“Fuck,” he groaned.
***
Facedown on his bed, Leo did not even glance up as he heard the door open. If it was Cirilla come to chastise him anew, he’d find out soon enough. If it was somebody else, they would know better than to bother him. But, when he heard neither the sound of his wife’s voice nor receding footsteps, he grumbled a curse and lifted his brow from the blankets.
“Yeah?” he growled impatiently. “What is it?”
“A message from your wife,” Brigit said, sounding amused. She shut the door and made her way to sit at the foot of the bed. “She wanted me to remind you that you have your weekly meeting in an hour.”
“Great.”
Leo rolled onto his back. Even staring up at the ceiling, he could see Brigit watching him. Though he could read the sympathy on her face without even trying, a quick glance confirmed that there was amusement aplenty too.
“What are you smiling about?” he snapped.
Brigit’s eyes widened for a half-second then quickly reverted. Climbing fully onto the bed, she stretched out alongside him and grinned.
“Nothing,” she said. “I’m just a little surprised. Here I thought I’d taken your first time.”
Leo growled, but neither glared at her nor turned away. Then, after a few slow, deliberate breaths, he relaxed.
“You did,” he said firmly. “Andria and I were practically children. Absolutely nothing happened apart from some curious peeking.”
“Good,” Brigit said. Her voice grew husky as she crawled carefully atop him. “I’d hate to think what we did was any less special.”
Leo stiffened in surprise and nearly pushed the woman off him as she leaned down to kiss him. He didn’t, of course, though Brigit kept the kiss brief and playful as if guessing his thoughts.
“What’s the matter, master?” she teased. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten where to put it?”
“Bri,” he said, fighting the urge to embrace her. How many times, how many pleasant evenings had he shared with her, just like this? To have her suddenly become off-limits was disorienting. “Bri, we shouldn’t. I mean, I can’t. Cirilla and I are—”
“I told you,” she interrupted, her grin widening. “Cirilla sent me. I think it was an apology of sorts. She fought with you and dragged up a lot of unpleasant memories from your past. Now, she wants me to remind you of some of the good ones.”
Still, Leo hesitated. It was one thing for him to bed Karran, Sann, or even Nyssa. None of them were human and Cirilla had been open from the beginning that she wouldn’t object to his occasional dalliances with them. But he’d been careful to avoid anything his wife might have interpreted as infidelity since they’d relocated to the ducal quarters. If anyone found out, or if Brigit had misinterpreted Cirilla’s mandate, then…
“Leo,” Brigit whispered. She caressed his cheek with her palm, then took his hand and guided it encouragingly to her breast. “You’re thinking so loud the whole city can hear you. Just relax. It’s a gift. So, please, enjoy it.”
“You’re… you’re sure this is what she wants?” he asked, unable to help himself. The warmth and softness of Brigit’s skin were readily apparent, even through the layers of her dress, and it took all of his self-control not to give in without waiting for her answer. From her smile, Brigit clearly expected him to give in. Then, when he did not, her smile softened, and she leaned in to kiss him again, even more tenderly than before.
“I’m absolutely certain,” she murmured, her lips brushing against his as she spoke. Once again, she lingered mere inches from him, waiting for a spark of initiative that never came. Then, with an almost exasperated huff, she pulled back yet again. Staring down at him, she crossed her arms. “You don’t believe me?”
“It’s not that!” Leo assured her, hurriedly. “I just—”
“Brigit, you’ve been with Leo a long time, yes?” Brigit recited, adopting a clipped, proper tone so like Cirilla’s it was almost uncanny. “Go remind him about the meeting. And… apologize for me. Or, at least take his mind off things. No doubt you’ll find a way. I like him better when he’s not surly and brooding.”
