Waited Long Enough

Writers: Miriah, Suzee
Date Posted: 3rd July 2013

Characters: Loella, Karhal
Description: Their date ends with something special
Location: Amber Hills Hold
Date: month 2, day 6 of Turn 7

Loella

Karhal

Keeping Loella's eyes covered while trying to guide the runner and
keep an eye on their surroundings was quite the exercise. It also
didn't help Karhal that the woman in front of him on the saddle tended
to wiggle; it had made the ride an interesting experience, but one
that he hoped was worth it. He'd been up early this restday just
trying to get the picnic set up to his liking. He only hoped it was up
to Loella's liking.

He reigned the runner in and glanced at the surroundings with
satisfaction. A small clearing full of wild flowers brought pleasant
scents to his nose and the small blanket with a basket and a small
skin of wine made just the right touch. Exhaling, he lifted his hand
from Loella's face. "Okay. You can look now."

Loella had been antsy during the whole ride, she didn't really
understand why it had to be such a surprise. It wasn't as if she
hadn't explored much of the territory around the hold at one time or
another when she was a child. But then she supposed if Karhal wanted
to surprise her she'd go along with it. But when he lifted his hand a
genuine smile of pleasure lit her face. "This is wonderful Karhal!"

He chuckled and rested his chin on her shoulder. "I'm glad you like
it. I figured you might want to get away from the hold for a while."
He bent to kiss her cheek and then swiftly dismounted, lifting his
hands to offer her help down.

She leaned her head against his when he put his chin on her shoulder.
"You were right," she said softly. Then after he dismounted she leaned
out to put her hands on his shoulders to help her off the runner. Of
course that meant she swung into his arms, not an entirely unpleasant
experience.

Swinging her down was easy, but instead of setting her down on her
feet, he brushed his lips against hers and lingered there for a long
moment before carrying her bridal-style to the blanket to gently set
her down. He sat beside her, stretching out long legs and put a light
arm behind her back. "It's not much. Just some bread, cheese and
fruit."

Loella was learning and responded to the light kiss with pleasure. She
felt her heart beat just a little faster and put her arms around his
neck as he carried her. That was one of the things she liked about the
big guy. He was a gentle giant at least with her. He carried her
easily to the picnic he'd prepared. Once on the blanket she curled her
legs and smoothed her skirts then reached for a redfruit. "Would you
like some?"

He watched her for a moment and nodded. "Please." He turned back to
stare over the flowering field and his eyes closed as he relaxed. His
lips lifted as he took a deep breath, taking pleasure in the simple
peace of it.

Loella used a small knife to pare the fruit into luscious bites and
then smiled as she offered him one from her fingers.

One eye opened and with a soft chuckle, he took it from her fingers
with his lips, barely brushing over her fingertips. "Thank you." He
bent and brushed his lips over her cheek. "So tell me, Loella, does
this make for a pleasant date?"

"You're welcome," she smiled and tilted her head as she sucked some
juice from one of her fingers. "Yes, it's beautiful here and far away
from prying eyes." She offered him another piece. The feel of his lips
on her fingers was rather sensuous and she wanted to feel it again.

His brow quirked up. "And you wanted away from prying eyes?" There was
humor in his gaze, followed by warmth as she offered him another
piece. He met her gaze and slowly bit away the piece of fruit from her
fingers, his lips catching her fingertips to suck the juices off. He
pulled away and chewed on the piece of fruit. Reaching down, for the
cut up fruit, he offered her her own piece.

**Oh this is a lovely game** she thought as electricity shot up her
fingers from the warm soft touch of his lips. When he offered her a
piece of the fruit, she tried her best to duplicate what he'd done but
she missed a bit and her tongue flicked out to lick the juice from his
finger.

Karhal's breath drew in with a sharp hiss and he stared at her, grey
eyes heated for a moment before he cleared his throat. He carefully
placed the fruit at her lips again. "You missed."

Loella's face was an open book as her eyes first widened and then
narrowed with a hint of a twinkle. She hadn't missed his reaction and
this time when she opened her mouth she sucked the piece of fruit and
made certain her tongue caressed his fingers with a little sucking
motion. "Did I miss any that time?"

He made a choked sound, his body tensing as she pulled away. The woman
was going to end up making him combust. "You're a devious female,
Loella." There was a rough swallow before he bent and caught her lips
with his, his kiss hungry and not as restrained as they had been in
the past few days.

