~ Chapter 1 ~
Athena giggled to herself as she ran through the Marquis’s maze. She heard the hushed ramblings of boots pounding the dirt in the far off distance. It has to be him and a few of his men searching for me. They didn't sound close enough to catch up with her yet.

She ran deeper into the maze at a playful pace. The image of shock flashing over him pushed her further to the limits of just plain naughty foolishness and if she was honest with herself, she loved every second of it.

Jase's pulse tore through his veins like a raging river. He stopped at a split in the maze. “Quiet,” he shouted out. “All of you go to the entrance and wait for me there.” Gazing back at his choice before him he stilled his body, listening for any sign of her.

Damn it, Athena. If I had known you would take me seriously, I would have never dared you to do this.

A vision of Athena hiking up her skirts as she removed her shoes all while gazing at him with playful determination and then dashing away down the stone steps barefoot, crept up in his mind. Floating lavender chiffon whirled behind her as she ran towards the maze.

When Jase called out to her she paused for a brief moment. Wild long waves of dark chestnut hair fell loose as she removed her clip. Even in the moonlight, from a distance, he could see her mischievous smile. “Are you too kingly to pursue what is your true desire, Grand Marquis?”

He hated when she teased him with the title.

To the right the trail looped back to the middle leading to the entrance. And to the left the path headed into the secret depths of exotic confusion. If one finds himself lost he may stay lost for days. That was the way it had been designed by his great grandfather.

Jase strode off in the direction he knew she would head, left. To her, going right would be pointless. Within minutes he saw what he had hoped wouldn’t. Taking up the purple scarf in his hand, Jase squeezed it into a ball. Foolish woman. Does she not know there are other people wandering in this maze?  Shaking his head he quickly corrected himself.No, she knows because it was all part of the bet I made her. And she will stop at nothing to prove me wrong.

“Good evening,” she said passing a couple walking by. I guess I am not alone out here. A small laugh emerged. I can’t believe I am doing this. He will without a doubt refuse the marriage now. Father is going to be so cross with me.

Athena traveled further down the trail with little thought as to what tomorrow will bring for her. She had objected to the arranged marriage, pleading to her mother she wanted to marry for love and although she truly cared for the Marquis, Athena was positive he did not share her passion.

Tonight will be the night the Marquis changes his mind. His insistence of duty and nobility is not something I will ever base a marriage off of…ever.

Ten minutes later Jase came upon a stocking and then another one twenty paces from that. “Blood hell,” he muttered. He shoved them in his pocket and kept walking.

Not far from there a couple bowed and said their greetings. Jase barely acknowledged them as he mumbled, “Yes, you as well.” A firm scowl situated upon him now. He couldn’t help it.

Everything I have been planning is about to be ruined along with my reputation. Love, ha. Passion is for the foolish with unrealistic ideas. I mean I can be more than passionate but I do not feel the need to show it like a school boy, especially in public.

Athena turned the corner to the left. Beautiful sculpted hedges of loving couples arranged in a circle drew a small crowd. Lit by lanterns they seemed to almost dance in the moonlight.

I’ve never seen such a display. Her eyes widened as she entered the circle. After a moment she gazed around to the others surrounding her. I am the only one here who is alone.

One particular sculpture reminded her of him. She reached out and grazed her fingers over the form. It’s an amazing liking to him. Closing her eyes Athena saw his face. Strong square jaw with a slight clef on his chin. Perfectly formed lips she was positive would be very kissable. Sensual large deep green eyes that hid within them a devilish fun side he never allowed out. Fashionable longer blond hair that Athena wanted to touch on so many occasions but couldn’t. “You are almost perfect,” she whispered.

She took one last glance and left but not before discreetly making a point to the Marquis. He won’t be able to miss that.  Athena bit up her bottom lip as she continued on.

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~ Chapter 2 ~
Ten minutes passed and Jase rounded the same corner Athena had. He walked past the hedge display heading forward with focus. Wait. Jase turned back around and strolled through the figures. A few people were lingering about but there was no sign of her in there.

On his way out he passed by a striking piece. He remembered it from his childhood; Jase's sister often sat by it. He gazed down and saw Athena’s undergarment that should have been covering her lower half lying at his feet. With a couple now behind him he kicked it under the hedge.

Does the woman not have an ounce of subtlety? He ran his hand through his hair. I really almost want to walk away from this. I mean, look at me. She has me chasing her down in the dark as she throws bits of her attire off her body.

