Page 21 of Debating with the Duke (Second Sons of London 2)

Chapter Seven

Shock filled Adalyn,enraging her. That the duke had the audacity to put his hands—much less his mouth—on her drew her ire. She struggled against him a moment, too close to knee him in his groin as Louisa had taught her and Tessa to do in case a man became too forward.

As she struggled, though, her senses were overwhelmed by this man. The spice of his cologne enveloped her as much as his strong arms did. The feel of his hard, muscled body against hers affected her in a way she couldn’t explain.

And his lips crushed against hers stirred new feelings which puzzled her. Frightened her.

Thrilled her.

She had been kissed before, unlike Louisa, probably half a dozen times over the years since she’d made her come-out. None of these kisses had stirred anything within her.

Until this kiss now with a man she decidedly loathed.

A few of her previous kisses had been light, the man’s lips barely touching hers. Twice, they had been sloppy, with both men drooling on her.

Adalyn couldn’t say what this kiss was, only that there was power behind it. A force that seemed to drain her will and bend her to his.

She opened her mouth to protest. To tell off this dolt. Before she could begin to express to the Duke of Camden exactly what she thought of him, her open mouth allowed him to slip his tongue inside. She wanted to protest his actions, but found a delicious warmth wrapping about her, warming her from the inside. Suddenly, she realized she liked his kiss. His hold relaxed and Adalyn realized if she truly wanted to escape, now was the time to do so.

She didn’t.

Instead, as if they had a will of their own, her hands slid up the wall of his chest and entwined about his neck.

The duke took that as a sign of encouragement and deepened the kiss. His tongue explored every crevice of her mouth, like velvet stroking her. Somehow, she found herself responding. Pulling him down closer. Wanting him and this kiss. Her tongue began to mate with his in a playful dance. He would retreat and she followed. She would pull back and he charged forth, seeking her out again.

Adalyn grew dizzy with the assault and clung to him even more, her aching breasts pushing against him. His arms had gone about her and his hands moved up and down her back, causing delicious tingles to ripple through her.

Then he broke the kiss, his lips still hovering just above hers. She could feel his breath and hear how uneven it was, much like her own.

Instead of releasing her, his mouth touched hers again. This time, his lips softly brushed against hers, causing a deep yearning to fill her. He continued a series of soft kisses which were as lethal as his others had been.

Adalyn fought to control her body. To assert herself and break the kiss. But that would mean forgoing these delicious feelings. She had never thought herself weak. Her father accused her of being the most hardheaded person he had ever known. Yet now, when she should exercise her own will forcefully, she shrank, giving this man control over her.

Camden gave her one final kiss, so gentle and promising. He pulled away and she opened her eyes. She saw his intense gray eyes staring at her. They were dark with desire.

And she had put that desire there.

A surge of awareness filled her as she found the feminine power within her for the first time.

Adalyn realized his hands now gently clasped her waist and she tried to step back. His fingers tightened.

“I did not hurt Miss Goulding,” the duke said solemnly. “I would never hurt any woman. Yes, she was a bit upset when she left me but I believe we now call one another friend. I will admit I had thought she might be a good match for me but we both understand that will not come to be.”

“And what of me, Your Grace?” she asked, her heart racing.

“I . . . I don’t know, my lady.” He released her and took a step back. “You did not give me permission to kiss you and, for that, I do apologize.”

“You better be glad no one saw this,” she said, her hackles raising.

Camden gave her a rueful smile. “I understand,” he said quietly. “Tessa has told me that you are the person who could share with me the many rules of theton. I do know if we had been seen together in an embrace that I would have done the proper thing and wed you.”

“Who says I would have wished to wed you?” she challenged. “When I marry, it will be for love,” Adalyn told him, even though love had not been on her composed list. “I believe you to be arrogant and foolish, two things I cannot abide. Regardless of what Tessa said, I wish to spend as little time with you as possible.”

She crossed her arms protectively and added, “I know you are dear to Spencer and Tessa and that we will be forced to see one another in social situations. However, do not expect a repeat of what just occurred between us,” she said haughtily.

“I understand, my lady. I promise I will never seek you out in that manner again. I . . .” His face flushed with color, endearing him to her for a moment. “I don’t believe I have ever done anything that bold before and certainly don’t plan to repeat my actions.”

“You better not,” she scolded. “Although you are a duke. Polite Society forgives a duke almost anything.”

---