Page 20 of The Duke’s Cursed Virgin (Cursed Brides #3)

Chapter Nineteen

“ S ophia,” Theo whispered, tapping her leg gently—the one resting against his thigh—waking up his cock.

What a fortunate man he was. That was what he thought the moment his eyes had opened from a brief nap. It was still very dark, and the memory of what transpired moments ago was still vivid.

Tenderness came over him as he remembered how he helped her clean the spots of blood from her thighs.

He had never really thought he’d be someone’s first. The commitment and the bond that came after it was too much, and he was never certain he could give that to anyone.

But tonight?

After he’d taken her virginity, he had carried her to his bed. He felt a little guilty that he didn’t take her on it. Instead, he had taken her on the table like a desperate schoolboy.

In hindsight, he did not like it, but he’d been out of control.

“Yes?” Sophia responded, stirring quickly after he called her name.

“Stay,” he said, cupping her cheek.

“It’s nearly dawn. I must leave before anyone notices I’m missing,” she protested, rising on her elbows and peering around frantically.

Theo watched her naked body with unabashed admiration. She was beautiful. Her soft curves and smooth skin begged to be touched, the elegant line of her neck begged to be kissed, and the flush on her chest still lingered.

She was perfect for him in every way. His chest ached with the force of it, the sheer rightness of her undoing him more thoroughly than any touch ever could.

“There is time. I must have you again.”

She looked at him, pausing her urgent movements. She must have seen the desperation in his eyes.

He had never told anyone to stay when they wanted to go. With his widowed mistresses, they could go as they pleased and he would go back to sleep.

“I-I shouldn’t. You know why, Theo. It’s for your own good, too. You don’t want anyone to know about this.”

Theo didn’t like that her mind went there. She thought that he loathed the idea of getting caught in a scandal with her, that he would never marry her if their affair became public knowledge.

But wasn’t that what he wanted? A woman who wanted nothing more to do with him beyond the bedroom? Or in their case, the dining room, too?

“But you want to. I know you want to stay. I can already see how your body responds to me. Again,” he said, making himself smile the way she’d expect.

Wicked. Knowing.

He tugged at her nipples. They hardened immediately.

“Tell me how you want me to touch you.”

“I-I can stay, but not for too long,” she said.

“Good.” He smirked, rolling her onto her back.

Theo could not get enough of her kisses. He captured her lips once more. He wanted more from her—demanded more. Yet, he also didn’t want her to be hurt. He wanted to give her the tenderness she needed.

His hands trailed down her body, rediscovering every inch and committing it to memory.

She was already wet. He had made certain to test her with his fingers. She had just lost her virtue, and should still feel a little sore. There would be a time for a wilder abandon. For now, he could be patient. He would be.

In one smooth motion, he was inside her again. She was so tight around him that it was hard for him to hold onto his self-control.

He wanted her to feel worshipped, not used. He watched her face for signs of pain.

She looked back at him in wonder. Those eyes made his chest ache—made that hollow spot within him tingle.

“Mine,” he murmured as his thrusts became faster. The word was said more to himself than to Sophia.

“Yours,” she responded, her eyes brimming with tears.

This time, they reached their climax together.

“Theo,” Sophia whispered after putting her dress and cloak back on.

“Mmm?”

“I don’t want to go.”

“I don’t want you to go either,” he admitted, threading his fingers through her hair. He liked seeing her this way, with her loose waves tumbling down her shoulders. “We’ll see each other again.”

“Do you mean that?” she asked, her face lighting up.

“Yes. Of course, I mean it. You’re mine, Sophia,” he said gruffly. “And I intend to keep you.”

It was why sending her off was the most difficult thing he had to do. So far.

It amazed Sophia that she and the Duke had been meeting for weeks. They met at least twice a week, and the days in between were excruciating. Some nights, she would go home as soon as they were sated. Some nights, they tested the fates and lingered too close to dawn.

However, a new pattern seemed to emerge, and it was confusing and satisfying at the same time. They would have dinner, as usual. They would also talk about so many things, and sometimes it was enough.

“You never told me why you were sent to Scotland soon after your accident,” he declared as he reclined across from her.

Even during these little chats, he had this intense way of watching her that made her shiver. He never made her feel afraid, however.

