chapter 3: and it's new, the shape of your body

A/N: Hello! I am alive! I appreciate your patience as I took this semester to continue my education and professional development. Thankfully, it is coming to an end, and my birthday is tomorrow (12/16)! So, here is a present for you from me. I also make no promises to post consistently, but I am determined to finish this story. Thank you again for your patience, and with that, let's continue.

Disclaimer: I couldn't help myself; this is all good fun. Based on "Cruel Summer" by Taylor Swift. I own nothing.

And it's new, the shape of your body
It's blue, the feeling I've got
And it's ooh, whoa, oh
It's a cruel summer

Georg sighed in frustration and wrenched off his tie as if it were suffocating him. He tiredly leaned back against his closed bedroom door with a thud and ran his hands through his hair. His body ached due to exertion and the discipline he had exercised in the governess's room.

He pushed himself from the door to begin pacing.

Protected by innocence, she invited him in, and burdened with reality; he retreated from her.

He was horrified at how close his resolve came to crumbling. The thin thread of his honor had been pulled taught as if the Fates themselves prepared to cut. He had instigated and nearly dragged them down a dangerous path he doubted she was fully aware of.

She stirred something in him he thought was long dead, and he convinced himself it was merely a surface-level lust that would extinguish. After all, she did not have the usual aristocratic beauty he encountered, and she couldn't be further from Elsa's icy magnificence. But there was still something about her from which he couldn't look away. If anything, her homemade dresses and fresh face only emphasized her trim figure and beautiful features. Her eyes sparkled, her skin glowed, and her hair shone with no additional effort. Even after running through the trees or lounging in the sun, she always managed to captivate him.

To make matters worse, the time they spent with the children only endeared her further to him. She loved his children with a fierceness he never expected and approached life with an exuberance he never saw before. Despite her tragic childhood, she was still kindhearted and loving. Unlike him, the world had not jaded her into pessimism and apathy. If anything, she became more compassionate and involved.

Georg knew he was in dangerous territory. He had to diffuse the situation. Take a step back and clear his mind that she had thoroughly muddled. He never considered himself impulsive, but the Fraulein brought that out in him. When she prevented his exit from her room, the urge to kiss her was all-consuming, and for a split second, he thought he might. Ever the strategist, he easily escaped with simple distraction and stealth. However, he was not sure how to maintain that distance between them. He had grown used to spending time with the children and didn't want to jeopardize the progress he had made with them. However, he also knew spending more time than necessary with the Fraulein would be dangerous. Unfortunately, he couldn't escape to Vienna just yet. It would look suspicious, and he was sure the children would fight back if he announced an early departure.

With dread, Georg realized his only option would be the impresario. Max had many appointments scheduled and would undoubtedly be delighted if Georg joined. A sense of dread overcame him—was he really this desperate? With the telltale sign of arousal, he had his answer and walked resolutely to the bathroom to take a cold shower, hoping to avoid this problem as long as he could.

Maria did not know what to expect from the Captain in the aftermath of the bedroom. She thought he might be embarrassed, apologetic, even dismissive. At the same time, she expected the electric current between them would spark back to life when they saw each other at breakfast the following morning.

But he wasn't there.

Nor was he at lunch.

By dinner, Maria realized he was outright avoiding her and, by extension, the children. He did not stop by the nursery or schoolroom when he had a break in the day; despite it being obvious he was home, the light had been steadily shining under his closed study door due to the overcast day.

The children, too, had noticed his concealed presence and worried they might have done something wrong. Little Marta and Gretl were especially concerned and told Maria as such before they went to bed.

"Did we do something wrong, Fraulein?"

"He hasn't hidden in his study since before you came."

Those comments sparked righteous anger in Maria's chest that convinced her a confrontation was necessary. She had been hesitant before–not wanting to seem desperate or like a fool–but nothing would stop her when the children were concerned.

After quietly shutting the door to the nursery, Maria resolutely walked down the staircase to the Captain's elusive study door. It was closed as it had been all day, but the same light was cascading across the floor.

He was on the other side of the door, undoubtedly sitting at his desk with a whiskey nearby.

Propelled by impulse, she didn't wait for a response to her knock and walked in, seeing red. She did not register anything but his relaxed form sitting behind his desk, feet up, chair reclined back, and a book in his hands.

"I need to speak to you."

Georg jumped up from his desk, startled by her unceremonious entrance, and his book fell to the floor.

"Do you not know how to knock?"

"Do you not know how to check in on your children?"

"Now, Fraulein—"

"Don't 'now, Fraulein,' me," she fumed, "They think you're angry with them, like before."

