Chapter eleven

"So, you are telling me that you had personal business to attend to this morning?" Clarisse sat back and eyed Shades, who would, by no means, look her in the eyes himself.

"Yes, Your Majesty. I apologize if I left at a bad time, but there was nothing on the schedule, and I did clear it with Joseph," he tried to sound convincing, although he was trying to lie to his Queen. 'Could I be beheaded for this?', his first thought was.

"Shades, I admire your loyalty to Joseph, however I know where you were and what you were doing." It was a chance she would have to take. She wanted to know of the details more than anything in this world. Clearly she couldn't ask Joseph.

"You do?" He lifted his head, his eyes wide and face slightly pale. He swallowed hard and tried to form another sentence. 'She knows?' The thought made him worrisome. Did he give anything away, a hint maybe? Did she approve? 'God what have I gotten myself into now?'

"Do I make you nervous, Shades? Don't be. After all, you've been one of my loyal security guards for what, over five years now?"

"Six ma'am," he managed to gulp out.

"Six then." Clarisse nodded, trying to ease in the questions she wanted answered. Clearly he was not comfortable giving any on his own. "So, would you like to change your story?"

"Ah, no ma'am," he managed, knowing Joseph would kill him for speaking even if she did not.

"I see. Tell me, what was so important that you took the royal helicopter?" Shades wanted to shrink in his seat, anything to disappear from her sight. "That was you that I saw, was it not?"

How could he deny it? "Yes, Your Majesty. I, I ah,..."

"Shades," She waved her hand, refusing for him to have to lie any longer. "I do wish to know what it's like," she added.

'What it's like?' Shades knew his jaw could have easily touched the floor now. "You want to know what it's like?"

"Shades, please, I did not stutter. Queens never stutter. Now, I'd like an answer," she leaned back, tapping her nails on the polished mahogany wood in front of her.

"Ah, well, Your Majesty, if you insist...It was quite hot," he began.

"Mm, I can imagine." She recalled the heat emitted from the springs that cool night.

"Even though everything was so new, I felt comfortable," he added.

"I would hope so." Joseph would always see to her comfort.

"We had to make it quick, having to be back here so soon," he added, unsure of what else to add.

"I understand. Do you believe I will enjoy it?"

"You, ma'am?" Shades could hardly fathom what she was asking. She wanted his opinion. After all, she had experienced it for herself before. Shades had never been so uncomfortable in his life. "I'm sure you will enjoy it, ma'am. There's no question to that."

"Very well. I know it was hard for you to describe like this, I'll just have to wait and see for myself. I'm sure you have work to do," she nodded for him to leave. "Oh, and I would appreciate you keeping this quiet."

"Of course, Your Majesty." Quickly he took the hint and left. Never had he been so relieved as when he left her office. He was sweating, for heavens' sake. 'Joseph, I have to call Joseph'.

She needed to walk. All this thinking was making her nervous. She knew how to reach the springs. However, it would be a long trek through the woods, one she would rather not repeat. The only other way had to be by chopper. That's how Shades got there, and surly if Joseph had anything to do with it, she was sure he had added a landing platform, just for her. After all, the construction itself would need an easier route in as well.

Her mouth was becoming dry. Of all the things to concentrate on, 'flying'. Why couldn't she absorb herself into something...like...Joseph. He sure knew how to keep her mind occupied. A slight trembling ran through her extremities. She couldn't decide if it was another symptom of the anxiety, or her body reacting to thoughts of him.

There was no longer any doubt in her mind, she was going to fly again. She needed to. She had to. Joseph had left a driving force inside of her, and it was longing for his touch again. He was so simple, so easy, and so thoughtful. Yet he was full of desire, desire for her. Only now did she realize the height of her own desire for him.

Dropping the bundle in her hand, Clarisse picked up the receiver. She had been waiting for a call from one of them, and the one she really wanted to hear was on the other end.

"Joseph." She was so anxious to hear his voice.

"Everything is fine, we should be on our way home shortly."

"Oh, good." She tried to sound professional, after all, she was still in her office.

"Meet me there." His voice was low and seductive, and Clarisse wanted to slip under her desk in seclusion just to talk to him.

"Where?"

"You know where. It's all for you, but you have to fly there. Are you interested in meeting me there...tonight?"

"Joseph, I...ah, how would you get there?" She tried to change the means of transportation, in any way she could.

"I'll get there. The question is, will you?" Was it enough to lure her? He could hear the apprehension in her voice, yet he knew she was filled with excitement.

"Joseph, I don't know..."

"Don't think about it, just do it. The chopper is ready and at your disposal. Whenever you are ready, just go. Think of me, waiting there for you. I know you want to, Clarisse." She shifted uncomfortably in her seat as the heat pulsed through her veins. "Come to me tonight."

"Joseph I..."

"You're ready, and I want you so badly I can't think of anything else," he whispered, making sure no one else heard him. "I'll be there by eleven. I'll wait all night."

With a click the call ended. Clarisse stared at the receiver in her hand, unsure of what to do now. Oh, just the thought of what lay ahead with him. Just the power he held over her. How could she refuse? Yet, how could she go?

As she had heard before, it was time to 'sink or swim'. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath to cleanse her soul. If her watch was exact, she had five hours before she had to leave. That was five hours she had to exert herself in pure torture, or five hours to spend dreaming if his touch was as tantalizing as she remembered. Had it been that long? It seemed even longer.

Five hours, she had, to make up her mind. Surly Joseph would not give up on her if she could not make it this time. He would understand. There would be more opportunities. How long could she put off the inevitable? How long could she abstain from loving him?