Heart of Darkness

"Come with me, Rox."

Roxana was close to groaning when he called her Rox again. Why? Impossible man. What was she supposed to do with him and where was he suddenly taking her? He was in such a rush, that she had to jog to catch up to him.

She followed him inside what looked like a study room and then the door closed behind them. He stood facing away from her for a while as if thinking of something, then he turned around slowly.

The way he looked at her, his eyes gleaming then darkening gave her a rush of fear mixed with excitement. And then he took a step back, his eyes still fixed on her, and sat down at the edge of the table. He looked rather relaxed compared to how stiff he was in the carriage and the gaze that had been avoiding her now daringly swept over her body, lingering a little longer at her neck before meeting her gaze.

"Roxana."

Oh no! Her heart skipped. His voice was low, laced with seduction that heightened her awareness that they were alone.

"Yes, Your Majesty." Her own voice wavered as her heartbeat picked up a pace.

"Come here!"  It was a command wrapped in promises of something sinful. Like the devil's whispers leading her down a path that would take her to a place where she would know what heat felt like.

A little fearful, she stopped midway, as if knowing this wouldn't just end with a kiss from the way he looked at her. Before she could say something to escape, he held his hand out. Almost like asking for her permission or asking her to trust him but she was probably just hoping for that. Yet, she couldn't ignore his extended hand. At least he was asking, right?

Roxana placed her hand in his and slowly one side of his lips curved into a devilish smile as his fingers closed around it. She fell into the devil's trap.

Alexander drew her closer till she was standing between his knees and facing him now that he was seated. Instinctively she wanted to step back, but he caged her against his body by tying one arm around her waist. Roxana stiffened by how close her face was to his.

"Your…"

"Shhh," he put a finger on her lips and she stopped breathing. "You wanted to seduce me. I am seduced." He said watching her lips as he let his finger slide down.

His dark gaze shifted focus, now watching the soft curl that fell at the side of her face. He caught it between his fingers. "I love your hair." He murmured still using that voice that made her stomach quiver. "It is like the soft sun rays of spring."

Roxana let out a breath. Of course. He was intoxicated. How could she forget? He wouldn't talk so carelessly if he was in his right mind.

He tucked the golden curl behind her ear, his fingers brushing along the edge. Roxana shivered. Then his knuckles caressed her bruised cheek, causing her to close her eyes when she knew she should stop him.

"Let me help you with this." He whispered, his hot breath fanning her cheek before he gently pressed his lips to her bruised skin.

Roxana let out a small gasp of surprise, placing her hands on his shoulder to push him away but they went limp as he places soft wet kisses on her bruised cheek. Being intoxicated and the way he had looked at her she didn't expect him to be so gentle. His kisses were attentive, melting the tension away from her body and igniting a small fire in her belly.

Alexander traced his lips along her jaw until he reached her neck. He held the back of her head firmly as his lips sucked on the tender flesh right under her ear. Roxana's pulse thundered in her head, causing her to feel lightheaded.

"You taste heavenly," he murmured kissing up to the corner of her mouth. Roxana shuddered with delight.

Alexander's lips brushed over hers to kiss the other corner of her mouth before returning to her lips again and teasing them open with his tongue. Fire flared through her veins, increasing her heartbeat, surging to the pit of her stomach, and lower in pulsating beats.

Startled by the sensation she pushed involuntarily at his shoulders and gasped, "Alex…" but her strength was nothing compared to his and he cut her off with his mouth. This time there was nothing soft or subtle in his kiss. It was deep and passionate, his tongue drinking in the tastes and textures of her mouth with an intensity that stunned her into utter submission. She hung limply in his arms, unable to do anything else but comply willingly to the feverish caress of his tongue. When he finally ended the kiss, she gasped for air and he pulled her head back by the hair, baring her neck to be ravished by his feverish mouth. His mouth burned into her skin as if he wanted to leave a mark of his lips on her throat.

His hands roamed her back and sides possessively before digging into her hips and pushing her closer to him. His mouth tortured her skin, lowering down to her collarbone and further down.

"Ah Alexander…" she wanted to stop him, yet all she did was grasp onto his shoulders and urge him on as the pulsating beat that traveled lower and lower settled between her legs. It left a need in her that made all rational thought flee her head.

Alexander's needy mouth moved to the swell of her breast, tasting and teasing.

Oh, Lord! Her knees buckled, but he was there, his arms tightening around her. He drew her eager body closer to his then shifted them so she was between him and the table. He lifted her by the hips and sat her down on the table.

Roxana panicked for a moment just to melt as soon as he buried his lips in her neck. One arm held her against him while the other skimmed over her hips and waist and came to rest right beneath the curve of her breast. Her head began to spin. She couldn't believe that she wanted this hand to continue further up. She could feel the heat of his touch through her dress.

As if knowing what she wanted his hand teasingly skimmed over her breast. A low moan of frustration escaped her lips and Alexander gave an approving groan as licked her neck.

"Oh, Roxana." His voice was hoarse and low. "I have been wanting to hear those sounds coming from your lips."

Roxana's face flushed red as she shot her eyes open with the realization of what she was doing. Embarrassed by the way she completely lost control she wanted to push him away when he cupped her breast in his palm. He squeezed softly and then brushed his thumb over the aching tip.

"Oh." Roxana whimpered and let her head fall back, arching against his touch. Her breath came out in ragged pants as he teased her breast through the fabric of her dress.

His mouth sucked and nibbled on her neck until her skin was aching and tingling then took her mouth again stealing what was left of her breath.

Tearing his lips from her, "you should tell me to stop." He told her with a slightly shaky voice, yet he continued to kiss her and touch her.

Ah, yes she should but how was she supposed to when he continued to fan the fire in her. She was heady with need.

Alexander grabbed her hips and pushed her against his, pressing the evidence of his desire into her. Fear bubbled through her all while the pulsating need between her thighs grew stronger, drowning the fear as soon as it appeared. She wanted to stop the aching by pressing her legs together but he was standing between them. She writhed against him. Anything to stop the increasing throbbing.

**************

When Skender pressed his hips into her, he had hoped for a different response. He assumed that informing her of his full aroused state would alarm her, but it had the opposite effect. She was making it more difficult for him to stop. He didn't think he could until she intervened. His demon wouldn't listen to him as long as she was arching against him so wantingly. Making those sweet sounds and whimpering in his arms at his every touch and kiss.

She felt so perfect in his arms. Her body fit against his. She was a woman in every sense. Her body curved, warm and luscious. But she was no weak female. There was strength in her limbs. The way she held him in place by digging her fingers into his shoulders. Her strong thighs squeezing and flexing against his hips, depending on where and how he kissed and stroked her. She was perfect for him. Strong, just like he needed her to be. And oh God, so delicious. Her skin burned his tongue sweetly, the pulsating heart and the humming in her blood called to him, like the songs of a siren. He was enduring so much pain while receiving so much pleasure. It was like being in heaven and hell at the same time.

Skender wanted to push her back and spread her naked on the table but he shouldn't. Not her first time anyway.  God, she had to stop him. He grazed his fangs along with her pulse, but even that didn't alarm. She whimpered and writhed against him again. His hands began to lift her dress, seeking to touch her warm flesh.

Roxana stiffened as his fingers touched her leg.

'Scars.' He heard her panicked thought.

Her hands went from his shoulders to his chest and she pushed him away lightly. "No." She breathed.

Skender let himself get pushed away. As much as he was glad she stopped him, he wished it wasn't the scars. He turned away, afraid that she would see his fangs.

"I- I don't mean it like that." She said misunderstanding his reaction.

Oh, God!