Author's Note: I would like to apologize for not updating often. I'm rather occupied on weekdays, so I can only work on this on weekends. I will try to post at least 2 chapters every weekend though. I would also like to thank the people reading and reviewing my story. I really am just writing as an outlet and I don't exactly need the support, but it's nonetheless appreciated. I am unsure though about making the chapters longer. There are just scenes I'd like to end at certain moments, but I shall try to extend them. Anywho, enjoy~

xoxoxox

Perhaps the duke wasn't as bad as people made him out to be. They were probably mostly rumors, and no one knew better than Tomoyo how gossip painted a person in the most unflattering colors. He couldn't have possibly slept with all those women, right? Did he really only care about his vain looks, his silly wagers, and his legions of women? She didn't know, and it would be hypocritical of her to assume anything.

"Does Lady Avalon contact Madame Taylor often?" he said, bringing her out of her musings. She realized she had been staring at his face since they'd started dancing. The duke waltzed like a dream. He led and spun her around like a ballerina. She felt light as a feather in his arms. Arms that were solid under her hands. She wondered how a gentleman could be so physically fit. What was he saying again?

Instantly wary after remembering, Tomoyo tensed and answered with care. "I don't think she does, My Lord." It was true enough. Tomoyo regularly stayed in the manor, so Sakura rarely called upon her.

"I wonder if I might make a request of her myself." He said as he expertly steered them away from a drunk lord and his partner. She was soft and fragrant in his arms, and his imagination was still playing havoc on his mind.

On the other hand, Eriol didn't know what possessed him to say it, but now that he has, he thought it was a good idea. It would greatly help in proceeding with his mission. He was surprised though that he was enjoying his evening. He rarely found anything to amuse him in society lately. Contrary to popular belief, he didn't have a new mistress to entertain him every week, and he certainly didn't make a deal with the devil, sacrificing women every night to maintain his looks. The rumors didn't bother him though, especially since he started most of them. Perceived indolence had its merits.

The man had no female relatives as far as Tomoyo knew. And he couldn't possibly mean… It was improper of a gentleman to gift a woman something so intimate! She was horrified by the idea of making a gift for any of his paramours.

"I can't imagine what a man might need a gown for." Tomoyo hotly whispered as a couple danced by them.

Eriol couldn't help it. "Can't you?"

Tomoyo flushed.

"Your Grace, I insist you drop your teasing. You are not as wicked as people make you out to be, and there is no need-"

"Oh I can imagine several women who would love the gift." He quickly interrupted. Eriol felt his mind snap to attention at her words. He immediately realized he had been careless the past few hours. He still had a mission to do. He couldn't jeopardize his carefully made position in society over the bewitching bat of Miss Daidouji's eyelashes. He knew it would take only one person.

Eriol would just have to put her straight, nudge back the situation to reality and focus. "Wouldn't gorgeous gowns please you, Miss Daidouji?"

"That hardly matters-"

"On the contrary, it matters very much." She felt him pull her closer by a fraction as he bent his head to her ear. "Satisfied people provide satisfaction better, yes?"

Tomoyo nearly sputtered at the unmistakeable implication, and before she realized it, he had maneuvered them into one of the alcoves at the edge of the ball room. Hidden behind heavy curtains, she found herself very close to a virile masculine body. "Unhand me, Your Grace"

"I cannot for I have yet to touch you, Miss Daidouji."

Indeed, his muscular arms were caging her body, keeping her trapped, but not touching. His scent of spice teased her nose again as she struggled to maintain her composure. "Lord Clow, we have no reason to be here. We must get back to the dance."

He came closer. Her breathing became heavier and he could almost feel her chest touch his with every inhale. "Eriol. Being so… close, you can afford to call me Eriol, can't you, Tomoyo?" He said roughly.

She was being hypnotized by his closeness or perhaps his eyes that were now dark as night. In her mind, she could hear the distant ringing of alarm, but she felt her sanity leaving her with every exhale. "I have not… permitted you to… call me by my first name…" Good Lord! Was that her voice? She felt so breathless. As if his presence robbed anyone the ability to take in air.

"And we do have reason to be here. I have to prove to you." Eriol told himself this was only to protect his cover. The tingles racing on his arms had nothing to do with the way her eyes turned into the color of wine as it darkened. The heat gathering low in his body was not caused by the tongue that surreptitiously darted out to moisten her mesmerizing lips.

"Prove to me what?" She realized too late her reply should have been 'You need not prove anything.'

Lavender floated to his nose, teasing, tantalizing. He bent his head to capture more of it.

Tomoyo could feel his warm breath on her face. Her gaze dropped to his chiseled mouth. If perfection existed she thought, she'd find it there.

"That I'm far more wicked than they claim." She had no time to protest, but she didn't know what she would have said even if she did. Time seemed to slow languidly almost stopping as she felt his lips on hers. His arm wrapped around her shoulders like rope, but she had no thought of escape. It was blessedly wicked and warm.

He pressed his lips to her velvet pillow-plump lips. Heaven tasted like strawberry sherbet on a woman's lips. Impossibly sweet and heady.

She chased his mouth as she felt him lift his head, it couldn't be over already. He chuckled and angled his head returning to the call of her siren lips. She found herself being thoroughly and efficiently kissed.

This was wrong. Something this good must be wrong. If she thought about it hard enough, she'd remember why locking lips with a despicable man was so very wrong. But thinking seemed superfluous at this moment.

He dragged his tongue on her mouth almost lazily, and nibbled on her bottom lip playfully. Tomoyo had never been kissed before, but she knew this was amazing. Nothing could be better, she thought. She parted her lips to take a breath and he plundered in. She couldn't have been more delighter for being so wrong.

After another eternity, he lifted his head and her eyes fluttered open. Her eyes were glazed and her cheeks were nearly as rosy as her lips. He almost dipped his head back. "If you keep looking at me like that, I might have to satiate my needs."

Tomoyo flushed harder, and heard him chuckle. He was laughing at her! How dare he! She should have known it was only a matter of time before he revealed his true colors. She lifted her eyes to his with a hard glare. She thought she was something wild for a moment as their eyes met, but it was gone with a blink.

Slowly, as if she were under water, she lifted her arm and drew it back.

SMACK!