It's time to find out what happened to our Rhett and Scarlett after their night together. Let's go to New Orleans with them. Thanks to everyone who reads and leaves comments. I'm glad to know that you like it.


July 1866

Scarlett stretched and slowly opened her eyes. At first, she did not know where she was. The bed was unusually soft, but unfamiliar. She sighed, and the scent of flowers filled her nostrils, and suddenly she remembered. She was in a hotel room, and she and Rhett had spent last night together.

She tensed and hesitantly rolled onto her back, trying to prepare herself for meeting him. But Rhett wasn't next to her, she got up to look around the room, but he wasn't there either. He left her alone. Scarlett was grateful for that. She couldn't imagine meeting him this morning after all...

Scarlett realized that she was still naked under the sheets and quickly leaned over the edge of the bed, picking up the nightgown left there last night from the floor. When she was relatively dressed, Scarlett leaned back against the pillows again, the events of the previous night flooding back to her.

She was so embarrassed, remembering everything that had happened, everything was so indecent. At first, she was going to lie there and not move and give Rhett the opportunity to do whatever he wanted, but he was not satisfied with that. Scarlett blushed, remembering what he did with his hands, how he touched her, it was so sinful. He forced her to obey his desires, to respond to his touch. She remembered moaning under him.

And then what happened... she covered her face with her hands. The way he moved between her thighs, confidently and expertly, knowing exactly what he was doing, knowing how to please her. The pain that came with his intrusion was replaced by throbbing, heat, and waves of pleasure. And she liked it, she liked everything he did to her, but she would never admit it. It was above the dignity of a lady, a decent woman should not show that she likes her husband's courtship.

And she would never admit that she wanted him to do this to her again. She wanted to feel the weight of his body on her again, to feel his big hands on her body... Oh, she was no longer an innocent girl. Not after what had happened. Not after what she was thinking. He had corrupted her so much in one night. Made her want him… No, he wouldn't find out about it, she had to act detached with them and not show what effect all this had on her.

She heard a noise in the living room and panicked, she wasn't ready to meet him so early. Her gaze flitted around the room for shelter. She could run into the dressing room. It was the only place to hide. Scarlett was about to do it, but then she stopped and thought about how stupid it would look. She sighed and squeezed her eyes shut.

Scarlett heard the door open softly and his footsteps on the soft carpet approaching the bed.

"Good morning, dear. I see you've already woken up." She could hear the smile in his voice.

She had to open her eyes and meet his amused gaze. He was perfectly dressed and shaved. His cologne enveloped her, making her take a deep breath. He was holding a breakfast tray in his hands.

"Good morning, Rhett," she shyly lowered her eyes and began to smooth out the folds on the blanket.

"You've been sleeping for a very long time, I thought you'd oversleep our train." He laughed softly.

Scarlett looked up at him.

"What time is it?"

"It's almost noon, dear, I already thought I'd married sleeping beauty."

"Oh, Rhett, why didn't you wake me up?"

"I wanted you to rest, it was a long day yesterday." He sat down next to her on the bed and put the tray on her lap.

Scarlett sat up in bed, concentrating on tray and also trying not to look at Rhett. She felt his gaze on her, but she still didn't want to look up.

"Scarlett?" She heard his firm voice. "Scarlett, look at me, please."

She had to lift her face from the food tray and meet his worried gaze.

"How are you feeling? Are you in pain?" His question caught her off guard.

Scarlett thought that as soon as Rhett appeared, he would immediately start showering her with vulgar remarks or dirty hints. So, his question surprised her. And she didn't even immediately understand what he was asking.

She furrowed her brow.

"Rhett, I don't quite understand..." she was trying to figure out exactly what he meant and why something should hurt her. And then she realized what he was asking and blushed.

"Rhett! How can you ask something like that?"

She turned away from him, naively assuming that it would save her from his obsessive attention.

"I'm worried about my wife, and I don't see anything shameful in asking you how you feel," he said softly but firmly.

Scarlett moaned and covered her face with her hands. She tried to focus on her feelings. Her muscles ached pleasantly, and she felt a little discomfort between her legs. But that was all, she had no pain or discomfort.

Scarlett looked at Rhett and honestly replied.

"I feel good, even though you're doing your best to embarrass me." She looked at him stubbornly.

And he laughed.

"Oh, Scarlett. Try to accept that your new husband will be embarrassing most of the time and you'll have to put up with it. Now let's feed you."

