Adult rating � goes without saying! Severe adult content and high warning placed here� � � � � WaRnInG!!!
Rated � Clarisse�s guide to a happy marriage
by Posh and Stoneygem
Married life had its disadvantages, she mused sitting at her desk. Actually, married life was grand. It was those constant interruptions that were grating on her. Maybe it was that she was working in the same place she was also living. Maybe it was her position�position? Like the position she had found herself in earlier?
Clarisse couldn�t help but blush. Deeply.
She might have to order a different desk in the near future. The one she was sitting at held too many memories already. Though there was still a minor detail that needed to be taken care of. Which brought her back directly to the point of those constant interruptions.
Why did he always have to find it so amusing? �Because you�re so damned irresistible love.� Had been his reply when she asked him about the insatiable behaviour of late. But then of course he had to go and remind her that this morning was of her doing, she initiated it, he merely did his duty. At this she had pulled on his tie and playfully slapped his smiling face and he caught her in another kiss.
It wasn�t funny; it really wasn�t� though she could feel a smile lingering on her mouth long after he�d left her alone in her office to work. The instant he�d left she wanted him back and it took her twenty minutes of doodling on a piece of paper before she actually put herself in the mind set to work.
The day had started off so well, she�d had fine intentions of working until lunch and then quietly sneaking off with her new husband and taking a walk, maybe down to the beach, maybe saddle the horses and take a ride. Encourage Joseph in his new pastime, photography, she�d indulged at Christmas and given him all the top equipment as gifts. She could still remember the smile as he opened each package, the thank yous, the sweet kisses. Ohh here she went again�
The problem was, she decided, that after years of going without and resisting him now she couldn�t get enough! That morning she had laid out her tasks, had ordered tea and positioned herself comfortably at her desk and he�d wandered on in. His camera casually hung around his neck and that knowing smile. She glanced at him over her glasses and catching his look gave him a simple.
�I�m busy.�
And returned to her work.
Then there was a snap and she looked up to see him grinning broadly and pointing the camera at her.
�Joseph!� She warned.
�Come on, another for luck, smile this time sweetie.�
�I�ve asked you repeatedly not to call me that.�
�You love it really.�
�I do not.� She signed her name and passed the paper over to the tray at the opposite side of her desk. He had circled behind her in the same time and his camera landed in front of her.
�Admit it.�
�No,� but she was smiling already, even before his lips touched her neck. �This isn�t fair.� She protested. �I have things to do.�
�I know, I just came to say hello.�
�Hello.� She whispered in return sliding her glasses off and looking over her shoulder at him.
�I�ll leave you to work and go survey the grounds.� He lifted the camera back up.
�Have fun.� She said as he passed around the front of her desk.
�Don�t I always.�
And that was it, that was all he said. She would probably never understand why she�d lost it then but she�d jumped up from her chair and moved to stand in his arms, hell she could be described as throwing herself at him. His camera was discarded along with her cardigan and before she knew what was happening she was flat on her back atop of the desk with Joseph between her legs. She recalled moaning his name, clinging to his back and the assault on her mouth with his when the door opened, Charlotte gasped and backed out.
�Really must remember to lock that.� He had said before collapsing in laughter on top of her. Needless to say she hadn�t found it funny, she was embarrassed, she was damned frustrated� once again they�d been interrupted mid-flow.
Did she say once again? Once? Who was she kidding? This was the first time this week � and it was only Tuesday.
She didn�t dare thinking of last week. That had been enough embarrassment. Monday, when she was already out of her top. Or Thursday, when they had thought to do it better and started with the lower parts of their clothing. Or Friday, when she had been completely naked already, almost screaming in frustration, begging him to�
A shudder went through her, though she couldn�t decide whether it was from embarrassment or excitement.
Damn this desk. It summed up her whole frustration.
How many times had they actually tried to make love on this desk? Too many to count. And how many times had they been interrupted before they actually�? Actually�? Well, what they had not gotten to was besides the point. The point was that they had been interrupted just as many times as they had tried.
