Heart of Darkness

Roxana swallowed the large lump in her throat before taking off her boots. She stepped into the river with heart pounding fiercely in her chest. Alexander sat down on the rock again and watched her walk closer to him.

'Come closer.' She recalled his words from last night which didn't help in this moment of panic.

"What happened Rox? You look like a frightened rabbit."

He used her exact words. "What is there to be frightened of, Your Majesty."

"Nothing." He said as if to assure her yet not. "Let's see if you have the strength enough to ease the tension in my shoulders."

For a moment she breathed out relieved that it wasn't the other way around but then she panicked looking at his broad shoulders. He wanted her to touch him? Touch his bare skin?

It is just skin, Roxana.

"I will try my best, Your Majesty." She forced a smile and then went to stand behind him. Now she could hear her heart in her ears. She looked around and found that most guards were minding their own business which made her a bit relieved.

As if putting her hands into a pit of snakes she carefully placed them on his shoulders. His skin was cold and smooth yet all she felt was the heat. She put on light pressure not sure what to do and unable to focus on the task.

"I can barely feel your hands." He told her.

She cleared her throat. "I will try again, Your Majesty."

Hesitantly she put more pressure grasping his shoulders in her hands. She could feel the strength in them. And then she put more pressure moving her hands across the broadness of his shoulders. It was just a massage yet she felt as if she was doing something… intimate. Butterflies attacked her stomach. Heat burned her face, ears, and neck.

"You are stronger than that." He said tilting his head to one side.

Biting her lip, she put even more pressure. "Yes, that feels good." He murmured and the butterflies in her stomach went wild. That made her grasp him harder and her fingers dug into his shoulders.

Shocked she removed her hands away completely. He said nothing and waited for her to continue and so she did. With dread, she grabbed his shoulders again. This time hurrying to give him the message and getting it over with.

"Take it slow, Rox." He instructed in a voice that should be forbidden to be used.

Feeling weak in the knees, her hands trailed across his shoulders in a soft caress before she grasped him again as if stopping herself from falling back.

Suddenly he grabbed her wrist as if knowing she needed the support but he pulled her to the side instead and then examined her hand. Her hand looked small in his, veinless unlike his. "You have such delicate hands for a man." He said.

She just stared at him, breathless at this point to be able to speak. This man was the devil because there was no way she could be affected like this.

His sapphire eyes gazed up at her, gleaming with dark mystery. "I shall show you how a man gives a massage." It sounded like a promise and before she could protest he moved away and pulled her down to sit on the rock.

As he placed his big strong hands on her shoulders, her heart skipped. And then he hugged her shoulders with enough pressure to feel good. His thumbs made circular motions at the back of her shoulders which made her want to close her eyes with pleasure.

"Does that feel good?" He asked.

"Yes," She said and was then surprised by the gruffness in her voice.

Something was happening to her. He was doing something to her. Something that she usually felt when she had those dreams about him but this was much more intense. She could barely think. She wanted to lean back and just enjoy the pleasure.

Swiftly, his thumb brushed against the nape of her neck and a shiver went down her spine. She thought he did it by mistake but he moved closer to her neck, his fingers touching the sides of her throat. Roxana tried not to shiver again but her body shuddered even more. And she wasn't even cold. Her body was burning and heat pooled to her belly where the butterflies were still dancing.

"Your Majesty," She croaked pulling her shoulders up in defense. She could not take this torture anymore.

"You are very tense. Relax." He urged her.

God. She wanted to but she couldn't. If he kept touching then her clothes would be soaked in sweat from all the heat.

He pressed his thumbs down the sides of her neck and further down to her shoulders making them relax and fall by themselves. And making her almost fall off the rock before he held her steady by the arms. Shaking herself away from this haze of… whatever it was she rose hastily from her seat.

Her knees were still weak so she had to be careful not to fall. She had almost forgotten that they were still surrounded by guards who seemed focused on their tasks.

Roxana turned to Alexander to make up some excuse to leave but once she looked into his darkened gaze she felt a magnetic pull like never before.

Despite the comfortable distance between them, she felt like one step could make her fall into sin. Just one small step and she would fall into the devil's trap.

"Your Majesty. You are very skilled." She said breathlessly.

He gave her a roguish grin. What was he trying to do to her?

"I am glad you enjoyed it." He drawled.

He was saying certain words but somehow she was hearing something else entirely. She was losing her mind.

She smiled nervously. "It was an honor, Your Majesty. Please, I shall not disturb your bath anymore." She said taking a step back.

He gave her a curt nod and this time she hurried away like a scared rabbit.