Page 25

It only made her want more, her throat feeling strangely parched as he touched the tips of his fingers to her ankle, slowly dragging them up the length of her body, his dark gaze hiding the thoughts running through his mind.

When he reached her hips, Julian’s right hand slid between her legs, two of his fingers thrusting into her suddenly.

Anna arched her back off the bed, instinctively trying to wriggle away from him, crying out as the fingers of his left hand pinched her nipple. It was ridiculous, how overwhelmed she was already, even more so how much she enjoyed it.

“Do you enjoy getting on my nerves?” he asked suddenly, his fingers still exploring her wet folds in deep and slow strokes.

Anna could barely remember where she was, much less possess enough strength to understand what her husband had asked. Still, she tried, fixing her gaze on him weakly as she kept bucking her hips to meet his strokes, arching into the hand that groped at her breast, humming incoherently.

“Hmm?”

Julian continued as though her response was not necessary, his eyes purposefully roaming over her shaking form.

“You must. That is the only reason why you fearlessly combat me on every stance. You find it pleasurable, just as much as you find this.”

At the last word, he thrust his fingers even deeper and Anna moaned loudly, surprising even herself at the noise.

“You seek to push me to the edge each time, because you want me to take you, just like this. It is a wonder how you managed without any lovers in your absence. Although, I cannot say that I am not pleased that I was the first to taste you. And I have wanted to, all night.”

Julian lowered himself to wrap his lips around the same nipple he had pinched, his tongue circling the stiff bud.

Anna felt tortured by the fact that she wasn’t allowed to touch him, wanting to feel the heat of his skin beneath her fingertips, to run her hands through his hair.

She wanted to know if he was quaking with desire too.

“You were so divine tonight, love. As beautiful as a princess, and everyone knew it. They all watched you, greed and want obvious in the way they followed your movements. And all I wanted to do then was lock you away from all those prying eyes. Especially when you entertained that bloody fool who had the audacity to approach you.” He whispered against her collarbone, littering her neck with kisses and little nips at her skin.

Anna shook her head. “I did n-not entertain him. I swear –”

“I could see the way he looked at you. If I hadn’t been there, who knows what would’ve happened?

Of course, I doubt such a floundering excuse of a man would be able to satisfy you.

Not when you bend to my will so easily, not with how moist you become at my touch.

He would never be good enough for you. No one would – except for me. ”

The duchess nodded frantically, sobbing as Julian’s strokes grew faster, more insistent, as though he wanted to push her to ecstasy. Just when it was within reach, he pulled his fingers out of her completely and she whined at the loss.

“W-Wait – no, please… please, Julian…” she begged, the disappointing loss that unfurled within her driving her to the brink of insanity.

Julian smiled down at her, the edges of his expression far too sharp to be well-intentioned as he caressed the side of her face.

“I wonder if you know that. If you understand why your body burns when I touch you, why you always wish to move your hips in my direction whenever I’m in you.

Do you realize that your body knows – likely more than you do – who you belong to?

” he questioned, still not giving her what he knew she needed.

Anna nodded desperately, wishing she could pull him close, growing frustrated when he tutted at her impatiently.

“Tell me, princess. Who do you belong to?” Julian demanded, one of his fingers circling her entrance but not delving into the heat between her legs.

“Y-You!” she screamed with want. “I’m yours, Julian. Only yours! So please –”

Her response seemed to satisfy him and his fingers were in her again, thrusting in and out of her at a brutal pace. Anna clenched the pillow above her head, barely able to control how her body flailed about, wrought with pleasure.

Julian’s lips found hers as she climaxed, swallowing all his soft praises as she arched into him, shuddering through her release.

He was patting her hair as she settled down, her body feeling as though her bones had been lined with lead.

Anna tried to bring her hands down and when she noticed they were still bound, she brought her husband’s attention to it with a singular whine.

“Sorry,” he muttered against her lips, pressing a kiss on her forehead before he undid the knot around her wrist. “Are you all right?”

Anna nodded, clinging to his arm, suddenly worried he might leave. Julian knew what she was concerned about and put her mind at ease by pulling her into his arms, holding her to his chest as he lay down on her bed.

“It’s been a rather long evening. You should get some sleep.”

Anna felt safe and warm in his arms, and for the first time since their cohabitation had begun, she held onto the hope for more that throbbed to life within her, drifting into a deep sleep moments later.

Julian kept his eyes on Anna’s face while she slept, tracing each lovely feature as his mind reflected on his actions.

He was acting quite strange lately, easily bending to the will of the woman in his arms. It was concerning how often he wanted to do things that would encourage and care for her, how possessive he was of her, and how disheartened he felt whenever she was upset.

Julian wasn’t sure what to make of it all, suddenly wishing he could leave the estate and return back to the life he had once had.

But when the thought had gone through his mind, there was a strange sting in his chest, right where he assumed his heart was. It was so sudden, it caught him off guard, especially when imagined leaving Anna behind to continue the life she had led before Nicholas’ arrival.

Could he have – surely not. He simply couldn’t.

Not after all that he had seen. Not after the promises he had made to himself.

But when he looked down at her, taking in the sight of Anna pressed into, her breaths soft and gentle, his heart began to beat a little faster.

That only served as proof of what he suspected.

He had fallen for his wife.