sweet honey," he heard her sigh as he continued, "You were calling my name...calling out to me to touch you. Do you want me to touch you Clarisse? Do you need me to touch you?" He could sense her eyes were now closed and she was almost completely focused on him. Mission accomplished so far.

'Damn,' she thought to herself. She could feel small beads of perspiration pop out on her forehead and various parts of her body just from hearing his voice, not to mention the words he had spoken. "Yes," she answered, barely audible to him. "Oh yes." He had been away from her too long now. It had only been three days, but it was three days too long. He was a part of her now that she couldn't do without. A morning regimen, a daily workout, an evening refreshment, a nighttime delight...whatever he was, he belonged to her and Clarisse needed him.

Joseph walked ahead of her, then turned to offer her his hand. Willingly she took it, and followed him inside. She barely took notice of anything other than him, not that there was anything any different to see. All she wanted was to look at his body and feel the effects of what it did to her. She was tantalizingly under his spell.

Joseph sat someplace in the middle, and deliberately pulled her in his lap. "How do you feel?"

"Why don't you tell me?" She cupped his cheek with her hand and offered her lips to him, which he took quickly and passionately. She curled up in his lap and enjoyed the feel of his hands running over her body, and his mouth possessing hers.

When exactly the engine had started, she had no idea. It was only when the plane began to move that Clarisse was knocked back into reality. As quickly as she had fell into his embrace, she pulled herself out of it. It was moving. The door had been shut and the hanger had disappeared from outside the window, and they were now taxing down the runway.