Ben could not get the memory of how Mal's breast felt in his hands out of his head when he awoke the next morning. He couldn't concentrate on anything. Nor could he remove the dopey smile from his face. His worries about them taking this step seemed ridiculous now.
It was time to get up and ready for the day. He got in his suite's shower and let the hot water beat down his back. He thought it might jar him out of his daze but he just couldn't stop thinking about last night. The longer he was awake the more intense the feelings got. He closed his eyes trying to focus on the day at hand. This was the beginning of his tour of the kingdom as king. He had an enormous responsibility. He wanted to make strong first impressions as a responsible and mature leader despite his age. Flash- the way Mal's hips felt under his hands when she was in that sexy bikini at the lake party. He groan loudly, why was he so unable to control himself around her. She wasn't even here and he felt wild.
His morning wood was demanding attention so he decided to just give in and indulge. If he was a tad late that surely had to be better than being a horny distracted 17 year old all day. Definitely not the impression he was hoping to make.
The first stroke affected him more than he was used to and he had to brace himself with his other hand against the shower wall. He had real memories of Mal now to consume him. They were much more powerful than the fantasy. Ben thought about the lake party. He could see flashes of all that beautiful milky skin behind his closed eyes. The way her hips swayed back and forth walking towards him in the cave.
His fist pumped faster when last night's memories assaulted him. Deep moans start to accompany his heavy breath. The way she assertively told him to stop thinking so much and take action. How her breast felt, even over the clothes, in his hand. He could just barely feel the way her nipple had hardened under his touched. How she leaned into his touched and rocked against him. Completely unafraid.
That's when his thoughts shifted and he felt as if icicles were stabbing his heart in every direction. But he was too far gone to stop. The creeping thought that maybe she was unafraid because this wasn't new territory for her. Mal had told him back on their first date that they don't date on the isle. But that didn't mean she hadn't been physical with someone. He couldn't help it as he surged towards finishing beastly jealous rage engulfed him. As he came one word escaped his lips in a heavy groan 'mine'.
When his breathing slowed down he was shocked with himself. Ben didn't think he'd ever felt this way. Ashamed of himself and acting so completely out of character. He knew he had to act fast so he quickly finished up his shower and got dressed fast as he could.
All the while still thinking about what had just happened internally for him. He knew without a doubt that he loved Mal. And it was completely wrong of him to assume her past without talking to her. He buttoned up his shirt as he thought. Even if she did have a past it would be completely unfair of him to be upset about it. So did he. They were nearly 18.
Ben felt deeply ashamed. Nothing could ever change the way he felt about her. He had just had a moment. He rationalized with himself. He was worked up and let the beast out. Whether she had a blank past or not would never ever change the way he felt about her. He let himself get caught up in his emotions and that was all. Ben was just thankful it had been a private moment and he could move past it. He would never want to hurt Mal like that.
Ben felt back to his normal self by the time he reached the luncheon. His parents and Mal were waiting for him outside so they could all walk in together. "I hope I'm not late."
"No dear just on time." His mother gave him a kiss on the cheek in greeting.
"Shall we?" Ben took the initiative wanting to step up as the leader of the family and lead them into the luncheon. He made sure Mal felt safe and secure on his arm. Ben knew this new spotlight was overwhelming her. He could feel Mal squeezing his arm when she saw how many people were there. Ben squeezed back, silently telling her it was okay.
When they all sat down for lunch Mal was in full on panic mode. She was completely overwhelmed. She didn't feel she was dressed right. Her bright purple hair stood out like a sore thumb amongst all these prim and pressed royals.
The only person who didn't make her feel utterly out of place was Princess Melody, who had walked in late. She had tried to sneak in. Mal noticed she had clearly just put her shoes on outside the door because she was still stepping into the heals on her walk in. Her black hair looked shiny until Mal realized it was still wet. She looked put together like everyone else but the small details Mal noticed read wild child. And Mal would know.
She thought she might like this girl. That is until she sat down for lunch across from Ben and started chattering away like old friends. Mal felt sharp pains in her chest. Here was a girl who was a proper royal. But she wasn't like Audrey she was fun and had an easy laugh, bit of a adventurous side if anyone paid any attention. She was the kind of girl Ben really should be with.
Ben kept trying to include Mal in the conversation but she just couldn't relate. She didn't grow up like they did. Mal didn't go to summer homes. She didn't have vacations. She didn't have fancy events to look nice and stuff her face. Mal had a ratty hideaway and barely enough food to eat sometimes. It was all so foreign to her.
If that wasn't bad enough dinner was a disaster. Ariel and Eric chose right as the meal started to ask her questions trying to get to know her. It was intended as a kind gesture but that meant all eyes at the table on her. And she didn't know what fork to use. Why were there so many forks!
If it wasn't embarrassing enough to have no answers or no appropriate answers to their questions there were cameras everywhere filming the whole thing. She was a complete and utter stuttering disaster.
When the whole thing was over and Mal was finally able to escape she rushed to the privacy of her room to cry. Ben tried to follow her but she refused to allow him to see her so weak. He wouldn't leave though. She could hear him slumped against the other side of door just breathing after she refused to let him in. "I'm fine, I just need to sleep it off." She snapped through the door. Then she retreated further into the bathroom so he wouldn't know she was crying.