Author's note: this is from Seraphina's point of view

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Every fiber of my being wanted to close that minuscule distance between our lips and to kiss Duke senselessly, but I held back fiercely.

If I give in easily, it won't be good. I need time to think and not rush into things, and he should also understand that I'm angry he made such a big decision without consulting me.

Would anything change if he told me about Magda when she blackmailed him? I was not sure, but I would not be this insecure.

I am aware that he was protecting me and trying to do the right thing, but I want to be treated as equal, and that means I want to be part of the decision-making process.

No matter how firm my resolve was, being this close to him, I found it difficult to resist.

How can a guy smell so good? And his taste still lingers in my mouth, making me crave for more.

I jolted when the front door closed, and I realized that was Maria with Duke's new clothes.

I swiftly scooted away from Duke, how much the sofa allowed.

Now that he got a change of clothes, he can leave.

Should I ask him to leave? No. I didn't want him to leave. Especially not with that werewolf watching us at the restaurant. Marius should call me soon with updates, and until then, Duke will be safe if he stays with me.

How can I get him to stay longer?

I remembered that we didn't finish our lunch.

"Are you hungry?"

He licked his lips slowly and I stared at that small action intently. God, how I wanted that tongue all over me!

"What are you offering?", Duke asked, and I hoped that he can't read minds because I was offering myself.

"We didn't finish lunch", I reminded him. "I can ask my staff to prepare something. While we wait, I can give you a tour of the apartment."

He agreed. "Sounds like a plan."

I showed him to the guest bedroom where he can change clothes, and I went to my bedroom to change into something more comfortable.

I untied my hair and let it fall on my back freely and I picked a short-sleeved summer dress that flared from my hips and ended at my knee level.

I struggled with the buttons because I shivered like a dry leaf on the wind. I couldn't believe that Duke was in my apartment, two doors down the hallway, and I was about to give him a tour of my apartment, and then we will share a meal and then… I didn't know what would come next, but I was nervous.

I jumped when my phone rang. It was Marius!

"Yes?"

"Young Miss…", Marius paused. "The werewolf says that he is working for Mr. Orsini."

I didn't get it. "Works for him?"

"His name is Sergio, and he works for Mr. Orsini as his assistant since he founded the Eclipse, and before that, he was Mr. Orsini's bodyguard."

How could that be? The werewolf was running after Duke like a madman. "Are you sure?"

"That's what the wolf said."

"Why was he chasing him?"

"I warned the werewolf previously to keep his distance from you. His intention was to keep Mr. Orsini from getting close to you because the werewolf knows who Master Aldus is."

I thought for a moment. In the employee files I got related to the Eclipse, there was Sergio Agosti as Duke's assistant. Sergio saw me and Aldus as a danger for his employer (aka Duke), and he tried to keep us apart. But one thing didn't make sense.

"Why would a werewolf work for a human?"

"He said that Mr. Orsini pays well and it's easy money.", Marius responded.

"Oh…" That made sense. "From which pack is he?"

"He is a loner, not associated with any pack."

I would be worried that he is rogue, but Lazarus is a loner, and he is fine. And if this Sergio has any bad intentions, he would probably act against Duke by now because he is working for Duke for several years. "Did he say anything else?"

"Nothing useful.", Marius responded. "He lived in Southern Europe before the war broke, and then he came to London, more than ten years ago. He asked us to keep it a secret that he is a werewolf because Mr. Orsini is not aware of his identity."

I didn't like the idea of a werewolf lingering around Duke. They are physical and impulsive, why would a werewolf be an assistant to a guy who is into finances? "Do you think he is dangerous?"

"He is mostly worried about his job. What should I do with him? I can dispose of him if you wish. Better safe than sorry.", Marius said like it's a totally normal thing.

Sure, we can get rid of him, but how will I explain that to Duke? Duke heard me talking on the phone when I said to Marius to capture the werewolf. "No need, thank you. Let him go for now."

Why are things so complicated? When I asked Duke why the man was chasing him, he said that he was trying to prevent him from leaving the restaurant.

Why didn't Duke tell me that was his assistant? I will need to talk to Duke about this. If he is not too attached to that werewolf, I will recommend Duke to let that guy go. Werewolves are dangerous!

I stepped out of the bedroom and found Duke in the living room.

He was wearing blue jeans and a light gray polo shirt that fit snugly around his firm chest. God! He looks good in anything.

Duke's eyes moved from my toes to the top of my head and his hungry gaze combined with that deadly lopsided smirk made me blush.

If someone told me that I will get aroused just because of the way someone was looking at me, I would call that person a liar. Until one minute ago. Damn!

I swallowed softly and gestured down the hallway. "Let's start the tour from the rooftop terrace."

Duke was next to me in a few swift steps, and he took my hand into his.

"Lead the way, my lady."

I smiled when his warmth transferred into my palm. This handholding, I can get used to it, easily.

I showed him the apartment, and Duke was very interested in my bedroom.

After checking the closet and the bathroom, he sat on my bed and bounced on it a few times, like he was testing the firmness of the mattress, and then he threw himself backward with his arms spread wide.

"Uhm… that's my bed.", I said while looking at Duke who was making himself at home on my bed.

"It will be ours.", he responded matter-of-factly.

I felt the heat increasing in my cheeks and I grit my teeth in annoyance. Why am I getting so easily flustered?

How can he be so casual? Did he forget that he needs to prove himself? And why did he skip all the courting and went straight to sleeping together?

"What happened with you having lots of money and taking care of me?", I asked mockingly.

Duke froze for a second and then a big smile bloomed on his face. "We can go house shopping right away. Do you have a neighborhood in mind? Or a city? We can live in any country you want..."

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