Leo laughed. He couldn’t help it. As much as he wanted to be annoyed by Cirilla’s cutting evaluation, Brigit’s impression was too distracting for him to do more than wrinkle his nose at her words. And, now that he knew definitively that he was not about to run afoul of his wife’s expectations—
Brigit yelped as Leo seized her in his arms, tossing them both down hard against the mattress. She had just enough time to realize what he was doing and let out a quick squeal of delight before he was on her. His mouth found hers, the kiss wet and sudden and full of the passion that had been missing from the previous ones. It didn’t conclude there, either. Brigit squirmed, giggling and gasping as Leo’s lips trailed down her neck and over the smooth lines of her collarbones.
He grasped her hips, holding her close as he ground his body against hers. There were layers upon layers between them, so many he doubted she could even feel the physical evidence of his desire. But he pressed himself against her all the same. And with each repetition, more and more of his worries melted away.
“Leo,” Brigit groaned. She was laughing, her face flushed. “Leo! Stop it! You’re going to ruin my dress if you keep that up.”
He paused, just long enough to grin down at her. Then, so fast she had no time to resist, he rolled her onto her stomach and gave her backside a playful smack.
“Then why haven’t you taken it off?” he teased.
Brigit stared over her shoulder at him, grinned, and then stuck out her tongue. Despite that, she grasped her dress about the middle and began to hike it slowly. Leo watched as it climbed her calves, past her knees, and over the increasingly pale skin of her thighs. Just before it had a chance to expose anything more scandalous, however, she paused abruptly and fixed him with a fresh smirk.
“Maybe I don’t want to,” she said. Her legs, bent at the knees, kicked playfully. “Maybe I want you to take it off me.”
Leo pounced, growling. He landed atop her, not heavily but with enough to pin her down. Brigit’s dress, already tantalizingly short, lifted further to reveal a pair of delicate, somewhat lacy undergarments.
“It’s not wise to tease the Duke,” he warned her. Leaning forward, he tugged the back of her dress down and kissed her lightly between the shoulder blades. Brigit inhaled audibly, shivering as his lips brushed her skin. “I might decide to just take what I want.”
She chuckled quietly, arching her back to grind against him.
“I’m counting on it,” she said.
It was all the provocation Leo required. The soft, inviting pressure of Brigit’s hips against his and the suggestive tone of her words left no need for additional foreplay. He was stiff and aching by the time he managed to unfasten the clasp of his trousers. And by the time he kicked the garment down around his ankles, the last dregs of his hesitation were replaced by unmitigated need.
Leo grabbed the hem of her skirts and yanked them higher, exposing both the fullness of her smooth, alluring backside and the goosebumps covered small of her back. He didn’t bother removing her underclothes. Instead, he simply pulled them aside, exposing her rosy womanhood and confirming with his knuckles that, yes, Brigit wanted this every bit as badly as he did.
He climbed forward, lined himself up, and without a word, slid deep inside her. There was no need for further conversation. Brigit’s gasp as he entered her and the sudden, urgent clenching of unseen muscles made it clear what she craved. And, fortunately, her desires happened to align perfectly with his.
Leo groaned as he began to move, thrusting and grinding her innermost depths with a firm, purposeful rhythm. Though far from their wildest coupling, the steadiness of his motion and the eager, receptive manner in which Brigit accepted it set his heart to racing. Unlike with Cirilla, Karran, or even Nyssa, there were no surprises or guesswork involved. He knew her intimat
ely—as intimately as she knew him—and that familiarity gave birth to effortless pleasure.
As such, he read the approach of Brigit’s climax when it was still a long way off. Slowing his hips, he leaned forward to press himself against her back. He kissed her nape, reaching round to squeeze her breasts gently through the soft, dark bodice of her dress.
His efforts proved successful. Brigit moaned, shuddering with unfulfilled need even as her hips rose to meet his every thrust. Her breath quickened gradually over the next few minutes, growing wild and increasingly ragged as she neared her peak. Then, with a hastily muffled whimper, she came.
Leo grinned as Brigit spasmed beneath him. Her fingers clawed at the sheets, twitching almost in time with the tightening of her inner walls. A chorus of needy moans spilled from her lips, no less enticing for the pillow pressed against them.
