Page 75 of Prelude of Love

“You are. Remember when that customer tried to grab his ass, and you nearly threw the guy through a window?”

“He shouldn’t have tried to touch my staff.”

“And when Red caught the flu last winter? You sent him home with five days’ worth of homemade soup.”

Duke’s brow furrowed. “He lives alone. Someone had to make sure he ate.”

I laughed, leaning down to kiss the stubborn set of his jaw. “You big softie.”

He sighed, his defenses finally lowering. “I’m going to miss him. He’s been with me for so many years that I can’t imagine the place without him.”

The honesty in his voice made my heart swell. Duke rarely showed this kind of vulnerability, even with me.

“I know, hon.” I settled back against him, letting him hold me close. “He’s special.”

“When my mom died, it felt like someone had ripped out part of me. There was a hole that nothingcould fill. I’m relieved Red’s dad is still alive. That he doesn’t have to go through that heartbreaking loss yet.”

“You’re a good man.”

“I’m trying to be,” he whispered, his voice thick with old grief.

My chest ached with how much I loved him, how his gruff exterior hid such depth of feeling, such capacity for care. “I love you,” I said, the words inadequate for the emotion swelling in my chest.

His gaze softened as he looked at me. “I love you, too, Duchess.”

I stretched up to kiss him, expressing my gratitude for his big heart. His hand came up to cradle my face, his thumb stroking my cheekbone as he kissed me back with equal fervor.

What had begun as comfort shifted into something more heated. His other hand slid down my back to cup my ass, pulling me more firmly against him. I could feel him hardening against my hip, his body responding to our closeness.

“I thought you weren’t in the mood,” I murmured against his lips.

“You have a way of changing my mind.”

I shifted to straddle Duke, looking down at him. Desire replaced the grief in his eyes as he took in the sight of me above him, my naked body on full display.

“Let me take care of you tonight,” I said, rolling my hips against his growing erection.

Duke’s warm hands settled on my waist. “I thought that’s what you were already doing.”

“Nah, I’m only getting started.”

I kissed my way down his neck, savoring the steady beat of his pulse beneath my lips. His chest rose and fell with quickening breaths as I worked my way lower, tracing the defined muscles of his torso with my tongue.

Duke’s fingers tangled in my hair, not guiding but connecting as I moved down his body. I took my time, mapping the familiar expanses of his body with my mouth. I showed him through touch what words couldn’t express about how much I cherished him, how proud I was of his compassion, how lucky I was to be his.

When I wrapped my lips around his cock, I maintained eye contact as he watched me, his pupils blown wide with lust, his bottom lip caught between his teeth.

“Duchess,” he breathed, my name a prayer on his lips.

I worked him with deliberate precision, hollowing my cheeks as I took him deeper, swirling my tongue around the sensitive head on each upstroke. His thighs tensed beneath my hands, muscles jumping with each flick of my tongue. Right before he reached the edge, I pulled away, his cock slipping from my mouth with a wetpop. I crawled back up his body. “Please, I need you.”

Duke’s hands framed my face as he looked up at me with such open emotion that it stole my breath. “You have me. Always.”

He reached for the nightstand drawer to retrieve lube. I maintained my position, straddling him as he coated his fingers. The first cool touch against my entrance made me shiver, but his careful attention soon had me pushing back against his hand, begging for more. His eyes never left mine as he prepared me, adding a second finger, then a third, stretching me with patient devotion.

When I sank down onto him, the initial breach made us both gasp. The familiar burn and stretch as he filled me sent pleasure radiating through my body. I braced my hands on him as I set a slow, deliberate pace, savoring the fullness and the intimate connection.

Duke’s hands roamed my body, touching every inch he could reach. His fingertips traced my ribs, thumbs brushed my nipples, before his palms skimmed down my thighs. His gaze locked on mine with such intensity I felt it like a physical caress.

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