The maids help Esmeray undress and bathe, the Prince did the same in the secondary bathroom. She came back wearing a silk night gown and robe. Mateo who is already in bed, the covers pulled up to his waist, revealing his bare chest follows her as she enters. A slow smirk spreading across his face.
"You look... comfortable,"
"Thank you " she replies a little shy for some odd reason. Mateo's smirk widens at her shyness, his gaze lingering onto her. "Come, get in bed," he says, patting the space beside him. "We have a long day ahead of us tomorrow."
"Yes, of course." She removes the robe, laying in bed next to him. Her body becomes stiff, glued to one side only.
Mateo watches as she settle beside him, his expression thoughtful. After a moment, he reaches out and gently pulls the covers down, exposing her shoulders. "You're tense," he observes, his voice low.
"....I'm a little cold. " she replies hoping for some odd reason he'd leave her alone. Mateo raises an eyebrow, clearly not buying her excuse. "Cold?" he repeats, his voice tinged with skepticism.
"Let me warm you up then."
"No need" she says once more moving away a little " actually I'm a little hot" she lies again. Mateo's smirk returns, his eyes glinting with amusement at her obvious discomfort. "Hot, hm?" he murmurs, leaning closer. "Perhaps I can help with that too."
"Your majesty you just said we have a long day tomorrow so let us sleep" he chuckles a little at her quick respose. "Goodnight then"
Esmeray tosses and turns, unable to get sleep. She looks at the time that reads 2:45. The room is to cold for her, she tries her best not to wake Xerxes up. Who stirs at the sound of her restless movements, his eyes fluttering open.
"Can't sleep?" he murmurs, his voice husky with sleep."No. " she replies he sits up, the covers falling away to reveal his bare chest. "Come here," he says, patting the space beside him. "I'll warm you up."she hesitates for a moment before taking his offer.
Mateo wraps his arms around her, holding very close. "Better?" he asks, his voice a low rumble in his chest."Yeah, thank you "
Mateo's hand begins to gently stroke her back, his touch soothing. "You're welcome," he murmurs, his breath ruffling her hair. "Now try to sleep."Suddenly out of nowhere he grabs her thigh, placing in on top of his. She tries to move away, but he had a tight grip, keeping it in place on top of his.
"Don't move," he whispers, his voice suddenly stern. "Just... relax."
His minty scent fills her nose, 'he smells good' she thinks to herself.
"You smell like roses and lavender,"
"Uh. Thank you, "
"I simply bring it up because I can fell you sniffing me"
"Im sorry" she says, embarrassed.Mateo chuckles softly, his chest vibrating beneath her ear. "No need to apologize," he murmurs.
The prince is indeed attractive. The only downfall is, he is known to play dirty games. He's cold, malicious, rude, and mischievous. He cares about his status more than anything .
Mateo's lips curl into a smirk, his eyes glinting with a mix of amusement and something darker. He leans in closer, his breath warm against her lips. "I find myself increasingly drawn to you, Princess," he murmurs. "Despite my initial reservations."
He tightens his grip against her thigh that has been under his submission this whole time.
"Your majesty....I have been bond to you but you are known to play games. Don't play them with me" Mateo's eyes flash with a mix of surprise and intrigue at her words. "Playing games?" he repeats, his tone mocking. "I assure you, Princess, this is no game."
"You are known to be a player and a ruthless one at that."
Mateo's expression darkens, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes. "You think I'm playing you?" he growls, his grip on her thigh tightening. "I've been nothing but honest with you from the start."
"Have you? First you tell me you want nothing to do with me, stating you'll ignore me. Now , you want something with me. What should I believe ?" He stays silent for a moment and before he could give an answer she cuts him off.
"I'm to tired for this, the day waits and we need sleep"
Mateo's jaw clenches, his eyes flashing with a mix of frustration and something else... hurt? "Fine," he bites out, releasing her thigh and turning away from. "Sleep then."
He turns away leaving Esmeray to fend for herself against this cold. She allows defeat to settle in, when his arms pull her into his embrace once more. "Damn it," he mutters, his breath hot against her ear. "I'm not playing games with you."
"Is that what am supposed to believe, my husband? "
"We can continue this... discussions in the morning."
The sun shines through the room, revealing the beauty of the decor. Esmeray opens her eyes, Xerxes arms still wrapped around her. She tries to move away but he refuses to let go.
"Where do you think you're going?" he murmurs, his voice still husky with sleep."Bathroom " Mateo releases, reluctantly, his eyes following every move as she climbs out of bed. "Hurry back," he says, a hint of possessiveness in his tone.
She turns the water on hoping to get some alone time, without missing a beat the door opens. Mateo stands in the doorway, his arms crossed over his bare chest, a smirk on his face. "Trying to avoid me, Princess?" he asks, his eyes glinting with amusement.
"No. I just need to wash up" Mateo enters the bathroom, closing the door behind him. "We can wash up together," he suggests, his voice low and suggestive.
"Save water and time."
'Shit' she says to herself "Ummm. You see, I take my time and I know you're busy" he interrupts "I have time for you."