Page 20 of The Duke of Pain

“Strike me? Beat me?” he snapped, annoyance overtaking his desire.

She looked up at him, pinning him with her clear-eyed gaze. “Exactly that. I thought instead we could talk. Have a few hours together without any business arrangement between us. If you like, I can give you a partial refund—”

He grabbed her shoulders. “What is this, a condolence fuck?”

Starting at his crass statement and angry tone, she stepped away. “I don’t fuck, Your Grace, I made that clear. And pardon me for expressing any sort of sympathy. It won’t happen again.”

The cold shield was back in place, and Gideon didn’t like it. Not one bit.

He scrubbed his hand down his face as he exhaled. “We are off on the wrong foot. I am sorry. As you can tell, I’m not used to someone showing me any sort of concern. Can we continue? And no need for a refund of any sort.” He spread his arms. “Please, continue with what you were doing.”

She did, and after removing his waistcoat, unbuttoned his shirt. Taking his hand, she led him to the bed.

They sat on the edge.

“Why did you request a touch, a kiss, a sharing of pasts last night? Is this a request you have made before?” Olivia asked. Her concentrated gaze showed her genuine curiosity.

“No. Never. Conversation was never part of any interaction with women. Neither was a kiss. As I said, too intimate.”

“Yes,” she sighed. “Too intimate. That is why after tonight, we cannot see each other again. You cannot contact me nor come to this brothel to hire me. I will not be available to you.”

It felt as if he had been kicked in the gut, and Gideon did not like the sensation.

“Why, because you are feeling too much?” he exclaimed. “Shouldn’t we welcome such emotions after years of living in a barren wasteland?”

What in hell had got into him?

Had he lost his mind?

“You said that your stepfather beat you. When did it stop?” Olivia asked, daring him to reply and effectively sidestepping his question.

“At age fifteen, when I finally started to grow. By sixteen, I was well over six feet in height. And I filled out. No, the coward didn’t dare strike me then. Though the verbal abuse continued when I was home from school. Because of it, I stopped returning home during the holidays. I preferred being alone. The quiet was blessed peace.”

“A soothing balm?”

“Yes. My mother and stepfather have a contentious relationship. If they weren’t screeching at each other, they were screaming at me. I had had enough. Once I finished school and university, I purchased a townhouse and effectively cut them from my life. They only come near me when they need money. I found it expedient to give them what they wanted if only to be rid of them for a time.”

“Is that when you joined The Rakes of St. Regent’s Park?”

Gideon chuckled. “I helped create it. There are plenty of idle, bored, wealthy miscreants out there, titled or no.” He sobered. “I am the only original member left. I turned forty not long ago, and here I still am. The years slipped by.”

“Yes,” Olivia replied softly. “They do pass at a blur.”

“Your rape—”

“I never said the word rape. You know the judge you saw me with the other night?”

“Yes.”

“I asked him once what recourse a woman had when she was attacked. I gave him a scenario. The judge wasn’t aware that I was describing my assault. By the current legal terms, rape must consist of penetration and ejaculation. You see, my attackers didn’t stick their cocks in me; they used their dirty fingers. They beat and kicked me, tore open my bodice, held me down as they grabbed and rubbed against me. So legally speaking, not rape,” she concluded bitterly.

“Miserable bastards. Damn the law. And damn the men that run it,” Gideon snarled.

“The judge said even though women can bring charges of rape now, very few cases come to court. Apparently, I placed myself in a vulnerable position just by taking a walk alone. So, it was my fault.” Olivia shook her head, her lips curled in disgust.

“That’s what the court would say,” she continued. “Here’s the thing: that judge actually said that he feels sorry for women, for they are second-class citizens and have no say. A man can rape his wife. Perfectly legal. It makes me sick.”

Gideon gathered her close, and she stiffened. Then, miraculously, Olivia softened and laid her head on his shoulder.