He could feel his own climax approaching and pursued it, unhurried. It was almost soothing to pursue satisfaction at his own pace. So often, Leo had to concern himself with the needs of his partner or the endless list of duties that awaited him post-orgasm. To take his time, to revel in every caress of a woman’s body, was unexpectedly delightful.
But, it seemed Brigit had other ideas. She’d mostly recovered by the time Leo felt the familiar tension swell beneath his waist. And the sudden jolt of pleasure that struck him when her hips resumed their motion broke through the last of his restraint.
Leo groaned as he slipped past the point of no return. His thrusts grew frantic, practically desperate, as he greedily hunted for every scrap of sensation. Then, burying his cock to the hilt, he growled through his teeth as he came.
Brigit cooed as he flooded her insides with his seed. Her hips continued to move, squeezing and coaxing his throbbing member for every drop. And even through the white-hot fog of bliss that clouded his mind and shattered his thoughts, Leo could hear the satisfaction in her voice.
Slumping forward as his strength fled, he lay panting atop her back. He half-expected Brigit to speak then, to tease him for ruining her dress, but she didn’t. Instead, she sighed and reached back to intertwine their fingers. They remained thus, tangled up in more ways than one, until not even the tightness of her folds could maintain her grasp on his dwindling, satiated member.
It was only then, as Leo slid free of her body and rolled onto his side, that Brigit spoke.
“It’s been a while,” she murmured. “I missed this.”
Distractedly content, it took Leo a moment to answer.
“Which part?” he asked.
“All of it,” Brigit said. She squeezed his hand. “Maybe, once this is all over and things have calmed down… maybe you could talk to Cirilla? I’d love it if we could continue… this? Us…?” She trailed off, gesturing vaguely.
“I will,” he promised.
And, for once, he meant every word.
Chapter Four
Leo had almost finished dressing when the knock at the door reached him. He glanced up, exchanging smiles with Brigit as she hid herself modestly beneath the blankets.
“Enter,” he called.
Nyssa and Lucius did so, both trow hesitating ever so slightly at the sight of Brigit peeking out from the sheets. They recovered quickly, however. Nyssa openly rolled her eyes while Lucius masked his smirk with a polite cough.
“Yes?” Leo prompted, adjusting his mantle. “What is it?”
“The meeting,” Lucius said. He flinched as Nyssa elbowed him in the ribs. “We, ah, came to escort you.”
“You mean you’re here to make sure I actually show up.” Leo sighed, eyeing his rapier where it leaned against the wall. He briefly considered leaving it behind, then sighed again and sloppily belted it around his waist. Time and time again, he’d been reminded that it was better to be late than caught off-guard. “That’s fine. It’s not like I have anything better to do.”
“Hey!” Brigit complained, scowling with mock offense.
“Quiet, you,” Leo said, grinning. He ignored the rude gesture she aimed his way and clapped both of his escorts firmly on the shoulder. “Lead the way.”
The walk was a short one, barely enough time for small talk, but Leo made the most of it.
“Has she revealed anything?” he asked.
He didn’t need to elaborate. Lucius shook his head. “Nothing useful,” the elf said. “And about what you’d expect. She claims she only met with a hooded man—pale features, thick beard, no distinguishing accent or characteristics. He threatened her sisters and offered her a thousand sovereigns if she succeeded. She says she has no idea who the man’s noble might have been.”
“She’s lying,” Leo decided. “Why would she have done something so foolish if she didn’t think the man could make good on his threats or bribes? She must have some idea.”
“Agreed,” Lucius said. “But, so far, she’s kept her mouth shut. I’d keep working on her, but I need to get back to the garrison. I’ve tasked a few of the others with finding out more. They’ll dispose of her when the time comes, and the watch officer will find you if she divulges anything useful in the meantime.”
“Thank you, Lucius.” Leo grimaced. He didn’t like to think about the means the elf or his kin might employ to extract the woman’s secrets, but there could be no doubt that such things were necessary. The woman’s honesty might save hundreds of lives or, more importantly, his. “Nyssa?”
“Yes?” She glanced at him, her long, pointed ears twitching attentively.
“About our conversation at the market,” he said. “I would speak with you after the meeting.”