And it wasn�t that this was something she was supposed to do. It was something she had not dared to think about. Dammit, she had not even dared to fantasise about it. What was it about this man that made her forget everything she had ever considered proper?
Was it his eyes? Those deep dark eyes that tempted her every time he caught her gaze. Was it that smile of his that sent shivers up and down her spine? Or his sexy voice that would drive her arousal out of control when he whispered sweet nothings into her ear while they were�
Her hands gripped the edge of the desk, hard. �Stop it, Clarisse!� she admonished herself, �This way, you will never get any work done. And work is what you must do.�
Closing her eyes for a second to take a deep breath and gather her wits, she finally settled down to work again. But five minutes later she realized that she was still on the very first letter and had not understood one word it said.
It was all his fault really. Why did he have to come in here? Why did he have to smell so good? His aftershave still lingered in the air and the mere idea of being able to smell it sent a rush through her.
Oh how she wanted him. Again. Again. And again. It didn�t matter that they had made love this morning already. All she wanted was to feel herself pressed against his chest, his strong arms encircling her, those oh so skilful hands gliding over her skin and�
...And oh good god this wasn�t going to do any good. She grabbed the letters and hastily piled them together replacing them into the folder Charlotte had left for her. It could wait, it could all wait, she needed him too badly.
She straightened herself as best as she could before she stormed out of her office. Where did he say he was going, the garden, was that it? She ventured out of the French doors that discreetly led into the private garden. As she hastened down the steps, a Queen never rushes � even a former one in need of� well that�s beside the point. She hastened down the steps receiving a few odd glances from the gardeners, working in January, what were they thinking anyway.
It suddenly struck her how cold it actually was and she tightened her cardigan around her wishing she had thought enough to retrieve a jacket. She made her way to the Gazebo, no sign of Joseph, though the view down to the fountain was breathtaking, the grass iced and sparkly, the sun just skimming across it, surely he couldn�t be far, he would no doubt have captured this image.
She passed down the steps on the other side and looked down toward the rose gardens, no sign of him there neither. Then she remembered the stables, he�d mentioned his mad idea about climbing atop of the stables to get a particularly good shot of the view; the thought alone terrified her and she picked up her speed as she moved down the lawn.
He was indeed there, watching the horses as they exercised. She approached him from behind and caught his hand.
�Oh hello my dear, I thought you were busy.�
�I was� I am.� She was suddenly feeling rather flustered, what was her plan anyway?
�Just watching the horses, beautiful creatures� we should take a ride later.�
�I had the same thought.� She gripped his fingers and pulled him backwards.
�Where are we going?�
�Our rooms, I need�� she noticed the smile begin on his face and she leant closer to him whispering in his ear. �You know very well what I need, I can�t stand all these interruptions.�
�You�re becoming quite insatiable my dear.� He laughed.
�Shhh,� she raised an eyebrow glancing around.
�Nobody�s here, nobody can see that blush except me.� He placed a hand on her face to emphasise his point.
�Let�s go.� She almost shouted feeling an urgency she hadn�t experienced in quite a while... well since that morning anyway.
�Why must we go anywhere?�
�Joseph�� She warned.
He only kissed her fingertips and led her into the stables.
There were times she cherished dresses and this was one of those times, even though the circumstances weren�t exactly perfect, and who would have thought a Queen of her age could get up to this, well at least she was with her husband and not the stable hand.
She giggled at the thought, or was it the ticklish sensation as Joseph slid his hands up her stockings and skilfully removed her underwear.
�What if somebody hears?� She said breathlessly, closing her eyes.
�You�ll just have to be quiet.� He teased.
His mouth touched hers and the thought of being quiet disappeared as she groaned, loudly, into his mouth after all she was still excited from their last failed attempt at this. Joseph�s strong arms lifted her up until her legs circled his waist and she slid her hand down to relieve him of his trousers.
