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She did notfeelcomfortable, and his presence made her pulse jump wildly. While the room had felt warm before, the temperature now felt as though she was walking through fire.

He approached her boldly, and she trembled in anticipation as his green eyes bore into her. “Do you know what comes next?” he asked lowly, his eyes dark with desire.

“Some,” she said, scarcely daring to breathe.

His Grace chuckled, the sound a low rumble from deep in his chest. “Some,” he echoed. “I take that to mean that you know very little about the matter but wish to pretend as though you do.”

Her face grew hot, mostly because he had surmised correctly. “I know enough.”

“We shall see,” her husband replied, his hands going to her dressing gown.

Catherine drew a sharp breath as he took the garment and pushed it from her shoulders. She stood before him in only her nightdress, aware of the thin fabric. His green eyes trailed the length of her body, slowly exploring every inch of her.

“You behaved yourself appropriately at the wedding,” His Grace said. “Perhaps you deserve a reward for your good behavior.”

“Onlyperhaps?”

His eyes flashed. “Do not make me reconsider. Remove your nightdress.”

She shivered. All her muscles went taut as Catherine pulled the garment over her head. She let it fall to the floor in a whisper of fabric. A lump rose in her throat, as she stood entirely naked before His Grace. She should have been indignant. Deep inside, she felt the urge to push him a little, but she could not ignore the desire curling within her.

A large part of Catherine was curious to know what he would do. She wanted to experience this new thing, whatever it was. After all, Catherine had never been a proper lady, and the duke’s commands had awakened a newly found desire within her. She wanted this, even if she did not know why.

“Good girl,” he purred. “I like this.”

“This?” she whispered faintly.

“Turn around, and I shall show you,” he said.

Catherine’s throat went suddenly dry. What did he mean? Her blood roared in her ears.

His Grace clicked his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Have you forgotten your marriage vows already? Among other things, you promisedto obey,” he said, grinning wolfishly. “Now, turn around.”

She had promised that. Still, a rebellious streak leaped inside her, but Catherine’s sense of curiosity drowned out her desire to rebel. She turned around, facing the loveseat. Without warning, her husband’s front pressed against her back. His body was hard and warm, and Catherine trembled, as he cupped his breasts with his large, firm hands.

“This,” he murmured, his lips pressing against her neck.

The Duke of Sarsen firmly kneaded her breasts between his hands, and she groaned.

“Grasp the back of the loveseat,” he ordered.

She did, bending just a little. He moved with her, still fondling her breasts. Catherine became acutely aware of his weight pushed against hers and of the hardening manhood pressed against her back.

“Soeager,” His Grace taunted. “Just like in the foyer of your family’s home. I will bet that you were disappointed we could not go further that day. If I had not stopped you, how far would you have let me go?”

Catherine’s breath quickened, and her thoughts grew foggy and hot. A dull ache curled between her legs, and she pressed her thighs together in a vain attempt to soothe the coiling, persistent sensation of near-pain.

He pinched her nipples, and a jolt of pain and pleasure mingled together. Catherine’s back arched against him.

“Answer me,” he rumbled.

“I—I do not know,” she stammered. “I?—”

He pinched her nipples and rolled them between his thumbs, and a low whine tore from Catherine’s throat.

“I think you are lying to me.” Her husband’s breath was hot against her neck. “I think you would have let me deflower you. You are a wicked girl, and youenjoyedthat. You enjoy this too, do you not?”

Catherine’s breath came in ragged pants, her senses consumed by all the sensations inspired by his skilled hands. She was too aware of the firmness of his hands and fingers cupping her breasts and pinching her nipples, of his hard manhood against her back, his weight against her body, and the sweat gathering at the back of her knees and along her spine.