Warning: smut content.

«The bed is more comfortable, my dear,» Alexander replies. However, he stays sat and doesn't seem bothered by my attack. I've already unfastened all the buttons of his shirt, and my socks are on the ground.

«I haven't had my glass of wine yet,» I admit. «The bed is too far from it...»

My Duke chuckles, amused by my foxy smile yet cold words.

«You can bring it along,» he proposes.

«I want to stay here,» I pout.

«You could have said that right from the start.»

I bite my lower lip to refrain from complaining. This Duke of mine is really annoying. He wants me to talk way more than what is acceptable in this kind of situation!

«Maybe, we should rest for tonight,» I mumble, feeling a bit troubled by my own words. However, I can't let Alexander control me this much.

I can state conditions as well, he's not the only one that can do that!

«Are you tired?» he asks, in fact.

I nod, and he sighs, beaten.

«If meeting with your friends makes you so exhausted, then it's better if you don't hold parties too often,» he murmurs.

What? Why? He's joking, right? Right?

«I mean if you can't take proper care of your husband because of that... I'm sure the ladies will understand.»

I curl my lips downwards and awkwardly stare at him.

«But I'm so happy to make friends,» I point out in a low voice.

«Then I should decrease your workload...»

«No, I'm happy about that too!» I add before he can even propose to take away from me the few tasks the Lady has to fulfil. «I would be lost without anything to do.»

«Mhm, yet I don't want my wife to be too tired.»

«I can resist a bit more,» I concede, in the end. Still, I glare at Alexander until he bursts out laughing.

«I was kidding,» he reveals. «I won't force you to do anything, Thea.»

«You shouldn't tease me so often,» I point out. «One day, I'll really get mad and make you sleep on the sofa.»

«We can stay on the sofa if you're insisting so much.»

«That's not what I said.»

«Ah, no?»

«You'll sleep on the sofa, alone, if you don't stop with this.»

«With what?»

«With making me speak and act like an idiot.»

«All right, then. What about your wine?»

«I wanted to be with my husband first, but it turns out he's not as hurried as I am. I must be losing the appeal. Are you growing bored of me, Alexander?»

«I'm not. I'm just wondering if a desperate Duchess would be more assertive.»

«Oh, but I've improved so much!» I complain.

How could I be more assertive than this? I jumped in his arms, sat on his lap almost on my own accord. Now, I'm also choosing the location for our engagement.

I'm not a stubborn person. After all, rulers don't have the perk to act stubbornly. However, I don't want to concede like I always do. I want to have him here, on the couch and next to the fire.

«You've been talking too much, this evening,» I state. «What are you aiming at?»

«I just wanted to play with my wife,» he whispers.

«We can play later,» I nod.

«Not cards.»

«Oh, whatever game you like. It's the same for me.» I can grasp the rules in no time and annul his advantage after a few rounds.

When he grins cunningly, a thrill passes through my spine.

«Not later, now,» he breathes. I don't react when he unties the ribbon of the nightgown and uses it to cover my eyes. Luckily for him, it's wide enough to cover my sight.

I just let him do, as opposing him would be meaningless.

Also, a blindfolded wife isn't supposed to work hard. I can just stay here and lazily endure. It seems interesting.

With my eyes closed, all I can do is focus on the noises and the touches. My Duke's hands are just stroking my back, but his tongue is dancing on my neck.

I gasp when he breathes on the wet trace, and I shiver for an instant. He moves his mouth down, and I bend my head back and split my lips to exhale. His teeth sink in my bosom for just a moment, and I moan in pleasure. It feels so intense, with my eyes covered.

Also, I'm completely at my husband's mercy.

My fingers find their way to his hair, and I play with his locks while his caresses become more daring. His right hand descends to my bottom, and he squeezes. When I can't handle the wait anymore, I guide his other hand to my right breast, and I press it until he accepts to fulfil my desire.

I feel overwhelmed by desire only after a few touches, yet this seems like the beginning of some unending torture.

Almost without noticing, the nightgown is lifted over my head and flies somewhere, I suppose on the floor. I would usually feel embarrassed by standing alone, but I don't even notice the difference with my eyes blindfolded. I just thrill at the air, but a pair of hot arms soon embrace me even tighter than before. Tender lips peck my chin, and then my nose. A possessive tongue invades my mouth, and it claims everything for itself. I can just second Alexander's movements until I'm no more willing to wait.

For once, I'm not let suffer by my cruel husband, and he guides my hips with his careful hands.

I grab his shoulders and move my hips as fast as I can, while my stomach contracts, and my throat moans. I'm completely controlled by the feelings, so much that I don't notice how my nails stick into my Duke's skin.

I can literally hear his pleasure, and I grin content when I sense his approaching climax. It's hard to describe, but I can tell he's close.

I just need enduring a bit more, and I'll for once have my Duke reaching the peak before me.

When his quickened breath hits me, though, I realise how challenging my goal is. My mind loses its clearness, and I pant and yell. I clench my fists and focus on staying on earth, but I fail every attempt.

I reach the heavens a second before my Duke, and I collapse in his arms without breath.

I lean my head on his shoulder and contemplate a way to reach the bed with the few energies left to me.

Alexander pecks my temple and circles my waist. As fast as the wind, he reverses our positions and presses me down. I can feel his weight and the places where our skins are in contact burn like crazy.

«Again?» I inquire, wondering if I'll ever see him tired.

Well, not today since I can't see at all.

«As my Duchess wishes,» he chuckles. He kisses my neck and looks for a spot to his liking. He sucks until a bruise appears.

I can't view it, obviously. However, I've started to understand how these things work. I can hope this love bite will be light and won't last more than a few days, but knowing my Duke it won't stay alone for long.

«Hasn't this Duchess already done her part?» I pout. I can't move from here, right now, so my tongue is the only part of my body I can move freely.

That's until my Duke kisses me fiercely. He bites my lower lip lightly, and I moan in complaint.

I hook my legs around his hips and let him guide me again with his hands. When he's inside me, I surround his neck with my arms and breathe on his neck.

«This Duchess is willing to be particularly dutiful, this time,» I whisper. «You better not take advantage of that, though.»

«I would never,» he mutters.

He thrusts in me, and I arch my back while moaning. It's not a new occurrence: the second time is often more pleasurable than the first. Too bad I seldom can last to it.

I have to work out more than what I'm already doing, during the day.

«Oh, Alexander,» I moan, and his chuckle fills my ears.

«Good girl,» he whispers.

I can't see his face while he can see mine. He can notice all the feelings that I fail at hiding, while I can't even infer the direction of his gaze.

I'm not on even ground, right now, but I don't particularly care.

«You were right about the couch,» he breathes. Only now, I can discern his heavy breath. Yet, he's stubbornly settled on talking.

It must be because he has something naughty to say to me.

«It's really something, here,» he continues.

As if it would have been any different in bed.

«Am I right?» he inquires, and I nod.

I'm unable to talk, at this moment, so I just cling on him and feel the muscles tense up again.

«My Duchess has been really obedient, today,» he murmurs. «Shall I reward you...»

«Just shut up!» I spit out, and his teeth bite me as punishment. That light pain breaks every wall of my rationality, and I convulse in his arms for the second time for this day.