She was vaguely aware of their position as he moved inside her, how would it look if somebody found them now? Amongst the straw, pressed up against a wall, her hands gripping his shoulders, her nails digging into his flesh� oh how long had they been married now, shouldn�t she be getting over this constant need and desire and longing and oh� then, she thought absently, if this lasted for longer they would run out of places to succumb to each other in and then� oh and then�
*
Being married to a man, who had managed to stay in top shape had its advantages, she mused much later when they were hunched against the wall they had actually made love against earlier. Barely able to contain a giggle she mused that they almost looked presentable the way they were sitting now. Joseph had had the presence of mind to don his trousers again and her dress covered the fact that she was still sans her dessous.
The knowledge gave her an incredibly heady feeling of abandon and� it could not be. It could honestly not happen again so soon. They were just through an incredible round of lovemaking and she had actually reached a shattering climax and here she was again feeling arousal creeping through her veins.
And he knew! It was clearly written in his crooked smile. He saw right through her. Gods, how was that possible? Were women really able to go through something like that? She had heard of teenage boys not needing a break, she didn�t know if teenage girls experienced the same � how would she know? But she was no teenage girl anymore � far from it.
Yet, her breath caught when she felt his fingertips grazing the tender skin of her neck, touching the hollow of her throat. Goosebumps suddenly covered her entire body and she had to close her eyes at the sensation of his index finger following the profile of her neck.
�Feeling down, darling?� he asked, amusement unmistakable in his voice.
Her eyes snapped open and then narrowed at him. For a second she was not sure if she wanted to slap him or scream at him first. But then she caught the expression in his eyes and her anger turned into an idea she would probably hate herself for. But now, it was all she could think of.
Clarisse shifted so that she was facing her husband, put her left hand on his torso � what was that about a man in top shape? And the other over the rapidly (as she noted with a satisfied smirk) growing bulge in his trousers.
�Down, my love? There is no down. On the contrary, I think something is going to be very up, very soon.�
His gulp for air and his widening eyes were almost her undoing, but she contained herself. The whole day he had played this game of tease, now it was her turn.
She leaned forward so that she could inhale his unique scent of aftershave and, well, him and ran her hand over his sculpted chest, while her other hand was lightly occupied in another area of his body. Kissing his shoulders through his shirt was only the beginning for she quickly went to attack his neck with her lips and tongue.
Oh heavens, he tasted as good as he smelt and she couldn�t get enough of him. Not now, not ever.
Nibbling her way from his neck, over his jaw to the tender spot behind his ear she heard him draw a hissing breath. He desperately tried to get into action as well, but she effectively stopped him from doing it. Trapping one arm with her body she leant over him to hold the other down as well. This new position gave her a rather interesting angle she decided for all of his magnificent torso was suddenly open for her to enjoy. And she did so thoroughly.
Joseph was in heaven. What had he done to deserve this�this� Oh, he didn�t know what, but what this woman was doing to him.
With the last shred of whatever he possessed, he teasingly grunted out: �Now that I have found the on-switch, darling, do I have to find the off-switch to survive?�
Her response was not verbal, but instead her tongue gave his navel a distinctly more intensive flick, while her hand let go of his arm and instead moved over his�
He groaned and pushed himself closer to her and�
And there were voices approaching, girls, two maybe three, laughing about something. With the last shred of coherent thought Joseph forcefully grabbed Clarisse's waist and pulled her down into the straw. They were hidden behind the small wall, the saddles hung above them he prayed the girls didn't want them.
Clarisse raised her head and shot a warning glance at him about to complain about the sudden movement which almost resulted in a serious accident� not to mention quite a bit of pain on his behalf� when she too heard the giggles of the approaching girls.
She pressed up against him burying her face in his chest, then thought better of it, he was still aroused after all. Placing a discreet amount of distance between them she closed her eyes and hoped for the best.
"So tell me all you've heard�"
"Ha! Well, there's plenty to tell. You do realise they didn't leave her majesty's suite for nearly three days after the wedding don't you."
Was that Alyssa's voice? Damn that girl, she really should be more discreet. Clarisse was about to get up and give her a few choice phrases but Joseph held her back.
The other girl, who Clarisse couldn't place, was replying.
"I'm not surprised, imagine marrying somebody you don't fancy and then waiting until your that old to finally get somebody you do actually want in your bed."
