Page 56 of A Tale of Two Dukes

Sliding down lower, I trail my fingers through her lower lips, my cock pulsing as I ease my fingers into her. One hand on my cock and the other pleasuring her, I stroke myself, allowing the rut to drive me. Normally, I’d be sated after even one or two bouts in a row, but under the influence of her heat, I find that I will never be satisfied.

Running my nose along her inner thigh, I drink in the sleepy moans drifting from her lips. So close. We’re both so very close to the brink that will tie us together. I curl my fingers, urging her to reach her release even quicker.

Unable to hold off much longer, I grip my base, roaring as even more cum spurts out, coating her mound and lips with my seed. I cannot see or hear. Everything is a haze as I lower my lips to her tender flesh.

With a growl, I bite into her, my balls clenching, emptying me out further as the coppery taste of her blood coats my tongue. Heaven. It’s the only thing I can think of to describe the feelings surging through me, but even that seems too paltry a word.

Kitty screams, her body going rigid beneath me, but I don’t let up. Not until I feel an odd sensation deep in my soul. Everything fades away as thick cords, akin to ropes, tether my precious omega to me.

Sensations layer each other until I’m unable to tell her pleasure and mine apart. It’s a heady feeling, one that sucks me in as I follow the bond into her. Pain lances through my heart as she opens up beneath me, revealing everything.

It steals my breath as I try to make sense of it all. Lapping at her skin, I do my best to soothe her, purring as I clutch her body to mine. I reach in between us, stroking her clit, making her break apart again.

Soon, she collapses beneath me, her body soft and pliant. Tiny snores reach my ears, alerting me that my mate is asleep. Mate… such a simple word and yet carries so much.

With her unable to block me out, I follow the bond back, sifting through thoughts and memories. Unfortunately, many of them make little sense. The name Catherine keeps floating about, spoken by men and women.

It’s not until I see Hugh’s brother, Thomas, that things begin to click into place. When stalking him, gathering intel for the Prince, I heard of his betrothed. That’s where I’ve heard the name Catherine before. Catherine Giles.

I blink down at the woman sleeping beneath me. She’s lied about so many things. It feels as if I don’t even know her. Why would the daughter of an earl play at being the harlot?

In truth, it does explain how she was at The Rose and Thorne and a virgin. They are in such high demand and fetch an extremely large price. More than that, illustrious auctions are held beforehand. Which means Madame Douler knew something. What it was, I haven’t a clue.

My heart burns, tearing as the bond rankles between us. How could Kitty—no, Catherine—blatantly lie to my face? The woman in question squirms beneath me, her brow furrowing at the pain that lances between us.

Taking in a deep breath, I force my mind to calm. There has to be a rational explanation for all of this. And as I continue to dig, my hurt turns to anger and horror.

Hugh Beaumont will die for his crimes against my omega. I gather her into my arms, forcing myself to comb through everything, leaving no stone unturned. The fact that he would stoop so low as to threaten her sister is despicable. To threaten my life is unforgivable.

My poor little kitten, forced to bear this burden. There’s a part of me that’s furious with her for keeping this from me, but at least in her mind, she was trying to protect me. I cannot fault her for that.

I will, however, impart to her the understanding that I can certainly handle myself. There will never be lies between us again. But first, I need to set a few things in order. My cock surges, hard again, my body unsatisfied coming outside of her welcoming heat.

Groaning, I fist the insistent organ in my hand, sliding it into her pussy. Still, she sleeps on, oblivious as I take my pleasure, sliding in and out of her. God but she feels like heaven around my cock, her body responding even as her eyes stay closed. This coupling, like the others, is quick, hard, and desperate.

I can’t get enough of her. Ever. It will never be enough. With a roar, I slam deep inside, feeling her release ripple along the length of my shaft. Her eyes flutter for just a moment as lurid moans pour from her lips, but then she’s once more still beneath me.

We lay like this for what feels like an eternity. My heart pounds in time with hers, our breaths intermingling. As my knot deflates, I ease out of her welcoming heat, groaning as we separate.

She’s still asleep, but soon, she’ll be awake again, ravenous for me. Though still in the dredges of the rut, I have enough sense about me to grab a few of the skins to wear when I fuck her senseless. Until Hugh is seen to, I cannot chance Catherine becoming pregnant.

My worst fears are already confirmed. Now that she bears my mark, Hugh will use that against us. He will know the depths of my madness, putting her at risk. I’m only thankful I had enough sense to put it where he will never see.

It’s paramount I keep my omega safe. She is mine, and no one will ever harm her. My lips quirk up into a feral grin as I return to the nest, gathering my kitten into my arms.

CHAPTER 23

Catherine

Heat races up my body, flooding my face. Sleep tugs at me, demanding I keep my eyes closed. I long to wake up, to end this delicious dream and face reality. Something has happened, something profound. I’m not sure what, exactly, but I know it’s monumental.

Hazy memories float in the ether, teasing me with fragments of bliss. Pleasure coils through me, making my insides clench. Burning need blazes along my skin until I’m writhing from the exquisite stimulation.

Panting, I force my eyes open, blinking in the inky blackness. Nothing. I see nothing. But oh, do I feel everything. Nails score my skin, leaving fire in their wake. Hot breath washes over my neck.

The seductive rasp of scruff against my cheek. William’s knot stretches me out as filthy groans drip from his lips and into my ears. Curiously, though, I don’t feel the hot splash of his seed bathing my insides.

Perhaps this is what the maid meant when she spoke to me before. And just like that, a twinge of pain blossoms in my heart at the thought of never having children. True, as a simple harlot, it’s wrong of me to dream of that sort of life, and yet, with William, I dared to hope, dared to dream.