Page 81 of A Bride for the Sinful Duke

It filled him with immense joy, watching her writhing beneath him, defenseless against the divine pleasure coursing through her veins.

“My wife, my darling, my goddess,” he growled, thrusting into her, rough and hard. “Mine.”

He felt her clench around him as she found her release, and he followed soon after, lost in crashing waves of ecstasy.

He leaned slightly to the side, so he wouldn’t fall on her, and collapsed onto the sheets, scooping her into his arms just as he had done after their first night, needing to hold her for a while longer.

Juliet leaned upwards, resting her lips against his as she whispered, “Yours, always.”

Warmth spread through Hector’s heart, and he tightened his arms around her, reveling in the feeling of contentedness that she evoked in him.

Perhaps they would be fine after all.

CHAPTER 30

“You have some butter on your face. On your jaw.”

Hector blinked at Juliet then swiped his napkin over his chin, missing the spot completely.

Juliet laughed and shook her head. “No, not there. Higher.”

He tried once more with the same result. Juliet rolled her eyes and huffed, trying not to laugh again.

“A little to the left…higher…no, lower now. Just…” She gave up and leaned to do it herself.

She curled her fingers around his jaw to tug his face closer then used her thumb to gently wipe away the little smear of butter that had been lodged just below the corner of his mouth.

“There. All done…Hector!” she screeched, scandalized, as he grabbed her hand before she could pull away and licked the butter off her thumb.

“Thank you, darling,” he grinned, kissing the back of her hand.

Juliet blushed and mumbled some remarks about him being annoying, shifting her focus to her tea.

They had been in each other’s company since they woke up, and Juliet knew that she wouldn’t want to leave his side for the rest of the day.

Hector had been so sweet, affectionate, and caring, his hands warm whenever they met her skin, and his lips always sweet on hers. His presence made her feel settled and peaceful.

It felt good not to be arguing or at odds with him, to simply sit and have a peaceful meal without chaos, drama, or lingering bad feelings. Juliet liked it a lot, and she couldn’t help but notice that her affection for Hector was growing.

“Pardon me, Your Graces,” John said, knocking on the door to the dining room. “There is something you must see.”

Frowning, Hector beckoned the butler forward, and Juliet noticed he was carrying a silver tray with a slip of paper. It was offered to Hector, and when her husband lifted it, Juliet saw it was a scandal sheet.

Hector’s eyes quickly glanced through it, and when he was done, he sighed, moving to hand it back to John.

“Wait,” Juliet stopped him. “What does it say?”

“Just senseless gossip. Pay it no mind, Juliet,” Hector replied.

Juliet shook her head, sensing something was amiss.

“No, he brought it to you. Meaning it must concern you or us. I wish to read it.”

Hector looked as though he wanted to deny her request but handed it over to her.

Juliet held it in both hands, her eyes slowly skimming over the words.

The column was titled ‘Below the Sun,’ with a subtitle that stated, ‘Nothing under the sun can be hidden forever,’ but none of those words were what filled Juliet with dread.

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