Page 13 of The Duke’s Absolutely Fantastic Fling (The Notorious Briarwoods #15)

“I don’t think it is you,” she said softly, her heart nearly breaking at his tenderness.

“Not exactly. You mustn’t worry about it.

It used to happen to me as a child when I first came to England, and I thought I had it all mastered.

But it’s come back, and Grandmama has promised to help me, and now it seems that you are promising to help me too, and that is very kind. ”

“I will help you in whatever way I possibly can,” he vowed.

She bit her lower lip, wondering something. “Would you hold me?”

His eyes flared ever so slightly, as if her request was the very last thing he had expected and yet it pleased him. “Yes, of course I’ll hold you.”

Then gently, lovingly, as if he would protect her from every foe and evil force in the world, he pulled her gently into his arms.

She leaned into his embrace, feeling his hard chest against her, and it wasn’t desire that she felt in that particular moment. It was safety . She felt swallowed up by him in a gentle way, and she drew in a long breath and closed her eyes.

For a single moment, she felt as if she could let everything go, as if she didn’t have to think of anything at all. He held her patiently, carefully, as if he was afraid she might suddenly bolt from him.

And then, much to her amazement, he lowered his face and rested his cheek atop her hair. She closed her eyes and gave in to the way his slow breathing calmed her.

And in the warm air, with the scent of the garden about them, she felt her body release its tension, and she let herself feel nothing but him.

A shaky, soothing breath escaped her. Her muscles eased.

Yes, all would be well with him, surely.

The terror that she had experienced the night before and just now would not control her or claim her. She would be able to master it again. She would be at ease in this life, but it was frightening.

“You’re not alone,” he said softly.

“What a kind thing to say,” she said. “Of course, I know I’m not alone. I am surrounded by my family.”

He was silent for a moment. “Forgive me. What a silly thing for me to say. Of course, you know you’re not alone, as you point out. But do they know that you are…?”

“No need for forgiveness. But I want you to know that I am cared for. Though your extra care is noted with approval,” she tried to tease. “But what do you fear my family does not know?”

“I must ask you to forgive me again. Of course, you said your grandmother helped you.”

She nodded. “Yes, and when I was small, my mother and father. They take very good care of all the children that they’ve adopted, and many of us had things like this when we were first brought here. It’s just frustrating to me because I thought…”

“What?” he asked, his voice a rumble.

“I thought…” Her voice broke off and she felt so very vulnerable before him.

She’d never felt so vulnerable in her life as she did sharing this, being seen by him.

When last they’d been together in Scotland, she had been at the height of merriment, cheeky conversation, and good fun.

Now? She felt as if she was falling apart and she hated it.

“Tell me,” he urged, his voice a gentle caress.

Her lips parted and before she could stop herself, she rasped, “I thought I was never going to have to feel like this again. I really don’t like this, if I’m honest.”

And then, much to her shock, hot tears filled her eyes. A single one slid down her cheek and she tried to dash it away.

But before she could, his own thumb stroked the tear from her face and he cupped her cheek for moment. Then, oh so slowly, he tilted her head back and gently took her chin with his thumb and forefinger.

“I did not think that I would make you cry,” he said softly, his face a mask of dismay.

But there was no admonishment. His heart was open.

She wanted to tell him that he had not done. Just as she said that he had not caused these feelings in her, but she realized that that might be a lie, and she wanted to find out.

No, she had to find out.

She’d tilted her face farther up to him. “Kiss me,” she whispered.

“What?” he gasped, his eyes widening at her words. “I don’t see how that can be a good idea if my presence now causes you to feel this . My darling Josephine, my heart, tears are slipping down your face in my presence. Possibly because—”

“Kiss me,” she said again, her own heart aching at his tender words. Why couldn’t she have him when he said such things? When she felt such love for him. She did! There was no denying it.

But that damned voice deep inside her revolted, insisting that she not risk it. But she had to at least try this, didn’t she?