Jase hesitated for a second before he reached out and took another piece of Athena’s underclothing from off a branch in front of him. The soft pink delicate silk glided in the most erotic way between his fingers. Jase drew the garment up to his face and took in the scent of her.

“Do you not want to kiss me?” She has asked him earlier that night. Her head tilted in such a way it caused him gaze in the other direction.

“Perhaps when we have a private moment and the time is right,” Jase answered her as he squeezed his eyes shut. The hidden hand from her balled into a tight fist out of frustration with himself.

From the corner of his eye he saw her draw closer. “You have to be curious as to how I kiss. What my lips feel like on yours. Aren’t you, Marquis?” Her tone was sultry and her words seeped into him down deep where he had not wanted them to ever go. An unexpected tremble ran through him and he flinched.

Athena had not noticed as she had by then turned away from him. Jase stood staring at the woman who was to be his wife and the thought scared him. She scared him. He did not know if he could ever show her how he felt. It was not the way he was raised.

Jase shook his head from his thoughts and placed her garment in another pocket. This whole charade is ridiculous and it’s time to end it.

Fifteen minutes had gone by and he only encountered four couples walking in the opposite direction. Glancing up at the position of the moon he judged the time. “Ten o’clock about. Two more hours and her family will wonder where she has gone to.”

Just then a group of four men heavy in their drink walked towards him. They were all loud and stumbling. Jase looked to one of the men’s hands and saw Athena’s slip.

“Whose is that,” he barked.

The men all staggered to a halt. A man on one end said, “A lovely young lady who didn’t need it any longer.” He laughed and nudged the man next to him who then tumbled into the guy next to him.

Jase took a step closer and leaned into the man who he now wanted to punch. “Where is the woman who was wearing this?” He reached out and snatched it from the man in the middle.

“Hey,” he protested.

Jase coughed at the stench coming from him. “Bloody hell! Are you on a weeklong binge?”

“What is it to you? Give us back our lady wear. It’s for us not for you, chump.”

Jase began to see red. A thousand thoughts ran ramped through him and he wanted to start hitting until someone talked. He removed his coat. Began to roll his sleeves. “The first one who speaks will not be beaten and then hung. The rest of you will die tonight.”

They all stared at him. One idiot finally laughed. “It is four to one and you have not a single witness.”

“Ah yes you are correct but that’s the beauty about being a Marquis, I don’t need any,” Jase smiled at them.

With visibly shaken expressions they looked to one another.

“Well,” Jase said. “Who is to be first?”

“We found it up the path, Marquise.”

“It’s true!” another shouted. “We came across it on the ground.”

Jase eyed each of them. “And you saw no one?”

The men shook their heads and Jase sent them on their way. He took a deep breath and then walked on. He hated her for making him feel this way.

Three hundred paces ahead he spotted a bridge. As Jase drew closer to it he saw her dress draped over the side. His steady walk soon turned into a full on run. The pounding of his heartbeat pummeled in his ears.

Standing in the middle of the old wooden bridge he swung around every which way but did not see her. A surprising panic overwhelmed him. “Athena,” he bellowed as loud as he could.

His words were meant with silence. What do I do? She has to be close by. “Athena please,” his cry echoed in the still night.

“Jase, I’m here,” she said in a calm voice.

He whipped around and didn't move as he took in the sight of her in the stream below. The moonlight shimmered off her bare shoulders. Her arms moved back and forth on the surface of the water making small ripples that hid what his eyes longed to see.

Walking slowly with heavy steps across the bridge and down to the shallow bank, he stopped. Athena ran her hand over the top of her head and down the length of her hair. His jaw clench tight. Water dripped from her milky skin in the most alluring way.

“Lady Brazewell, it is time to go.” He laid her dress down and turned from her hoping she would give in so they could leave. This is not so far gone as to have caused a scandal.

“Brazewell? A moment ago it was Athena.” She said.

He could hear swooshing of mini waves breaking behind him from her movements. Both his fists squeezed shut as he tried to force the urge to turn around out of his mind. Get a grip on yourself. She is just a woman. Christ, I’ve been with more than I can count, so shake this off and get back to the estate.

Athena was watching his posture. She waited several minutes in quiet despair. The not knowing has plagued her since she first began to fall for him. Either he really does not desire me or he is just-

“Marquis,” she said.

Her silky tone reached him with potency. Jase’s breath caught. What the hell is wrong with me?

