Chapter seven

"I want it straightforward this time, Joseph. Don't hold any details back." She stood once again in front of the chopper which had landed on the lawn of the palace per Joseph's instructions. This time, however, the pilot remained seated, which did not escape Clarisse's eyes. It was the first thing she had noticed upon walking outdoors.

"I've planned to have the pilot lift off." He spoke without questioning her demand. If she wanted to know, then so be it. He couldn't hide much from her anymore, as she took to using her persuasions on him. So as she stood beside him and looked him over with those glaring, seductive eyes, Joseph had no choice but to spit out the truth.

She took a deep breath, then another, and climbed aboard with his help, taking her usual seat in the middle. She squeezed the arm rests tightly and the tension again ran through her bloodstream.

"Here, buckle up," Joseph clicked the straps in place for her, purposely letting his knuckles rub over her breasts and nipples as he adjusted them across her waist and chest. She was slightly trembling now, both from his teasing and from the grinding of the engine as it came to life.

She admired him as he seated himself to her left and strapped himself in. He was the rock to which she grounded herself, that was what she needed to keep repeating in her mind. That made all the difference in the world, she just had to keep focused on him. Joseph was with her this time. As always, he would keep her safe.

She slipped her hand under his with little effort to hide it from prying eyes. It would be hard for anyone to truly see it, except for their pilot, whom Clarisse knew Joseph would take care of. After all, Joseph would have made sure of his discretion qualities even before hiring him. That would have been done purely for their little escapades, for it wasn't a normal requirement at all. As a matter of fact, this pilot would be one of the very few of her employees who could look the other way when prompted. Though she had not discussed it with Joseph at all, she trusted he had hired him with that basis in mind. Clarisse knew he had.

His fingers lifted up and teased hers as the whirling became louder. She hated the noise, and this damn contraption had always been too loud. That was one good point to the jet, it was quieter. Yet, as Joseph had mentioned before, she had managed to sleep through the noise on several occasions.

She recognized the sounds, and would be able to know just when lift off was possible. Joseph knew this, as anyone did who flew. Tightening his fingers against hers, he brought her worrisome expression into view. Even now she filled his soul, and he so wanted to take away the fear that cursed her.

"Just up and down at first," he spoke loudly, leaning his head toward hers. She nodded, affirming his statement.

At the moment the chopper lifted off the ground, he spoke again, more to take her attention away from what was happening. "I have something planned for you. I hope you don't mind, but I have taken the liberty of reserving two days on your calendar." As he spoke, her eyes drifted into his, and during those moments she had no idea the chopper had already risen over the palace and began to sat back down.

As the touchdown jolted her, she looked around. "We've already been up?" Joseph smiled at her inquiry, and was quite proud of himself.

"Yes, Your Majesty. Up and down, just like I said. How do you feel?" He couldn't help but feel proud of himself.

"Well, I don't feel anything. I...I hardly knew..." Then she realized what he had done. Once more he had taken her away. Either it was pure talent on his part, or she was deeply in love with him. Either way, Clarisse seemed to be always caught up in him. So she returned his smile, and squeezed his hand, and mouthed a polite 'thank you'.

"Anytime. May I enquire, or would I be pushing; would you consider a short ride around the grounds?"

Anxiety runs rampant the longer you give it time to grow. Clarisse knew this, and this time took it upon consideration. Joseph was doing this for her own good, not only for the good of his country and Queen, but also for her. If he thought she could ride around the grounds, then who was she to go against it? She loved and trusted this man, and he had shown his love and trust on more than one occasion. So without giving in to thinking too much about it, she merely nodded 'yes'.

Joseph was quite pleased, from the smile on his face and the wink he aimed at her, she could tell quite easily. So with a thumbs-up from him, the pilot once more lifted off the ground.

"Would you like to know what I have planned?" He once more aided her attention away from the height of the chopper. He couldn't exactly make any advances toward her like he so desperately wanted, that would have to wait until they were alone. However he still could talk to her, give her a little hint of a tease.

"I'd love to know," she answered back over the whirl of the blades and the roar of the engine. "You're not going to tell me though."

"How do you know that?"

"I know you Joseph." She winked back. "Besides, if it's all the same to you, I'd like to view the palace from the air again." She squeezed his hand even harder and leaned over him, watching the mansion shrink with each passing second.

It was a bold move on her part. She realized that after she had said it, though couldn't bring herself to take it back. He had focused so hard on helping her, and she wanted to please him, if nothing else. Though there was the slight burning in her body for his touch again. It made her wonder just what he had planned, and what would be her just reward for her accomplishments today. She unconsciously raised a brow. As the chopper began the short flight she felt his arm around her, holding her. Right where it should be.

Looking at the ground from the air again made her slightly dizzy. She swallowed hard, trying to hold back the sick feeling she knew would come. Maybe she had moved too fast? Joseph had been the one to suggest it, and if he thought she could do it, Clarisse wanted to be able to. She wanted to live up to his expectations, even if it meant doing something like this. She owed it to him, especially after hitting him. Though she could not see the bruise clearly from where she sat, she still pictured it in her mind. It plagued her as well, just like the scar on her own arm and her fear of flying.

Although they had only rounded the western and southern corners, Joseph signaled the pilot to touch down. Her face was pale, and although the chopper was vibrating slightly, he sensed she was shaking also. He had not asked, nor did he say anything, just signaled to put them down, and held her tight against him. She had done enough for today anyway, and Joseph was not going to push it, for fear it would make her anxiety worse.

"What's all this?" Clarisse was feeling rather ill, and held tightly to Joseph's arm.

"I'm sorry ma'am," the timid young lady began to apologize, "I thought you'd like some tea this afternoon, especially after your flight." Clarisse let go of Joseph's arm, and it dropped, along with her jaw, like it was lifeless. A fine English tea was set up before her, in her office, for her. She had not asked for it. Yet, it was there. Amanda had been the only person to ever have tea fixed for her like that.

"Oh, no, no. Don't apologize. I'd love tea, Charlotte. Thank you. It just surprised me a little." She walked over and sat down, wondering if Joseph had something to do with this.

"Your messages are on your desk, and the procedure you asked to have scheduled can be performed tomorrow morning, if you wish." Charlotte stood proud, accepting a small nod from Joseph, as Clarisse sipped her tea.

"Oh," Clarisse began, feeling a weight already lifting off her, "Thank you Charlotte. I would very much like to have it done in the morning."

"Then I'll go and confirm it for you. Will there be anything else?" She asked shyly.

"Ah, no, not right now, but thank you again." Clarisse smiled at her, and knew she would be around for quite awhile. "Joseph, did you have something to do with this?" She held up her teacup after Charlotte had left.

"The tea, I'm sorry to say, no." Clarisse raised a questioning brow at him.

"However I did ask her to pamper you a little," he added upon seeing her glare.

"A little?"

"Just a little. I'll try and take care of the rest." Joseph turned to leave, then added, "Tonight."

He had not said it loud, but she heard it. Again her body tingled and felt weak, but she knew that it was from the thought of his touch. She would feel it soon enough, though the rest of the afternoon and the evening would go agonizingly slow.