"That's just it. You couldn't be yourself if you...held back all of your maddening plots." Damen didn't sound angry, though. He watched Laurent come to him with a more open gaze at him. He should feel wary; all he could feel was weary.

Somehow, Laurent was leaning against his shoulder; somehow, Damen's arm was slipping around his shoulders, holding him there lightly. He craved just such an embrace too much to put up his guard right now.

"Not...disappointed. I spoke truly before. It's you I want in my bed." Tentatively, Damen turned to brush his lips to Laurent's temple. "This you. I...dread another night like last night. Or this morning." He didn't say it, but the possessive tone of Laurent's words, and that pouting scowl as though he were the only one who should be making eyes at Damen, pleased him inordinately.

"If I didn't want to win you, I would have let Erasmus have his night."