A/N: Thanks to Janet Jackson (who has a song with the same title and a cool 80s party I attended) this chapter is M-rated for...you'll see. :-) Also, I know that this story has more angst than anything else and that alone is due to the trauma Tiana faced in the brutal hands of Jacques. But we'll see what Naveen can do to change that.
The Thrill Of It All II
Funny How Time Flies... Pt. 1
"Naveen you've made it!" Daniel hugged the young king.
"I wouldn't break a promise to you buddy," Naveen picked up the boy. "So what's for lunch?"
"I was wondering that myself," James winked at Tiana. "Don't tell me my has daughter never taught you how to make our family gumbo?"
"Oh she has. It ended up being the best I've ever had," Naveen remembered that day very well.
Tiana felt so embarrassed at Naveen for being so telling. She hoped that her father didn't pick up on the tone of his voice.
"Well I didn't make any gumbo but I did prepare some muffulettas," James said. "If anyone is hungry."
Tiana shook her head. "We just had ice cream—
"Daniel and myself had ice cream," Naveen corrected with an interruption. "Tiana didn't have lunch."
"Are you trying to avoid eating, babycakes?" James raised a brow.
"No, I...," Tiana's stomach growled a little. "I'll have a muffuletta."
"She's only trying to keep her figure," Eudora said knowingly. "She is a Montreuil wife after all."
"She's her own human being," James responded back. "Ain't that right Naveen?"
Naveen nodded "I know she is. But the question is does Tiana herself know this?"
Tiana looked at Naveen in defense. "Of course I know I'm a human. What kind of question is that?"
"No need to attack me. I'm only stating the obvious," Naveen responded.
"Alright you two grab the sandwiches while I get the lemonade," James began walking towards the kitchen.
Tiana and Naveen followed with no sandwiches in sight.
"Where's the muffulettas?" asked Tiana.
"Oh those..." James laughed. "I have everything set out for y'all to make four muffulettas and possibly a salad?" he asked Tiana.
She sighed. "You know I can never say no to you daddy."
He kissed her on the cheek. "That's my babycakes. I'm sure Naveen here would love to learn from a beautiful instructor."
She knew what her father was up to, but wasn't upset about it.
Looking over at Naveen who picked up a tomato. "No mincing required," she told him just as James left the kitchen.
Naveen went over to her. "Then how do you prepare this?"
"Its simple. My daddy has everything set out for us..." she picked up the rounded bread. "This bread is called...Naveen!" she felt his lips brushing against her ear. She let out an exhale. "I thought you wanted to learn how to make..." she stopped when she felt his lips press against her neck.
"You can keep on going..." he inhaled her vanilla scent. "I couldn't resist touching you." he wrapped his arms around her.
Tiana moaned as she surrendered to Naveen's affections. But then she remembered where they were and the other woman who was also in his life. "That's enough..." she pulled from his grasps.
Naveen was disappointed. "What?"
"We have to get this ready for everyone," she then added. "And I'm sure your little girlfriend wouldn't like you kissing all over a married woman."
Naveen snorted. "She's definitely no girlfriend of mine..." he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her to him. "And as for kissing all over a married woman." he pressed his lips onto hers. "I haven't even started to get to the best part."
"Oh? And what is the best part your royal highness?" Tiana flirted back.
"Mama! Naveen!" Daniel rushed into the kitchen
Naveen and Tiana quickly separated before the young boy could see them together.
"What is it baby?" Tiana asked.
"Grandmama said to hurry up and finish the muffulettas! She's tired of drinking lemonade."
"Why don't you help us?" Naveen offered. "We need an extra hand or two anyway."
"Okay!" Daniel ran over to them.
Tiana smiled. "Alright baby can you get that loaf of mortadella for me?"
"Where?" both Naveen and Daniel asked, scratching the back of their heads.
Tiana frowned, noticing the coincidence. "I...I'll get it." she walked over to pick up the sausage now hating herself for even comparing the two to a simple gesture.
"Need any help Tiana?" asked Naveen.
"I got it," she said, also picking up some olives.
Naveen noticed her mood change and asked, "What's the matter?"
"What?" Tiana looked at him. "Um, nothing."
But Naveen thought otherwise.
()()()()
"That was delicious!" said Naveen, patting his six pack abs.
Eudora laughed. "So two is enough for ya baby?"
"It is now," he smiled at Tiana. "You really have a gift."
"Why thank you," Tiana smiled back.
Eudora noticed the chemistry and cleared her throat.
James heard her and ignored the gesture. "Naveen did I ever tell you the story of Tiana trying to prepare the entire meal for her fifth birthday?"
"No you haven't," answered Naveen who heard Tiana sighing while covering her face.
"Please don't tell him that story daddy," she remembered that day like it was yesterday.
