Page 16 of The Duke of Pain

“No. And that is all I will reveal on that matter.”

There’s a mercy.

A reckless and cruel peer? That could be at least half a dozen that Gideon knew of, maybe more.

“I ask because the reprobate is my stepfather, be thankful you have no blood ties. And in all those years, you never tried to approach the peer who had sired you?”

She shook her head. “I have never contacted the man, and I never will. My pride will not allow it. Besides, I don’t want to know him. I want nothing from him.”

“I’ll change the subject; how long have you been with Pan?”

“More years than I care to count. I take on a couple of clients a week and assist Pan in the running of this club. I am very good with mathematical figures.” Her luscious mouth drew into a taut line. “That is enough questions.”

“For tonight,” he interjected.

She sighed. “I am sorry I agreed to this. Yes, for tonight.”

He turned to face her; his hands framed her face. Gideon gently stroked her cheeks with the pads of his thumbs. Heat and flame spread through him, causing his heart to stutter. At least she didn’t pull away.

“Have you ever been kissed?” he asked softly.

“Do not mock me,” Olivia admonished.

“Look at me.”

For once, he didn’t hide behind one of his many masks of indifference. He showed as much gentle empathy as he could muster.

“Gideon,” she whispered as her gaze met his.

The sound of his name on her sensual lips caused his prick to throb in time with his rapid heartbeat.

Gideon leaned toward her. His lips brushed past hers in a fleeting movement. With tender compassion, he showed her how a kiss could sear one’s soul. Or at least, he imagined it so. His tongue teased the corner of her mouth, so she let him in.

Trust: a new concept. Perhaps for us both.

His probing tongue tasted every part of her mouth, but he was not aggressive. Olivia soon followed his motions, and when Gideon groaned, a flicker of flame ignited deep inside his darkened heart. He pulled back and stared at her with amazement. His thumbs brushed her swollen, well-kissed lips.

“Shall I make a confession?” he murmured. “I have only kissed a woman a few times in my life. Never had it felt so—real.”

What possessed him to say that? The cynical part of him dismissed it immediately. But deep down, he couldn’t deny the impact of the kiss. How it made something shift inside him.

“Lord Craven? Hardly kissed? That cannot be right,” Olivia said, her voice low. “Do not lie.”

Gideon continued to stroke her plump, sensitive lips. “I am not lying. My many encounters resulted in my own gratification, no one else’s. Kissing seemed too intimate. It appears I have missed out on an incredible occurrence.”

Speaking this truth opened the gate to many complex emotions. Ones Gideon never wanted to examine or experience. But they were rushing out of their hidden compartment now.

Olivia glared at him questioningly. “And why have you pursued these many encounters?”

Gideon stood, stepped toward the fireplace, and absently stirred the embers with the poker.

“I no doubt came out of the womb bored. Tedium drives my desires. I am a spoiled and pampered son of the aristocracy who was never told no in the entirety of his life.”

“There is more to your story, surely,” Olivia scoffed.

“Perhaps you are correct. This was a mistake.”

“Turn and look at me. You wanted the truth, and now you must reciprocate. You are wealthy and titled and never wanted for anything in your life. As you said, no one ever said no—at least not by women. What about your parents? Your stepfather?”