Page 18 of A Villain for a Duke

She nodded.

And he knew, again, this time with absolute certainty, that this woman would be his wife.

This time, he was confident because he knew her more fully.She wasn’t an angel on a pedestal whereupon making the first mistake he turned her out.She was a living, breathing, learning, growing, loving human being.

That’s all he could ask for in a wife.In his duchess.For his heart.

Chapter 10

ASTRIDHADGONETOMichael’s room seeking his strength, and she had found some of her own.It had been hidden.But somehow she had found it.She had hidden behind villainy.Anticipating pain behind every event, she had taken the offensive and played aggressively.Hurt or be hurt.Put up a strong front or appear weak.Well, she chose to be strong and hurt others before they could cause her any more pain.The world was a frustrating place for a woman.She had felt confined.Restricted.

After the nipple incident, she had decided to take life into her own hands.She had thought that being strong meant showing no weaknesses.

In Michael’s arms, she learned the truth.People were a mess.They could be both strong and weak.Impulsive and constrained.Sensual and good.

Without a doubt, she knew she was in love with Michael.She had known from the first dance.His first smile.Their first kiss.It had been awful to experience his coldness toward her, but now that she knew him better, she could understand why he held himself to such a high standard of moral rectitude.She had left.Giving them no time to discuss the incident.And then, as with so many troubles in life, time passed and no one made the first move.

Astrid watched as Michael lowered himself to one knee.“Astrid, you asked me what I want from you.And I can tell you now.I want you to be my wife.Be the delight of my life.I love you, will you marry me?”

A few tears trickled down her face.“We lost so much time together, I won’t lose another second.Yes, I will be your wife.”

She leaned in to kiss him and he pulled her down on his knee.“You’ll be mine?”He murmured as he dotted her neck with kisses.

“Yes, I’ll be yours.And you’ll be mine.”She chuckled.

“Only yours.My God, woman.I must have you.”

“Yes.”

And then he stood, this powerful, yet tender, man.“Get on the bed, Astrid.”

She scurried over.

With a heavy lidded stare, he intoned, “We know you can be a bad girl, but now let’s see if you can be a good girl.”

A tremor shook through Astrid.This man.He was everything.Power.Intensity.Authority.And she wanted to surrender control to him.

“Tell me what to do, Michael.”

“You know what to do.”

She shook her head.“I’ve never…”

A bewildered look flickered in his eyes.

“You’re my only…experience.”

At her confession, he was at her side, astonished.“But you—”

“The rumors gave me the freedom I desired to act how I wanted.I only flirted.I never did anything.I was waiting for the right man.”

His soft kisses stopped her from speaking anymore.

“I have so much to show you, but tonight will be special,” Michael said between kisses.

“Because it’s with you, it’s already special.Take me how you want me, Michael.”

“I want you every way.”

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