Page 30 of Five Nights with a Rakish Duke
“Each time I win a round, I am able to take something from you.”
“Take?” she said, sitting back in her chair. “I do not like the idea of this game at all.”
“Wait now,” he said, placing the cards down as he turned in his chair, facing her properly. “I didn’t say what it was that I would take.”
“What is it?” she asked, keeping her eyes on him.
He reached out to her, placing a hand on the underside of her chair before drawing her slowly to him. She let out a sound of surprise and picked her feet up off the floor, allowing him to slide the chair all the way until she was placed beside him. She pressed her cards to the open neckline of her dress, keeping them hidden from view.
“A kiss,” he explained, leaning down toward her and hovering his lips over hers.
“Each time you win a round, you get a kiss?” she asked, tilting her head to the side. The angle she offered him was an invitation to kiss her. He was about to lean forward and take it when she turned her head away, defying him. “What do I get if I win?”
Humored by her, he sat back, letting his smile take over. “What would you like?”
“If I win a round…” she paused and lowered her cards, fiddling with them again. “You must tell me a secret.”
“A secret of my choosing or yours?”
“Mine,” she said triumphantly.
“In which case, I hope I am as good at this game as I like to think I am,” he said and snatched up his cards again. “Your turn to begin, Lady Penelope.” She giggled and placed down her cards. They continued for a few goes until the round was complete, at which point Asher tapped the table in frustration.
“Damn, so close,” he said dramatically, earning more laughter from Lady Penelope as she gathered up the cards.
“It seems your pride let you down. What is that saying about pride coming before a fall?” she said, teasing him and making him laugh.
“Yes, I know; I lost,” Asher said, controlling his mirth. “So, take your winnings. What secret would you like to know of me?”
She gathered the cards and shuffled them for a minute, biting her lip as she looked to the ceiling in thought. That simple move made him lean toward her again, desiring to be nipping at that lip as she was doing. Her eyes flicked down to him, widening in warning.
“What? Too close to you?” he said in a tease. “Do you wish me to sit back?”
“Maybe,” she said softly.
“That was not a yes.” To his words, she laughed and shook her head before her eyes returned to him, clearly struck by an idea.
“I know what I wish to know,” she said.
“Go ahead.”
“What is it you do to ensure the ladies that you charm enjoy your company at night?” Her bold question made him smile and lean forward again.
“I do love how audacious you are in conversation, Lady Penelope,” he said in a quiet voice. She raised a single eyebrow as though she doubted him.
“Most men do not like a bold woman.”
“I am not most men.”
“That is certainly true.”
“You wish to know what I show these women?” he asked and leaned even further toward her, angling his head toward her ear. She didn’t back away from him though her hands stalled around the stack of cards. “I like to make them feel something,” he started slowly, whispering so that his lips nearly brushed the top of her neck.
“Feel what?” she asked.
“Desired,” he went on. “Adored. There’s something else too.” He passed his lips over the top of her neck, not quite kissing her but tantalizing her with it. “A feeling of… pleasure.” She shivered, making him smile against the curve of her neck. “Cold, My Lady?”
“Not in the slightest,” she said breathily. He laughed and lifted his head from the crook of her neck, turning his gaze to see her blushing cheeks.
