- Lisa Kleypas, Blue-Eyed Devil

Rhea's hand tingled in his grasp and she nearly pulled back with the shock of it, but she couldn't because of the tight grip that he held it with. She looked down, trying to hide her emotions before he could see.

"I wanted to apologize for that night." Hadrian said his voice deep and low. Rhea nearly shivered with pleasure; just from hearing his voice.

How can somebody be that alluring?

"Oh." Rhea couldn't believe he was actually bringing that up. Was he still thinking upon that? Yes, she had thought, constantly, of him since that day at the Soiree, but never had she thought he would apologize.

She had seen too much arrogance and pride in him to think he might apologize to the king himself, much less her!

"It was wrong of me to let myself be guided by mistreated feelings." Hadrian continued.

"Your Grace, I assure you; it is long forgotten. I have not held that mishap against you." Rhea assured. Hadrian paused, making her stop with him before carrying on.

"I see." Hadrian became quiet. Rhea wondered if he had made out a well, thought out speech. She instantly felt bad that she had suddenly cut him off.

"Of course, if you wish to say something-" she quickly added, not wanting to make the situation worse, but Hadrian smiled; a genuine one, at that, and stopped her.

"No, 'Tis alright."

A comfortable silence fell between them. What more was there to say? They were to be married in three days time and they knew nothing of the other. Rhea felt queasiness settle in her stomach.

She was about to excuse herself, to return to her room, when Hadrian stopped at the fountain in the middle of the garden and turned to her with a determined look.

"I came today to make amends, yes, but not only that, Rhea." He said. Rhea's heart beat faster when he said her name as if he was caressing it. "I came as a future husband to his wife. We are to be married in less than a week and, yet, we have not spent more than a few moments in one's company."

Rhea bristled slightly. "I am sorry if Your Grace feels as if I am neglecting the duties of a-"

"I am not condemning you, my love." Hadrian's voice turned husky and immediately, Rhea stopped speaking. Her mind went to their scorching, soul-searching kiss the other night.

She timidly lifted her head to stare at him with unease. A tendril of her hair escaped her chiffon and saw him raise a hand and gently tuck it back in place.

Rhea didn't realize she was holding her breath until she released it with a gentle sigh. Hadrian stared right into her eyes, never breaking the bond that was somewhat forming between them.

Rhea could feel the electricity between them like a current. She felt Hadrian step closer to her, slowly pulling her into his arms.

"You are something else, little one." Hadrian whispered. Rhea was about to ask what he meant when she suddenly felt the soft feel of Hadrian's lips on hers.

It stunned her for a moment, before she began to respond eagerly. Oh, how she yearned for this moment, awaited it like no other!

Hadrian put his arms around her, one on her waist, and another at her back and pulled her closer, tilting her head to deepen their kiss and groaned when she responded in kind.

Rhea's hand had traveled to Hadrian's shoulders, grasping them tightly and not planning, for a single second, to let go. She felt the sparks erupt between them and moaned into the kiss.

She couldn't understand why Beth would ever want to wait for her Frenchmen, but the way Hadrian kissed her made her realize that she might have done the same thing.

Hadrian pulled back gently. Between them both, they were gasping madly for air. Hadrian leaned his forehead against hers and breathed in deeply.

They stayed quiet, not wanting to break this moment with anything. They were still in each other's embrace, also unwilling to let each other go.

Hadrian watched Rhea, her eyes were still closed and her lips were slightly ajar and swollen with his kisses. Rhea felt Hadrian's fingers flutter lightly over her skin and opened her eyes to greet his.

"My beautiful little fairy," Hadrian grinned. "You are not, at all, what I expected."

Rhea smiled shyly and looked down. She couldn't believe how blatant her actions were to him, but if she were to be honest to herself; she wouldn't take back one moment of that kiss.

It was just as powerful, perhaps more, as that kiss a few night's ago.

"I cannot wait to reveal your beauty, my love." He kissed her again, gently. It was nothing like the kiss before, but she was relieved; she was still trying to catch her breath.

"Come, my love, we must get you back before your parents believe I have taken you to my mansion and ravish you." Hadrian said, a wicked glint in his eyes.

Rhea's eyes widened and a blush was beginning to form. "Oh, my lord, I am sure that they don't think, at all, that you would do that."

"They should." His eyes darkened slightly.

Hadrian stepped away from her, composing himself before turning to her and taking her hand back in his and walking her back towards the manor.

Rhea clung to his hand, wondering about his words and the kiss he delivered that managed to disrupt her entire body and mentality.

Hadrian nearly groaned in shame.

How could he have kissed her in front of the whole manor?

He was clearly not about his wit. He shook his head against the on-coming thoughts that sauntered into his mind. Even if he had kissed her in front of the whole Hemmingway Manor, it didn't matter.

In less than a week he would be married to the sweet vixen and kissing would be much tamer to the onslaught of what he prepared for his enticing fairy.

Hadrian's hand tightened on hers as he thought of the coming day of his wedding and wedding night. He glanced, unsuspicious, at Rhea and wondered if he knew what would be occurring on that night.

Was she frightened? He hoped not.

He would be a gentle lover, he would dampen the fire that roused in him to take her quick and hard, he would put his own needs behind him and lovingly show her that the marriage bed had nothing to be feared of.

His thumb caressed her hand as he thought of ways to make her face flush with pleasure, to make her eyes bright and glassy as she begged him to take her and end their torture.

He felt himself arouse too quickly at the thought of just giving pleasure to his beautiful fairy.

Dammit, he needed an outlet. All of this pent up frustration due to the vixen beside him was not good at all.

Even though he agreed he needed to see one of Madame Perry's girls, the thought of taking them to bed nearly disgusted him. He knew the only one to douse his ardor would be the one and only Rhea Hemmingway.

"Hadrian. My lord?" Hadrian looked down into the eyes of his tormentor.

"Yes?"

"We have arrived," she stated. Hadrian glanced up to see that she was indeed correct. He felt a wave of possessiveness claim him, he didn't want to leave her just yet, but he had to go attend to matters before tomorrow.

Speaking of matters, he wanted to check up on this Lord Carson Utteridge. He wanted to know who this man was and why he felt so familiar.

"I'm sorry that I have to leave so soon. If I could, I would stay, but I must attend to some errands."

"It is no problem, I assure you, Your Grace." Rhea urged.

"Hadrian, my name is Hadrian."

"Hadrian." She corrected with a smile. Hadrian nodded; he bent low to give her a soft kiss before stepping back.

"I shall see you in three days." Hadrian turned and walked away from the manor to call up his carriage. He would arrive at his mansion and change into proper attire, and then he would visit Matthew before investigating on this Lord Utteridge.

As his carriage drew up he turned to the manor once more. Rhea had stayed at the same spot that she had been in before. She lifted her hand in farewell and smiled at Hadrian.

He turned and stepped into his carriage, giving the driver orders. When he turned to sit back against the seat he glimpsed Rhea still standing there.

How he couldn't wait till the wedding!