Friendly Ties

[Caitrin de Archer]

As Oliver told her not to tell her brother that it was he who had taught her the habit, Caitrin had to suppress a small giggle. Although the traits of maturity were shining through, she was yet only 14, and this was her first intimate embrace so she was allowed to be a bit giddy. She composed herself and looked up seriously to Oliver, their lips brushing once more, making her feel weak at the knees, “I won’t tell him if you don’t.” She finished it off with a small wink and settled herself into a small kiss. Their bout of embraces was making her feel dizzy, her heart was thudding wildly in her chest. God, was this what she had been missing out on? Well, Caitrin was defiantly going to make use of these new found feelings. Now she was here with Oliver, she was certain this would not be the last time she was quite frivolously intimate with a man.

The only annoying fact niggling in the back of Caitrin’s mind was that situations like this were few and far between. Her father hardly ever let her out of his sight, and after this he was probably slightly justified in his strict nature. However the stricter he was, the more Caitrin wished to rebel against him. He would have to let her out on her own sometime, after all she would eventually need a husband as much as she didn’t want one. Why settle for just one man after all? Caitrin couldn’t see any point in the future when her opinion would change. She never wanted to marry, she was certain of that much. What she especially didn’t want was for her father to select a suitor for her. He had already begun to throw suitors in her sisters paths, and she was determined he would not do the same to her.

When he took her hand she felt her cheeks twinge slightly at his impulsive behaviour. She hadn’t expected him to do anything like that; not that she was complaining. Caitrin let herself be led to a more private setting, so that they would not be snuck up on by her father and brother. That would defiantly not be a wise move on either of their parts. She felt him press her up against the tree, and once again she just led him lead. His advances were so desirable it seemed a shame to stop them, so she didn’t. After all she was still quite inexperienced, she needed someone to show her how lovers truly acted towards each other; not that she and Oliver were anything serious. No, this was a fling, a bit of fun, nothing else. At least that was how Caitrin saw it.

As his lips closed on hers, she began to move her lips over his, tenderly. When their lips were together, Caitrin never wanted the sensation to end. She began to increase the force of her kisses, it was instinctive, that was the only way to describe it. Her lips moved harder against his, the burning in her stomach transferring into this fir of passion. One of her hands came to rest at Oliver’s waist, as if to try and reassure herself that he was not going anywhere; not just yet anyway.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

“I won’t tell him if you don’t.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Although, I know I will dream of you,” Oliver replied definitely turning on the charms for Caitrin. Since they’ve practically sworn to keep this a secret between them, there was no more use being coy about things anymore. He knew ladies loved to hear that bit. He knew they wanted to feel appreciated and loved in whatever way. Owing from the experience he’d had with ladies in court and outside it, Oliver knew just how.

Not that it was difficult. Caitrin was anything and everything any man could want in a lady. She was beautiful and well-filled in all the right places. Any man would be a fool to ignore a gift so nicely wrapped as Caitrin de Archer was. She will definitely break the hearts of men when the right time comes. He knew he definitely wasn’t going to let this rare opportunity slip through his fingers. Although, he knew he couldn’t boast about it to his friends or to anybody, it still felt nice to know she wanted him like this, wanted his kisses as much as he wanted hers.

He had intended the kiss to remain soft and gentle so as not to unnecessarily put her ill at ease. To keep it tame and controlled. But when she moved her lips against his, increasing the intensity of their kiss, Oliver could only smile through them. Who was he to complain now? When he felt her hands on his waist, he reached up and cupped her cheeks in his own, matching the intensity of her kisses with just an equal a passion of his own.

[Caitrin de Archer]

"Then I shall be content in knowing I appear only in your dreams, and not the nightmares." She teased softly, following his lips as he merged them together once more. After today, perhaps the two of them would never be in such an intimate position again. Caitrin certainly wasn't expecting anything to happen after this meeting. Well, nothing serious anyway.

Caitrin let out a small sigh into her kiss as he cupped her face. Just the feel of his skin upon hers sent her heart racing. She moved the hand which was at his waist slowly until she found the small of his back, mirroring his earlier actions as she pressed herself against him. Caitrin's lips trailed with Oliver, and as the intensity of the kisses increased she was finding herself weak at the knees. Jesu, did he have this effect on all the women he kissed? She knew she would not be the first, and probably not the last. But that didn't matter right now, for now she had his attentions, and that was all that mattered to Caitrin. After all, who would refuse such attentions from Oliver? He was certainly a catch, and Caitrin knew the woman who he eventually married would be a lucky woman. She just knew that she would not be fulfilling that particular position.

