Page 45 of The Duke of her Dreams

Theodore smiled, feeling passion streak through his veins. It heated him up and cooled him at the same time, but not enough for his thoughts to be stilled. Instead, his mind was everywhere as he wanted to kiss her senselessly and slide his foot under her petticoats gently. Just like he desired at every dinner he had been invited to. Helen was even more beautiful when she writhed and resisted, and Theodore had no choice but to fall into a trap of his making.

He tilted his head down, breathing on her lips. Helen inhaled deeply, surrounded by his warmth. She was scared to be caught in that position, but a part of her was thrilled. Never had Helen ever felt this way before. She was always longing, searching for someone to make her feel this way. Now that she found him, Helen did not want him to leave. But he had no intentions of marrying, so she might as well enjoy their little pretense as long as it lasted.

“Are you going to kiss me?” she asked, flustered and reddening as the seconds passed.

Theodore smiled and leaned in even closer, stopping an escape by placing both hands on the tall hedges behind her. Helen was trapped like a mouse, unable to squirm her way free. All she could see were his deep blue eyes that were like the colored rooftop of the Haughton house, the light stubble on his chin, the wide arc of his arms and shoulders around her.

His blue eyes darkened even more as he inclined his head to the side. “Maybe. Maybe not. But who knows what I might do?”

Theodore was tired of putting a leash over his desires. He moved even closer, and his mind almost exploded at the sight of her slightly parted lips. He stared at the gleaming peridot necklace on her collarbone, the slight angle of her neck as she gazed at him, the agitated rise and fall of her breasts in the gown. Blood rushed to his legs, filling him up so that he barely had the control to hold himself in.

“Should I kiss you?”

Helen felt all the hairs on her neck stand on end. She saw the taut muscles of his shoulders strain against the clothes, the smile on his face that drew forth her darkest desires. At that moment, Helen knew that she had fallen in love. To someone who never wanted a bride.

She yanked herself from her thoughts, the smell of him serenading her from all sides. Whiskey and something else that she could not place.

A hand shook her awake. “Should I?”

Helen nodded softly, passion burning through her. It sent shivers down her spine, and she was drowning in desire.

“Yes,” she muttered finally, unable to stop the tingling sensation in her skin.

He leaned even closer, slanting his head over her face. Theodore took in a deep breath and smiled, brushing her lips with his fingers. “Now, now, we don’t want to be caught like this.”

Helen felt the disappointment slam into her, and she staggered back into the hedge, but Theodore’s hands were behind her immediately, curling around her neck and back. It steadied her, both inside and outside. The tension in the air was thick, weaving in around itself.

She tried to make small talk to clear up the air. “So, what about the mamas? Have they stopped disturbing your peace?”

Theodore walked forward, smiling at his achievement. He wanted to know her intentions, and he finally did. Now, he was sure that he could unshackle his desires around her and let it control him. He always liked to be in control, but around Helen, he wanted to be free.

“Well, the requests have stopped,” he replied lazily. “My grandmother is also starting to accept our match which gives her less time to craft her schemes.”

Helen smiled. At least something was working between them. She let out a throaty exhale, shuddering at the event that happened a few moments ago. Helen could have sworn that Theodore would kiss her. She saw the desire in his hooded eyes, the slight gulp in his throat as he leaned even closer. But now, there was only an awkward tension between them.

“I have always wanted to ask a question, Helen,” Theodore started, “but it is only proper that I ask for your permission before bringing up such a dreadful topic.”

Theodore had it in mind, but he did not want to upset her. The event turned her life upside down, but the blame gnawed on his mind every time he set his eyes on Helen. It was also the reason why he never wanted to do anything scandalous with her for fear that he might ruin her again.

“Oh?” Helen said, more of a strangled groan than a word. “What is that?”

“Walk with me,” he replied, holding his arm for her. “We can talk about it on the way back.”

Helen took his proffered arm, anxious to be so close to him again. Her thoughts became turbulent with every step, and it was really getting difficult to breathe in the corset.

“What happened that night, Helen?” he asked, his voice soft and melancholy.

“Which night, Your Grace?”

“As much as it pains me, I want to know what happened on the night of the Clyvedon Ball. When we met in those gardens.”

“I have decided to put the past behind me, Theodore. I do not want to remember.”

He stared straight ahead with a smile to keep up the ruse that they were talking about something funny. “I have not put it behind me, Helen. It has weighed on my heart, and I feel burdened every time I set my eyes on you.”

“And why is that?”

“Forgive my asking, but I just want to know,” he replied gruffly. “That is all, Helen. Satisfy my curiosity.”

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