Chapter 8

"Kiss me".

Georg was busy trying to give me a tour of our 5-room suite in our Parisian hotel that I couldn't remember the name of. Whatever it was, I knew that this room would have cost Georg and arm and a leg. The velvet curtains and gold fixtures alone looked like they cost more than my entire wardrobe. He seemed to be full of nervous energy, darting from place to place whilst fiddling with his cufflinks.

"I'm sorry, darling, what did you say?" he looked in my direction seemingly preoccupied.

I walked over to him, getting impatient. I followed him out to the balcony and put my two small hands on each side of his neck, forcing him to look at me. "I said, kiss me!" without giving him a chance to respond, I pulled his head down towards mine and joined out lips in a passionate kiss. It didn't take him long to respond and pretty soon it was he that was kissing me. I felt myself melt into him, his strong arms holding me up as my legs liquified.

He walked me back into the living room and eased me down onto the sofa, hands raking through my hair. "your hair is so soft, my love" he said onto my lips, before lying down on top of me. I felt myself getting lightheaded and was grateful when he pulled back for a moment. It didn't last long before, I pulled him back down on to me. Overcome with desire. I had felt the stirrings during our engagement but now I felt it take over me, secure in the knowledge that there were no restrictions.

"How about we move this over to the bed, my angel?" he said through hooded eyes, still breathless. He watched as I hesitated and immediately began to apologise.

"My god, Maria, I don't know what I was thinking. Of course, you aren't ready yet, you've just left the Abbey for god's sake…" he had leapt of the couch as thought I had burned him, his nervous energy returning, pacing in front of me while I tried to clear my head enough to understand what was going on.

I grabbed his hand, trying to get him to look at me. He wouldn't. I stood up and rested my head on his shoulder, whispering his name in his ear. "Georg, darling. I do want to move to the bed, but I'm afraid I don't know what I'm doing." I said shyly, lips just millimetres from his ear.

He looked into my eyes, the cheeky glimmer returning and retorted "my darling, if this is what you are like when you don't know what you're doing, I can't wait to see what happens when you do…" he chuckled as I playfully swatted him on the shoulder, chasing him to our luxury queen sized bed.

ooo

The next morning, I woke up covered only by a thin, cream silk sheet. I blinked and rubbed my eyes trying to recall what had happened the night before. I turned over and it hit me upon seeing the cerulean eyes of my husband. We had made love for the first time, and it was incredible.

"Good morning, temptress!" Georg began with a gleam in his eyes, clearly happy with my performance from the night before.

Embarrassed, I hid my face in the space between his neck and shoulder whilst he wrapped his strong muscular arms around me in a bear hug. It was the safest I'd felt my whole life and I couldn't wait to wake up like this every day.

He began to tell me about our plans for the day and I wrapped my hands tighter around his waist.

"Darling, we have to get up…" he said with a gentle chuckle, stroking my hair which I had found out he had a minor obsession with.

"No, I'm not letting you go, it's too early to get out of bed" I huffed wanting to stay in his warm embrace forever.

He let out a laugh "Maria, my love, it is 11:30 in the morning. We've already missed breakfast and we know how you get when you're hungry" he mock scolded.

I rolled over with a sigh, "fine, you win, I am rather hungry."

In my haste, I hadn't noticed that the silk sheets had slipped off my body, revealing my breasts and leaving very little to my husband's imagination.

"Well maybe we can have a few more minutes in bed" Georg commented with a hunger in his eyes, before diving on top of me, and beginning another round of passionate love making. He was incredible at it, after all.

ooo

Unbeknownst to me, Georg had arranged for us to go to on a trip to the French countryside for the day.

"I knew you would be missing home, so I thought I could bring home to you" he said shyly, almost embarrassed by his tender side.

I stopped in my tracks and turned to face, my gorgeous Captain, "I love you so much, Georg" I said, they were the most honest words I'd spoken my whole life.

He smiled at me, looking between my eyes and lips. Leaning down he captured my mouth in a sweet peck with all the potential of becoming more passionate if we hadn't been interrupted by a raspy cough close by.

Jumping out of Georg's grasp, I immediately darted behind his back, gripping his upper arm.

The mystery cougher introduced themselves, "Bonjour, I am Jacques Ross and I believe you are Captain and Baroness von Trapp" he said with an unsure smile.

Georg, ever the confident gentlemen, stepped forward to greet Monsieur Ross with a shake of the hand, bringing me out from behind his back and holding my hand firmly in his own. I smiled shyly and shook Monsieur Ross' hand.

"If you follow me, I will take you on the tour you organised" he said simply.

I gasped and looked at Georg, overjoyed.

"You're welcome, darling" he stated with a knowing twinkle in his eye.

Of course, he would arrange something like this. With a peck on the cheek, we followed monsieur Ross up the hill to his farmhouse, hand in hand.

It turns out Monsieur Ross had a family with 7 children much like our own, although none of them were as exceptional, of course, I may have been biased. He showed us around the lush green meadows, and wildflower fields surrounding his farm and his wife joined us for a midday picnic of fruit and cheese. I enjoyed seeing the pigs, alpacas, and sheep but Georg was not as amused.

"I just think that animals are so filthy my love, I have no interest in them." he said with a look of disgust plastered on his dangerously handsome face.

"Careful, darling, your upbringing is showing" I warned playfully, earning myself and gentle nudge.

Interrupted once again by Monsieur Ross he said, "Now we will have a look at the cow shed".

As Georg began to follow the French farmer, I held back, dropping his hand from my grip, suddenly reminded of the past.

I hate cows.

Johanna hated cows.

Suddenly, I was transported back to Austria, back to Rainer farm. No, no, no, please god not this again. I felt my palms beginning to sweat and my heart began to race. Somewhere in the distance, I heard my name.

"Ria!" the sweet voice of Johanna rang through my head.

"Ria!" the sing-song voice rang out.

"No, please stop!" I begged, raising my hands to my ears.

"Darling, what is it? Stop what? Please let me help you!" the little girl's voice had morphed into the deep, stoic voice of my husband.

What had just happened, I could have sworn I was with Johanna. How was Georg here?

I looked into his eyes, filled with concern. His hand was outstretched but not quite touching me, almost as if he was afraid of how I would react. The flashbacks had started again. I thought I was over them; nobody can ever know. Georg can never know what a monster I truly am.

Finally, settled down, I regained my bearings and gave Georg a bright smile that didn't quite reach my eyes and reached out to grasp his hand.

"Maria, you scared me darling." He said cupping my head and pulling me to his chest, "where did you go? You looked like you saw a ghost, my poor love, you're still shaking, darling". His profound concern for my well-being touched me deeply, but he could never know the truth.

Dragging myself out of his embrace, I gave him my best smile and said, "I think I'm just tired, darling. Please may we go back to the hotel?" I said, looking at him pleadingly.

"Okay, my love," he said, not quite believing me, "I shall go and inform Monsieur Ross".