The Bed You Make
Chapter 51, concluded

Curiosity steered Dara toward wakefulness as she sensed more than heard another presence in the room. "Master Stefan asked that I tend to the fireplace for your pleasure." From across the room the quiet voice of Yuri Petrov provided the explanation as though he'd heard Dara’s thoughts. “I am nearly done."

Dara watched the quiet guard expertly rebuild the dying fire. She didn't feel the need for small talk between them. Stefan explained that Yuri preferred not to become overly familiar with those whose protection he was tasked. It tended to make his job that much harder.

The room had hardly been cold before Yuri's efforts. Still, after a few moments the flames danced red and gold. Dara appreciated the subtle warmth that made her burrow even deeper into the covers.

It wasn't just the comfort of the bed that made her loathe to leave it. The traces of Stefan's signature scent covered every inch of the linens, the pillow, the room.

…And her.

For as long as she lived, Dara knew that Stefan's quiet, powerful aroma would be ingrained into her very being. How could it not? Dara swore she could smell it on her very skin. She’d said as much to Stefan during a quiet moment the previous night. Instead of amusement, his eyes had darkened in a very male display of satisfaction at the thought.

The memory of it made her body react. Dara slid a finger between her legs and gingerly touched the bundle of nerves there. Despite her feather-light touch, a sensation not unlike a shock of electricity arched Dara’s back off the mattress. A strangled cry escaped. “Shit, shit, shit!” Although she and Stefan had gorged themselves sexually all throughout the evening and night, apparently her body had more to give.

"Mistress?" There was a tap on the door. "Mrs. Cassadine?"

With great difficulty, Dara managed to respond between clenched teeth. Her body was still in the tremors of her unexpected orgasm. "Y-yes?"

The maid moved quietly into the room. She held a glass pitcher of juice in her hands. Before she could approach, Dara slid one hand from beneath the covers and silently waved her toward the dresser on the other side of the room. "Master Stefan has instructed me to inform you that Chef Philip -and one other- will be joining you for lunch,” the young woman relayed. “Will you require help?”

‘Now that my legs have stopped shaking?’ “Thank you, no.”

Well, that settled that, Dara thought. Time to get up and start the day (something that was easier said than done). A nice warm bath would be just what she needed. Time to just soak her weary body. No time to overthink the enormous step she’d taken to really live as husband and wife in the bedroom.

With each step, Dara’s muscles protested. She had no complaints, though, about the reason for their weary state. She wondered if Stefan was feeling the effects of their marathon session of lovemaking as well.

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