Margie gingerly picked up the rose peignoir and brought it for Jessica to put on. Jessica’s face turned flame-colored when confronted with the garment, and she found she could not rise from the stool she sat on. She glimpsed back to the Aztec women dressing her in the flimsy white shift for the sacrifice, but then they had drugged her. Jessica forced herself to stand. Margie held the garment up for her to admire. It was as she thought, the one she had looked at that day in Garden’s Mall. Translucent rose in hue and made of three layers of fine fabric, each a lighter shade of rose, the darkest on the inside. It slipped over her head and caressed her body like a feather as it floated downward sliding over her breasts, hips, and thighs to touch the floor in the back and provocatively show her legs in the front. Margie tied the satin bodice ribbon behind Jessica and tightened the garment around her breasts, accenting her full bust. Margie surprised her by producing the matching robe for her to wear. Jessica was amazed. Xerxes had spent a tidy sum of money on this set. She remembered what the cost had been when she had admired it.
“Thank you.” Jessica managed to whisper. She knew they were finished and would leave her, grateful for their kind efforts, though Xerxes had assigned them to her, and she had difficulty sitting through their preparations.
“Know happiness, my Lady,” the two chimed together, knowing it was supposed to be a happy event for her.
At last, the two left her standing alone in the luxurious bedroom she shared with her husband, to await his coming. Jessica was bewildered and confused. Heaven help me, she thought, I want him as much as he does me. But to allow a man that much control over her was unimaginable to Jessica. Just the admission to herself of her own desire for him was a giant leap. She wiped away a tear streaking down her cheek and looked out the glass windows into the underwater vastness of the Atlantic Ocean.
*
“Milord,� Margie bowed only slightly, “your Lady awaits you.�
He saw more in Margie’s eyes. “Not willingly I take it.â€� Xerxes sighed quietly, a rueful smile briefly crossed his lips.
“I don’t think that’s it exactly. The Lady Jessica, I truly believe she is, ah, innocent. Sire, she is a brave woman, but she is frightened.â€� Margie knew, as most Atlantians did, Xerxes to be a kind and considerate man, and knew he would not harm the woman he so obviously loved.
“Thank you, Margie.� Xerxes replied with humility, he was grateful for the people of Atlantis such as this woman. They filled every occupation from the simplest to the brilliant and all were needed and equal. He respected and loved all his citizens. Xerxes escorted her to the door and opened it for her, thanking her once again.
Xerxes waited a few moments then entered their bedroom but Jessica wasn’t in bed. He grinned slightly and regarded Jessica; he had not expected her to be in bed. She watched him closely, he was aware - as a caged wildcat watches her trainer, he thought. His eyes slowly traveled over her appraisingly, as he would anything of fine beauty. Glad now he had encountered her that day in the shopping mall and bought the nightgown and matching robe for her. She looked exquisite in it, her long dark red hair brushed until it glistened and flowing down over her shoulders past her waist. Xerxes sensed his perusal was making her uncomfortable and he turned, slipped out of the chocolate silk robe he had dressed in, leaving him in only the matching silk sleep pants and left the robe in an upholstered chair, then turned his attention to the refreshments he had ordered to be prepared and left for them.
A bottle of chilling champagne, a rare vintage submerged unopened in a silver bucket of ice on the sideboard, which took him a moment to open. Xerxes, with his back to her saw her jump, reflected in the mirror over the sideboard when the bottle popped open. He poured the wine into two crystal tulip glasses and presented one to Jessica.
Xerxes admired Jessica’s bravado, despite her obvious nervousness she held her head high and bravely met his gaze. His eyes captured hers. He could see her desire and passion clearly in her eyes, though he doubted she knew it was so visible. She trembled, Is it possible she fears my touch? Xerxes wondered to himself. Is she afraid that I will hurt her, or of the passion I know we share? Xerxes’ eyes filled with desire, narrowed slightly and he noticed she drew away.
“It is an excellent wine, Jessica, and you really should try it.� He said with a winning smile. Finally, she accepted the glass with a shaking hand. Xerxes warm hand gently covered her cold one to keep her from spilling the contents. She looked at the ancient gold and crystal glass. His touch steadied her hand. Their eyes met and joined willingly, each holding the others. His hand released hers and Jessica managed to finish the glass, the wine calming her frayed nerves somewhat. He turned and poured her another.
