Page 28 of The Duke of My Desire

“Breakfast?” she supplied, smiling down at him.

He shook his head. “Heaven.”

She kissed him again, giving him her tongue as she climbed onto his lap, her thighs gripping his hips, her quim settling on the aching ridge of his cock.

Shock coursed through him, followed swiftly by a wave of lust so strong, so absolute, he lost the ability to breathe. His cock swelled, straining against his trousers, seeking release. Seeking her.

His hands found her hips, his lips and tongue mating with hers as if they had done this before, though he’d never experienced a kiss like this in his life.

Of course, before today, before now, he’d only kissed two other women: one, the woman he’d intended to marry; the other, a stranger he met one drunken night somewhere in Italy.

Neither of their kisses had made him feel like this.

Why should kissing Justina feel so different, so special?

He barely knew her and yet kissing her felt like the most natural thing in the world, as if his lips were made for hers, and hers alone.

The thought was a foolish one, of course. Justina was a warm, attractive woman and he was a smitten virgin losing his head over a moment of passion.

A moment of passion he didn’t want to end.

Shoving all thoughts to the back of his addled mind, he deepened the kiss, his heart racing as he slid his hands up her back and down over her hips and thighs, memorizing every plump, delicious curve of her.

Her breath hitched and she nipped his bottom lip with her teeth, her palms gliding down his chest to the falls of his trousers.

He stilled as she began to free the buttons and then he drew back, breaking the kiss.

“Justina, wait,” he said roughly. “You don’t have to do that.”

She eyed him curiously, a small, uncertain smile curving her rosy lips. “Do what?”

He swallowed, desire warring with his sense of honor. “You don’t have to do any of this. You don’t owe me anything.”

A long beat of silence followed as she looked at him, her smile slowly fading. “Is that what you think this is? A whore trying to settle a debt?”

Her voice was nearly a whisper, her tone hard and flat, but her eyes flashed bright with hurt and anger where they were warm with desire only moments ago.

Hell.

“I’m sorry,” he said with a wince. “That isn’t what I meant.”

“Then what did you mean?”

He drew in a steadying breath, searching for the right words. “I’ve seen how often men use and mistreat women and I refuse to do that. I desire you, but I will not take advantage of this situation. I won’t ask you to do anything you don’t want to do.”

She studied him, her eyes still a bit flinty, but he could see her temper softening as she considered his words. “Thank you,” she finally said, resting her palms on his chest. “I appreciate your consideration for my feelings, but I assure you, I never do anything for a man I do not wish to do. I want to be with you, Gregory, but if you don’t want to be with me...”

She trailed off, her eyes searching his, her expression a mixture of impatience and uncertainty that only made him want her more.

“Justina…” He gave a wry chuckle, laughing at himself. “You have no idea how badly I want to be with you.”

Her lips curled into a grin. “In that case, Duke...”

Her fingers returned to the buttons of his falls and once again, Gregory stopped her, covering her hands with his. “There is one more thing I must tell you before we proceed.”

She eyed him curiously. “What is it?”

He cleared his throat. “I am…that is, I haven’t…” He cleared his throat again, heat flooding his cheeks. Why was this so difficult? “I’ve never…been with a woman before.”