Page 72 of Winning Her Duke

Rolling to the other side, he stared up at the wooden beams and grinned lazily. He’d pulled her close so her head rested on his chest and her fingers grazed across his stomach, just this side of ticklish.

His fingers roamed absently up and down her spine and he thought the moment would be perfect if the straw wasn’t so itchy and if they weren’t lying in the stables where anyone could happen across them.

He blinked and then blinked again. The haze of passion was quickly being replaced by the fog of unease.

He sat up, displacing his lover as he looked around almost surprised to find himself exactly where they had begun.

“Bloody hell,” he muttered.

“What’s wrong?” she whispered.

What was wrong? Did she not see?

He gestured to the stall.

“I just took your virtue in a fucking stable, Gia.”

She giggled and shrugged.

“I think it a most fitting place actually.”

He felt his eyes go wide at her comment.

“Gia, the stable is for drunkards to strop barmaids. It’s no place for an untried proper lady.” He ran his hand down his face, feeling the heat of shame on his cheeks. “I’m terribly sorry, Gia. How could I have been so barbaric?”

He knew the answer, he’d lost his head completely. Seeing her in nothing but a thin shirt. Her bare legs, toned and begging for his touch.

Even now, he was getting hard again. As if he hadn’t done enough damage.

He’d taken her virtue in a stable.

He’d taken her virtue.

“Bloody hell. Gia… I…”

She laughed again.

“It was wonderful, Jeremy. Perfect. Though I do think you’re making more of it than is warranted.”

Oh, there was much more to it than she realized.

“We should discuss what happens next,” he said, swallowing loudly. He’d never thought he would do such a thing. But here he was in the very situation that he’d promised himself he’d never find himself in.

“More sex?” she suggested with a hot grin.

He didn’t think he’d mind that at all, but no. One of them had to be the voice of reason, and God help them both, it seemed it would fall to him.

“Not now.”

“Oh. Yes. You’re right. I should get home. Dawn is only a few hours away.”

Just like that? As if she’d come for tea and visiting hours were over. As if he hadn’t just ruined her in the most improper location.

He’d ruined her. The woman he thought more highly of than any other. She deserved so much more than this. He would see that she had it.

“Aye. And later I’ll come to your house and speak to your father.”

“My father? What do wish to speak to him about?”