Page 45 of The Duke Who Claimed Her

“I…” She tried to speak, but so hungry was his kiss that she did not have the chance.

As they kissed, his hand raised her gown and quickly slid under it. Her heart raced as she realized what he was doing. She could not breathe. She could hardly focus on the kisses that were never-ending. And all the while, his hand beneath her dress journeyed further, deeper, until she felt his fingers brush between her thighs.

“Oh!” she yelped, again pulled back. “Caspian, what are you⁠—”

His spare hand took her by the back of the head. He held her steadily so that he could look at her. In his eyes, she saw his desire, his want, his lack of control. He licked his lips as he held her still, daring her to pull away.

“You are mine,” he growled as his fingers brushed between her thighs again. “Say it.”

“I…” Her voice cracked.

“Say it,” he demanded.

“I am yours,” she said, letting it out, just as his fingers pressed against the opening between her thighs.

There they stood at the base of the steps, entwined in a truly barbaric way. Caspian latched onto her neck, kissing it wetly and fiercely. His fingers, beneath her dress, started to press and stroke her opening. Arabella shut her eyes and moaned as waves of pleasure rushed up her body, and she gave herself to her husband as she never thought that she would.

Soon, she felt two fingers slip inside of her.

She moaned… Her breath caught, her body seized, and then she relaxed as those fingers slipped in deeper and started to curl. They stroked her walls, each time sending an eruption through her. She clenched her jaw, spread her legs a little wider, and did not dare to move.

Caspian continued to kiss her neck. He continued to curl his fingers. He took complete and total control in a way that Arabella could not help but love.

“Oh… Caspian… There…” She found herself saying as his fingers worked her. Slowly, at first, but their pace quickened as her breathing increased. “Do not…”

“Do not tell me what to do,” he warned her, pulling away to say it, then kissing down her neck again. “You are mine.”

“I am.”

“You will obey me,” he said.

“Always,” she moaned. “Because I… I… I am your wife.”

She thought they were the right words to say. She thought he would want to hear them. Was that not the point? Was that not what this was all about? However, as soon as those words left her lips, she felt an immediate change.

Caspian stopped stroking her, just as he stopped kissing her neck.

He stiffened awkwardly, then slowly pulled away. And when he looked at her that time, it was not with lust or hunger or temptation. Rather, it was as if something had come over him, a sudden realization of the moment that sent fear spiking through his very being.

“What?” she asked in panic. “What happened?”

“I…” He released her head, the fear still in his eyes. “I should not have…” He took a step back. “This was a mistake.”

“What? No!” she cried. “What did I do wrong?”

“Nothing…” He turned away as if in shame, and a coldness washed over Arabella’s body. “You did nothing, Arabella. I was the one who… I should have… I am sorry.” He shook his head. “This was a mistake.”

With those final words, Caspian turned fully and stormed up the stairs, leaving Arabella where she stood. She watched him go, frozen and confused, unable to call out after him because she had no idea what to say.

For a few glorious moments, all had seemed right and perfect. The gap between them was finally bridged, and they had a chance to take a step forward together for the first time. And now… I wish I knew.

Just like that, Arabella was transported back to her first night in the manor. Confused. Alone. Unsure of what she had done, while sensing that the way forward was going to be a long and lonely one. Caspian, it seemed, would make sure of it.

Chapter Sixteen

Arabella sat with Timothy in the morning room, playing a game of cards. It had been his suggestion, wanting to do something fun, and she went along with it for two reasons. The first was that she rather enjoyed the child’s company, and she was eager to further develop their relationship—that was, after all, what she had promised when marrying Caspian.

The second reason, and the most important, was that she needed to distract herself.