Page 62 of Not the Duke's Virgin

His kiss was domineering, demanding, heating her blood like nothing she had ever felt before. When they finally broke apart for air, Victoria’s head was spinning.

Simon traced his fingers across her swollen lower lip. “Are you certain this is what you want?” he rasped. “There will be no going back from this.”

In answer, Victoria twined her arms around his neck and pulled him in for another searing kiss. With a low groan, Simon lifted her effortlessly and carried her over to the wide leather sofa. They fell onto it in a tangle of limbs, hands roaming feverishly over each other.

Victoria moaned as Simon’s lips trailed hot, open-mouthed kisses down the column of her throat while his fingers worked at the fastenings of her dress. She hardly recognized herself in this wanton creature writhing beneath him.

Victoria’s hips tilted against Simon’s, her breasts against his chest. Her entire body sent a message that she was now ready to have him.

“You feel so good,” Simon whispered.

In response, she unfastened his pants gently and stroked his warm manhood with her hand.

He slid his hands between her legs and worked his middle finger slowly inside her.

“Ooh!” She sighed as he slid his finger deep inside her.

Before she knew it, he was on top of her and pushed his hard manhood inside her. After several thrusts, he had to hold still. If he kept thrusting harder and faster, he would explode due to her tightness. He wanted to come with her.

After a few more thrusts, she couldn’t hold it any longer, “Simon… I’m coming!”

Upon feeling her come, he could not hold it any longer and exploded deep inside her.

When at last they lay spent and panting, bodies still entwined, Simon pressed a surprisingly tender kiss to her temple. “Was that sufficient to accomplish your aim?” he murmured, a hint of humor in his tone.

Victoria huffed out a breathless laugh. “I believe so, yes.”

Simon’s expression turned serious then. He rolled onto his side and propped himself up on one elbow to look down at her. “Why did you come to me asking for this?” he asked quietly. “You must have been aware of the risk to your reputation.”

Victoria bit her lip, averting her gaze. This was the opening she had been waiting for. “My reputation is already ruined,” she admitted softly. “By your brother.”

Simon went very still. “What did you say?”

Haltingly at first, and then with growing confidence, Victoria told him about Oliver’s despicable blackmail scheme. She confessed the sordid details of how he had threatened to expose her sister Aurora’s out-of-wedlock pregnancy unless she agreed to pose as his fiancée.

“He swore the engagement would be brief, just long enough to claim the inheritance,” she explained miserably. “I only wanted to protect my sister’s honor.”

By the time she finished, Simon’s expression was thunderous. He got up and began pacing, raking an agitated hand through his hair.

“That underhanded bastard,” he bit out. “I’ll wring his deceitful neck!”

“Please, don’t blame him too harshly,” Victoria implored. “I’m the one who agreed to go along with his ruse. I take full responsibility.”

Simon whirled to face her. “You were coerced by threats against your family,” he said fiercely. “Do not excuse his reprehensible behavior for one moment.”

He knelt before her then, taking her hands in his. “You were incredibly brave to come here tonight and reveal the truth. Rest assured, I will put a stop to my brother’s schemes immediately.”

Victoria’s eyes shimmered with tears. “Truly? You believe me?”

“Of course, I believe you,” Simon said gruffly. “I know you now to be a woman of integrity.”

He brought her hands to his lips in a gesture of respect that surprised her.

Victoria gave him a tremulous smile. “Thank you, Your Grace. You cannot know what a relief it is to unburden myself of this dreadful secret.”

Simon’s expression turned grim. “We must discuss what is to be done about it now. If word of your sister’s condition gets out to more people…”

“It may be too late for that,” Victoria admitted bleakly. “I fear Lord Oliver may have already betrayed her confidence. He knows the truth coming from him will destroy my reputation and invalidate our engagement.”

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