I watched as his eyed slid shut, his resolve fighting against his lust as I waited to see which won out. We could wait, if he really wanted to, but after nearly losing him all I wanted was to feel him. I wanted that connection to him that poets and sappy romance films sang about, I wanted him to rewrite my experience with sex and replace with something sacred as it should be and I want to change his experience with sex in the same way. We'd both been used as instruments of pleasure, but now it was time to know what real love making was and I wanted it to be with him.

When he opened his eyes next, they were glowing green and so intense they hurt to look at. His arms came to wrap around me as he pulled me into a scorching kiss and breathed into my ear. "If you want to stop or change your mind at any time, say so. I will honor it, no questions asked and no blame, I don't care how far into the act we are. Understood?"

I smiled with all the joy I was capable of expressing while nodding, I knew that he would never force me if I wanted to back out but if it made him feel better to hear me reaffirm it. "I understand. I don't think it's going to be a problem this time though."

His eyes burned into me as he hummed, the path they raked down my body feeling like a physical caress. I tugged at the top of my dress, only taking a moment to mourn the loss of the pretty garment before turning to him. "A little help please?"

His eyes burn as his fingers gently tug the cloth over my head, every stroke against my skin feeling erotic as he traces over every dip and scar in my skin. His tongue sneaks out to wet his lips as he eyes the blood left over from the attack. He pauses as his eyes meet mine with the obvious request in them. I open my arms without complaint, letting him make the decision.

He falls forward easily, shucking his tux in the seconds it takes him to crouch over me. Instead of feeling caged by his body, I feel protected and safe as he shuffles further down to rest his chest against mine before he stops. Wrapping my arms around his shoulders I drag him the rest of the way down until his weight completely sprawled across my front.

"You don't have to hesitate, I want your touch just as much as you want to touch me. So please, stop holding yourself back and do what both of us want." He shivered above me as my words seemed to break the last of his restraints.

His hands traced along my sides as his mouth leaves kisses from my collar, trailing down to my side where the injury had been. His tongue tickles as it flicks out to slide across my skin, reassuring himself that I really was here with him as he cleans the last of the evidence away. When the last of it had disappeared, he lifted his head to stare directly at me.

Before he could ask, I put a finger to his lips. "Yes, I'm completely sure this is what I want. Now, please Maximus, make me yours."

Sparks shoot from his eyes at my words, the sight making a primal satisfaction flare in me before he growls. "I will be yours just as you'll be mine. Never forget that, Zelda."

I did know that, but I couldn't wait to experience it for myself. His hand trailed down to his length as he lined himself up with my center, the brush of him agonizing in my impatience.

Just as he went to push forward, a booming knock sounded on the door.

We both stared in complete incredulous irritation. Seriously?! When another more fervent knock sounded I let out a groan of pure disappointment. Timing, whoever that was had better have some important news. Maximus looked ready to rip the person on the other end of the door to shreds if they didn't.

This was proven when he snarled, "What!? If it isn't life or death then I'm giving you one chance to walk away or it will be your death."

I didn't doubt him for a second and if the minutes worth of hesitation from the other side of the door was any indication then neither did they.

"Sir, the voivode and his wife are leaving to extinguish the child trafficking ring. The voivode ordered for your presence…"

I could hear the poor messenger's nerves and with a wistful glance down where we were so close to being joined how we both ached for, I released a sigh. I knew what had to be done but that didn't mean I had to like it.

"Alright, please tell the voivode he'll be with him shortly." I could hear as the messenger all but ran away from the door, his relief obvious as I turned to an incredulous Maximus.

My hands ran through his hair as I fought off my own disappointment at this turn of events. "Those kids need you. While the timing couldn't be worse, this can't wait. When you get back you can bar the door and we can pick up where we left off, but this isn't something you can ignore and I refuse to rush through this. I'll be fine until you get back."

He gave one more mournful glance down between us before letting out his own groan. His mouth brushed my head as he leaned back, glaring petulantly at his groin as if it were somehow its fault for our current predicament.

"You're right, you deserve for this to be done right and I can't do that with an order from Vlad hanging over my head. I will go with him, but rest assured I will think of nothing but you until I return."

His mouth was a searing brand when he kissed me, but before I could return the sentiment because there was no way I would be thinking of anything other than him after this he had disappeared out the door with his clothes from the floor.

Flopping back onto the bed, I sighed in pure frustration. Well that certainly didn't go to plan.