Page 31 of The Duchess' Replacement

Sarah snapped her mouth shut and licked her lips. An action that had him licking his own.

Sarah crossed her arms over her chest in the most delicious display of defiance. “I barely inquired. I asked about one set of rooms, it’s not like I asked what your favorite childhood memory of her was.” Sarah’s lips thinned into a tight line as she grimaced.

“And,” she continued. “I refuse to apologize for looking into rooms that are a part of my household.” She pushed her lips out in a pout.

Charles rolled his lips to stop from smiling. She was gorgeous when she was angry. If he could bottle up her subversiveness into a bottle, he would drink from it daily. It unleashed something within him that he has had locked away for far too long.

“May I remind you that it doesn’t matter if you apologize or not, the truth of the matter is that it was a part of our agreement that you adhere to the list of rules I set forth in the inn and if, and when, you break a rule you are to be punished.’

Sarah took a step towards him so they stood toe to toe.

“And may I remind you that these rules were not established before we were married so I could not enter in any objections or even offer up my own rules for consideration.”

Charles smiled at her cheeky little rant then sauntered to the study door and turned the lock. He faced Sarah with a devilish smirk on his face.

“What in my constitution gives you the idea that I would not only allow my wife to offer her own set of rules, but that I would agree to them?”

Sarah stood speechless. Her mouth opened and closed without a single word coming forth.

He began to walk towards her with slow, purposeful steps. Her breaths came out in fast huffs as he stalked back to stand in front of her.

He lifted a finger and traced her mouth. Sarah’s eyes fluttered shut. A shot of heat exploded from his fingertip up into his arm and straight down to his cock. She was so responsive to him.

Her tongue darted out and licked her bottom lip.

Charles leaned in and laid a gentle kiss on the corner of her mouth. He moved his lips across her cheek until his warm breath hit her ear, causing her to quiver beneath him.

A smile spread across his lips as he spoke, “You are my wife and you will do as I say. Not the other way around.”

Sarah’s eyes flew open. Lust colored her eyes as she focused on him.

“What in my constitution gives you the idea that I would just give in to you so easily?”

Charles’s eyes darkened. A growl ripped through him as he reached out and crushed himself to her, taking her lips in an all consuming kiss.

Instead of pushing him away Sarah’s arms encircled his neck and pulled him even closer.

The familiarity of their tongues fighting for control was a welcomed feeling that Charles tucked away to examine later.

Soft grunts and moans rumbled into his mouth from hers causing Charles to pull away from Sarah.

“I think I have my answer, my darling.”

Sarah’s buzzing lips quelled the anger bubbling deep within her stomach. She wanted to lash out and fight him and his patriarchal ways. Unfortunately for Sarah’s disposition, there was something deeper, something more urgent, that was guiding her instincts to give into this man.

The bruising kiss did nothing to elicit the anger she needed to stand her ground. Instead, it ignited a firestorm of electricity to course through her veins looking for a way out.

Charles’s arms became slack around her waist as he pulled away from their embrace. Sarah’s primal instincts kicked in. She was angry, she was excited, she was confused, she was ready to show this man who he was playing with.

Before Charles could claim his victory she tightened her hold on his hair and pulled herself up to him. This time the shocked gasp came from Charles.

Victory roared through her blood and her hands cramped from grasping his hair so tightly. Surely this must hurt him but instead of howling in pain Charles reclaimed his hold on her.

His hands cupped her rear and picked her up. This was no gentle maneuver. His hands grabbed her bottom so roughly Sarah knew that bruises would form. The thought had her stomach swirling with anticipation. She should be shocked, instead, she was motivated.

She relaxed her hands only to grab ahold tighter. With each grasp, Charles’s tongue thrashed in her mouth. Growls ripped from him as he carried her to his desk where he sat her down.

Her legs were tightly wound around him and she could feel his hardened length against her stomach.

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