Page 8 of Duke's Daring Bookworm
“A note from yourself to ask Duke for sex, apparently,” she said between hiccupping giggles. She bent double from laughter, the towel making a valiant effort to stay tied. I didn’t even realize people actually did that.
“This is not funny.”
“It’s hilarious. Please tell me you remember writing that?” She leaned back against the counter, fixing her towel, a smile still stretched across her face.
“No! When did I write this? Why did I write this?” Vague flashes of Duke at the restaurant came to me.
“Oh god. Please tell me you’re the one that picked me up last night.” Mortification washed through me at the thought that it wasn’t Frankie that gave me a ride like we had planned.
“Nope. Got a phone call while I drove back last night to get you. Duke said he was taking you home.” She adjusted her towel again and sat across from me at the small dining table. “Tell me everything.”
“I don’t know anything!” Another memory swam to the surface. Duke in the moonlight with his arms around me. “Wait. I think I remember him. Oh my god. I think I’m going to be sick again.”
I slumped in the dining room chair, the tall back of it digging into my lifeless harm, the note heavy in my limp hand.
“Just don’t vomit on the carpet,” Frankie called as she walked to her room, leaving me to my misery.
What the hell happened last night?
Duke was probably the only person who knew, and I didn’t think I could face him.
I drank the rest of my water and then crawled back into bed. Drunk sleep left me more tired than before, and I still felt like I had been hit by a truck.
Unlike the black void from before, Duke invaded my dreams with his warm hands, soft lips, and devilishly good looks. I woke up aching for something I’ve dreamed of having for so long, but that seemedfurther out of reach than ever before.
Unless…
I closed my eyes as I stood under the warm spray of the shower I stumbled to, trying to wash away the night. Duke stood behind me in the close shower, the warmth of his body pressed against me and his soapy hands splayed across my back, slowly moving forward until he held my waist.
“Tell me you want this,” he would say as his hands slowly worked up to my breasts, the soap providing a smooth glide until he reached them, cupping them gently and simply holding them… waiting for my answer.
“Yes,” I breathed into the steam as a shudder worked through me. My own hands followed the path of my imagination, holding myself up for him. I clenched down on nothing, spasms racking my core as I pictured him leaning into me, his hard length pressing against me, demanding my full attention, robbing me of sense.
“Good,” he said, low and gruff, just as his lips brushed over my shoulder.
Water cascaded over me—us—as I went boneless, giving into the pleasure of my dreams.
This isn’t real, my brain whispered to me before I could even touch myself, and the image, the feeling, disappeared.
“Dammit.”
I closed my eyes and leaned against the wall, the heat and steam and disappointment stealing my breath from me, making the world just a little darker.
Did I… did I actually want this?
“Ask me again when you’re sober.” I couldn’t remember much of last night, but I could picture this. It’s exactly what he would say, and I would write that note to remember, because I did want it. I wanted pleasure, and Duke… Duke was known for pleasure.
My body betrayed me at the preposterous idea. My clit pulsed lightly, begging for his touch.
Shit.
Feeling out of sorts, defeated, and restless, I ended my shower and sought the one thing that never failed to help—books.
I shed my towel and pulled on an old worn Marine Corps shirt. Duke gave me it so I wouldn’t stain my clothing in a spaghetti eating contest we’d had at the housewarming party he had thrown when he moved into the penthouse he lived in now.
I’d shown up uncertain and dressed in my best, thinking it would be an elaborate party. I’d drug Frankie along to keep me company and drive me home early if it became overwhelming. I was surprised when I showed up. The only guests were Duke’s marine brothers, a new guy I’d never met and two other women, Grace and Jessica, all casually hanging out.
Somehow, that made me more uncomfortable than the party I thought it would be. Duke proved to me why he held the position of my favorite person when he pulled me aside without a word and threw me a shirt and sweats, so I would be comfortable.
