Page 83 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

Leo poured two small measures of brandy, handing one to Marina before settling into a chair near hers. The casual domesticity of the moment struck her with unexpected force. They rarely had simply sat together and enjoyed each other’s company without purpose or pretense.

“Thank you for defending my stories tonight,” Marina said softly, turning the brandy glass between her fingers. “You didn’t have to do that.”

“Durching is an idiot if he can’t see your talent,” Leo replied, his gaze holding hers across the small space between them. “Your stories deserve respect, not dismissal.”

Marina smiled, warmed both by his words and the genuine appreciation in his expression. “Most men would consider them trivial at best, scandalous at worst.”

“I am not most men.” Leo set his glass aside and leaned forward, his expression uncharacteristically serious. “I have been reading your stories—not just the ones about the Duke but also your recent work about the sea captain.”

“You have?” Marina was genuinely surprised.

She had assumed Leo’s interest in her writing was limited to ensuring she no longer used him as inspiration.

“I have.” He rose and moved to stand before her chair, reaching down to brush a loose strand of hair from her face. The simple touch sent warmth spreading through her body. “They are remarkable, Marina. Your wit, your insight, the passionate fire you capture on the page is extraordinary.”

His fingers lingered against her cheek, the gentle caress at odds with the intensity of his gaze. “It’s not just your body I crave, though God knows I do. It’s you. All of you.”

Marina’s breath caught at the raw honesty in his voice. “Leo…”

“I have kept my distance these past weeks because I was afraid,” he continued, his thumb tracing the curve of her lower lip. “Afraid of wanting you too much. Afraid of needing more than our arrangement allowed.”

Marina’s heart thundered in her chest. This vulnerable confession was so unlike the controlled, confident man she had married.

“What do you want from me?” she whispered.

“Everything you are willing to give,” Leo answered, his voice low and intent. “Your body, yes, but also your thoughts, your dreams, your trust.” He kneeled before her chair, taking her hands in his. “I want to know you, Marina. Truly know you.”

The sincerity in his eyes undid her last reservations. For weeks she had maintained her guard, afraid of surrendering too much of herself to this complicated man. But in this moment, with the firelight playing across his features and his hands warm around hers, Marina wanted to take the risk.

Setting her brandy aside, she leaned forward until their faces were inches apart.

“Then know me,” she whispered, closing the distance between them.

Their lips met in a kiss unlike any they had shared before—not the desperate passion of their encounter at the Pembroke ball orthe practiced seduction of their night after the Hargrove dinner, but something deeper, more deliberate. A mutual exploration rather than a claiming.

Leo’s hands released hers to frame her face, his touch gentle despite the growing intensity of their kiss. Marina slid forward in her chair, her knees parting to accommodate him as he kneeled between them.

The soft sound that escaped her as his tongue teased the seam of her lips seemed to ignite something within him.

In one fluid movement, Leo rose, drawing Marina to her feet and into his arms. Her body molded against his as naturally as if they had been designed as complementary pieces, her softness yielding to his hardness, her curves fitting perfectly against the solid planes of his chest.

“You are exquisite,” he murmured against her lips, his hands sliding down her back to draw her closer. “Every inch of you.”

Marina melted under his touch. The weeks of distance and uncertainty dissolved in the face of the heat building between them. His lips traced a burning path from her mouth to her jaw then down the sensitive column of her throat drawing a soft gasp from her as he found the pulse point at the base of her neck.

“I have dreamed of this,” Leo said, his breath warm against her skin. “Of having you here in the firelight. Of taking my time with you.”

His hands found the fastenings of her gown, skilled fingers making quick work of the buttons down her back. As the emerald silk loosened around her, Marina felt a momentary flash of self-consciousness.

Leo seemed to sense her hesitation. Drawing back slightly, he studied her face, his eyes dark with desire but also with understanding.

“You’re beautiful, Marina. Let me show you how beautiful.”

She nodded, unable to form words as he slowly, reverently, eased the gown from her shoulders. The heavy silk slithered down her body, pooling at her feet to leave her standing in just her corset, chemise, and stockings. The heat from the fireplace caressed her exposed skin, but it was nothing compared to the warmth in Leo’s gaze as it traveled over her.

“Perfect,” he breathed as his hands returned to her waist. “Absolutely perfect.”

Leo quickly removed the rest of her garments, then he trailed kisses over her curve of her breasts following their shape. He took one rosy nipple in his mouth and suckled it. She gasped and pushed her fingers through his hair. As his mouth found her other nipple, she felt like every inch of her vibrated with pleasure.

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