The two women were laying on the bed, entangled, having at last caught their breaths properly.

One of them, the freckled, voluptuous one, sighed contentedly.

“I’d offer to instruct you on how to return the favor, but I think that’s enough exertion for you this time around,” she murmured, her face nestled into the vivid red hair of the other.

The redhead giggled.

“Not to be selfish, but I am quite tired after that, yes.”

She turned her head and touched her lips to the other’s forehead, covered by a pristinely cut fringe.

“Thank you, Octavia.”

Octavia chuckled.

“No need to thank me,” she pulled back to look properly at her with a devilish grin on her face. “I’ll work you to the bone next time, Raiva.”

Raiva flushed almost instantly.

Next time, huh?

“You almost make it sound like a threat.”

“It’s a promise,” Octavia sighed once again, pulling against Raiva for a squeeze. “On that note, I believe it’s time to bid you a good night.”

Raiva laughed, exhaustion audible in her voice.

“You’re kicking me out then?”

“Yes”, Octavia replied in a teasing tone, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before getting up from the bed to get dressed. “That dress isn’t going to sew itself.”

Raiva’s cheeks were on fire as she watched Octavia pulling on her dress, opting not to put on any of her undergarments. It still clung to her figure, clearly revealing her form and natural curves.

Octavia glanced over at her, smiling from amusement. She shook her head, went over to the piles of fabric on her worktable, then pulled out a stool from underneath it and quietly went to work.

It’s been barely five minutes since we finished and she’s already back to working.

Raiva got up and began to dress herself in the discarded clothes from earlier. She beheld Octavia and the concentrated look on her freckled face with a sense of awe. Already her hands were busy ripping seams and sewing, several pins having made their home between her teeth.

Trying to hold back a chuckle, she at last had closed the last button on her skirt.

A true workaholic.

She walked over, and kissed Octavia on the side of her head, careful not to disrupt her too much.

“Good night.”

Octavia did not look up from her needlework, but nonetheless smiled gently in a silent response, careful not to drop the pins hanging from her mouth.

Raiva left the room quietly, but internally abuzz from the events of the past two-odd hours. The door closed quietly behind her as she entered the dark, cold hallway.

So cold.

The freezing night temperature hit her when she reached the foot of the stairs.

Port.

Trying to contain her shivering, she quickly built a small fire in the fireplace, thankful to Shelly for always keeping the firewood in the sitting room well-stocked.

She knows me too well.

Raiva chuckled.

When the fire had warmed her icy hands a little, she hurried into her rooms to change into something more comfortable. Not even bothering putting her clothes away neatly, she threw them off and grabbed her usual nightgown, as well as a heavy woolen blanket from the chest by the foot of her bed and draped it around her.

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Teeth now only somewhat chattering, she scurried back into the sitting room, promptly grabbing an already-opened bottle from the cabinets, along with a small stemmed glass.

“Cheaper but keeps better,” she mumbled to herself, impressed by her own foresight.

“Does it now?” a bemused voice called out from the direction of the kitchen.

Raiva didn’t have to look in the direction of the voice to know who it was.

“Yes, Cassian, it does,” she replied, raising her eyebrows. “Why, have you never had port wine made for the enjoyment of the common people?”

He chuckled dryly at her teasing.

“I have,” he responded, taking a seat before her. “I simply tend to not have any left over.”

Raiva eyed him, taking her seat next to him.

“I forgot, you’re not much of a solo drinker.”

“Correct.”

She poured herself a glass. The dark red liquid smelled of vanilla and almonds and sat as though it truly belonged in the intricately cut crystal glass.

Pretty.

Holding it up in front of her, looking at the shimmers of light from the fire through it, she sighed happily.

As she sipped the sweet, heavy liquid, she noticed Cassian’s eyes meeting hers when she glanced in his direction.

“Are you getting something or are you looking to talk about something?”

“Do I have to be drinking to enjoy your company?” he joked in his haughty-actor voice.

