Page 26 of The Duke's Ultimatum

He leaned in closer. She could smell the mixture of whisky and cigar smoke. Her head swirled with the intoxicating scent and his closeness to her.

Graynor raised an eyebrow as he dipped his head, bringing his mouth closer to hers.

Oh, heavens. Is he about to kiss me?Turn away! Run! Do something, Eleanor!

Eleanor leaned in towards him.

Anything but that!

Eleanor ignored the alarm bells ringing in her head. She kept her eyes locked on him, afraid to move any closer, and waited for the kiss that never came.

Graynor paused his descent and pulled back. With a sigh, he turned. “Teasing is no fun if I’m the only one playing.”

“What?” Her voice was a mere squeak.

He returned to the bench to pick up his coat he shucked off prior and picked it up. “Like I said, I like a variety of female companionships, but I draw the line at forcing one. I like to be on an even playing field withand my partner willing.”

Eleanor stood, shocked. She couldn’t decipher the feelings that bombarded her sensations. Lust, embarrassment, frustration, and confusion all flew throughout her veins making her hot and anxious.

She watched as he walked towards her then past her, dismissing her and their interaction.

Rage won out.

Before he was out of reach, she grabbed his arm and turned him to her. She barely gave him time to register her actions when she launched up onto her toes and kissed him.

Graynor grunted at her attack but quickly dismissed any concerns when he grabbed her waist and held her close to him.

One hand settled around her neck and positioned her head to allow him to take the kiss deeper.

Eleanor’s head began to swim. Her body felt on fire as her hands found purchase in his hair. Graynor groaned as Eleanor tugged at his hair, eliciting her own moan to mix with his.

Her body gave in to her primal instinct to be completely lost to this man. With his one hand still around her neck, his other reached down to cup her bottom, causing Eleanor to squeak with surprise.

She felt a smile form on his lips at her reaction, but it didn’t slow down their kiss. Diving deeper into her mouth, their tongues fought each other for control. It became harder for Eleanor to remain in control of her body. It was completely lost to him. Her feelings, her emotions, her body—they were all there for him to take.

Graynor’s lips broke from her mouth and moved down to leave a trail of hot kisses down her throat. When he reached the base of her throat, he found a sweet spot right where her neck met her shoulder. He sucked, causing her to moan into the night.

Hearing her own moan, Eleanor opened her eyes. The haze of lust began to dissipate as she realized what she was doing. Horrified, Eleanor pushed Graynor away.

“What is wrong?” Graynor’s eyes were glassy with lust, his shoulders heaving from his heavy breathing. “Are you all right? Did I hurt you?”

The Duke genuinely looked concerned over her safety.

But her words were lost to her embarrassment. Once again, she was mesmerized by this man, and it led her to doing things she never would have considered doing.

Eleanor could only shake her head as she pushed past him to run back to the safety of her bedroom.

Whatever sorcery this man had over her, she had to figure out a way to protect herself from it, or she would find herself ruined and chained to the one man in thetonshe wanted nothing to do with.

Derek stood watching Eleanor run from him. It took him a few moments to slow down his breathing. Her form finally disappeared into the darkness of the veranda, and he sat down on the bench.

Once again, he sat with his head in his hands.Thank God this bloody day is over.

It wasn’t bad enough that he had to deal with three women who he barely knew, but the actress of his choice didn’t satiate his appetite.

In fact, it wasn’t until a certain woman infiltrated his peace that he felt some semblance of peace.

Derek laughed.Peace.Nothing about Eleanor was peaceful. It was like she was designed to interfere with his plans with one haughty word after another. He’d only been here a few weeks, yet every interaction with the scamp has left him frustrated and not only mentally.

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