A Sokeefe Engagement

Chapter 3 - Sophie

An hour later the event was well underway. A dance troupe had performed, dinner had been served, and Keefe and I had each quietly slipped away to the privacy of the garden. Leaving separately and making excuses hadn't stopped our friends from exchanging knowing glances, but their teasing was a small price to pay. Yes, we were clearly leaving so we could make out in the dark like teenagers. But our recent work assignments had kept us running in opposite directions for weeks; at this point we were desperate to be alone.

I'd barely taken a step into a shadowed row of trees when strong arms pulled me into the darkness. Keefe laughed at my yelp of surprise, before silencing it with a kiss. My shock was short lived and I slid my arms around his neck, meeting his demanding mouth with my own.

We remained there, time unraveling around us, until our lungs demanded oxygen. I tried not to shiver as he trailed a finger across my exposed shoulder and down my arm. His voice was low when he spoke. "It took a lot of self control to stop myself from doing that in front of everyone in there. I hope you realize that."

He lowered his head to nuzzle a sensitive spot on my neck and I leaned in to his touch, breathlessly whispering his name. I felt his smile against my skin, loving how he delighted in setting every nerve in my body on fire.

I couldn't stop a little moan from escaping when he pulled away, his hands coming to rest on my hips. "You have ruined me, Sophie." He gave a little laugh, "I can't think about anything else when you're nearby."

This man was my drug. His touch left me intoxicated and still craving more. I let my hands drift down his chest, tangling my fingers in the front of his tunic to pull him closer. I might have tugged a little too hard because he stumbled forward, causing me to nearly fall into a tree. We broke apart, laughing. "Actually, this is kind of convenient." He winked, placing his hand behind my head and propping his arm against its trunk.

I sighed as he started placing the most delightful kisses along my neck and collarbone. "Have we been gone too long?" I asked him, hoping for just a few more minutes of uninterrupted time.

Keefe paused. "Brontë's speech is sure to be looong. And you know nobody is going to dare get up and leave while he's speaking."

I wrinkled my nose, "Ugh. I should probably be in there for that."

Keefe stood up and looked at me. "Nuhuh. Not happening. You and I have earned some free time. We have!" he insisted, as I started to protest, twirling a piece of my hair around a finger. "I didn't fight in a war just to win and then be forced to spend all my time in stuffy halls listening to a bunch of boring speeches instead of kissing my girlfriend." he insisted.

I saw his eyes glance to my lips as he said. "In fact, we could leave right now and I would not feel the least bit guilty."

It was so tempting. I stood there, wrestling with my sense of duty. As a regent, my attendance and participation at certain events was expected. But I had spent all day in meetings and research. Actually, the two of us had spent the last month in meetings and out on tedious assignments. Keefe wasn't wrong - we had definitely earned time for ourselves.

"Sophie, I've missed you. I want to spend time with you. Just you." he whispered, and the need in his voice was enough. Meeting his gaze, I knew there wasn't any question of what I wanted to do or where I wanted to be, so I closed my eyes and nodded.

"Okay." I agreed.

"Really??" he was already holding his crystal to the light, a smile spreading across his face.

I laced my fingers with his. "Let's go."