Drawing back from his lips, she rested her forehead against his, her lips still hovering quite close to his. "What a pity it would be if my dear brother had been further delayed on his trip." She voiced softly, teasing Oliver in a more subtle way. "What on earth would we do to amuse ourselves?" Now that was an invitation, and for the moment Caitrin did not merge their lips, she left her words hanging in the air; just to see if Oliver would act upon them.

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Was this really just a 14-year-old girl he was kissing right here? Oliver had to check yet again because from the way Caitrin was handling the situation, answering his charms with just as much charisma, she seemed anything like a girl…or even a little lady. She was a woman. It was such a pity really to treat this dalliance as just that. A mere flirtation, fleeting, superficial…if only.

When Oliver felt Caitrin hands travel to the small of his back and pressed herself to him, Oliver shifted and pinned her against the tree with half his weight. He could feel her soft curves pressed against his hard chest, but he never stopped the dance that their lips where so focused on doing at the moment. He may have kissed other women before, but there was something about Caitrin’s kisses that made Oliver want for more. They were as sweet as her 14 summers, and yet as fierce and passionate as a budding flower opening herself up to the sun. It felt good. If he was indeed her first kiss, then he counted himself most lucky to witness and the cause of such a coming out.

He felt his chest heave up and down as they paused to take in some much needed air. Smiling down at her as their foreheads touched, Oliver smirked at her little ‘worry.’ “What on earth indeed? I’d die of boredom here if Jeffrey takes the whole day,” Oliver teased back, that trademark naughty grin appearing on his face again. “We probably…” he started, moving his lips to plant a kiss on her forehead. “…need to find…” Then the tip of her nose. “…some other way…” A quick peck on her lips. “…to amuse ourselves…” Then on her chin. “…while he's still away.” He gave her a little wink before burying his face at the crook of her neck, ending the trail of kisses with a long and lingering one there.

[Caitrin de Archer]

It felt odd to think that after Jeffrey got back, the pair of them would have to continue as if nothing had passed between them apart from friendly words. Jeffrey could never know what had come to pass between his youngest sister and his best friend. No, if he ever did, or more importantly if her father ever found out then she might never be allowed back at court again. Caitrin was hardly allowed at court as it was, maybe her father had forseen how his daughter would act when she was placed amongst men. However, she had sense enough to not let any man have her virtue; that was something she would not be yielding anytime soon.

As he moved to pin her against the tree she just let him. The sensation of his body being so close to hers was intoxicating and for a moment she couldn't focus on anything but Oliver and he felt pressed up against her. The hand she had placed on his back began to trace her fingers on the shirt on his back. Her hand moved slowly at first as she watched his reaction. This was still relatively new to her, she could easily reply to teases and jests, but physical acts were something new to Caitrin. However she was sure that in this aspect, she would be a fast learner, and perhaps Oliver would even benefit from that.

Caitrin let out a small sigh as Oliver's lips trailed around her skin. Jesu, the feeling of his lips on her flesh burned through her and left her wanting more. She closed her eyes as his lips buried into her neck and she put her head back, revealing more of her slender neck. She let out small smile and a chuckle at his words. "And how do you suggest we pass the time?" She teased him, then she shifted to just focusing on the feel of his lips on her skin. "For I fear he may be gone a while longer."

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Prince or not, Oliver knew Caitrin’s father would not let him get off the hook if he finds out what had transpired here between him and his precious daughter. It may spell disgrace not only for him, but more importantly for Caitrin, who had not even been officially introduced out to the society. Oliver’s own father would not look kindly on him acting like some wild animal either, moving in for the kill when opportunity presents itself. While Oliver really doesn’t care what his father would think or do, it was for Caitrin that he was more concerned about. He can’t have her reputation tainted just because she was seen playing around with him…and in their own estate yet.

Still, Oliver was not one to act all princely and noble on her by spurning her advances. He was just a man after all. Though he knew he would never let it reach a point where he could hurt her. She wanted this as much as he did. There is no harm in a little flirtation, is there? At least, in that aspect, he and Caitrin were on the same page.

