Page 47 of A Trap by the Rakish Duke
A gracious smile lingered on Aurelia’s lips as she excused herself and stepped off the dance floor. However, before she could take more than a few steps toward the refreshments table she felt a familiar presence closing in behind her.
She didn’t need to turn around to know that it was Philip. His anger radiated from him like the heat from a fire, and she braced herself for what was sure to be another confrontation.
“Aurelia.” Philip’s voice was low, but there was no mistaking the edge to it.
She ignored him, attempting to lose herself in the crowd, but Philip was not one to be evaded easily.
“Come with me,” he told her as his hand closed around her wrist, firm yet careful.
He guided her out of the crowded ballroom and toward an alcove hidden from the curious eyes of the Ton.
“Are you avoiding me now?” he asked, his voice rough with accusation, his grip tightening as they reached the shadows.
Aurelia turned to face him, her chest rising with the effort to remain calm. “Avoiding you?” she echoed, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “I do not believe I could even if I tried. You seem to be everywhere.”
“Everywhere?” he scoffed, his dark eyes narrowing. “Or is it you who has been flirting with my friend?”
“Your friend?” Aurelia’s lips curled into a bitter smile. “You sound almost possessive, Your Grace. I did not think you would care.”
“You are mine, Aurelia,” he bit out, stepping closer, his breath warm against her skin. “My Duchess. My wife.Mine.”
The tension between them crackled like a storm ready to surge. Aurelia’s heart pounded in her chest, her pulse quickening as Philip’s nearness overwhelmed her senses. She should have pushed him away, should have marched away like she always did, but she couldn’t.
His eyes darkened and before she could utter another word, Philip gripped her shoulders and pushed her back against the wall.
The feel of the cold stone against her back sent a shock through her body, but the heat radiating from him was intoxicating.
Without further warning, Philip’s lips crashed against hers with a fierce urgency, stealing her breath as her hands instinctively reached for his coat, fisting the fabric in a blend of anger and desire.
Aurelia gasped against his mouth, but he silenced her with a deep, possessive kiss.
His hands roamed downward, tracing the curve of her waist before slipping beneath her skirt. Her breath hitched, her body trembling as his touch ignited a fire within her that she hadn’t known existed.
“Philip…” she breathed, but he pressed his hand to her mouth, his eyes dark with intent.
“Quiet,” he murmured against her ear, his voice husky. “Someone might hear.”
Her muffled moans betrayed the intensity of her pleasure as his fingers danced over her moist, waiting mound, stroking her with expert precision.
Lord help me.
The feel of his skin against hers, the roughness of his palm contrasting with the silky skin of her thighs sent shockwaves through her body. She had read about moments like this in the guide, but nothing had prepared her for the real thing. It was so much more than the words on the pages could communicate.
“You like that, do you not?”
Aurelia’s eyes widened in shock at her husband’s question.
“Give me an answer if you do not want me to stop.” Philip’s finger inside her stopped moving, but she could still feel their pressure and warmth.
“I…I do like it,” she struggled to say, and a smile spread across her husband’s face.
“Good little lamb,” he murmured.
His words somehow heightened the sweet shivers coursing through her.
“Only I can make you feel this way, Aurelia. Only I can touch you like this,” he purred, his fingers moving inside her again.
Her senses were almost clouded, but she’d heard it, the slight desperation in his voice that made his words sound more like a plea.