"I certainly wouldn't mind having him in my bed that's for sure."
"Damn straight, he's gorgeous."
Joseph smiled triumphantly and Clarisse slapped his leg.
"Well anyhow since then apparently the Queen has been unstoppable."
Joseph nudged her back.
"I don't believe you."
"It's true. Charlotte has walked in on them countless times," Alyssa laughed. "She was naked the other day, can you imagine�"
"Was he?" The other girl quickly interrupted.
"Not quite, though close."
Something was thrown across the room and landed just behind Joseph, he shuffled closer to his wife instinctively reaching down and zipping up his trousers.
"Anyhow on the desk in her office, apparently if you walk past their rooms at night you can hear her screaming!"
They both collapsed in fits of laughter and Clarisse strained against Joseph's restraining arms.
"Oh god, my stomach aches from laughing� the properly dull Queen finally getting properly laid."
"I know, that poor guy, I bet he's exhausted. Some of the gardeners said they'd noticed him walking a little funny."
That was it; Clarisse stood up and placed her hands firmly on her hips.
"Oh it's nothing serious. A few nights flat on his back under a specialist and he'll be as good as new."
Both girls stared at her open-mouthed.
She raised an eyebrow. "Quite an interesting story girls, I was wondering do you have such very boring sex lives you have to gossip about mine."
Joseph rolled onto his back and covered his face with his hands.
"I really could have you both fired�"
"Clarisse." He warned.
Was that a hint of a smile on Alyssa's face?
Clarisse coughed. "Well, as it is, I'll let you off with a warning, I'd rather not hear anything else about this."
"Yes ma'am." They said in unison.
"Now if you don't mind, the stables were occupied." She said plainly.
They were gone within seconds.
She turned back to her husband and stared down at him.
"Can you believe the cheek of it?"
"No honey, I can't." He slowly stood up and reached to her hair retrieving the straw that hung there. "I can't believe you were that brave. I'm proud of you."
"You are?"
"Very. If the gossip about us before was simply rumours at least now you've confirmed it all." He smiled.
"Oh goodness." She clasped a hand over her mouth. "I was so angry."
"I know, perfectly understandable. Though perhaps we should avoid any incidents for the remainder of the day."
"Quite." She said chewing down on her bottom lip.
* * *
That she was seated on the bench of the state carriage barely registered in her pleasure-hazed mind. All she could concentrate on was the incredible feeling she had all over her skin. That she was stark naked, in the middle of January, right in the middle of the royal coach house didn�t matter either. She was floating in a sea of pleasure � only aware of his tongue circling her navel and his fingers caressing up her legs. She moaned as he grazed the tender skin on the insides of her thigh and then bit her lip to stop herself from crying out. They didn�t want to get caught after all. But as his lips moved lower to where his oh so skilful hands were already occupied she couldn�t help to�
�Your Majesty?� Charlotte�s concerned voice jolted Clarisse out of her daydream. �Your Majesty?�
She stared at her aide in confusion.
Charlotte returned the look openly. �Excuse me, your Majesty,� she asked again, �Are you ill?�
�No. No, no, Charlotte, I am quite all right. My mind just wandered a little.� The former queen answered. Mentally she scolded herself Wandering mind, yes into a direction it should stay away from.
Charlotte only nodded carefully. The mood her former queen had been in lately made everybody tread very cautiously around her. Nobody could explain the sudden mood change. Everything seemed the same as before. Business was going smoothly, the young queen got along fine, Prince Pierre was well and had even announced a visit, the press was behaving and every day somebody managed to walk in on her Majesty and Joseph kissing and cuddling. What could be wrong to cause such behaviour?
�I will look over that trade agreement, Charlotte.� Clarisse said. �Now if that is all we need to discuss, I�d like to get those papers done.�
Charlotte bowed and backed out of the office, stunned. It had never happened before that queen Clarisse had been that �well rude�to her. Something must indeed be wrong.
Inside the office Clarisse stared dumbfounded at the closed door. Never before had she treated that poor woman in such an offensive way. Maybe she was really ill and that was why she had forgotten her manners.
