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

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My hand trembled while gripping the phone and I could sense anger bubbling inside Aldus. I feared that he will blame Duke for me sleeping again. If Aldus knew that it happened twice, he would blow a fuse.

I knew that Aldus is only concerned about me, but if that concern includes keeping me away from Duke, I didn't want any of it, but I couldn't say that to Aldus. This was not the time to argue. We will talk later.

Now I needed to defuse the situation.

"No, no…", I lied with the first thing that came to my mind. "I was in the tub, soaking in the hot bubble bath with aromatic oils and it was relaxing so I dozed off and forgot about the time and my phone was not nearby."

Aldus snorted, obviously not buying it. Well, it was a lame excuse.

Aldus definitely knew I was in Duke's apartment and even if I was in a bath, that would be with Duke.

Me and Duke sharing a tub. I liked that idea.

I would face Duke and he pulls me to straddle him... or maybe Duke sits behind me and...

Aldus's angry voice pulled me out of my lewd daydreaming.

"Do you plan to attend the event with me or not? I thought you wanted to handle Giantshade Industries, but if this is how far your resolve is going, maybe I should deal with them myself."

I anxiously looked at the time, and my stomach dropped when I saw the clock showing 16:28.

Oh, God! I was supposed to be at Aldus's villa half an hour ago so that we can get ready and sync up before heading to the event.

"I'm coming right away. I apologize for…"

"Save it.", Aldus cut me off. "Just get yourself here."

Aldus ended the call without giving me a chance to respond.

Oh, boy. I knew I was in trouble. After this, Aldus will keep an eye on me, and I won't be able to slip like this again. I was confident that I won't see Duke until I manage to control this cursed ability completely.

Maybe I can lie to Aldus and tell him that I've got it, but then if he catches me that I slept again, he might lock me in the dungeon. This was getting troublesome.

Why did I think about this ability as something holy that I can use to save lives? This is a curse that will keep me away from the only man I want to be with!

I looked at Duke's concerned face directed my way, and I forced a smile with the hope he will not see through me. "It seems I need to go."

"Are you OK?", Duke asked.

I was confident that he was asking me about Aldus. Duke was right next to me, and even if he didn't understand what Aldus said, Duke definitely heard Aldus's clipped tone.

"I will be fine. I'm running late so my father is upset because attending this event was my idea and he left his work in order to accompany me. But he will steam out by the time I reach his villa. And even if he doesn't, the worst I will get is an earful of nagging. Believe it or not, Aldus Mezzanotte is a softy. I should get going."

I wanted to scoot off the bed, but Duke grabbed my shoulder, holding me in place.

"No, I meant…", Duke hesitated. "Are you sick?"

I blinked at him. "Sick?"

Did he actually hear Aldus saying how I ran out of energy and couldn't wake up? That must be some good hearing because I didn't put the call on the speaker.

Duke pressed his lips into a line, and I could see that he was choosing his words.

"Last night I thought you were tired, but today you fell asleep, and I couldn't wake you up. A similar thing happened in your apartment and in Frankfurt. Will you tell me what's going on?"

"Oh…", I realized that Duke was asking about me passing out.

How stupid of me. I was thinking about all kinds of scenarios, but it never crossed my mind that Duke will assume I have a disease that makes me sleep randomly.

Actually, this is not so bad. I will let Duke think that, for now. I will figure out later how to explain that I'm miraculously healed but I had to tell him something now so that he is not worried needlessly. The last thing I want him to think is that I'm dying.

I cupped Duke's cheeks and anchored his head to look at me.

"I have this condition where my energy is drained when I get excited." This part was almost the truth, and I added, "It's related to the level of oxygen in my blood, but don't worry because I recover completely with rest. The biggest issue is that I end up sleeping due to fatigue. I didn't mean to keep it from you, but I didn't want to worry you either because the condition is curable, and I am getting treated."

Duke eyed me suspiciously for a few long seconds and then he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me into a desperate hug. His palms pressed on my back, pushing me into him like he wanted us to merge into one and I wouldn't mind if that happened.

"You are not lying, right?" His shaky voice was full of emotions.

"Why would I lie?"

Duke kissed my temple. "I just got you back. I can't lose you."

My heart tightened as I felt the anguish in him.

"You won't lose me, Duke. You will be stuck with me for a long time." I meant it. A long time. Forever.

My lips sought his and my soul hummed in pleasure when Duke's taste entered my mouth. Love, comfort, passion, it was all right there, in that slow kiss full of longing that assured us both that what we have is real.

It took only a few seconds for the heat to converge at the pit of my stomach, morphing into arousal that was threatening to take over my reasoning again.

Why the hell am I getting all worked up in a situation like this? We were sharing an emotional moment, and this was just a kiss! Why did I start imagining Duke wrecking my insides with his delicious cock?

Ah, because of Duke I became lewd!

Duke pulled out of the kiss and leaned his forehead on mine.

"Does this count as you getting excited?" His hot breath splashed on my lips.

"Not enough to knock me out.", I responded with a smirk.

"Maybe I should taste you more." His grip on my waist told me that he was talking about tasting me down there, at the spot where my core pulsated while craving for him.

I imagined him putting his hand between my thigs and my legs parting… Duke pushing me down on the bed… Damn! Here I go again!

I let out a shaky breath. "Maybe you should help me find my clothes. Or would you rather explain to my father why I didn't show up?"

Duke chuckled and gave me a quick kiss before releasing me out of his hold so that I can leave the bed.

I scooted away from him immediately.

I really didn't want to leave, but staying meant a big scolding from Aldus I was not willing to receive.

"Can you drop me off?", I asked to what Duke's eyebrows shoot up.

"Really? I mean, absolutely!", he grinned. "I guess I should dress up as well."

I wanted to tell Duke that his polo shirt and jeans are just fine, but I knew that he wanted to remove his clothes in front of me. He is such a tease!

I was happy that he agreed to give me a ride. Aldus knows that I'm with Duke and trying to hide it would only make things worse. At the same time, Duke is a capable driver and I wanted to maximize my time with him, so Duke dropping me off will work in more ways than one.

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