Page 48 of Her Wicked Duke
“Answer me,” he said softly.
He was so handsome, with his mussed hair and flushed neck and rumpled clothes.
“I do,” she answered shakily.
“Were you close to climaxing, Anne?”
She nodded, trying to fight back a soft sound of pleasure at the reminder.
“What a shame,” he drawled, as though he remained unaffected. “You haven’t proven yourself to me just yet, my darling.” He cocked his head even as the affectionate name warmed her heart. “I shall tell you this only once, Anne. Good girls get to have their wishes fulfilled.”
What about you?she wished to ask him, but the words died on her tongue as that reprimand curled through her.
Good girl.
Alexander watched her, and she tried to compose herself. Her breasts were heaving, almost spilling out of her dress thanks to her lowered sleeves. She imagined she was the picture of a truly debauched lady. She shifted her arms so her chest looked fuller, more alluring, just to watch Alexander’s eyes drop to her breasts.
“Perhaps the Earl would not leave a woman desiring more than he could give,” she teased.
But it was the wrong move. Her wrists were swiftly seized and pinned above her head as his lips crashed against hers, stealing her breath. He kissed her deeply and hungrily.
“Do not mistake me, Anne,” he murmured against her skin as he held her close. “I do not leave a woman wanting because I cannot give her more. But this is a lesson and a reward in one. Heed those lessons, Anne, and next time you shall receive more.” He stepped back, his eyes darkening. “Mark my words, I shall have you writhing with pleasure and gasping my name, but why give you everything at once when I could keep you waiting, as you have kept me waiting?”
He cocked his head again as if to say,Well?
“I believe we have more artwork to admire,” he then added, smiling as if he hadn’t just undone her with a few words.
The remainder of their outing passed by excruciatingly. Anne was hot and bothered, and she was sure at least one person out here had heard her moan Alexander’s name.
As for her hair, she had fixed it as well as she could in front of the mirror, but it still looked disheveled. Her dress had been righted, but Alexander had gotten a little rougher with his kisses, and, unlike him, she was not wearing a high-collar jacket.
Alexander looked quite pleased with himself. She was sure this had been his only reason for announcing their courtship.
By the time they had made it out of the exhibition and into the carriage to go back to Angleton Estate, Alexander wascomposed, but Anne’s mind was back in that study, her legs parted on the desk, his hand between her legs, teasing her.
“This weekend, you and your mother shall dine with my grandmother,” he said as she got out of the carriage once they arrived. A figure moved behind the window on the first floor, but Anne pretended not to notice that her mother was watching them. “She has extended an invitation for an afternoon tea. Your father need not attend. I am sure he has other matters to attend to.”
The message was clear.No arguments. No clearing up your parents’ mess.
Alexander was sparing her from playing mediator for one event.
She put on her best, most polite smile. “Thank you, Alexander. Send word for the time and day, and we shall be there.”
“I know you will.” His blue eyes sparkled, his dark hair brushing his neck as he looked away from her. “Goodbye, Anne. I had…funtoday. Remember what I told you.”
She did not think she could forget it so easily.
He left in his carriage, and Anne went back into the manor, heading straight upstairs, where her mother was waiting for her on the landing. The giddy smile on her face made Anne stop halfway up the stairs. In her hands was a letter that she waved.
“It seems like Alexander is not the only gentleman pursuing you,” Annette announced.
For a moment, Anne thought that her mother had read the letter and discovered her stalker.
As I feared.She sees it as positive attention.
But as she got closer, she saw that the seal was unbroken, and although fear coursed through her, she was relieved to know that her mother still did not know about her stalker.
“Do you know who it could be from?” her mother asked.