“I chose this myself,â€� Xerxes said as he poured, breaking the silence. “From the Specialty Shop at the corner of P.G.A. and U.S. One. Do you know the place? It’s called The French Bakery, I think. Not a fancy name and easy to remember.â€�
Jessica didn’t answer her voice failing her. With her eyes round with apprehension, she sipped this glass slower, delaying the inevitable. Xerxes didn’t hurry her and Jessica was thankful for his consideration. Finishing his glass, he sat it next to the bottle and catching her unexpected, turned back to her with a small tray of chocolate-covered strawberries. Xerxes noticed Jessica’s eyes softened at the gesture, her lips parted a little in amazement. Xerxes touched one of the delicacies to her lips as she looked into his passionate eyes; he noticed her trembling had stopped. Jessica slowly took a bite of the sweet covered fruit, the juice turned her lips red and a little of the juice ran down her chin. Before she could react, Xerxes kissed the juice away. Unnerved, Jessica drank the last of her champagne while Xerxes finished the strawberry. He took her glass to join his and left the tray of delicacies with them. Turning back, Xerxes found he could not take his eyes from the emotions he saw in his bride’s eyes. So much desire and undeniable passion he was sure she didn’t realize was so evident, but mixed with a sobering amount of fear. With a shaky quick breath, she started to back away from him, her face had become pale again. Xerxes, moved toward her.
“No!� she swayed to avoid him, her voice a soft, frightened whisper.
Perhaps she is a virgin, Xerxes thought. Fearing she might faint, he moved closer to her. He saw passion clear in her turbulent brown eyes. The sudden knowledge of her innocence, while producing a heightening of his passions, also produced a curious protective instinct. If this was her first venture into carnal love, he wanted it to be pleasurable, not coerced or stressful. Xerxes wanted her to remember this night with the most exquisite memories and it was clear she was afraid. He remembered her fear when he had saved her from the Aztecs and her sweet kisses afterwards. Any remaining anger he had felt from their earlier disagreement quickly fled. He certainly didn’t wish to rape his wife and Xerxes knew he would wait, if he must, until another night and spend this one as he had the previous one, holding her close while she slept, though it wreaked havoc on his own body.
“Oh, Jessica!â€� he caught her and drew her lightly-clad body against his own tanned chest, feeling her tremble. “Shhh,â€� he said quietly and tilted her head gently back to place a short light kiss on her shaking lips. In one motion, he swept her into his arms and cradled her protectively. “Never would I have guessed with your fiery temper and courage, that my simple lovemaking would alarm you so greatly,â€� he said in a soft tender lover’s voice, his accent lending his words an exotic tone. Only her cheeks had regained color and they were scarlet spots on her pale features. Gently he kissed her, a short kiss that became longer and more demanding. The hunger he felt was almost beyond his powerful control. Slowly, ringing in his mind, knowing now she was innocent, and in a most old-fashioned way, he was elated. “You are exquisitely beautiful. That night at your tent, I almost kidnapped you then. I should have kept you with me after we saved you from the Aztecs. Had they killed you, I think I woul
d not have rested until I removed them all from this world. I’ve thought of little else since.â€� Xerxes placed kisses on her throat and down to the edge of her peignoir’s neckline. He carefully placed her in the center of the bed, hoping she didn’t flee from him. Xerxes sat well on the bed, close to his apprehensive bride.
He unbuttoned the robe’s only fastener and pushed it from her shoulders. The long silken fabric slid from her shoulders, leaving her in the rose gown with its translucent layers. Her charms revealed, little left to his imagination, but she was more than his imagination could invent. He remembered her well from the night of the storm, and every meeting before, but now she was his.
“It was you!â€� Jessica breathlessly whispered when she regained her voice, “I thought it was the drug. I only remember the golden knife falling and your eyes.â€� She whispered, her voice faltering. Xerxes lips seared her skin where they touched. “I was never sure if you were real or a…dream. Even now…” She never finished the sentence. With a hand behind her neck, his fingers laced in her luscious long hair as he held her close with his other arm, Xerxes lips possessed hers. Jessica could not stop her own passions, held in innocent shackles for so long, from responding to his less-restrained desires.