“Of course.”
Despite Lucius’ callous exterior, Leo could tell that his words had piqued the elf’s curiosity. And, truth be told, it was tempting to share his plans with him. Of all the servants he could have tasked with delicate business, Nyssa and Lucius were undoubtedly the ones he would have chosen. Both had begun their time with him as slaves. The fact that they’d elected to remain even after being freed afforded them a certain level of consideration.
But he couldn’t trust Lucius with this. Not yet. The fewer people who knew, the better.
Besides, it wasn’t as though he’d have had time to explain, even if he’d chosen to. The guards saluted sharply as they neared the private dining hall, their faces painted with grim, determined smiles, and swung open the large, camber top doors to admit them.
The rest of the attendees were already seated, though from the empty plates and covered serving dishes they’d obviously decided to wait for Leo’s arrival. They stood en masse as he entered the room, all save Cirilla, who greeted him with a slightly anxious smile.
Leo smiled back. Immediately, he was rewarded by the sight of Cirilla’s nervousness draining away. Expression softening, she stood, lifted the cover from the nearest serving tray, and began to fill both of their plates.
“Thank you,” he murmured. And, catching her wrist, he shared with her a gaze that made it clear he was not thanking her for the food alone. Cirilla blushed, albeit only slightly, and answered him with a diminutive nod.
They ate quickly, the subdued conversation adding to the unexpectedly tense atmosphere. So much so that, by the time Leo had finished his plate, he was almost glad to move onto the business at hand, if only to escape the gloomy aura.
“Well then,” he called, clearing his throat. At once, every eye in the room was upon him. “As I’m sure you’ve all heard by now, yes, there was an attempt on my life this morning. It was clumsy, rushed, and as you’ve no doubt surmised, unsuccessful. Lucius and other members of the guard have begun interrogating the would-be assassin. So far, we don’t know which noble—or nobles—put her up to the task, but you’ll be the first to know once we find out.”
He glanced around the hall, expecting a response, a comment, or even a simple acknowledgement, but none was forthcoming. Every attendee remained silent, several prodding distractedly at the remains of their meal. It was only then, as he waited for
someone to speak up, that he realized one of the faces present was new.
“Where’s Summers?” he asked, frowning. “Who are—wait, no. I know you.”
The uniformed man stood and offered a brisk salute. “Captain Danvers, Your Excellency. We met a few months back, aboard the Unity.”
“I remember,” Leo said. He reclined, gesturing for the man to sit. “You were captain of the Harpy’s Blood, yes? How is she?”
“Still the finest ship in the fleet.” Danvers grinned, shrugging. “Meaning no offense, sir. We put in two nights back to drop off a load of grain and a few dozen slaves—er, conscripts. Captain Summers had hoped to return in time, but asked me to attend in his stead if he was delayed.”
“And you’re up to date on our situation?”
Danvers shrugged again. “As well as any man can be. At least where the fleet’s concerned.”
Leo nodded gratefully and drummed his fingers on the table. He had a handful of questions for the man, but they were mostly born of idle curiosity and such things could wait. Other matters, however, could not.
He turned to Davin and, much to his surprise, found her seat empty. Before he could voice his question, Cirilla spoke up.
“Davin said she had some business to attend to,” she explained. “She warned me this morning that she might not finish in time to join us.”
Leo nodded again, far less gratefully. The drumming of his fingers quickened as he turned to Baron VanAllen.
“Petre?” he prompted. “You’ve been quieter than usual. Anything to report?”
The young man shook his head, barely lifting his gaze to meet Leo’s eyes. It was an unexpected thing to see, especially coming from the one Leo could most often rely upon to stave off his own melancholy.
“Petre?” he asked again. “Is everything okay?”
“Yes. No. I’m not sure.” The youth sighed, tossing his knife aside. “I’m just frustrated. It feels like I’ve done nothing for the past few weeks but collect gossip. And I haven’t heard anything, not one whisper. I had no idea that anyone would try… what happened this morning.”
Duke of Minds (Master of Monsters Book 4) Page 4