Page 11 of Her Duke to Tempt
The duke’s brows rose, intrigued by the offer.“You’re a bold woman, Lady Winston.What makes you think I would agree to such a wager?”
“Perhaps you should be more worried about losing, Your Grace,” Enid teased.“I’ll make sure you regret it if you do.”
He smiled, a glint of amusement in his eyes.“Very well.Let’s see who the better player truly is, then.”
They played in silence for a few moments, the flickering light from the fire casting dancing shadows on the walls.Enid focused intently on her cards, but her mind was strangely distracted.She had already come to the conclusion that she would win this round.Her heart pounded with a mixture of excitement and uncertainty, and as the cards were laid down, the duke sighed and conceded the hand to her.
Enid looked at him, her eyes narrowing with determination.“Well, Your Grace, I believe that makes me the winner.”She leaned back in her seat, trying to hide the thrill of victory that surged within her.
Templeton raised his hands in mock surrender.“I concede, Lady Winston.What is it you wish?”
Her heart fluttered in her chest.This was her moment, her chance to take a risk.She had already allowed herself to become tangled in the emotions that had been bubbling beneath the surface for so long, and now she couldn’t stop herself.She had been thinking about ever since his bold statement in the carriage.He had made it clear that he wanted her, and damn it all, she wanted him too.She had never wanted a man the way that she wanted the Duke of Templeton.He tempted he in ways that she could have never foreseen.It was time she did some tempting of her own.She held his gaze and said, “I want you,” she said, her voice low but steady.“I want you to kiss me.”
The words hung between them like a spark before a fire.The room seemed to still, and she saw the shock in his eyes, followed quickly by something darker, more intense.The silence stretched, and for a moment, she wondered if she had made a mistake.But then, he moved toward her, his gaze never leaving hers.
And for the first time in her life, Enid allowed herself to stop fighting the undeniable pull between them.He lowered his head until his lips hovered over hers.She parted her lips in a gasp and then he closed the distance between them.The kiss was soft at first as if he wanted to give her the opportunity to pull away.He doubted her sincerity in asking for this kiss and probably thought she would change her mind.Enid wasn’t going to do that though.She had wanted him to kiss her for a long time, but she had not thought it wise to give into that urge.
But this night might be her last opportunity to take what she wanted, and she wanted it all from him.She wanted to do more than kiss him.She wanted to lie with him in that bed and make love all night.She wanted to know what it felt like to have him slide into her and bring her pleasure.He pulled back and stared down at her.
“Enid?”She knew what he was asking with just her name on his lips.She should take pity on him and tell him exactly what she wanted, but she decided that perhaps a little seduction would be the best course.
Slowly, she stood and turned her back to him.“Help me out of this gown, Logan.”She used his first name.She almost never did that even though he had given her leave to years ago.She kept up propriety and always used his title.Even in her own mind.It was how she was able to keep her distance for so long.
“Are you certain?”
“That I want my gown off?”She glanced over her shoulder.“Of course, I am.Now do be a good duke and help me remove it.”
He finally came over to her side and quickly unfastened to closures on her gown.It parted with each release of a button and then it gaped wide.She slid her arms free and allowed the gown to fall to a pool at her feet.She could retrieve it later.Enid had not bothered with stays.They would have been too difficult to bother with while she traveled without a maid.So, she stood before him in nothing but her shift.He stared at her and swallowed hard.“What do you want tonight?”
She tilted her head to the side and studied him.Then she boldly met his gaze and said, “I want you.”
He did not wait for her to rethink it.Logan stepped forward and swept he into his arms.His lips crashed over hers in a searing kiss that stole her breath.He cupped one of her breasts in his hand and he squeezed it lightly.She moaned as he continued to caress her through the fabric of her shift.He slid his hand between her thighs and stroked her there.She began to writhe as a desperation filled her.Logan pushed a finger inside of her as he rubbed his thumb over her sensitive flesh.It did not take long for her to become completely lost in his touch, and then she crumbled as pleasure overtook her.