"I am sorry for that," and he did look genuinely remorseful at the thought of his youngest children's anxiety, but added defensively, "but I have been busy–"

"Don't lie to me."

Her face flushed with anger, her chest heaved, eyes flashed. She was magnificent with her fierce, righteous anger. She took a step closer, and he couldn't tell whether she would smack or kiss him.

"I know it's not the children you are avoiding. It's me."

His eyes flashed like lightning before darkening over like storm clouds rapidly moving across the sky. "You are right," his low baritone rumbled like thunder.

His words knocked the air out of her chest and kicked her mind into overdrive before his baritone cut through like a knife.

"I have been reckless in a way I didn't think was possible again." His voice was low in his throat, almost a growl, and his eyes gleamed with a dark desire that set Maria's blood on fire. "Your presence itself is a test. You draw me in like a moth to a flame. Though you will surely destroy me with your delectable lips and irrepressible spirit, I find myself wanting to be consumed by you." He paused, taking in her heaving chest and flushed cheeks, knowing he was playing her like a violin, before letting his confident mask fall, "And yet I am hesitant to believe you feel the same towards me."

He barely finished his concession before she pounced on him, wordlessly calming his thoughts. Her mouth captured his in the most searing of kisses. Both momentarily pulled back to catch their breaths before succumbing to their long-held passion.

Georg gathered Maria in his arms while their lips were joined, and he stumbled back onto the sofa, taking her into his lap in a heap. His hands firmly grasped her hips, and her hands sunk into his hair.

Quickly, Maria registered the burning in her stomach had grown into a flame, almost like an itch she couldn't reach. She found it helpful to roll her hips against his body as they kissed, but it was difficult with his ironclad grip holding her into place. Maria noticed a spot on his neck that caused his hands to loosen and slide closer toward her rear, which felt much better than him holding her hips hostage. She continued to suck on that part of his neck and started instinctually rolling against him.

Georg could feel her heat through his trouser leg, and he swallowed, wondering how it would feel to be inside her. If she was this responsive now, what would it be like when they were joined? Would she claw at his back? Would her ragged sighs become passionate gasps? Would she beg him with that sweet voice of hers?

As she let out another breathless gasp, he knew his willpower was holding on by a thread, and they needed to leave his study before Frau Schmidt or Franz came in to check on him before turning in themselves.

"Maria," he breathed against the shell of her ear, "do you trust me?"

She pulled away from him to look into his eyes. Though they were nearly black, he could still see their telltale sparkle, like a night full of stars.

"Yes."

He didn't expect the warmth that flooded his chest, but once he realized it brought a mixture of relief and gratitude, both for her trusting him and that she wasn't going to run away. He took her hands in his and brought them up to his lips, placing a gentle kiss before his rough baritone broke the silence.

"We will leave separately. You will go up first, but instead of going to your room, come to mine." He slid a cool metal into her hand. "Here is the key to the suite door. Frau Schmidt should still be in the kitchen, and Franz is no doubt checking the grounds before locking up the gates. I will be up shortly after."

Maria wordlessly nodded. It was only the following morning when she realized the truth he had put in her, but for the moment, all she could think about was his strong hands cradling hers and the burning passion in his eyes. She knew he wanted her as he stepped back from her, and if the wetness growing at her center indicated her own arousal, she wanted him. Desperately.

He slowly released her hands and stepped back behind his desk. "Go on; I will be up in ten minutes."

Maria smiled at his assuring tone and silently slipped out the door. After she left, Georg was beyond surprised to see Max poke his head into the room not two minutes later.

"Oh, Georg, you're still awake," the impresario noted, "I just saw the Fraulein go upstairs. Did she finally get through your thick skull?"

In more ways than one, Georg wryly thought.

"Yes, we had an enlightening conversation," and Georg spun a brief yarn about the encounter sans physical activities, only as a means to ensure Maria would safely reach his room.

When he saw Max reach for a brandy glass, sitting in their usual spot, Georg knew he had to bring things to an end, lest he keep Maria waiting too long, and abruptly stood up. "But I am afraid this day has been far too long already, and I have no desire to continue it. I fear I will be up early tomorrow morning with the children to begin my apologies."

Max narrowed his eyes, surprised his friend, a notorious night owl, was passing up a nightcap. "That's never stopped you before from a drink. I want to try some of this brandy you have been keeping from me."

"There is not much to say," he firmly stated, "now go on to bed like a good boy, and I promise we will have some tomorrow."

The impresario dejectedly sighed but did not protest, muttering something about the benefits of having wealthy friends with incomparable wine cellars. Georg waited another minute until he suspected Max had made it down to the guest wing and quietly closed up his study.

