I might have fallen asleep because the next I know, I am being lifted by Calais from the picnic blanket.
"What is it?" I ask, getting more comfortable in his arms.
"It's late afternoon now. We should return to the house."
"Ah! The picnic blanket and the—Mph!"
Calais touches his mouth to mine, and my arms automatically wind around his neck. It seems like kissing me without warning is becoming his bad habit—not that I am complaining.
"They are all being taken care of, as you can see," he informs, pulling back from our kiss.
I can hear other people, but I didn't care. Instead, I pull him closer to me and continue our kiss. He allows me and he even opens his mouth so our tongues can touch each other.
"Young master, everything is fixed."
Calais pulls back and I groan at the interruption.
"Sorry," a voice that belongs to an old man says.
Calais grins and says, "Go on. We will follow you later."
I hear the whinny of horses and before I can even hear the silence; I pull Calais closer to me again. He didn't let me this time. Instead, he laughs and sits on the ground.
"Now, what does my lady want? No one is here now," he says. I stare at his lips, a mischievous grin forming on it. "Ah! You want more kisses?"
I swallow and nod. I sit up from his hold and reach for his face. Ah! He is beautiful, with dark blue hair sticking to his forehead. I reach up to it and run my fingers through his hair.
The next thing I know is the feeling of soft lips on my own. Calais captures my head and deepens our kiss. I tilt my head to give him better access while my hands go to the back of his head. I run my fingernails through his hair, through his scalp, as if I am massaging them. And for the first time, I hear him groan. And I wonder if he enjoys getting massages.
Seeing as he likes it, I continue to run my fingers on the back of his head, taking care not to put too much pressure on it, so I won't injure him. Calais continues his kisses. I open my mouth and he slides his tongue between my lips. He sucks and licks, and I faintly remember that Eliana thinks he's a wonderful kisser.
"Calais…" I break the kiss, panting, my heart pounding hard against my ribcage.
Suddenly, I feel my center of gravity shift, but strong hands support my back and lay me down carefully on the grass. I stare at the man on top of me. Calais is gazing at my form. He touches my hair, which is spread along the grass. I know it's in disarray, but how messy I look is the last thing on my mind, especially when his tongue caresses my lips once more, intruding into my mouth and rubbing the tender flesh inside.
I feel hot, and I start to struggle against his weight on top of me.
"Calais…" I whisper again, but it might have sounded like I am urging him for more, because the next thing I know, he's pulling my skirt up as he caresses my thigh.
This time, I pull back. I like him and I enjoy the way he kisses and touches me, but not here. Not outside the house. He's about to kiss me again when I evade his lips. I am pushing strongly at his chest this time.
"Calais, not here, please…" I say, but it feels as if I am pushing against a wall made of rock instead.
He squeezes my thigh, and I squeal, my arms wildly reaching for his arms.
"Oh god, stop…" I exhale, breathless at his assaults.
He sucks on the side of my neck and his hands go to my inner thigh, caressing all the way up. I reach for his hand to stop whatever he is planning to touch.
"Please, Calais, I beg you… Not here. Not outside."
He pauses and finally looks at my face. His disconcerted eyes slowly gain focus, and he jumps away from me. He covers his face and I see a blush creeping from his cheeks. This is also the first time I've seen it and somehow, I feel victorious. Am I finally gaining ground on his heart?
I fix my clothes and he offers his hand. "They only left us one horse," he informs. Somehow, he can't look me straight in the eyes. "I hope you are fine with that?"
I accept his hand and stand up, noting how adorable he looks as he blushes. "After what we've been doing earlier, I think sharing a horse with you will not be that embarrassing," I answer.
I move closer to the said horse and wait for him. In reality, I can climb the horse alone. But I am getting addicted to his attention, so I say, "Will you lift me to the horse?"
He takes a deep breath. "You really want me to break my promise, huh?"
I smile. "And I am wondering how long you will last."
"I guess I am about to have a very spoiled wife."
"I am a Duke's daughter. You should have expected that from the onset."
He touches my waist and lifts me to the horse. Then he climbs behind me, holding the bridle and letting the horse gallop into a full run.
******************************
The next morning, I wake up before Calais comes into my room. Today, I plan to stay at the house. I like to try cooking something for him. Food from my world, not from here.
Someone knocks and I know that it is Calais. I open it and ask, "Do you have any plans for today?"
I might have looked excited because the next thing he says is, "It seems like you're the one with a plan in mind."
"Cooking!" I say.
"That's the chef's job. Why would you like to cook?"
"I am inspired last night to try a dish!"
He raises his brows. "You're not planning to torch my house, do you?"
House is an understatement though, because his 'house' is enormous. Nevertheless, I let it slip and exclaim, "No! Of course not! Besides, you will help me."
"A Duke's daughter and a Countess' son cooking?"
"You don't want to?" I pause. "If you don't want to, we can go along with whatever you have planned."
"Whatever my plans are, we can always do it tomorrow."
I grin. "Would you accompany me to your kitchen, then?"
He offers his arm to me and answers, "It will be my pleasure, my lady."
I interlace my arms with him and we walk side by side towards the back of the mansion, greeting servants along the way. Calais, I discover, is friendly to his workers.