“Please look at me, Marquis.” Her voice was soft and everything womanly it should be.

“I would like you to dress now so that we can leave. I will not turn to you now. It is not the right time.” He was barely able to maintain his voice from shaking. Jase started up the bank.

“Why do you fear me?” she asked.

Jase froze in place. His mind was blank. His body was burning with a heat he had never felt before. She asked the one question that he himself could not answer for him.

“Why do you fear this…us?” She asked in a louder tone this time. Athena needed to know right now if it was her he did not care for or if it was instead, what she dreamed and prayed for.  

He couldn’t think of a reasonable answer. Why is it so important for me to stop everything I am feeling for her?  The image of the way she gazes at him flashed in his mind and his heart leaped with cruel force. Standing with his hands on his hips, Jase gazed off across the lush fields.

Athena watched him turn to her finally. And even in the silver moonlight she could see his gaze had changed. A shiver smothered her in the humid night’s air. It was greedy and lustful and everything she had always wanted it to be.

Jase removed his coat. His hands found the buttons on his shirt and he slowly began working on them. “You are right. I do fear you. I fear us and the uncontrollable happiness that your eyes promise every time I look at you.”

Athena’s heart cried at his words. Every utterance was like a song to her heart, a melody she never wanted to stop hearing. She was still and waiting for more.

He freed another button. “I fear all the time the way I will finally feel when I kiss you. It honestly scares the shit out of me.” The second button was stuck and Jase fumbled with it.

She took in a breath to speak until she saw Jase rip open his shirt and toss it to the side. The magnificence of his chiseled chest stunned her.

He torn off his boots and socks. “What I fear most is that you may not be feeling the way I do. Rejection. Heartbreak. The idea that once you find out whom I really am, you will just start running and never look back. And me, I will be left with such a deep seeded pain my world will never again feel the same.”

Run? Like I was tonight. Oh how could I have been so foolish.

Athena stood up.

Her naked skin glistened in the light. Jase’s eyes slowly trail down the length of her until the water stopped him mid-thigh. His firm arousal still inside his pants throbbed for her. Full supple breasts welcomed him. Pale smooth skin beckoned for his hands to explore wherever they desired to. The most beautiful velvety pink secrets awaited his discovery.

He began to remove the remainder of his clothing. “Since I am being honest here, I have the most wicked sinful fantasies about you. When we are together they torture me. So many times you titled your head to the right and I wanted nothing more than to kiss your neck.” Jase now stood on the bank not far from where she was and let her gaze at him. “Tonight, I will show you every little naughty desire I’ve carried for you, Athena.”

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~ Chapter 3 ~
She stared at his long thick erection wondering how he would feel in her. The muscles in his legs bulged as he descended into the water towards her.

Athena watched him draw closer. The ripples he made cascaded up her thighs splashing against her, stimulating further her already swollen and ready flesh. Jase stopped just inches from her. It would be the first time they had ever touched.

“I am more than curious to know how you kiss. The thought of never being able to taste your lips taunts me at night, Athena. From the moment we met, I have not stopped thinking about you.”

“You hid it well. I had no idea.” Her gaze was so soft. Jase reached out and gently touched the inside of her hands beneath the water with his fingertips. Athena trembled from the sensation of him. With his palms up he walked his fingers into her cupped hands. She glanced down into the water. Is this even real.

“I’ve never felt this way before. I feel like I’m dreaming,” she said. Athena watched his fingertips leave her hands and trail up her arms. His touch was so tender yet powerful. Jase trace a slow line over her collarbones and then up the sides of her neck. “I had thought you did not want me,” she whispered as she tilted her head slightly to the right.

Through a heavy lidded gaze he watched her. “Never,” was all he said before he leaned down and laid his lips to her skin for the first time. His eyes closed as he savored the moment. Feeling her quiver, he knew everything she was feeling. “My lips will never touch another the way they do now. You are more than I could have ever hoped for in this life,” he declared through his kiss on her.

Athena held her breath as his kiss depended on her. With a sudden surge of what she could only think to be a passionate fever, she reached for him in an impulsive need.

Jase felt her hands on his biceps and then a squeeze as he moved his lips down towards the base of her neck. Her verbal expressions emanated out from every little stroke as his lips fondled her skin. This was only pushing his desire to hear more. Louder, Athena. Show me you want this as much as I do.

