Page 24 of An Accidental Bride for the Duke
Her heart was racing. “And what is that?”
“As I said…” He flashed his eyes hungrily and licked his lips. “Your punishment. So, you’ll know not to act this way again.”
“You wouldn’t dare.”
“Is that a threat?”
“What…” Her entire body trembled. No idea what was going to happen, only knowing that she wanted it more than anything. “What are you going to do about it?”
The duke’s hands were opening and closing into fists. His body trembled as her own did. He had his jaw clenched and if Iris didn’t know any better, she would say that he was doing everything in his power to control himself. For a second, she worried that he might…
“Come here.” He pointed to the floor right in front of him.
“Why?” she asked, forcing herself to remain put.
“Do not make me ask you again.”
Iris hesitated, finding that she enjoyed the bite behind the duke’s words. Just as she enjoyed the savage look in his eyes when she denied him. But she was also no fool, and she knew that she should only deny him so much…
“Fine,” she conceded, approaching him. “But I do not appreciate being told what to do in my own home.” She stopped short, just a foot away from him.
“Just as I do not appreciate being ignored,” he growled. He reached for her hand, she half made to pull it away, but he snatched it and yanked her into him. She gasped, eyes widening, heart leaping through her throat as her body tripped into thedukes. But he was so strong and powerful that he did not budge, as if she had walked into a wall.
“What are you…” she swallowed.
He looked down at her, his spare hand gently moving up her body and then to her neck and then to her chin. “You need to be made to understand that there are consequences for disobeying me,” he said in a deep whisper.
“All I did was –”
“Enough,” he growled, forcing her to shut her mouth. “There,” he then purred. “See, it is not so difficult to behave, is it.” His hand touched her chin, and she quivered. “You want to be a good girl for me, don’t you?”
“I do not,” she said with defiance. “I am not yours to do as you command.”
“That is where you are wrong,” he said. “And I am sick of you disobeying me. Now, tell me, will you behave from now on? Or do I need to punish you properly?”
Iris was not sure what to say. She was not sure what she wanted. And, as stubborn as she was, she figured that perhaps it was a good idea to diffuse the situation and not give into the duke’s commands. If only because she felt that she should.
“Fine,” she said sharply. “If you need to hear me say it, I will…” She set her jaw angrily. “I will do better not to upset you. Happy?”
He smiled. “Very. But I fear it will not last.” He released her hand and took her waist, gripping her so that she could not pull away.
“What are you –”
“I am going to reward you,” he cut her off. “You made me a promise, and I expect you to keep it. For that, a reward is in order.”
“I thought you were going to punish me.”
“No,” he said as if such an idea was beneath him. “Not when you have decided to be a good girl for me. You are going to be, are you not?”
“I…” She swallowed, shaking from head to toe. “I am.”
“Good.”
Her heart started to thump against her chest. “What reward… what is the reward?”
“Here, let me show you.” With his hand under her chin, he tilted her face and puckered his lips and Iris gasped before closingher eyes and accepting what she had wanted since that first kiss what felt like a lifetime ago.
Their lips met in a soft yet passionate kiss. It was surprisingly gentle, even tame. The way the duke held her chin, parted her lips with his tongue, explored the inside of her mouth and then nibbled on her lips. She moaned and melted into him, her body trembling and her knees shaking and a wetness creeping up between her thighs.
