But he knew that would be a bit too much for their first kiss. Instead, he backed her against the wall. The newly added support was good to give him more access to her, and his hands inched towards the curve of her chest.
They would break their kiss only for a moment to breathe, and then go back to it. It was like they were devouring each other.
And he felt his excitement growing more and more, the fabric of his trousers straining between his legs.
Simon wantedmore.
If he were to be earnest, then his intent was simple. He wished to take her right there in his study. She seemed quite willing, and he could show her exactly what happened during a wedding night when a man claims his woman for himself. He wanted to hear her moan against his ear and cry out his name in pleasure.He wanted to rip that silk gown off her, and if she complained, buy her a dozen more.
He wanted to sink inside her. It would not only be making love. It would be something less gentle and more primal. She would love it; of that he was certain.
But it was getting harder for him to control himself, as his thoughts grew wilder. When he found himself biting on her lower lip, he knew that he had to stop this.
So he pulled back, abruptly bringing an end to their kiss. He noticed that her lips were now reddened, as were her cheeks.
She was remarkably attractive like this.
He had kissed her more roughly than he had intended. She had liked it, though.
The shock alone jolted him back into his senses.
He had crossed a line.
“Rule number four,” his gruff voice informed her. “Never do that again. Never provoke me.”
Her hair was disheveled, and her mouth wide open as she tried to make sense of all that was happening.
“Provoke you?” she asked, her voice shaking. “I never did such a thing. I merely wanted answers.”
“You did,” Simon interrupted harshly, his hand remaining on her waist. “You came to me at midnight, dressed in very little, with questions for which you’re not prepared to hear the answers. Do you have any idea how reckless that is?”
Her face flushed.
“I have a right to ask these questions. I am your wife.”
Simon’s jaw tightened, and he backed away, releasing her as if her hand burned his skin.
“We will not have an heir.”
The words seemed to wound him, even though he was the one to issue them. But it was all too dangerous. It was only her first day here, and his control had already spiraled to a startling degree.
Rachel blinked, her expression shifting from anger to confusion. “What?” she whispered. “Why would you… I do not understand why you would marry then? If not for an heir?”
“Because I needed a duchess. That is all.”
He could feel the disappointment emanating from her. It was palpable, and he could not blame her either.
Initially, he had wanted to deliver the news to her in a much more composed setting. But it had come out badly. He rubbed his face and shook his head.
“You will return to your bedchamber now, Duchess. I will not be joining you,” he instructed her. “This matter between us is finished.”
He didn’t turn around, and she quietly made her exit.
It was not lost on him that she did not choose to argue with him this time. Perhaps he had wounded her with his harsh words. A feeling of guilt settled over his chest, but he knew that he had made the right decision by being upfront with her.
One day.
One day into their marriage, and he’d already breached the fragile boundaries he’d worked so hard to create.
