Page 69 of A Virgin for the Duke of Ash

“You do not know what you are asking for,” he muttered hoarsely.

She smiled up at him, her hands sliding into his hair. “On the contrary, I have never wanted anything more…”

CHAPTER 24

It was as if something snapped within him.

They were just words, and Daniel had never been one to put his trust in the words of people, but Evie was looking up at him, her eyes wide and trusting, smiling up at him as if he was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen.

How could she possibly know that in her moment of surrender,shewas the most beautiful thing he had ever seen?

Do not look at me like that,he wanted to tell her.I am only going to hurt you. Disappoint you. Ruin you.

But it was too late for that now. She might never realize that she had stolen not only his breath but also his soul at that moment.

He wanted her—hadalwayswanted her—more than his next breath.

He slanted his lips over hers, unleashing all the hunger and desire he felt for her at that moment. The longing he had suppressed over the past few weeks roared out of him that for the space of a breath, he feared that it would be too much for Evie, that his appetites would overwhelm her.

But she had thrown her arms around him, her lips molding to his as she gave as much as she took.

“I am going to have to tie you back up,” he told her hoarsely.

Evie smiled up at him. “By all means, Your Grace.”

He groaned as he reached for the ribbons on the posts overhead. He could not have tied her wrists fast enough, taking care that the bonds were not too tight that they would hurt her, merely restricting her movements.

When he returned to kissing her, Evie squirmed just a little bit beneath him, struggling against her bonds just the slightest bit. Then, he felt her leg move against his hardness, and it tore a harsh breath from him.

“You have been a very naughty girl, Duchess,” he warned her, narrowing his eyes at her.

“True,” she admitted without any hint of remorse. “But I amyourDuchess.”

“Damn right you are!” he growled.

He disposed of his breeches while Evie watched, bound to the bed. Her eyes were wide with wonder as they roved over his form, devouring him hungrily as he had done to her earlier. When her gaze dropped to the member jutting between his legs, he raised an eyebrow at her.

“Do you like what you are seeing?” he teased her.

She flushed and mumbled something under her breath as she looked away. After all that he had done to her, she was still an innocent.

But not for much longer.

After tonight, things were going to be different—he could feel it. It was not as simple as him taking her maidenhood. There would be no going back from this.

It should have alarmed him. For most of his adulthood, he had exerted fierce control over every aspect of his life, having been powerless for most of his youth.

Evie would never know how much power she exerted by surrendering herself to him.

He kissed her again, his fingers dipping into her folds to find her wet and ready for him once more. She arched into his touch with a soft cry, pulling slightly at her bonds.

“So beautiful,” he murmured as his lips drifted to her breast. He sucked on the rosy peak, delighting in the unabashed moan that tumbled past her lips. “So wet and ready for me.”

She writhed beneath him. “Daniel,” she moaned. “Oh, please…”

He circled her pearl with his finger, and she threw her head back, his name escaping from her throat in exultation. When he slipped into her tight entrance, her walls clamped around his digit, and he let out a low growl of approval.

“Duchess…”

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