ONE NIGHT STAND WITH HOT DUKE-Chapter 41: Sighs on the desk

Edward inclined his head slightly as Valerie rose from her chair.

"I will make the necessary arrangements for the tea gathering," the head butler said in his usual professional tone. "Including the list of noble ladies to be invited."

Valerie gave a small nod. Her hands clasped together in front of her stomach, a subtle habit that surfaced whenever uncertainty crept in.

"The list..." she said after a moment. "I want to review it first. Lady Rowena and Lady Mirabel should be informed as well. They are guiding me, naturally, they will want to ensure that only suitable guests are invited."

Edward offered a faint smile, as if he had anticipated the request.

"Of course, Miss. That is only reasonable."

He paused, then added more carefully,

"As it happens, the Duke is currently in his study."

Valerie lifted her head at once.

"Demian?"

Edward nodded.

"If this gathering is to be held in the name of the Duke’s lady, it would be best for His Grace to be informed beforehand."

Valerie shook her head instinctively.

"That won’t be necessary," she said quickly. "He can find out later."

But Edward did not retreat.

"Miss," he said politely yet firmly, "the Duke is the master of this castle and of the northern territories. Any event involving the nobility should receive his approval, or at the very least his acknowledgment."

Valerie fell silent.

She knew Edward was right.

And she also knew... that her hesitation had nothing to do with etiquette.

It was because she no longer knew how to stand before Demian.

For the past few days, he had been distant not cruel, not openly angry, but withdrawn in a way that cut far deeper. He was present in the castle, speaking with nobles, governing his lands as he always had, yet Valerie was no longer the center of his attention or at least, he no longer showed it.

To face Demian meant confronting that distance head-on.

But to refuse would make her appear weak.

Valerie drew a long breath.

"Very well," she said at last. "I’ll see him."

Edward bowed respectfully.

"I will await your word, Miss."

Valerie walked down the castle corridor at an unhurried pace. Each echo of her shoes against the stone floor sounded louder than it should have. The towering walls suddenly felt unfamiliar despite the days she had already spent living within them.

She stopped before the large doors of Demian’s study.

And hesitated.

Valerie slipped into Demian’s office, her steps echoing in the sudden hush left behind. The room was freshly deserted Demian had personally ordered everyone out after Ash, the guard, announced Valerie’s arrival. As they passed her, the others flashed strange, relieved smiles, like inmates who’d only just escaped from hell.

The door shut behind Valerie with a dull, ominous thud sealed by the guard. Now it was just her and Demian, alone, tension crackling in the air.

"Come here," Demian commanded, his voice low and unapologetic as he stretched out a hand.

Valerie obeyed, surrendering herself to his rough grasp, letting him pull her onto his lap, so she straddled him, chest to chest, the heat between their bodies suddenly unbearable.

"What is it?" Demian’s voice was thick as his arms caged her in place, holding her tight with possessive force so she couldn’t escape.

"Edward said I should tell you... I’ll be hosting a tea party," Valerie managed to say breathlessly, her voice trembling with anticipation.

Demian barely nodded before his hand snaked to the back of her neck, yanking her in and crushing his mouth against hers. The kiss started soft, then twisted into something hungry and animalistic, devouring her lips and stealing her breath.

"Talk later. Right now, I want you." His tone was dark, urgent, every word dripping with hunger and command.

Valerie didn’t resist she melted into him, clutching his neck, her body pressing harder, craving the brutal heat only he could bring.

Demian rose with her clinging to him, not giving her a chance to break free, and set her down hard on his desk. Papers and pens scattered as he swept them aside, clearing space for her trembling body.

He crashed his mouth onto hers again, tongues warring wild and deep, while his hands hiked up her dress with no hesitation exposing her bare, perfect thighs to the icy office air and his greedy touch. His fingers traced over her silky skin, gripping and squeezing, marking her as his. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

"We’re doing this here?" Valerie’s voice was ragged, her eyes daring him.

"Of course. I want your scent on everything in this office," Demian growled, his gaze burning with raw, unfiltered lust.

The room closed in around them, thick with the electric charge of forbidden pleasure, the boundaries of decency left far outside the sealed door as their bodies collided in a frenzy of need.

Demian’s hands didn’t hesitate. He shoved Valerie’s dress higher, bunching the fabric around her waist, baring her panties thin, barely a barrier.

With a single, forceful motion, he pulled them aside, exposing her completely to his hungry gaze and rough hands. Valerie gasped, her legs parting wider, the cool air brushing against her heat as Demian traced greedy fingers along her slick folds, teasing, then plunging inside without warning.

A moan ripped from her lips, but Demian silenced her again with another ruthless kiss his tongue invading her mouth, claiming every inch.

His free hand gripped her jaw, keeping her still as he fingered her deeper, harder, his thumb circling mercilessly over her sensitive spot. The wet sounds of his fingers pumping in and out echoed obscenely around the room, mixing with her desperate, muffled cries.

"Look at you. So fucking wet for me," Demian growled against her lips, his voice rough, guttural.

He yanked his belt open, freed himself from his pants thick, hard, already throbbing for her. Without a hint of hesitation, he dragged Valerie closer to the edge of the desk, her thighs trembling around his hips. He pressed the blunt head of his cock against her entrance, teasing her with slow, shallow thrusts until she was shaking, pleading for more.

"Say you want it," he commanded, his eyes dark and merciless.

"I want you... now,"