Page 22 of The Iron Duke's Flaming Christmas
His loins pulsed with need. Quickly, he walked toward her, picking her up in his arms. He booted the door of his chambers open, carrying her to the bed, his blood thickening more with every step. She looked up at him, sighing, her green eyes alight with need.
He dropped her onto the bed, staring down at her. He was so hard it was painful. The lust for her was consuming him. Hungrily, his eyes roamed over her. Her hair was spread like an aura on the mattress.
Her breasts were clearly visible beneath the flimsy fabric of her gown, the nipples hard and erect. He wanted to take onein his mouth and suck on it hard, pull it long and deep, make her shudder beneath him…
He couldn’t stand it any longer. He fell on her, kissing her fiercely, every delectable inch of her, groaning with need. She writhed beneath him, crying out, her head tilting back.
He slid his hands down her legs, hitching up the gown, shuddering at the silkiness of her skin, the creamy perfection. He wanted to plunge into her velvety depths, over and over, until he exploded within her.
Ian bolted upright in the chair, opening his eyes, panting as if he had been running for a mile. Sweat was dripping down his neck and back and he felt pressure in his trousers. He jumped up, pulling at his cravat, walking out onto the balcony that adjoined the room, taking long, deep breaths of the crisp, fresh air.
He leaned against the railing, his head spinning. The dream had been so vivid, so very real—it was as if he truly was making love to her.
He blinked, trying to dispel the power of it. Lenore and Miss Bomind were nowhere to be seen. They must be in the house now. But he could still see the imprints of their boots in the snow, leading toward the house. The evidence that they had been there.
He took a long, ragged breath. This was dangerous. His passion for the governess was inexplicable, but it was fierce. He must be very careful, for he had no desire to entangle himself with her and make her his secret mistress, no matter how tempting the thought was.
And he could never pursue her seriously. Not that he wanted to do that, either, regardless of whether she was high-born or not.
He already had a wife. Just because she was dead and gone didn’t change that fact. He would never remarry. And he could never love another woman.
He exhaled slowly. Miss Bomind was never going to be his mistress. Far too complicated. And he was never going to seriously pursue her. Therefore, he must leave her alone… even if it killed him.
Chapter 12
Selene ran her hands along the leather spines of the books, trying to focus on the titles, and ignore her pounding heart. The clock in the hallway had just struck ten at night and she knew she was courting danger by being in the library again this late, after what had happened last time.
It happened a week ago. The duke will not come to the library this late again. It was just a coincidence we happened to be here at the same time that night. All will be well.
She was looking for books on birds of the district—she had the idea that afternoon to create a series of lessons around them, as Lady Lenore was so fascinated by them. Every day they had been visiting the robins’ nest, talking about when the baby birds would hatch, and what the mother bird would feed them, among other things.
The duke might scorn her methods, but she knew instinctively that she should capitalize on the little girl’s great interest. And so that was exactly what she was doing. But she needed some books to help her…
There was a clatter behind her. Selene jumped, her heart in her mouth. She turned. A ginger cat was watching her withlarge green eyes. It jumped onto the bookshelf, sidling over to her, staring at her intently, before issuing a strident meow.
Selene laughed, filled with relief, reaching to pet it. “What are you doing here? Are you looking for a mouse for your dinner, puss?”
The cat started purring loudly, rubbing its head against her hand. She started petting it, talking softly to it. She was so engrossed she didn’t hear the footsteps approaching until it was too late to do anything about it.
Startled, she looked up, her heart pounding. The duke was standing in front of her. He wasn’t smiling—he didn’t look pleased. But then, he rarely did.
The cat was startled, too, jumping off the bookshelf and running away. There was an awkward silence.
“I am so sorry,” said Selene, in a high, breathless voice. “It seems I have chosen the wrong time to visit the library, Your Grace. Yet again.”
You knew that you might encounter him here again. Stop lying to yourself. The memory of the kiss has been haunting you so much you can barely sleep at night. Stop pretending that this visit to the library is so innocent.
She swept into a low curtsy, trying to ignore the fierce voice in her head, her face burning. She hadn’t deliberately returned to the library hoping he would come… had she?
“Never mind,” he said, in an abrupt voice, when she rose. “It is a big room. I am certain it can accommodate both of us.” He stared at her intently. “I am sorry I startled you. What are you looking for this evening?”
Selene bit her lip, wondering how to reply. They had ended up in a spirited disagreement over the last book she had found in this library. But surely, he couldn’t be offended by birds, could he?
She shifted on her feet, trying not to look in his eyes. But that just meant she was looking at his lips. The lips that had caused such fire to grow within her…
“Just a book about birds,” she said quickly, trying to smile. “That is all.”
He arched his eyebrows. “Well, then, I have the very book for you.” He smiled slightly. “Follow me.”
