Page 14 of The Duke of Pain

The money was too good to pass up.

But there was also a tiny part of her that was curious as to where this would go. If anywhere.

Such a bizarre request: give and take. Exposing her past for this duke’s twisted entertainment? Well, Olivia would make damned sure that he revealed his past as well. What caused the shield of ice to form around him?

Yes, she was certainly curious. And attracted to this duke.

“I agree to three strikes on three consecutive nights. Give and take, I will allow certain touches and kisses, but no actual sex. You have a deal—Gideon.”

He moaned. “Say my name, again,”

She gave him a puzzled look. “Gideon.”

“Very well, Olivia. We have a deal. Should I remove all my clothes?”

She ran her crop over his exposed nipples, and he shuddered in response. “There is no need unless you would rather have the strike across your bare buttocks.”

“I think not. However, feel free to birch me good and proper across the back. Do not draw blood.”

“I never do. Grab the bedpost and hold on.”

He removed his shirt and tossed it to the bed. Gideon clasped the bedpost as she had commanded.

The crop flicked across his back, and the slight sting caused air to hiss through his clenched teeth.

“Jesus!”

Chapter 4

Olivia observed the play of muscles as he flinched from the impact of her crop. A red welt rose on his flawless skin. It would be a sin to bloody such masculine perfection, not that she ever would. She had learned just how much of a flick of the wrist to apply to avoid permanent injury.

A tight ball of satisfaction pulled at her insides from the strike, as it always had.

“Aren’t you supposed to speak soft words of encouragement to me?” Gideon said. “It is what I’ve observed with others in this particular situation.”

“I do not play that particular game.”

Olivia laid the crop on the bed as Gideon turned to face her. His dark eyes were ablaze.

“Then I was right. You do this for vengeance. Give and take, Olivia. Tell me what happened to you.”

She should have never agreed to this.

Did she want the money so desperately she would sell her soul and reveal her darkest secrets?

Yes, it appeared so.

Olivia could fabricate a fiction; how would the duke know the difference? It would be easy to spin a woeful tale if that is what he wanted to hear. Perhaps he gained excitement from other people’s tragedies.

But there was something about this man beyond the handsome face and athletic body. She recognized and felt his deep-boned unhappiness.

This man fascinated her. And because of it, she would be as truthful as possible. To a point.

“Perhaps you should go first. You are trembling, and it is not from arousal. At least, not completely,” Olivia mused.

“How astute of you. But I would prefer that you begin.”

Well, he was paying for this.