“I suppose my uncle thought it was best. I was so young, and the scandal had been too much to handle, especially after—” She broke off and blinked her eyes rapidly. Her fingers, which were tracing the stem of her glass, now gripped it hard. “No one would have me, except Aunt Mary.”

“Your uncle should have protected and supported you. His word would have been enough,” Theo said, his eyebrows drawing together in a black scowl. “Only cowards and simpletons believe in superstitions, and he proved himself no better.”

“He is merely pragmatic. He was to take on the title of Marquess of Foxmere. Rossburn Hall was the best place for me, back then. And based on what I’ve seen and heard so far, it might still be the best place for me.”

A shadow passed over the Duke’s face. He narrowed his eyes at her, then turned to stare off into the distance. A rare, awkward silence fell between them. Sophia didn’t know if she said something wrong.

“I shouldn’t be here, but Aunt Mary wants to be part of this Season. She has been so good to me, not in an overprotective way but in her own way. She wants me to toughen up.”

“And you remained with her throughout your stay in Scotland?” Theo asked, swirling his wine and studying the deep red liquid as if it had some mystical powers.

Sophia could not help but smile at the thought.

“Yes, I did. It was lonely at first. No, I was worse than lonely. I was distraught. My father died, and I was ostracized from the society that I loved. However, my aunt has been nothing but kind to me. She also has the best library.”

She tried to ignore the knowing look on Theo’s face. She could not help but blush, though.

“Books became my solace, Theo. Rossburn Hall’s impressive library consumed my hours.”

“You have been confined to the Highlands. A lady of wit and intelligence. That was a tragic waste. Your uncle never even attempted to marry you off to someone powerful, to stop all the terrible things people were saying about you.”

Sophia flinched at his words. Did he really mean that? Did he prefer that she was married to someone else, then? Didn’t he consider her situation beneficial to his desires, at the very least?

“I had suitors, back then. All of them fled after the accident. Nobody wants to die young. The Highlands are breathtaking in their beauty. It made me see the world beyond parading in front of suitors for a Season. I developed freedom of thought because I was given time to read and think away from the ton.”

“And yet here you are now,” he murmured.

“What do you mean?”

“Scotland is undoubtedly beautiful, but fate has brought you back to London.”

“It’s not ideal for me to be here,” she responded, suddenly feeling despondent. “What about you?”

“What about me?” he asked, visibly surprised that the question had bounced back to him.

“You keep everyone at arm’s length,” she said, hesitating with each word.

“Do you think so?” he asked, no longer looking amused.

“What else could it be? I heard that you have no plans to marry. Your mistresses are shrouded in mystery. You are very discreet about their identities—which I now appreciate. Attending balls and soirées is nothing more than an obligation for you to keep your business connections.” She ticked off the list on her fingers, and his eyebrows shot up.

Did he think she hadn’t been watching him too?

“Why?”

Theo’s expression darkened slightly. His brow was furrowed, and his gaze was back on his now-empty glass.“Attachments make men weak. I’ve learned that at an early age,” he said sullenly.

“You’re afraid of allowing anyone to hurt you,” Sophia declared, hoping she had not pushed him too far.

“Yes, you might be right about that,” he said in an even tone that she did not like.

“I, uh, am sorry to ask you such questions. I merely wanted to know what it’s like to shun people and not the other way around. You chose to be away from the ton whenever you want to, while I had no choice in that matter.”

“You are very perceptive,” he said, his mood brightening.

“I’ve had years to be this way. As an outsider, I learned how to watch because I was never allowed to participate,” she explained with a small smile.

“You are not an outsider here,” he said, reaching for her hand.

“There’s just the two of us here,” she said, opting for humor instead of overthinking his words.

Acceptance. He had given her that. The first few trysts were easier to understand, as they explored each other’s bodies and discovered their wants. These past few nights had been more difficult to assess, as there was more conversation and less tumbling in bed.

They remained like that for a moment longer, sipping wine and eating the remaining crumbs of cake on their plates. Then, Theo exhaled as if he had made a momentous decision.

He stood up and extended his hand toward her.“Come.”

A thrill shot up Sophia’s spine. His voice was still deep and seductive, but for some reason, she knew that he was not taking her to bed. Not yet, anyway.

“Where?” she breathed, looking up at him.

He helped her up from her languid position.

There was something about being alone with Theo. It made her feel relaxed, at ease.

“I have something to show you. Come.”