Pure Intentions? Chapter 20
Adam huffed and puffed all the way to the vehicle bay. He couldn't believe that he had just turned down Teela's kiss. 'You're a fool, Adam', he thought to himself. He couldn't believe what a moron he was. He knew that the moments he just spend with Teela were precious, unsure if he would have such an opportunity to kiss her again.
Adam realized that his reasons for not reciprocating the kiss were foolish. He admitted that the real reason he pulled away was because he was extremely shocked.
As He-Man, Teela had always let him know that she was attracted to him. Teela was not coy. She went after what she wanted, in every aspect of life, including love. Especially in love, he smirked recalling how passionate and self-confident she always was while making love. Women he had known prior to Teela had always shied away from their nakedness, but not his red haired temptress. She reveled in his admiration of her body, often walking around in the nude when he visited her at night.
It was just like her to initiate that kiss; however, Adam couldn't believe that she did it with him being 'Prince'. Was she attracted to him in this form? Or was she just trying to get him to stop tickling her? He couldn't figure out Teela's true motive behind that kiss and that prevented him from kissing her back. Furthermore, he didn't want to become physically involved with her again without first disclosing his feelings to her. He felt he owed her this much.
Adam was so immersed in his thoughts, he didn't realize that Prince Esker had walked up next to him. His incessant talking fell on deaf ears. It wasn't until they stopped in front of the Attack Track that Adam heard the younger prince ask "So do you think I have a chance with Captain Teela?"
Snapping out of his musings, Adam glared at the young man. "What kind of chance are we talking about Esker?", he growled.
"You know…", Esker began but didn't finish when he noticed the Crown Heir 's fierce look.
Surprising Cringer and himself, Adam grabbed the shorter man by the collar and lifted him several inches off the ground. Uncontrollable rage ran through his body making him shake as he hoisted the Morainian Prince even higher. Through gritted teeth Adam stated, "She is not for you, Esker", before pulling back a fisted palm. Adam who had never hit anyone as 'Prince' was just about to knock the pompous Esker into oblivion.
Feeling a large head bump against him, Adam looked down to see that Cringer was rubbing his body against his legs while purring softly. His pet's actions made Adam realize the inappropriateness of his reaction. Abruptly releasing the younger prince, Adam straightened the lad's collar. Running a hand through his own hair Adam stated, "I'm sorry Prince Esker."
Walking away from him, Adam did not offer any further excuse for his actions.
Princess Janice had stood behind a supportive column in the vehicle bay having arrived there before Prince Adam to bid him farewell. She had watched as her brother caught up with the otherwise self-engrossed Eternian Prince. Janice had heard her brother's salacious comments toward Adam's bodyguard. The young princess was not surprised with Adam's answer or actions. She just wished that Adam had followed through with his threat and delivered the blow. Her brother deserved it.
Smiling to herself, she analyzed what she had just witnessed. Her suspicions were true. Although he tried to hide it, it was obvious to the Princess that His Royal Highness was in love with his bodyguard. She wondered if Teela knew. Princess Janice figured that was the reason why there was a threat to Teela's life the other day.
The Princess hoped that this threat did not follow them into Arcadia. When Adam reached the Attack Track, she walked out from her hiding place calling his name as she did so.
"Princess Janice", Adam greeted her with a smile.
"I hope you weren't planning on leaving without saying goodbye?", the blue-eyed princess asked.
"Off course not, my lady", Adam stated gallantly all traces of his anger toward her brother gone. Bending at the waist, Prince Adam grabbed hold of Janice's hand bringing it up as he raised himself from his bow. Lowering his head, he very softly placed a respectful kiss on the dorsal side of her hand.
"I'm glad about that", she said with a curtsy. "On behalf of my father, we wish you good fortune on the remainder of your Royal Tour, Your Highness", she stated in a very businesslike manner.
"Thank you, Your Highness", Adam reflected using her honorary title also. Then with a smile, he bend down to kiss her on the cheek. "It was good seeing you Janice." Winking at her he stated, "You continue to amaze me with your ingenuity, your father should be very proud of you."
"You are too kind, my Prince", she said with a smile. Continuing she stated, "My I also wish you good luck with your personal endeavor", alluding to his need to find a wife. Princess Janice had been present at his birthday party when the High King had dropped that bombshell.
Considering her a true friend, Adam answered "I probably need more help with that aspect of my life than with the Royal Tour."
"I'm confident the woman you love will return the sentiment, if she doesn't already", Princess Janice stated as she was wiser than just her twenty years of age.
Confused because he had not shared with her his feelings for Teela, the Prince stared at her until she stated, "I noticed how you avoid most women, as if they have the plague, all except for the beautiful red-haired bodyguard of yours."
Interrupting he stated, "You are right, Teela is the woman I chose to be my bride." "However, I haven't announced it yet to the Court, can I keep your confidence?", he asked.
Awareness dawning on her beautiful face Janice smiled at him as she nodded her reply.
Just then Teela arrived at the hanger, seeing the two friends hugging before Princess Janice stood on tiptoe to kiss Adam goodbye while whispering something in his ear. Teela froze, uncertain of the secrets between them. Off course, she had no idea that the two royals were talking about her.
Feeling empowered by the self-talk she had given herself, she raised her head and approached the Attack Track.
