A/N: Just a little lemony gift from me to you on Valentine's Day...

Chapter 12:

He could no longer fight his baser urges and captured her lips in a searing, possessive kiss.

"You have been mine since the moment I saw you."

Expecting Sarah to pull free from his hold in anger, Jareth was surprised to feel her body sag against his own, her hands gripping him tightly. One look at her flushed cheeks, swollen lips and heavy-lidded eyes and he knew he had to taste her again. Wrapping his arms firmly around her, he slid his hands down over her round buttocks, gently squeezing them as he drew her even closer. Before she could think to react he lifted her off the ground, his strong arms braced beneath her bottom, until her lips were level with his own. A soft whimper escaped her as he claimed her mouth once more. The sound drove him beyond reason and he became wild with need. Forcing her lips apart, his tongue began a desperate, erotic mating with hers.

For the second time in her life, Sarah Williams thought she might disgrace herself by fainting. She had never felt anything so wonderfully exciting in her entire life. The air around her was alive with electricity, dancing over her flesh, whipping her hair about her in a wild dance. She could almost have sworn that she heard the resounding bass of distant thunder.

Or perhaps that was just the erratic beating of her heart echoing in her ears.

Her head was spinning out of control. A moist heat began to warm the flesh between her thighs as a pounding, throbbing pulse grew in that very spot. She clutched tightly at his shoulders, feeling as if she would be forever lost without him to anchor her. Her fingers began to tangle themselves in the unexpectedly soft strands of hair that fell across his shoulders.

Jareth felt her fingers in his hair and he nearly exploded, the ecstasy was so great. His pants grew unbearably tight as his member swelled and stiffened, begging for release. With no thought except his own desire, he backed her against the nearest wall, one arm still tucked under her backside, the other snaking around to work it's way into the neckline of her dress. His gloved hand found the warm mound of her breast and began to squeeze it, his leather-clad thumb brushing the tightening nub at it's center. Her lusty gasp filled his mouth and he deepened the kiss. Hoisting her slightly higher, his hot, greedy mouth worked it's way downward, trailing a scorching path across the sensitive skin of her neck before replacing his hand upon her swollen breast. He suckled the tautened nipple with exquisite tenderness, hoping he wouldn't scare her out of the delicious daze he'd put her in.

Sarah was mindless to everything but the sheer delight he was working upon her. She had never known that anything could feel so arousing. She squirmed, rubbing against him, small moans escaping her as she panted, out of breath. Every time he drew upon her nipple she felt a corresponding sensation at the very core of her womanhood and it was driving her out of her mind with need.

Her passionate response was well beyond anything Jareth had anticipated. He grew increasingly bold with his lovemaking, suckling her harder, more hungrily, then moving to the other and repeating the process. He took the distended peak between his sharp teeth and gently bit down, gaining a throaty cry from his bride. Afraid he may have been a little too aggressive, he lovingly licked the swollen skin, laving it with his warm tongue in a soothing manner before placing a kiss on the hardened pebble.

The steamy foreplay seemed to last forever, though only a matter of moments had actually passed. Jareth ceased his ministrations, crashing back to earth, and his senses, as the pain of his erection penetrated his hazy mind. He knew it was to soon to take her, remembered, too, the vow he had made, and so he slowly eased her back to the ground.

With a ragged gasp, he pushed away from her, concentrating all of his efforts on regaining control over his body. Sarah stood silently, stunned by the passion she'd just experienced, her fingers gently touching her swollen lips.

Jareth felt like the worst sort of cad for not offering her an immediate apology, but dammit! He couldn't seem to behave himself around her. She was just too much temptation for him to bear, especially when she was awake and seemingly responsive to his kisses.

An awkward silence hung over them as Jareth waged an internal war against his lecherous inclinations and Sarah stood braced against the wall in a bemused stupor, unsure of what had passed between them or why she had allowed it to happen so easily.
So many unusual emotions were swirling around inside her head. She managed to work her way back to the chair she'd been seated in and attempted to rid herself of the giddy sensation that was making her feel faint.

A few more unbearable moments passed by as each realized that they were beyond salvaging the meal that had, until so recently, been somewhat enjoyable and relaxed.

"Come, Sarah. Allow me to escort you to the Queen's Garden that I have had made for you. I'm sure the roses will be to your liking, and perhaps we can arrange for Hoggle to bring your pet there."

Linking her elbow through his own, he led Sarah through a black grill-work gate set in a side wall and escorted her down a narrow, winding path that was edged on both sides by a profusion of flowers in an amazing variety of colors.

As they walked along, her mind scrambled in search of things she was still curious about, things she had not gotten around to asking him before he'd abruptly interrupted their previous discussion, but her brain remained a confused blank and her voice failed her.

Coming to a halt before an enormous hedge-wall, Jareth waved his hand and a secret door hidden amongst the greenery opened at once, revealing a beautiful garden beyond.

Once inside, he turned her to face him, holding her hand firmly to his chest. Taking her chin in his hand, he angled her face up to his, unwilling to let her hide from him in embarrassment.

"I know that I've made you uncomfortable, Sarah, and for that I apologize, though, to be honest, I will admit that I have no regrets. I have longed for you for so long now. I fear it became overpowering and I was in no condition to fight the passion I felt as soon as I touched you," he said earnestly. "But I will promise you that it won't happen again til we are joined, so long as that is your wish."

Sarah looked at him, conflicted by her desire to remain aloof and her ever-increasing desire for him.

"I shall leave at once. I must put distance between us if I am going to keep my vow to you," he said, kissing her hand and turning on his heel to leave.

Sarah cried out and he spun, catching her as she ran into him awkwardly.

"Where are you going?"

"I am going to go on a quest, My Lady. A journey that will enable me to return here with a gift for you. A gift you wish for more than all others."

"Toby."

"Yes, Precious. I go to find our young Master Toby." A wistful smile caressed his sensual lips as he looked into her emerald eyes. He placed one last tender kiss upon the back of her small, fine-boned hand and said, "I must take my leave of you now."

Sarah watched him stride away, her heart heavy and torn.