The older man chuckled. "Bless her little heart when her mother spanked her behind for burnin' up the gumbo and almost burnin' our house down. You remember Eudora?"
"How can I not? My dresses caught fire and not to mention some of my sketches. We were lucky the house didn't get catch on fire," she explained.
"And later that night..." James began.
"You came home and checked on Tiana," Eudora continued. "He then made all her favourites for breakfast."
"I remember crying so hard that I fell asleep and woke up in my daddy's arms," Tiana said with a weak smile to her mother. "All my guilt about the fire went away when daddy made sure that everything wold be alright. And the breakfast was marvelous."
Eudora returned the smile. "You've always been a daddy's girl."
Naveen nodded. "I envy your relationship."
"Why? You're like a son to me," James gave the king a light pat on the back.
"That means a lot," Naveen said looking serious. "I mean it."
"So do I," James nodded before carrying his dish to the kitchen.
"He still likes doing his own cleanin'," said Eudora. "Decades of working three to four shift jobs can do that to a man."
"Don't you have a maid like we do?" asked Daniel.
"Nope. We do our own cookin' and cleanin'," Eudora stood up "We're nowhere near as wealthy as ya mama and daddy are," she snorted and headed for the kitchen. "We're not even wealthy!"
"If you move in with us you can make lots of money too," Daniel said loud enough for hi grandmother to hear.
'Money' that reminded Tiana, but first, "Daniel why don't you go and help your grandparents with their dishes."
"Awe. Can I go outside?" the young boy pouted.
"Go do what I told you to do first," she said. Making sure the young boy was gone she continued to Naveen, "I guess I should tell you now about my restaurant closing."
"It is?" Naveen asked.
"Yep," she nodded. "All my husband's doing. But it was my fault for trusting him."
"I'm really sorry to hear that," Naveen said as Tiana got out of her chair.
"I'll open it up again eventually," she crossed her arms. "And the next time it will be without him."
Naveen stood as well. "You want to go outside and talk about it?"
She nodded her head as they headed out on the back porch where they looked out at the garden before them. "Its beautiful out here."
"Yes, it is," Naveen stared at her.
Tiana felt her heart increase as his eyes burned through her. She touched one of the tulips. "With it being so humid out here I'm surprised that the flowers even survive as long as they do. I mean, roses can survive in about any temperature, but then I could be wrong. I've never really been good at gardening anything."
Naveen listened on while staring at her. He knew that he had to leave for his own kingdom soon and move on with another woman whom he would never love. But he could think about that when the time comes. He gently took her hand with his and kissed it.
Tiana turned to look at the king. "Why are you staring at me?"
"Because I love you?" he answered, stepping just a nose distance away from her. "I want to spend as much time with you as I can Tiana. If you'd let me that is."
She exhaled. "Yes, I-I would like that. A lot."
Naveen moved her forward to touch his lips with hers in a gentle kiss, but once Tiana wrapped her arms over his broad shoulders the kiss deepened and grew passionate.
"Tiana?" James looked around the dining room and noticed neither she or Naveen were in it. He frowned, looking around until he saw the doors leading to the back porch being opened. He smiled hard when he found his daughter in a heated liplock with the young king.
"Atta girl babycakes" he whispered before leaving the two alone for privacy.
"I need to see you tonight Tiana," Naveen said, now kissing her neck.
Tiana sighed. "You know I can't—
"You can and will mi benita..." he confirmed for them both.
She remembered the nights where she would wish to spend one more night with Naveen. The nights when Jacques was on top of her while she imagine it being Naveen instead. She would even dream of being with him.
"I'll see you tonight. Waiting outside of my estate. By the third bush on the left side at ten fifteen," she said. Definitely sure that Daniel and the maids would all be asleep by then.
"Achidonza!" Naveen laughed, lifting her up in his arms. "I will be there!" And set her back down.
Tiana pressed her lips to his once more. "I'll look forward to seeing you."
Naveen caressed her cheek. "And you, mi benita," and was surprised when she winced. He remembered her husband's capabilities. "Did he...?"
"I'm...I'm alright," Tiana breathed, knowing what he was thinking.
"So he still hits you?" he asked, now wanting to beat the man himself.
Tiana pressed her lips onto his before pulling away. "Just say that you'll be waiting for me?"
"Or I could simply take you and Daniel away from here...," Naveen suggested.
Tiana closed her eyes. "I'm not ready."
"What?" He asked.
She sighed. "We have to set out a plan that will ensure that everyone whom I care for will be alright and—
"We'll discuss it tonight," he was gentle with his caresses and kissed her cheek. "And I will get you and Daniel out of that house."
Tiana wrapped her arms around him for a warm embrace. She exhaled when feeling his strong arms around her. Feeling safe and hopeful for the first time in years.
