CHAPTER 56: NOW A GUARD!

He groaned softly, his hands gripping her ass tighter, pulling her down to grind against him in a slow, deliberate motion that drew a moan from her lips. "Phina, you’re playing dirty now. But I don’t think I can handle all that, I’d probably break free just to flip you over and show you who’s really in charge. Like earlier—god, the way you begged me to drill you... that sound is etched in my brain."

She shivered at the memory, her body rocking against him instinctively, the friction building a delicious tension that made her thighs clench. Her fingers tangled in his hair, tugging gently as she nipped at his lower lip. "Mmm, and you loved every second of it. Admit it—you get off on making me lose control. But what if we switched it up? What’s your wildest fantasy? Something fro that’d make even me blush?"

Xavier’s breath grew ragged, his hips bucking up slightly to meet her movements, the sensual dance between them heating the air. "Wildest? Probably something simple but intense: you and me, in a hot spring, water lapping at our skin while I take you from behind, slow at first, then hard until the water’s splashing everywhere. Your moans echoing off the rocks... fuck, just thinking about it..."

Her eyes darkened with lust, her hips grinding harder now, a soft whimper escaping as she felt him throb against her. "That sounds... divine. We have hot springs nearby—maybe we make it real. But only if you let me ride you in the water first, make you moan like you did earlier. God, Xavier, your groans... they drive me insane. Like music to my ears."

Their laughter mingled with heavier breaths, the conversation weaving between jokes and intimate confessions, each word stoking the fire between them. She leaned back slightly, her hands on his chest, pushing him deeper into the cushions as she continued the subtle grind, her body undulating with a teasing rhythm. "Okay, random fun fact: If you were a dessert, you’d be chocolate lava cake—hot, and impossible to resist devouring in one go. What about me?"

He smirked, his fingers slipping between her thighs, brushing her slick folds through her panties, drawing a gasp that made her arch.

"You? A strawberry tart—sweet, juicy, with that perfect bite. And I could eat you all day." His touch was light, teasing, circling her clit just enough to make her tremble, her moans turning breathy and needy.

Seraphina’s head fell forward, her forehead resting against his as she rocked faster, the playful banter giving way to raw desire. "Xavier... you’re too much. But speaking of devouring... I have an idea." Her voice shifted, still sultry but with a spark of seriousness beneath the lust. She paused her movements, her eyes locking onto his with a sudden intensity that caught him off guard.

He blinked, his hands stilling on her hips, the shift pulling him from the haze of arousal. "An idea? Now? While you’re grinding on me like that?"

She smiled, a mix of mischief and genuine warmth, her fingers tracing his jaw. "Yes, now. What if... you became my bodyguard? Officially. You’re strong, you’ve proven that with the goblin core. And being at my side all the time... it wouldn’t be so bad, would it? Protecting me during the day, and... well, celebrating at night."

Xavier stared at her, shock rippling through him like a cold wave amid the heat. His mind raced—bodyguard? It meant constant proximity, a role that kept him close without the chains of slavery. But the intimacy of it, the trust... it floored him. "Phina... you’re serious? Me, guarding a viscountess? I’m just... me."

Her expression softened, her hands cupping his face as she leaned in, her lips brushing his in a tender kiss. "You’re more than enough. And yes, serious. Think about it—you’d have access to resources for finding your family, a steady place here. Plus... I’d feel safer with you around. And let’s be honest, the perks..." She wiggled her hips playfully, drawing a groan from him.

The shock faded into a warm acceptance, the idea settling like a puzzle piece clicking into place. Being at her side all the time? Watching over her, sharing stolen moments like this? It wasn’t bad—it was perfect. "Alright," he said, his voice steady, a smile breaking through. "I accept. But only if you promise not to tease me too much during ’duty hours.’"

"Hehe," She laughed, the sound rich and joyful, sealing the deal with a deep kiss that promised more than words could. Their bodies pressed closer, the conversation drifting back to lighter teases, but now with a new layer of connection, a future intertwined in ways neither had expected.

