Warning: smut content (you might skip the chapter at any word, you won't miss anything from the main plot).

After kissing my chest for a time that seems unending, Alexander doesn't show a trace of his usual determination.

He's been nibbling my breast forever. It's nice, and I'm moaning like always. But when is he planning to proceed?

It's almost dinner time. We should have waited to reach our chamber instead of making out on the couch of his office.

Yet, he doesn't seem to care about it. He's kissing me as calmly as he can. Oh, no: even more calmly!

There's no sign of his usual haste, his need to touch me everywhere and make me scream in ecstasy. He's just caressing me somehow innocently.

I reach out for his shirt and pull it, taking it out of his trousers. Before I can reach the belt, though, he stops me.

«Thea, we agreed,» he whispers. «Only until the baby starts growing.»

And he one-sidedly decided it's the case. I can't understand him. Am I not attractive anymore?

His eyes, by the way, are those of a beaten puppy.

You decided not to; why are you looking at me like this?

I scoff, curling my lips in an annoyed grimace. My Duke started touching me, kissing and licking. I wouldn't be this thrilled right now if it wasn't for his help.

«You moron!» I say out loud. «You're the one bullying me...»

«Oh, no,» he mutters, shaking his head. «I'll satisfy my needy wife without dangers for the child.»

What?

Oh, ah... He means... Well, I might agree to it. Even though it's unfair. I'm the one feeling good when he kisses me.

When he notices how I relax my shoulders, he returns to kiss me.

«You can continue to call my name, wife,» he murmurs before moving down. «I'll listen carefully.»

He stops on my belly just to leave a light peck, and then he lifts my gown's skirt after making me lie down on the sofa.

His lips first tease my thigh, nibbling the softer spots. He rubs his nose on my skin, and his breath makes me shiver.

It takes forever, just like before. So much that I'm as tense as a bow when he finally decides to kiss my secret part.

So tense that every touch makes me moan in pleasure. His technique hasn't changed much from last time, but his intent is different.

Before, he used this lethal weapon to make me desire him more. To tease me to madness until I openly declared my need for him.

Now, it's not the case. This is just a token of his love.

He wants me to feel loved and cherished. To be sure that he'll do anything just to make me happy.

Just when I think I can't feel better than this, he starts using his fingers as well.

First, he just teases me with his rough touch. Just enough that I notice.

Then, he sticks two fingers inside. Together, without warning.

I was already panting before, so I can't control my reaction and end up screaming his name. Electricity crosses my spine, and then the rest of my body till the tip of my fingers. I arch my back and react the way he wants, shouting in pleasure and sticking my nails in the pillows next to my head.

I close my eyes and get lost in the feelings, calming my lungs one breath at a time. Alexander's lips peck my thigh, accompanying me back to the real world without hurry.

Oh, damn it.

Taking back control turns out to be a long process, but I manage to sit up and gaze at my Duke. He's smirking proudly, which reminds me that all of this lasted just a few minutes.

Just a few minutes, yet I feel like I've been under his care for hours.

How did I manage to resist longer, before?

Oh, don't tell me it's all because Alexander intended to make love slower. I was a queen once, yet I don't have control even over my body. But I guess it's worth it.

«Any other complaint, wife?» he asks, following my expression with curiosity.

«Yes, of course.»

I shrug and lie in his arms.

I'm still shaken from the pleasure of before. My muscles are crossed by hot jolts, warmth spreads at waves. My legs are a bit numb, and I'd close my eyes and rest for a few minutes.

Alexander strokes my back, calming me even more.

«This is only one-way,» I point out. «I'm the only one feeling good like this.»

«I'm happy when my wife is happy,» Alexander rebukes. He pecks my hair, and I wonder if he would freak out if I tried something similar on him.

I don't know how it works. It sounded weird when I first heard about it.

But it sure is feasible. After all, I listened to a professional talking about it!

I was busy that day, so I couldn't stay in the hall where the prostitute was training the servants Polis would send to Ethiro. I just overheard a thing or two.

«If you want your wife happy...» I whisper to his ear, suddenly awake.

Now that I have a goal in mind, I'm not slumbery anymore. I'll sleep later.

«Let her take care of you as well,» I finish, moving my hand in his trousers.

I undo the belt with the other hand while his manhood becomes vigil in a moment, under my touch. I stroke it with strength, paying attention to his reaction.

Once sure it's all right, I split from Alexander's chest and slip down.

He opens his eyes in surprise, but he doesn't dare to say anything.

After all, he's busy gasping at this moment.

«Thea?» he murmurs, but the words are lost in the silence of the room.

He didn't show any mercy when I screamed his name out loud. Why should I stop to answer his questions? There will be time for that later.

I toss the trousers down just enough to free his member, and I lick the tip to probe his reaction.

When Alexander holds his breath, I decide I might as well get it over with. He stares at me with a mixture of surprise and disbelief.

I look back at him while immersing his erection in my mouth. I don't move my eyes away while twirling my tongue around the tip.

My hands, meanwhile, do their part of the job. They move up and down, changing pace to make things less expectable.

When Alexander winces, I move my brows and try to figure out the reason.

Oh, right. Teeth. I should pay more attention. Madam prostitute mentioned that quite a few times...

He clenches the backrest of the couch without a word of complaint, but I can tell it's not likeable.

I need to improve on this. By now, I was already cooling down after Alexander's kisses.

Yet, my Duke's moans and sighs don't show any hint of annoyance. It's tiring, but it's worth it.

It's a new position. I haven't been able to see his expressions of pleasure so clearly never before. I have been distracted by my own feelings, so I couldn't notice how he clenches his fists to try resisting longer. Nor the way his Adam's apple trembles when he murmurs naughty things.

I don't have time to listen right now, but I guess his words would make me blush to no end.

Too bad that there's no place for blushing after this.

All of a sudden, almost without warning, he moves his head back and relaxes his shoulders.

His eyes close. I can't see this detail, but I can imagine it.

He moans in pleasure as my mouth is filled with something hot. It's just a moment because I gulp before choking on it.

I cover my mouth with my hands while coughing, and I sit next to Alexander but turn my back to him. There's no need to look at me in this state.

«Oh, Thea,» he sighs, dragging me in his arms.

He pats on my back until I calm down, and then he takes out a handkerchief to clean my face from the mess.

«You're so clumsy, sometimes,» he comments in a whisper.

It's weird, but my shameless Duke is really whispering.

«I'm sorry,» I reply with a shrug.

I did my best. Maybe, next time it will be better.

Oh, if there is a next time. I won't insist if my Duke decides he doesn't like it. It would make me feel useless and a failure, but he doesn't have to bear with my mental issues every time.

«Sorry about what?»

Oh, he doesn't want to give me a break!

«For being this clumsy.»

«You don't need to be sorry, Thea. What if you're clumsy? It's just part of you.»

«Doesn't it annoy you, though?»

«I love every part of you, wife. Even your scheming talent and the way you crook your lips while thinking about something absolutely unnamable.»

«And what about... now?» I inquire, unsure. I was too busy failing to breathe, so I couldn't check if my Duke approved of my idea or not. I have to ask him, and that just adds to my embarrassment.

«What do you want to know, exactly?» he replies. Then, he smirks.

He liked it. He damning liked it.