Aleksasha stared dreamily at Matias as his lips lingered ever dangerously close to hers. Her heart pounded in her chest. "I…. I want your warmth. I want all of you," she admitted, her face burning scarlet as her eyes widened; startled by the words that left her mouth. She hadn't meant to say that out loud but there was no taking it back.
Matias's lips curled into a smile. "Your wish is my command, my dear sweet wife," he murmured against her lips. His fingers slipped over her hair, catching the ornaments that kept it partially bound and pulled it free - setting it to one side. Her hair tumbled freely past her shoulders. He smoothed a loose strand over her shoulder as he openly admired her. "Beautiful."
She clutched at his jacket draped over her, uncertain. "Is this… really what we should be doing right now?" She whispered.
His icy eyes moved over her, his hand settling against her shoulder. "Do you feel like you are in the frame of mind and awake enough to dig through ten years of love letters between us to find a clue?" His voice tickled her ear as he kissed her cheek, and slid his hand under the jacket. His hand was rough from years at war but she enjoyed the way it glided over her soft skin.
"N.. No." She admitted. "I just feel… guilty. How can I do anything but devote my focus to the investigation?"
He shook his head. "The true goal of the person doing this is to disrupt our lives. You have nothing to feel guilty of." His touch was light as his fingers caressed the curve of her spine. Each touch sent pleasurable chills up her spine. "There is nothing wrong to take as many moments as you need for yourself." He leaned forward and slowly undid the buttons that keep her gown closed. "We don't have to do anything tonight but sleep. We can recover and approach the challenges that come with dawn refreshed." He offered.
"We should get…. Comfortable then," she murmured, conceding. Her hands moved to the bottom of his shirt. She tugged it up as she started undoing the line of fine buttons. She felt her gown loosen and slowly tumble free as Matias's bare muscular chest was revealed before her. She ran her hands over the taunt flesh, gently biting her lower lip. Her eyes flicked upward to his face and found his intense gaze meeting hers. There was an intensity and patient need in those eyes.
Even now as she felt conflicted by her duties, she knew what she wanted. Her hands slipped down as their lips brushed hungrily together. "Please," she mumbled into his mouth.
—
BAM! BAM! BAM!
"Your graces! Are you in there!?" A man shouted through the door as his fist pounded against the wood.
Matias stirred awake, slipped from the bed as he pulled on a robe. Aleksasha rubbed the sleep from her eyes, blinking into the sunlight streaming through their curtains.
Morning already? More news? Alek thought sleepily with a yawn.
Matias moved to the door and unlocked it, opening it a sliver. "Yes. What is wrong?" He flatly asked. The guard outside looked down when he noticed the Duke's attire.
"Apologies, your grace." The guard clumsily bowed. "There's been a new development. Ser Turold wanted us to find you and show you as soon as possible," his tone was apologetic as he noticed a Aleksasha peeking from the bed behind Matias. "Should I tell him to wait? I don't want to disturb…"
Matias shook his head. "Give me a moment and I'll go with you."
Aleksasha watched them from the bed, the blanket pressed against her bare skin as she listened. Her brow furrowed at the news as she ran her hand over her hair, tussled and tangled from the night before. She frowned. "I'll go as well. Give us a moment to get ready." She decided, calling over to Matias.
Matias glanced over his shoulder at her and nodded. He returned his attention to the guard. "Give us a few minutes and we'll go with you. Unless this is so urgent you need me there in my robe?"
The guard blushed with a firm shake of his head. "No, your grace. Please, get dressed."
Matias unceremoniously closed the door, quickly clearing the distance back to Aleksasha with a frown. "You don't have to go if you're not up for it, Alek." He leaned down and chastely kissed her.
She shook her head as her bare legs slipped over the side of the bed. "No. I want to go. I want to know what you know about the investigation." She replied firmly.
Matias watched her move with a grin. "Of course. I'll help you dress," he offered as she moved toward a large closet.
She glanced over her bare shoulder at Matias, her eyes flicked down with a blush before she looked quickly away again. She shook her head. "I'm afraid that since other things have arisen, we'll be more than a few minutes," she awkwardly commented.
"Perhaps." Matias replied with a bemused expression. "Take pride in knowing you stir these feelings in me." He didn't follow Aleksasha like she thought he would. He instead walked toward another closet and began to dress. From the way his gaze lingered on her naked body, Alek knew he wanted to linger with her and not get dressed. Her face burned as she hurriedly dressed.
From inside the other closet Matias called out. "We can revisit this thought later on this evening when other matters aren't as pressing."
Aleksasha couldn't help but chuckle softly to herself. At least I know that much about Matias. He's not afraid to hide his desires toward me. If only I knew what Selene really was to him and why she is so protected by him. She scowled as the woman's name came back into her mind. I have more important things to worry about and yet… it is always her.