Ill? She snorted quietly. She wasn�t ill. She was frustrated. Very frustrated.
This ill-fated episode in the stables had been four days ago and afterwards she and Joseph had decided to cool their ardour off a little, so as not to feed the rumours anymore. Well, actually, she had decided and told him to cool it off and he had not objected.
As a matter of fact, he had said only one thing about the whole plan: �How long can you last, my darling?�
At the time the question had barely registered with her, but now with time to think and actually experience, she feared for her sanity.
She wanted him! Badly!
She suffered from epic proportioned frustration and he had no problem at all. She could touch him and he�d take it and then went on his way. She could kiss him and he could go away afterwards, while she burned all over. They would lie next to each other in their bed at night, he sleeping deeply and she tossing and turning.
It was simply not fair.
Of course, they had agreed that they could not stop kissing and hugging and do all the physical things the public associated with a newlywed couple. So naturally, they embraced and kissed frequently. But even though those moments were the only things that kept her going, they were also her greatest torture.
Oh, that man could kiss.
Not that she didn�t know that already. Not that she didn�t know how incredible his lips felt on her mouth. How arousing the touch of his tongue against hers was. How tender yet demanding as he feasted on her breasts. How he could drive her over the edge, when his mouth touched her centre�
�Clarisse, stop that!� she sternly chastised herself. This led to nothing. But her reprimand was to no avail. She could almost feel his mouth on her jaw kissing his way up to her mouth and his hands trailing sexy patterns on her back and behind.
Just this morning he had gone on a daylong training with some security personnel and she and Mia had seen him off. He had hugged Mia and kissed her goodbye on the cheek. But then he had turned to her and she knew from the very beginning that this was not going to be a chaste peck on the cheek. Not if she could help it.
�Goodbye, dear.� He had said and winked at her. �Try not to be bored without me.� The challenge in his eyes and in his voice was unmistakable and she had not one moment thought of backing down from it.
�Oh, I won�t.� she had breathed, �And I will make sure you won�t either.�
With that she had pulled his head down and attacked his mouth with hers, tracing his bottom lip with her tongue, demanding entrance. He had readily opened his mouth to hers and immediately their tongues were engaged in a heated duel. One of her hands she had strategically placed inside his jacket to tease his nipples through the fabric of his shirt, while her other hand had been busy skimming over his back. At the same time she had felt one of his hands on the back of her neck, pulling her head impossibly closer, while the other had rested possessively on her butt.
But then he had abruptly ended the kiss, turned and left. And she had stood there � dazed, flushed and incredibly aroused.
It had taken several hours to at least tone the physical reaction down, but her frustration remained.
If they didn�t make love again soon she would go insane. Rumours be damned. She was married to Joseph and making love was part of a marriage. It was certainly part of their marriage. And she would make sure that making love came back into their relationship. Tonight.
She would prepare a romantic atmosphere in their suite and await him there. Candles, champagne maybe, sensual music � the full package. Including her.
Clarisse smiled. She would pull out the big guns and if all turned out the way she wanted, he would be the one the maids heard screaming tonight�
�Your Majesty? I am sorry your Majesty, but the itinerary for tonight�s banquet has just arrived. You and Sir Joseph are expected at the city hall at 7:30 tonight.�
* * *
The most frustrating thing of all was she had been interrupted again, all right so she hadn�t been in mid-flow but she was planning on getting there. Damn the banquet, damn her over-active imagination and her sudden rise in hormones and most of all damn Joseph for looking so good in a suit.
�Something bothering you?� Joseph asked glancing over at her, she was chewing her nail, she never did that. �Clarisse, my dear� are you listening?�
�Hmm, I�m listening, I�m fine.�
He smiled, settling back against the plush leather seats and straightening his tie. �You don�t look it. What�s on your mind?�
�Nothing!� She almost bit his head off - oops! �It�s nothing, I�m fine.�
�The point of marriage is to share things Clarisse.�
�I know that,� she dropped her hands to the seat annoyed. �There�s nothing to share.� She shuffled forward. �We�re here, are you ready for a dull evening?�
�As always.� He stretched his legs as the car pulled to a halt.