The walk up to his room seemed impossibly long as he hoped Maria was there. Needing something to do with his hands, he began unfastening his tie. Where would she be waiting? On the sofa in the suite? Nervously standing in the entryway? Confidently splayed across his bed? He smiled at that mental picture and hoped it would be a reality one day, but alas, after he knocked on the door and quietly opened the door, he nearly ran into her.

Once Maria safely made it to the Captain's room, she let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding. Thankfully she hadn't run into a soul on her journey, and the key fit easily into the door. She put the key on an end table next to the sofa in the suite and was intent on inspecting this place she had never thought she'd see.

The room was brooding and dark, much like its owner. The walls were navy, accented with dark paneling. A telescope was in one corner facing the lake, while the other had two tall backed chairs with a small bookcase filled with a mix of children's stories, naval histories, and romance novels. There were scant photographs.

She avoided looking at the bed further back in the room and felt her hands sweat as she began to consider the reality of her actions. Maybe she shouldn't be here. Maybe the Captain wasn't serious about her coming up here. Maybe he wasn't actually interested in her or continuing what happened in the hallway.

Thankfully, the aforementioned man quietly knocked and entered the room before her mind could spiral. The low flame in her abdomen grew as she registered he had already removed his tie and unbuttoned part of his shirt. This was the most disheveled she had seen him, and it wreaked havoc on her hormones. She took a step closer, her mouth dry, but her hands couldn't move.

"You can touch, Maria."

Oh, there he was going again, saying her name. Ma-ri-a. She had never paid much attention to it before, but he said it like a caress, as though he was tasting the sweetest caramel or it was made of rich velvet.

Eager to please him, her hands reached out and clumsily unbuttoned his shirt. His hands slithered to her hips, and he pulled her close. His warm skin radiated through his shirt, and she shuddered.

"You have no idea how relieved I am you are here," he muttered against her cheek, his hot breath tickling her skin, and she flushed.

"I think I have some idea," she wryly murmured as his arousal pressed into her.

A deep rumble resounded in his chest, delighted with her wit, though her eyes flashed in surprise as if she didn't mean to say what she did aloud. "I suppose you do," he agreed and began running his hands against the buttons of her dress as she finished off his buttons, pulling his shirt away.

She was momentarily stunned by his physique though she knew he was fit; Maria was taken aback by the man in front of her. His chest and arms were attractively covered with dark hair that disappeared into his trousers. To see the strong arms and chest that she was pressed against in the study only made her want to see more, and before she knew it her greedy hands were already reaching for his belt.

Georg smiled inwardly and surrendered to her. They were in his room, at his invitation, and he wanted to make her as comfortable as possible. Though he desperately wanted to be in control–as was his nature–he also knew she should be the one guiding them.

With trembling hands, she removed his belt and began working on his trousers. He let out a hiss when her fingers brushed against his hardness but pressed a reassuring kiss to her forehead before stepping out of the article of clothing. Maria stared, dumbfounded by the sight of him. She had never been this close to an aroused, hot-blooded man, and it made her stomach flutter with excitement, curiosity, and slight dread. She didn't know what to do next, and the change in her expression was not lost on the Captain. He stepped towards her and nodded to her dress.

"May I?"

Maria flushed in embarrassment, almost forgetting she would also have to shed her clothes, and quickly presented her back for him to unfasten the buttons of her dress. The Captain wordlessly freed her from the fabric and ran his hands along her soft skin once the dress dropped to the floor.

"Maria?"

"Captain?"

He inwardly winced before requesting, "Georg, please."

She looked over her shoulder, confused.

"I would prefer to be just Georg to you right now," he implored, his eyes almost betraying his desperation. It was vital for them to be equals, though Georg would only be able to explain why several weeks later.

"Okay, Capt–Georg," Maria stumbled at his unfamiliar name on her tongue rather than his title and smiled at him sheepishly.

"Thank you," he breathed into her neck as he pulled her to him, her back pressing his chest. "Now, you still trust me, correct?"

"Yes, sir, I–I mean, Georg," she choked out as his large hands began palming her breasts through her slip, and she could feel the wetness at her center. "I wouldn't be here if I didn't."

"Excellent, because I will thoroughly investigate each part of you tonight, Maria. Starting with these." He nodded to her heaving chest as his hands moved southward to her thighs, "continuing to your legs, which have tortured me since our day on the mountain, and finally here." He brought his hand to her center and practically salivated at the heady mixture of warmth and moisture there, even through her slip. "Is that alright, Fraulein?"

"Yes."

And that's it from me! I hope it was enjoyable and worth the wait. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and will hear from me soon. xxx