Page 54 of Bad Duke

Now, I’m in a terrible position. I’ve grown close with Leah over the past few months. Do I tell her about this so she stops wasting her time with a jerk? Or do I keep my nose out of their business? Will is Alex’s friend and just the thought of Alex siding with him over this makes me mad. A pigeon taking flight from the tree above me startles me enough to scream, and I close my eyes and stop to take a breath.

Alex would be angry enough if he knew I was out here by myself, to think I was out here alone and working myself up would make him furious. I try my best to calm myself down before I walk forwards.

I let the boys trot on towards the house when I make it to the path. I’m nowhere near as fast-paced as I used to be but I am, as Alex likes to constantly remind me, carrying precious cargo.

When I eventually make it to the boot room I kick off my boots and manage to get myself back through the cupboard door before calling the dogs behind me. Since I cut my adventure short I haven’t been gone long, I doubt Alex’s guard would have even thought to check on me. Moving in between the walls I try and remember how Alex opened the bookcase from this side. There doesn’t seem to be any button or lever when I get there, the dogs are looking up at me warily and suddenly I start to feel claustrophobic. The air seems stuffy and I decide that brute force is going to have to do. Bracing my palms against the wall I push hard until I feel it start to slide.

“There.” I look over my shoulder, at the dogs, pleased that we made it back unscathed but when I step through the gap, and into Alex’s office, I’m immediately greeted with a set of very stern eyes.

“And what do you think you’re doing?” My husband stands tall and authoritatively in front of me. His arms are crossed over his chest and the unimpressed look on his face tells me I’m in some real trouble.

“I…erm. I was playing hide and seek with the dogs.” I feel the heat creep up my neck as I scratch the back of it.

‘Hide and seek, huh?” He steps closer to me, his hand raising up to untangle a bramble twig that's caught in my hair.

“We went really far that way.” I glance my eyes out the window and smile, trying to expel some of the anger that's emanating from him.

“Olivia, do you know what could have hap?—”

“Yes, Alex, I know. I could have tripped and fallen, a tree could have fallen on top of me. A wild fucking rhino could have charged at me and trampled me to the ground. I’m sure you’ve gone through every case scenario in your head. But I’m going insane here!” I look up at the ceiling and try to calm myself.

“The wild rhino was over the top, but there is potential for boars.” He’s being deadly serious, which only proves how neurotic he’s become.

“I told you not to leave the house alone.” He’s speaking through his teeth now, the vein that's just above his collar looking like it could pop.

“I was on the estate grounds and I’m perfectly fine. I’m not going to do anything to put my baby in danger, am I?”

“Our baby,” He corrects me, deepening his glare.

“Our baby. Either way, I’d never do anything to hurt her. I took a walk in the woods and I wasn’t even alone. I had the dogs.” I look down at them and note how Pico looks ready to strike at him.

“Do you know how angry I am right now?” His jaw clenches.

“I have a good guess.” I remain strong, refusing to feel bad for taking a walk. Alex has to learn to loosen up.

He opens the door, gesturing with his head for the dogs to leave and when neither of them move I struggle to stop myself from laughing.

“Olivia.” His look of warning makes my pussy flutter.

“Why can’t they stay?” I raise my eyebrows, wondering what he has planned.

“Because that one will inevitably bite me for what I’m going to do to you.” He scowls at Pico, and when I see the potential for a different kind of adventure I quickly shoo them both out the door.

Alex slams it after them and immediately starts to walk me backwards, and when my ass hits his desk I look up into his hooded eyes and laugh nervously.

“You find amusement in my concern?” He keeps his eyes narrowed and fixed on mine as I lick my lips and imagine him getting rough with me. Alex has been far too kind to me since he found out I was pregnant.

“Not at all, I just think maybe you could lighten up a little.” I feel the tension in his fingers when he squeezes them around my thighs.

“Lighten up a little,” he repeats my words, creasing his forehead as he starts to stroke his fingers over the fabric covering my pussy. I smile at him because if this is his idea of punishment, I’m going to have to re-offend.

“Let’s get you out of these.” He curls his fingers into my waistband and rolls them off my legs. Sliding his hands up my thigh, he strokes all over my skin, ensuring that his fingertips brush close to where I need them, but don’t quite touch.

“What are you doing?” I whisper, starting to grind my hips.

“Nothing.” He shrugs, as my pussy starts to quicken and ache for his finger to slip inside it.

“Alex.” His name rolls off my tongue as I close my eyes and imagine him stroking his finger against my clit.

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