Page 30 of Alone with the Beastly Duke
“I know, and I promise that I will not breathe a word of this to anyone, not even my siblings,” Jasmine said. “I would not want to do anything to ruin your reputation in the Ton.”
Axel laughed.
“Do you really think that I am saying this because of my reputation in the Ton?” Axel asked.
Jasmine shrugged, confused.
“Trust me, my reputation in the Ton had been tainted long ago when all I did was simply exist,” he said.
Jasmine remembered what Cassian had told her about the Nordic Beast and how everyone was afraid of him because he was huge and looked beastly.
“The reason I do not want you to tell anyone about this is simply because of you,” Axel continued. “You are a young maiden, and as such, you are expected to be chaste. They would simply believe your reputation has been compromised if anyone found out you had slept in the same room as me.”
Jasmine shrugged. “I do not care what the Ton thinks or says,” Jasmine lied.
Of course, she cared. If even a rumor came out that her reputation had been tainted came out, she would forever be ruined. Even her family would lose their standing in society. No one would want to do business with her father, and no one would want to marry her sisters. They would all simply be ruined because of one foolish mistake that she made.
Axel shook his head. “Trust me, you must care. Such a scandal would ruin not only you but also your family. No man would want to marry you if they found that you spent a night with another man.”
Jasmine pondered over Axel’s words. It was true what he said, but she really did not mind.
“I will sleep on the chaise lounge and ensure I am gone before dawn. That way, I will not be seen by my servants, and they will not end up talking. Gossip spreads like wildfire in their quarters.”
Jasmine nodded. She was a little disappointed that he would not be sleeping beside her, but after realizing what could happen if anyone knew they were spending the night together, she was more than agreeable to him sleeping on the chaise lounge.
When Axel finally let go of her and stepped out of bed, she felt her heart hammer in her chest. What would happen if they slept next to each other? Would he accidentally touch her where she needed to be touched the most? She was desperate for this longing sensation to leave her body.
Axel, however, did not leave for the chaise lounge right away. He stood at the feet of her bed, and Jasmine could feel the intensity of his gaze as it was burning her skin.
“Your Grace? Do you need anything?” she called his attention to the present as he seemed lost in deep thought.
He hesitated, his voice suddenly quite hoarse. “I…let me just…tuck you in,” he said. Jasmine was suddenly confused and a little disappointed. “You said your parents stopped tucking you into bed shortly after having the twins,” he mentioned as he lit a small candle.
Jasmine lay in bed and watched as he inched closer, a tender expression on his face. At this moment, Axel’s imposing stature did not seem threatening in the least. He leaned down toward Jasmine, and she swallowed nervously as she stared at his luscious lips. She wanted more than anything to pull him into bed with her, kiss him with intense fervor, and lay awake in bed all night with him, doing all the things that were simply abominable for an unmarried maiden.
She, however, did not do any of that. She simply watched him cover her with the blanket. He ensured that every inch of her body was covered, and she smiled sheepishly at how tenderly he treated her, ignoring the tingly sensation that each touch evoked in her body.
After tucking her in, he leaned down toward her, his lips in a pout that could only mean one thing. Jasmine closed her eyes as she lifted her head and lips to meet his. Her heart pounded in her chest.
I am finally having the first kiss of my life.
She could not believe just how exciting her life had suddenly become. One moment, she was running away from an intruder, and the next minute, she was about to be kissed by the man who made her body tingle and craved all things forbidden.
Jasmine was, therefore, disappointed when instead of her mouth, the kiss landed on her head. Jasmine’s opened her eyes, but she hid her disappointment with a smile.
“Thank you,” she said, even though she was burning inside.
She watched as Axel went to the chaise lounge and lay there. She felt a pang of guilt when she saw that the chaise lounge was shorter than his frame, and it, therefore, caused his legs to dangle. He, however, did not seem to mind because he simply lay there as though it was the most comfortable bed ever.
Jasmine locked eyes with Axel across the room, smiling at him. He smiled back, and her heart fluttered. Jasmine closed her eyes and tried to sleep. Moments later, when she found it hard to sleep, Jasmine stole a glance at Axel. He was staring at her.
Jasmine quickly looked away. She was flustered and had no idea what to do about the fact that Axel was staring pointedly at her. She closed her eyes again, and this time, she dozed off before she could glance at Axel blowing out the candle.
ChapterTen
The moment Jasmine woke up in the morning, her eyes went straight to the chaise lounge where she hoped to steal a glance at Axel.
She was disappointed when she saw the chaise lounge empty. Nothing in the room bore witness to the fact that Axel had been in the room the previous night. It was almost like she had simply imagined all that had happened. Or did not happen.
