His thoughts disappeared in the moment, until he realised she was wrapped around him, lips pressed against his and he was pulling her closer. They danced in a wave of blind desire and rage. She'd pushed him against the bookcase, shelves cutting into his back. Her fingers ran through his hair before becoming overcome to grip tight and he'd fought in return.
One moment she was pinned to him and the next he had her up, legs straddling his waist and he was lost in her neck, teeth on skin and her moans purred in his ear. Fire scorched him, they crashed into his desk and before he could do anything, she was pulling his shirt overhead.
Their lips crushed against each other, soft, rough, delicate and harsh.
Fingers loosen lace and her corset fell away. If she was having any thoughts, they weren't second ones. Rhosyn's teeth caught his bottom lip and he felt unusually exhilarated. Her hands sweeping across the contours of his chest, her next kiss deep and slow. Then she pushed him back, the moment catching him off-guard, but she didn't turn away.
Rhosyn hopped off the desk, her dress falling away and time slowed as she stalked closer. Arms wrapped around his neck and suddenly she threw her weight back, Leoric tumbling, barely catching them before falling on top of her. But the urgency in her lips and pawing of her hands, nails down his back and he savoured her hunger. Because she wanted to conquer and in the moment he'd let her win, if for the sweet taste of her lips.
If she'd pushed him away, he would have stopped. She didn't. She pulled him closer.
He smiled against her mouth and her hands searched lower. She pulled at his belt and unfastened his trousers, her breath lost in his.
When he didn't move, Rhosyn wrapped her legs around his waist and twisted, reversing their positions and pushing the cold wooden floor boards into his back. Then she drove into him and he felt her body shudder. He held her as she clung to him.
She probably didn't know it would hurt her the first time. But he didn't stop tracing kisses across her shoulder and teased her neck until she moaned. She relaxed against him and a new whimper curled from her lips, which he caught with his.
It was when she sat up, shifting her hips and his hands seized her bum. There was a rhythm they found, one of mutual lust, fuelling a fire they didn't want to give up. She was a vision he'd unlikely forget anytime soon and yet it wasn't enough.
Leoric couldn't lay back any longer, swiftly he sat up, pulling her firmly, lips grazing her breasts and she groaned. He couldn't remember where they started, and though it felt like it was finishing, he didn't want it to. He ran her nipple through his teeth, mouth finding the dip in her neck he adored—the spot where she curled into it and her breath caught in a moan.
He burned for her and he felt her body quiver, every pant, every slight movement coiling within her and he held her as she unravelled.
Their bodies were spent, as they lay entwined on the floor, Rhosyn's body still ghosting against his, pillowed on his chest. The cold crept closer and he did his best to ward it from her chilled skin.
Lashes fluttered against his chest and he glanced down to find her watching him. Nothing crowded her features anymore, not anger, boredom, irritation—just wide eyed contemplation. Then thoughts flooded behind those eyes and Rhosyn was up, grabbing at her clothes and tugging them into place as she fled toward the office door.
She slipped out, holding her shoes in one hand and her unlaced dress up with her other.
"Don't say anything, Sir Caerwyn," her voice clipped.
"Yes, My Lady Duchess," the knight replied, their steps fading down the hallway.
Leoric didn't move for a moment, staring at the door and wondering how long she'll avoid him now. Finally choosing to sit up, buckling his belt, reached for his shirt and pulled it overhead while standing.
"What got at you?"
He turned to find Kaly had entered—she must've knocked, but he didn't catch it.
"Nothing," he dismissed, settling into his chair.
It took a moment of staring at a ransacked desk, papers littered across its surface and the memory of Rhosyn.
Kaly hadn't said anything more, but she also hadn't moved from her spot.
"What is it?" Leoric glanced up at the head maid, catching amusement in the way she set her lips.
They've known each other long enough for Kaly to know that he could read her tiny slips—he didn't know why she bothered trying to hide it.
"Your lips are a bit worse for wear and are you aware you've been clawed, Your Grace?" she jested, a brow quirked.
So, he wasn't the only one who could read tells, she must be thoroughly enjoying herself right now—probably been waiting years to mock him. But Leoric ignored the maid as he cleared his desk, putting everything back where it should be.
"I'm very aware, Kaly," he said, moving a document and pausing.
One was missing—Rhosyn.
He didn't spot her quick hands, but by the looks of it, she doesn't know what she had—it was a blind snatch after all. Sighing, he sat back in his chair. Rhosyn must've thought the document he tucked away was of significance, not realising, it was just her Marriage Clause. Though he'd need it back if he was to try to find a way to battle it.
"Is there anything I can do for you before I retire for the night, Your Grace?" Kaly asked, and Leoric glanced at the fires burning low in the hearth.
He hadn't noticed how late it was. Kaly was one of the last staff to sleep—other than the night guard of course. Leoric massaged a headache forming. Tomorrow was just another day.
"No thank you, Kaly," he said, standing. "I should probably head to bed too." But he didn't move just yet, his eyes searching the empty space on the floor he'd only got up from moments ago.
"Very good, Your Grace," she replied, curtsying in his peripheral vision. "Good night."
"Good night, Kaly."