Her moves were quite bold for someone as ‘inexperienced’ as she was, and Oliver had to give it to her. The feel of her fingers as she traced them on his back left a tingling feeling down his spine, and Oliver responded by moving his lips up the slender curve of her neck to rest on the sensitive skin at the back of her ear. He gave her earlobe quick bite before replying, “I don’t know. Do you have any suggestions?” he asked breathlessly. He wouldn’t want to be the one giving her ideas now, would he? “You were the one tasked to entertain me while they were away, after all.” His voice had a teasing lilt to it, and he was smiling now through the kisses as he snaked his arm around her slim waist and held her more closer to him, if it were still possible.

[Caitrin de Archer]

As Caitrin realised how long Oliver had already been at the estate she felt a pang of worry. Her father and brother could return at any moment and discover the pair of them in a rather compromising position. She didn't want to be discovered of course, but neither did she want to break off this embrace at all. This was her first kiss, and she was going to make it count, and she wasn't going to let her family ruin it. They'd ruined enough in her life for her to care about their opinions any longer.

As he nipped the skin of her ear she let out a small yelp of surprise. Now her cheeks flushed somewhat; again he had surprised her. She was starting to wonder if any man after Oliver would be able to surpass the rather high standard that he was setting. In her limited experience, she supposed the bar had been set rather high. Everything Oliver did was just so perfect that it left her begging for more. If that wasn't a high enough standard then Caitrin would probably never know what was.

He was drawing her closer once more, not that she was complaining one bit. She was finding it hard to think of how to reply to Oliver. Not because she didn't know what to say, no it was more because she just wanted to focus on the feel of his lips against her skin and savour that feeling and never let it go. It was hard enough to catch her breath and she sighed against the touch of his flesh against hers. Jesu, did he have this effect on all women? Finally drawing breath she managed a rather breathless, "We could always continue as we are if you are bored with this particular distraction." She managed softly and let out a wide smile, "Or we could always return to our archery."

[Oliver Strathmore of Mercia]

Laughter rumbled through his chest when Caitrin let out a small yelp of surprise at his little bite. It was quite refreshing to hear a reaction like that. It was honest, and Oliver loved it. He hoped Caitrin was having the time of her life with him, because he knew he surely was. As long as nobody catches them sneaking around like this, things should be perfectly peachy.

When she spoke, Oliver pulled back and looked at her, listening to the options she laid out for him. “While I love archery more than anything, who says I’m bored with this particular distraction,” he said before leaning in and capturing her lips into another kiss. “Are you?” he spoke for a bit before continuing on. Oliver couldn’t think of a much better distraction than this really. Had he known Caitrin and her ‘distraction’ would be waiting for him when he’d arrive in the de Archer estate for a supposedly hunting trip with Jeffrey, he would have come earlier. They would probably covered more ground and not worry about her father and brother returning way too soon.

He loved the feel of her soft lips against his own, and it didn't hurt that she was as responsive as he could hope for. Other 'inexperienced' ladies would have probably just stood there and let him do all the work, but not Caitrin. If he hadn't known any better, he wasn't the first guy she had done this with. Wanting more, he dug his fingers into her hair as he deepened the kiss, moving more passionately, giving her what she wanted and taking just as much in return.

[Caitrin de Archer]

Caitrin's lips pressed into a smile at Oliver's words. That was a silly question really wasn't it? How could any woman ever be bored of such an advance. She shook her head and sealed off her opinion with another soft kiss. "I can't imagine becoming bored of this anytime soon." She said quickly, giving Oliver a quick wink. It was odd to think that they had started off this morning intent on practicing archery, and now they were both wrapped up in a rather intimate embrace; not that Caitrin was complaining at all.

As Oliver's fingers ran through her hair, and his lips deepened the kiss, she reacted by digging her own fingers into his back. The intensity of his embrace was making her dizzy and for a moment she thought her knees were going to give way. She moved her lips back over his, trying to keep up with the force of passion he was showing through his own kisses. She sighed inwardly as his soft lips continued to press against her own. Jesu, this was everything she had ever imagined it to be and so much more.

Caitrin continued to move her lips over Oliver's and she was quite lost in the embrace until her ears pricked up somewhat. There was something not quite right; something in the distance. She left Oliver with one last deep kiss before regrettably breaking back from his embrace. She looked slightly concerned around the tree as she realised she could hear hooves coming in their direction. Panic struck through her; Jesu, Jeffrey couldn't discover the pair of them here, like this. "I think my brother's back." She whispered, slightly worried and looked up to Oliver. She couldn't move as he was still pressed up against her so she waited for him to tell her what to do.

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