He took the kettle and poured her a hot tea into a cup, handing it to her. Scarlett gratefully accepted this, watching as Rhett took a bun and carefully spread it first with butter and then with jam. She was already reaching for a bun, but Rhett didn't give it to her; instead, he cut it into small pieces and handed one to her.

Scarlett tried to take a piece from him, but he pushed his hand away.

"Open your mouth," he said, smiling.

"Rhett, what did you come up with?" Scarlett frowned and tried to take the bun away from him, but he threw her hand aside.

"Open your mouth, Scarlett," she rolled her eyes but realized it was useless to resist.

She sighed and opened her mouth. Rhett carefully brought the piece to her lips, allowing her to finally get it. And then, piece by piece, she ate her breakfast, and every time his fingers touched her lips, Rhett's eyes lit up brighter. Scarlett looked into his eyes, hypnotized. It seemed an understanding of what had happened between them had passed in the night. But Rhett suddenly broke their eye contact by clearing his throat slightly.

Scarlett preyed on the moment and focused on her cup, finishing her tea. She put the cup on the tray and looked at Rhett out of the corner of her eye. He was still watching her closely. The whole situation was uncomfortable.

Rhett took the tray and stood up to put it on the table. Scarlett took advantage of the moment and got out of bed, she needed to get to the dressing room and be alone. Rhett turned before she could get out the door.

"Scarlett... Are you trying to escape?" He seemed amused by the situation.

She froze, cursing herself for not being able to get out the door faster. Scarlett turned around, meeting his mocking gaze.

"No... I need to get myself cleaned up," he tried to sound as casual as possible.

"Can I help you, dear?" He asked in a relaxed manner. She could see his wide smile.

"Of course not!" she was indignant and heard his loud laughter.

She had already turned around to go into another room, but suddenly succumbed to an impulse. She turned around and ran up to Rhett and left a long kiss on his lips. The look on his face made her want to laugh. He seemed shocked by her action. But she turned and ran into another room before he could speak.

Scarlett tried to be distant enough with Rhett. She didn't want him to know how much last night had affected her. The rules said that a husband and wife could show no affection in public, except polite respect. It was not even customary to call her husband by his first name. Scarlett could not imagine that she will call Rhett like Mr. Butler. It seemed so strange to her. Her mother always called her father nothing but Mr. O'Hara.

After boarding the train, they went to the dining car. They awaited a sumptuous dinner and unlimited champagne. Although only Scarlett was satisfied with the latter because Rhett preferred brandy.

As night approached, Scarlett grew more nervous. She feared it would be like last night, and she didn't know how to act. Rhett hadn't made any comments or hints about it, and she wondered if he hadn't meant it at all.

Scarlett had already drunk a bottle or even a bottle and a half of champagne when Rhett suggested that she go to the room. For her, spending the night on the train was new. She had only traveled during the day, in carriages that had only seats. But recently, a certain George Pullman released the first sleeping car, and it was a real sensation. Although Scarlett didn't care about it because she hardly traveled, except to Tara. But it was in such a carriage that they would spend the night before New Orleans, and she was curious about it.

She stood up and swayed slightly because of the champagne she had drunk, and Rhett put his arm around her waist to lead her down the hall. When they reached the right door, Rhett released her and opened the door with the key in his pocket. He motioned for her to come in and, taking a step inside, she stopped. Scarlett quickly scanned the room.

The room was very small, but expensively decorated. The furniture was made of dark wood. There was a small built-in closet, a bedside table, and the bed itself, which was too narrow to accommodate two. She blinked a few times and turned to Rhett.

He smiled mischievously at her confusion.

"And where will you sleep?" she asked in disbelief.

"In the next room, darling."

"What?"

He laughed, pulling her to him.

"Yes, dear, unfortunately these rooms, although expensive, are not designed for two, even if these two are newlyweds." This statement upset Scarlett, she intended to spend the night with him, even if she did not want to admit it. It must have shown on her face because Rhett laughed even louder.

"Don't worry, it's just one night. Tomorrow, we'll be in New Orleans. You'll have your husband at your disposal again all days... and all nights," he whispered in her ear.

She pushed him away from her indignantly.

"Oh, Rhett, you're so vain if you think I can think of something like that."

"Didn't you, didn't you dream of being in my arms again?"

"No! And I'm glad I'm sleeping alone tonight!" she was indignant, and he laughed even louder. "Get back to your room!" She pushed him in the chest, slammed the door in his face, and locked it.

Scarlett was fuming that he could read her mind so easily. Yes, she was disappointed about spending the night alone, but he couldn't help but tease her about it. What a man!

