Page 63 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

“You might want to loosen your grip before you shatter that glass,” Noah suggested mildly. “Though I must say, jealousy becomes you. Adds color to your complexion.”

“I’m not jealous,” Leo snapped, tearing his eyes away from the dancing couple. “Marina is free to talk with whomever she pleases.”

“Of course,” Noah agreed again, his eyes twinkling. “Though perhaps not to dance with them, judging by your expression.”

Leo scowled at his friend. “Don’t you have some debutante to charm?”

“None that is half so entertaining as watching you glower at poor Durching,” Noah replied cheerfully. “If looks could kill, Lady Clarkshire would be short of one cousin.”

As the music ended, Leo set his empty glass on a passing servant’s tray with more force than necessary. “Excuse me.”

He strode across the ballroom, ignoring the curious glances that followed him. Marina and Durching were still conversing, herexpression animated as the Viscount gestured enthusiastically about something.

“Marina,” Leo interrupted without preamble. “Come with me, please.”

Durching looked startled at the abrupt interruption. “Your Grace, we were just discussing the latest?—”

“How fascinating,” Leo interrupted, not even bothering to glance at the other man as he extended his arm toward Marina. “If you’ll excuse us.”

Marina’s eyes widened slightly, startled, but she placed her hand lightly on his arm and offered the Viscount a polite nod. “Thank you for the dance, Lord Durching. Perhaps we can finish our conversation later.”

Leo steered Marina firmly through the crowded ballroom, his hand resting possessively on the small of her back.

She shot him questioning looks, but he ignored them until they reached a small, quiet room just off the hallway. He glanced inside, confirmed it was empty, and quickly ushered her in, shutting the door behind them.

“That was rude,” Marina said immediately, her cheeks flushed—whether from anger or embarrassment, Leo couldn’t quite tell. “Lord Durching is Caroline’s cousin.”

Leo shook his head impatiently. “I don’t care if he’s related to the King himself. What exactly did you think you were doing out there?”

Marina blinked, clearly bewildered. “Doing? We were having a perfectly ordinary conversation about literature.”

“You were dancing with him,” Leo said, his voice sharp with tension as he stepped closer.

“Well, yes, that’s typically what happens when someone asks you to dance.” Irritation crept into Marina’s voice. “You can’t possibly expect me to reject everyone who isn’t you.”

“That’s exactly what I expect,” Leo snapped, surprising even himself with how intense he sounded. “No man should lay his hands on you.”

Marina’s eyes widened further in shock. “Why not?”

“Because you’re mine,” Leo growled, the words slipping out raw and possessive before he could stop them.

Marina lifted her chin defiantly, a familiar stubbornness sparking in her eyes that drove him mad and drew him closer all at once. “I’m not yours. Our marriage might grant you certain rights, but I’m certainly not your possession.”

Leo moved forward again, backing her against the wall of the small room, his arms braced on either side of her head.

“Other men cannot dance with you,” he insisted, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. “Cannot touch you. Cannot hold you in their arms.”

“You cannot tell me what to do,” Marina protested though her breathing had quickened at his proximity. “You have no right.”

“No right?” Leo’s voice was a dark whisper as he stepped in, his breath hot against her skin, his presence almost suffocating. “The truth, Marina? I need you. And every time I see another man’s hands on you, it’s like a brand of fire in my chest. You. Are. Mine.”

He watched as her eyes widened, her lips parting in surprise at his confession.

“I’ve been craving you all night,” he continued. “Wondering how your skin would feel beneath that silk dress. Imagining the sounds you’d make if I kissed you here.” His finger traced the delicate line of her collarbone, not quite touching her skin. “Or here.” His gaze dropped to the swell of her breasts above her neckline.

Marina’s blush deepened, and her breathing quickened. Leo could sense her response to his words. He could see her pulse fluttering rapidly at the base of her throat.

No man had ever spoken to her this way, he realized. He could almost guarantee that her first husband had never expressed such unbridled desire for her.

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