Intimacy

"Why will you do so? I know that you are pressed for an heir. That is the only reason you have accepted my foolish terms." Damien looked away. His eyes gazed at the bird sitting on her window. The little bird tilted its head to meet Damien's gaze.

Evan noticed how he was staring at the bird. The air around them went heavier and suddenly she felt fear crawling in her heart. The man was only staring yet she could feel goosebumps on her skin. The bird flew away suddenly and Damien blinked. When he looked at her again, his eyes were perfectly normal.

"You should pay more attention to healing, my lady. I heard from the maids that you liked the food here." Evan nodded trying to ignore the intimidation she had felt.

This man was the cursed Duke. One who had joined hands with the devil. Yet… he was the only one who helped her, saved her.

"Yes, the food is delicious here. The staff is diligent and kind and the room is perfect. I could not ask for more." She was glad that she had received all of it. Damien looked at her and she held her breath. For some reason, his presence was overwhelming today. Why was he staring at the bird like that? What did his curse mean? He wanted to ask so much, yet she felt… it would entangle them more with each other.

This situation was perfect. They were only bound with a deal. Neither too distant to not help each other, nor too close that she would be hurt again.

"And that is all it takes for you to marry me? Good ambience and obedient staff with delicious food?" he raised a brow and she could feel the hidden meaning behind his words.

"Revenge.. I want revenge against my husband and my sister." she looked straight into his eyes. Even if he felt she was pretty, she did not care. They had hurt her. "I want to return them ten fold of the pain they have given me. I want them to struggle before taking all the power away." he raised a brow and then laughed.

"Consider it done. But if you know why I needed a wife, then you must be aware that it could not be a contractual marriage. I need an heir or more from you, Lady Evangeline." he was implying that he would have sex with her. He was going to ravish her. The memory of the night with Harold started to sting her body at once.

She felt she could not breath and her eyes were blurring. Damien blinked when he noticed her rugged breathing. She was struggling. Her grip was so tight on the mattress that her knuckles had turned white.

"My lady, are you okay?" Evan flinched when she felt his touch on her knuckles. He held her hands and rubbed the back of it. "You always have a choice, remember. I am not a beast that forces you for anything, Evangeline." her name on his lips sounded different. It left her shivering and needy. Needy for assurance and care. His hands were strangely cold, but it was soothing. She looked at their entwined hands but regretted when he noticed her gaze and took his hands away.

She felt a strange hollowness at the loss of his touch. Silence fell in the room and she felt it was her mistake.

"I.. I feel stuffy in the room. So, I wanted to take a walk in the garden. If you allow me, my lord." she spoke suddenly when he raised his head and looked at her again.

"The physician told me that you should not walk." he looked at her swollen feet and injured knees. "The shards had gone deep into your skin, my lady. And your feet were sprained yet you kept running. It had damaged a lot more than it seems. You should rest." Evan bit her lips. She felt hurt. Was it because he refused or was it because he called her lady again. Wait, what was she thinking?

She was feeling bad because she was trapped in this room. There could be no other reason.

"But, if you allow me to help, I can take you to the garden. You can sit there and enjoy a cup of warm tea?" her eyes went wide and she nodded instantly. 

"Are you sure?" he confirmed when she nodded again, this time more elegantly like a lady making him chuckle.

"Then pardon my brazenness.'' He bowed and before she could understand why he was apologizing, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders and thighs and stood up earning a squeal from her. She held his shirt tightly to maintain her balance but when she realized how intimate it was.. She let it go at once. 

He had already started walking and now she knew why he apologized. He.. was going to take her all the way to the garden in his arms.

"This.. my lord is too much." she whispered embarrassed by her racing heart. Even Harold had never held her like this. And here he was… oh lord! 

"I apologize but this is the only way to make sure that you do not hurt yourself, my lady. Tell me if you are not comfortable." her face went crimson at that and she looked away.

But when the door opened she noticed the surprised faces of maids. She felt like drowning into the lake. If only, the earth could crack and take her away.

"My lord.." she hesitated when he looked at her with twinkling eyes. For once, she did not find his crimson eyes intimidating. 

"Yes, my lady?" There was humor in his voice as if he knew how his touch had an effect on her and he was enjoying her discomfort. She scowled at that thought.

"You seem to be enjoying it." she taunted but the brazen man nodded.

"Yes, strangely, I do, my lady."