So, here's the penultimate chapter of my unashamedly fluffy and flirty story for Mary and Matthew! The final chapter will be on it's way soon and I hope you enjoy reading!

The last bite of the cake slice was eaten and Matthew sat back, his face pale as he took a large swig of wine, washing it around his mouth before swallowing. He looked up at her, smiling proudly and Mary found herself unable to resist asking, "I'm very pleased you enjoyed it so much, Matthew. Won't you have another piece?" She smiled sweetly as she reached over towards the knife.

As quick as lightning, Matthew reached out his hand to still hers, quickly answering, a distinctive hint of panic in his voice, "No, thank you, Mary. I'm rather full now."

"Are you sure, Matthew?" Mary asked, pulling her hand from under his and gripping the knife. Her voice grew in sweetness as she continued, looking at him in feigned innocence. "You did seem to enjoy it so much, I'm sure you could squeeze in another piece."

When Mary began to cut into the cake again, Matthew's voice was almost desperate as he quickly answered, "No, no. I really am far too full." He seemed about to continue his excuse, when he looked up and caught sight of Mary, noticing the mischief twinkling in her eyes, her coy smile and the almost theatrical way she was beginning to slice another piece of cake. A glimmer of guilt flickered within his eyes, before they slowly narrowed and looked at her suspiciously, his lips pursing into a hard line. "Then again, Mary, maybe I'll squeeze in a piece if you have one too."

A quick blink of surprise and a slight falter of her sweet smile was all the indication Mary gave that this recent turn of events had caught her off guard. Matthew's gaze was challenging now, playful, and she couldn't help but meet it defiantly. "But I baked the cake for you, Matthew, I wouldn't want you to have to share."

Before he could respond, she quickly cut him another piece and kept her smile sickeningly sweet as she watched him wearily track its progress to his plate. The fork he was holding trembled slightly in his hand and he looked down at it in concentration and deliberation a moment, like a chess master planning his next move. He carefully cut a large piece and looked up a moment later, his eyes shining with mischief once again, "I'm sure I can spare a piece, Mary. Here, try some."

A moment later Mary found the fork hovering near her lips and she swallowed thickly. His gaze had grown intense now, leaning closer towards her to reach her mouth and a shiver ran down her spine. Automatically, she opened her mouth as he pushed the fork nearer and his eyes never left hers as he fed her the piece of cake.

At first, Mary was too surprised that her husband was actually feeding her cake, too distracted by his eyes boring into hers and the way it made her heart jump and her skin tingle. But then, gradually, the taste of the cake began to override her other senses and Mary found herself having to use every ounce of practiced elegance to not spit the thing out. To say the taste was horrid was rather an understatement, for it had to be the single most revolting thing she'd ever eaten. The burnt taste was the most overpowering, as bitter and ashen as the stinging smoke that had choked her from the oven earlier. The dried fruit was too hard and the powdery texture and taste of the flour left a lingering revulsion, which even the sweetness of the icing and strawberries could not overwhelm.

Still, Matthew was watching her carefully, his eyes never leaving hers, though her own grew a little blurry as tears started to accumulate in response to the foul taste in her mouth. His lips were barely containing a smirk and his eyes were dancing in mischief and challenge, enjoying his own revenge. Mary was determined to not give him too much satisfaction, and so carefully swallowed the foul cake and forced her own lips into a cheerful smile.

"It's delicious, isn't it Mary?" Matthew gushed, and before Mary had chance to recover from the foul taste, Matthew was holding another piece before her. "You should try some more."

Momentarily stunned, Mary opened her mouth again, her eyes watching cautiously as the cake approached, but just as the piece reached her lips, she suddenly slammed her mouth shut. When Matthew pulled the cake away in surprise, she took the opportunity to quickly grab her wine and, trying to be as ladylike as she could, downed the contents to wash away the foul taste.

To try and distract him from the piece of cake still dangling in the air before her, Mary hurriedly leant across and swirled her finger in the mass of cream on Matthew's plate. When she was certain she had his attention, she deliberately slowed her movements. Making sure his eyes were still on hers, she then carefully brought the cream to her lips and licked her fingertips clean. She smiled when she saw Matthew swallow nervously, the cake all but forgotten now. She reached across to snatch some strawberries this time, but Matthew's hand suddenly grabbed hers, stopping it inches from his plate. The movement seemed almost instinctual and the surprise on Matthew's face echoed her own. His eyes were intense now, dark and cloudy and Mary's breath caught in her throat as her heart began to pound. Gently, Matthew let go of her hand, reaching instead for a strawberry which he slowly brought to her lips. The flavour was sweet, intoxicating and as she closed her lips around it, all aftertastes of the disgusting cake were forgotten. A trail of juice ran down her jaw and she quickly licked it away, her tongue brushing against Matthew's fingers. The jolt of electricity that ran through them and the darkening of his eyes quite spurred Mary on, and she slowly, gently, licked the strawberry juice off his fingers.

When they were clean, without ever dropping her gaze, he reached back towards his plate and scooped up a large dollop of cream. As he moved his hand back towards her, Mary felt her heart pounding and her skin tingling in anticipation. The taste of the cream was delicious and she felt her eyes close at the sensations, pulling Matthew's fingers into her mouth to ensure she ate every last morsel of cream. When Matthew pulled his fingers away again, Mary kept her eyes closed, relishing the lingering taste of the cream and his fingertips. She eagerly opened her mouth for the next morsel Matthew fed her a moment later. Only it wasn't cream, nor strawberries, and as the bitter, foul taste of the cake perpetrated her senses, Mary spat it out in shock.

Matthew's laughing face greeted her as she opened her eyes and she glared at him fiercely.

"What's wrong, darling?" Matthew asked innocently, though the huge grin spilling across his face rather belittled his words. "I thought you would like some of the delicious cake."

Thanks for reading! The last chapter will be on it's way soon!