“It’s what you truly want?” he asked.

“I need this,” she said, willing herself not to be afraid, not when he was such a shelter to her battered heart. “I need your kiss.”

“Then I shall do whatever you command, but only if you promise me you’ll tell me if it causes you more distress.”

She licked her lips, then nodded.

She wanted to forget. She wanted to forget all the pain, the terror that threatened to choke out her joy. Somehow she knew he was the key. Whether he had caused it or could cure it, she did not know. But his lips upon hers would surely be the beginning of finding out.

When he took her in his embrace, Teague’s strong arms held her to him with care and yet she could feel his body all but crackling with his desire for her. As his lips touched hers, all her fears and all her rioting thoughts did indeed vanish.

Josephine surrendered to his kiss, and at that, she arched her back, deepening the kiss until it was hot, wild, and consumed the both of them.

In their dance of lips, and tongues, and caresses, she could not think of anything but him. Kiss after kiss left them breathless, straining, needing, but at last he staggered back. His eyes were wide, amazed.

“We must join the others,” he said, his voice a low growl as if it took all his will to choose restraint over making love to her here in the garden.

She nodded, and when he held out his hand to him, she took it.

She licked her tender lips as they started to make their way to his house.

Now, her heart beat wildly, but not out of fear.

No, it beat for him. She did not know if his proposal was the cause of her fears, but she did know that his kisses just might be the solution. If she had the courage to find out.

“Your Grace, Miss Josephine Briarwood is here, asking to see the library and yourself.”

Teague glanced up from the newssheet and put his cup of coffee down. “I beg your pardon?” he asked, stunned and delighted by the outcome of his butler’s entry into his private sitting room.

He had been resisting going to see Josephine. After all, her uncles had told him not to pursue her overtly. It was not easy advice to follow since he longed to be with her.

He had been doing everything he could, of course, to be genial, and a good suitor, and to enjoy this affair, or whatever exactly it was that they had together. But it had been devilish challenging not to send her flowers, books, poetry, and notes the few days he’d been in London.

Perhaps the uncles were right though. Perhaps being overzealous would have been the worst possible thing.

Perhaps waiting for her to make the move was wise.

It had been difficult the previous day when she and her family had come to visit his new estate.

How he had longed to make everything better, to mend all her difficulties, but at least she had seemed much improved after their kiss.

“Send her in, Gregs,” he announced, putting his coffee down and snapping his newssheet shut. He stood awaiting her, and within moments, Josephine entered the small room that overlooked the river.

She wore a straw bonnet bedecked with teal ribbons and her gown of soft sage skimmed her deliciously curved body.

She smiled at him and said without hesitation, “I have come to see your library. Do you mind showing it to me?”

The butler gave a quick bow and headed out, good man that he was.

“Of course I will show it to you,” Teague said. “But please keep in mind it is nothing like my library in Scotland. That one is full of books of my own personal taste, and I have done a great deal of collecting. My father and his father also helped to fill it. This one, on the other hand?”

Teague grimaced. “I do think it was owned by book haters.”

“I did not know book haters existed!” she exclaimed, her eyes widening with shock.

He gave a look of mock horror. “Och, they do.”

“You must show me this monstrosity,” she declared.

“Are you here alone?” he asked.

“I’m with you,” she teased.

“But you did not bring a chaperone?”

She shrugged, causing the ribbons on her gown to flutter. “Your estate is next to mine. I found my feet wandering this way. No one at the house will be alarmed.” She paused and tilted her head to the side. “And are you alone?”

“There is Gregs,” he replied, enjoying their banter.

“Your butler is charming. He was very polite and did not act at all shocked by the fact that a young lady came to call.”

“He seems a very good man. I’ll have to make sure he gets a compliment and a raise.”

“Where are your brothers?”

“My brothers are in London,” he said quickly, quite relieved that they had gone. For he was alone with her. “Securing new suits of clothes for the various balls we shall be attending.”

