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

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Serina relaxed and leaned her head on my shoulder.

I was happy that she found comfort in my proximity. Seeing her fight against me was tearing me from the inside.

I felt her hands gripping my shirt as she started talking, "I just arrived and there is a woman I need to chase away. There were Cynthia and Bethany, and Magda's presence is always hovering above us. Why is an endless stream of pesky women included with the package called Drago Orsini? This is not what I signed up for."

I was not sure how to respond to this.

I felt wronged. How is any of that my fault? Or maybe she was not blaming me, but I had an urge to chase away all her worries and I didn't know how to fix this. What can I do about women coming onto me other than to reject them?

Doesn't she know how many guys in London are talking about seducing her? But the fact is that none of them came close to disturb us when we were together.

If I saw a guy making a move on her openly, how Suzy did just a minute ago, I would probably blow a fuse.

"I apologize that you had to go through this.", I said with the hope that she will hear my sincerity. "I want you to know that no matter how many of them are out there, you are the only one on my mind and in my heart."

Serina inched away and looked into my eyes as if she was trying to read me while asking, "Is it true that other than Sergio no one else comes here?"

My mood improved when I saw that she was not angry.

"Sergio and you.", I clarified. I have a spare key somewhere that I plan to give her later.

Serina frowned slightly. "What about the cleaning ladies?"

"There are no cleaning ladies. If you see any dust or mess, that's because I didn't clean up. If you didn't hear so far, I am a private man and outsiders are not welcome in my space. Cleaning ladies included."

When Sergio and I moved in here, we kept a low profile which prohibited anyone to get too close, and cleaning ladies might find things that are not meant for others to see. Sergio was very specific about it.

Gradually, I got used to maintaining my apartment and I never hired help.

Serina bit her lower lip nervously. "What about other women?"

Her insecure expression was the most adorable thing I ever saw. "There are no other women. Any dates I had in the past happened outside of this apartment. No one got close to enough to be granted access here. No one other than you."

Serina looked at me incredulously, but there was some happiness in it as well.

I smiled at the silly girl, and I wanted to make a few things clear, "You are the first woman to come here since I'm living in this apartment. You said that you want me to court you, and I will use that time to show you how much you mean to me. I am not deceiving you when I say that from the moment I laid my eyes on you, you are my only one. At that time, I was not brave enough to tell you everything because I didn't have enough to ensure your safety. But now is different."

"Duke, I…", Serina paused, and I saw her chin shivering.

My chest tightened. Is she about to say how all this is too much and she can't take it?

I held my breath while she spoke, "I can't find the adequate words to explain my feelings. My need to be with you is overwhelming and I fear that if I just give in without any brakes, I will lose myself."

It took a moment for her words to sink in and for me to resume breathing.

A fire in my chest increased with every heartbeat that confirmed she knows I love her, and she loves me back.

I thought that she wanted to take it slow because she was doubting my sincerity, or maybe she needed to confirm her feelings, but this… was unexpected.

Of course. How come I didn't think of that?

For a woman who was controlled most of her life, the feeling of freedom is something she is not willing to relinquish easily.

Serina doesn't doubt her feelings or mine. Serina fears that she will lose her independence because she doesn't know what will happen after she fully surrenders herself to this relationship.

That is why she wants to take small steps. Now I understood everything.

I cupped Serina's cheeks into my palms gently, anchoring her head so that she looks at me. I didn't want her to miss a thing.

"Serina, I'm lost without you. When we are together, the world shines in different colors as it revolves around us, around you. The joy that consumes me every time I touch you tells me that with you by my side, I can be myself. I promise not to use your feelings against you, and I hope that you know we are in this together. My happiness, my future, my everything is in your hands. I am at your mercy."

I watched her intently as she studied my face in silence with eyes that were stirring with emotions and unspoken questions.

And then she moved toward me slowly until her lips touched mine, sending a jolt of electricity down my spine.

I forced my urges down in order to let Serina command the kiss as I held her in a tight embrace, pressing her body against mine, never wanting to let go.

Her lips caressed me gently, awakening every nerve in my body, full of passion and love that can only be found in fantasies.

The light brushing of her tongue made me open my lips for her to taste me, and her flavors exploded within me.

Serina's movements were hesitant, at first, and then firmer and more determined as her fingers laced in my hair and she pulled me closer.

I felt the heat of her body increasing together with mine as she became breathy, and the scent of her arousal enveloped both of us.

I swallowed Serina's soft moan while silently asking God to help me, so I don't pin her against the wall and rip her clothes off.

Just as I thought that I'm about to snap, Serina inched away from me, and I fought against the hunger to continue.

Serina looked at me with her eyes misty from desire and I marveled at the beauty in front of me. She was beyond beautiful.

I knew that my lips were stretched in the biggest grin ever because she kissed me on the lips and that means I can kiss her anytime I feel like it. That was the deal. Maybe she acknowledges that we are dating officially.

I had to make a point about this victory. "You kissed me. On. The. Lips."

Serina blinked. "I didn't."

"What!? How do you call what you just did?"

"It was just a taste.", she said coyly.

I didn't know if I should laugh or cry. This seductress!

"Call it any way you want, but a deal was a deal. You did it and now I can do it whenever I feel like it. Right?"

Serina avoided looking at me, her gaze falling on the bags that were behind me on the floor. "We should put groceries in the fridge before they go bad."

I was outraged. "They will not go bad in another few minutes! I demand an answer."

Without any warning, Serina got on her toes, pecked me on the lips, and used my moment of confusion to duck out of my embrace.

She grabbed two bags and dashed into the kitchen, leaving behind her giggles.

I shook my head helplessly while getting the rest of the bags. Serina will be the end of me.

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