Page 64 of Wedded to the Deviant Duke

He kissed her once more, pressing against her while pulling at the laces again. Her hand reached behind, helping undo the bodice as the dress loosened significantly around her waist, her bosom, her shoulders. Gabriel’s hands were quick to grasp the hem of the neck, to pull it down enough to expose Thalia’s glimmering chest, wet from rain and growing perspiration. Again, his fingers worked to undo the corset’s lacework; again, Thalia helped him.

It fell open entirely, her nipples perked from the cool, humid air. Gabriel immediately bent over, kissing the top of her chin to the nape of her neck, slowly working his way towards her chest.

A shiver of pleasure ran through Thalia, anticipating building in her core as he teased her. She closed her eyes, her head tilted upright, and waited for the moment of contact. Then, suddenly, she felt his lips around her, a shiver skittering across her skin as a whimper slipped free. “G-Gabriel…!”

His hand slipped across, caressing her other breast as he continued to kiss each peak. Each brush was like a thousand currents racing through her; Thalia thought it impossible to feel this way again, especially after his performance in the library. But this—it was somehow even greater, the thrill of his touch clashing with the anxiety of being discovered. A crack of lighting blinded the sky, and the rumbling thunder trembled through her legs.

“You were mine to hunt, little rabbit,” Gabriel crooned. “And I’m not yet done with our game of chase.”

Another bolt cascaded through the sky, and as Gabriel’s hands stroked and teased and pinched, Thalia found herself a mess. Her soft whimpering had grown to pleasurable moans, and as his teeth found purchase against her nipples, a familiar chain of explosive activity flooded her system. Lighting blinded her already-spinning senses, and the thunderous boom shook her trembling frame until she collapsed into Gabriel’s arms completely.

“Our deal has changed,” Gabriel whispered, lips drawing toward her ear as his breath tickled against her skin. “This courtship is now very real, Thalia Sutton.”

She exhaled, heat rising throughout her body, and she found herself stealing an unexpected kiss from Gabriel. Fueled on by euphoria, Thalia clenched her teeth gently around the duke’s prying tongue, drawing blood that drifted between them. Gabriel refused to let go this time, refused to let her win. And, in that moment, Thalia was more than happy to play the game alongside him.

* * *

It was a good ten minutes or so before Gabriel considered stopping. He might have gone… a touch too far, given the state to which he’d brought Thalia, and a large part of the time was spent simply cooling her flushed face.

It had been ages since Gabriel had intentionally lain across a pile of hay, and even longer since he had a woman curled up against his chest (he’d forgotten how quickly his arm numbed, being used as an impromptu pillow).

But the way Thalia looked right now—her hair let down, gently splayed across her heaving chest and shaping the delicate curves of her waist—he’d willingly sleep in hay for the rest of his life.

Her head shifted slightly, then settled against his chest once more, eyes fluttering as raindrops plunked against the shed’s roof. “I’m not sure I want to leave.”

“I wouldn’t object to exploring you further,” Gabriel chuckled, hand tucking a loose strand of hair away from Thalia’s face. Gracious, but those eyes…he really could get lost in them, as encompassing and deep as the emeralds on a crown.

Thalia lifted her neck, a teasing scowl across her face as she gave him a light shove against his chest. “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

He did know it. Gabriel knew very well what returning to the party meant; hand in hand, with warm, affectionate looks and an obviously closer proximity than before. Rumors he could handle, but the idea of genuine courtship… of no longer playing the role of suitor, but becoming one entirely.

“No one would dare say a word.”

“Oh, Your Grace,” Thalia giggled lightly, her hand gently brushing against his cheek. “My reputation is the farthest thing from my mind, as of late.” She shifted her upper body a top of his, lounging across as her head nuzzled beneath his neck. A soft sigh escaped her lips, eyes downcast as her fingers traced one of his vest buttons.

Gabriel sat upright, arm around her waist as he propped himself against the barn’s wall. “It’s a bit too late to grow quiet now, little rabbit,” he said. “What are you thinking about?”

Another gentle sigh as Thalia leaned fully into Gabriel’s embrace. “You spoke of vulnerability earlier. Being afraid… it sounds silly, thinking about it now.”

“Elaborate.”

Thalia’s brow furrowed slightly. “I… it sounds terribly cliched. But, I’m afraid this is a dream I’ll have to wake up from. That we’ll get ready for the art gallery, remain pleasantly distant from each other, and then…” she met his gaze, eyes already misty.

“Are you worried about my aversion to marriage?”

She hesitated, then nodded slowly.

“You have every right to be,” Gabriel insisted. “This is hardly an arrangement we can maintain, regardless of your care for reputation.” He gently plucked a strand of hay from her hair, kissing her forehead lightly. “I… don’t want to hurt you, Thalia. And I certainly will not use you.”

Thalia’s grip tightened against his vest, hands trembling slightly.

“I meant what I said earlier,” he continued. “About marriage, about showing any level of… vulnerability.” He chuckled, hand running down the length of her hair.

“I hardly see what’s so funny.” Thalia pulled herself somewhat away, expression far more stern than Gabriel expected. “This is the bravest thing I’ve seen you do to date, Gabriel Harding, and I will not have you diminish it.”

Gabriel went to laugh again, but the way Thalia stared into him, the way her expression remained unmoving; she was entirely serious. His laughter petered away, the somewhat forceful nature of his smile softening. “You prefer this over the man you met during the ball?”

Now it was Thalia’s turn to snort with laughter. “Oh, no; I’m afraid you’ve done something quite irreversible to me, Your Grace.” Her eyes narrowed, a mischievous glint catching across her eye as she leaned in closer to Gabriel’s face. “I’m no stranger to fear, but the way you use it is… something entirely different.” She exhaled, visibly exhilarated, and Gabriel’s heart skipped a beat.

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