I am aware when the door to my room opens, but I keep my eyes closed. I can hear the voice of a maid and Calais saying that he'll bring in my breakfast. I have never had a relaxing sleep since I arrived in this world. I want to stay in bed longer. I love the clean smell of the sheet, the softness of the pillows, and the smell of sweetness in the air. No, that's the smell of honey.
The bed shifts, and I feel arms going around me, followed by a kiss on my right temple.
"Good morning," he says.
"Hmmm," I mutter, and hug his arms to my chest. I want to sleep more, but it's better if he's in the bed with me.
"It's already bright outside. Shouldn't we maximize this day?" he asks.
I didn't respond. A few moments later, he slides the blanket from my shoulders—including my nightgown—and kisses the side of my neck. My eyes flew open. I am about to get away, but his arms tighten around me. He starts placing little kisses on my cheeks, ears, and shoulders. So when he turns me over to face him, I am already completely awake—and blushing scarlet.
He smiles. "I see that you are already awake."
"No thanks to you," I answer, embarrassed at the way he wakes me up.
He touches his nose to mine. When his mouth opens, I open mine too, waiting for another kiss. He smiles again and interlaces his fingers with mine. His entire frame straddles me, with his knees on either side of my waist.
Completely at his mercy, I became breathless with anticipation, especially when he tightened his hands around mine.
But instead of kissing me, he sucks on my neck instead. His stubble gently brushing on my bare skin, and its effect makes me moan. I close my eyes as I let him do whatever he wants. There's a slight pain in the way he sucks, but it is more erotic than I thought it would.
When he pauses, I whisper, "Calais, are you done?"
He pulls back and looks at my face, giving me a sight of his perfect arm. I touch it, liking the curves on it. He flexes, probably surprised at the way I touch him from his arm to his shoulders, then up to his face.
And when my fingers are trailing his cheeks, his nose, and his lips, I say, "I want you to kiss me."
Calais gives me a full smile. "If I do that, we won't be able to leave this room."
He kisses the bridge of my nose and gets up. "Now, eat. We have a long day ahead of us," he adds.
I sit up, fixing my nightgown that has already fallen from my shoulders. I watch his back as he fixes my breakfast on the bed. Smiling, I hug him from behind and touch my cheeks behind his head.
"How are you going to eat if you're behind me?" he asks while sliding his hands along my arms.
"Calais, I really like you," I say. "Not just how you look."
I feel him stiffen. Am I forcing myself on him again? Taking a breath, I loosen my arms around him and sit beside him instead.
"What will we do today?" I ask instead, trying to change the conversation, and hopefully, the atmosphere.
"How about we go around the estate and the gardens?" he asks.
"Okay," I answer and take a bite from the bread. He watches me eat. "What else?"
"We can ride a horse around the forest that's surrounding the estate. We can visit our workers, too."
I open a small bowl and see that it is chocolate. I dip the bread in it and put it in my mouth. Hmmm, delicious. It's not that sweet, but it tastes perfect.
"It will be lunchtime once we finish visiting," he informs. "So we can set up a picnic table by the river."
"You seem to like that particular river," I say, licking the chocolate that's dripping on the bread.
"You have something on your chin," he remarks.
I cock my head at him, take the bottle of water and drink from it.
"Here?" I ask. I am about to wipe it off when he stops my arm and licks the side of my mouth. I automatically redden again. I stare at his mouth, now with a bit of chocolate too.
"That's delicious," he comments.
Before I can gather myself, he pulls me and kisses me again. I feel awkward. Not knowing exactly where to place my hands that are holding a spoon and bread. So, I just let him do the kissing this time. He withdraws again and leans his head on my shoulders. I stay quiet.
"Only the first day and that promise is already hard to keep. Why did I even promise your father that I won't touch you?"
"He did say it's better if you touch me," I blurt out.
He frowns, but seeing the blush on my cheeks, he laughs. "Seriously, Lyrica, you are not helping with keeping my promise."
I grin. "That's one promise I don't want you to keep."
His features darken, and I'm afraid I said something wrong. So, I say, "Fine, keep it, but I'll not help you with that." I back away from him and take a bite off my bread.
"Now, if you'll excuse me," I say, but his arms are still around my waist, so I add, "Now, my man, stop kissing and hugging me. I have a fully loaded breakfast that I need to finish."
********************************
The breeze softly touches my face. It is sunny-with-a-bit-of-a-wind day, and Calais and I are under the shade of a tree. His head servant prepares lunch for us so we can watch the river while enjoying our meal.
As promised, we went around the rooms of the mansion earlier, with the maids staring at us while we explored it. I asked Calais about it, but he only said that they are marveling at my beauty. But I think it's really because of the way he rests his hands on my waist. Or probably because of the visible kiss mark on my neck whenever I forget to keep the shawl in place.
After that, we went to the forest and had another race again—which he won. I think it's because he's using a better horse and he knows the area full well.
We also visited the workers, but we didn't stay long, especially when I hear Eliana's name in one of the worker's mouth. Perhaps, are they expecting Eliana to be Calais' wife? Somehow, that leaves a sting on my chest.
"What do you think of this area?" Calais asks, who, like yesterday, is wearing a simple green shirt, breeches, and riding boots. As for me, I wore the most ordinary dress that Aiko had prepared and matched it with riding boots.
"It's nice," I say while noting the green blanket that we are sitting on, the small foldable table where we put our plates, and all the leaves that are scattered around us. And in front of us is the same river where Calais asked me to join him bathing while naked.
"Just nice? I even brought you a bottle of wine."
He takes my glass and pours wine on it again.
"The food is also delicious," I say. "Did Marilen prepare this?"
"She ordered our cooks to prepare it," he answers.
"So, what's the plan after this?"
"Is there anything you want to do?"
I sip from the wineglass again. In reality, other than reading and magic practice, there is nothing I want to do, except stay and talk to him before he leaves for the capital.
I gaze at him as my mind recalls how sweet he is to Eliana. I remember reading about him embracing her on top of a picnic blanket overlooking the river.
I shift my attention away and sip on the wineglass. Ain't this the same position as that? I believe it happens right before Eliana leaves for the Queen selection. He promised it would be the last time he would ask for her affection.
My chest hurts again. I grimace at him. Did they do that scene already? Is he just mirroring that with me? Maybe he's imagining that I am Eliana instead?
I shake my head. Calais won't do that. Besides, I don't have time for these suspicions. All I need to do is trust him.
So, I move and situate myself between his legs. He did not complain, but he seems surprised. I say nothing except sip on the wine.
I snicker. I can't believe myself. In my original world, it was the men making the moves, not the other way around. But here, I need to do something if I want to keep his attention.
And so, wanting to be nearer, I lean against his chest. Not content, I place my other hand on his left leg. He almost chokes on his wine. I ignore it and note that his legs are massive. He is more of a strength-type warrior. His magic is not as powerful as Lyrica or Prince Cornelius, so he depends mostly on his strength and skills.
I start to move my hands. His leg is thick and hard. I wonder how he maintains his body? Since last night, I haven't seen him do some strength training.
He places his hands over mine and in a guttural voice, he whispers, "We are outside, Lyrica. You need to stop doing that."
I obey. I take my hand away from his leg and enclose both my hands on the glass of wine. I stare at the river, closing my eyes and listening to the water. It is a calming sound. I fold my knee and lean my wine glass on it.
I feel comfortable and serene.
If this moment continues, I need nothing else. Right now, I am happy, as happy as I am when I am in my world. The only thing missing is Calais' love, but soon, I'm certain I'll get it.