Page 18 of The Duke’s Lessons in Temptation

“My brother enjoys investing as well. He is very fascinated with anything steam-related.”

Damion chuckled. “Me too.”

She smiled at him. The room fell silent, and she appeared to be thinking about something intensely. Eventually, she said, “I think you should try to find love, especially since you never experienced it.”

Damion took a sip of his brandy. “My old heart is too jaded.”

Cora snorted. “You aren’t that old.”

“Thirty-two.”

She shrugged. “Think on it.”

He chuckled. “Now you are the one giving me advice.”

Cora grinned, and Damion smiled back at her. He enjoyed spending time with her. “What are some of your favorite foods?”

A huff escaped her. “Why all these questions about me?”

“Just answer.”

“I like meat pies, roast mutton, and apple tarts,” she provided begrudgingly.

Cora frowned, likely wondering what he was up to. Damion was trying to prove a point. Maybe now was the time to explain it. “You should want someone who cares about your interests even if they aren’t their own.”

She flushed. “Christopher does.”

Damion snorted. “The man is enthralled with his own actions, and it may be because he is young. Still, why settle for that?”

Cora stood up, angry. “I’m not settling, and I don’t need a lecture from a man who refuses to love.”

Her point was accurate. Damion rose. “What of desire? When I kissed you, it was clear you’d never experienced attraction so intensely.”

Cora’s eyes sparked with anger. “Are you saying that there is something between you and me?”

He shook his head. “I’m saying that if you can feel such emotions with me—a man you don’t hold in high regard- why do you not feel more or the same for Bellamy?”

She thumped him on the chest. “I don’t feel anything for you. I’m using you to make sure when I kiss Christopher, it is good. Everyone knows rakes can make anyone desire them.”

“My point is some type of desire should already exist. You should want Bellamy more than me, or just as much.”

Tilting her head back, she jutted out her chin. “Maybe I’m good at making you think I desire you.”

He scoffed. “Your moans were proof enough.”

“Well, I guess I’m a wonderful student because it was just for show. “

Damion stepped closer to her, invading her space. She refused to move back. Damion wanted to kiss her. No, he wanted to thread his hands through her hair and be lost in her body. The desire damn near consumed him. His mouth brushed against her cheek. “Cora, you are trembling for me to touch you right now. Why lie?”

She gasped but said nothing. He needed to make his point. “Bellamy will never make you feel this way. Another man will, but not him. I’ve seen the two of you together. I’m trying to teach you a lesson, so you understand what you are giving up by being with him.”

His words seemed to snap her out of the hazy desire swirling around them. She stepped back. “I think we are done with the lessons.”

Damion frowned at the hurt and confusion on her face. “Cora, I want the best for you.”

She scoffed. “How do you know what that is? You locked your heart away long ago. You are no expert on love. You are a coward.”

He couldn’t say anything else because she rushed from the room. Damion stayed in the library, glowering into the fire. Still, he assured himself he’d done the right thing. Cora deserved to be with a man who worshipped her, and that wasn’t Bellamy. His mouth twisted into a grimace, hating the thought of any man but him touching Cora.