Page 34 of The Duke's Second Bride

“I believe our agreement was quite clear,” he said. “And I intend to stick to it—a marriage of convenience. You are here to help care for my son. Nothing more than that.”

Ava scoffed. “You cannot expect me to believe that.”

“I am not like your former brother-in-law,” he said.

Ava frowned, her brow furrowed deeply. “I never said you were.”

“And yet you presume that I would—” Christian cleared his throat, “that we?—”

“We are married.”

“We are in an arrangement,” he said, this last part with great difficulty.

Good God, she was trying his patience.

“An arrangement you yourself suggested,” Ava stared at him. “At dinner, you said I should ready myself for bed.”

The line of her breasts swelled above the neckline of her gown, threatening to spill over with every incensed breath she took.

The back of his neck warmed as he realized. Sitting at the table, he hadn’t known she was imagining going to bed with him.

“My meaning was quite exact. There was nothing beneath it,” he said, trying his best to restrain himself.

An expression he could not read washed over Ava’s face.

“Do you …” She cleared her throat. “You’ve heard the rumors, I assume. About William and me.”

The sound of her late husband’s name on her lips, rather than his own, sent a pang of jealousy crashing through Christian’s chest.

“Yes,” he said tightly. “I have.”

She nodded, swallowing. Her eyes glinted. Were those tears beginning to well up in them?

“Of course.” Her jaw stiffened. “Of course. Have they made me repulsive to you, then?”

Good lord, how could she think that even for a moment was beyond him.

“Repulsive?” he repeated in utter confusion.

“Yes,” she said, as though she could not imagine any other plausible answer.

He stepped closer, too close, and felt the heat of her body against his. God. She had no idea.

“No,” he ground out, “It is because I cannot stand … being near you without losing control. I cannot risk it.”

Her breath caught. He could see it. It did something to him, something dangerous.

“Do you think I am a fool?” he continued, voice rough. “That I would let rumors dictate how I regard you?”

He let his hand brush against her waist, just enough to make her aware of him, his intent, the danger simmering behind his control.

“I have avoided you, wife,” he said, each word measured, heavy, “because you set my blood on fire. And if I unleash what burns in me…” His jaw clenched. “I’ll take more than you can bear.”

Ava’s lips parted, and she bit them.

Something inside him snapped. All restraint, every careful inch of control he had been clinging to, was shattered in an instant. He could not endure the sight of her in that thin linen nightgown, the warmth of her near him, the subtle rise and fall of her chest. Not another second.

He rushed forward, crossing the room in a few long, purposeful strides, and kissed her.