Page 54 of The Duke and the Accidental Bride

“You were very good for me today,” he purred as he held her. One hand stroked the back of her head, the other was soft on the bruises he left on her behind. He massaged them gently, careful not to hurt her. “I’m very proud of you.”

“You are?”

“Of course. You have been so good for me.” He kissed the top of her head, pulling her in even closer.

Isabella had no idea how to feel. Perhaps embarrassed, at first, until Duncan began to hold her the way that he was. As aggressively and even violently as he had just treated her, this was another side to the man who was her husband. The mystery behind the monster. Strangely too, she felt safe in his arms like she never had, that sense that he actually did care about her.

It put into perspective what they had just done, almost cleansing it, while making the idea of doing it again even more inviting.

“So,” Duncan began. “Was that... was that what you had been expecting?”

“Not at all,” Isabella said truthfully, her smile growing and her heart racing again because she had a distinct feeling that this night was far from over.It better not be.“It was even better.”

Chapter Eighteen

“Iforgot to ask,” Duncan began as he and his wife broke their fast together. “What are your plans for today?”

“No plans,” Isabella responded simply as she nibbled on a piece of cake; warm, coated in butter and jam. “I thought I might read. Perhaps go for a walk.”

“Good,” Duncan agreed as he took a sip of freshly squeezed juice. “Because I shall be out for most of the day. But I shall be home in time for supper.”

“Out?” she looked at him. “Where are you going?”

“To see some friends,” he responded simply. “Nothing overly exciting, I assure you.”

“And when were you planning on telling me this?”

Duncan stiffened, as he could sense where this was going... exactly where he hoped it would. “Right now. Is that a problem?”

She put down the piece of cake, folded her hands on the table, and looked right at him. “It would have been nice to have been told earlier.”

“And the difference it would have made?”

“None,” she said. “But that is simple luck. What if I had thought to spend the day with you? Only now I would be unable, as you have made plans without bothering to inform me of them.” She cocked a warning eyebrow at him.

“And that is not my concern,” he responded with a low growl to his voice; his leg was already shaking. “I am not here to serve at your beck and call. Nor am I required to seek your permission before making plans.”

“And I suppose I am to sit at home and wait upon your return? What if I wish to go out myself?”

“Alone? That would not be proper.”

She scoffed and then licked her lips; Duncan felt himself begin to sweat as he focused on them, pink and plump and soft. “And I care what is proper? You know what, now that I think of it, perhaps I will go into London for the day. Why not?”

Duncan’s eyes drifted to Isabella’ chest. The neckline was low, the cut tightly cinched underneath her bust, propping it out and pushing it up. Her curves were almost too much for even Duncan to handle, and he salivated at the thought of getting his hands around them.

“You will not be going into London.” He forced himself to look at her. “Certainly not on your own.”

“Are you going to stop me?”

“Do I need to?”

She smirked. “You will not be here – you just said so. So, what are you going to do to stop me?” Her eyes flashed their excitement, and she licked her lips again.

Duncan moaned inwardly, careful not to let his own excitement take hold of him. Yet. Stone faced, commanding, he met his wife’s rebellious stare; his own one a no-nonsense glare designed to put her back in her place. “Do not test me.”

She laughed. “Do not make threats you cannot keep.”

“Do I need to remind you of what will happen if you continue to disobey me?”

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