“That’s just money,” he said starkly.
“You listen to me,” she persisted, “and respect my opinion even if you don’t agree. For goodness’ sake, you support my desire to be an investigator—how many husbands would do that?”
“I’m not going to stand in the way of your dreams.”
“Exactly. Because youcareabout my happiness. So much so that you’re making efforts to get to know my family because you know how much they mean to me.”
Was it her imagination or did his eyes flicker, some of the desolation fading?
“I like your family,” he said gruffly.
“And they like you. How could they not?” She laid a hand on his taut jaw. “You’re wonderful.”
She saw hope spark… and then he shook his head. “So wonderful that I got you kidnapped and nearly killed.”
“Stop it,” she said hotly. “You arenotgoing to blame yourself for that lunatic Mercer. What happened was not your fault.”
“All my life, people have scorned me—hated me.” His lips twisted. “If that’s not my fault, whose is it?”
“Theirs. Your family’s because they didn’t understand you. Your guardian’s because he was an evil tyrant. Yes, hewas,” she said when he remained broodingly silent. “How he treated a sick young boy was despicable.”
“I didn’t cry... when Charlie died.” Alaric’s voice was gravelly with emotion. “And as much as my aunt’s done for me, I don’t love her.”
“Everyone experiences grief in different ways. My papa—he didn’t cry much either when my mama passed, but he nearly went mindless with sorrow,” Emma said gently. “As for Lady Patrice, I can’t say I blame you. She’s an odd bird, isn’t she?”
She saw yearning and panic flare in his jade eyes. She sensed how badly he wanted to believe her. How afraid he was to do so.
“Mercer,” he said, clearly grasping at straws. “True, he was an evil lunatic, but the fact is that he hated me enough to try to kill me. Twice. Why am I always the target of attack?”
Tenderness cinched her throat. With both hands, she reached up and cupped his jaw. “Mercer was jealous of you. Your success, who youare. Alaric, don’t you see it?”
“See what?”
“How special you are. How loving and deserving of love. Not because of your title or money or position—but because you look out for your younger brother and help him, even though you won’t let him know it. Because you’ve survived hardship and loss, and it’s only made you stronger. Because you see something special in me, a managing, independent spinster—and you make me feel beautiful and cherished.” Her voice broke a little. “I loveyou, Alaric.”
For a long moment, crashing waves filled the silence.
“Christ, Emma,” he said, his words raw and ragged, “I love you so much it hurts.”
Joy burst within her. “I know.”
Because she did.
His arms closed like a vise around her, his lips descending with crushing force. She answered his desperate love with her own. She licked his thrusting tongue, sucked upon it, wanting him closer. Wanting to share her body, her breath, everything that she was with her duke. Her love.
No trace of ice was left in his eyes, the irises burning with silver fire. He stripped away her clothes with savage haste, rendering delicate cloth, scattering buttons over the sandy floor. He backed her into the wall of the cave. Locking her wrists above her head, he devoured her mouth, owning her with his kiss. After all he’d laid bare, she understood his need to be in control once more, and she melted for him, gave him anything he asked. Her back arched against the mossy stone as his lips captured her nipple, sucking deep.
“I’ll never get enough of you. My duchess, my love,” he rasped.
Her answer emerged as a whimper for he was caressing her pussy, smearing her wetness over her pearl, plunging into her aching hole. He drove deep, his long fingers curling, stimulating an exquisite spot high inside. Shocks of pleasure shot down her legs; already, an orgasm was blooming.
“Your cunny is so wet and greedy. Tell me what it needs,” he commanded.
“You, my love,” she breathed. “I need you inside me. Always.”
He opened his trousers, and a heartbeat later, she was lifted up against the wall. Her feet dangling off the ground, she was held aloft by his strength, by the upward thrust of his big cock. He impaled her completely, and she screamed as she came.
***