Xavier’s hands roamed her back, pulling her gown aside as the heat built again, the office once more becoming their private haven of laughter, lust, and unspoken promises.

....

As the afternoon light filtered through the tall, arched windows, the sun spilled in like liquid gold, wrapping itself around their entwined forms. Every curve of her body against his was gilded, her skin soft and warm beneath the faint brush of his fingertips.

Xavier’s lips hovered against hers, his breath mingling with the faint scent of her perfume, intoxicating in its delicate sweetness. "Now, about that hot spring fantasy..." his voice was low, deep enough to stir something primal in her chest, "when do we start?"

Her lips curved into a faint smirk, but her voice held a teasing firmness. "We can worry about that later. Currently, I have something important for me to do... I’ve got to inspect the farmers to check the genuity of their reports."

Xavier nodded, though his gaze lingered — eyes tracing the faint flush still colouring her cheeks, the faint rise and fall of her chest as if her body hadn’t yet calmed from their closeness. His face expression—

Seraphina’s laugh broke the stillness, light yet full of that soft, feminine lilt that always pulled at his chest.

"After seeing your expression as you drill me hard," she said with a wicked glint in her eyes, "it’s kinda hard for me to picture you with that serious attitude of a guard..."

He didn’t reply, but the flicker in his eyes betrayed a memory — one that made her thighs subtly press together.

It was strange. Even when they weren’t touching, Xavier’s presence radiated a steady, protective heat, like the invisible pull of a hearthfire on a cold night. She felt so safe around him. She could sense it in the way his gaze softened when it met hers, in the way his silence wasn’t cold, but grounding. Somewhere inside, she knew he was the perfect guard... but the image still made her lips twitch.

She chuckled softly again, her fingers gliding over the smooth surface of the table before she picked up a small red gemstone. The way she held it — delicate yet possessive — drew Xavier’s eyes. Her thumb brushed over it once, and then she infused it with her mana. A warm glow bloomed from within, painting her fingers in a faint crimson light.

Xavier tilted his head slightly, curious. ’So that’s how she summons someone... almost like a phone, but still doesn’t come close to the effects of a phone.’

The door opened a moment later, the hinges whispering against the frame, and her butler stepped inside. He was young, his expression carved from stone, his gaze instantly catching on Xavier before slipping away.

’Ah... so that gem was for him,’ Xavier mused.

The butler, though silent, couldn’t hide the quick flicker of surprise at finding Xavier here. He buried it swiftly, bowing low before Seraphina.

"Lady Seraphina, you called..." His voice was even, but beneath it lay a subtle stiffness, as though the scene before him was unsettling in ways he wouldn’t voice.

Seraphina’s fingers shifted lazily in the air, a graceful little wave that both dismissed and acknowledged his bow. "I and Xavier will visit the farmers in our jurisdiction. Inform the rider to prepare the carriage."

Her voice was warm, commanding without effort — and the way she said "I and Xavier" made the butler’s jaw tighten.

He glanced at Xavier again, and something unreadable passed through his eyes. Not hatred — but unease, the kind that came from imagining whispers in noble halls. The Lady’s image, her influence... compromised by the sight of a man — her man — trailing her in public.

If they wished to enjoy each other behind closed doors, that was one thing. But this? Out in the open?

"Ma—" he began, ready to speak, but she cut him off with a slow, steady gaze that made his words falter before they could take form.

"Xavier is no longer who you think he is..." she said, each word carrying a quiet weight, "He’s now a freeman."

The butler’s frown deepened — not out of defiance, but disbelief. How? Why would she allow that?

He swallowed it back, bowing once more. "Ok, Lady Seraphina."

Then he turned, the quiet click of the door closing behind him leaving the two of them alone once again — with the afternoon light still painting them in shades of gold and desire.