Page 103 of Corrupting his Duchess

His hand slid to her waist, fingers pressing into the silk.

Anna tried again to push him back. Her voice came out thin. “Lord Vaun. Let me go.”

He didn’t.

“You gave in to him,” he said.

The words struck harder than the grip on her wrist.

“You gave yourself to Yeats, didn’t you?” he went on, voice still calm, too calm. “Don’t look shocked. It’s not exactly subtle. The garden walks. The late-night visits. You gave it to him, and now you act as if you’re untouched.”

Her stomach turned.

“You think I don’t see it?” His fingers curled tighter. “You look at him like he hung the stars and you expect me to believe you’ve been innocent with him?”

Her pulse pounded in her throat. “That’s none of your– ”

“I’m not angry,” he said, smiling now, smiling like he meant to make her sick. “I’m not. I just think if he got to taste it, then so should I.”

Her blood ran cold.

“I’m not some idiot cousin playing suitor while you pine for a duke. You chose me. You agreed.”

“Not to this,” she said, breath sharp.

“You’re mine now, Anna.”

“No.”

She tried to wrench free again, but his grip tightened. Her elbow hit stone.

He grabbed her chin. “You’re being dramatic.”

“No– ”

“You liked it with him,” he hissed. “So what makes this different? I’m not asking for anything you haven’t already given.”

Tears stung her eyes, but she refused to let them fall. Her back hit the stone pillar again, shoulder aching. She shoved at his chest with both hands now, but he didn’t move.

His mouth was too close. His hand at her waist was inching lower.

She barely heard what he said anymore.

Just the pressure of his fingers, the sick twist of his mouth.

“You liked it with him,” Matthew was saying. “Don’t pretend now.”

Her back hit the stone pillar harder again. The impact made her gasp.

Before she could pull free, his hand clamped around her jaw– hard, fingers digging in to force her face up. Her scalp prickled with heat.

Then he kissed her.

Not gentle. Not curious. Not anything that could be mistaken for affection.

Just power and pure force.

His mouth crushed against hers, lips bruising, breath sour. She tried to turn her head but his grip locked her still.