Page 54 of Wedded to the Duke of Seduction

As the first act ended, Leo leaned toward her, his mouth nearly touching her ear.

“I enjoyed your story,” he murmured softly. “Your sea captain searching for his brother—it’s compelling. You write passion very well.”

Her heart jumped a little. “Thank you,” she whispered back.

“I am curious,” he continued softly, his breath warm against her skin. “How do you create such vivid characters? Where does your inspiration come from?”

Marina turned slightly, meeting his gaze. “I believe I have mentioned that I don’t wish to discuss my writing process with you.”

“Of course.” Leo nodded though his eyes held a challenge. “I am merely fascinated by you, Marina. A woman with such passion burning within her yet never seeming to apply it…” He paused, studying her face. “Aren’t you envious of your heroines? Don’t you wish to experience for yourself what you so vividly describe? After all, isn’t it longing—aching for what one lacks—that drives a writer to put ink to paper?”

Leo’s closeness sent Marina’s heart racing. Even through her gown, she felt the warmth of his touch, making her pulse quicken.

She turned to him, startled by the intensity in his eyes.

For a moment, everyone around them faded away, leaving just the two of them suspended in a tense silence.

“Marina? Are you all right?” Leo asked softly, his gaze steady.

She took a breath, gathering herself. “I’m fine,” she whispered.

His mouth curved slightly. “You seemed distracted.”

“It’s nothing,” she murmured, looking back toward the stage as the music resumed.

But Marina couldn’t ignore the tension humming between them. Every movement Leo made only heightened her awareness of him.

By the time the performance ended, she felt completely on edge.

And she hated how easily he had that effect on her.

Once back home, Marina gave Leo a brief ‘goodnight’ and a curtsy, ready to go upstairs to her rooms.

But Leo gently caught her elbow. “Are you avoiding me?”

She stopped and faced him, uneasy at being caught. “No. I’m just tired.”

“You’ve been avoiding me all week,” Leo said quietly, stepping closer. “Tonight, you can barely stand to sit next to me. Why?”

Marina drew a careful breath. “Because you have been acting as if you’re trying to charm me. The whispers, your touch tonight?—”

Leo laughed softly. “I am not trying to charm you, Marina. I am just being myself.”

Something in his voice made Marina pause. She studied his face in the moonlight, searching for deception and finding only an openness that drew her forward despite her better judgment.

“Leo,” she breathed, not quite sure what she intended to say.

He closed the distance between them in a single step, his hands coming up to frame her face with surprising gentleness.

“Tell me to stop,” he murmured. “Tell me you don’t want this.”

Marina knew she should pull away. Knew she should maintain the careful distance that had protected her.

Yet his scent was everywhere, and with his lips so tantalizingly close…

She couldn’t bear it.

Instead, she rose on her tiptoes, her hands sliding up to his shoulders as their lips met in a kiss that immediately blazed from gentle to desperate.