Chapter Twenty One

After their small encounter in the doorway to the bathroom, Rumpelstiltskin insisted that they go down stairs and get something to eat. He didn't want to be tempted to waste the day away in bed with her, though their time would most definitely not be wasted. He walked into the kitchen, turning around to face Belle and walking backwards towards the refrigerator. "So, my dear. What would you like to eat?"

Belle walked along with him until they reached the high counter and stools where she usually sat. She picked a stool and sat down, thinking about an answer to Rumpelstiltskin's question. "Hmm," she started, looking up at the ceiling as if her answer would be there. "How about..." she paused, looking back over at him. In all honesty, if he really wanted to please her, he would just serve himself up as the meal and allow her to ravage him on the kitchen counter.

Rumpelstiltskin waited patiently for Belle to come up with a response. He gazed over at her, the long, chestnut curls of her hair draped over her shoulders and hung next to her breasts. His plan was not working. He still wanted her as much as he had upstairs, but he would not yield. He was determined to get some food in their stomachs for once.

Belle attempted to get her mind off Rumpelstiltskin and back on the subject of food. She decided the best way of doing that was to just not look at him. She glanced down at her dress, fixing a few of the folds in the fabric then finally piping up with an answer. "How about some grilled cheese?" she asked, still fiddling with her dress.

Rumpelstiltskin giggled a little and turned, opening the door of the refrigerator with a wave of his hand. He had been so focused on not thinking about Belle that he completely forgot her golden rule. No magic, unless absolutely necessary. Hoping that she hadn't noticed, he continued collecting what he needed out of the fridge, then closed it with his foot as he walked over to the stove.

Belle looked up to find Rumpelstiltskin with his back turned to her, already beginning to fix their lunch. She smiled and tried to decide if she should watch him cook for her or escape to the living room. There was something about the way he moved when he didn't think she was paying any attention that just drove her wild.

Rumpelstiltskin turned on the burner and prepped the skillet, making sure everything was set out and ready. He buttered the slices of bread and laid out slices of cheese. As he waited for the skillet to get hot enough, he turned around and looked at Belle. "Belle, dear. Why don't you go find a movie for us to watch while I," he paused, motioning towards the oven with one of his hands. "Do this."

A little disappointed that she would not be permitted to watch him from the living room, Belle got up off her stool and smiled. Before exiting the room, however, she walked over to him, placing a small kiss on his lips and biting softly before fully parting from them. She moved away from him, walking out of the room and into the living room with a huge smile on her face.

Rumpelstiltskin was a little taken aback by Belle's actions before she left him. The kiss was small and soft, but at the same time longing and lustful. He could feel himself slightly panic as she exited the room, watching her hips sway back and forth. She was driving him crazy, without even trying. He shook it off, turning once again to focus on the food.

Belle surveyed the many titles in front of her on the shelves of movies, trying to decide which one she wanted to watch with Rumpelstiltskin. After a few moments of careful consideration, she selected one and popped it into the DVD player. Her task finished, she wondered if she should return to the kitchen, or stay in the living room.

Rumpelstiltskin finished their sandwiches and put them on plates, shutting down the burner and placing the skillet in the skin to soak. He carried the plates towards the living room, mentally preparing himself for what might await him behind the next wall.

Belle heard movement in the kitchen just beyond the doorway and look over towards it, seeing Rumpelstiltskin walk through the doorway carrying their food. Relieved that she didn't need to make a decision she walked over to the couch and sat down, waiting for him to sit next to her. "Well, that was fast." she said, looking up at him as he approached her.

Rumpelstiltskin placed the plates of food down on the coffee table in front of them, then sat down next to Belle. He wrapped his arm around her shoulders and kissed her cheek softly. "I was hungry." he said, giggling quietly to himself. He glanced over at the television and sighed. "Romeo and Juliet again?"

Belle chuckled and rested her head on Rumpelstiltskin's shoulder. "What?" she started, cuddling up to him and smiling. "I love this movie." She looked around briefly and realized that she had forgotten the remote on top of the television. She began to stand up to go and retrieve it, letting her hand softly graze his thigh as she moved.

Rumpelstiltskin shuddered a little as Belle's fingers ran down his leg. If she wasn't careful, he might attack her. Although, perhaps that was her intention. As he saw her move to stand up, he stopped her, waving his hand and forcing the movie to play. He looked over at her with an innocent face and then smiled. "I don't want you away from me today. Even for a second."

Belle was a little irritated that Rumpelstiltskin kept finding ways to break her no magic rule, but the statement he just made gave her heart a flutter. So, she decided to let it go. She moved back to her original position, snuggling against him once again and resting her head upon his shoulder once more as the movie began.