Page 77 of The Duke’s Bloody Bargain

The sharp, intense jolt of the release sliced through us. We were joined by the same strong sensation that had us both shudder and sag.

He lifted me up, staring at me with a tenderness that made me sigh.

“I want more.” I straddled him, my intention clear.

He tensed for a brief moment, and I slid off him.

“Was it too much?” I stroked his chest, tracing my fingers over every sharp ridge.

“No.” Hands on my waist, he placed me back on his hips. “I want it too.” He ran his hands over my body, stroking, fondling, and driving me mad.

He rubbed me with his thumb, and I was trembling all over again.

I rolled my hips, searching for the right position to take him when the door was flung open, and Darius’s shout shocked my ears.

“Hell’s bells.” He turned around.

I screamed and covered myself.

Alex made a mess with the bedsheets, trying to hide me. “Bloody hell, mate. What happened to knocking?”

Darius glanced over his shoulder. “It died a quick, merciless death the moment Duchess Esmeralda came here.”

“What?” Alex and I said together.

He shielded his vision with a hand. “I suppose a mysterious fog with smoky snakes coming in and out of it must have attracted some attention. May I turn around? Talking to the vase is upsetting.”

Alex rubbed the bridge of his nose. “You can turn around.”

Darius smoothed down his perfectly ironed jacket, as crimson as his cheeks. “Esmeralda has arrived with a delegation of fairies and is waiting to see you in the drawing room. Be quick, please. I don’t know how long I can entertain her while pretending the floating snakes are cute pets.” He gave a pat to the vase before leaving the room.

The moment the door was closed, we leapt out of the bed and collected our clothes.

“What are we going to tell her?” I donned my drawers.

He buttoned his trousers, and there was something to be said for a half-naked Alex. “That we have everything under control. That’s what my father told me to say whenever a lady was angry with me.”

I tamed my hair into a chignon and did my best to press my wrinkled shirt. When we were both almost presentable, we left the bedroom.

A chill lingered in the air, and the snakes writhed and floated in the soaring ceiling, but they didn’t dare come close to us.

Golden light radiated from the door to the drawing room. Its warmth and brightness were a relief.

“This is unacceptable!” Esmeralda was sitting on the sofa, surrounded by other bright fairies.

Darius waved his hands, and the pot poured the tea into the cups on its own. “I quite agree, Your Grace.”

Carabosse was present as well, perched on an armchair and with a scrunched-up face.

“Ravenhill. There you are.” Esmeralda glowered. “The situation is extremely serious. A rogue is at large, and Raven Hall is engulfed by a sickening fog producing snakes that destroy trees and flowers. What happened?” She whipped her head towards Darius as plates of biscuits and sandwiches came flying from the corridor. “Mr. Strange, would you please stop wasting magic on menial tasks?”

Darius stiffened, and the plates froze midair. “This is no menial task, duchess. The servants are away, and the refreshments are on the other side of the corridor. I can’t possibly carry everything with my hands.” He popped a bonbon into his mouth.

Esmeralda narrowed her gaze. “Ravenhill, tell me everything.”

Cara clasped her hands in her lap.

Alex gave Esmeralda a bow, seemingly calm and composed. He had nothing of the man writhing and groaning between my thighs from a moment ago.