Page 22 of Her Ruse with the Rakish Duke
She bit into her lips, before raging, “Which part, the insults or–”
Victor cussed, pulled her to him, and cut her off with a sweltering kiss.Ah, finally.His heart thundered in his chest, as the familiarity of her taste awakened in his taste buds.
She mumbled something he could not understand. Her hands were fisted on his chest. He waited, with bated breath to be pushed away. He hoped she would not. Because for the first time since his return, everything made perfect sense. Those fingers slid from his chest, trailed up his neck, and intertwined with his hair.
Shockwaves traveled through Victor’s body. He exhaled a string of shaky breaths and pressed her soft body closer. Victor’s tongue penetrated the sweetness of her mouth.
She made a sound that maddened Victor, her hands urging him closer. They ravaged each other’s mouths. She poured all the frustration from their encounter into the kiss, matching him with every thrust.
Her chest rose and fell on his, their plump surface driving him to the edge. His body responded to her touch as though she were rushing lava and he, defenseless earth, scorched by her.
Four years, he had dreamed of this. Four years where he convinced himself that it could not have been that good. But kissing her was earth-shattering. He led her toward the wall behind them and pinned her between his arms.
His fingers grazed her smooth neckline, flitting downwards. She moaned his name. Through the haze of need, Victor noted that she liked to be touched there.
All of a sudden, she broke the kiss and tried to leave his arms. Victor’s senses were a bit clouded, but he allowed it. Her lips were swollen from his kisses. She darted a furtive glance toward the door.
“Foo-footsteps,” she stammered.
Victor laughed, finding her disquiet endearing. “Have I fully repaid my debt?” he asked. “That was the only way I could stop you from speaking.”
“Debt?” she repeated, blinking at him. “That was to shut me up?” She wiped her palm across her lips, “Stay away from me!” She grabbed a book on the divan and stomped inside the house.
Victor scrubbed a hand over his face. He was the world’s biggest fool.
ChapterSix
“Oh God, oh God…Oh God…”
“Daphne?” Melanie called. “Why are you banging your head on the wall?”
Daphne swung around, and her hands inched toward her mouth. She brought it down immediately and shook her head, “Nothing. I mean, something I read in my book was very upsetting. Were you looking for me?”
“No, I…are you sure? You do look quite pale. Let me bring you some water.”
“Uh, yes. Yes. Water is good. I am parched. In fact, I should get it myself. I need air.”
Melanie opened her mouth, “There is water on the cabinet here.” Daphne abandoned Melanie in the room before she could do something stupid again. She avoided her maids and barged into the kitchen, grabbed a glass, filled it with water, and downed it. There were several questions from the servants concerning her current state but Daphne could not answer.
She almost sailed through the air to the library, where she collapsed into a chair, held her head, and gave a soundless scream.
She had not even resisted. She just stood there and received his kiss. Not only received it but deepened it, moaned his name, and enjoyed it so much, she could not bring herself to stop.
What if, just what if someone — like Percy — had seen them? She would be ruined forever. What would he think of her? After everything she had told Victor, she just…
Daphne groaned and flung herself into a lying position. All right. There was a plan, she had an idea. She was human, he was a handsome man. She could only react to him. It did not mean she had any feelings for the man.
Yes.
If it ever came to that, if he ever asked or taunted her. She knew Victor, there would be taunting. He would strut about it and paint it all over the estate if he could. Daphne groaned because, despite her panic, she could still taste him on her lips. She could feel his hands on her waist. Her body still pulsated with the heat he inflamed in her.
It was almost time for tea; she could not hide in the library forever. Her family would search for her. Daphne sat upright and brushed her fingers through her hair. She swept out her dress and hoped the blush on her cheeks and her swollen lips would be mistaken for something else. She did not know which lie to substitute at the moment. The best she could hope for was a few stammered words and a chance that she would bite her own tongue.
Her family was seated around a table. Her mother was ranting about something to Melanie. Melanie’s face was wet with tears and she blew her nose on a handkerchief. Her father’s face was buried in a newspaper. Amelia sipped her tea delicately while patting Melanie’s back. Daphne rushed to Melanie and squatted by her chair.
“What happened? What is it, Melanie? Did somebody hurt you?”
“That family is despicable; they are terrible people and I am sure you will find someone better. Stop crying. Stop it!” Lady Wallace said, alternating between calming and sharp tones.
