WARNING: smut content.

The Duke hasn't let go of my hands yet. He's smiling happily, so much that I can picture a wagging tail.

I, on the other side, am still in shock.

He's still bragging about how content he is that I didn't keep my thoughts private, that I dared to be harsh without fear and that I also kept my sense of justice intact.

He doesn't care that I disrespected him, nor that I was utterly wrong. But I do.

My sense of guilt is eating my insides, and a terrible, awkward feeling has spread in my guts.

I don't know how to get rid of it until Duchess Prim's words return to my mind. She said that a wife must reward a husband that is working well, especially if he gains some achievement. It will tighten the relationship between them, and it will also make him feel even more important.

After all, I said to Alexander so many bad words. I should at least praise him as much: at least one praise for every complaint! That way, I'll be even with my consciousness.

I press my palm on the Duke's chest, and I take half a step forward. I'm so close that I can sense his warmth even if I'm not leaning on him yet.

«You caught three wolves,» I whisper, lifting my head to look at him with admiration. «That's so brave!»

He stops the gloating and observes my face curiously. He blinks, while I can literally see his thoughts running in his head. He decides to let me continue, and he moves a few steps back, dragging me with him.

«Is it?» he mutters while his fingers find the buttons on my back and start unfastening them.

«Yes, it is,» I nod. «You haven't told me how you do it, though... I had to listen to some ladies' conversation to catch a few details!»

«It was so difficult!» he exclaims.

He sits on the bed, and I follow him and sit on his lap. He doesn't let go of my hips, so I don't have another choice but to place my knees one at each side. It's so inelegant, isn't it? Yet, my Duke doesn't seem to care. He doesn't move his eyes away from me, and he smiles mischievously.

«It was hard, but I was driven by the thought that my Duchess would like the prize...»

«This Duchess likes it very much,» I affirm, and the Duke grins remembering how much I complained just a minute ago.

Not just that he took a few hours to win the hunt, he also came back earlier just to bring me some berries. He also cut himself while picking them... Wait.

Two wolves were killed with an arrow, but the third was slain with a sword. Were the scratches really caused by the bushes? He was so in order when he arrived that I couldn't think he really caught something.

I straighten my back and clench his shirt. I start working on the buttons in a hurry, a bit worried and a bit curious.

«You're supposed to do this after the wedding, Duchess. Not before.»

He's pretending to complain, but his hands have already reached my thighs. He needed just a few seconds to make some sense of this cloud of skirts and find my skin.

When I move the shirts away and expose his skin, I sigh relieved. No wounds are visible, except for a few bruises on his shoulder.

«Did the wolf do this to you?» I inquire.

He probably fell down on the side, judging from the size and shape of the injuries. I peck his shoulder in each and every place where his skin is darker.

«Does it hurt?» I whisper, realising that I'm pressing his bruises with my lips. It must be annoying, but the Duke hasn't stopped me.

«It doesn't hurt anymore,» he whispers. «But my Duchess is now in a lot of trouble...»

What trouble?

«Hasn't anyone ever told you not to worry about a man if you're not willing to take care of him?»

I tilt my head, confused. Why am I not willing?

«Now, I hope you didn't plan to rest in the afternoon...»

Just after he finishes talking, he rolls on the mattress and presses me under his weight.

«I need to get ready for tonight,» I remind him.

«You're allowed to be late,» he sentences before biting my shoulder.

«My Duke, I remind you that you publicly declared that I'm a delicate woman. It won't be good if you leave marks on my skin.»

«Not in visible places,» he murmurs, moving the clothing down from my breasts.

At first, the freshness of the air makes me wince. Then, the Duke's hot lips tease my nipple without any warning. I inhale abruptly, surprised by his suddenness. His hand guides my leg onto his hip, and I recall my initial purpose.

I reach for his belt and start to unfasten it. Is this too forward? Should I have just waited for the Duke to do everything?

When he catches my hands and blocks my wrists over my head, I open my mouth to apologise. I don't have time to speak, though, since he immediately kisses me, deeply and slowly.

I feel tingling in the lower part of my body. Differently from usual, this time it's almost unbearable.

I can't move my arms because the Duke holds my wrists with a hand, while the other is still wandering under my skirt. His fingers caress me lightly until they reach the final destination. At first, he rubs my secret part delicately, and a moan leaves my throat against my will.

Then, the Duke's mouth leaves mine and lands on my neck. I turn my head to the side and close my eyes, while his tongue and teeth play with my skin, drawing a path to my chest.

He stops on my left breast, and he sucks on a place for a while, while his fingers become rougher. I start to pant, drowning in these feelings like never before.

I'd like to sink my hands in his hair, but he doesn't let go of my wrists.

Meanwhile, his teeth have moved on my nipple. I arch my back, unsure if this sweet pain is supposed to be this pleasant. His fingers are circling my entrance until one gets in.

I gasp, realising that this is the punishment he was talking about. He teases me to madness, and then he pretends to concede. Then, he returns to tease me until I want more again.

He moves his finger while his breath hits my ear.

«Is this what my Duchess was asking for?» he whispers.

If only I could answer, I would. But now, I'm focused on keeping my breath stable and my voice silent. I open my eyes and turn to the Duke, realising too late that it is a mistake.

His eyes are so close, observing my expression with pride. I lock my gaze at him, forgetting about breathing regularly.

My chest moves up and down, quickly increasing the pace of my sighs. My cheeks flush, embarrassed by my husband's stare. Still, I can't move my eyes away.

I can't think of anything else, right now. Just of this man, playing with me with such a cruel grin.

«Call my name,» he orders, and I bite my lip not to follow his will so quickly. Why is he commanding me around, now? I wanted to take the lead, this time. I wanted to reward him for his efforts.

Why am I the one panting in pleasure? I'm unable to move yet willing to stay like this for as long as the Duke desires.

«Call my name, if you want to finish this,» he continues.

I don't know what face I'm showing to him, but it can't be a decent one.

«I can make you feel even better, but I won't do it if you don't say it.»

I try to resist, but after barely a few seconds, I split my lips and concede.

«A... Alexander,» I whisper, while my face turns hot with embarrassment.

«Once again,» he utters, and I understand that he's more ruthless than what he made me believe.

«Alexander,» I pant.

«I want to hear you call my name in ecstasy, Thea. I want to hear you shout it out loud... Will you?»

That will be so unrefined. But not accepting seems even worse.

«Fine,» I accept, a single tear of desperation in my right eye. He's so cruel and overbearing and selfish...

«Good girl,» he chuckles, and he removes his finger from inside me.

I moan in protest and pout my lips, but I soon let out a low scream when he enters inside without warning. I lock my legs around his hips and arch my back. I try to free my hands, all in vain.

«What now?» he mutters, and I don't have a choice but to follow his desires.

I call his name thousands of times, while my traitorous body twitches at his thrusts.

I didn't know love could be this pleasant. I've started to understand why my Duke is always ready to approach me.

I was always told that women do not feel the same pleasure in bed, yet I can't imagine it possible for anyone to feel better than this.