What a Man Wants [VisualSpice] (M)

[Ivory]

"Well," she answered, leaning, so gently she failed to notice, into his caress.  "That does explain a lot..."

It didn't really clear up any questions -- but it didn't quite surprise her either.

"It has been some time," she answered softly.  Quite a while, in fact, since that night...  She still thought on it with a smile.  She was too embarrassed to admit it out loud, but she had watched for him...  She had peered into every shadow or strained to listen to every odd creak in the night, hoping, foolishly, that Dekka would appear.  Apparently, he was not to be so easily captured...  "And I suppose, if this is all just happenstance that you are here, you will be gone by the time I return..."

She hesitated just a moment more, then flicked her wrist swiftly, flinging the curtain backwards.   Her patience, it seemed, was somewhat limited...

[visualspice]

As the curtain's moved, so did his arm as Dekka reached out and snatched her wrist, drawing in her throught he settling breath of the curtain and sealed her lips passionately to his.  It had been to long and the triumphant of his expression well embedded in the kiss, as he held her, breathed through her lips and craved more..
"Perhaps I came just to wait for.." another kiss, to her neck then lips, to throat to mouth.. "for dessert.." he panted, breath and lips pausing at her ears as he held her.
Another cool wind came by, fluttering at the drapes but kept their bodies pressed in heated shadow.

[Ivory]

Kathryn didn't resist -- she couldn't; he had stolen her breath away with his first kiss.  She was all-too content to let him kiss her and hold her, and, suddenly, all-too aware of how close they were...and how familiar and right this all felt...

Calent who?

She struggled to control her pounding heart, her breath that seemed to be coming just a little faster than usual as a thousand new sensations assailed her senses -- the feel of his body against hers, his scent (somehow woodsy), the tickle of his breath against her ear...

"You scoundrel," she murmured, albeit appreciatively.

One of her hands had, at some point, gone to his jaw, and she smiled at the stubble she found there.  It was prickly -- but not unpleasantly so -- and she traced her fingers down the curve of his jaw.

"It seems to be growing in nicely..."

[visualspice]

OOC: warning! Some adult content XD~

IC:

He nuzzled the rough patch of beard against her throat.
"Other things are growing nicely," Dekka breathed against her neck, and up to her ear as he smiled, nibbling on it before fasting his lips to her.  A scoundrel?  Why yes.

"I see you came to Allar on my behalf," he whispered against her, kissing her again. "Did you think it would go unnoticed?" He pulled back, if only briefly, teasing her to reply, only if she tried to speak, he'd seal her lips away, capture her breath as he pulled her fiercely to his body.  Yes, she'd find things had already grown.. nicely as he hugged her hip to his.

[Ivory]

Kathryn really thought she might stand there in his arms all day, lost in his kisses that were growing more heated.  It brought a flush to her skin, pretty as the sky at sunrise.  It made her head spin, her breaths deepen, and her hands search for purchase as her stomach fluttered in the wake of...everything he was doing to her.

She reveled in it, helpless against these new sensations, until...

She drew back a little -- not forceful enough to pull away entirely, but enough so that, for a moment, she could breathe.  "Is that...?"

Well, what else would it be?

[visualspice]

OOC: More Dekka being erm.. Dekka >>;;
Maturish themes! *flails*

IC:

Dekka clenched his teeth, his own cheeks ripe and red as hers, his hair, a mess across his face.
"Gods, don't stop.." he breathed, voice husky and hungry as ever as he snatched her up, sealing body to body, lips to lips and entwining their fingers together.

"I won't lie.." he said, pausing after a moment as he perched her against him, letting her know his excitement.  "I have been thinking about you since the forest..."
His lips went to hers, softer this time, then softer again.
"I..." he wavered, uncertain as fingers drew down her cheek.
"I just wanted to find you again for a kiss." he smirked, but she'd know.. well fuck, he'd want more than that.
"So.. about that dessert.." he moved to kiss her neck, then down tot he opening of her shirt, lips traipsing over the curves of her bosom.  "Would it spoil your dinner if you had it a little early?" His face now was devouring her breasts.

