Page 30 of The Duke and the Accidental Bride

“I told you, no.”

“And I told you, I will not marry – woah!” she yelped as Duncan grabbed her by the arm, stepping into her quickly and taking her by the waist, lifting her as if she weighed nothing, and then pushing her against the wall.

He stood over her. One hand on her hip, the other still holding her arm pinned to the wall. She was so small and fragile when compared to him, so delicate that he felt as if he could break her in half if he so pleased. The shock of him lifting her had her gasping, eyes closing shut and body trembling.

She turned her head away from him and exposed her neck...

“You seem to forget how we found ourselves in this situation in the first place,” Duncan growled in a whisper as he hovered his lips over her neck. “And I am speaking of before you made the foolish decision to announce our engagement.”

Miss Gouldsmith had her eyes closed, refusing to look at him. “You – you threatened –”

“I did no such thing,” he cut her off, his voice still a whisper, his lips lingering above her neck. “You uncle was the one who brought us together and I know how disappointed he will be if this marriage does not happen. Would you not agree?”

Her eyes shot open, and he could see the realization in them.

“Now, tell me truly, is that something you will be able to…” A hand graved her waist. “… stomach. If I was to do as you havebeggedme, to cancel this wedding, how will that look? What will happen to you and your family?”

“Is that a threat?”

He chuckled deeply, intoxicated by the fight in her voice. “An observation. I know your uncle as well as you and I know he will not be happy. Not one little bit.”

She bit into her lip, a sense of hope building behind her eyes, only to be dashed as she considered the situation further. For all the fighting and scheming she had been doing lately, Duncan knew that she hadn’t considered the reality of this situation as much as she should have.

They would marry. There was no other choice. Miss Gouldsmith was just a little slower to realize that then he would have liked.

“This isn’t fair,” she said, almost a snarl.

He chuckled deeply, again grazing his lips over the soft skin of her neck, wanting so badly to bite down but keeping himself from doing so. “Now you are beginning to see.”

“I will never love you.”

“Do I care?”

“I will hate every minute of it!”

“That is fine. I only ask one thing…” His tongue ran up her neck and he relished the taste of her. Nearly as much as he relished the way that she shuddered. “Are you going to behave yourself?”

He waited for a response, but she gave none.

“Answer me!”

“I -- I am sorry,” she stammered.

“Sorry for what?”

“For... for... for misbehaving.”

“Good...” He purred, his hand tightening around her waist. “I am sorry for what has happened, Miss Gouldsmith, I am. But know this, I will not be spoken to like that again. Is that understood?”

“I --”

“That is not an answer."

“I am sorry.”

“This wedding is happening in two days' time and I expect you to be on your best behavior. Do I make myself clear?”

He wanted her to say no. To argue with him. Topushhim just a little bit more. That was what he liked, after all. A sexual partner who fought him and demanded punishment.

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