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He gently touched the side of her cheek. “I know your concern over a union between us is the fear of getting with child, but I don’t believe that you will suffer your mother’s fate.”
“Perhaps not,” she said. “But I don’t want to take that risk.”
“Life is full of risks,” he countered softly. “Every time you get on a horse, or ride in a carriage, when there is the threat of fever, or when you fall into an icy river, there are uncertainties that follow us. Nothing is promised.” He swallowed hard. “I should know that more than anyone, and not just because my own injuries remind me of how fragile life can be. I closed myself at my estate for so long, because I thought that if I distanced myself from others I wouldn’t hurt anymore.” He searched her gaze. “But then you fell through that ice, and I was scared, not only because you might die, but because I finally admitted to myself that I was lonely. Of course, I fought against my own emotions and thought that leaving London would prove that I didn’t need anyone, that I was perfectly content as the reclusive, brooding duke, but then I met you on the road and I realized that I couldn’t outrun fate.” His voice was barely more than a whisper. “I couldn’t outrun what I felt foryou.”
* * *
Olivia’s heartwas thumping in her chest. The things he was saying—it was very similar to how she had always felt on the inside but was too afraid to admit aloud to her sisters. It was truly as if they were connected by some unseen force. She wasn’t sure if she would go so far as to call it fate, but it might very well be the cause for the swirling inside her veins.
“I can’t tell you what the future might hold, but isn’t the happiness we might find with one another worth it? I know it must have been difficult for your father to lose four wives, as it sounds as though they were each special in their own way, but do you think he regretted his time with any of them, however short it might have been?”
Olivia blinked, because she had never thought of it in that perspective before. Her father had been devoted to each of his wives and mourned each loss with the same devastation. He had been one of the few men in society who loved deeply, and just like their daughters, the previous duchesses were different in character than the one who held the title previously, but no less special.
“No,” she admitted calmly. “He was loyal in his adoration to each of them. No one ever believed that he truly loved them all, but my sisters and I know the truth. He would tell us stories and I would remember being in awe of the way he spoke of Isadora’s mother, of Minty’s and Calliope’s—and mine. It was obvious that he held them in high esteem.”
The duke’s piercing eyes searched hers. “Can’t you believe that I will do the same, sweet Olivia?” Her breathing started to become erratic as his lips drew nearer to hers. She wanted, noyearneddesperately, for his kiss. She hadn’t realized, until then, just how much his presence thrilled her. But even when she was upset about his duplicity, there was still of part of her that wanted to pull him close and lose herself in his warm strength.
“You make it very difficult to resist you, Your Grace,” she whispered.
He smiled. “I’m glad to hear it, my lady, as that is my ultimate goal.”
The moment their lips met; Olivia’s knees weakened. She reached up and clutched the lapels of his jacket, forgetting for a time that she was supposed to be upset with him. She pressed herself against him, yearning for more of his hard length. It made her feel safe and yes, even comforted, as if he could fix any problem, or cure any ill. He was her solid foundation, the man who could easily take the place of her father, but with an even stronger bond.
Suddenly, it became clear.
Thatis what really frightened her, even more than the possibility of death, that someday she could easily fall in love with the duke, while the feelings he felt for her would fade. He might confess that their union was designed in the stars, but she knew he was only speaking of physical attraction. It was nothing like what her father had described when he spoke of his wives, the awe that covered his face and the sheen of moisture in his eyes when he recounted their deaths. It was as if the wounds never truly healed. That was the sort of love she had always yearned for, but knew it was rare in such a pure form, especially when it came to a society match.
And since the duke had offered for her hand with all the charm of a negotiation of a business arrangement, she doubted that anything he harbored for her wasn’t nearly as substantial as she’d always dreamed.
But the way he held her, and kissed her…
It was heavenly.
She gasped when his hand covered her breast and began to knead the flesh in slow, seductive movements. “I love it when you respond to my touch,” he growled roughly.
“It… feels good, Your Grace.”
“My name is Miles.”
“Miles…”
Olivia found herself lifted into the air. Her arms immediately went around his neck as he held her close against his chest and strode forward. His intent focus never left hers as he laid her down on a nearby settee as he kneeled down beside her. Before she could respond, he said, “I won’t do anything to damage your virtue, but I’ve waited forever to taste you and I can’t wait any longer.”
She wasn’t sure what he intended, but she could feel a blast of cold air on her legs when her skirts were raised, and he started to crawl down the length of her body, her eyes widened. “What are you—? Oh. Oh,my….” Her hips lifted of their own accord when his tongue dared to lick the intimate apex between her legs.
Her head fell back against the cushions of the settee, and she closed her eyes as everything centered around the wicked things he was doing to her body. She had never imagined that area could be so sensitive, but it didn’t take long for her to start panting at the strong urges shooting through her body. It was as if there was somethingaliveinside of her that was trying to find its way out, but she didn’t know how to oblige.
“Miles…” she cried out, not recognizing the sound of her own voice.
He didn’t reply, but merely slid a finger inside of her. Instantly, the beast clamoring within her started to prowl around with fierce intensity. It gnashed its teeth and clawed at her until finally, with a mighty roar, it escaped in a burst of white-hot pleasure that slid from the base of her spine and splintered into a thousand sparks of ecstasy. It lasted for an eternity, but still, it was over too soon.
When a languid warmth began to spread throughout her limbs, Miles returned to her and kissed her soundly, his hands clutching her upper arms. “You were magnificent, Olivia. See how good it could be between us? We are perfect together and there is still so much more to teach you.”
Immediately, her body snapped to attention. “There… is?” she dared ask.
He smiled almost wickedly. “Indeed. So much more.”
Olivia found herself suddenly torn between this new desire and her long held fears, and she couldn’t yet decide which would achieve victory. She had been so adamant about refusing the duke’s proposal unless he’d agreed to her terms that they didn’t share a chamber, but he made it hard to withstand him. If she was faced with this torture every night, it wouldn’t be long before she gave in completely.
