Page 40 of Her Seven Nights with the Duke

Nora had been nodding her head in agreement, but her eyes widened before he finished his sentence. “A transaction?”

“Yes, a transaction. It’s never anything more than that. People choose who they want to marry based on the benefits they can offer each other,” he said.

“That’s

“That not true,” Nora said, looking affronted.

He frowned at the shocked look on her face.

“Marriages should only happen when you are in love with someone. It isn’t transactional. There’s no happiness to come from a transactional relationship,” she said.

Samuel grunted. “Love is a fickle emotion. It can only last for so long. There is only so much it can do before it fades away and all that is left is resentment. However, an arrangement covers every area and grants both partners respect, which is what makes a good marriage.”

Nora frowned. “I’m afraid I’ll have to disagree with you on that. I have known people to be in love and happy. Only death could put an end to such a wonderful friendship. However, a relationship without love is most likely to end terribly.”

Samuel shook his head. “I suppose we will have to agree to disagree on that.”

Nora tossed a grape aside. “I never would have imagined that you were of the opinion that a marriage did not need love to be successful. I find it quite absurd, really.”

Samuel’s jaw ticked. He’d never been told that his opinion on the matter was absurd before. Not that he’d told so many people. The only person he had discussed that with was Benedict.

“Perhaps if you believed that, you wouldn’t be here instead of finding a husband who would love and adore you,” he said, regretting his words when she reared back, her eyes widening in shock.

She glared at him. “Maybe you should take your own advice. I don’t believe your mother would have to find you a wife if all you needed was mutual agreement.”

She looked down as shame filled her eyes. She looked back up at him, unable to hold his gaze. They had both been hurtful with their words, and they knew it.

Samuel leaned back. He had not realized how heated their conversation had gotten or how close they were to each other, their lips merely a hair’s breadth apart.from each other.

“Perhaps a lesson is in order for how rude and mouthy you are being,” he said, leaning in to brush his lips against her ear. “It is one you will thoroughly enjoy. Don’t worry, you can stop it at any time, although you will be pleasing me if you obey me.”

He kissed her, running his tongue over her bottom lip to get her to open up, and slid his tongue between her lips.

“Do you wish to obey me, little rabbit?” he asked her, grinning as she nodded slowly.

“Good, come here.”

He looked into her green eyes, eyes that he could get lost in if he stared any longer than he already was. His eyes flicked down to her soft lips.

Samuel pressed his lips against hers, closing his eyes to savor the sensation. He leaned over with his hands on the side of her face, angling it slightly as he deepened the kiss.

Nora moaned into his mouth. She returned his kiss, sucking his lower lip into her mouth. He pulled her up until she was standing beside him and then sat her on his lap. His hands trailed down her sides, grazing the sides of her breasts until he stopped by her hipscupping her bottom in his hands.

He slapped her bottom, sending a jolt of shock through her as she stared at him with wide eyes. Samuel grinned up at her, massaging her bottom with his fingers. He pulled her back to him, his fingers fumbling with the bodice of her dress.

He unlaced it, allowing it to fall down her sides to expose her milky shoulders. His lips latched on her shoulder blades, nibbling until her skin turned red and bruised underneath his ministration.

Samuel grinned as she shook. Unlike the first time, she didn’t stop him when he tried to pull her skirts up to her waist. He pulled her into a standing position and placed her over his knees. He bunched her skirts up until she was bare from the waist down..

“So beautiful,” Samuel said, groaning as he rubbed the moons of her ass. He raised his hand, allowing it to come down on her ass hard.

Samuel groaned as she mewled, the sound sending waves of pleasure all the way down his length. He rubbed the slowly reddening spot, taking away the sting.

“Is this all right?” he asked her and let out a shuddery breath when she nodded.

His hand came down on her ass once again, mirroring the exact spot on the other moon. She moaned once again, her hands tightening around her arm.

Samuel spanked her over and over again until she was reduced to a moaning mess. He rubbed his hands over the sting to soothe her, letting her calm down from her high.

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