Page 31 of A Virgin for the Duke of Ash

Why do I keep reacting this way?

Evie wanted to put up a token resistance at least, but she found that she could hardly mount a decent defense against his heavy-handed tactics. Sometimes, it really felt hopeless trying to fight against a Wolf who probably never lost an argument.

But that did not mean she was not going to try.

Victory was at hand.

He could already see the hesitation in her eyes, the stormy blue-gray wavering. All it would take was one push and he would win this round.

Just like he always did.

He raised his hand and ran a knuckle over her cheek, his touch as light as the whisper of a butterfly’s wings.

“All that will change when you become a duchess,” he assured her. “Nobody ordersmyDuchess around.”

She looked up at him from underneath her lashes, and he had to fight the insane urge to draw her into his arms and kiss away that stubborn line of her lips.

Instead, he let his hand trail down her jawline to the graceful arch of her neck, delighting in the soft gasp that escaped her lips.

“You can do whatever you want, whenever you want,” he told her, purposefully keeping his voice low.

Sometimes it was much better to use a softer kind of force. He found that it was much more effective.

She licked her lips, and he nearly groaned at the sight. “Anything?”

If he could drag her underneath his body and bury himself in her sweetness, he would give her a king’s ransom in fortune.

Anything… what a dangerous word!

“As long as you steer clear of my tower,” he promised her.

She laughed softly. “What are you hiding in that tower anyway? The corpses of your fallen enemies? Or a roomful of… of…” she trailed off, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink.

Of course, he knew what she was thinking, but still, her innocence was such a delight to behold.

“That is for me to know, sweetheart,” he replied.

She pursed her lips. “All right, so I am to stay away from this tower of yours. Am I allowed to pursue anything that interests me, then?”

“You shall have my full support as your husband.”

“And what if I meant to change something in the estate?” she pressed. “Will I be allowed to make them?”

“Ashton Hall is outdated, anyway,” he told her. “You can do whatever you want with it.”

However, her next question nearly made him choke on his tongue.

“What of heirs?” she asked him, her gaze dropping to his chest shyly.

He tilted her chin up with his finger, forcing her to meet his gaze. A teasing smile touched those seductive lips of his.

“Why, Lady Evelyn Fitzroy,” he murmured. “Have you been thinking of making babies with me?”

Just as she was about to open her mouth to voice out a token reply, he took a step back, his features once more an implacable mask that no emotions could breach.

“There will be no such thing,” he said coldly.

Evie blinked in confusion.

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