"You sleep inside," Niklaus commanded, his tone brooking no argument as he stepped into the dimly lit room.
Emily, her eyes narrowing, shot him a challenging look. "Why should I sleep inside?" she asked, her voice edged with defiance.
"In case there's a storm," Niklaus replied, his gaze lingering on her. "You might fall."
"I won't fall. Don't treat me like I'm a damsel in distress," she snapped, her cheeks flushing with irritation.
Niklaus's lips curled into a knowing smile. "Fine, as you wish." With a swift motion, he kicked off his boots and began to unbutton his shirt. The soft rustling of fabric and the reveal of his chiseled torso only added to the tension in the room. Emily's eyes followed his movements, her pulse quickening with a mixture of curiosity and apprehension.
"Why are you removing your shirt?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly as she tried to maintain her composure. This was her first time sharing a bed with him, and the thought alone made her nervous. They had not slept together even on their wedding night.
Niklaus's eyes twinkled with mischief as he responded, "This is how I sleep. You said you weren't a damsel in distress." He raised an eyebrow, his gaze unflinching.
Emily's resolve faltered as she climbed onto the bed, her movements tense. She pulled the blanket up to her chest, trying to shield herself from the growing heat between them. "Is this how you sleep every day?" she asked, her voice a mere whisper, and he nodded.
Niklaus's gaze was intense, a smoldering fire behind his eyes. Without a word, his tattooed hand reached out and gently removed her diamond earring, placing it delicately on the table beside them. His touch was electrifying, sending shivers down her spine.
He moved to her other ear, his fingers brushing her skin with deliberate tenderness as he removed the second earring. Emily's breath caught in her throat, her heart racing at the intimacy of his touch. His gaze never wavered from hers, a potent mix of desire and authority.
"What are you doing?" she managed to ask, her voice trembling.
Niklaus's lips curled into a teasing smile. "Just making sure you're comfortable," he said, his voice low and husky. His hand traveled to the back of her neck, his fingers brushing against her skin as he removed her choker and set it on the table.
Emily's breaths came in shallow , her heart pounding as his gaze held hers. The way his fingers traced her neck and shoulders was both soothing and arousing, the tension between them palpable. She clutched the blanket tighter, her body reacting instinctively to his nearness.
Niklaus's hand moved to her wrist, deftly removing her bracelets and placing them on the bed. He then ran his fingers through her blonde hair, gently removing the clips that held it in place. His touch was almost reverent, and Emily felt a rush of heat spread through her body.
"Why do you always do this?" she asked, her voice a whisper, filled with both curiosity and frustration.
Niklaus's smirk widened as he leaned in closer. "Because I enjoy seeing you like this," he said softly. "I like knowing that I can make you feel things you didn't expect."
Emily's eyes fluttered shut momentarily, overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. When she opened them, Niklaus was leaning over her, his breath warm against her skin. "Close your eyes and sleep if you don't want to be kissed by me," he murmured, his lips brushing against her forehead and then her lips in a lingering, teasing peck.
Emily's eyes flew shut, her cheeks burning as she turned away from him, trying to suppress the rush of emotions he had stirred within her. Niklaus chuckled softly and snapped his fingers, extinguishing the fire in the room except for the single candle that cast a soft, flickering light over them.
As the ship rocked gently on the waves, both of them drifted into sleep. At midnight, Emily was moments away from slipping off the edge of the bed, but Niklaus's arm moved swiftly to catch her. He pulled her closer, turning her so that she lay facing him. His eyes roamed over her peaceful, sleeping face, his expression a mix of tenderness and longing.
He tucked her blonde hair behind her ear, a gentle gesture that revealed her vulnerability. "Always so stubborn," he murmured, his voice a low, intimate caress. His hand traced the outline of her side, his touch sending shivers through her even as she snuggled closer to him.
"Fall quickly, princess," Niklaus sighed, his voice a blend of anticipation and satisfaction that she was in his arms. "I can't wait to have you."
With one last, lingering look at her serene face, he closed his eyes, his own rest coming more easily now that she was so close, so within his reach. The night enveloped them, the storm outside a mere backdrop to the fiery intensity that simmered between them.
The next morning, as the soft glow of dawn filtered through the window, Emily slowly stirred from her sleep. Her body felt warm, enveloped in a firm yet comforting hold. It took her a moment to realize that she was nestled against Niklaus's chest, her face resting just beneath his collarbone. His steady heartbeat pulsed beneath her ear, his warm breath fanning her hair.
Her breath caught in her throat as she became fully aware of their intimate position. Niklaus's arm was wrapped securely around her waist, his strong hand resting possessively on her side. His silver hair fell messily over his forehead, and his lips were slightly parted as he slept. The peacefulness of his face, combined with the undeniable strength of his body, sent her pulse racing.
Emily swallowed hard, her heart hammering against her ribs. She needed to move, to create some space between them before the fluttering in her stomach took over. Slowly, she tried to ease her body away from his, careful not to wake him.
But before she could escape, his grip on her waist tightened. In one swift, effortless motion, Niklaus pulled her back to him, pressing her even closer against his bare chest. She gasped softly, feeling the heat of his body radiate into hers.
His voice, husky with sleep, rumbled in her ear. "Where do you think you're going, princess?" His words were low and teasing, but the grip on her waist was firm, possessive.
Emily's heart raced even faster, her breath hitching as she felt the weight of his arm settle more comfortably around her. She was keenly aware of every inch of him, the rise and fall of his chest against hers, the solid strength of his body.
"I… I didn't want to disturb you," she whispered, trying to keep her voice steady as her mind spun with the sudden closeness between them.
Niklaus let out a lazy, satisfied hum, his lips brushing the top of her head. "You were doing just fine where you were," he murmured, his tone dripping with lazy amusement. "Stay. I like you right here."
She wanted to argue, to push back against his overwhelming presence, but the sensation of his strong arms cradling her made it hard to find words.
"Your highness…" she started, her voice softer now, trying to regain some sense of composure.
"Yes, princess?" His voice was soft, but there was a dangerous edge to it. He shifted slightly, causing her body to press even closer to his. "Are you going to pretend you don't like waking up in my arms?"
Before she could retort,
"Shh…" he whispered into her hair, his lips brushing the top of her head again. "It's fine. We have plenty of time to argue later, princess. For now… just stay."
Emily closed her eyes, torn between wanting to pull away and the strange comfort she felt being held so securely. Her mind told her to protest, to not let him see how easily he was affecting her. But her body betrayed her, relaxing against him despite her better judgment.
For a moment, there was only the sound of their mingled breaths, the gentle sway of the ship beneath them, and the undeniable tension hanging in the air.