30Marian woke up to a low and raspy moan. At first the feel of a man's body pressed firmly against her made her panic, but she calmed as soon as she noticed it was Robin's gentle snoring that she heard. He was laying on his back and she was wrapped around him in a very unladylike manner. Her right arm and leg draped over his body. She noticed his hardness pushing against her thigh, and blushed. She began to move away embarrassed but stopped. There were so many things that she did not know. Her mother died when she was too young to understand or ask what pleasing a man meant, and being a noblewoman she could not go ask some maid in the castle for advice.
She knew that she had had this effect on Robin before, but they were young, and she was far too proud and scared. She was older now, and had been cheated of five years with this man. Had he not gone to war they would have been married by now, and laying with him, like this would be common place. She debated with herself about what her actions should be and though she did not want to admit it she was curious. This was a side of Robin that she did not know.
She carefully brushed her thigh against him, and heard him let out a gentle sigh. Carefully as to not wake him, she pulled her leg off of him. She always slept with at least one candle lit, and she was grateful for the soft, flickering light. With it, and Robin sleeping she was able to study him without fear of humiliation. She could just imagine his infuriating smirk. It almost made her stop, but again curiosity got the better of her. She slowly reached her hand out and ran a finger up the length of him. She heard him whisper her name and froze until she realized that he was still asleep, and apparently dreaming of her. This thought made her smirk. His raspy voice filled her with confidence that she thought she lacked. She slowly rapped her fingers around him a gently squeezed. She heard Robin moan and thrust into her hand. Taking her cue from him she began to move her hand up and down. His breathing became more labored and he started to toss and turn. She decided that she should stop before she got…
"mmm…Marian." His eyes shot open, "Marian!"
Caught.
He had thought he was having the best dream of his life, but woke to find his tormentor was not a dream. He noticed a blush rise up to her cheeks at being found out. It took every ounce of strength that he had not to roll over on top of her and finish where she and his dream had left off. He forced himself out of bed. "Marian, what… do you have any idea… I… God, you frustrate me woman!"
She was horrified and angry more at herself than him. "Well that certainly was not my intention." She said trying to bite back tears that threatened to fall. How could she be so stupid? She didn't know what she was doing, and by his reaction she obviously was not doing it right.
Realizing that he had hurt her he sighed. He was still trying to cope with the passion that she had rose in him, and it was making it increasingly harder for him to think. "Marian," he said softly, "I am sorry, I did not mean it the way it sounded."
She rolled over on her side putting her back to him, "Robin, you should go. You do not want to be found here, and your men are probably worried about you."
He could see her closing herself off to him and it broke his heart. All he ever wanted to do was protect her, yet he seemed to be able to hurt her more than anyone else. He crawled back into bed with her, pressing his chest to her back and wrapping his arm tightly around her stomach. He leaned over and placed gentle kisses into her hair. "Marian, I am sorry for my reaction. You do not know the power you hold over me."
"Robin, just leave. I am embarrassed enough. You do not have to apologize for my inexperience."
This confused him, "Wait, what? Darling, I am afraid you make no sense. You have nothing to apologize for."
She huffed in annoyance, "Robin, you do not have to lie to me. You are a man, and you were gone for so long. I am aware that you had others, more experienced."
He started to laugh but stopped himself because he could see how she hurt. "Marian, I would not lie to you. There have been stolen kisses and moments in the past, but nothing more." He placed his hand on her face and gently turned her to look into his eyes. "I swear to you Marian, I am not nearly as experienced as you assume."
She knew he would not lie to her, but she was still confused, "Then, why the anger? Why the frustration?"
He sighed. She could never make things easy on him. "Marian, I am far from angry, and as for the frustration… it is only the frustration that a man feels when he cannot have that which he desires. You have more power than you think and you should not tease me so."
She looked up at him, "I'm sorry," she whispered, "I was curious."
His eyes grew dark with a desire that he was trying to hide, "Curiosity is very dangerous, My Lady."
For the first time since he woke she smiled. The smile was so beautiful and it lit the room. "I hardly believe that I am in any danger with you here."
"Ah, but Marian, you forget. I am an outlaw. A thief. And I have already stolen your heart."
She rolled over to face him and giggled. "Are you threatening to steal something else, Robin Hood?"
He held her close and kissed her. She was so precious to him. He wanted more than just one night in the castle with her. He wanted a lifetime. He reluctantly broke off the kiss, but kept a gentle hand on her cheek, "One thing that you can always be sure of is that you are safe with me. I will take nothing more from you… unless of course you ask." With that he crawled out of bed and made his way to the door. "Goodnight, fair maiden, or should I say Good morning?" and he disappeared.
He was filled with euphoria as he snuck out of the castle, but that slowly dissipated the closer he came to the camp. For the first time he was not looking forward to returning to his home.