âIt seems youâve figured me out,â Noah replied with a light chuckle. It was true, really, that the King would take as much time as he could from her. The only thing stopping him from doing just that was the fact that they would no longer be a secret. People would come looking for them, word would get out, and heâd have to cut back on his time with her, if not stop seeing her entirely. And thatâs certainly not something he wants to do. Thereâs quite a long list of things the King wants to do with this young woman, and heâd need all the stolen moments he could take in order to mark them off of his list.Â
He was surprised when she stopped him, and he watched her closely. He had only been teasing her, but he was in no position to stop her from speaking, as he did quite enjoy the sound of her voice - it was like bells on a quiet spring morning and he cherished every syllable. It wasnât long before his mind was preoccupied by the way her teeth tugged at her bottom lip and his gaze stayed on her mouth for as long as it was captured there, his thoughts wandering. Oh, how heâd love to be the one toying with her bottom lip, how he hungered for his lips to glide against hers and for his tongue to dance so easily with her own. He was so caught up that he almost hadnât fully comprehended what she said, until her small, delicate hand rested on his broad chest. A smile tugged at his lips and his hand reached to rest upon her shoulder, thumb brushing along the fabric of her dress, longing for it to be the warmth of her skin. âOh, sweet Jasmine,â he said quietly, his smile softening as he watched her. He valued her words - it wasnât often that a king got to hear how he was thought of. Well, at least in truth, anyway, and he didnât see how the woman before him could be telling any lie. She was so genuine. âHopefully I live up to what people say of me.â He gives her shoulder a soft squeeze before his hand falls back to his side. âAnd Iâm in no place to instruct ladies such as yourself on what you should speak of in your free time. Though, I would like to insist that this -â he emphasized the word, referring to the two of them, together â - be our little secret for now, hm?â
Jasmine was almost disappointed all he squeezed was her shoulder. Scandalous, she knew, but she couldnât help her thoughts, and the more time they spent alone, she took refuge in the fact that they were no one elseâs but her own. Like, the thought, of what it would feel like if he placed his hands on her waist, squeezing there, and possibly, even on her behind. Thank goodness being a woman of the court she was partial to keeping her face trained in a light, neutral expression, or the lack of virtue that was spamming her mind might have bloomed onto her cheeks in a fiery red blush. Although, while she didnât blush, her skin did boil with heat from the sinful thoughts that were continuously flowing in a stream. âOf course,â she said, the faintest trace of breathlessness in her tone.Â
She turned back to his side, beginning their walk again hoping it would cool her off. And luckily, as they continued further into the path, where the trees thickened, and the forest began to envelop them and the creek was near, the settle whisper of the wind did just that. When they neared the waters, standing on top of the small slope down to the water, she looked up at Noah, shyly. âSire, may we...â she trailed on, her voice shaky with unsureness as she motioned to the water with her head. It was a hot summer day, and Jasmine had always loved the water. She sometimes shed her dresses with her sisters and took dips into the lake near their home. She could spend hours, if they had the excuse to permit such a thing, wading in the water. And while she knew she couldnât simply shed her dresses to something as thin, and nimble, as her slip to take a dip with the king, just dipping her toes in seemed so enticing in the moment. At points like these, when manners, class, and everything else that came with being a lady in their society, seemed to be tossed to the wind when she was so close to her king. Chestnut hues peaked up at him, her full lips hitching upwards at the corner in a small smile, âI know itâs a lot to ask, and quite unlady like, itâs just been so long since Iâve even touched the water, it seems.â She finally looked up at him, bashful, and apologetic for her request, but even then, hopeful he wouldnât turn her down.Â