Page 49 of To Ensnare a Duke

A grunt of pain flits through the air, muffled by the gag. But then, he doesn't need to hear it to know what he's doing to me. With a glare, he switches to the other side, ensuring I'm even in my agony.

"How long have you and Lord Harhall been plotting this little coup? I will have the truth."

With the gag in my mouth, it's difficult to convey my answer. I shake my head, desperate to let him know it wasn't long. He leans back and stares at me, his expression taking on a different note. Unexpectedly, he slides his fingers down the swell of my cheek, caressing me as if trying to give me comfort.

"Do not fear me, little minx," he finally sighs. "In truth, it's probably best we are forced into this union. When your brother said you were no trouble, I believed him. But we both know that is inaccurate, don't we?"

There's something in his voice, something that calls to me and demands I curl at his feet and listen to everything he says. It catches my attention, but worse, my longing. Unable to resist the allure, I arch up my hips, desperate to relieve the ache building inside of me.

"You're shameless, you know," he chuckles, trailing his finger down my abdomen. "You trap me into a marriage, and then you think I should help you alleviate your discomfort? I think not."

I widen my eyes as best I can, taking on an air of feigned innocence. As I shake my head, he grips my jaw, arresting the movement. "Do not lie to me, minx. I will tolerate nearly any other sin against me, but I will not accept any lies from you."

After a few seconds, he brings his fingers back down, brushing them ever so gently against the fabric of my night rail. "I bet you're just soaking wet right now, aren't you?"

For a moment, I try to figure out the best response. Though I don't wish to lie to him again, the act of admitting my failing is far more embarrassing. Eventually, I nod and look away, refusing to meet his heated gaze.

"And you wish for me to touch you intimately? To take away this discomfort?"

Again, I nod, my insides coiling to the point of pain. His sigh flits through the air as he lifts off of my body. Cool air rushes in between us, chilling me as I lie there, missing the warmth and weight of his body against mine. Before I have a chance to fully mourn the loss, he springs into action. ‘

With a strong grip, he digs his fingers into my thighs and pulls me across the bed until my bottom touches the edge without spilling over. My legs hang there, limp as I try to make sense of the emotions rioting through me.

"Move from this spot, and I will stop. Are we understood?"

This time, I meet his heated gaze and nod, my body on fire with the need for him to extinguish these feelings.

His eyes never leave me as he runs his hands down my legs and slides my night rail up and over my hips, baring my shame to his hungry sight. Deep down, I know he doesn't mind, but there's still something so forbidden, so wrong in having him see me drip upon the sheets like this.

"You will hear me now, Augusta. Only good girls get pleasure from my hands, my mouth, and my cock upon their lovely quims. Have you been a good girl?"

Tears prick my eyes as desperation laces every breath. Unfortunately, I have to shake my head. Nothing about my actions has been good or honorable. And now, I must suffer the consequences.

"Thank you for being honest. I'd so hate to have to punish you again while your backside still blazes from yesterday's lesson. Now then, bring your knees up and spread them wide. I wish to inspect the chit who would make me a husband."

Shame burns my face as I turn from him.

"No. You do not get to hide from me. Not now. Not ever. Look at me as you expose yourself."

I long to bite down on my lower lip, but the gag keeps my mouth agape. Inch by inch, I do as I'm told until his scalding breath washes over the most sensitive part of me.

"My, my. Such a needy little clit." His fingers slide over the taut bundle of nerves, causing everything to jerk up. With a hard smack, he brings his fingertips down on top of me, only making the heat burn hotter. "Remember, my bride-to-be, do not move. Or do I have to lash you down to the bed?"

I'm not sure what expression crawls over my face, but his own lights up. "I see. I'll have to remember some rope next time."

Soft whines pour from my throat as he torments me, stroking my flesh with a touch so light I barely feel it. It's agony unlike any I thought he could give me. As much as I have the desire to arch up into his touch, I refrain, remembering the threat of his words.

I don't want him to stop. Not now. Not ever. Unfortunately, despite how still I hold, he pulls away, leaving me bereft.

"That's enough of that. I have the arousal I need to make this punishment stick."

His fingers trail a little bit lower, following the fluid dripping from me as steadily as any stream. He gathers it on his fingertips and smears it around my bottom hole. I groan as I drop my head back against the pillows. Not this again. Thankfully, not a bit of ginger is in sight.

However, that doesn't stop him from touching the part of me that's most shameful.

"No, no, pretty girl," he chides, pulling his thick digit back. "Remember, you're going to watch me as I punish this naughty hole. Once you're a good girl for me, and we're officially wed, I'll pleasure you in a far more conventional way. But for now, you must watch me in silence while you suffer your fate."

The moment our gazes lock, he slides a finger deep inside the forbidden entrance, dragging a ragged moan tickling the back of my throat. Thankfully, with the gag in place, it comes out like the softest of whimpers. Down in my soul, however, I feel it like a full-body shudder.