Page 67 of His Forbidden Duchess
“Yes, of course. Your Graces,” Stephen said with a bow and walked out of the room.
Eloise watched him leave, aghast at Felix’s behavior. She turned to him as soon as the door closed.
“Was that necessary?”
Felix sat down in Stephen’s place and frowned at her. “Necessary? You tell me.”
“He was a perfectly delightful man who?—”
“Whom my wife was entertaining in our home? Yes, I believe itwasnecessary.”
Eloise stood up and began pacing the room, twisting her fingers together in frustration. “I was being polite, Felix, carrying out my duty as the duchess and lady of this house. There is no need to be rude to our guests.”
“Rude?” He let out a bark of laughter and stood up, approaching her. “You were laughing with him, Eloise. Laughing! As if that was even slightly appropriate. I will not tolerate such behavior from my wife, and certainly not in my own drawing room.”
“Your wife in name only, remember,” she shot back, glaring at him.
Felix growled. “You know what I mean, Eloise. Do not play dumb.”
“I see. So now I am to avoid laughing as well because it might encourage some poor man?” she retorted, her voice rising. “That is absurd, Felix, and you know it. I did not want to keep the man company, I was happy in the library, but the man he came to visit was out drinking. What was I supposed to do?”
Before she could take another breath, he moved in, closing the space between them with rapid footsteps.
He backed her against the wall, pinning her there, and her thoughts flashed back to how she had felt the last time he had done so. His eyes burned with frustration but also with desire and something much darker.
“You cannot speak to me that way, Eloise,” he said, his voice low and dangerous, his hands braced against the wall on either side of her.
Their sudden proximity made her heart pound; she even welcomed the smell of brandy on his breath.
She lifted her chin defiantly, daring him to push her further. “Or what, Your Grace? What will you do?”
He glared at her, jaw clenched, and they stared into one another’s eyes for what felt like a century.
Eloise encouraged him and pleaded with him in her mind. She squirmed her body, hoping he would feel her brush up against him and be unable to resist.
His gaze flickered down to her lips, and in one swift, impulsive motion, he captured her mouth with his own. The kiss was fiercely demanding, and Eloise yielded, her fingers curling into the lapels of his jacket as he pressed her into the wall.
One of his hands slipped around her waist, pulling her body flush against his. The fire between them ignited, and Felix responded with a hungry groan that left her breathless.
She pushed her hips out, driving herself into him. She could feel his excitement through the thin fabric of her gown. His other hand reached up and seized her breast, squeezing it so tightly that she let out a gasp. His firm grasp sent waves of passion through her, and she knew she could no longer ignore her desire.
She ran her hands along his sides, feeling first his waist and then his hips. Boldly, she moved her hand between his legs and cupped him. He moaned in her mouth, biting down on her bottom lip. Hearing his reaction, she pressed against him harder, moving in a rhythmic motion.
Felix knocked her hand away and drove her once more into the wall.
“You aremine,” he growled low into her ear. “And as such, you will wait until you areinvitedto touch me.”
“Yes, Your Grace,” she breathed, the use of his title sending shivers of excitement through her.
“Good.”
He yanked up the skirt of her gown, making her yelp in surprise. The cool air hit her bare flesh, and she shuddered. He ran his hand over her hips and buttocks, but when he moved around to face her, he nudged her thighs until she spread her legs apart.
He stared into her eyes as he brushed his fingers over her most sensitive parts. She opened her mouth, her breath escaping her. She did not think she could bear it if he stopped. Her eyes silently urged him to continue.
He parted her slowly, his fingers gently stroking her moist pearl as he gauged her reaction. She mewled for him then gasped as he pushed his fingers inside her.
Her body knew how to respond, acting as if on its accord. Her hips moved in time with his fingers, driving the pleasure through her as her stomach clenched with lust. She closed her eyes and rested the back of her head against the wall as he leaned in and kissed her neck.
