Page 66 of The Duke and the Runaway Bride

She could not think of any other words, though she desperately wanted to return the compliment.

Instead, she cupped his cheek in her hand and held him delicately while she pecked his lips.

It was the catalyst for what came next. The Duke leaned forward and plundered her lips, kissing her, licking her, moving to her neck, collarbone, cheeks, ears, and back to her mouth again. At the same time, Beatrice squeezed his rear and pulled him into her again and again so that his shaft plunged into her depths.

Their bodies pressed together, the bed shaking as they made love again. If Beatrice could think of anything at that moment, she might not describe it as making love anymore. It was far too passionate and rushed for that. They might make love after she had orgasmed another time or two, but for now, it was animalistic.

The Duke lifted his hips and thrust back into her time and time again, and each time his member slid inside her, he felt her tighten around him.

And she became wild. When his lips were not on hers, she explored as much of him as possible before his lips claimed hers again. She fought him with her tongue, trying to concentrate on the kissing as much as she could to delay what was coming.

It was impossible. Beatrice moaned as the first wave hit her. It was like being engulfed in fire, but instead of being burned, it tingled and tickled. It was euphoria, wave after wave.

Her fingernails dug into his rear, and he quickened his thrusts as if a horse spurred on by its rider. Yet, he was the rider in the bed, grinding and thrusting into Beatrice.

And she let go!

It was beautiful and blinding, and her senses became overwhelmed. She thought she had fainted, but it was only that her eyes were closed. The Duke whispered something in her ear, but she did not hear it. Still, his warm breath excited her more. She pushed her hips up, arching her back to be closer to him.

She shuddered!

Her whole body trembled as the orgasm hit her like a hurricane. She held on to him for as long as she could before she flopped back onto the bed, her body spasming. Then, one final shiver of euphoria racked her body, and her body went lax.

Edwin rolled onto his side and kissed her cheek.

“Please do that to me again,” Beatrice begged.

ChapterTwenty-Five

Looking For A Remedy

“There is word on the street that you might have published the article,” Robert said.

Edwin looked up from his veal and frowned. Of all the things he thought he would hear that night, those were the words he had expected the least.

“Me?” he asked. “Why the devil would I publish the article?”

Robert shoveled a forkful of chicken into his mouth, chewed, and swallowed it before replying. “I know you did not publish it, but a rumor has been going around.”

“Agnes,” Edwin hissed.

“Most likely,” Robert said.

Edwin was back in the private club in which he had dined with Beatrice. This time, he was having supper with Robert. He had enlisted his friend to help put an end to the madness, so he and Beatrice could live their lives.

There was a quiet bustle in the large room. Servers moved elegantly to and fro with serving platters or small carts, making barely a sound. The patrons conversed in hushed voices. Cutlery clinked against plates as the food was consumed. Every so often, a booming laugh or demure giggle would ring out. In the far corner, a permanent cloud of cigar smoke hung over five portly noblemen.

“Has any evidence of her misdeeds been discovered yet?” Edwin asked.

“None so far,” Robert replied.

Edwin picked up his glass and looked at the plum-colored wine in the light before taking a sip. “So, she has started a rumor that I published the scandal to divert the attention from her?”

“I believe so,” Robert replied. He stuffed another piece of chicken into his mouth and chewed on it. “I do not believe I have ever known a woman so outwardly pleasant to those who do not know her and so devilishly scheming at the same time. I don’t know how she does it, but she is the most cunning woman I know. We do not have one drop of evidence to prove that she is behind this.”

“There is evidence, we just have not found it yet. Agnes might not reveal anything, but she has not done this alone. I don’t believe there are any co-conspirators, but she must have paid people off or threatened them to stay quiet.”

“And all of this for you.” Robert shook his head. “I have known you for years, old chap, but I have never thought you worth fighting for with such venom.”

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