Page 66 of The Dark Duke's Virgin

She rolled her eyes. “A fair trade, I think.”

For a moment, the two said nothing and simply looked at one another. Staring in their eyes, drinking it in, relishing this little tryst they had found themselves to be a part of.And again… God, she was beautiful.

What was wonderous two days it had been. Even the sneaking around and hiding had added a certain flavor to the situation that was as much fun as it was arousing. Speaking pleasantly in public and treating her in a most friendly manner, only to get her alone later on so that she might see his darker side.

Exploring her body each night had been a most magnificent thing. From tasting between her thighs to sucking on her glorious breasts to kneading her buttocks to licking her stomach and devouring every inch of her that he could, Frederick was ravenous around her. Uninhibited! Two days, and he knew the hunger he felt would not stop any time soon. Two days, and even here and now with so many people nearby, it was all he could do not to taste her once more.

Even still, he had not taken Miss Dowding to bed yet. Not in the proper sense. It was a decision he had made early on, to wait and enjoy Miss Dowding in other ways first. No need to rush. No need to bridge that final gap until he had confirmed that the two wanted the same thing. But oh, how hard it was to control himself each night he was with her. The sheer will power needed for such a thing…

“How did you find me?” she asked, stroking his arm, her smile soft.

“Lord Fernside told me you had stepped outside for some fresh air.” He paused as he met her eyes, worried now because Lord Fernside had said something else…

“Oh, yes,” she chuckled. “I saw him earlier.”

He frowned. “He also said… he said that you seemed upset. Or nervous.”

“D - did he?” She laughed awkwardly, her eyes flashing over his shoulder. “I am not.”

“Because if something is wrong, Miss Dowding…” He reached up and rested a hand under her chin to make sure she was looking right at him. “… you know that you can tell me anything. Anything at all.”

A shadow passed behind her eyes, a clear indication that something was indeed upsetting her. Her brow furrowed, her jaw tightened, and for a moment there, Frederick worried that perhaps what was wrong had to do with him… that she was already moving past this little affair of theirs.

That, as much as anything, made him realize that they needed to speak again soon. He had tried to brooch the topic days ago, but she had panicked and fled the room—or made him flee it. Knowing what he was about to ask her, she had made her thoughts on the matter clear without having to say anything.

It had stung at the time, for Frederick had been about to ask if she wanted to stay when his grandmother left. A tad hasty, perhaps, but he truly felt that it was the right call. Clearly, she did not agree. Only now… should he ask her again? Was the timing right? And would she say yes or panic again and maybe even put an end to his yearning?

“It was just Lord Fernside,” she said quickly, another awkward chuckle. “He was…” She rolled her eyes. “He was trying to convince me to forgive you.”

“What?” Frederick frowned. “Forgive me for what?”

“He still thinks that we are not talking after the other day,” she laughed. “And he was adamant that I go out of my way to do something about it.”

Frederick groaned. “The man is a busybody. As is my grandmother for that matter.”

“How so?”

Another chance to broach the topic, presented to him perfectly. And while Frederick knew he should take it, when he looked at the smile in Miss Dowding’s eyes, recognizing how happy she was in this moment with him, he decided that for now there was no need to say it.

The time would come when he would need to ask her again. Likely very soon as surely his grandmother would be leaving anyweek. But for now… best to simply enjoy the moment as it was while things were perfect.

“Never mind,” he said with a smile, touching under her chin again. “I don’t want to talk about that.”

“Then what shall we talk about?”

“Who said we needed to talk…” He flashed his eyes at her, and she did the same back, sensing his meaning, leaning in, and kissing him fully.

And they continued to kiss. Ravenous. Hungry. Tongues lapping. Teeth biting. Mouths sucking. He moved his hands to her hips, pushing her back against the balcony, squeezing her because he loved the way that she moaned when he did.

It was dark out here… dark enough. Not thinking. Not caring. Frederick moved his hand down to her dress, lifting it up above her knees.

“Wa - wait.” She moved her hand to stop him. “We should not.”

He raised an eyebrow at her, his hand still gripping the hem of her dress. “Are you denying me, Miss Dowding? You know that is not a smart thing to do.”

She glanced behind him, back toward the ball. “What if people see?”

“It is too dark for that,” he assured her softly, leaning in and kissing her on the neck.

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