Royalty Overnight

27: Furtive

It was an early morning and the grand duchess was arranging clothes in the children's room.

This was her only escape.

From him.

Ever since that day, he proclaimed they would be in the same room, things between them changed. She had no place to run whenever he touched her in the middle of the night, caressing and kissing. Some led to more, while others didn't. That was the scary part; whether she would get a good sleep that night or not.

At least nothing happened last night, other than kisses and touching places that would make angels blush.

"Babette!" Nakita called out her first born and daughter.

Moments later, she saw Babette running into the room from her closet, all dressed up for school.

Her daughter had turned seven and she was starting first grade.

Nakita carried her and kissed her on the cheek before placing her back down. "Are you nervous for your first day in school?"

Babette shook her head. "No, not really." Her fingers fiddling with her skirt, she always did that when she was uncertain and scared.

The mother chuckled, brushing her child's hair. "It's alright to be nervous, you're starting something you've never done before. It's new and unknown."

Babette nodded, feeling a bit relaxed as Nakita stroked her head.

Heavy footsteps neared the door, and the grand duchess's back straightened, knowing who it was.

"Papa!"

Maalik's lips curled up to a smile as his oldest daughter ran up to him with outstretched arms.

He picked her and twirled her around before her down to the floor; he held her close when he noticed she stumbled slightly because of dizziness.

"How are you doing?" His hand ruffled her hair, earning a small scowl from his daughter because of her now messy hair.

"Hmm, I'm okay."

"That's good. You've become a big girl now."

Babette's face lit up at the compliment. "Yeah! I'm a big girl."

"Why don't you go to the breakfast table, alright? Your mother and siblings have eaten theirs."

"Okay, but what about you?"

"Me?" He glanced at his wife who was already staring at him, uncertainty in her eyes. "I haven't yet, but I will eat..."

Nakita took notice of the way he stared at her and grew worried. Why did he look at her like that? Did she have something on her face?

As she was touching her face to confirm it, her blood ran cold as he continued.

"Soon. Very...soon." His gaze slowly descended her body, undressing her with his eyes.

Babette nodded, understandably innocent and oblivious. "Alright, I'll go now."

Once Babette ran out of the room, the air shifted.

Nakita tried to ignore his presence and went on with arranging clothes. It didn't last long when he neared her and she felt the heat of his body against her back.

She flinched when he went to press himself against her, his erection was palpable. She cursed herself for wearing a thin dress today because of the summer heat.

Nakita decided to overlook him and organise the children's new washed clothes. Surely he wouldn't try anything funny while they were in the room of their children.

Eventually, he moved away from her and she almost let out a sigh of relief. He was finally leaving.

She didn't look back when she heard the door close shut. However, her blood became warm when a click echoed in the room.

The door was locked.

Did it lock itself? She turned around and her husband was leaning on the door, his dark eyes already on her.

She stood still, fixated on him as Maalik neared her, his footsteps were slow and steady. Until he could almost feel her breasts against his chest.

"Don't do anything silly, your grace." Her eyes lowered to his chest, not wanting to meet his gaze.

He chuckled at that. "Silly?" He held her chin and lifted it with his index to see her light brown eyes. "I have not done anything silly."

"You know what I meant. This is the children's room. Have some self-respect." She pushed his hand from her face before stepping back to her work of arranging.

Not even five seconds later, she was dragged out of the room.

"Grand duke! What are you doing?" She tried yanking her hand away, but his grip was too strong.

He finally let go of her once she was locked in their room with him. Alone.

"Your grace, this is absolutely outrageous. Babette will be starting school today and we should be there to send her off."

"Not before I get what I want."

"Which is what?"

"I want you."

Nakita let out a scoff at his blatant statement. This man had no shame. She couldn't believe this was happening now, out of all the days. He had the appetite of an elephant.

Maalik came close to her, but she quickly noticed and avoided him. They were cat and mouse now.

"Our daughter needs to go to school. We are wasting time," he said.

He spoke like she was the one making things difficult. "I am happy we agree with that. Let's start going, shall we?"

"No, not until I get something from you."

He managed to corner Nakita; she had nowhere to go. "Your grace..." Her voice no longer had the strength that it did just a few seconds ago.

"Say my name from now on, especially in private. Do you understand? I don't want to repeat myself." His gaze hardened. His hand clasped her waist, squeezing it as a warning, and a gasp escaped her.

He sensed her body tremble slightly against the wall as his mouth slowly leaned down to her neck, licking over her pulse.

His hand moved down her legs, under her dress and finally touching her naked thigh; warm and soft flesh to grab.

"Y-your grace–"

"Shh."

Maalik yanked her to him and crashed his mouth down on hers, swallowing any word that would attempt to surface. His kiss was rough, it sent heat through her that settled between her legs. She pressed her hands against his chest to put some space. He used his weight to pin her to the wall.

Nakita's body melted like butter in the summer sun. She was dizzy from arousal as well as confused. She felt so conflicted by her feelings towards her husband. She was not sure if she should give in to the pleasure or go against it.

He then decided for her.

Maalik pulled away, his eyes filled with lust as he looked over her with longing. He ran his thumb across her swollen lips, almost contemplating if he should advance or not. He chose the latter.

"Let's go. We have a daughter to send to school for the first time."

Nakita was left there standing in the corner, watching him head toward the door.

He turned around to look at her once he reached the door and she was still frozen by the wall with a flushed expression.

"Why are you standing there like a quiet mouse held hostage? Come here."

This made her come out from her shocked state and went to him. He opened the door for her. And she flinched when he slapped her behind the moment she passed him.

What was wrong with this man?