She had no time to sit on the bed. A door to her right, which she hadn't noticed, opened. She screamed. Her new husband was standing in the threshold.

"God, Rhett, you scared me!"

He stopped smiling.

"I'm sorry, dear. I wanted to surprise you and tell you that we have adjoining rooms, and if you need anything, you can come to me."

She frowned and wanted to yell at him for almost stopping her heart, but then changed her mind. Her head was still spinning from the champagne, and she wasn't sure she could handle her own clothes.

"Will you help me undress, please?"

"Of course."

He slowly helped her take off her clothes and left her standing in her chemise. When she turned to him, Rhett pulled her in for a long, gentle kiss and then stepped back.

"I think you'll change into a nightgown without me, I won't bother you. Good night, darling. If you need anything, you know where to find me."

After these words, he turned around and retired to his room, closing the door behind him. Scarlett remained standing, puzzled by his behavior. It wasn't like Rhett, who was always teasing her and making lewd comments in her direction.

Distracting herself from her thoughts, Scarlett finished her evening ritual. She changed clothes, used a chamber pot, and combed her hair. Then, she turned off the light and went to bed. Despite the fact that it was a train, the bed was surprisingly comfortable. It was strange lying on the train. It was taking her further from Atlanta and closer to New Orleans, where their real honeymoon was about to begin.

The honeymoon… Scarlett's thoughts went back to Rhett. He had been quite reserved with her this afternoon, which had not been typical of him lately. He had hinted to her so many times about the honeymoon and the fun he had prepared for her that now she wasn't sure what exactly he was talking about.

Maybe last night disappointed him, maybe he wanted to get something more out of her. But it was ridiculous. Rhett knew she was inexperienced. He hardly expected she'd impress him with anything. He had a lot of experience in dealing with women, and now that he got her and got her body, as he said before, he lost interest.

But, it is unlikely that Rhett would have agreed to risk his millions for just one night with her.

Scarlett continued to toss and turn in bed, sleep did not come to her, and she kept trying to drive away obsessive thoughts. Eventually, when she looked at her watch, she saw that it was almost two in the morning. She thought it would be stupid. Rhett had probably been asleep for a long time and was having his tenth dream. Still, she got up and quietly opened the adjoining door without turning on the light.

The room was dark. A small window let in moonlight. It provided a hint of what was inside. The room was essentially the same as her own. Rhett was lying on the bed, facing the wall, he looked asleep, but she called his name softly anyway.

"Rhett"

She twitched slightly when he abruptly opened his eyes and looked at her, as if he wasnt asleep, but lying with his eyes closed.

"Scarlett, is something wrong?"

She suddenly realized how stupid she looked. What could she tell him? She was worried about their honeymoon. He was acting too strangely with her today. Definitely not.

"I couldn't fall asleep there."

He rubbed his eyes.

"Do you want to lie down next to me?" She knew it was absurd, the bed was too small for both of them. But her desire to be with him was stronger. And she nodded her head.

And then he pulled back the covers, inviting her to him, and in the moonlight she saw a smirk on his face. At first she didn't understand why he was grinning, but then she noticed that he was naked under the blanket. Scarlett blushed.

"Why are you without clothes?"

"Because that's how I used to sleep, and you're going to have to get used to it, like a lot of other things. So, have you changed your mind?" He was still smiling, finding pleasure in her discomfort.

But, she surprised both him and herself. She stopped hesitating, climbed under the covers with him, and snuggled up to his chest. Yes, she was very confused, feeling every curve of his body through the thin fabric of her nightgown, but she tried not to show it.

He hugged her and moved so that she was almost lying on top of him. The situation was uncomfortable enough for both, but Scarlett didn't mind. She felt him running his fingers through her hair and, burying her face in his chest, sighed.

"I like your smell," the words came out faster than she could stop them.

Scarlett tensed, expecting to hear a comment from him, but nothing came. She raised her head and looked at him, he was smiling.

"What? Aren't you going to respond with a pointed comment about this?"

He shook his head and smiled thoughtfully, and then buried his nose in her hair, inhaling its fragrance.

"No. And I like the way you smell too… like spring," she relaxed, closing her eyes.

"Tomorrow, I'll remember that you can't live a night without me. Also, you don't seem to mind my nakedness, judging by how tightly you cling to me, with all your appetizing curves. It will all be tomorrow, my dear. We need to get some sleep now." He laughed softly as he felt her snort into his chest.

"What a bastard you are, Rhett Butler."

Of course, how could she think that he would leave it all like that? It wasn't in his nature.

"And you've always liked it. Now close your eyes and go to sleep."