His fingers slowly trailed higher, grazing the sensitive flesh of her thighs, until her legs shook, and she clutched his shoulders to steady herself.
“Raph,” she gasped, her hands trembling with need, “this isn’t—someone will see?—”
“We’re alone,” he cut in, his lips brushing the corner of her mouth, teasing and denying her the satisfaction. “Right now, it’s just you and me, little flower.”
His hand slid to her throat, fingers curling lightly, a possessive claim that sent a jolt through her core. He squeezed gently, just enough to make her pulse race and her body arch towards him.
“You set your little rules, little flower, but your body betrays you every time.”
Camelia’s breath came in shallow pants, her thighs clenched around his hips, as she retorted shakily, “You’re distracting me!”
He chuckled, dark and intimate, his thumb stroking her pulse point. “I’m just getting started.”
His other hand pushed her skirts higher, his fingers brushing the edge of her undergarments, teasing her until she whimpered and her resolve crumbled.
“Please,” she whispered.
But just as she began to enjoy it, he stopped, his hands releasing her.
“Who’s begging now?” He stepped back, leaving her splayed on the table, skirts rucked and body trembling with unspent desire. “Go to bed, Camelia. Your life as a duchess begins now.”
CHAPTER 16
“Your Grace!”
Camelia stormed into her husband’s chamber, her sapphire gown swishing around her, her heart pounding with resolve as the door slammed shut behind her.
She had spent her wedding night alone, kept awake by restless thoughts of him. He had left her in the dining room, yearning for something she had never experienced.
That morning, they had eaten breakfast in silence as their schedules were read out, then everyone dispersed into their rigidly planned days.
“You have embroidery lessons with Pamela. Why are you here?” he asked without even acknowledging her with a glance.
He stood by his desk, his dark coat discarded, his shirtsleeves rolled up to reveal his corded forearms. For a moment, the sightof his broad back stilled her, until she remembered the reason she was there.
“We need to discuss my responsibilities. This schedule you’ve drawn is suffocating for both Lady Pamela and me.”
“Did Pamela say that?”
“No, I?—”
“Then I see no issue with it. Continue with your day as planned, Camelia.”
“Lady Pamela is too afraid to say anything about her dislikes because she fears upsetting you!”
“You may address her as Pamela. After all, she is your daughter now,” he reprimanded her without addressing the issue at hand.
“Your schedule for Pamela and me is imprisoning us, not guiding us!” she spat.
He chuckled, his head still bent and his back still facing her. “Perhaps you need a cage, since you keep bringing me up, Camelia. It seems a fitting punishment to keep that sharp tongue of yours in check. Or would you prefer I find… other ways to keep it busy?”
“Is that your grand plan then? To distract me with your brooding charm? Because I assure you, I’m not so easily swayed!”
“I don’t have to look at you to know that you’re already swaying.”
Camelia stilled herself and cussed him inwardly.
“I’d rather run from you than sway for you,” she responded defiantly.