"Hello, Princess Janice", Teela greeted in a calm tone.
Disentangling herself from Adam's strong arms, the blonde princess turned around with a smile on her face. "Captain Teela, it was good to spend this time with you."
"The pleasure was all mine", the captain returned before gazing at Adam. She noticed that he was avoiding her eye contact.
"Come back again soon, you are always welcomed in Morainia", Princess Janice uttered before curtsying once again to Prince Adam before leaving the hangar bay.
Finally standing alone in front of the Attack Track, Adam held out his hand to Teela to help her climb into their armored transportation. Placing her hand into his, Teela gave him a small shy smile as she languidly raised a long leg to place it into the vehicle. She had purposely dressed in one of the outfits he had bought for her, something she had not yet done. If he refused to be affected by her charms, Teela would use her wiles on him until he succumbed to her. She knew that she was a beautiful woman, many men often admired her voluptuous strong athletic body.
She had previously contemplated using seduction to get the truth about whether Adam was He-Man. In the moments it took her to dry her hair, she had decided to do so. Dressed in a long gossamer red silk dress, with a thigh high slit on the left side, Teela looked ravenous. The bust of the dress was shaped like two tapered triangles over her ample bosom finishing off in thin spaghetti straps wrapping around her shoulders. To complete the look, she left her hair loose her long bangs framing her oval shaped face.
Sitting faced forward, she waited until he came around the vehicle's side and climbed into the armored combat vehicle. Looking behind him, he noticed Cringer was comfortably sprawled on the back seat. He couldn't see Orko.
Eyeing Teela's exposed leg, Adam wondered what had necessitated his bodyguard's exquisite attire. Letting his gaze travel up her exposed limb, he called her name. Until this time she had kept her gaze forward, turning to look at him due to the urgency of his tone.
"Where's Orko?", he asked when their eyes met.
"Oh, I forgot to tell you." "He left for Trolla a few hours ago", she informed him.
"Why?", he asked, surprise settling that he didn't notice he was not in the room while Teela kissed him.
"Dree-Elle broke her leg, he was upset that she would be missing his birthday, so I told him to go visit her", she said with a shrug.
"Ohhh, Teela", he teased. With a waggle of his eyebrows he stated, "I didn't know you were such a romantic."
"Hmph", she answered.
Seeing that she was speaking to him, he continued "You look marvelous by the way." "Is that one of the garments I bought you?"
Running her hands slowly over her chest, down her ribcage, and bringing them to stop at her lap she turned to look at him a sly smile gracing her plumb red lips. Coyly she answered, "Hmm, Hmm." "Do you like it, Your Highness?"
"Very much." "With your hair down you look as if you are on fire." "May I ask whom you are planning to turn into cinders?", he teased back.
"Oh, no one in particular." "You see, I thought I'd be dressed for the occasion", she answered with a shrug of her shoulders.
"What occasion?", he queried. Adam knew that they would be arriving in Arcadia past midnight. The plan was for them to be escorted directly to their rooms and not meet with Queen Sumana until morning.
Batting her eyelashes at him she answered, "Last time, He-Man showed up out of the blue." "I figured I'd remind him what he gave up." "You know, in case he makes an impromptu appearance again." "Do you think I'll succeed?", she asked coyly.
Ignoring her barb, he replied "You've never dressed for him like this before."
"How would you know?", she asked. "You are never around when he is!"
"Then I've been missing out", he stated seriously. He wasn't going to engage in her famous diatribe how he always ran when trouble arose. Not now. Not after the kiss she gave him.
His answer confused her. If she affected him, then why didn't he kiss her back. Damn it, he was making this so difficult for her. She wanted to bluntly ask him if he was He-Man, but was so afraid of his answer and possible rejection of her again that she kept her mouth shut.
Feeling out of her element, Teela decided not to pursue her typical line of questioning with him. Rather she used actions to get what she wanted. Leaning to the side of her seat, she bend down to retrieve a bottle of water from her tote. She kept her eyes locked with his, a small smile playing on her lips. As she raised herself back up, she let one of her straps fall down her arms exposing her curvaceous shoulder.
Adam gulped. Hard. It was too long since she showed him any skin. Under lowered lashes, he watched that strap continue to lower down her arm, the top of her breast exposed to his hungry eyes. Seeing that part of her that excited him so, he felt himself grow hard in his seat. His mouth salivated with remembrance of the taste of her nipple in his mouth. Quickly shutting his eyes, Adam started thinking of Skeletor, the Sorceress, and his father. Anyone actually, that would help him snap out of his body's reaction to her nearness. Focusing on an inward view of her father, he took several calming breaths which helped him cool his lust.
Opening his eyes, he noticed that she had brought the bottle of water to her lips. She drank with her eyes focused on him. It quickly became obvious to the Prince, that she was toying with him. Rage burst within him. Without thinking, he reached out tipping the bottle upwards. He laughed, hearing her surprised yelp as the water came tumbling out of the bottle wetting the entire top of her dress.
Teela saw red. She couldn't believe that he made her wet. As she thought of her words, she realized that she was wet in more than one place. He had just declared war.
"I just saved poor He-Man", Adam stated when she stopped sputtering and wiped the water dribbling from her luscious mouth. "We can't have our hero on fire." "He may need to rescue you again", he said alluding to the many times she depended on his interventions.