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

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I was in Duke's bed, surrounded by his scent, squirming under the cover nervously while waiting for him to finish his bedtime routine and join me.

The fact that I was wearing his t-shirt and boxer shorts was not helping ease my nerves.

Duke told me to shower first, and he gave me a spare toothbrush.

I was grateful that he didn't tease me about showering together, but also slightly disappointed that he didn't join me.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I want to do all kinds of things with him, but I am too shy to do anything.

Ah, this is horrible! At this rate, I will die a virgin, and I am an immortal so it will take forever!

Why didn't I sleep with any guy so far? I'm sure that if I bedded a guy or two, I would not be a complete mess right now.

Well, in my defense, the last three years were a bit hectic, and before that, things didn't work out. I mean… I've met plenty of hot guys during my college days, and I was thinking that maybe one of them could be THE one, but nothing ever happened other than me imagining things.

The truth is that no matter what naughty thoughts I had about any guy over the years, Duke's image came into my mind, pushing every other guy out.

So, it's clear. Duke is THE one. The ONLY one.

Why am I this flustered? He is not even here!

I read books and watched movies. One of the first books Aldus gave me was about human anatomy!

I know how things work between a man and a woman, but from the practical point, I'm inexperienced and I fear that I will make a complete fool of myself.

People do it all the time! Maybe if I'm younger, I would be less self-conscious…

I suppressed a shriek when the door opened, and Duke entered the bedroom.

My eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at the sight of Duke's exposed V-shaped torso. What the hell…!?

He turned off the main light, leaving the bedside lamp on.

The shadows made the landscape of his muscles more prominent, and I forgot to breathe.

"Did you give me your only t-shirt?", I squeaked while trying not to ogle at his perfect abs and pecs.

Jesus! If he goes out like that, he will cause a traffic jam!

Duke's smug smile told me that he noticed my reaction and I'm sure that he flexed that bicep on purpose!

He looks good and he knows it!

Duke got under the cover and wrapped his arms around me, pulling me close, like it's a totally normal thing.

"Why are you this stiff? You told me to act how I usually do, and I'm compromising here.", he murmured into my hair.

"What's the compromise?", I asked weakly.

"The sweatpants."

It took me a moment to understand. "You are saying that you normally sleep in your underwear?"

"Or without it."

I whimpered weakly. God, help me survive this night!

My dreams are one thing, but this is a totally different experience! Even if he doesn't touch me I will die of a heart attack, and this hugging definitely counts as touching!

I didn't know where to put my hands. Keeping them next to me felt awkward and robotic but putting them on Duke's skin felt like I'm about to venture into a minefield.

"Relax, Serina…", Duke coaxed me. "You know I won't do anything against your will."

Ah! Why is everything so confusing?

My mind was a mess, and my emotions were even worse. My whole body trembled, and I was sure that Duke will misunderstand.

"That's not…", I paused. "I mean…" What was I about to say? "You are topless and…?"

"And?", he asked stiffly.

"It's too stimulating.", I admitted.

Duke cocked an eyebrow at me. "We slept together more than once and now I'm too stimulating?"

When I didn't respond, he let out a long exhale. "Fine. The last thing I want is for you not to sleep because I'm making you uncomfortable…"

He released me from the hug and started inching away.

I panicked. Is he leaving? All those naughty thoughts and I'm in his bed, and he is leaving? "Where are you going?"

Duke shrugged. "I will sleep on the sofa in the living room…"

I hugged him tightly, plastering my cheek on his back. "Don't."

He turned toward me in slow motion and my face ended up on his chest. It was a strange position as he was half-seated and my body was arched weirdly, but I didn't dare to move.

Duke touched my chin and lifted my head up, making me look at him.

His expression was serious while he studied my face.

My heart thumped in my throat. We were too close. His hot skin under my palms, his scent all around me, the intensity of his gaze… I swallowed hard. "Can you turn off the light?"

"No." He rejected me flatly.

"Why?"

"Because I want to see you."

There were so many emotions hidden behind those words that my heart trembled. He wanted to see me.

The truth is that I wanted to see him as well. He was beyond handsome, and his gaze was full of love and confidence.

Maybe instead of thinking about how anxious I am, I should focus on Duke and feed off his energy which is warm and calming and tingling at the same time. Yes, that should work.

Duke was observing me in silence, and I knew that he was waiting for me to make a move, but there was a problem… "I'm not sure what to do."

The left side of his lips arched up. "What do you want to do?"

Everything. I remembered our morning in Frankfurt, his fervent kisses that made my mind spin and I wondered if I can have the same effect on him.

Slowly, I moved higher, toward his neck while pushing him to lay down on the bed completely.

I kissed him on Adam's apple that bobbed under my lips. I trailed kisses to the side, toward his shoulder and my kisses became bolder as I moved higher toward his ear.

I made my way toward the spot, just below his ear, and then I latched my lips around his skin and started sucking.

Duke's hold on me tightened and I heard his shaky exhale that confirmed I'm on the right track.

That morning he got me all worked up and left to shower. I wanted him to experience that desire and I had no intention to leave.

"Serina…", Duke growled close to my ear.

"What?"

"You should stop."

What? He must be kidding! It took a lot of courage for me to do this, and he is telling me to stop?

His hard and hot bulge pressing on my upper thigh was telling me that I'm doing the right thing.

I knew that he respects me and wants to take it slow in order to prove himself, but there must be a limit to how much a guy is cherishing a girl.

We were lying on the bed, facing each other. I lifted my upper leg and wrapped it around his waist, pushing my core against his erection.

"Se… Serina…", he called breathily.

"I want to taste you…", I responded between kisses and then I bit his neck and sucked hard while my fingers gripped his back.

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