Page 63 of The Duke's Pet

She allowed herself to melt a little as he gazed at her with such affection. She’d drop the subject of Mrs. Cook for now; there’d be another time for that.

When they’d eaten their meal, Jemima stifled a yawn. Despite a good night’s sleep it had been a long day, emotionally wearing too, plus her ass was sore.

She wriggled on the chair, needing to change position.

“Come.” He stood. “Let us retire.”

A quiver of nerves tightened her belly. They were to go to bed again, as male and female but not man and wife. Was tonight the night the duke would claim his purchase of her?

Much as losing her virginity made her anxious, she was also drawn to the duke and how he made her feel. If he decided that now was the time, she would be at peace with her lot.

They climbed the stairs in silence, and when they reached the bedroom, they found it bathed in the silvery glow of moonlight.

For a moment Jemima stood and stared, marveling at the magical quality of the moon’s rays as they slipped over the furniture.

“It’s a full moon,” the duke said, stating the obvious.

“It’s beautiful.” She stared up at it through the window.

“Yes, it is.” He stroked her cheek. “Very.”

She shifted her attention to him and smiled. “Are we to be intimate now?”

“In a manner?” He gently set his lips over hers. “Are you anxious to rid yourself of your maidenhood?”

“Not overly so... but I’d like it to be you, Sir.”

“It will be.” He kissed her again. “But not tonight. Tonight you have another lesson to learn, little kitten.”

“What is that?”

“Soon you will see.” He undid the first lace on her dress. “Loose this dress and get into bed.”

She took the dress off, then the stay, conscious of him watching her, then stalled at the side of the bed, wondering if her chemise should also be removed.

“No, they can stay,” he said a little sharply. “I think that would be better for my self-control.”

“Self-control?”

He nodded. “Into the bed.”

Again the sheets were cool but she didn’t think of it for long, because the duke was undressing.

She admired his wide chest and broad back, and then his long lean legs with a sprinkling of hair on them. When he removed his undergarments, his cock was revealed.

For a moment he stood utterly naked and bathed in moonlight.

Jemima knew she’d never seen a more beautiful man. She’d also never seen a cock before so the sheer size of it, sticking outward from his body, had her nerves tripping over themselves.

He ran his hand through his hair, showing a dark patch of underarm fluff that matched that on his chest and around his cock. Then he walked to the bed and slipped between the sheets.

“Tonight,” he said, sidling up to her, his body warm and familiar, “you will learn how to please a man with your hand.”

“My hand?”

“Oh, sweet girl, you really are so innocent, it delights me.”

“I’m pleased to delight you but... but surely you’d wish for someone a little more experienced. It’s only for a week and—”

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