Page 42 of A Duke for Stealing
“No,” she repeated, softer this time. Then she muttered. “It is actually quite lovely.”
“Then why do you not want it?”
“Because I do not wish to be looked at!”
The words rushed from Rose’s lips with an air of exhaustion and fear, and suddenly Everett had no problem fixating on hereyes. He realized then that his wife truly did have an issue with being among their society. Unlike him, she’d been the subject of ridicule, not just for her wallflower ways, but for her mother’s behavior as well. Betty had been the subject of gossip more than once at the gentleman’s club, and what had been said was none too kind.
It was then that Everett realized something. Rose had leaned into her duties of duchess and surrogate mother not because she thought it was expected of her, but because she preferred such responsibilities to going out to wine and dine with society’s elite. As getting married was his own personal hell, that was what going out for Rose was like. Suddenly understanding his mistake, Everett closed the space between them and wound an arm around her waist, and brought his other hand to her cheek. Relief flooded through him when she did not try to push him away, but instead leaned into his touch.
“Do not wear it if you do not wish to,” he stated. “I only wanted to gift you a gown you deserved. One that did not make you uncomfortable or cause you to itch. I apologize if it was too forward, but I wanted you to have something worthy of the work you have accomplished here.”
Rose’s shoulders slumped further, as if his praise had somehow made her feel worse.
“There’s something you must know, Rose,” he went on.
She slowly raised her blue eyes to his green ones, the tension in her brow easing a little.
“What is that?” She asked.
“You will stand out no matter what you wear. Not because of rumors, but because of your beauty,” he replied, caressing his thumb on the buttery soft skin of her cheek.
Even just that small touch had Everett’s body singing with joy.
God, she felt like heaven.
Appreciation filled her eyes, then she sank further into his embrace, resting her forehead on his shoulder. Pleasure rushed through him at the closer contact. She truly had no idea what she was doing to him.
“You are just saying that because you pity me,” she said.
“No,” he said, lifting both hands to her cheeks so he could raise her head to look at him. “I say it because it is true.”
CHAPTER TEN
“Stop that,” Rose whispered, looking up into Everett’s green eyes.
Everett smirked as he caressed his thumbs over her cheeks. The small touch sent delicious shivers down her body, and she had to fight the urge to sink deeper into his touch. How had this happened? One moment, they were arguing. The next thing she knew, she was wrapped in his embrace.
“Stop what?” He asked, his deep voice somehow dropping lower.
“Being kind,” she replied, “I do not know how to handle you when you are this kind.”
A low chuckle rumbled from his chest, but he did not stop touching her.
“You feel the need to ‘handle’ me?” He asked.
She felt a blush fill her cheeks, and she glanced away from his intense gaze. Of course, she needed to handle him. How else was she going to stop herself from falling for his tricks?
“You are tired,” Everett stated, moving his hand to the back of her neck. He gave it a gentle squeeze, and Rose couldn’t help but let out a small moan of relief as it eased some of the tension there.
“Yes,” she sighed, letting her eyes close as his massage continued.
“You are tense. It was a long day.”
“Mhmm,” she murmured, feeling her body grow heavy.
Everett’s other hand fell away from her cheek, and he wrapped it around her back. She let out another soft gasp as she felt his fingers run firmly down her spine, and she let her cheek rest once again on his shoulder.
“I can help you ease that tension, Rose,” Everett said, his deep voice dropping to a whisper. “If you let me.”
