Page 36 of Hawthorne

I am about to reach the first step when I hear a voice, “For a moment, I thought I had to come and get you myself.”

“No, Your Grace. I’m coming,” I say without even thinking about the double-entendre.

“Let’s see if I will let you come tonight,” he comments smugly.

I gasp at his crude words. Looking around to make sure no one is around, I turn to him, hoping to scold him. I know someone could be around to listen, but I am faced with an empty hall and his office’s double doors open.

Without another choice, I follow him inside.

It’s not like I can have this conversation out here in the open anyway.

My legs feel like jelly, but I will them to walk the same way he went, up until I reach the inside of the office and close the door behind me.

I am suddenly hauled up into Vincent’s arms as my back hits the wall right next to the wooden door.

“Oh, my,” I exclaim, surprised.

In reflex, my arms wrap around Vincent’s neck, holding on to him. Just like every encounter before, I am overtaken by the strong, pleasant scent that this man carries. It quickly makes me forget all the doubts and hesitations that have been tormenting me for the past twenty-four hours.

“Were you avoiding me again,Ms White?”

Vincent’s words hit me deeply. Even though his words are polite and proper, his strained whisper shows how much he is displeased with my avoidance. Again.

“No, Your Grace. I was just making sure no one was around before coming here.”

“You’re lying,little Milla,” he mumbles, letting his forehead fall onto mine.

“Y-your Grace, we–” I am cut off by his lips slamming against mine.

They’re warm and soft, even though they’re pressing against mine roughly. His body acts in sync, plastering itself against meand plucking a loud moan out of my throat. All touching points send my body into short-circuit, making it forget that it does have—in fact—a brain.

The duke’s huge hands travel up my arms. One settles on my shoulder, close to my neck, and the other cups my jaw. Then he tilts my head, forcing it into the position that allows him to deepen the kiss.

It’s when our tongues touch that I can feel the fireworks exploding. Bright, colourful, and loud, they take over all of me and keep the rational side secured inside a tiny box.

Wrong? Who? Nothing. No one.

This feels right.

“I’ve thought about you all day and night,” he rasps once we stop kissing.

My eyes open slowly, and the sight before me almost makes my knees buckle. Vincent’s brown eyes are even darker than usual, almost black due to his dilated pupils. The short-trimmed shadow over his lower cheeks and jaw surrounds his red, swollen lips in a huge contrast.

This man is gorgeous.

He claims to want me and keeps coming back to show how much he is willing to give in while knowing how out of reach it is. He’s still willing to risk everything.

No, I can’t be the reason for that.

“Your Grace, I don’t think this is a good idea,” I start with a shaky voice.

“What do you mean?” He leans back a little bit but still keeps his hips pressed against mine.

“I’ve been thinking.” I stop to suppress a gasp when his hips shift, slowly grinding into mine. “Y-you’re a duke, while I am a commoner, your housekeeper.”

“And? I have been forced to consider these damn hierarchies all my life when in reality, I couldn’t care less.”

“But I do.There’s too much at stake: my job, my reputation,yourreputation. And your life because, as you have said, you have responsibilities.”

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