Page 5 of The Forbidden Duchess (Rogues from War 1)

Discretely she checked on John and, apparently, he enjoyed himself talking to guests at his left and right. A glad thing he found contentment in that.

Dessert came after a dinner she barely picked at. Philip’s incessant stares from the other side bit at her nerves. She’d sensed his focus on her non-stop, contempt and disgust so obvious in his eyes. What did she do wrong now for pity’s sake?

Dinner over at last, John led the men to the library for cigars and brandy and she led the ladies to the drawing room. She’d finally be able to breath a little easier.

The rest of the evening ran as usual; and fortunately the gentlemen behaved. After the guests had left, John pleaded tiredness and retired while she gave the last instruction to the housekeeper.

She strode back to the drawing room for last details and stopped short. The devil stood there, glass of brandy in his none too steady hand.

The house was silent, the candles dimmed, the fire at the fireplace almost fading. It set an atmosphere of intimacy, inappropriate and unwelcome.

He turned to her, his eyes surveying her with undisguised hunger. Each place his clove piercing gaze went felt like he touched her. Her heart raced, her skin heated, her pupils dilated.

“How many lovers, so far?” A lazy rich velvet tone that caressed her defenceless skin.

Her brows pleated. What the heck was he talking about? “Lovers?”

“Yes.” Came his casual answer. “You flirted with anything in trousers tonight.” He gave an unpleasant lopsided smirk. “The real question is everyone at the same time or separately.”

A red-hot fury exploded in her guts like a volcano. The wave so intense, she feared she’d respond physically to it. Preferably throttling the damn blackguard once and for all!

He breathed a fluid sarcastic laugh. “Such fire!” He took a swig of his glass. “Impossible for an old husband to appease!”

No. She hadn’t heard that vulgar comment, she tried to convince herself. Not possible to be so utterly disrespected.

She forced a smile dripping ire and contempt to hide the hurt. “Ten.”

“Excuse me?” He looked down at her, pacing a little closer.

“Your question, Major.” She lifted her chin and defied him openly. “Ten lovers, all at the same time; I

mean, same hour and same place! She greeted her teeth with indignation and sorrow. How dared he judge her so lowly?

“Oh, daring, are we?” He came even closer.

She stood her ground. Not for her life he’d see what his words were doing to her, the blasted bully!

His hand came to her chin and lifted it to him. Their eyes battled fiercely. “Is there place for one more?”

The impulse to hit him on the face was so ferociously intense she almost lost control. But no…oh no! She wouldn’t go down to his level. Never. She fisted her hands so tightly, her knuckles whitened.

His proximity undermined her defences. The heat of his body, his male scent, his thin wicked lips, and his height were playing havoc in her body. She wanted to lean on him and run away at the same time. Lucidity prevailed, though. She jerked her head to the side to escape his disturbing touch and put distance between them.

“There is no place in my bed for filthy reprobates!” She said with hot disgust.

Without giving him the chance to reply, she turned on her heels and left.

She could hardly reach her chambers before tears rolled down her cheeks. Besides having to live a life she hadn’t chosen in the least, now she had to put up with that abusive wretch!

She wiped her angry tears from her face resolutely. From now on, she would not give him to chance to bully her. She’d avoid him like the plague.

What was he thinking? Philip thought irritably as he paced his room like a jailed beast. He’d broken all rules of polite society in the unacceptable way he treated her. He owed her an apology, due first thing in the morning.

This situation became fast unsustainable. He paced some more. His motives were none too noble either. He froze in front of the mirror. The cause there, in the swollen bulge in his elegant trousers. Sexual frustration. So deep and hot, he felt incapable of dealing with it! What was he supposed to do with this…state?

Her beauty, her sharpness, her defiance caused his blood to boil. Every time he and she were in the same room, this…result showed.

In an impulse, he unbuttoned himself and his large engorged member popped out. He gave it the relief it craved.

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