"Thanks for your praise. In fact, being shameless also takes courage." Duke walked towards the bed in a carefree manner, wearing a cunning smile. The Duke who was usually cold appeared very gentle in front of Belinda.
"You are good at finding excuses for your lewdness." Belinda turned around with the thought that he had already dressed.
"Women don't like men who are not bad. Isn't that true? I'm just doing my best to cater to the needs and preference of women." Although Duke was not a slick talker, that didn't mean he didn't know how to talk to please women at all. He might not be as eloquent as Edward, but having stayed with him for so many years made him learn some of his skills.
An excuse to cover up your obscenity, huh? Who says that all women like bad men?"
Belinda never lost over verbal arguments except if the opponent was the sissy man, Rain.
"Are you saying that you like good men just like me?" Duke suddenly let out a warm and heartfelt laugh. It was something unusual for him as he was known to be a cold man.
"You are a narcissist." Belinda narrowed her eyes and looked at him mockingly. She gave him a quick once-over and realized that he indeed had the looks to be narcissistic. She pouted about that fact. She wasn't aware of how her expression made her looks even more beautiful to Duke that it made him lose his control. He lit up the fire in instant. One swift move from him and she was already in his arms. Then passionate kisses followed.
Duke's kisses were more like his personality, as they were like cold breezes that caressed her heart. She trembled with her eyes wide open in his arms. She gazed at his handsome face, slowly closed her eyes and kissed him back.
Duke was overjoyed for her reaction. He kissed her with more tenderness, tasting her and carefully tracing her lips with his. He wanted to make her completely lose for him. He wanted her heart to only beat for him.
Belinda unwittingly wrapped her arms around his neck. There was no use denying that this man was special to her. He could ignite her. And since she couldn't drive him away from her heart, she had decided to indulge herself to something amorous this time.
It wasn't that easy to love someone. On contrary, it was hard to the extent that one could forget how to make proper choices. Although you clearly knew that you were attracted by him or her, you still appeared like you had no feelings for him or her. Showing off that love was even harder. Was it the common trend in the current society? Was hypocrisy the new black that even expressing love had become a luxury among all?
The passion had heightened between Duke and Belinda, and kisses were not enough to feed their hunger anymore. It was like love was holding a trigger and one move from its finger would make everything lose control.
"Can I?" Duke was slightly panting when he whispered in her ear. Noticeable veins were pulsing on his forehead as he tried to hold on to the last string of his control. He was holding her body against him firmly as it felt like his sexual needs for her would kill him painfully any moment.
"What?" Belinda was still lost as she looked at him bewildered. She wouldn't expect that her puzzled look appeared all the more attractive to him. His kisses were more eager compared to his loving touches seconds ago. He had doubts about moving further because he recalled that she had her period several days ago. The idea was such a whammy as he was barely making it through his need for her anymore. Well anyway, forgot it. She was too beautiful. He was going to get her. He should and he would.
It was not until Belinda felt something cold caressing her body that she regained her senses. How could she not understand what he was asking for! She replied to him with more passionate kisses.
Being harassed by a drunkard several nights ago had her troubled with disgrace. She wanted to turn the table this time. She wanted to be loved. She should feel it or otherwise, she would stay believing that she was dirty. It was only when she was with Duke, she felt she was needed.
Duke was surprised by her passion. The only time he remembered her reacting like this to his caresses was when she was drunk. She didn't drink any alcohol today. Could this mean that she had already fallen deeply in love with him too?
Duke was being careful as he was considering the wounds on her body. The air was dense with the passion that was burning between the two. Duke used his tenderness to capture Belinda's heart while Belinda was going all out to get him, her true love.
Only people without anyone to love would say that the night was endless. But it appeared too short for the couple. They couldn't get enough of passionately making love to each other. Both of them filled with lust and desire, hoping for the time to stop right there and then.
Belinda had already fallen asleep deep at night. Duke, on the other hand, stood at the terrace in silence with a cigarette on his hand. He wasn't a usual smoker but tonight was different. He needed it.
He couldn't deny that he was the unromantic type but he didn't think that he was incapable of loving someone either. Belinda's feelings were a puzzle he found hard to decipher. Her actions were confusing. He always had the feeling that she was distant to him, probably not by literal space but emotionally.
He nipped his cigarette to the ashtray then walked back to the room. He paused beside the bed and gazed at his beautiful wife's face. She was perfect even in her sleep. A sudden ache cruised through his chest. "Belinda, if I promise to take care of you and give you a happy life, will you reply with a smile and give me all your love?"
Duke gently crept onto the bed and carefully wrapped her body with his arms. Belinda stirred and frowned. She unwittingly moved to find her comfort in his embrace then fell asleep again. Her movements were just like those of a kitty and they almost made him laugh. He buried his face in the crook of her neck and slowly closed his eyes. The sound of her steady breathing was his lullaby. Whether she loved him or not didn't matter to him at that moment. He would be satisfied just to sleep next to her every night.
Belinda woke up inside Duke's warm arms the next day. She sluggishly moved her sore body as her gaze fell on his handsome face. He was still sound asleep. She reached out to gently caress his eyebrows but the thought that she might wake him up made her quickly pull her hand away.
"You woke up." Duke opened his eyes but ended up squinting when the bright light flooded his sight. He looked at Belinda who was curled up in his arms.
"Yes. I have to go to the company today so I must get up early." The two-day break she took was over and it was time for her to focus on work. She had to go back or else she would go crazily busy as their wedding day was coming. "Don't you need to take a few more days off?" Duke lazily said with one hand holding her waist and the other supporting him against the bed. He looked a little tired.
"The wounds are almost fine. There is a lot of work in the company waiting for me to deal with. I am afraid that it might affect our wedding if I don't fix it now." Belinda took his hand off her and sat up. She smoothed her messy hair and then got out of the bed.
"Don't worry, you have me. You can take the work home if it's too much. I'll do it for you." Duke lay down on the bed and gazed at the ceiling with his misty eyes. He was not completely awake yet.
"Really? You mean I can take the files which need data processing home and you'll help me?" Belinda was not a science geek when she was still in school so it always took her more time reviewing data files than the normal files. Duke's offer was heaven sent!
Oh no! I didn't really mean that! You can take it seriously. Duke pursed his lips, thinking what on earth he had just put himself unintentionally into.
Of course yes. You said it. I will pick out those data files during the day and take them home for you to review after I get off work. Belinda walked towards the washing room without giving Duke a chance to refuse. He was dumbfounded when he found that Belinda already disappeared from his sight. He never expected her to take his words seriously.