Page 44 of Seven Nights with the Wicked Duke

Us.

She didn't like how the word made her feel elated and nodded, feigning composure.

He definitely had something planned that she would strongly object and all the hints he had given her only attested to that fact. She steeled herself mentally before voicing her concerns.

"You're starting to scare me with your words and I am not easily frightened, Your Grace," she complained with a pout. "What have you planned?"

He smirked.

"You should have more faith in me that I only do things to bring you and I pleasure."

At the expense of my sanity,she wanted to say, but instead she nodded.

"I trust you, but you would understand my suspicion," she said with a smile. "You have consistently surprised me at every turn. I am always out of my depths on these nights."

He smiled and drew closer to her, fingering a stray lock of her hair.

"I thought you and I shared a love of surprises," he mused. "You were tired of your routine."

"I have started to reconsider that love since becoming acquainted with you."

He laughed and flicked her forehead with a finger.

"I only want to help you complete your list," he retorted. "You seem to forget that is the only reason we are acquainted. While I find our time together most pleasurable, it is not solely for my pleasure."

She hadn't forgotten that, but there was no need to answer him. Instead, she sighed, shaking her head.

"You wanted an unforgettable waltz, did you not?" he asked.

She nodded.

"Then I will give it to you," he answered. "Take off your gown."

Her brows lifted at the odd command from him. Wasn't she already in a gross state of undress?

"I do not like to be kept waiting, Cecilia," he scolded.

She took a deep breath to steady herself and pulled at the ties holding the dress together till it pooled at her feet and she was clad in only the undergarments.

She was aware of his eyes on her as she stood unclad and watched him, wondering if he intended not to undress. She pouted when she realized he made no move to do the same. She was starting to tire of being the only one always unclad and she wanted terribly to see him.

"You will not undress?" she asked, looking so innocent he almost felt guilty for corrupting her as he had been doing.

Theo shook his head and came closer.

Even though seeing her naked was one of the things he had been most looking forward to, he was still blown away by the sight of her smooth skin and lush curves.

She was so beautiful that he itched to see her spread out before him but he knew that if he had her the way he wanted to see her, there would be nothing stopping him from showing her new heights of pleasures in ways she hadn't thought possible.

She was still a noblewoman and while he had tainted her, he wouldn't compromise her. She would marry a respectable gentleman and her husband would be the one to…

The thought that she would be someone else's and have them teach her all she would know about pleasure left a bitter feeling in the pit of his stomach but he ignored it and pulled her closer to him.

"Tonight is about you, Cecilia," he answered.

She nodded and smiled, leaning into him.

He truly wanted nothing more than to feel her skin on his body was still painted brightly with bruises from his last match and the scars he had earned at the war front would no doubt have frightened her and his purpose for the evening would be defeated.