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“Thank goodness you did not say, explain.”
A ghost of a smile touched his lips. “You are a duchess now.”
“I reject your offer of a marriage where we live with a distance between us. I’ve tried that once before. It’s wretched.”
Understanding dawned in his eyes. “Where does that leave us then?”
She rose from her seat and crossed over to him, bending down until her face was just inches from his. Then, ever so lightly, she kissed him. It was a small touch that left him room to return or not but she felt him respond. Just a light pressing of his lips to hers.
When she pulled back, she looked down into his deep grey eyes. “I shall have to woo you.”
“Woo me?” He widened his gaze but remained still otherwise.
“Woo you.” Then she kissed him again. It was time for Cassandra to find her inner strength. And her duke was just the man to bring it out.
* * *
Damian spent the rest of the day outside, walking about the property. His plan was to be so tired, he collapsed into bed.
Over the last few days, he’d decided the only way to truly keep from being hurt was to maintain distance.
Part of that…only having relations for procreation. Who sounded like a vicar now?
But one kiss and a few words and Cassandra had nearly crumbled all his resolve. Damn woman would have him on his knees and at her mercy in no time.
He stayed out well past dark, not bothering to return for dinner. Finally, he returned to the house, slipping up to his room and stripping off his clothes to slide into bed.
As he tugged off his boots, he looked at the connecting door between his room and Cassandra’s, a frown pulling his lips down. Was she asleep? Angry with him for missing dinner?
He tugged off his shirt. Perhaps he’d made the wrong choice. But whenever he was with her, he couldn’t maintain an emotional distance between them.
Unbuttoning the falls of his breeches, he rose and slid his pants down his body, pulling back the covers in the dark room and slipping into the bed.
That was when he realized, he wasn’t alone.
Warmth hit him the second he touched what should have been cold sheets. He lifted his head attempting to process when an arm slid across his stomach. “You finally decided to join me.”
“Cassandra.” He started to pull away but she tightened her arm about his waist.
“Don’t go,” she whispered and then pressed against his side.
“I can’t—” he started.
She pressed a kiss to the side of his neck. His eyes closed as her lips sent a tingling sensation across his skin. “It’s all right. I understand.”
“Do you?”
She nodded and then kissed his collarbone. “You’ve been terribly hurt. You’re trying to protect yourself.”
He closed his eyes as her lips slid lower down his chest. But his arm snaked around her waist, tangling in her night rail. “I can’t give my heart to you only to be hurt again.”
“I know,” she answered. “But I’ll do my best to never hurt you.” She trailed kisses down his abdomen planting a kiss between each ridge of muscle. “What I wish to do is give you the affection you desperately need.”
Did he? Did he need affection? The way his heart pounded in his chest, Damian was certain she was right. “I’ve been alone for a long time now.”
“I know,” she answered, running a hand down his thigh. “That life is lonely but…comfortable.”
He nodded like she might be able to see him in the dark. Then he answered out loud. “Yes. But I needed a change. That’s why I went out that night and sought out Balstead. I thought I was ready.”
