“Then if you are physically fine and your sister will not be joining us, I…do not know why I am here.” Her gaze dropped.
She did know. She needed to escape and this was her only option.
For once the Duke didn’t have a response.
“Be honest with me, Your Grace. Did you invite me here for your own sake or does your sister truly need help? Because I am beginning to think this was all a ruse. I know of your reputation after all.”
The Duke’s eyes darkened and narrowed. “If you have heard of my reputation then you know my word in business matters is solid.”
Theodora raised her chin. “Your social reputation leads me to believe otherwise.”
“Tell me, Miss Dowell, did you come to help my sister or to complete your experiment with me?” he smirked and Theodora rolled her eyes.
“Although we do have a deal, I have come to help your sister.”
Theodora noticed the portrait of a happy couple hanging on the wall behind the oak desk where she assumed the Scarlet Duke wrote his scandalous letters to her. The man in the portrait looked like an older version of the man in front of her.
“Did you receive my letter?” he asked as if he read her thoughts.
Theodora glanced at him and saw humor and heat dance in his eyes. She could not get over how handsome he looked; she would be sure to write down the symmetry of his features.
“I have received them, although I do not understand the point of sending such missives.” She paced the room as they spoke so that he would not notice the blush that crept up her neck.
The Duke laughed quietly. “Read them when you are alone at night in your chambers.”
It was not a request; it was an order.
The audacity of this man.
But a part of her considered it.
“And as for my sister, yes, she does need your help.” He lowered his arm from where he held his side. “She is just not ready toreceive guests today. I was quite surprised that you decided to come.”
Theodora dropped her chin as a headache began to form behind her eyes. Between her mother coming home, the conversation with her father and now this, she felt wrung out and in need of solitude.
She sighed and shifted on her feet. “I will not be played like a fool, Your Grace.” She turned towards the door. Her hand just touched the handle when her body was being whipped around and shoved against it.
Theodora gasped. She did not have a chance to question what was happening.
“Did you come here for this?” He placed a rough finger under her chin and Theodora lifted her head towards him. Her breath hitched and her body reacted to his touch immediately.
“Your Grace.” Her voice quivered with the overwhelming feeling of desire.
“Tell me, Miss Dowell, is this working for your experiment?” He cocked his head and smirked at her.
Theodora’s body writhed against the door, but she did not wish to escape his confinement. She felt the complete opposite. She wanted him to proceed. She wantedmore.
There was a darkness in his eyes that she had never seen before, but she was sure that the same darkness reflected in her own because the Duke gave her one last look before his soft lips crashed down onto hers. Instinct had her hands flying up to his chest to push him away, but her body rejected her mind, and she found herself clinging onto him.
A soft moan escaped her lips and seemed to ignite something within him. He let out a low growl that vibrated throughout her entire body. His Grace pushed his lean body flush against hers as his hands came up to cradle her face. He angled her chin and deepened the kiss.
“Hmm, sorceress, you taste just as I imagined.”
Theodora did not have time to respond as his tongue entered her parted lips and explored her. Curiosity had her opening her mouth to welcome him. A low groan rumbled through the Duke’s chest causing tingles to run through her fingertips, up her arms, and straight to her core. Her legs trembled. Everything she studied and thought she understood flew out of the window.
Nothing made sense and yet everything did as she held onto him and kissed the Scarlet Duke like her life depended on it.
Theodora whimpered when he pulled back ever so slightly to break the connection. They both struggled to breathe in each other’s spaces.