Logan carried her over to the bed and removed her shift before setting her down.He held her gaze as he removed all of his clothing.Enid quite liked watching him strip bare before her.He was a magnificent man, and she could not wait to feel his skin against her own as he took her.He joined her on the bed and settled himself between her open thighs, then began to press his hard length inside of her.
When he was fully seated inside of her, he met her gaze.He held it as he began to rock in and out of her.He did not look away for one second as he brought her to pleasure once gain.Once she had found her release, he lost all semblance of control and began to thrust harder, and faster, until she fell apart again.Only then did he completely let go and find his own release and he shouted her name as he shook with pleasure.
He held her and rolled to his side pressing soft kisses on her face and neck.He stroked her back as she fell asleep in his arms, and she couldn’t help wondering why she had denied herself this for so long.It felt…right…and she hoped she had not waited too long to claim him as her own.It had been too good, and she wanted more than one night with him.
Eight
The morning sun peeked through the curtains and cast a soft glow across the room.That was not what kept Logan riveted though.It was the warmth in his arms that truly made Logan remain completely still and reluctant to shake off the remnants of sleep.As much as he would like to, he knew he could no remain in this bed with Enid wrapped in his arms.So reluctantly, he blinked, slowly and focused his attention on the woman in his arms.He stared down at her and a swell of love filled his chest.Her dark hair was spread across the pillow like a halo, her breath soft and steady.Enid—his Enid.The woman who had stolen his heart years earlier, but he had been unable to claim Until now...
For the first time in what felt like forever, he had her—finally had her—where he had dreamed of having her for years.Joy filled him as he ran a finger over her soft hair.There was a weight on his mind.One he could not shake.She had willingly come into his arms the night before, but they had not made any promises to each other.He needed that from her, but he was not so sure he could ask for them yet.Enid had been the one thing he had ever wanted in life, the one thing he had been denied.He could not act rashly and chance losing her.Not when he had her in his arms as he had always wanted.
He had to remain patient for a little while longer.She was far to important for him to be stupid now.She was reluctant for a reason.He may not know what that reason was, but that did not mean it did not exist.If he had any hopes of erasing her doubts, he had to discover what held her back and why she had decided he was worth taking a risk on.He grazed his fingers over the curve of her cheek and made a silent promise to her and himself.Loan would do whatever he needed to for her to feel save with him.He could not help the hope that surged within him as he watched her sleep next to him.He loved her so bloody much and he wanted her at his side forever.More than that, he needed her—he had needed her for so long.
They had many choices to make.He would take her any way she was willing to come to him.But that did not mean he would not always want it all from her.For the moment he would allow her to decide what she wanted.He did not need to push her to give him more than she was ready for her.He wanted her to stay by his side, even if it was only as lovers.But deep within his hopeful heart, a part of him longed for more—he wanted her to be his wife, his partner, his duchess.
But he would say nothing to her about any of that.At least not yet...The words were there, but they were not yet ready to leave his lips.He had to be patient.He would give her time.He watched her for a moment longer, memorizing the peaceful expression on her face, before gently disentangling himself from her embrace.The thought of losing this closeness made his chest ache, but it was not forever.He would have her, and he would make sure of it.“Enid,” he whispered softly, brushing a lock of hair from her face.
She stirred, her eyelids fluttering open.For a moment, she blinked at him in confusion before recognition took hold.A small, sleepy smile tugged at her lips.“Good morning, Your Grace.”
Logan couldn’t help but grin back.“Good morning, darling.”He leaned down and kissed her forehead tenderly.“We have a long day ahead.We have much to see too.Mainly finding your niece and my son.”
She sat up slowly, stretching her arms with a soft yawn.“You’re right.If they are here and I pray they are, we should locate them before they do something rash.”
Together, they dressed and made their way downstairs of the inn.It was a quiet morning, as many of the guests had not yet risen for the day.Logan felt a surge of satisfaction as he watched Enid move beside him, their hands brushing occasionally as they walked.They did not break their fast.They had much more pressing needs to see to.Logan stopped to talk to the innkeeper.“I forgot to ask the night before,” he began.“My son was to come through here.Could you tell me if he has arrived?”
