Page 55 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

Leo groaned against her mouth, and his arms wrapped around her to pull her against his body. The solid heat of him sent waves of awareness cascading through her, igniting sensations she had tried to forget.

His mouth was demanding yet responsive. When his tongue traced the seam of her lips, Marina opened to him without hesitation. A soft sound of surrender escaped her throat as he deepened the kiss.

One of his hands slid down her back to press her hips more firmly against his, leaving no doubt about the effect she had on him—his hardness up against her sent an answering heat pooling low in her belly.

Leo’s lips left hers to trail kisses along her jaw and down the column of her throat. When he found the pulse at the base of her neck and gently sucked, Marina’s knees nearly buckled.

“I’ve dreamed of this,” he murmured against her skin, his breath sending shivers across her sensitized flesh. “Of touching you again. Tasting you.”

His hand slid up to cup her breast through the fabric of her gown, his thumb brushing across the peak that had already tightened in anticipation.

The bold caress jolted Marina back to reality.

With a gasp, she pulled away, putting several feet between them as she struggled to catch her breath and regain her composure.

“No.” Marina stepped closer, her voice firm now. “I know how men like you behave. I was married to one already. I won’t be just someone you turn to when you’re bored.”

Leo’s smile faded. “You think that’s all I want?”

“Yes,” she said firmly, meeting his eyes. “I’ve already been married to someone who saw me as nothing more than convenience. I won’t be your convenient distraction.”

Before Leo could reply, Marina turned and went quickly up the stairs, leaving him standing in stunned silence behind her.

CHAPTER 19

“Another brandy or have you had enough?” Noah asked, sliding into the chair across from Leo at the smoke-filled gaming hell.

The establishment buzzed with the usual nighttime crowd—gamblers hunched over cards, wealthy merchants celebrating deals, and young bucks looking for excitement away from proper society.

Leo gestured for the serving girl to bring another bottle. “Not nearly enough.”

“I take it married life isn’t the paradise you expected?” Noah smirked, pouring himself a generous measure when the bottle arrived.

“I didn’t expect paradise,” Leo muttered, draining his glass and immediately refilling it. “I didn’t expect anything.”

“Except perhaps a grateful bride eager to fall into your arms?” Noah suggested, dodging the dark look Leo shot him. “Come now, what’s really bothering you? The Duchess seemed perfectly amiable at the opera.”

Leo grunted noncommittally. The memory of Marina’s flushed face as he whispered in her ear at the opera, followed by her cutting words at home afterward, had driven him here to drown his frustration. “Leave it alone, Blytheton.”

“Ah, so it is your lovely duchess causing this foul mood.” Noah leaned back, studying his friend with interest. “What did she do? Refuse to redecorate your townhouse? Overspend her allowance? Or perhaps she’s simply immune to your legendary charm?”

“I said leave it,” Leo snapped, slamming his glass down harder than intended.

Noah raised his eyebrows but wisely changed the subject to a recent horse race at Newmarket. Leo barely listened, his mind replaying Marina’s words from earlier that evening.

I know how men like you behave. I won’t be just someone you turn to when you’re bored.

Then, Leo noticed two women sauntering over, their movements languid, practiced.

The taller of the two, a blonde with kohl-lined eyes and a gown cut scandalously low, fixed her gaze on Noah with a knowing smile. Her companion had dark hair, flushed cheeks and a gown that was equally revealing and drifted toward Leo, her every step a promise.

“Perhaps something to lift your spirits, handsome?” the blonde purred at Noah.

Noah grinned broadly. “What an excellent suggestion. I am finding the conversation here sadly lacking in charm.” He rose, offering his arm to the blonde. “Shall we find somewhere more comfortable?”

The woman giggled, pressing herself against Noah’s side. “I know just the place.”

Leo contemplated the brunette who had moved closer, her delicate hand coming to rest on his shoulder.

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