Years of training resulted in Joseph still wanting to jump out of the car and help her out, now somebody opened the door for him.
�Good evening Sir.� The polite gentleman smiled at him, Joseph recognised him, he�d had a few conversations with him over the years. A different state of affairs now.
�Good evening Harry, are you well?�
�Very sir, thank you.�
�Good, good.� He loathed this �sir� business. He turned and offered Clarisse his hand.
She stepped out gripping Joseph�s hand a little too tightly, her smile in place for the waiting photographers. She did look radiant, almost glowing as she made her way up the carpeted steps to the entrance. Joseph felt proud to be walking beside her.
She was wearing a different colour than usual, it surprised him when she�d emerged from her dressing room in it, but it was a pleasant surprise. She looked, well, she looked sexy. A very long dress, it gathered at the back and flowed behind her, a deep dark red colour, he wouldn�t have placed her as wearing that particular colour but he soon realised she could carry any item of clothing off and make it look good� even one of his abandoned shirts, but that was a different story. It had a fairly low neckline though still discreet, enough of her creamy chest was exposed for him to fantasise. Long black gloves, a huge ruby shining at her throat.
He swallowed as she passed in front of him, his hand resting on her lower back protectively. He dipped his head slightly so his mouth was near her ear.
�Did I mention how incredibly beautiful you look this evening my dear?� He whispered, his eyes never leaving the assembled crowd.
�No, I don�t believe you did,� she replied, granting him her first smile since that morning. �But thank you.�
�You�re very welcome.�
�Clarisse Dahhling...� A high voice drawled out across the room they had just entered. �It�s just fabulous to see you.�
Joseph felt his eyes instinctively roll at the sight of the lady shining like a Christmas fairy. Some pompous wife of a politician he thought wryly as she kissed his wife�s hand. It was going to be a long night.
* * *
�Don�t do that.� Clarisse said gently grabbing Joseph�s hand and re-locating it.
�Why not?� He whispered in her ear.
�Because people might see.�
�I�m having fun.� He pressed her body closer to his as he twirled her around the dance floor so she knew just how much he was enjoying it.
�Joseph, stop it,�
�Why?�
�You know why.� She muttered, barely containing her irritation.
�I�m afraid I don�t know my dear.�
�Oh you do.� She warned staring into his eyes and dropping her hand on his shoulder, her fingers stroking his neck.
�Tell me.� He mouthed.
She leant her head closer, rested it on his chest for a second then lifted it back up and whispered in his ear. �Because I�m unbelievably horny.�
Joseph laughed despite their position receiving a few glances from other dancers and a hefty squeeze on his arm from Clarisse.
The music ended and Clarisse took Joseph�s hand leading him to their designated table. Dinner was going to last forever, and then there were speeches and after dinner conversations and her obligatory need to stand up and thank the hosts and then� oh bother it all. Her only thought was about getting her husband home and breaking their four day freeze
�Four days, was that all it had been? Good god what had happened to her, she had turned into some raving sex crazed female, not able to get through a week without the feel of her husband�s hand on her body. Oh her husband, he was rather amazing though, quite the man.
She tilted her head slightly, lifting her wine glass to her mouth to hide her smile. She was staring at him, watching as he spoke quite eloquently with the lady sitting across from him. He was smiling animatedly, almost grinning at her. Who was she anyway, not a lady - certainly not - a mere girl. She must have been Mia�s age, perhaps a year or two older.
Clarisse gulped down her wine and coughed a little.
�Are you alright dear?� He asked turning towards her and reaching for her hand.
�Fine.� She smiled sweetly, clearing her throat as he returned to his conversation.
*
Damn bloody woman was flirting with her husband, that was her job, that was what she was supposed to be doing tonight. Seducing him, teasing him, torturing him like he�d been doing to her all week. But oh no, here he was engrossed in what this girl was saying as he had been the entire evening. Clarisse tried not to seem at all offended, she too happily chatted away to the others on their table but she was watching him from the corner of her eye make no doubt about that.
