Page 49

He raised an eyebrow at her. “You really don’t know?”

“Tell me how specific.”

“Likethis, Lady Scarlett.”

Scarlett was not even spared a moment to take a breath before his lipscrashedagainst hers.

Perhaps she had pushed him too far. Goaded him beyond imagining.

Now, she was going to find out what it meant to tease the Duke of Wolves… and she could not be any more pleased with herself.

She wanted this. Wantedhim.

Wanted his lips on hers, his tongue plundering all her secrets. She wanted his hands all over her body, in places thatbeggedfor his touch.

She felt the familiar coil of desire low in her belly. The low, throbbing ache between her legs as she threw her hands around his neck, clinging to him for balance. Opening herself up in unequivocal surrender.

Unlike in the orangery, where his kiss was fierce and sudden, his lips now slid over hers in a slow yet thorough exploration. As his tongue swept into her mouth, her knees buckled, and she clutched at him for support. His response was a sound that was part laughter, part groan, and pure seduction.

She felt his thumb make a brief pass over the stiff peak of her breast, and she gasped. “Your Grace!”

He chuckled throatily, his lips trailing down her jaw to her ear. “Hudson,” he purred. “I told you before, I will have you calling my name when you beg me for release.”

Saints above, he truly meant to make her beg!

His finger stroked the taut peak, drawing exasperating circles around it through the thin fabric of her night rail. Scarlett could not help the moan that slipped past her lips.

“Say it,” he taunted her. “Say my name, little cat.”

Her breath hitched in her throat. He truly was the devil incarnate, playing with her like this.

“You do not even use my name. Well, except that one time,” she pointed out, gritting her teeth through the slow torture of his fingers on her breast.

“Say my name,” he growled. “Or I will stop.”

“No!” Her eyes fluttered open in horror. “Please… Hudson.”

He smiled. “That is much better,” he whispered silkily.

Right before his mouth clamped on her breast.

Wet heat enveloped her nipple as she arched into him with a soft scream, her fingers spearing into his hair.

“Oh, the things I will do to you,” he murmured. “As long as you follow my orders.”

Scarlett gasped. “Anything. I will do anything you ask.”

“Good.” His mouth released her breast, and she let out a mewl of protest. “Turn around,” he ordered. “And put your hands on the table.”

She nodded and did as he asked, her legs unsteady.

“Good girl.”

His praise sent sparks down her spine and straight to her core. She felt his fingers trace that path lightly, lingering over the curve of her bottom, before he cupped her most intimately.

“Do you like this, little cat?” he whispered in her ear. “Do you want my fingers inside you, pleasuring you?”

Scarlett closed her eyes and nodded.