The wedding night
Janice let out a relieved sigh as she peeled off the gown she donned.
"I thought I might die back there." She murmured, caressing her tummy.
She flung the dress across the swivel chair that was next to the vanity and trudged towards the closet.
Janice stilled as the door went ajar. She didn't need to turn to see it was Jules who was inside the room.
Briefly, Jules stayed by the doorpost, assessed the room before striding towards his wife.
Janice sensed his gaze on her body and she swirled.
Her eyes bored into his as he strode towards her purposefully. She didn't move, neither did she breathe until he got to her back.
Also, Janice didn't bother covering her body with the robe in her hand because she felt it was unnecessary since he had seen her naked several times.
Jules pupils dilated as he gazed at her bare skin. She was his, he thought with a smirk on his face.
He cupped her bum and squeezed hard. His teeth grazed her earlobes and he trailed kisses from her neck down to her collarbone.
Janice's legs turned to jelly, and her knees buckled but Jules gripped her before she could smack the ground.
"Are you alright?" He asked whilst he carried her to the huge bed.
For the first time since she had entered the room tonight, she noticed the bed linen had been changed from the bland brown colour it was to a flower one which created a romantic ambience and red roses were scattered on it.
It almost seemed like the way she had envisaged her wedding night would be, only that there was nothing romantic about their marriage and whatever was happening between them.
Rather, It was a marriage of convenience and it would forever be that.
Janice was aware she had indeed followed the footsteps of her mother, only that she got married to a king, and she was now the Queen consort by tradition.
"I'm fine. I just feel a bit lightheaded." She muttered.
"I'll let you rest then. I understand how overwhelming it must be for you now." Jules murmured, tucking a strand of white hair behind her ear.
He had watched her throughout the night. Similarly, he had noticed the fake smile that had graced her face, and the stiffness that he believed only he saw.
Jules was aware of all the emotions that passed through her face before she schooled her features. He had thought it was because she didn't want to marry him.
He didn't know it wasn't only that, but the stress that accompanied it as well.
"Wait." Janice clutched his hand as he prepared to leave.
"I need you here." She said, "With me." She added whilst she patted the bed.
Jules groaned as he stared at her body again. He knew he wouldn't be able to control himself if he stayed another minute in the room with her. "I don't think I'll be able to control myself while you are looking like that."
"I'm sorry. I should perhaps wear something. I don't want to stay alone in this room."
The truth was, even when she had a cloth on, he wouldn't still be able to control himself because all his senses were often heightened when he was near her.
"It doesn't matter," Jules grunted.
"Please, stay till I sleep," Janice begged.
Jules could almost see the lonely girl that hadn't received any love or gift from both parents since they were separated at an early age.
The air of professionalism that she had often worn back in England had dissipated and Jules wondered if she was using it to make herself seem strong.
"Fine." He said.
"Thank you."
Jules tugged her into him, and his member sprang to life. But, he knew nothing would be happening since he didn't want to take advantage of her weakness.
So, he willed himself to think of naked nuns and he cussed out loud.
Janice flinched at the colourful words that came out of his mouth. It was her first time hearing him curse, and she wondered why he had done so.
Perhaps, it was her body next to his that made him do it, she thought.
"I-I'm sorry," Janice said, glancing at the dent in his pants.
"Stop apologizing, you did nothing wrong." Jules snapped, standing from the bed.
Janice recoiled at the harshness of his words. She gazed at her fingers, then back at his face.
"And stop staring at me that way. You make me want to take you right now." He added, turning his back to her.
"Then do it." Janice blurted before she could stop herself.
Jules stilled. He thought perhaps he had imagined her saying it until she repeated it.
"I don't want to take advantage of your weakness, Sweetness. I'm not that kind of man."
"I know. I want it and you are not taking advantage of me." Janice said as she climbed down from the bed.
She stepped towards him and pulled him into a tight hug.
Jules groaned at the warmth that radiated off her delicate body. He should have grabbed the invitation with both hands, but he didn't know why he was hesitating.
Perhaps, because she wasn't in the right state of mind, he answered himself.
"I'm sorry, Janice. I can't do that to you. I don't think you are in the right state of mind." He shoved her gently, then stepped out of the room not glancing back.
Janice flushed as she thought of the rejection whilst lying on the bed. She hadn't seen Jules either since he left their room.
A tear drops down her cheeks as she wondered if she wasn't desirable anymore.
She knew he had mentioned her being weak and thought if there was more to it than he was letting her know.
After waiting for another hour for a Jules that didn't appear, she wrapped the duvet around her body and curled in a fetal position on the bed.
She sniffled and the tears that she had been trying to keep at bay poured out of her eyes onto the pillow.
She sobbed until she couldn't anymore and she slept off after a while.