After all the time she'd spent pining for this man she wanted nothing
more than to make him happy and drive him as crazy as she felt about
him. So when he began devouring her she went with it and her fingers
threaded into his hair. She couldn't help the small moan of pleasure
that escaped and her mouth opened with primal need.

Any thoughts of propriety flew right out of the proverbial window the
moment she responded. There was only thoughts of touch, need and the
softness that she offered. Without thinking, Karhal bore her back onto
the blanket, her head pillowed on his arm. Her arms around him left
her open to his touch and for the first time, he took advantage of the
embrace and slid his hand from her waist to gently cup her covered
breast.

Loella'a eyes flew open and she sucked in a sharp breath but the
momentary shock was overcome by the intensity of the pleasure his
exploration of her body gave. The feeling of his hand on her breast
burned through the cloth of her dress and she moaned his name.
"Karhal"

The sharp breath broke into his feverish desire to touch and explore,
but her moan nearly sent him back into it. With apparently difficulty,
he pulled his hand away with a groan of frustration and rested his
brow against hers in an effort to pull himself together before his
hands and body went further than they needed to. He muttered a soft
curse while taking deep breaths and his voice was strained. "Sorry..."
He swallowed. "...shards, woman, you'll be the death of me."

She couldn't help the small sigh of disappointment when he pulled
away. Her hands moved to smooth his hair and she stroked it softly.
"I'm sorry," she said. "It just felt so good. Should I not say your
name?" She wasn't quite sure what was bothering him. It had felt so
very nice.

"It's not that." Karhal took a long breath. "I liked it. Too much." He
opened his eyes and slowly lifted himself to look down at the woman
who lay in such a tempting position. His brow furrowed. "Loella..." He
paused and proceeded to speak carefully. "...how much has your mother
told you about the relations between men and women?" It was a
sensitive question, and a potentially embarrassing one, but he had to
know what she knew.

Her eyes popped open and she shook her head. "Nothing, Karhal... I've
never." She was suddenly put a hand to her mouth. "She only said it
feels good, and she was right it feels very good."

Gently, Karhal moved her hand away from her mouth. "I didn't think you
had, Loella. " He brushed his finger over her cheek. "Your mother was
right; done the right way, it does. And you have to understand, I
want you in that way, the way a man wants a woman. And sometimes..."
He exhaled and gave a bit of a strained laugh. "...many times I want
you too much and I have to stop myself." He lifted her hand to his
chest, right over his heart to let her feel the pounding.

She gave him a soft smile. "I want you too Karhal. I've always wanted you."

He groaned and had to fight himself from taking her mouth again.
Hearing her say that made things worse on many levels. "Sweetheart,
some things have to wait." He exhaled and bent to brush his lips over
her brow. "I won't rush you. I won't disrespect you, Loella. You
deserve better than that. And there are things you have to understand
too." He slowly pulled himself up and gently lifted her to sit beside
him to get away from the very tempting position that they were in.
"It's been a very very long time since that's happened for me, Loella,
and I want to do this right." He turned to face her. "For you and for
me." His brow furrowed. "You have to understand...Orhla and I..." He
exhaled. "we were never truly man and wife. Do you understand?"

She was going to protest but the way he said 'Sweetheart,' touched her
and stilled her tongue. Her eyes widened as he talked. "Never? Oh
Karhal, that's not right."

"No, forcing her to do something she could not do and had no desire to
do would not have been right." He sighed. "But I made my vows. But
that's not what I'm getting at. " He laid a palm against her cheek and
ran his thumb over her lower lip. He decided to be blunt. "When I take
you into my bed, it'll be because you're my wife, Loella. Not before."

Loella had loved her sister beyond words and though she'd known Orhla
was different she'd never dreamed. Her hand rose to his cheek in a
tender caress. He was a far better man than she'd ever known and
better than she deserved. "I love you Karhal, but you know that. If
you think we'll suit then ask my father. I don't think I can stand
much more waiting."

He stared into her eyes for a long moment before his lips turned up at
the corners. They'd only been courting a little over a month, but
Loella had been waiting for ten turns. His hand cupped her cheek. "I
told you I wanted to do this right." Slowly standing, he pulled her up
to stand in front of him, knelt in front of her, took her hand and
pressed a kiss to her palm. "Loella, would you do me the honor of
being my wife?"

Loella's eyes filled and for once in her life could only think of a
single word. "Yes," she whispered and nodded her head.

Karhal's face split into a smile and he stood, wrapping his arms
around Loella in a warm embrace.

Last updated on the July 19th 2013

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Waited Long Enough