Page 40 of A Gamble with the Rakish Duke
Before reason could take over again, he took her mouth in a searing kiss. All his frustration and pent-up desire fueled the way he claimed her mouth.
At first, she tensed up. He could feel her shock at the intensity of his kiss. However, she had not pushed him away. Not immediately.
After the momentary shock, she began kissing him back with equal fervor, her fingers tangling in his hair and tugging at the strands.
Everything else—the world beyond the hallway—fell away.
His hand moved from her face to trace the curve of her waist, pulling her closer until there was no gap between them. No space. That was exactly what Oliver wanted—for her to be his. For them to be finally one.
His touch was possessive, and he could feel Alexandra spiraling out of control. She clutched his coat for balance, sharing the heat of her body. Such heat should have consumed him, suffocated him, but it only egged him on. He knew that he had the upper hand because of his experience, but she was also a willing participant.
How far would he take this?
His hand slipped lower, skimming over the fabric of her gown, teasing her senses. He felt her skin quivering beneath his firm touch, and he was nearly undone by her short gasps of pleasure. Their closeness was unraveling them both.
Oliver broke the kiss, only to look at his wife with raw desire. “Tell me to stop, Duchess. Tell me you do not want my hands on your body, my mouth on your lips,” he panted.
Even as he asked, he could not help but press closer, grinding his hips against hers so she could feel his raging erection. Her eyes widened in surprise before she moaned softly, making more blood rush to his manhood if that was even possible.
“Have I rendered you speechless?” he asked, knowing full well that he was playing a dangerous game.
Perhaps she was attracted to him. Perhaps she was merely curious. Seduced. He did not want seduction. He wanted her towantthis. To ache for it.
“How about this?” he asked, flattening his palm against her stomach.
He slowly trailed his fingers up, giving her the opportunity to say no with each move.
She had not said no.
Yet.
Alexandra appeared to have forgotten how to breathe as his fingers skimmed over a breast.
“How about this?” he asked again as he traced his thumb over the swell of her breast.
She closed her eyes, her lips parted in a silent sigh.
She still had not said no as he played with her erect nipple. Her eyes remained closed, and her hips bucked against his.
“I want to taste you. I want to see you,” Oliver said through ragged breaths.
He pressed his forehead against hers and tried to gauge her reaction Her only response was a whimper and a heavy-lidded look.
“I can see how much you want this, too, Alexandra,” he murmured as he slowly got down to his knees in front of her. “How badly you need it.”
His words were like a caress, stroking her gently and seductively. He knew that he was succeeding when her hips bucked again. She was seeking some form of relief that only he could offer.
“Please…” she whispered hoarsely, her voice thick with unspoken desires.
Still unknown to her.
Oliver’s eyes darkened, and he shifted forward slightly, aligning himself with her. His hand slid down the soft fabric of her dress until it reached the hem, before sliding back up her leg. His fingers grazed the soft flesh of her inner thighs, making her breath catch in her throat. He saw her bite her lip to stifle the noises coming out of her.
“You don’t have to hold back,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re with me. You don’t have to hold back with me.”
Her resolve crumbled at his words, and she let out a shaky breath, her hips rolling forward to meet his hand. He rewarded her willingness with a firmer touch, his fingers tracing delicatepatterns on her skin. Each stroke sent a jolt of electricity through her, pooling low in her belly and making her desperate for more.
“Oliver…” she breathed, her voice trembling.
