Page 21 of The Duke and the Hellion Bride

“What else is there?”

She caught her breath, unable to say the obvious. Evelyn’s comment swept her mind. The duke’s body on hers, how she shuddered, washed over her. Her chest hurt. Her loins burned. All thoughts pointed toward the obvious and all she could do was stare and wonder if he was feeling as she did or if this was all in her head.

“I... I... I...” she stammered.

“Speak clearly or don’t speak at all.”

“You are not my master,” she said without thinking for the words felt right. “You are barely my husband.”

“This is my home...” He stepped in closer. “And you will do well to remember that.”

“Or what?” She raised both eyebrows. His hand wrapped around her own. Closer again, their bodies now touching. Diana had never been in this position before, but instinct was a strange thing, and it took over as if she was borne to it.

The duke kissed her there and then.

Like a lion mauling a gazelle, he was on her. His right hand pulled her in close while his left took her by the face. His lips clashed with hers. His tongue pried them apart and swept into her mouth. It was messy. It was wild and untamed. It was filled with passion that set Diana alight, and she felt alive in ways she never had before. That she never knew was possible.

Almost on instinct she leaned back but he held her there. His tongue explored her. His lips devoured her. His hand around her face gripped her as if for dear life. The kiss was for her lips, but she felt it across her entire body, such that she nearly collapsed as it ran down her spine and touched between her thighs so that her knees gave out.

Both hands about her waist now. His body pressing against her as if he was trying to mount her – as if he was trying to tear her apart so he might feast! She squirmed as if on instinct, but she did not wish for him to let her go. In fact, he hands soon found their way to his waist also, and she held him tight, hoping he would never stop --

“No!” the duke roared suddenly, letting her go and stumbling back. “That was...” He looked away as if ashamed. “That was... I should not have done that.”

Diana was frozen, leaning forward as if to follow him, her feet stuck to the ground. “I... wh – what?”

Her shook his head. “I am sorry, I should not have...” He took another step back. “That was wrong of me.”

“It was?”

He grimaced as he spoke. “When I came to you earlier, my true intention was to let you know that nothing... that I expected nothing from you. Yes, we are man and wife, but it is in name only and I did not want you to think that you...” He clicked his tongue, fidgeting nervously in a way she did not think was possible for the duke. “My nieces are what matter. And for them, we must present a united front – as they would expect. But regarding everything else, what I wished to tell you was that I do not expect you to... to...” He laughed bitterly, more at himself, it seemed. “I will never force myself upon you.”

“Oh...” Diana blinked, truly taken aback. “Thank you?”

“I wish for you to feel safe, Diana,” he said. “I do not wish for you to fear me or worry what I might do. Or what I might try and do. What happened just now...” He shook his head. “I am sorry. I should not have... that was my mistake, and it will not happen again.”

“I...” Diana had no idea what to say. “Alright.”

He nodded, seemingly happy that he had said what he felt he needed to. As for Diana? She was as confused as she was aroused as she was unsure of what the heck was going on.

Does he think that he took advantage of me? Does he truly not know how much I wanted it? And should I tell him...

“I will send the staff to help you settle,” he said, still not looking at her. “They will bring your things to your room and help you to unpack. If that is acceptable.”

“It is...”

“Good.” He forced himself to look at her, forced a smile, then nodded once and turned away. “If you need anything at all, please do not hesitate to ask.” And with that, he swept quickly from the foyer, leaving her standing there like a dolt.

If I need anything? How about to finish what we just started!

To say that Diana was confused would be an understatement. She knew now that she wanted the duke. That this marriage of convenience was very inconvenient for how determined the duke was to keep things platonic. Unless he was simply waiting for her to tell him otherwise? Or did he not want that, and this right here was simply an er that was a onetime thing?

Diana had no idea. Nore did she know what to do about it or what she could even do. Unsure of this marriage from the day it was announced, the confusion she felt then paled to how she felt now.

She did know one thing, however. One thing she was certain of above all else. Nothing about this marriage was going to be convenient.

ChapterEight

“Your Grace, is this a bad time?” Miss Brooks stood in the doorway of Magnus’ study, catching him completely unawares.

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