Chapter 16: Warming up

It feels as if all the shivering and coldness has left your body and only pure raw heat remained, not from the fire but from this magnificent creature in front of you. You knew the King was well built but this, this is ridiculous.

"Your H..H..Highness?"

"Oh, I'm so sorry, please forgive me" He then snaps out of his trance and quickly puts his arms around your waist holding you tight. You feel his strong muscular arm around you and you must fight hard to keep your composure. He then rubs you up and down. Everywhere his hands move on your skin, it sends jabs of heat through your entire being and it ignites a fire inside you.

"Lady Winters, are you feeling warmer?" You hear his shaky voice through your chattering teeth.

"Y...y..yes, thank you, S...S..Sire"

"There's a faster way, Lady Winters...to get warm"

"Please, if you can, please"

He put his hands around your waist and lay you down close to the fireplace. He must have been sitting in front of the fireplace before you came there because of the pillows and wine. He takes a pillow and put it under your wet hair, then slowly presses as much of his naked muscular body against yours. You're not sure if it's the cold or the feeling of his body next to you that makes you shiver.

"Please tell me if I get too heavy for you. I don't want to hurt you"

"It's okay, thank you, Sire"

"Are you feeling any better?"

"Yes, just kind of tired?"

"That's understandable, your body just went through a trauma"

He moves his hand up and down your body. His breathing in your neck and you can hear him struggling to breathe. You feel the warmth returning and your body's trembling is fading.

"Thank you, Sire, for taking care of me"

"I would not consider myself a good man if I didn't. I would do....so much more....for you, milady"

You see his eyes searching yours.

"Thank you, Sire. I really messed things up, didn't I?"

He gets up on his elbow and looks you in the eyes. "Not at all, Lady Winters. You could not have foreseen this happening to you? Please don't put blame on yourself and anyway, this is much better than I could have imagined it would go"

He smiles, looking you up and down. Then he realized what he was saying.

"I mean, better for...uhm...to...*clearing his throat* Rather than you running away again?"

Suddenly it hits you, you can't be in a position like this. You get up and he helps you. You put the blanket around yourself and move a little away from him. The coldness comes back again, not from the water but from missing his warmth and closeness. He quickly gets up and puts on a jersey. He sits back on the soft carpet and stares at you.

"Are you feeling better now?"

"Yes, much better, thank you. I just have this one small matter of clothes?"

"Oh, I put your clothes next to the fire to dry, shouldn't be too long" You swallow hard as you know you will be sitting in your underwear, talking to the King.

"Good, thank you, Sire"

"Lady Winters, now that you're feeling better....I've asked you here tonight for a reason, I would like to explain a few things to you"

You feel your heart pounding against your chest. You don't know what to expect.

"Sire, you don't have to explain anything to me"

"That's where you are wrong, Lady Winters...Last time when you were here with me....somethings happened and some things were said. I don't want you to think that was a lie or fake in any way"

"But Sire that doesn't change the fact that you're betrothed?"

"Yes, I know, but you have to trust me when I say that I don't want to be betrothed to her. I want to be with...with...you..." He sits closer to you and he caresses your cheek with the back of his hand. His lips are an inch away from yours. You feel him breathing shaky breaths.

"Sire..."

"You're the one I'm thinking about. You're the one I'm dreaming about. You're the one that hypnotizes me" He collides his lips with yours, breathing heavily as he kisses you. Heat shoots from your lips to your core. You deepen the kiss and he grabs your waist, tightening his grip. You put your hands on his hard toned chest and he groans at your touch.

"Oh god....angel, you make me frantic for you"

Your body radiates heat caused by his lips and his words. You want him all to yourself but then you remember and you pull away.

"Sire...you're still betrothed and you're the King and I...I...I'm only..."

"You're the only one I want in my heart. You make me alive and life is worth living with you in it. I can't seem to get you out of my mind, out of my thoughts, all I see is you..."

His eyes are filled with longing and want. This King in front of you wants you....all his power and authority means nothing in this moment. Right now, right here he's begging to have you for himself. The attraction between you is thick and you want to give your all to him....forever. But then you pull your thoughts away. This can't be.

"I can't do it, Sire. I want to but I can't..."

"I want to tell you things. Damn, I want to tell you everything but I can't, not until I've figured out a way..."

"A way, Sire?"

"...a way...to make things right, to make things free between us. I need you to understand that from this very moment....there's no one for me but you alone. I need you to know...it's only you"

"Sire, you have been betrothed from infancy. You must appreciate the hardship I have to endure. Surely you can understand this?"

"I do, milady. I do, but I need you to trust me for just a little while longer. I'll find a way that we could be free to be together....if of course, you want....to....be...with me in return?"

"Sire, I want nothing more but to be by your side day and night"

He smiles and his sorrowed filled eyes turn to joy at your words. He sighs deeply. Relief fills his demeanor and he holds out his hand for you to take it. You look in his eyes and put your hand in his. He laces his fingers with yours.

"Lady Winters, it brings me great joy to hear you say these words to me"

"I'm glad, Sire but how are we going to be together?"

"We're going to have to keep our distance for a little while. It will kill me but it's imperative that no one knows that my heart belongs to you. I have to put somethings in place first, before I can be yours"

"Sire, it's going to be a difficult"

"Why?"

"Sire, the princess asked me to be her lady in waiting this afternoon..."

"That means she knows something..."