Forbidden Love

Chapter 12

Florence POV:

My eyes fluttered closed as his mouth moved between my legs.

I had never felt such pleasure before.

"We must go before we are late for dinner" James intrudes.

"A bit longer" I moan

He kisses my thigh and sits back up. "Perhaps we can sneak away later?"

"I do not wish to leave your arms"

"And I do not wish to leave yours. We will have more than enough time when we are married"

"I wish to be married right this moment"

"I thought you would never marry me?"

"Things change, do they not?" I smile

"Let us go before they realize we are not where we should be"

~

"Where have the two of you been?" Nakia stops us

My heart felt as if it fell to my stomach. "The woods"

"With no chaperone?"

I turn to James and he bites his lip.

"You will explain what the two of you have done right his moment"

"We have nothing for you to accuse us" I fuss

"I have known you the entire 10 and 8 you have walked upon this earth. You cannot fool me"

"We...We indulged in... activities"

Her eyes wildly opened and she pulled us into the library.

"You have difiled her innocence! You have not only done that but you have completely compromised her. She will be ruined when I tell her mama"

"You cannot tell!" I protest

"I beg your pardon?"

"You cannot tell. I wanted to do the things we did. I enjoy them."

"He has confused your thoughts"

"Is it so impossible for you to believe that I do not despise James?"

"Yes!" She burst out, taking my hand. "You shall not be around him any longer and I will be alerting your mama"

James reaches for my hand and pulls me back to him. "We will stop making love if you do not tell. There is no reason for this lady's impeccable honor to be tainted because I could not control myself"

My fingers intertwined with his and he glances at me.

"I will accept that" She nods.

~

Now that Nakia caught us, we could no longer be alone together in fear she would tell mana. We shared glances. When he passed me, he would always have his hand graze mine. I longed for him. I burned for him. "Where are you off to? Not to see the Prince, I hope?"

"I am not. I am going for a stroll."

~

I kick the dirt as I walked. Nakia is my best friend. I thought that she would understand. James said our act is a martial act. She is married. She must commit this act often with T'Challa. Deeply consumed in my thoughts, I did not notice the presence behind me.

"Thinking about me, I hope"

Startled, I turn around. James smiled and walked closer to me. "I am not to get any closer"

"What if I long for you to do so?" I smile back.

"I am a gentleman. I cannot break my word."

"I am not bound to a word."

"You are not, are you?"

"Perhaps I can walk closer to you?" I suggest, teasing my dress.

"I cannot say that I would not enjoy that"

I move closer to him, my heart grew happier with every step.

I stood so close to him, I felt his warm breath on my cheeks. "I will not...move closer."

My lips were drawn to him. "But I shall" I nod. Our lips crash together. He raised my dress as his mouth traveled down to my neck.

"Florence Thalia Hawthorne!" The voice boomed into the echo of the forest.

We pushed one another away. "It us too late to stop now! I have seen you."

My heart dropped as Nakia came into view.

"It is not the Princesses fault" James tried to defend me.

"Save it. I have watched her wanting for you. She is just as guilty as you. I can only imagine the talk your Mama will give you."

"You cannot tell her" I beg

"I have given you your chance. I want what is best for you."

"We are already to be married. Why shall we be punished because we cannot control our passions?" James fussed.

"It is a marital act. You know that."

"We both know it is rarely limited to that. A brothel has more nude women and men than Florence will ever know of."

"You are my best friend, Nakia. You have never been one to tell. Why must we be punished now?"

"Flo, going onto your horse at night is completely different than being compromised."

"I will not leave James. Do what you must but my relations with the Prince will remain unchanged"

"Florence, you put me in a very uncomfortable place"

"I am very sorry to do so" I nod

He ever so gently kissed my temple.

She sighed and nodded. "Very well"

The mere moment my friend left I turned to James. "What will we do?" I mumble

"Do not fret. All will be alright" James held my face as he guided my head to his lips. "All will be well"

"Will it?"

"I have many duties to attend. Seek me if our circumstances change" He kisses my lips and brushed past me.

Perhaps he does not care. I do not think it is wild to believe that he merely enjoys the feelings we share and not spending time with me.

~

It felt like I am walking on unstable pavement.  At any moment Nakia can alert my mama. Even as I lay in my bed, I felt unwell.

James had also not come to see me. Perchance he truly was using me.

A knock pulled me from my thoughts. I felt the butterflies in my tummy fluttering around with much more passion.

"Come in" I call out

As Nakia walked into my room, my eyes averted away.

"I suppose you have come here to gloat."

"I have not. I have come to apologize"

"What about?" I ask

"I am sorry I threatened to tell. If you truly feel strongly about the Prince then you have every right to spend your time with him as you please"

I hug her and smile. "I must say he is quite amazing at the act"

She laughs and shakes her head. "I will have to get used to this"