Page 67 of The Duchess' Replacement

Charles looked down at a giggling Sarah. Her big owlish eyes held such reverence and obedience when she looked up to him. The power she gave him made him feel he could conquer the world.

He had been a force to be reckoned with in business and amongst the peers, but here, with her, was the only time he truly felt in control. Looking down at her flush and expectant face he realized it was a gift he did not want to squander.

“You’ve definitely made my life more complicated, my darling.” His voice rumbled from deep within his chest. His fingers ached to reach out and touch her soft skin, but he knew going slow would be beneficial for both of them. The ten days were not up yet and he wanted to make sure she would enjoy their coupling as much as him when the time came.

Charles flexed his hands then tightened them into fists. He needed to control himself as much as her when it came to the pleasure he wanted to give her. Unfortunately for him, he’s been hard ever since his lesson in delayed gratification. He spent a week’s worth of cold water in one night, trying to calm his body down after that.

He’s been anxiously waiting for his next chance to pleasure his wife.

Sarah’s face burned a deep red at his words. She nibbled on her bottom lip.

Charles reached out and pulled her bottom lip from her teeth. “No, no. Don’t hurt those succulent lips. Those are mine.”

Sarah’s pupils dilated in response to his candor.

He leaned down to place a healing kiss on her swollen lips. She moved her body forward to lean into him but he pulled away.

“Not yet, my love.” Charles said as he stood back up to his full height. He began to unbutton the rest of his shirt, her eyes tracking each movement. Her eyes became heavy with lust.

Charles threw the shirt to a nearby chair. He walked to his dresser, leaned back on it and folded his arms across his chest, making his muscles bulge. Sarah’s eyes widened at his appearance.

He wasn’t too proud to admit her response to his body turned his blood to molten lava. The need to control his body from taking her right then and there was becoming increasingly difficult to subdue.

“We must take our time to make sure your punishment is one that does its job and teaches you a lesson. Something that is rushed through is usually not done properly.” Charles lowered his eyes. “Oh, no, darling. I want to take my time with you.”

Sarah audibly gasped as her legs began to move underneath her skirts. She needed more friction, she wanted to be touched. And by God he wanted to touch her. But this was a lesson in patience, even if he had to learn it along the way as well.

Charles pursed his lips as he watched his beautiful wife squirm on the bed.

“Look at you.” He kicked off the dresser and walked back to the bed. He place a finger under chin and lifted her face to his. With his other hand he swiped at dirt on her cheek with his thumb. “You’re so dirty.”

Sarah’s eyes flashed before the reddening of her cheeks caused her to try to dip her head.

Charles turned her face to the left and to the right. His eyes narrowed on a spot on her cheek. His rough thumb swiped the dirt away causing Sarah to flinch. The excitement that was building within him evaporated as he looked closer at the reddening cut on her face.

“Eyes on me, darling.” He commanded.

Sarah’s eyes, hungry with need, lifted to meet his.

“We need to clean you up first.” He gripped her chin firmly. “Stay right here and do not move.” He punctuated each word with a small kiss to her lips.

Charles walked to the door and gave a glance back, making sure she was still there, then turned and left the room.

Sarah’s vision swam as Charles left the room. She was curious as to where he was going and was held tempted to follow him to the door. However, if she didn’t regulate her breathing first, she’d pass out the second she tried to stand.

Sarah squealed in delight as she threw her body back onto the bed. She recalled how his eyes traced every curve of her body when he stood at the dresser. Would tonight be the night he finally took her?

No. That wouldn’t be a punishment, would it? A punishment is something you don’t want. Sarah giggled to herself. Although, she was beginning to think there was nothing this man could do to her that she would consider a punishment.

She sighed into the soft pillows as her mind replayed how he removed his shirt. She licked her lips as her fingertips played with the lace at her collar.

She’s never seen a naked man before and watching his deft fingers undo one button at a time was torture. Perhaps if she were more forward she would have leapt off the bed and ripped at his shirt. Sarah rolled onto her side, giggling into her hands.

She was always a romantic, but who knew she had such a salacious side to her?

Sarah heard the heavy footsteps of her husband approaching the door.

She quickly put herself back into the position he left her in. Whatever he had in store she did not want to miss out because she did not listen to him.

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