[Ivory]

Kathryn's face went from red to white to red again in a matter of seconds.  It felt good -- oh, it all felt good!  And if she had been a peasant with nothing to lose, she may have let him go on...

But, the fact remained, she was the daughter of a Duke...and that came with...certain responsibilities.

"Dekka!" she gasped, alarmed more than frightened -- although there was some of that too, like a ghost waiting to return.  So she did the first thing she could think of -- she pulled her arm back and slapped him as hard as she could!

[visualspice]

He paused a moment, hair over his face before he would rise and lifted  hand to delicately touch his cheek.

"I suppose I fucking deserve that," he grumbled, delightfully as he stared at her with a smile. "Perhaps there will be dessert next time?" he said, moving to stand, as he pulled himself up onto the window sill and stood, towering over her. "After all, I believe dinner will be served soon." He gave her a suave grin. Yes, he was just about the smuggest man out there as he admired her appreciatively from where he perched.

And if on cue, there was a knock at the door.
"Lady Kathryn?" came the voice from the other side. "The duke wishes to see you escorted to the dining hall."

[Ivory]

At least it had gotten his attention!

She peered up at him, glaring initially -- although her expression faded to a smile at his reaction.  "I am a proper lady, remember?"

Or so he had once said.

Still, it was a disappointment when there was a knock at her door.  She sighed softly and extended a hand out to him -- like a lady might.  "I expect a proper goodbye before I depart."

[visualspice]

Dekka's eyes sparkled at the prospect, a slight twitch coming to his lips.
he took her hand, bent down and kissed it softly, before his lips went up, and up..
and up and up her arm until they settled across her shoulder, neck..
then lips.

"Enjoy a raspberry tart for me, won't you?" he asked, his voice husky and playful all at once as he pulled away, his hair, once again, falling over his eyes as he stared at her, still standing on the window sill, still holding one hand as he bent over, keeping them connected by that simple link of fingers and flesh.

[Ivory]

Kathryn grinned at him -- at least he could pretend to be a proper gentleman!  "Goodbye, Dekka.  Try to surprise me next time you decide to make an appearance."  Her eyes glimmered with as much humor as his own -- because, of course, he did surprise her...repeatedly.

She lingered for just a moment more, until there was another insistent-sounding knock at the door.  Such bad timing...

"I'm coming!"  She called out, eyes still on Dekka.  "Bye."

So saying, she hurried towards the door, pausing only when her maid stepped forward to straighten her outfit -- which had become, inexplicably, skewed.

[visualspice]

Dinner had gone on as expected, though the host arrived a little late, leaving poor Lady Kathryn at the mercy of perhaps boredom..
or perhaps, not. Calent, who had been so kind, decided to let Audric tag along- if not to keep the damned fool sated for now.


So when he arrived, he bent over and apologized.
"Forgive me for my tardiness," he said, but nothing more as he took a seat.
"Is this evening one for the Devil's Ham?" Calent replied, and the servant was cordial to return, bowing as Calent nodded and waved him away.
"Very well then," he sighed. "We shall begin. Bring in the course."

ANd the servants filed into the room, bringing in silver plates and platters and stacking them on the table, and as it went, they dined and dined divinely, though as Audric might take notice, Calent seemed put out, and a little less charming and dazzling with his false airs as before, and a little bit distracted as he chewed on his meat in relative silence, seeming not to care to strike up a conversation in the least....

[Ivory]

Kathryn was at a loss.  She had smiled, complimented, prattled, and questioned, and Calent had become, seemingly, an entirely different man.  He said scarcely a sentence at a time, and even that seemed forced.

And Kathryn liked to think she had no small skill in engaging others in conversation...

At last, she set down her fork upon her plate and wiped her fingers upon her napkin.  "If I may be so bold as to ask, is there something troubling you, Duke Calent?"

[visualspice]

Calent looked up from his plate.
He, though brewing internally, and quite used to his peace, suddenly felt ashamed, his cheeks reddening when the lady inquired of his condition.  Lowering his gaze, he sighed.