Just what had it come to? She was not only terribly sexually frustrated but she was now jealous as well. She hadn�t been jealous of anything in her entire life. It was a new situation and one she didn�t like. So she did what any normal jealous wife would do, she leant next to her husband, dropped her hand beneath the table and into his crotch.
He didn�t even flinch, he didn�t even jump as she�d expected him too. He continued on his conversation as if nothing had changed. Biting down on her lip she began to slide her hand away but then she felt his fingers catch hers and hold her in place. Now she smiled.
�Terribly sorry to interrupt.� She said glancing at the young lady. �Could I just steal him for a moment.�
�Of course.� The girl smiled, falsely Clarisse thought.
Joseph turned his head towards her and she bent her mouth to his ear.
"Just what do you think you�re doing?� She whispered.
"I think the question should be what do you think you�re doing?� He was fiddling with the napkin on the table, completely ignoring the fact their hands were still clasped over his ever increasing bulge�
"Oh my,� she breathed closing her eyes and taking a breath, well two could play at that. �I�m wearing suspenders.� She said before pulling her hand away and turning her attention back to the other diners.
For a moment he was completely dumbfounded. The world had stopped moving and the only thing he could hear or feel was this raging fire burning through his veins, filling his ears with a deafening noise and worst of all centring in his groin.
He could not think of an answer and even if he had had an answer he could not make his voice work to deliver it.
Had she just told him that she wore suspenders under this dress? The tantalizing image of his wife out of this gown and with her legs wrapped around him flashed through his mind and quite happily settled before his mind�s eye. The physical reaction came only a moment later and to his dismay he felt himself growing even harder. He stifled a groan.
Was she out to kill him? Or was this her way of torture?
If so, he had to admit it was working�gloriously working. Ever since this morning, since their goodbye kiss he was in a state of constant arousal. Gods, that kiss. It had taken Herculean strength to turn and leave instead of backing her up against the next wall and ravishing her right there and then. Only Mia�s cough had held him back.
How he had gotten through the day, he still didn�t know, though he figured that a good piece of exercise helped a lot. In a way, he was even glad for their temporary freeze, thus the scratch marks on his back had had time to heal a little. He would have never heard the end of it from the guys if they had seen.
Women had the easier part, Joseph thought desperately trying to show a cool demeanour by taking his wine glass and taking a sip. If they were aroused they didn�t walk around displaying it so openly.
The physical separation throughout the day, paired with the training in the ice cold weather had almost convinced him that he could go through their self-induced abstinence. But then he came home and heard of the invitation. And then he had seen her wearing that dress.
And now he was sitting here, making meaningless small talk to some well-born floozy to take his mind of the tempting goddess that sat next to him. The only thing he was grateful for was the long tableware which thankfully covered his rapidly growing erection and the fact that his wife�s hand was still on it, right after she had told him that she was wearing suspenders under her dress. Suspenders!
�Joseph. Joseph?� And now she was talking to him and somehow expected him to answer. What was the question again?
�Uhm�I �I�m sorry. I was distracted for a minute.� He tried to answer as nonchalantly as possible. Out of the corner of his eye he could see a smirk flashing over Clarisse�s face. Oh, she knew what had distracted him and how. Nevertheless, he tried to participate in the conversation. �You were saying?�
The man across him was actually of the pleasant sort and therefore he wasn�t even offended or aggravated to answer the question how he had settled into the routine of a Queen�s consort.
�Actually, I have settled in quite well. After all, I knew exactly that I would get the full package.� He smiled pleasantly secretly satisfied with the way his wife drew a deep breath. �And the good thing about the palace is that there are so many places to �erm�go, when one feels the need.�
He felt Clarisse�s hand tighten over his crotch but quickly took hold of it to keep her from bodily harming him. The look she shot him spoke clearly of displeasure.
�I imagine that even though you didn�t have the chance to live your relationship for so many years, you still must know each other very well.�
�Yes, yes, we do.� Clarisse answered quickly.
