Corina's body practically melted against the Duke before the meal even made it to the room. Alex wasn't concerned about the food spoiling, since he knew it was probably going to be leftover bread and desserts.
Calvin entered the room and noticed the sleeping woman nestled softly against the Duke. He smiled, placed the tray on the table, then made his leave.
Alexander didn't have the heart to wake her from such a restful slumber. He had his doubts about the comfort of her journey, so the rest seemed much needed. Instead of waking her, he took the opportunity to admire her features. His eyes noted her long, black eyelashes, which curled gorgeously.
His gaze then shifted towards her, trailing down to her soft, pink lips. He then noticed the exposed side of her neck, which appeared sensual in the way it tilted to the side as she leaned on him. It took a strong will not to plant kisses against her skin. He could see her potential to squirm and moan because of the attention.
The thought of her face and body becoming a mess under his touch was driving him wild.
Alexander wanted to be a gentleman, but he was a 19-year-old man at the peak of his hormonal cravings. Never before had he been alone with a woman, especially during such a silent, late hour when the palace did not stir.
His eyes looked down further, admiring her chest. It took all of his willpower to resist the urge to slide down the sleeves and uncover what lay beneath the thin, silk fabric.
Alexander's body reacted once more to the sight of her. He realized it was normal, and she wouldn't even notice while asleep, but it was still a moment of embarrassment.
The man made an internal vow in his head to take everything slow and perhaps not be put in too many positions where he would end up alone with her in his arms.
He diverted his thoughts, thinking instead of how peaceful she appeared, but he knew a bed would be a much better place to sleep.
Without much effort on his part, he picked her up from her position, stood, then carried her to his bed.
He laid her down as softly as he could. She did stir momentarily, but she never opened her eyes. When the subtle snores returned, he sighed lowly in relief.
Alexander covered her up with a folded throw from the bed's edge. He ran his fingers through his messy, brown locks then took a position opposite of her. He limited his movement to not wake her.
A deep breath escaped his chest as he realized they were already sharing a bed. It was in an innocent manner, but he didn't think he would have the princess by his side through the night until they exchanged wedding vows.
Her presence in the room brought him peace. He was thankful for the chance to cherish such a delicate flower as her.
Before he realized it, his eyes closed. His breathing slowed. It was the quickest he had fallen asleep in months. If he could be by her side every night, his horrible nightmares may never return to haunt him—memories of a traumatic past that manifested into twisted dreams.
******
By the time Corina woke up, it was already the middle of the day. Before she opened her eyes, she stretched her arms out and let out a huge yawn.
When her blue eyes fluttered open, something seemed amiss. She looked around, a look of surprise over her face as she realized it was not only her bed back home, but was definitely not the bed she should have been in at the palace.
Corina hurriedly rose from the bed; her steps rushed as she opened the door into the Duke's study. She noticed the man was seated at the large desk, shifting through documents. It gave her a second shock to see him sitting there, looking even more handsome than he did the previous night.
She couldn't believe she had ended up in his bed.
Alexander smiled when he saw the princess—messy bed hair and all—adorably clasp her hands underneath her chin, looking around like she were lost. "Good morning."
"A-Ah!" She gasped. "I hope I didn't cause any funny business. I didn't mean to fall asleep."
Alexander roared with laughter at her characteristically adorable reaction to the situation. He shook his head and put down the document he had been reviewing.
"Not at all."
"How did I end up in your bed?" Corina asked in a nervous tone.
"You fell asleep near instantaneously when your head fell against my shoulder, so I tucked you into my bed."
"Did you sleep there, too?" She asked, as she walked toward the desk.
"I did," he confirmed, his cheeks flushing.
Her hands trembled as she placed her palms against a clear surface on his desk. She was almost unable to stammer out her words. "D-D-Did we do the dance?"
Corina was devastated. Surely she couldn't have engaged in the sex dance with no recollection of such a major event. They hadn't even kissed. "Did we kiss?"
Alexander started laughing so hard that he had to clutch his abdomen from the pain of laughter. It hurt, but it was definitely a pleasant sort of pain.
When he was able to halt his laughter, he gazed into his eyes and shook his head.
"Oh, are you sure?" Corina spoke, her voice becoming calmer.
"I'm absolutely sure, Corina," the duke assured her. "I would never touch you without your consent."
"Even to dance?"
"Especially to perform such an intimate dance," he said, unable to hold back a smirk.
Corina sighed with relief and backed away from the desk. As she came to her senses, she twirled a lock of strawberry blonde hair around her right index finger.
"I'm sorry for taking up your bed all morning," she pouted.
"Don't be," he whispered. "I enjoyed having you near."
"Do you mean it?" She blushed.
"I really do," he admitted. "Remember how I told you I don't usually rest well? It was the most peaceful sleep I've had in a long time. I'm totally refreshed.
Corina smiled brightly. She was glad she was able to be of some use to him as his future wife. "Maybe we should have more sleepovers."
Alexander diverted his gaze, staring blankly at the lettering on the document on his desk. "M-Maybe."
An offer like that was almost too much to resist. He would need to keep his wits about him and find ways to redirect her to her own bed.
Corina noticed the Duke looking at the paper. "I'm sorry! I'm interrupting your work."
Alexander wanted to keep her to himself, but he knew it would be better for her to explore on her own while he finished his work.
"No, you're not interrupting anything."
"Even so, you're a busy man!"
Alexander couldn't deny it. He had no argument to counteract the statement.
Corina rushed toward the door. Before leaving, she looked back toward him. "I hope we can spend more time together soon. I enjoyed last night."
Alexander's heart sped up. "Likewise, wife."
Corina thought she had died and went to heaven. She had to check the pulse in her neck and pinch her arm to ensure it wasn't all a dream.
It wasn't a dream. She felt relieved; it was all real. She didn't anticipate that she would end up becoming engaged to such a wonderful, sweet man.
He was nothing like the rowdy brothers she grew up around. For that, she was thankful.