Page 12 of The Duke and the Accidental Bride

“You are impetuous,” he growled. “And a slow learner.”

“You have no idea,” she growled back at him as if tempting him toward further anger. As if she wanted it!

“I do not want to force you. I do not wish to...” He took a deep breath. His eyes then flicked down her body... lingered on herchest for a moment too long... and then he tore them back. “To do anything regrettable. But this marriage will happen. It is as simple as that.”

“And if I refuse?”

He clicked his tongue, again flicking his eyes down her body. “When will you understand? There is nothing that you can do to stop this. One thing you need to know about me, Miss Gouldsmith, is that once I come to a decision, it is final.”

“You want this more than you are willing to admit,” she shot back. “Now that I think of it, perhaps that as the true reason that you forced me to come tonight.”

“Is that what you think?”

She licked her lips. “I am starting to.”

His lip curled as he leaned over her. Hand still on her face, it moved around slowly, under her chin, and then over her mouth. He leaned in closer, putting his face, his lips, right in front of his hand so that their eyes were an inch apart.

“You are the one who brought this on us,” he said menacingly. Somehow, he stepped in even closer so that their bodies were pressed; his massive frame against her chest so that she could feel him. “And where I do not want it, I at least have some semblance of honor about me.”

She tried to speak but his hand covered her mouth so, caught in the moment, she did the only thing she could think. She bit him! The inside of his hand, she found some skin between her teeth and latched on.

He grimaced but did not pull away. Their stares held. His angered. Her own daring. Harder she bit into him and still he did not move his hand.

Rather, he leaned in so that his ear grazed her ear. This had her body shuddering in ways that touched deep inside her...

“Fight me all you wish, but know this...” His mouth wrapped around her ear and he nibbled on her lobe. She gasped and released his hand, and he nibbled harder before tearing his teeth back. “I have been gentle with you thus far, but do not tempt me. I assure you that you would not like it...”

Her eyes went wide at the implication. Fear, again! But something more. She knew that she should have been petrified, but the way her heart thumped, the way her body ran hot, the way her mind fixated on his teeth nibbling her ear... his hand over her mouth... his body on hers... it was not fear that she felt, but another sensation entirely.

“This is happening.” Suddenly, he dropped his hand and stepped back. Cool and composed once more, he made sure to be looking into her eyes so that there could be no mistake. “And for your own good, Miss Gouldsmith, I suggest you come to terms with it. Better that we do this the easy way, than the hard.”

His hand reached out again, and she gasped and held her breath for she thought that hand would find its way to her waist… she hoped it might. Instead, he took hold of the door handle. He pulled it, forcing her to stumble forward, nearly tripped as he stepped through the open door.

“My mother and grandmother wish for a celebratory drink, which you will oblige them. I will give you a moment to compose yourself, however.” And then, without looking at her, he strode from the room, leaving the door wide open behind him.

As to Isabella? How to even describe what she was feeling.

Fury, for she did not wish to marry.

Frustration, for she knew it was all her fault.

Desperation, as there was nothing that she could do.

And... something else. She told herself it was anger. She tried to convince herself it was hate and loathing for the man she was set to wed. But the way her thighs trembled... where her mind sat... her heart beating at the mere memory of what had just happened. Even Isabella was not such a fool to misunderstand what those sensations meant.

A shame then that she would never get the chance to explore them.I would rather die.

The Duke might have assumed that this marriage was now happening, but he did not know Isabella nearly well enough. If he had, he might have known that where Isabella was concerned, things were never that simple. And in this, she would find her salvation.

Chapter Four

“Can you please stop looking at me like that,” Isabella snapped at her sister, who was staring at her with an open mouth and wide eyes.

“Like what?”

“Like a fish who has found itself on land and is trying to breathe air for the first time. Honestly, there is no need to be so dramatic.”

“Oh, I am sorry,” Louisa said with purposeful sarcasm. “What would you prefer instead? A hug, I suppose? Perhaps a congratulatory kiss on the cheek?”

---