�But there are always new, delightful secrets to uncover.� Joseph added with a broad smile. At the same time he brought his hand up and started to gently massage the nape of her neck. He could feel her shiver slightly under his touch and his smile broadened even more.
She leant over to him. �Just what do you think you�re doing?�
He only smiled innocently and whispered in her ear: �I think the question should be what do you think you�re doing? Are you going to tell me now that you are not wearing underwear either, darling?�
Her eyes widened considerably at his question and he almost laughed out loud. But at this exact minute the applause started, announcing the fact that it was now Clarisse�s turn to thank their hosts so that all guests could start to mingle more freely.
When she got up to deliver her address, he let his arm fall from her neck and settled it on the back of her chair.
Looking up at her with utmost attention, he quickly wondered how this particular picture would look in the papers and if he could read as a caption �Queen Clarisse delivered the traditional greeting address while her new husband adoringly looked on.� He wouldn�t put it past those idiots.
However, he couldn�t help but adore her. She was the most beautiful woman in this room and by far the sexiest. And she was his. All his. If they ever survived this self-induced freeze.
Another round of applause told him that Clarisse had delivered her address to the Genovian Pear Trade Society and that it had indeed been short, as she had promised.
As she sat down a wave of her perfume hit his nose and he felt another surge of desire. The official part was over, couldn�t they go now? How much longer would they have to endure?
To his surprise, Clarisse indeed excused them from the few people who were still sitting at their table.
�Would you like to dance, my dear?� he asked remembering what was actually expected of him.
Her smile was enigmatic. �Sort of, dear.�
Joseph raised an eyebrow but obliged, careful to arrange his clothing properly as to not draw any attention to his still quite bothering� er�problem.
However, instead of steering towards the dance floor, his wife pulled him towards one of the doors of the ballroom. The city hall of Genovia�s capital was a baroque building, thus the hallways leading to the mirror room, which functioned as the ballroom tonight, had many window niches that were decorated with heavy burgundy drapes.
Clarisse pulled him into one of those niches and hid them behind those drapes. When they could be sure not to be seen immediately, she pushed herself full length against him. Joseph groaned quietly, as her body came into full contact with his. Coherent thought fled him and he encircled her waist crushing her against him. He buried his face in her neck, taking in her scent.
�What do you think you are doing here, Clarisse?� He demanded with a hiss.
Her breath was hot against his skin: �Giving you a chance to find the answer to your question.�
�Sweetheart as much as I want�� Oh was that her tongue on his neck? �As much as I desire, you know I do, I think, if we were caught here, your reputation��
"Stop talking and kiss me.� She was holding his face, staring intently at him, there was certainly no mistaking that look in her eyes.
He laughed lightly and caught her hands. �I do love you Clarisse. You�re the most amazing woman I�ve ever known.�
She was off guard by the sudden change in direction. �Thank you, I� I love you too.�
He wrapped his arms around her, not sexually this time, comforting, bringing her into a warm embrace. �You do?�
"Yes, you know that.� She kissed him lightly. �That�s why it�s so good.�
"Hmm, what is?� He watched her smile, so very beautiful.
"Making love to you, I�ve missed you this week.�
"Ah, I hadn�t noticed.� He said chuckling.
"It�s not funny, it�s embarrassing, I really don�t know what�s come over me, what�s happening to me?�
"Love my dear. And don�t worry I�ve been the same.�
"You have?�
He nodded taking in her incredulous look as he smoothed her hair with his fingertips.
"But you never said, you hid it so well, that kiss this morning��
"It was all I could do to maintain my breathing and walk away from you.�
"Oh Joseph.� She playfully hit his chest laughing. �Shall we go home?�
"It�s not too soon, you won�t be missed?�
"Well, I am feeling very tired.�
"You are?�
"A-ha, exhausted even.� She was toying with his tie.
"Well my dear as your husband I feel it�s my duty to get you into bed.�
He peeked out from their hideaway before drawing her out and back into the ballroom. She discreetly said her goodbyes to the Prime Minister in record time before sneaking out with Joseph in tow.
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