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Seth was a confident and strong dancer; she felt safe and supported in his arms.

His dark gaze met hers, and she found herself sinking into it, unable to look away as they moved in a slow circle together, their bodies molding into one as if they had never been apart.

The rest of the world faded away, and she was lost, sinking deeper into his presence with every second that passed.

She was not sure how long they danced for—it could have been a minute or an hour—but when she returned to herself, a more lively set had begun, and she pulled away awkwardly.

“Should we return?”

“In a moment,” he said softly, his eyes glinting as he pulled her closer to him.

“But—”

“Are you in a hurry to return to your admirers, Duchess?” he asked.

He pulled her close, so close that she could feel through the layers of her dress how her proximity was affecting him.

Her breath stuttered as she tried to calm her racing pulse. “I?—”

She could not think with his lips so close. She wanted him to kiss her again, lamenting the lack of trees around them, for he would not be able to press her against a thick bark.

“Well?”

“Would that make you angry? If I were to return to them?” she asked as his grip tightened.

“That depends,” he said, his nose brushing over her cheek as he bent to kiss her neck. “Am I still the only one who gets to see your unusual fashion?”

The tip of his tongue sent shivers all over her skin.

Alicia’s fingers tightened on his shoulders as he pulled back, staring down at her with the same intensity she had felt on the first day she met him.

He ground his hips against hers—shockingly intimate, considering where they were.

Alicia felt her body throb for him, desperate to feel him again.

“I would show no one else,” she breathed as his palms pressed forcefully into her shoulders.

One hand gripped the back of her neck as he stared down at her, the intensity of his gaze wiping every thought from her mind.

With a rough movement, he pulled her forward, groaning softly as he crushed his lips to hers.

The motion took her by surprise, and her mouth dropped open.

She matched his groan with one of her own as he thrust his tongue inside, exploring, biting her lips. He bent her backward,his body pressed against hers, his hard length pressing urgently against her thigh.

Alicia gasped as he released her, only to moan as he dove back in for another taste, his lips molding against hers as their tongues wrapped around one another in an intimate dance.

Slowly, he pulled away, softening the kiss and gentling his hold, even as his eyes flicked warily to the doorway.

He tugged her toward the ballroom, his fingers tight around hers. “Come, Duchess. I would remind you who you belong to.”

Seth pulled at Alicia’s hand, sensing her surprise as he led her out of the ballroom altogether and summoned their carriage.

He had no interest in remaining there for a moment longer to watch those simpletons fawn all over his wife.

I never wish to see another man lay eyes on her again.

“Are we leaving?” she asked as they walked out the front door and he signaled to the footman to collect their cloaks.