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She nodded, swallowing as his nearness brought his seductive sandalwood and spicy scent to her.

“Good, so I will do nothing untoward to you,” he asserted, “unless you want me to.”

“I want you to,” she admitted as liquid heat pooled in her core.

His eyes darkened, and she barely had any warning before he kissed her, groaning into her mouth.

His kiss was feral, betraying his desire for her. His hands roamed up and down her body, caressing and squeezing and sparking up her lust.

Her hands buried themselves in his hair, and she gripped tighter, earning a groan from him.

“You have no idea how much I wanted to do this today,” he growled into her mouth.

She whimpered when he nipped her bottom lip painfully.

“I want you naked beneath me.”

She nodded and moved her hands behind to open her door, and they went into her room, a flurry of eager hands undressing each other till they were fully naked, with him atop her.

“I don’t think I can stop,” he groaned, grinding against her.

She felt him shudder above her and smiled at how untamed he was.

“Then don’t.”

* * *

“Good morning, wife,” Alexander greeted when Helen entered the dining room. “How did you sleep?”

A hot blush climbed up her body as she saw the teasing look in his eyes.

“I slept well, husband,” she answered, playing along with his ruse. “And you?”

He gave a full-toothed smile, stealing her breath with how handsome he looked when he did so.

“I slept better than I have in years.”

She shook her head at his antics, pouring herself a cup of coffee because she was exhausted, as they hadn’t gotten much sleep the previous night.

“What are your plans for the day?” she asked him, hoping he had work in his study, so she could spend a little time with him.

She had enjoyed the little bits of conversation they shared in the hours before they’d finally fallen asleep and most especially the lectures he had given her on the art of loving when they finally awoke.

She caught his gaze and saw a knowing twinkle in his eyes which made her redden. He always seemed to know what she was thinking, and it seemed he had a superior talent for knowing when her thoughts drifted to improper things.

“Dear wife, why do you ask?” he asked, smiling as he sipped his coffee.

She had finally won him over when she had made him a particularly sweet cup. It turned out the Ruthless Duke had a sweet tooth.

“Oh, nothing,” she answered. “I was hoping we could go on a picnic later.”

He nodded, but his look turned serious.

“I am afraid we’ll have to hold off,” he explained. “My sister’s engagement party is only two nights away. There’s much to prepare before then.”

“Oh.”

At the mention of his family, gone was the playful man she knew, and sitting before her was the Duke of Blackhill, whose stare sent many people fleeing for safety.