Page 41 of Trapped with her Cruel Duke

Christian rounded on her, the anger he had kept at bay until now bubbling to the surface. “What on earth are you doing here, Louise? It is past midnight. I was about to head home when Gabe told me you had turned up unannounced.”

“Am I not allowed to enter your club?”

“I would prefer that you did not travel across London in the dead of night to do so, certainly. Anything could have happened to you!” he shouted.

“So, I am to remain in the house until you give me permission to leave it, is that it?” she snapped.

“Of course not, that is not what I said!” He lowered his voice. “Was there a reason you came?”

“Other than the fact that you left me alone in the house tonight? That we have been married for less than two days, and you have left for your club on both of them?”

“This is my business!” he argued.

“And I am not?” she thundered. “No matter what you choose to believe, Christian, you have taken a wife, and you cannot ignore me forever.”

He advanced on her, his expression morphing into a scowl as she took a step back. She was frightened, but she seemed determined to stand her ground.

My fiery harridan will not be tamed easily.

She backed away further until her legs hit a high-back chair that faced the fire. Her body stiffened, and she threw her hands back, gripping the armrests tightly.

“And how am I ignoring you, wife? Did you miss me?” he asked, watching the anger blaze anew in her eyes.

Louise scoffed derisively. “I am alone in the house, Christian. Would you expect me to be happy with my own company forever?”

She truly is magnificent when she is furious with me.

Christian stepped forward and raised his hand, his fingers hovering over her hairline. He fought the urge for as long as he could, but eventually, he could resist no more and took a long, deep breath. Her scent surrounded him, like rosemary in the breeze—intoxicating and bewitching at once.

She shuddered as he closed the distance between them, his eyes roving over her body, lingering on her perfect breasts as they rose and fell with every harsh breath.

“Would you believe me if I told you I missed you too?” he asked, his hand skimming over her arm and up toward her neck.

Louise tensed as he tucked a loose strand behind her ear.

“Do not ruin my hair, Christian,” she warned. “It took my maid hours to style it, and I am not walking out of this club looking like… ” She flushed beautifully, and his heart soared at the sight.

“Looking like what, Duchess? As though you have been ravished by your husband?” he purred. His hands moved down to her waist and pulled her against him roughly, making her shiver. “Are you sure you do not want them to see you flushed and undone at my hand?”

Their noses brushed as he rested his forehead against hers. Louise was breathing heavily, her hands slowly moving from the armrests to grasp his forearms. Christian felt the satisfying bite of victory as her fingers tightened around him.

I must have her. I cannot hold back any longer!

Slowly, his hand moved down her body.

“I can feel you shaking,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Just say the word, and I will take you right here. You will experience all of the beauty that can exist between us without the risk of producing an heir, I assure you.”

“Y-You will unhand me,” she stuttered, leaning backward as his hands came up to support her.

A fierce longing welled up within him then. He wanted her to confess how much she desired him. Her body and her eyes showed it, but her expression was forever shuttered and cold—it was maddening.

“You’ll have to tell me you do not want me, Duchess,” he said, leaning back to look at her. Her eyes were such a glorious shade of blue.

Only the crackling of the fire broke the silence. Christian waited, the weight of her hands branding his skin, the pulsing heat between his legs impossible to endure.

“Tell me,” he demanded, uttering the words like a prayer.

When she remained silent, her eyes dark with lust, his patience snapped. He gripped her tightly, pulling her sideways and walking her backward until her back hit the wall.

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