His erection was pressing against her belly. He wasn’t sure, but he thought he may be dripping already. Move slow and don’t rush this.  Jase skimmed over her beautiful light nipple with closed lips at first. Teasing her roguishly the way he had fantasized doing so many nights.

She ran her hands into his hair. Wicked waves of pleasure washed over her when she felt him take her breast in finally. Light thrills of sensations trickled through her as he sucked gently. The warmth of his mouth engulfed her entirely and Athena’s head fell forward resting on his head. “Oh,” she cried.

His other hand slid to her waist and he pulled Athena up towards him. He loved hearing the whimpering pleas escape her as he took both of her large breasts into his mouth. Pulling with a passionate need Athena moaned loudly with delight.

Her body burned under his touch. Every caress left a mark of lustful greed as he squeezed her body. His nearly cruel torture on her flesh grew dangerously teasing to the rest of her body. More. Please Jase, more. Words she wanted to say but could no longer form. Caught up in what he unleashed onto her, she was captivated by each stroke of his wicked, sinful toying.

Jase released her now sodden flesh from his mouth. Standing straight, he placed either hand on her sides at her waist. “Athena,” he said in a low soft tone.

Opening her eyes, she gazed up to meet his. Strong hands roused other places on her to attention. As he gripped her bottom and pulled her up, she closed her eyes again. I don’t know how much more I can take of this taunting.

Their bodies touched the full length of each other and to Jase’s surprise, she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed it. Fierce hunger started to shred what little control remained within him. He wanted so much to move Athena’s hand down to his aching length but he refrained.

Squeezing her bottom with long impassioned grasps he craved to taste her kiss but knew if he did right in that moment, he would release from his length everything he fought to keep in. To feel her playful tongue tangling with his was his deepest desire.

Jase slid his hands back to her waist and gently pulled her slightly off him. Staring into her questioning eyes, he softly ran his thumb over her lips. A flash of shameless yearning washed over her gaze and he watched her lips part open taking his thumb in her hot moist mouth and closed the distance again between them.

Warm desire seeped out of him between the bodies as small dribbles of what he was trying to hold back seeped forth making contact with her belly.

Athena could feel a throbbing pulsation on her skin. She watched his eyes close for a moment. He removed his thumb and skimmed it over her stomach. Bringing his thumb back in front of her lips he gazed at his juices glistening across her lips as he trailed it over them like lip balm.

Athena slowly licked her lips as she nearly fell into an aroused spell. A warm wet sensation trickled down her thighs and she wanted him.

“Open your mouth,” He sounded primal to her.

Jase slipped his thumb in and Athena sucked on it sensually. “Mm,” she moaned.

Her eyes closed from the caress on her lower inner thigh. Fingertips trailed up in a slow unsteady line as he kneaded her skin roughly.

Oh she’s so wet. Her desire for him felt silky-smooth as he rubbed it into her thigh with ever growing firm grasps of her flesh. His trembling fingers made contact with her pink heaven.

“Jase,” she cried out.

It was the first time he heard his name come from her. “Say my name again,” He said as he pushed his finger into her gently.

“Oh God, Jase!” Her cry was louder this time. Athena hadn’t meant to dig her nails into his shoulders but she did, squeezing and grasping at his flesh. He pushed in further and pulled back out.

He could tell by her reactions she had never been touched this way before, something up until now he had only assumed. Extremely tight wet muscles gripped his finger as he began to thrust faster within her. She is too tight. Damn it.

“Athena as wet as you are I don’t think I will fit without ripping you and I can’t bring myself to do that to you,” he whispered.

“No,” she protested. “Jase, please.” Her tone was desperate sounding.

He slid a second finger in and pushed deep with one quick thrust. Athena’s grip on his skin dug into him. “Ah Jase,” she whimpered.

“I am four times this size, Athena. If you want to take me in, and believe me I want you to in the worst way, I need to stretch you out some.”

She shook her head in agreement as she felt Jase’s hand start to pound against her flesh. It was not enough. Athena needed to feel more, she needed to feel him. Take him in your hand. Just feel him. She reached down with both hands softly wrapping them around his length. Athena felt him freeze suddenly from it. Oh no what have I done? I shouldn’t been so daring. She felt his hand cover her hands. Her instinct was to pull away but he stopped her.

“You are about to fulfill one of my fantasies, Athena.” Jase tightened his grip over her hands and showed her how to stroke him. After a moment he released his hand.

