25 The Promise

Gordon blinked slowly. He felt the weight of something across his chest. He turned to see...Charlotte!

His movement caused her to burrow closer to him and mumble in her sleep.

Gordon was in shock. Why was she in his bed and how did she come to be there? And why were they naked?

His face heated as he realized what shouldn't have happened must have happened, but he didn't remember how.

Another thought occurred to him that caused him to tremble in fear. Had he forced her to be with him? That thought made him feel sick. He hugged her tightly against him hoping it wasn't so.

His movements caused Charlotte to wake up. She smiled a sleepy smile.

"Good morning." She said gently.

"Good morning." Gordon's voice sounded strange, even to him.

"Are you feeling better now?" Charlotte asked.

"Better?" He asked in confusion.

"Someone drugged your wine last night. I've sent your men to investigate the matter. Your doctor examined you last night as well." Charlotte explained.

Drugged. Did that mean he'd forced Charlotte?

"How...I mean, did I? That is, did I make you do anything that you didn't want to do?" Gordon asked.

"The doctor said based on the amount of drugs in your system, that a cold shower wasn't going to take care it. So I asked you if you wanted to have sex, and here we are. Sorry you woke up to such a shock." She said with a hint of a smile.

"You really don't remember it?" Charlotte asked suddenly.

"I thought it was a dream." He said.

"It's a shame you don't remember. You did an outstanding job." Charlotte's smile was flirtatious.

"I thought you wanted to wait until we were married." Gordon said.

"I did but you needed help last night. What's done is done." She said simply.

Gordon said nothing but pulled Charlotte tightly against his chest. She had put his need first and that touched his heart.

She turned in his arms and kissed him.

Suddenly, he deepened the kiss. He felt her little hands moving on his chest.

"You're provoking trouble." He growled in her ear.

"Why shouldn't I? We've already been together." She said flirtatiously. She began a trail of kisses from his lips, down his chest.

He didn't need to be told twice. He flipped her underneath him and let his desire lead him. He kissed her with abandon and allowed his hands to wander freely. He cupped her breasts in his hands and then moved his thumbs in circles over her nipples. Her low moans turned to whimpers and she gasped for breath. His hands moved further down her body to her inner thighs and then to her innermost secret place. Her whimpers turned to screams and her body arched against his own. Her fingernails dug into his back.

He buried his face in her neck, sucking and kissing her as he prepared to enter her. Taking into account it was only the second time, he started to proceed gently but she arched against him.

"Please don't hold back!" She begged. Gordon's mind was blown and he lost all sense of control at her pleading.

It was nearly lunch time when they broke apart, gasping for breath and drenched in sweat. After awhile, Gordon lifted her and carried her to the bath tub that was more like a small swimming pool. It easily held them both.

"We need to get dressed soon and go." He finally said.

"Where are we going? She asked.

"The Civil Affairs Bureau for our marriage license to start off." He answered.

"You're really going to marry me today?" She asked in shock.

"I promised you that the day we slept together would be the day we were married. We got home after midnight so that means if we marry today I'm keeping my word. I always keep my promises." Gordon spoke in a serious voice.

Charlotte was overcome with deep emotion and threw her arms around him. "Gordon, you are the finest man I have ever known. I love you so much." Her voice was husky with unshed tears.

"And besides that, you have to take responsibility for me." He said.

"What?" Charlotte thought if he hadn't been so serious that he must be teasing.

"You admitted that you initiated intimacy the first time. Therefore, you should be responsible for me." Gordon reasoned.

"Gordon, are you serious?" Charlotte asked.

Gordon's full laughter filled the air. Charlotte was in shock. The most she'd ever heard from him was a chuckle. Who knew his laughter could be so loud and unreserved?

"You should laugh more often. It's a wonderful sound." Charlotte said.

———————

It didn't take long to go through the process at the Civil Affairs Bureau.

When they came outside they were walking hand in hand, smiling at each other. Gordon's driver looked on in amazement. He had worked for the young master for well over ten years and in the past two weeks he had seen unprecedented occurrences. Smiles, laughter, tenderness, fierce protectiveness, and love.

The young master was still cold and reserved in many ways but he seemed to be in a much better mood. He seemed happy. It was a change that anyone who had known Gordon for a length of time would notice.

The driver, William, thought suddenly, "I'd put my life on the line for Young Mistress. For if anything ever happens to her I don't think anyone around Young Master would be able to stand."