Forbidden Fruit

Grace lowered her eyes, demurely. She had just caught Demetri looking at her, his face unguarded. The naked passion revealed in the split second before he noticed her watching, had her tingling all over. Suppressing her delight, she glanced up at her mistress, and the scowl on her face made Grace’s heart pound, and sweat beaded up on her forehead as she waited to find out if they had been caught.

“Grace, take the children to the stable for their lessons. I want to take a nap.” Her mistress ordered. Grace nodded and taking a child in each hand, led them through the beach grass, toward the stables, dizzy with relief.

Demetri straightened his face quickly, knowing the crime he committed by staring at Grace. She was forbidden fruit. It took real effort now that he knew she was looking back, and his mouth kept curving up as he walked behind her and the children.

Grace stood at the fence while the children rode their ponies, but it was Demetri she was watching. The play of his muscles under his skin, as he put the island ponies through their paces, had her feeling things she’d never felt before.

With the children abed, Grace waited for the house to grow quiet. When the last light finally snuffed out, she crept out of the nursery and headed for the stables, almost swimming through the moist summer night. Port Antonio glowed in the distance, guiding her way.

Smelling tobacco burning, she tried to stop, but momentum carried her forward and she thumped bodily into the Master’s back. He turned, regarding her silently, as she stood before him, mortified to be caught outside after dark.

“Go on, girl, he’s waiting.” He whispered, smiling, and she ran to meet her beau, their tryst now sanctioned.