()()()()
By the time Tiana did make it home it was almost time for dinner and when that time passed she made sure that Daniel was settled in his room before going to hers to find the perfect dress to wear for Naveen. Of course it had to be beautiful yet very sensual. Now her hair...
She pulled out the hair pins and shook her head for the rest of her curls to fall out perfectly over her shoulders.
"Wow mama your hair!" Daniel said from the door already dress in his pajamas. "Looks different!"
Tiana put it in a simple ponytail. "Isn't it your bed time?"
Daniel yawned. "I'm not sleepy."
"Mmhm." Tiana took his hand. "Now let's get you back to bed..."
()()()()
Tiana waited until everyone was asleep before she went down the stairs to leave. As she opened the door she gasped at who was standing in front of her.
"Naveen!" she whispered with her hand on her chest. "Why aren't you outside waiting?"
He took her hand. "I wanted to do something different."
"And bold" she added.
"The car is parked outside of the estate," he smiled and closed the door after they left the home.
"Nice car," Tiana said once Naveen got in his car.
"I should say the same to you..." Naveen looked her up and down. "You should wear your hair down more often."
"Jacques prefers me to only show him my hair this way," Tiana explained with an eye roll.
Naveen sighed and started the car. "I would prefer that you not mention his name at all tonight."
"I'm sorry," she smiled, placing her hand on his lap. "I won't mention his name anymore tonight."
The drive took a while to get to their destination but when they did, Tiana was surprised by its size.
"You stay in a boathouse?" she asked, surprised.
"It's private and has a modern spin once you get inside," he stepped out of the car to open Tiana's door. When they got out Tiana looked around and yelped when Naveen scooped her in his strong arms. "Naveen!"
He smirked while walking up to the house. "It is customary for a king to carry his queen into his...boathouse."
"I'm not a queen," Tiana said.
"To me you are," Naveen smiled.
Tiana kissed him on the cheek as he stepped inside. "It looks so much bigger inside."
"And we'll discuss more about the house after our much...needed..." he carried her straight to his bedroom. "...acts of love..." he wiggled his brows as he put her on the bed.
Tiana playfully rolled her eyes and asked, standing back up, "Is that all you want from me?"
Naveen was surprised by the question. "What? Oh no I...I was only implying—
Tiana interrupted him by pressing her lips hard onto his lips. To be able to finally kiss the man she always love without any worries was thrilling to her.
The dress she wore easily slipped off her body and down onto the floor it went. Naveen stared at her nude body in awe.
"Beautiful," he said, also staring at her breasts. Her hips curved in perfection and her brown skin was as smooth as silk.
Tiana loved the way Naveen's eyes hungrily wandered her body while unbuttoning his shirt. She walked over to finish what he started and pulled off his shirt and stared in awe at his perfect form. Her hands ran over his hard pecs and down his perfect six pack abs.
Naveen closed his eyes at the sensation of her touch.
Tiana began unbuttoning his trousers when she felt Naveen's hand over hers and led them to the bed.
When Tiana's back hit the firm mattress she pulled Naveen into another kiss and teased his mouth with her tongue. Naveen's teeth gently but firmly got a hold of her tongue and winked before continuing their osculation.
Tiana then let out a moan as Naveen's lips then traveled down her ear and finally neck. She smiled, deeply inhaling his natural scent and cologne which suddenly broke her from her trance. It was the cologne that she despised because it smelled like...
'I won't say his name...,' she mentally told herself. It isn't Naveen's fault if he smells like her husband.
She let out a moan as Naveen began kissing down her neck. His lips felt like heaven against her skin and when he finally got to her navel she could tell the difference between a man forcing sex with her and a man making love to her.
"Ooh Naveen..."
Naveen heard her say his name just as he finally got to where he wanted to be at. He lightly parted her legs and was pleased when she parted them even more for him and began kissing her.
Tiana bit down the bottom of her lip when her most sensitive spot was hit. She moaned and heard Naveen speak something Maldonian while kissing, sucking and fingering her while she ran her fingers through his hair.
"Naveen..." she breathed, her body shivered as an orgasm rolled in.
Naveen heard her moaning his name and knew that he couldn't hold back any longer so he positioned himself between her legs before slowly going inside of her. He felt her walls twitch around him as his slow movement quicken after a short while. He lowered his face to hers before pressing their lips together.
It went on like this for several minutes until they both climaxed once again. Resting soon after until one of them seduced the other into many more rounds of fornicating.
()()()()
Tiana woke up to the sound of the alarm clock and saw that the sun had already risen. "What time is it?" she asked and smiled when she felt a kiss on the back of her neck.
"It's five thirty..." he kissed her again.
