Page 312 of Desires of a Duke Collection

CeCe felt as if her chest were on fire, the burning of their passions overtaking her. His chest was rock hard, his shoulders broad, and his stomach tight. She wanted to touch his skin just for a moment, to run her bare fingers across his chest as he had touched her.

She moaned as he deepened the kiss, their tongues meeting and mating in a song as old as time. His scent was intoxicating. She couldn’t get enough of him. Sensing her distress and wanting to be closer to her, he lifted her onto his lap and began to place tender kisses on her face and down her neck. He was firm beneath her and still growing larger.

CeCe squirmed a bit, rubbing her bottom against him. Charles bit off an oath, holding her hips still and taking a quick breath.

His voice was gruff with passion. “CeCe, this is not the place for this. Not that I am not fully in accord with your plans, but my brothers often come and swim in the lake. We do not want to be seen or overheard.”

CeCe sighed, sliding herself off his lap, only to be met by another growl from him. “That would be most unfortunate.”

Her lips were puffy and pink, and her eyes were still full of passion. She looked up at him wistfully, and he was lost in her gaze.

“You are so beautiful,” he murmured, gently tracing her cheekbone with his finger.

CeCe blushed. “You don’t have to say that just because we... that is to say we were...”

Charles looked vastly amused. “We were... what, Peanut?”

CeCe swatted him on the arm. “You tease! You know very well what we were doing.”

He laughed. “Yes, I do. I just love to hear you trying to explain it. You always have a delightful flush on your cheeks. One day I will see just how much of you turns pink; I am willing to wager it extends all the way down.”

“Charles!” CeCe swatted him again, smiling. “You shouldn’t think such things, or at least not say them!”

His eyes darkened. “That is the very least of my thoughts of you. There are things that I will show you, CeCe, that I long to do with you.” He broke off with another curse. “This is not cooling me down whatsoever. A new subject would be most appreciated right now.”

CeCe grinned, loving that she had such an effect on this big, handsome man. “I think I am all prepared for Widow Abbott and Frances to come tomorrow for tea. It will be important to have a game plan.”

Charles frowned a bit. “CeCe, I hope that you do not become too disappointed if Robert and Frances are not amenable to your plans. I do not think that Robert is really ready for marriage.”

“Marriage,” her face took on a distasteful look. “Whoever was talking about marriage?”

“You were!” he replied, looking at her a little strangely. “What else could you have been hoping for by having Robert flirt with Miss Frances? Marriage is what comes from courtship, CeCe; this shouldn’t be a surprise.”

“Marriage is a horrible entrapment. I would never wish that on her or any woman of my acquaintance!” CeCe replied hotly.

“CeCe, what are you about?” Charles was confused at the sudden animosity coming from her.

“I hate that a woman is supposed to bow down to her husband. I hate how a wife is an asset or a commodity. Men do not have to marry to share love with a woman. I don’t see why I should have to either.” CeCe’s color was rising with her temper.

“Are you telling me you wish to have marital relations with a man without ever being married?” he asked incredulously.

“All men do it, and I don’t see why they should and women shouldn’t. I will never allow myself to become trapped by a husband while he is free to come and go whenever he pleases. A man is free to have marital relations with whomever he pleases, while his poor wife is expected to look the other way. I will not have it!”

“Where is this coming from? You are being irrational.”

CeCe flew to her feet and went to gather the reins to her mount. “I am being irrational? You are being a cad!”

Charles, hot on her heels, grabbed her shoulder and spun her around. “Are you telling me that you will never marry, not even me?”

CeCe felt tears splash down her cheeks. “I will never marry, Charles. Not even you.”

Charles looked thunderstruck. Taking a step back, he searched her face for any sign that she might reconsider. It killed him that she was so distressed, but this was something that he could not compromise on.

“CeCe,” he gently took her hand, “I love you. Surely you must know that I want to marry you and be with you always.”

Giant sobs were shaking her body now, fear and despair written clearly on her face. “I must go,” she cried, mounting her horse.

Hurt and confused, Charles called out to her. “CeCe, please, listen to me. I won’t wait forever. I can’t do it anymore; it’s killing me.”

“I didn’t ask you to,” she replied brokenly before digging her heels into her mare and riding hell for leather toward Mangrove Manor, her tears streaming down her face and into the wind. She knew now with certainty that she loved Charles Rotherford, and she just might have lost him forever.