"I find it difficult to maintain decorum with you... when the others are around."

Jakob couldn't keep his eyes off her. He never could, but she was being especially incredible today. She was like a piece of art… A waltz… A dancer spinning to a melody no one else could hear.

She gestured, and her hand twirled through the air. He followed it from the tip of her fingers up her arm, to her bending elbow, past her narrow shoulder. Her slender neck rose, and Jakob's eyes traveled upwards til they landed on her lips, just as those lips parted and a laugh spilled forth.

His breath hitched.

She continued to speak, saying something to her little sister, but Jakob couldn't follow the conversation. His hand held his chin, elbow on the edge of his chair, but his gaze focused solely on her every movement, every action, every smile, every flick of her hair. It was entrancing. She was entrancing. And she was his, and he couldn't get enough of her.

Her chest rose and fell with every inhale and exhale, her pointed ears slightly twitched when she spoke, her eyes, the color of dying roses, flashed with her humor… And those lips. His eyes kept returning to those lips. Red and soft. Softer than anything he had ever felt. They kept curling and curving, and her teeth barely nibbled them when she was thinking, and Jakob was half convinced she was doing it for the sole purpose of driving him completely mad.

…And it was working.

An animal growl started in his stomach and crawled its way up his throat, and it was all he could do to remain seated and appear calm in the company of her sisters.

"—akob? Jakob?" He blinked, waking from his trance and realizing she was speaking his name.

"Yes, my love?" he answered, his steady voice betraying nothing of the fire burning in his veins.

"Camilla went off to find our brothers. Elise thought she might run to the kitchen and grab some treats and tea before they return. What kind would you like?"

Camilla had left? Jakob hadn't even noticed… And Elise was about to run off? … And… the two of them would be alone for a moment? Jakob smiled. "Green tea if that suits you, my love."

"That's just what I was in the mood for. Green tea, Elise, thank you."

Jakob's body tensed as the little girl sprung to her feet and rushed for the door. It barely clicked, and he was on his feet, pushing Corrin against the wall and crushing his mouth to hers.

She murmured in surprise, but he bit off the words, and whatever she was saying dripped into a groan instead. Her fingers clutched at his shirt, arms looping around his neck, and Jakob smiled. His hands curled around her hips, and he pushed her possessively against the wall. She only had time for a brief gasp before Jakob's mouth was on hers again, claiming her lips almost violently. His hands moved again, sliding slowly up her sides. She shivered at his touch. He reached her neck, and his fingers buried themselves in her hair, scratching along her scalp until she was humming, moaning in his mouth.

He was pressed against her, no space between them, their bodies entangled, and the fire grew only hotter, fueled rather than satiated.

But the door creaked as it opened, and Jakob was gone, taking his seat, crossing his legs, his hand on his chin and a wicked smile curling his lips as he watched his wife trying futilely to mask her flushed face, labored breath, mussed hair, and swollen lips.

"Do you need help with the tea?" He politely inquired.