Page 45 of Hawthorne

“Your Grace,” I gasp at his crudeness. “I spent the entire day working, and I barely slept last night. I–” I stop momentarily at the sight of his cocky smirk.

Bastard.

“Speaking of, I expected to wake up next to a spent woman. What happened?” His strong hands grab my hips and pull me roughly towards him, bringing us chest to chest.

A bit of sassiness rises to the surface, and I muster the courage to tease him while reminding him of our predicament.

“I am sure Your Grace wouldn’t want other employees to see the housekeeper leave your bedroom in the morning with the same crumpled clothes from the previous day.” I cock an eyebrow, and his face softens in a moment of sobriety.

“At least, next time, let me know before you leave.” His breath hits me as his face comes closer to mine. “Now, do as you’re told and turn around.”

I do but not before telling him, “Can it be quick tonight? I’m exhausted.”

“I can never do quick,” he mumbles to the back of my neck, pressing himself against me. “But we can shorten it tonight. Why are you feeling so tired? You looked so amused when talking to my brother…”

Oh?Is the duke bothered by the fact that his brother gave me a little attention?

“He is my boss’s brother. Shouldn’t I politely keep him company? Especially if he requested so?” I answer firmly.

The slight edge to the tone of his voice shows me he is unbothered, even if the way his hands keep caressing my whole body shows no more roughness than normal.

“Yes,” he sighs, the warm breath of air hitting my ear. “But Edgar is a bit of a…tease—a dangerous one at that.”

“He seemed nice,” I admit. “A bit of a gossiper but harmless.”

“Oh.” He chuckles. “He is anything but harmless. So please, beware of his inappropriate antics.” His head tilts, amusement swirling in his eyes.

When I don’t answer, he walks us closer to the wall and turns my head to the side, forcing me to face him.

“Got it?” he insists.

Instead of agreeing, I answer, “I imagine His Grace was being polite and wanted some company while he waited for you. Also,how could anyone refuse him? Imagine the fear of being fired for being rude to the duke’s brother.”

He chuckleswholeheartedly.

Turning me around, he presses our chests together while my back gently meets the wall, then snakes his hand around the back of my neck, with a mischievous glint shining through his irises. Then, he mutters, “I’d give them a raise, not fire them.”

As he does, I gasp at the feeling of his other hand grazing up my right thigh, quickly reaching the edge of my pencil skirt. Slowly but surely, his touch forces it up to my waist.

“Be rude to him all you want; I’ll let you get away with it,” he admits, before nudging my nose with his. “Now…”

With his hands attached to my waist, he gently guides me away from the wall, walking us to the area where a chest of drawers is. There, he turns me around once again and asks, “Are you still too tired for me? Do you want me to leave?”

It was said in a raspy whisper, making me shiver.

“I don’t want you to leave,” I answer as my eyes roll back upon the feeling of his hand on my waist. “But I am tired.”

“Does that mean you’re not wet? Want me to try again tomorrow?”

As expected, one of his hands grazes my body, heading down towards where my skirt has risen.

“No,” I answer, lost in his touch.

“No as in, you’re not? Or no as in…tomorrow?”

The correct answer would be yes. Because it’s true, but something comes over me, making me shake my head negatively. “As in, I’m not.”

A big part of me is excited and wants to see what happens if I get a rise out of him, wondering what he will do.

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