“I would not let those pagans kill my bride,� he smiled down into her blushing face.
Without taking his eyes from hers, he gently drew her satiny long red hair from behind her to ease her back against the multiple pillows strewn on the massive bed, then masterfully rested an arm across her. Xerxes leaned forward, breathing in the fragrance in which she bathed. It smelled heavenly on her, as if an aura surrounded her.
“I knew you would smell delicious in that,� he murmured, nuzzling her neck as his lips kissed her throbbing pulse, feeling how rapidly it raced through her veins.
Jessica bristled a bit, “And you saw me buy it, didn’t you?” her voice quavered with the accusation “and you saw me looking at this?â€� She touched the sheer garment, her hand brushing her breast. Xerxes placed a kiss through the fabric as her hand passed, his eyes darkening with passion watching as her nipples peaked, and she gasped.
Xerxes laughed, not of amusement but of conquest - a low rumble echoed deep in his chest, “Yes, but that day was an accidental meeting. Your fate was sealed long before,� he explained, their lips almost touching as his teased hers. Her lips trembled until he took them, hesitant and resistant. He understood her sudden fright, the feeling that he had trapped her beneath him. Gently, his strength, far greater, hers a mere gesture, he took her hands from his shoulders holding them, kissed the wrist of each as he looked lovingly into her face. Her brown eyes had flames burning brightly in their passionate depths. “I have wanted you for so long.� Xerxes whispered then released her hands to caress her shoulders and lightly caress her breasts through the thin material.
Jessica’s world was spinning. Her skin was on fire, yet she trembled. She could not understand herself. Why? Her thoughts blared, Am I so frightened of him? Maybe it was the power he controlled over her. Or perhaps the intimacy she’d never shared with another. Jessica had always been honest with herself, now she found it…difficult. She was highly attracted to this virile and potent man. He had haunted her nights for so long. How long? She asked herself, and again those elusive, vague memories flashed through her mind. Jessica realized she feared Xerxes would leave her, as he had after her rescue from the Aztecs. Her emotions were in powerful conflict.
She did not have the will or the power to stop him from continuing, nor did she want to. Jessica knew she would die if he left her. Her own desire for him overwhelming her greater fears, and forcing her awareness of her own need for him and his strength. Never had she needed another’s strength, but with his brought the odd thought to her mind that he always would be her strength, as he had been when he saved her.
These realizations left her confused, and at his mercy to the sensations of her trembling innocence. His lips kissed her neck, traveling down to her shoulders, her timid hands lightly resting on his broad, muscular shoulders, which unknown to her, sent streams of electricity flowing from the touch of each finger through him. Jessica heard a low groan from deep in Xerxes’ throat. Before she could stay him, he had released the strings that held her gown closed and his huge hands were on her ample and aroused breasts. Jessica gasped from surprise and shock, never had she allowed a man to touch her so intimately. Some had tried, Bruce most recently and persistently, but now she could not stop the sigh of pleasure Xerxes’ warm gentle hands brought. He kissed Jessica again, and met no protest when he journeyed down her throat to kiss each breast and their hard hot nipples. She moaned, as his tongue tasted each nipple and lightly suckled each one. His hands smoothed over her hips.
“Xerxes, please,� she whispered hoarsely, pleading.
“Please?â€� Xerxes questioned. “Shall I stop?â€� and for a moment, he did. She drew a hard breath. He looked into her eyes and saw her apprehension there. Xerxes’ look was a tender lover’s smile and his fingers combed through her long hair. “The maids I assigned you told me you were innocent. Shall I stop, Jessica?â€� he asked seriously, “Will you be less fearful on another night?â€� She could see the earnestness of his question and the reluctance to stay his actions in his eyes. Somewhere, in the dizziness of her own pleasure, Jessica knew what a difficult offer he made to her. The offer to stay this night until she was less fearful and she knew then that she loved him.
