Page 37 of Taken By the Beastly Duke

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He was not sure if he could classify his wedding day as a happy one but one thing he was sure of, was that it was that it was a tortuous one.

Right from the moment he saw his bride approaching him at the church escorted by her father looking as innocent as an angel, he had been ensnared by her beauty.

He had to quickly remind himself of her deceit to being some control to his senses

But the more time he spent with her the more he kept on grasping desperately for his anger that was slowly dissipating until he had no shield from the intensity of his feelings for his wife.

The moment he was away from her, his mind was filled with thoughts of her and when she had come down for dinner he knew the true pain of unrelieved arousal as he watched the creamy skin of her bosom revealed in that daring gown

For the half hour that it took him to finish dinner, he learnt a new painful lesson in arousal and desire

The ache that had been building throughout the day had coalesced into an aching pain and he had been heartbeats away from dragging her onto the table, clearing the dishes and having his way with her.

The lusty thought shocked him but it only showed the state of mind that he would consider taking his wife in the dining room where anyone could see them.

It was only the fact that she had stood up at that moment had prevented him from turning his imagination into reality.

It was also the reason he was heading outside to the lake for a cold swim. If he tarried any longer, he just might storm into her room and pounce on her like a wild animal confirming the rumor that he was a beast.

After the swim, he headed to his chambers to change to his clothes. He looked at the adjoining door, he could see tendrils of light from the door edges indicating that his new wife was still awake or she might have forgotten to put off the candle. He was only going to check to prevent the possibility that she might burn down the castle. That was definitely the reason why he tightened the sash of his robe and opened the door to her room

When he stepped into the room, he was struck dumb by the picture In front of him.

She was seated at the vanity mirror her hair cascading over her shoulder gleaming in the candle light, she could as well be a siren because he found himself walking towards her and pulling her hair aside to expose the expanse of her neck.

" May I?" He said in a hoarse voice that he scarcely recognized as his.

She handed him the brush and he set out on the task of brushing her hair as he was assaulted by the scent of lilies.

It became so intoxicating that he found himself fighting the urge to kiss her neck and lick along it's length. He was not the only one affected, because he could hear the increased rate of her breathing

He dropped the brush so quickly it might as well be on fire then turned to flee

" Where are you going" he heard her breathy voice ask him stopping him in his tracks.

She stood up because he heard the rustling of material behind him

" Anywhere, away from here"

" Why?" She asked a curious tone in her voice

" You know why" he answered tightly

" I am not sure that I do. I think I deserve an explanation if my husband wants to leave me alone on our wedding night"

At that he snorted " We are hardly truly married. If we don't consummate it. You could file for annulment and have it revoked you would be free."

" What if I do not want that?" she replied coming to stand close to him and taking one of his hands in hers.

Her breathed deeply in the hopes of regaining his sanity as the scent of her body was messing with a good sense.

He turned to order her to leave him alone but he became stunned Instead by the vision before him

His wife was wearing a nightgown if he could call it that when the material revealed more than it covered.

In the light of the candle he could swear he could make our the pink tips of her breasts and he watched, they beaded as if begging for his mouth. He swallowed hard in the hopes of controlling himself.

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