Red Plum Blossoms:

Simone’s Notes:

The average duration of courtship varies considerably throughout the world. Furthermore, there is vast individual variation between couples. Courtship may be completely omitted, as in cases of some arranged marriages where the couple does not meet before the wedding. In the United Kingdom, a poll of 3,000 engaged or married couples resulted in an average duration between first meeting and accepted proposal of marriage of 2 years and 11 months, with the women feeling ready to accept at an average of 2 years and 7 months. Regarding duration between proposal and wedding, the UK poll above gave an average of 2 years and 3 months.

Nately nibbled on Kathleen’s neck. “I love you so much.”

His girlfriend drew her eyes closed. “Mmmm.” This was one their rare nights alone together. Her friend had to meet with another leader in a foreign country for a month. The heiress looked up at her boyfriend with a dreamy look in her eyes.

“Do you know why I called you here tonight?” she whispered. Nately gave her a sweet little smile.

“Do I have to guess?” he asked. Kathleen giggled and ran her finger down his cheek.

“I want you,” she said. “I want you to take me.” The soldier looked at her with a surprised look on his face.

“Kathleen!” he said with a gasp. “I didn’t know you were like that.” She gently put her finger to his lips.

“Not right now,” she whispered. “When you’re ready, of course.” Nately slowly nodded once.

“I see,” he replied. Kathleen gave him a smile that reminded him of an angel.

“Please kiss me,” she whispered. Nately leaned down and planted a small kiss on her lips. The heiress put her arms around his neck. I missed this feeling, she thought.

They barely got to see each other these days. Her father finally broke off the engagement between her and the war lord. However, he still didn’t approve of his only daughter dating a soldier. The couple broke off the kiss with Nately gazing into her eyes.

“Why does your father hate me so much?” he asked.

“I can’t really say,” she admitted. He reached down and pushed some hair from her eyes. They had the whole house to themselves tonight. No one would be back in the morning.

“So, what should we do now?” Nately asked. Kathleen’s lips curved into a smile.

“You can do whatever you want with me,” she offered. His cheeks colored over red.

“Really?” he asked in a high-pitched voice. She gently put her finger to his lips.

“Shh,” the heiress whispered. “Yes, you are.”

“Wow,” he mouthed. His eyes trailed back up to her. “May I kiss you?” he asked. Kathleen leaned up and gave him a little kiss. His hand found its way to her breast as he kissed her back. He shivered in worry that she might hit his wrist to stop him. To his surprise, Kathleen pulled him in closer. Well okay, this could work.

His other hand rested on her other breast as if to test the waters below him. Her body moved upwards as if to offer herself up to his touch. The soldier slowly nudged his tongue into her mouth. Each second pushed his mind into a conflicting place. Part of him wanted this while another part of him still wanted to be a gentleman to his heiress girlfriend. She invited him for this, but his heart felt rather reluctant. However, Kathleen pushed away all doubt when she sucked his tongue fully into her mouth. So much shock hit his mind, that Nately abruptly broke off the kiss. Kathleen looked up at him with worried eyes.

“What’s wrong?” she asked in between breathes. “Did I do something wrong?” Nately panted as he shook his head.

“No!” he said aloud. “That was… amazing! Kiss me! Kiss me again!” She sat up and kissed him again on the lips. He wrapped his arms around her small frame. They could never do this around her father. He wouldn’t even let them hold hands in front of him. Kathleen reached up and slid off Nately’s jacket.

I love you; please make me a real woman tonight!

Nately rolled around his shoulders as his girlfriend slid down his jacket. However, he arrested her wrists when she went for his shirt. She broke off the kiss and gave him a rather confused look. Nately smiled as he shook his head.

“Slow down there, baby,” he said. “We have all night to enjoy ourselves.” His girlfriend blinked at him with a child-like demeanor. Her boyfriend couldn’t help but to chuckle on the inside. His hands moved down to her blouse and worked on the top button. A chill raced through their bodies. They already expect anything to go tonight, but yet this reluctance wouldn’t leave them right away. Nately shook his head to make himself finish unbuttoning the white blouse. His cheeks colored over pink when he caught sight of her equally pink bra. The heiress reached up and rolled off his black t-shirt.

“Whoa!” she gasped at the sight of his abs. Nately couldn’t help but to laugh at her reaction.

“Never seen a guy shirtless before?” he asked. Kathleen pressed her lips together as she shook her head. Nately gave her a devilish smile.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “There’s more where that came from.” He paused as he glanced down at her bra. “I mean, if that’s what you want.” Kathleen quickly nodded as she blushed. Her boyfriend playfully patted her on the head.

“I had a feeling you would say that,” he said. The soldier kissed her on the forehead. His girlfriend slowly drew her eyes closed.

“Please,” she said in a whimper. Her boyfriend raised an eyebrow at her.

“Please what?” he asked. Kathleen looked up at him with pleading eyes.

“Please don’t hold back tonight,” she said in a whisper. That was all it took for the soldier.

“Yes ma’am!” he said aloud with a salute. His girlfriend giggled as the way he responded.

“What?” Nately asked. She ran her finger in small circles on his chest.

“You can be so silly at times,” Kathleen said. Nately chuckled as he leaned down to her face.

“Well then, let me show you how serious about you I can be,” he offered. Kathleen gave him a naughty little smile.

“Now that’s something I would like to see,” she purred. “Show me.” He started off with a kiss. His girlfriend giggled as she took him into her arms for the rest of the night.