CHAPTER 22: UNTITLED II
Diana looked at him skeptically, why did he agree so quickly, she decided to let the matter go for now and instead looked at him properly.
He wore a black shirt tucked into black pants and a suit jacket without tie. The shirt clung to him like second skin and the top two buttons of his shirt were undone. Diana exclaimed in her mind, did he have to always look so hot!.
James looked at her. "What are you staring at?".
Diana looked at him and buried her face back in his chest.
James chuckled deeply and Diana thought, she loved the sound of his laughter. But his next words made her ears burn and regret liking him altogether.
"You know if you want it you can just ask", James said chuckling.
Diana jabbed his abdomen and felt pain instead because it was rock hard she stretched her hand to his face and pinched but she was not grabbing any skin, before she could bring her hands down he held it against his lips and kissed it before pinching her back
'Ouch'! Diana cried.
James rubbed the spot he had pinched and kissed her hair. "So what do you say, hmm? Do you want it," James asked again.
"No!" Diana screamed and covered her ears to block out his laughter at her embarrassment.
Their conversation continued, a gentle negotiation of love, unknowing to them and ambition.
* * * * * * *
The house glowed warmly as James and Diana, entered. James had called ahead, requesting they skip dinner, leaving Nicodemus, a balding man of average stature, waiting in the living room. As the couple appeared, Nicodemus bowed slightly, greeting them with a formal, "Good evening, sir and madam. Welcome home."
James nodded, while Diana responded with a vibrant, "Good evening, Uncle Nick! How are you?"
Nicodemus glanced at James before replying, "I'm well, ma'am." Diana offered a nod, then headed upstairs. James smiled after her before following.
In their room, Diana kicked off her boots and stretched her tired feet. James joined her on the sofa. "So, tell me," he began, "why the...masculine attire?"
Diana scoffed. "Masculine? This is the height of femininity! 21st-century English lady style, thank you very much." She spoke with a mischievous glint in her eye.
James raised an eyebrow. "I haven't seen anyone else sporting this unique style of yours"
"That's because I'm special," Diana declared with a smug smile. "And you should consider yourself lucky to have a wife who's special."
James chuckled. "More like...eccentric."
Diana, instead of getting annoyed, burst out laughing. "Eccentric is still special, don't you think?" Seeing his lack of response, she placed her hands behind her shins and allowed him to gently lift her arms, tilting her head back slightly. "Weird like this?" she asked with a playful grin.
James blinked, surprised at the sudden vulnerability. He flicked her forehead lightly before smiling and standing.
"Where are you going to?" Diana quickly asked as she saw him stand up and stood up with him too. "I have unfinished business in the study."
"All of a sudden?" She asked not believing he will leave just when they were starting to bond.
James bent slightly so he was face to face with her. "Why? Do you want me to make love to you tonight?"
Diana felt her ears burn at his words as she chided him softly. "Can you not say stuff like that all the time i can't bear it". She pouted as she stared straight at him with her doe-like eyes.
James smiled and stood up turning away from her.
"At least tell me you will sleep here tonight", Diana said to his retreating back.
James movements stilled at that. He really wanted to refuse but he found himself saying yes.
Diana was so happy that she jumped excitedly.
James turned to look at her and it was only then she stopped. She composed herself and said to him, "you can go now".
James rolled his eyes, "so now am being chased huh!"
Diana: ....! 'but that was not what i meant she thought'.
James turned and smiled when he saw the incredulous look on her face he walked out of the room and shut the door with a light thud.
The air crackled with unspoken promises and a dawning realization: their honeymoon had just begun.