Alexei just stood there silent, trying to catch his breath. He watched the woman he engaged to, his sharp blue eyes taking in every detail from her flushed cheeks, her slightly tousled hair, and smiled when she smoothed down her skirts. Stepping close to her, in spite of the own buzzing in his body, he reached out with his hand, catching her smooth chin between his thumb and forefinger.<br/><br/>"I think I like you....disheveled," his eyes sparkled in amusement, but no less intensity. Slowly, he allowed his fingers to slide along her skin and drop between them. He arched an eyebrow when she referred to the dinner as a 'firing squad', once again leading him to believe that there was a wicked sense of humor under that shy facade. Taking her tiny hand in his, he tucked it into the crook of his arm. Leading her to the door, he smirked, realizing he enjoyed the idea of her going down with him flushed and turned on. It was clear she understood that in spite of her shyness, there was nothing wrong with them being attracted to each other. Those barracudas at court forced this union....now they could choke on the sexual tension. They wanted an heir, let them wonder if the first attempt would be in front of everyone, right on the dinner table for God and country. Leading her  through the halls, he took a deep breath, entering the dining hall, his fiance on his arm.