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“What do you think of that, Your Grace?” she asked smugly.

David’s eyes narrowed. “I think it was wonderful. Congratulations.”

Jenny let her lips curl into a slow, seductive smile. “Oh, why, thank you, Your Grace.”

She stood up and walked over to the drink cart, letting her fingertips trail over the furniture she passed. She recalled him doing this in the library, and she thought it appropriate to put their earlier lessons to work.

“I wasn’t sure how you would take the news.”

David bristled. “I don’t understand. Wasn’t this the purpose of our arrangement? I’m sure you put all of our lessons to good use.”

Jenny didn’t hide her smile. He sounded absolutely miserable.

She picked up his favorite whisky and poured two glasses. She held one out to him, forcing him to come to her.

This game is fun.

She made sure their fingertips touched when he took the glass from her. She gave him a warm smile as she took a small sip.

“So it wouldn’t bother you if I marry the Duke of Dovegrove?”

David took a healthy sip and licked his lips. “Of course not. If it is what you want, then I am happy for you.”

Jenny took one more sip before putting her glass down. She started to unbutton her coat, slowly, watching his eyes track her slow movements.

“I’m so glad to hear that, Your Grace.” She laid her coat over a chair. “You know, there was a time during ourarrangementthat I thought something might happen between us.”

David scoffed, but his shoulders were rigid. He stood unmoving, just trailing her with his eyes. The tension rolling off him was delicious and encouraged Jenny to keep going. For once in her life, she felt in control of the situation, and it was intoxicating.

Jenny shrugged one shoulder. “I must have read the situation wrong. I guess that’s all for the better. I mean, if this man will be my husband, I should be glad to offer him my body without worry.”

David sputtered. When she looked closely, she could see small beads of sweat forming on his hairline. His carefully constructed façade was starting to crumble.

“Offer him your body?”

Jenny laughed. “Of course, Your Grace.” She walked to him as her fingertips played with the lace just below her neck. “As a married woman, I’ll have to let him kiss me.” She stood in front of him. “Touch me.” She locked gazes with him. “Take me.”

Her words were barely a whisper, but he reacted as if she shouted at him. He recoiled and took a step back.

“What is the matter, Your Grace?” she asked innocently enough, but she knew she had hit her mark.

David’s chest was rising and falling quickly. His face was flushed and damp with sweat. “What is the meaning of this?”

Jenny tilted her head. “Of what, Your Grace?”

“You’re trying to seduce me.”

“Am I?” Her eyes grew heavy-lidded with lust, and she played into it. “Is it working?”

She watched his pupils dilate just before his lips crashed into hers. His arms crushed her to his body, and she moaned into his mouth.

All the pent-up anxiety she carried around for days erupted into a hungry need for this man. Her hands were tangled in his hair, scratching and pulling, coaxing growls from him.

David turned her and walked her backward to his desk. Without pausing his assault on her lips, he reached behind her and swiped the papers to the ground.

He picked her up and placed her on the desk, and once again her legs fell open. He fit perfectly between them. His kisses became more demanding, and she opened fully to him.

His hands trailed from her back to her front. One held her cheek, positioning her at the perfect angle for his kiss, while the other found her breast and started massaging it. Jenny’s head fell back at his touch.