“Yes,” she giggled. “Based on your current behavior it would seem so.”

Cassian eyed her carefully as he sat back against the sofa, abandoning his proper posture.

“How are things?”

“Things?” she shot back, holding the glass up to her lips for another sip.

“Yes, things. Your flirtations and courtships with all residents of your boarding house,” he smiled teasingly. “Quite scandalous, really.”

She burst into laughter.

“And yet, somehow not the most scandalous thing about me in recent years. Though a continuation perhaps.”

Not sure how to respond, she cocked her head to the side.

She took another sip before putting her glass down entirely, then slouched across the back of the sofa, facing Cassian.

“Things are… fine? It’s all new. It’s a little overwhelming, given that it’s all quite simultaneous.”

He reached for her glass and stole a sip.

“My wine!” she objected lightheartedly.

Ignoring her, he murmured, “Oh this is quite decent.”

He smiled at her, a smile she had grown to be wary of.

“If it’s all too much, then how about coming to stay at my apartments in the inner city over the weekend?”

Had she been sipping her wine, she would have probably spilled it in surprise.

“You have an apartment in the city?”

Her wide eyed stare made him chuckle profusely.

She continued, not having gotten her answer.

“Then why are you renting a room here? Do you really have so much money to waste?”

His eyes narrowed, his smile turned crooked.

Her stomach jumped.

Slowly moving closer to her, he began raising himself above her.

“Yes, I have an apartment in the city. I rent a room here to stay, sleep, be provided meals, and get work done in. Finally, yes, I do have money to waste quite freely.”

Raiva’s eyes were fixated on his.

He’s teasing me.

She played along and continued her questioning.

“And what do you have this city apartment for then?”

He smiled, but visibly slowed down his advance, eventually hovering near her let ear.

“For privacy, and weekend getaways with lovers who could use… a break.”

His whisper was theatrical in its intensity and allure.

“And I’m a lover who could… use a break? You wish to heroically whisk me away from my troubles, my love?” she asked in similar whispering fashion, brushing against his ear with her lips.

He began laughing and pulled back, ensuring he did not accidentally dropping onto her.

She shook her head in return and once again picked up her glass.

Finally he spoke again.

“You do seem like a change of environment might do you good. How often have you gone out since moving in?

Raiva had to think a moment.

“I’m not sure, twice?”

“Twice,” he pretended to be aghast. “My friend, you need to get out more.”

“What, into a different living quarter?”

“It must be better than living the life of a sad, hermit widow at least.”

“I am a hermit widow, Cassian.”

She rolled her eyes.

“And anyhow, how often have you gone out since moving in? Once? Not at all?”

“I have been working,” he interjected.

“Working in your rooms!”

She narrowed her eyes at him.

“Is this an excuse to postpone work on your manuscript?”

“I would never!” he responded, entirely unconvincingly.

This guy.

She continued looking at him in silence.

He caved almost immediately.

“Fine! Yes!” he cried, making a pained expression. “But does it not sound like a fun diversion at least?”

Leaning in, he said in a lowered tone and volume, “And for your information, it’s entirely soundproof.”

Raiva raised her eyebrows.

“Entirely? That can’t have been cheap.”

“It wasn’t,” he chuckled, returning to his normal conversational tone. “But entirely worth it.”

Soundproof… Away from prying eyes and ears, I assume. No nobleman would have an apartment like that where privacy isn’t respected.

She leaned back and looked thoughtfully at the fire for a while.

“For the weekend?”

“In two days, overnight.”

“Alright.”

He broke into a smile.

“I’ll get instruction to you tomorrow,” he said, as he left the room about as fast as she had ever seen him move.

“Instructions?” she called out after him.

He did not respond.

Instructions?

She sighed, pulled her legs up on the sofa, then poured herself another glass.

I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this animated before. Just because he can skip working for a day with a half-hearted excuse?

Raiva sipped her port.

Actors.