“Goodness,” she laughed. “I never would’ve guessed that they were such dandies.”

“They are vain, the lot of them,” he announced playfully. “Don’t let their rugged demeanor fool you.”

“Oh, I won’t,” she assured.

Then, together, though not touching, they went into the halls, up the stairs, and down to a room that could only be called the library, though it was a dismal state of affairs.

He opened the door and ushered her in.

“Oh dear,” she whispered. “I see what you mean.”

Many of the shelves were half empty.

“Whatever are you going to do about it?” she demanded.

“I don’t know,” he said honestly, leaning against the closed door. “What do you think I should do about it?”

She cleared her throat. “First of all, I think you should speak with my Aunt Mercy and get all the new books.”

“I agree,” he said, delighting in watching her imagine the library in her image. “And of course, we should go to all of the bookshops. Phoebe clearly knows the best ones. We will fill the shelves.”

She winked at him, quite pleased by her thoughts. “Perhaps we can even send abroad for more mysterious tomes.”

We.

How he liked that word upon her pink lips. It was perfection.

“You’d like to help?” he asked, slowly striding towards her.

“I suppose I wouldn’t mind it,” she said, twining her gloved hands together.

“Would you mind helping me cheer it up a little bit at present?”

Her eyes twinkled. “What would do that?”

“Ooh, it’s so demoralizing, isn’t it?” he rumbled, nearing her, eager to have her in his arms. “Seeing all those empty shelves, but perhaps a kiss might improve it.”

Her lips parted and her eyes shone with anticipation. “I should dearly love to improve the library. And if you think kissing would do it…”

He needed no further urging. He crossed the distance between them and took her in his arms. He took his time kissing her, not wishing to startle her with his hunger. He touched his tongue to the line of her mouth.

Understanding the request, she parted her lips, and he delved inside, tasting her.

She tasted of sweets and tea and heaven.

Josephine clasped his shoulders.

He picked her up, and she let out a cry of delight as he easily carried her to the brocade-covered wall and pressed her back against it.

He took a handful of her skirt in his fist. “I long to make love to you,” he growled against her mouth, “but not now. Not here.”

She let out a moan of protest.

“But what about…?” He licked his lips, barely able to speak as he thought of what he wished to do. He sucked in a breath and whispered, “Will you let me show you?”

Her eyes widened and she nodded. “I think that is part of our arrangement, is it not?”

“An affair,” he rumbled.

She nodded. “Life should be full of exciting moments such as this,” she marveled.

And he was thrilled that she was excited.

He wanted her to be excited and not afraid, and so he would do whatever he could to fill her days with joy, excitement, adventure, and making her feel powerful.

“Good God,” he rasped. “I am an intelligent man, or so I like to think, but I can think of nothing else right now but your body and what I wish to do with you.”

“Do it then,” she urged as she arched towards him.

Teague lifted her skirt up her thighs, then slowly, gently slipped his fingers along her thighs and found the spot between her legs. Oh so very gently, he feathered his fingers over her soft folds until she was gasping against him.

“I—I had no idea,” she gasped as she locked gazes with him.

He loved that she was looking at him, and he held that look as he replied, “Did you not?”

She shook her head no, which only made him more determined to show her what they’d be capable of.

He bent down and kissed the curve of her neck just as he pressed ever so slightly with his thumb along her slick nub.

And then she tensed, and he felt her escape into bliss. He did not stop circling until he had made certain that her cheeks were rosy, and her eyes shone with fully realized pleasure.

His cock was hard against his breeches and it begged him to take her, but he was not some base young man.

He was not here for just a moment’s pleasure. No, he wished to have her the next day, the next week, the next month, the next year. For all the years.

He was not playing for a single bit of bliss. He was playing for the rest of his life and he would not fail.

“You’ll visit me in my rooms?” she whispered at last. “Tonight?”

His heart hammered against his ribs and he nodded.

“I shall be waiting.”