Page 21 of The Duchess' Replacement

Her words were swallowed by his mouth that had crashed down onto hers. If she was transfixed by his eyes, then she was completely lost to his kiss.

She’s been kissed before, but it was mostly mashing her mouth against Byron’s while his novice hands fumbled around her waist.

There was nothing inexperienced about the way Charles kissed.

With one hand he pulled her waist into his body while his other hand pulled her in from the back of her neck. He took advantage of her mouth, open from shock, by thrusting his tongue into her mouth.

She had one errant thought before her body’s reaction to the kiss stole her conscious thought. That single thought was,He was right. He wouldn’t be gentle.

His one arm snaked around her waist pulled her up so her feet dangled just above the floor. He sharply turned and placed her on top of his desk. Without breaking the bruising kiss, he willed her legs open by using his one knee to nudge them open so he could stand in between them.

He cradled her head within his hands, angling her head just right so he could deepen their kiss.

Their tongues danced around each other. His challenging her timid responses to his more calculated movements.

A moaned escaped her lips and reverberated into his mouth. She heard a sharp inhale and his grip around her face tightened.

With one hand still holding the angle of the kiss, his other trailed down her neck to her chest, leaving gooseflesh in its wake. It stopped on top of her breasts and grabbed ahold of one.

His massage was a bit rough but it only excited Sarah more. He was unleashing something she didn’t realize was hidden within her.

Sarah’s body reacted by arching into his. She felt like a reckless wanton woman but she didn’t care. Whatever spell this man cast over her she was grateful for it.

Her hands reached up and found purchase in his luscious dark locks. Her nails raked along his scalp causing him to take in another sharp inhale.

Knowing she caused this intimidating man to lose his breath sent an electric shock throughout her body. Her body came alive under his touch. She wanted more.

Her legs wrapped around his body, pulling him in closer. She began to think she didn’t need to wait the rest of the ten days, she could do this now.

She could give herself to him in this moment and they would officially be husband and wife. And, more importantly, she would want it.

Before this moment she was confused about their arrangement, but no man can kiss a woman like this and not want a relationship from her.

The thought blossomed hope within her heart and her body tightened, once more, around him.

Charles slowed their kiss and pulled away.

Sarah sat for a brief moment, not wanting to open her eyes to reality. She wanted to stay in the dream a little longer.

Sarah reluctantly opened her eye, expecting to see his flush face, and the same longing she felt displayed in those green eyes.

Instead she was met with a stern look as if she were a wayward child being punished.

Punished.

Charles took a step back, breaking her hold on him. Her legs dangled from the desk and her hands felt achingly empty as they fell to her lap.

She wrapped her arms around her middle, he had taken all the warmth from her when he stepped away from her.

“Stopping here is your punishment.” His voice held no emotion other than mild annoyance.

“You may go.” He nodded to the door.

Sarah’s cheeks burned in embarrassment. Any word she thought to speak caught in her throat. Which was fine because she couldn’t decide if she wanted to rage against him or cry out in shame. If she spoke it would be just a jumbled mess and she had made too much of a fool of herself already.

She stood up and righted her hair and dress. Shame crept into her movements. She hunched her shoulders and dropped her eyes to the floor. Her legs willed her to run out of the room, but something reminded her that she had promised herself no more hiding.

This was her house, this was her husband. If she were going to have any sort semblance of a normal life her, she had to make a stand sooner or later.

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