“No! Please,â€� Jessica’s voice was anxious, “but Xerxes you…I, ah…am afraid. You assume all upper-world girls are knowledgeable.â€� Jessica whispered. “I was busy with other things.â€�
“I know how difficult an admission that was for you.” Xerxes touched her face gently as he watched her face flush “My love, I know you had boyfriends.â€� Xerxes hands smoothed between her legs before Jessica knew and rested them there.
“Yes, but I didn’t sleep with them.â€� Jessica said affronted, her voice a just above a whisper.
“I am pleased you didn’t,â€� Xerxes told her, his lips teasing hers as he pushed her back among the pillows. His hands lovingly explored her. Jessica was putting up some resistance until Xerxes drew back and gazed down at her.
“Jessica, my love, I will have you,� he assured her. “I will wait, for a time if it will be easier for you, but I taste sweet desire on your lips and see passion in your beautiful eyes. Do you say nay to me? Let me teach your body the pleasures of love. I know your fears and will gently take you on your first journey of love.�
Xerxes surprised Jessica. He rolled her onto her stomach then gently massaged the tense muscles of her back. His huge but gentle hands finding the tense trigger spots in her muscles, sending warm chills down her spine. Kissing her back as each tense muscle relaxed. Moving lower over her buttocks to plant light burning kisses as he went. Then to Jessica’s astonishment, to apply his kind ministrations to her beautifully shaped legs and feet. He rolled her onto her back once again and kissed her lips long and tenderly while his hands explored her body. Jessica found her arms around his neck, returning his warm embrace. Only when his hands found that sensitive and wet place between her legs did she shy away. Xerxes moved his kisses from her lips, to move downward where his hands began to explore the nether regions of her femininity. Jessica’s face became scarlet and her hands moved to stop his attentions. Patiently Xerxes removed them to continue preparing her chaste body for the pleasures his would bring. Jessica moaned, unable to deny the ecstasy his gentle fingers produced while he caressed her delicate mound. Xerxes hands had found the well of hot nectar her body had prepared for his engorged staff. Xerxes kissed her breasts while he came to know her body, his kisses traveled down her belly to the red mound of pubic hair.
“Oh, no!â€� Jessica protested, “Xerxes, please. I can’t endure it anymore.
�
“Shh! You forget yourself, Jessica.� Xerxes said in a commanding voice, “I am High Lord here,� he chuckled. “And I would taste your innocence before it is lost.� Tenderly his tongue teased her nether lips. Xerxes judged how sensitive and tight she was. He heard her groan and then try to wiggle away, but he held her by her shapely hips. “Please, my lord!� she begged, “I can bear these sensations no longer!� she drew a jagged breath.
“Let go, my love, allow love to take you,” Xerxes encouraged.
Jessica could not stop the heightening sensation, or the cries of ecstasy that brought her to her first climax and left her sobbing. Never could she have known what pleasure the right man could wring from her body. Jessica quivered from her first taste of love’s pleasure. Xerxes’ eyes were the darkest color of the ocean at dawn when he moved back to stare down into hers. They captured her eyes as he slowly bent to kiss her lips. His essence surrounded her, the musk of Jessica’s first sample of carnal love clinging to him. Jessica reached up to touch his handsome face and run her hands through his long blonde hair that she had longed to touch, her arms pulling him closer in her surrender to him. The heat of his desire for her was scorching. His heated staff touched her, his size and passion brought back her fear. She drew away. “Xerxes!â€� her voice carried her alarm.
Again, he kissed her, “Why are you afraid? I won’t hurt you my love.â€� Jessica amazed Xerxes when she timidly caressed his burning, ready staff. A groan of closely held desire elicited deep inside him from her cool hand that didn’t fully wrap around his fully aroused shaft. Xerxes’ look was intense, his passion plain and slowly he continued the journey he had promised her. Unhurriedly, to make his wife’s first carnal venture pleasurable he positioned himself, allowing Jessica to adjust to the heat and pressure of his ample rod, fully aroused in his love for her. Xerxes held Jessica’s eyes captive, reveling in the feel of her arms around his shoulders and he knelt between her thighs open to him in willingness. His eyes yet held hers as he increased his possession of her body slowly and watched her eyes widen as he entered her.
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