The room is quiet, but your heart pounds like thunder. His gaze pins you in place, heated and unrelenting, and when his hand slides over your leg, your breath catches. Heat rushes to your cheeks, but before you can speak–

He chuckles, releasing your leg but only to stand up abruptly, his chair scraping loudly against the floor. "Fine, fine. I’ll stop teasing you. But know this, my dear wife," he leans down, his face inches from yours, "the moment that baby is born..."

"I will make up for every single night of abstinence. You'll be screaming my name so loudly, the servants will hear you from the other end of the castle."He winks playfully, then straightens up and extends a hand to help you stand.