Page 11 of The Duke of Pain

Brookton chuckled. “I’m in the wrong room.”

“What are you doing here? I said that I would be the one to inspect and test this club,” Gideon barked irritably.

Brookton leaned against the doorjamb, crossing his arms. “Made yourself at home, I see. Awaiting someone? Male or female? Or both? Maybe I could stay. It’s been a while since we indulged together.”

It had been years and not an experience Gideon wished to repeat. While involved in a few ménages in years past, he found that he didn’t like to share. It was also the reason Gideon no longer participated in orgies. Although he inquired about them for the other members, Brookton in particular.

Gideon was about to push Brookton into the hall when he heard the door open on the opposite side of the room. Brookton stood up straight, his look turned heated.

“Well, I am even more inclined to stay now. Good evening, my dear,” Brookton purred. He made a move toward Olivia, but Gideon halted him, placing his hand on Brookton’s shoulder.

“Mistress, will you give us a moment?”

Gideon had his back to her, his gaze firm on Brookton, who looked bemused by the situation.

“Yes, of course,” she replied. The door closed softly.

“Mistress? I saw the riding crop in her hand. Of course, this is your preference, isn’t it? Perhaps I will come back another night and request her. She’s coldly beautiful, just my type, and yours, I imagine. All that golden hair—”

Gideon grabbed a fistful of Brookton’s coat. “Stay away from her. She is mine.”

In speaking the words, Gideon had shocked himself.

“Get your fucking hands off me,” Brookton hissed through clenched teeth.

Further stunned at his emotional response to Brookton’s interest in Olivia, Gideon released Brookton and stepped away.

“Get out.”

Brookton smoothed his collar. “We will be discussing this.”

He shoved the marquess into the hall and slammed the door. “But not tonight.”

Once he heard Brookton’s retreating footfalls, Gideon headed to the sidebar and poured a whiskey. He had lost all restraint. It unnerved him.

Best to gain control and do it now. What possessed Gideon to act in such a predatory manner?

With an exhale, he lay on the bed. “You can come in,” he called out.

* * *

Olivia opened the door to the gold room and locked the door behind her. Slipping the key into the side pocket, she removed her gold cloak and laid it across the nearby chair. She turned, and the sight of Lord Craven made her gasp softly.

The duke laid on his side propped on one elbow, a tumbler of whiskey in his hand. His coat and waistcoat had been removed; his white shirt was unbuttoned to his waist. A muscled chest dusted with black hair was evident, along with a flat stomach. Long, graceful legs stretched past the end of the bed. His feet were bare and elegantly shaped.

This man was, in a word—splendid.

A lock of his dark hair hung over his forehead in a carefree manner. Thick black brows only enhanced the obsidian shade of his eyes.

Judging by the few threads of gray at his temples and the fine lines fanning out from his eyes, he was not young.

The duke was handsome, with a sturdy, well-shaped jaw and sharp, high cheekbones. Though his nose had a long, tapered point, it suited his looks.

His gaze met hers, and a frisson of heat trickled down her spine.

The face, beautiful in its masculinity, showed no warmth at all. The man’s eyes narrowed as he looked her over quite thoroughly.

She tapped the crop against her white leather-gloved palm. Olivia did not look away. The duke’s intelligent and frosty gaze did not intimidate her.