"I apologize for my lack of enthusiasm, Lady Kathryn," the duke began softly.
"During our time apart I had become distracted by frustrations of which I will not bore you on the details." He forced a smile, at least for her and let his eyes return to hers.

"Perhaps a brisk walk out side the castle after dinner might help clear my head of it, if you would be so kind as to join me? After all, it is the least I can do as a humble apology for seeming disinterested now."

[Ivory]

Kathryn smiled prettily.  "Think nothing of it, Duke Calent.  I did request that you carry on with your business as if I were not here," she reminded him lightly.  "It is my fault for interrupting your day."  It was indeed -- though not on purpose, of course; he might have sent her to Highheart without offering her rest nor a meal.

"However, if there is anything at all I might do to relieve you of such frustrations, you have but to ask."  It was a gracious offer and delivered with the sweetest and most innocent smiles.  There was no double meaning to the words; she meant it as a kindness, clearly.

[visualspice]

Calent studied the woman. She was charming. That was something.
"Indeed. Than perhaps when we are done enjoying our meals," he said, raising his glass towards her. "Let us walk in the gardens. There is much to admire there and I would be honored to show you the care my servants take towards maintenancing it."

Clearing his throat, he then raised. "But I think I can not enjoy another bite.  There is much on my mind. Would you mind I call you within the hour to make claim to that walk?"

[Ivory]

Kathryn lifted up her glass in return, bowing her head slightly to indicate her acceptance of his toast.  She did so with a smile, pleased that she might help him vent any of his frustration.

"The gardens of Highheart are beautiful this time of year.  My mother takes great pleasure in managing them."  She smiled dreamily, thinking of the gardens -- and a similar conversation held there not too long ago with a very different Duke of Allar.  "And I take great pleasure in exploring them."

And, of course, other less ladylike areas of the palace grounds...

"You may call on me as soon as you like, Duke Calent," she offered, again with a genuine smile.  "Your chefs are truly talented, but I am afraid I have all-but reached my limit as well.  I shall await your summons eagerly."

A tour of the gardens did sound lovely...  And, although he had lost a bit of the charm from earlier, his company was not so terrible...

[visualspice]

He bowed to her, taking her hand and lightly kissed it.
"Then within the hour then." and he waved towards his servants, and he offered her an arm. "Allow me to escort you back to your room. For the inconvenience of my demeanor."
ANd with her secure on his side, Calent lead her away.
"Please do not worry yourself about my.. condition. I know what people say of me." he informed her, being uncharacteristically blunt. "But only some of the rumors are true." he paused at her door, releasing her gently from his arm ad bowed before her.
"So in an hour then?" he spoke, eyes meeting to hers.

[Ivory]

Kathryn gave him a quizzical look, good-natured though it was.  "Duke Calent," she began lightly, her tone upbeat and almost playfully chiding, "Allow me to assure you that your behavior has been that of a gentleman.  I can honestly say that I have you enjoyed your company, and I look forward to our walk, as well as to our ride to Highheart together, and I hope I have occasion to enjoy your company again in the future."  Her eyes caught the firelight, making them sparkle like blue gemstones in her face.

"I am, after all, the daughter of the Duke of Highheart, and I am no stranger to the sorts of burdens a Duke must bear.  You are a generous and charming host, and that is all any guest can ask for."

With a brilliant smile, she bowed her head slightly.  "Until then, Duke Calent."

[visualspice]

For all it was worth, the Duke found himself at a loss of words, his face blushed.

"Yes.." he bowed his head. "Until then."

Moving away, he felt himself become rigid and his face burning more and more as he walked..
He kept his posture erect and hoped not to see-
Ah, his hopes were dashed, for it was indiscriminately Audric lingering in the corner.
Sighing, he kept his head up high, hoping his friend wouldn't notice the red on his face.

"You can stop your prying now, Audric. I know you're there." As if the man really meant to hide but...
the Duke continued onward on foot.
"And if you have to ask, it was simply over taxes." he hoped his friend would drop the idea before bringing up his melancholy at dinner.

And well..
maybe the blush could be over taxes, too.