Page 54 of A Bride for the Cruel Duke

He lifted it hastily about her knees. She gasped and his other hand had since moved to her waist, wrapping around her and holding her body into him. She pretended to struggle, moaning as she did so he would know she liked what he did. And still kissing her, she saw the grin on his lips.

That was when he pulled back. He stared right at her, his gaze piercing as his hand moved up her chemise and his fingers began to stroke her thighs. It sent a ripple across her bare skin, her body shuddering, knees almost collapsing. And as his fingers traced their way further north, she just about cried out.

“What are you...?”

“Do you trust me” he asked, his fingers now finding their way to the edge of her lips.

“I…”

“Do you trust me?” he asked again, leaning in so that his lips traced her neck. “I made you a promise, and I will not break it.” His tongue licked her neck, and she moaned. “So, I ask again. Do you trust me?”

“I… I… I am not sure I do…” She was teasing him, sensing that was what he wanted to hear.

“You…” He ran his tongue up her neck and toward her ear, biting down on her earlobe. She gasped and he tore his teeth back, breathing into her ear again. “I can stop, if you like.”

“No!” she gasped.

“Tell me then. Tell me that you trust me, or I will.” His fingers still traced her lips, stroking gently, sending her thighs to quiver and shake and melt.

Caroline found in that moment that she trusted him fully. A marriage she was forced into. A promise broken by accident. A new arrangement made. None of it was Anthony’s fault and he had tried from the beginning to be reasonable. Now, it was her turn to do the same.

“I trust you,” she whispered into his ear. “I trust you.”

“Good girl.” That was when his fingers slipped inside of her.

Caroline had never felt such pleasure. It truly was indescribable. Caught between fear and excitement, not sure if she should scream or moan, her body collapsed and then went immediately rigid, a gasp escaping her lips and then her breath catching as she felt him enter her.

He was surprisingly gentle. His fingers, they traced her lips and then dipped inside of her. They pressed softly against her walls, testing her to see how she moved and how she breathed. Her eyes were shut tight, imagining now the way he held her and forced himself on her, picturing the snarl on his lips and the hunger in his eyes. Those fingers started to move in and out, quickly now, and she could feel her wetness coating them.

“Oh... Anthony... that... stop...” she moaned, her body spasming as waves of pleasure rolled over her. “Stop—don’t. Don’t stop...”

“Now you want it,” he growled, his fingers still working her.

“I… I do,” she forced from her lips. “So much.”

“Do you want more?” he whispered in her ear as his fingers slipped from inside of her, finding their way to the small bud at the top of her womanhood. It was a center of nerves, and pleasure erupted as if from an explosion the moment he touched it.

“Yes.”

“How much more?”

“All of it,” she stammered and gasped. “All of you.”

He groaned as he continued to stroke her. The hand on her waist moved to her throat; not tight, but forceful. He held her pinned against the wall, nothing she could do, his to command and do with as he pleased. If he wanted to take her then and there, he could. Nothing would stop him. And Caroline, despite her protests, knew she would let him.Dammit, I want him to. God, how I want it...

“No” Anthony said finally, his voice tinged now with a sense of frustration which only served to arouse her further. “I made you a promise, remember.”

Still pinned to his body, Anthony continued to pleasure Caroline with his fingers. His stroked her. He slipped his fingers inside of her. He pressed against her walls and curled his fingers and moved them to the rhythm of her breathing. The way her body shook! Soon enough, Caroline could feel it coming inside of her. Like a flower opening to the light. Like a fire devouring through kindling. Like a keg of gunpowder lit by a fuse. It came on strong and when it did, it was all she could do not to explode.

“Oh... oh... oh...” Her body went stiff. Her breath caught. Her heart seized. Anthony held her against the wall as her body rebelled. Sweat broke from her pores. She turned hot then cold then hot again. And when she screamed, it was so loud she was certain that even her sisters would be able to hear her.

Then, just as quickly as it had started, it was over.

Anthony stepped back from her and she opened her eyes finally. He wore a coy smile on his lips, pleased with himself. Although, there was something else there… a look she couldn’t quite discern.

“Is something the matter?” she asked through heavy breathing.

He gave his head a shake. “Not at all. Just… just pleased to see you enjoying yourself. It’s about time you did, I think.”

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