Stolen Kisses

Stolen Kisses 2

James secured Midnight to a tree with a lush patch of grass near the river. He took off his shirt leaving only his breeches on as he went into the water to take a morning swim, hoping that the cold water could dispel him of his hang over and any lingering thought of a certain neighbor.

Taking a mouthful of air before diving into the cold water, James was unaware of the approaching presence of Lady Nadine as he let himself get lost in the water. That was why when he came out of the water all he saw was Lady Nadine taking off her boots and her gloves.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" James asked menacingly as he narrowed his eyes at Nadine who was busy pulling her gloves off.

"What does it look like I'm doing James?"

"I would appreciate it if you answer my question." James frowned at her impudence.

"I did answer your question."

"Not when you answer it with another question."

"Fine, well I'm taking off my gloves and getting undressed to swim," Nadine answered cheekily as she went on pulling off her gloves.

"You are not swimming here, Nadine," James answered with gritted teeth, not from anger but from the growing discomfort he has down there as forbidden images flooded his mind.

"Why not? I swim here all the time."

"Nadine..." James dragged on the syllables longer wanting to convey his displeasure.

"Yes, James?" The little minx answered sweetly as she took of her riding habit, giving James a view of her scantily made morning gown.

"Are you out of your mind?!" James completely lost it, seeing that the impudent girl was actually going to undress.

"No, but I think you are!" Nadine bellowed, completely dropping her act. "You're ignoring me aren't you? That's why you did not bother to greet me or visit me at my estate."

James could hear the hurt in her voice, which totally caught him off guard. Wasn't it her who did not want him anymore?

"I was just busy..." he tried to reason.

"Busy?! James you'd been back for a week and if you have not noticed, our estates border each other's!" Nadine countered as she stood up and pointed a finger menacingly at James, who tried his best to cover his naked self. After all, Nadine was still a lady and he needed to preserve her innocence or whatever's left of it.

"I had important—"

"Far more important than me...I suppose?" Nadine asked softly as her confidence slowly slipped with James's indifference.

"Nadine..." James's voice softened considerately as he looked at Nadine's forlorn face. He cursed himself as he could see that she was on the verge of crying.

"I understand now...I was just naïve to think that nothing would change...that you would still—" Nadine did not finish whatever she was about to say as she hurriedly wore her boots not minding that she did not have her gloves anymore. All she wanted was to get away from James. She did not want to show her tears and give him the satisfaction from knowing that he could still affect her this much.

"Naddie wait!" James hurriedly got out of the water.

Hearing the familiar name, Nadine stopped on her tracks as she allowed James to pull her back. It had always been like that. James had always held this much power over her. He had always managed to pull her towards him like a magnet; she was always drawn towards him.