Loving Henry

18 March, Friday

The following day, Henry and I talked on the phone for an hour. On Wednesday we went to the movies - accompanied by the two bodyguards - and on Thursday we were both too busy, so he just sent me a text saying good night.

I spent Friday morning working on one of my essays. It was a relief every time I finished one and e-mailed it off to my Professors. When Midday rolled around, I set my things aside and got ready for my date with Henry.

I was still in my underwear when there was a knock on the door. I threw on a robe and opened the door to see my dashing prince standing there and looking handsome like always.

I’d been a bit dismayed to find that he always looked perfect and said all the right things. I just wanted one flaw that might convince me that he was in fact human and not some sex god set on tormenting me. (It was a chore to keep my hands to myself…) So, I was pleasantly surprised when I found out that he runs his hands through his hair when he’s nervous. He didn’t seem to be aware of it, which only endeared him to me more. He wasn’t the debaucher that everyone believed him to be, since he ran his hand through his hair quite a lot. It was adorable to think that I made him nervous.

Henry smirked when he saw me standing there in my robe and asked if I was planning on going out like that.

I blushed and invited him to come in.

“I’m sorry that I’m running a bit late. I got caught up in my studies. I just need to finish dressing and then we can go.”

“Please, don’t worry about it. I assure you it’s quite alright. Although, if you decided to go as you are, I’m sure I wouldn’t mind…” he hinted.

“You just want a chance to pull at this tie, so that my robe can fall open and you get a look at me in my underwear,” I accused with a grin on my face to let him know that I wasn’t really mad or anything.

“Is that what you’ve got on under there?” he asked. “How… disappointing.”

“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Henry! Do you expect me to walk around naked?” I asked, laughing.

“Well, I don’t expect it, but I wouldn’t just completely dismiss the idea…” he said with a wink.

I gasped, feigning outrage. “You, Sir, are a rake and a scoundrel.”

“Yes, yes, now go get dressed before I change my mind in wooing you.”

“Of course, Your Highness,” I said, giving a mock bow.

“Ah, being royal does have it’s perks,” he said with a mischievous glint in his eyes.

“So, I’m discovering,” and with that I went to get ready.

I was just pulling my top on when there was another knock on the door.

“Henry,” I called from the bedroom, “could you get that? It’s probably room service with the picnic basket.”

“Sure,” he called back and I heard the door being opened and male voices.

I put on my ballet flats and grabbed my phone off the bed. I stuffed it in my handbag and went into the living room to see Henry with an armful of basket and blanket.

I smiled at him and we ventured outside to find his bodyguards in the hallway. They followed behind us and we got onto the lift. We went through the busy lobby and got into a waiting car. Henry held my hand and we passed the ride in companionable silence.

We arrived at the park and Henry got the basket and blanket. The schools weren’t out yet so the park was relatively empty. We walked over to a nice spot of shade, underneath a tree, and I set to work with spreading the blanket. The bodyguards settled nearby on a park bench and Henry and I started on having our picnic.

It was a beautiful afternoon and we had an amazing time. When the schools came out, it was amusing to watch all the children playing with kites and Frisbees.

“I had a childhood like that,” I said to Henry; pointing at a family who were playing catch with their dog. Every now and then the father would take his son into his arms and just hug him or ruffle his hair. The little boy would complain to his mother and she’d just give a shy, knowing smile.

“And then my mother died and it all went to hell from there,” the resentfulness in my voice was evident.

Henry leaned over and put a kiss on my forehead. That was all the comfort I needed. I just wanted to know that he cared and that he was there for me. We both new that words would be inadequate.

I gave him a small smile and leaned into his embrace.

After lying on the blanket for an hour or so, we decided that it was time to call it a day. We walked back to the car as the sun was beginning to set. The ride back to the hotel was a silent one, but it was wonderful none the less. It said that we were enjoying just being in each other’s company and we didn’t have to fill it with meaningless words.

When the lift stopped, Henry and I got off on my floor and the guards continued on their way to the penthouse.

Henry and I stopped at my door and I turned to him, expecting my usual kiss on the cheek or the brush of his knuckles from my temple to jaw.

Instead, neither happened. He seemed to look into my eyes for a long time, before his hand came up and rested on the back of my neck. He then pulled me towards him and his eyes closed as his lips met mine.

I stood still for a second, with my eyes open, to assure myself that I wasn’t dreaming this. Then I closed my eyes, put my hands on his chest and kissed him back.

His whole body relaxed as I gave of myself to him in that kiss. It was a perfect kiss. He didn’t try to force his way into my mouth or start groping me in the hallway. It was simply a sweet and gentle first kiss. He pulled away, while still keeping his hold on my neck and I opened my eyes to find him grinning lazily at me. He was so bloody sexy and I just wanted to damn my virtue to hell and pull him into my suite so that he could have his wicked way with me.

He gave me another peck on the lips and then pulled away completely.

“I wish you a good evening, my Lady,” he said with a gallant bow.

“And to you, my Prince.”

He left and I went inside, putting my things on the bedside table before collapsing onto the bed.

I lay there for what felt like hours; replaying that kiss in my mind, over and over again.

Henry was truly the most amazing man that I’ve ever met and I knew without a doubt that I would be falling in love with him before long.