Page 81 of The Duke's Ultimatum

Derek continued to stare at her.

Eleanor took a deep breath and repeated the words in her head that she said when she knocked on the door.It’s now or never.

“I want you to be my first, Derek. I want you to take me and make me yours if only for tonight.”

Derek expounded from his chair so quickly it startled Eleanor. He began to pace wildly in front of his desk, his hands raking through his hair.

“You do not know what you’re asking.”

Eleanor simply turned and watched him stalk the room like a caged animal. While her words incited frantic energy from the Duke, she felt oddly calm and satisfied with her decision. She was positive this would be the way for them to both break free from whatever ties were holding them together.

“I think I do.”

Derek ran his hand through his hair once more, causing it to stick up.

“Eleanor.” He stopped his pacing and placed his hands on his hips. “You are asking me to take you before you marry another man!” His voice was a harsh whisper.

She merely shrugged. “I know what I’m asking.”

His eyes widened at her cavalier attitude.

Eleanor stood and strode over to him. She ran her hands up his chest, over his shoulders, and found purchase in his hair.

“Why can’t I have agency over my body, Derek?” Another zing raced through her. “I’m about to give everything I was, am, and will be to a man. I have always abided by the rules of society, but for once, I want someone to bend to me. Please, Derek, give that to me. Allow me to set the rules for one night of my life.”

Derek closed his eyes before pulling away. “I cannot.” He moved back around his desk and sat in his chair.

Eleanor heaved out a sigh. She figured she’d have to convince him, but she didn’t think it would be this taxing. He wasn’t known for his propriety when it came to coupling with a woman.

She walked over to the chair and looked at him. Rolling her lips she pushed up her sleeves.

Derek raised an eyebrow. “What are you doing?”

Eleanor stepped towards him and placed one hand on his shoulders while the other lifted a side of her skirts, allowing her to move more freely. She shifted her weight and climbed on top of him to straddle him. Her one knee got stuck before she was able to be fully seated on top of him, and she didn’t make the most ladylike noise when she tried to dislodge it from between the chair and the Duke.

“Are you done?” Derek’s smile came through his voice.

Eleanor looked down into his eyes and saw a playful spirit she wasn’t used to seeing.

She thought she would feel self-conscious climbing onto his lap, but his eyes made the trouble worth it. She could get lost in his eyes if he let her.

“I think I am.” She managed to free her knee and sit comfortably on top of his lap.

Derek brought a hand up and brushed her fallen hair behind her ear. She nuzzled into the movement and sighed in contentment. This is what she wanted. No games, no words, just two people trying to control the fire between them before it consumed them.

His eyes searched hers before he slid his hand around to cup her neck, drawing her in for a kiss.

She moaned into his mouth as their tongues teased each other’s. Derek sat up, fully embracing her, holding her close to his body.

Still straddling him, Eleanor felt empowered by her position. She reached around and ran her hands through his hair, scratching his scalp with her nails. Derek groaned into their kiss.

Without warning, he pushed up to stand and laid her on top of his desk. He broke their kiss to leave a trail of hot kisses down her neck.

Eleanor arched her back in ecstasy, wanting to give him access to the entirety of her body. Heat pooled in her stomach, and her body twitched with the need to loosen her clothing.

She wriggled underneath him as his kisses trailed further down to her breasts. His eyes quickly looked up to meet hers. With a nod, she watched as he ripped away the buttons at the top of her dress, exposing her to him.

Derek looked at her in reverie as a pleased smile spread across his face. “I have never seen something so beautiful as a hot and bothered Eleanor laying on top random ledgers on my desk. I will never look at another ledger the same way again.”

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