Page 36 of Her Seven Nights with the Duke

He wanted to have her again in his arms, to touch her soft, milky skin, and even more, to be surprised by her boldness.

What other thing will she have in store for me the more we get to know each other?

He grinned, unable to imagine it. There was nothing more golden than a woman who was able to surprise him in a good way.

He wanted to see her again and continue their affair. He wanted more of this. It was the first time he’d been so intent on meeting someone again so close to when he last had her.

But you might not get to spend so much time with her.

Samuel groaned, rubbing a hand down his face. How could he have forgotten? She would be leaving soon, like she’d told him during their rendezvous together.

But how soon is soon?

Although he’d asked her that question, she’d been reluctant to give him an answer. At the time, he had thought not to push for one. It was not his way to pry or force out information when it was not given freely.

Samuel wished he had asked her again before she left. Not knowing irked him more than anything else. Although he wished to be with her again, he also didn’t want to have the rest of their nights so close in between, because he didn’t want their seven nights to end too soon.

Despite his desire to prolong their nights together, every single night, he tried to talk himself out of sending her a letter, requesting her presence in his home.

What is wrong with me?

Samuel had been having sleepless nights. Although he knew the reason why, he denied it to himself. Surely, it couldn’t have anything to do with her. While she was a wonderful lady, she was just his mistress, much like every other lady he had been with in the past.

The thought of labeling her as merely a mistress left a sour taste in his mouth, one that he couldn’t understand.

What is going on?

The other day, he’d had to stay his hand merely seconds before he grabbed his shaft and brought himself pleasure with memories of her in his mind, like some schoolboy only just having his first crush.

Samuel had been irritated by that. When did he revert back to being a young boy? And all because of one woman? It was so unlike him, since he had never been so invested in any of his lovers before.

What makes her so different from all the others?

Samuel looked out the window as the carriage rolled by. He looked at his friend, who was staring at him oddly.

“Is something the matter, Benedict?” he asked his friend, giving him his attention.

“Perhaps it is I who should be asking you that. I have been trying to get your attention for some time now, but you appear to be lost in thought. You’re never like this, Samuel. Has something happened?”

Samuel shrugged. “There’s nothing wrong.”

Benedict shook his head. “No. I know you, Samuel. Something is definitely wrong. Is your mother trying to set you up with a match again?”

Samuel frowned. He had completely forgotten about that ever since his night with Nora. That was how much power she seemed to have over him. His mind had been stuck on Nora lately.

“Don’t even remind me of that,” Samuel scoffed.

“Remind you?” Benedict questioned. “So, that means it’s something else on your mind and not that.”

Samuel groaned. He had let that slip. Benedict was right. This was very much unlike him.

“I would like very much if we did not talk about it. Besides, we’re about to head into White’s,” he said, pointing in front of them.

Benedict’s eyes remained on him for a moment until the carriage slowed to a stop. Samuel jumped down before his friend could have the chance to ask him any more questions, walking into the club to see that, much like last time, the other gentlemen were already seated, indulging in a few drinks and some light conversations as they waited.

Samuel looked at them. All the gentlemen from the previous meeting were present, except Lord Malachi, whose gold business he had exposed for being fraudulent.

“Ah, Your Grace.” Lord Silvermere got up, looking excited. He was the first one to see him. “We’re glad you could make it.”

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