Tiana gasped. "I got to be home before seven," she got out of the bed.
But Naveen pulled her back into his arms. "I don't know if I want to let you go now that I have you here."
She sighed and rested her head on his chest. "There is a little boy back at home called my son..."
He let her go to dress. "You know that I really care about your son."
"I know you do," she slipped on her dress. "And I'm thankful that you do."
He dressed himself before wrapping his arms around her. "I leave in a couple of weeks," and kissed her forehead. "I would give up my throne for you and that boy."
Tiana looked up at him. "You won't do that. Not for me..."
Naveen sighed and caressed her unbruised cheek. "I would and will if—
She interrupted him with a kiss that eventually led them back to the bed.
Tiana was on top this time and opened her mouth for Naveen to run his tongue around her lips. Her teeth teasingly stopped his tongue and soon her own lips were around his tonge, sucking on it. When she let it go Naveen deviously grinned, "Achidonza..."
()()()()
Tiana turned the knob to the front entrance and silently cursed when she found it locked. So she rang the bell.
Florence opened the door and was surprised to see the young woman, "Girl what are you doin' out at this hour?"
"Walking," Tiana answered. "I needed some air and time to think."
"Air?" The maid asked with a skeptical expression. "I hope you ain't thinkin' about leavin' Jacques!"
Tiana snorted before walking through the foyer. "The livingroom looks nice."
"Child you know that Jacques won't like your sudden mornin' walks," said the maid.
She tuned her head. "Is he here?"
"No, but in case he returns I'd advise you not go anywhere else. You know more than anybody that he ain't afraid to use his hand. None of the Montreuil men are," she warned.
Tiana rolled her eyes before going up the stairs. "I'll be down for breakfast in about forty-five minutes!"
Florence shook he head and was about to dust the book shelves when she heard the door bell rang. "Who could this be?" She opened the door and smiled. "Well, glad to see you've return."
Tiana's bath was pure bliss after the even blissful night she had with Naveen. She giggled like a shy schoolgirl at some of her highlighted moments and couldn't wait to see him again.
After the bath she got ready for the day and met with her son and Max who were down stairs in the livingroom.
"Hey baby!" Tiana hugged her son who noticed her mood.
"Mama you seem happy. Did you have a good dream?" he asked.
"Oh yes...," she smiled. "Are you ready to eat?" she took his hand.
"Yep," Daniel said as he pushed the door open to enter the dining room.
Tiana stopped when she saw who was waiting for them at the table.
"Derek?"
He stood from the head of the table and nodded. "It's a pleasure to see the most beautiful woman in the Crescent city."
"Hi Uncle Derek," Daniel ran over to give the man a hug.
He returned it. "You look so much like Jacques when he was your age."
"Florence always say that," Daniel said before going over at his spot of the table.
"What are you doing here?" Tiana asked, knowing he had to be up to something.
"I came to deliver Danny here his present," he answered.
Daniel's blue eyes light up at the word 'present'. "Where?"
"Not until after breakfast," he teased.
"So you're staying for breakfast?" Tiana asked, not wanting him anywhere near them.
Derek arrogantly smirked while sitting back down on the chair. "Why thank you."
Tiana rolled her eyes.
And was thankful that breakfast went by as quick as it did.
"Mama look what I got!" Daniel held up his new toy. "Come on Max! Let's go to my room!" He started running out of the room with the dog closely behind.
"An airplane?" Tiana asked while looking at the toy as it disappeared with her son and dog. "You got him an air plane?"
"Money is never an object my dear," Derek put his hand on her lower back.
But Tiana quickly moved to the side. "Well I thank you for the gift. I'm sure you've got a lot of plans for the day which includes being with your family." She gave him a smile with no feeling behind it. "I'm sure Tonya is waiting for you."
Derek's smile disappeared. "Tonya and our children have their own plans for the day." He stepped over to her. "And I gave my word to my friend that I will look after you."
Tiana stepped back. "You should leave."
Derek stepped over to her again. "I rather stay?" He reached out to touch her face but Tiana slapped it away. He laughed, "Oh come on now don't be shy. I only want to feel you"
"Get out!" Tiana demanded.
"Its my job to look after you," Derek said forcefully and pulled her in his arms. "I was hoping you would return the favour by getting on your knees."
"I would never..." Tiana slapped him but he held on. "...take your hands off of me" She tried pulling out of his grasps.
He inhaled her vanilla scent. "And what are you going to do if I don't?"
"I will leave it no choice but to beat your ass and personally throw you out myself!" Jacques stood by the entry of the livingroom, glaring at the two.
Both Derek and Tiana saw Jacques standing by the foyer and Derek immediately pushed Tiana away. "She was coming on to me. I tried to stop her!"
Jacques kept his glare when he looked at Tiana...