Page 33 of A Duke's Sinful Bargain
“Why not?” she wondered as he led her through a barely lit corridor, having taken off her coat beforehand. Her gown was beyond beautiful, but it was her who shone through it. She twirled as she stopped for a moment. “This place is magical.”
He smiled. “No one has ever referred to my home as magical.”
“When you think about it, every home is magical,” she mused, passing by portraits of his ancestors and vases adorned with flowers. Her gaze lingered on each and every item, as if she wanted to imprint them onto her memory. He wondered why.
“What do you mean?” he inquired, trailing slowly behind her. He wanted to drink in the sight of her, the curiosity that emanated off of her that evening. He could tell something was different, and he liked it.
She turned to him to respond. “I mean, homes are magical. They are your shelter from the world. They are not only means of physical sustenance, but also spiritual. Nowhere in the world do you feel as you do in your own home.”
“So… you think my home is magical?” He smirked. “Does that mean you feel at home here?”
She bit her lower lip without replying. The sight drove him mad. He wanted to be the one biting that same lip, sucking it, licking and soothing the sting he had created. But there would be plenty of time for that. He would be patient.
“I have said what I have said,” she said mysteriously, which made him chuckle. “What do we have here?” she asked, disappearing into one of the rooms they were yet to pass by.
He followed her inside the piano room, a haven of music and refinement. She immediately headed toward the grand piano, a masterpiece of polished wood and gleaming keys, which occupied a prominent place in the room. While he himself did not play, the orders for the servants were to upkeep the instrument.
He didn’t say anything. He merely relished the sight of Anna, who seemed to be drawn to the allure of the instrument almost as much as he was drawn to her. He watched her run her fingers lightly over the keys, just like he wanted to do over her pebbled nipples. Her fingers produced a soft, haunting melody that echoed through the room. He knew she, too, would produce a most melodious sound, moans unlike any he had ever heard before. His manhood stirred, igniting the fire inside of him. It was still not the time.
“May I?” she asked as she turned to him, hope etched in her smile.
“By all means.” He gestured at the instrument, curious to hear her play.
She sat down, her fingers hovering over the keys for a brief moment, as if she were endeavoring to decide what to play. The silence felt like a magical prelude to the musical delight he was about to witness. The moment she began to play, magic spilled into every corner of the room. The notes, a gentle cascade of sound, enveloped him into a warm embrace.
He watched her play with confidence, although it seemed as if she were barely touching the keys. The familiarity with which she played spoke of a deep connection with the piano. It was obvious that she had spent years practicing, which came as a surprise to him. How much was there to know about her? What else could she do? He wanted to know everything.
Her eyes were closed as her entire body swayed to the sound of the notes she was producing. She was not even looking at the instrument. For a moment, they were both lost in the music, which seemed to create an intimate space where the unspoken truth found its means of expression.
When she stopped, her eyes were still closed. Her playing left an echo of the haunting melody that had previously filled the air around them.
“That was… remarkable,” he offered sincerely. “It is a rare and delightful talent.”
“See?” She smiled, opening her eyes. “You are not the only one with talents.”
“Oh.” He couldn’t help but chuckle at her comment, weaving onto the conversation they had had the previous time. “I had that coming, I admit.”
“Yes.” She chuckled as well, and her laughter was even more melodious than the music he had just heard.
“Why don’t we head to the dining room?” he suggested.
“And cut the tour of your home short?” she asked, sounding playfully disappointed.
He walked over to her and offered her his arm. “One has to keep guests wanting more so they might return.”
“Aha.” She laughed sweetly, leaning into him and allowing him to lead her to the dining room.
As the evening unfolded, their shared glances became more and more passionate. Alexander could barely control himself from standing up, taking her into his arms, and making love to her right there in the dining hall. Everything about her was thrilling, from the way she spoke and smiled to the way her fingers caressed the utensils she held.
As she playfully lifted her wine glass, she remarked. “Your taste in fine wines rivals only your impeccable choice in company.”
Yet another reference to the conversation they had had before. He grinned at her. “A delightful evening, is it not?”
“Indeed,” she replied with a teasing smile. “The food is, just like the last time, absolutely delectable.”
“So, my culinary tastes are as refined as my taste in wine?” he wondered mischievously.
“Yes,” she had to agree.