A naughty desire crept up in her mind as she stared at her hands on him. Without losing her grip on him she sunk into the water on her knees. She glanced quickly up at Jase who had his eyes closed tight. Athena took in a deep breath and slowly let it out.

Jase cried out, “Oh yes, Athena.” He gazed down to see his length half way in her mouth. Gripping the base of his erection Jase said, “Slower.” His teeth gritted against his concentration to hold back. “Oh Athena,” he shouted through his teeth. Hearing her gag as she pushed down on him further caused him to throb painfully hard. Something about the sound of a woman chocking on a man’s length had always turned him on and watching her do it was the most pleasure full thing he had ever experienced.

Athena saw him squeeze his length as he moaned almost sounding as if he were in pain. And without warning he pulled himself out of her mouth and picked her up into his arms.

Without a word he carried her up the bank to a lush grassy area. He pause before setting her down and gazed into her eyes. Everything about him seemed to soften at that moment. Nothing needed to be said between them as he shifted her body so that her legs wrapped around his waist. Jase slowly sat down with her in his arms. To him it was the closest position for him to hold her. It was all he wanted right now.

Athena followed whatever way he wanted to place her. She trusted him completely. His gaze upon her was loving and passionate. To think she was almost foolish enough to drive him away or maybe it was just that that drew him closer. For her there was no other moment in time she wanted to remember more than this one right now.

Jase nestled her in his lap facing him. He had straddled her legs over his thighs with his knees bent. “God, you are beautiful,” he said as he ran his hand up the side of her cheek cupping her gently.

His trembling fingertips played with her hair slightly and she found it endearing. Perhaps he is as nervous as I am. Athena gazed down to his lips that were inching closer to her. The moment before they touched she whispered, “I love you Jase.”

He paused and said, “Athena, you have captured every part of me, now kiss me.”

She closed the gap between them and opened her mouth in a deep kiss. What was a just so tender only a moment earlier now ignited into a passionate sinful lust to fulfill. Her tongue could not match his thrusting need to claim her through their kiss.

Long deep plunges into her mouth were just a small display of what she was about to experience and she knew it. Their bodies pulled each other closer and then closer yet, to the point they had nearly become one.

Athena could wait no longer. Pushing her knees down to the ground she lifted her bottom off his lap.

Jase grabbed his length and held it at her opening. “Go slow otherwise you’ll hurt-

The sudden tight caress of her around the tip of him silenced Jase. He took in a deep breath and held it.

She pushed down onto him further as she squeezed his shoulders. Jase didn’t dare wrap his arms around her fearing he would pull her on him and rip her more so than she will do herself.

Wild sensations whisked through her body as Athena took more of him inside her. Moans of pleasure emerge from her that she did not try to mask. He filled her to the depths of the most delicate places giving away to her desires.

Jase slid his hands around her back and cupped the top of her shoulders. With a small thrust up he penetrated her further.

“Yes Jase, deeper,” she cried out into the night air.

He pushed up into Athena almost fully and she screamed with ecstasy. Jase dropped his knees to the ground and gripped her tight. “Athena,” his husky voice said.

She gazed down to him and he kissed her as his length pushed in her completely. “Oh,” she shrieked through their kiss. Athena pressed her lips against his and whimpered out something he couldn’t make out.

Jase cupped both her beasts as he pushed them together. One wicked flick of his tongue and Athena began to grind his length with steady yawning movements.

“Jase.” It was the only word she repeatedly uttered. From the sound of her tone he knew she was close to release. He gripped her around the waist and helped her move, rubbing her hard against him. Quick short thrusts penetrated her. The feel of his throbbing length inside her was blinding out all other senses. His hard grip on her held her right where she needed to be.

“Release what you are holding back, Athena. Let me in deeper,” he said with his lips next to her ear. Jase felt her thighs soften on his and he pushed hard with unearthing thrusts.

Athena’s back arched and she let out a wild scream of pleasure. Jase could withhold no longer and spilled himself deep inside her tight warmth as he grabs her and kissed her hard.

Her head finally fell to his shoulder and he held her limp body to him in his arms. He gazed up to the stars shining brightly above them. Jase finally felt whole. He had found the missing piece in his life. Holding her a little tighter he laid his lips on the top of her head.

Athena kissed the skin she rest on. “You are perfect in every sinfully way.”

Jase chuckled. “This night’s sinfully secrets are one of many to come.”

She gazed up to him with a seductive smile. “I love you.”

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