Chapter Five #3
All too soon, warning sensations raced through his shaft.
That tingling went through his stones, drawing them tight to his body.
The end was near, and it had been far too long since he’d had a woman in his bed.
“Damn, I’m coming too soon,” he managed to whisper.
Fucking her wasn’t supposed to feel so good, but this was a wholly different experience than he had assumed.
In the moments when her passage spasmed as she achieved release, the sounds of her crying reached his ears.
Whether in pleasure or horror, he couldn’t say, and it wouldn’t make much difference to him either way.
This was their life. Hell, it was beau monde life.
They were both born into this world, where titles and the wealth that came with them were all anyone cared about as well as the connections or alliances therein.
Where women didn’t have a choice as to how their future was shaped or spent.
The engagement might have been forced out of scandal—and a thin one at that—but why not take full advantage of it?
He was a duke, after all, and this would solve multiple worries at once.
“Shit.”
Thinking and fucking didn’t mix. His control slipped.
At the last second, Michael withdrew from her warm body.
Moments later, he exploded, and his shaft jerked.
Once more taking himself in hand, he gave his slick member a few pumps as pure pleasure crashed through his form.
Ropes of white ejaculate jetted out to decorate her arse and thighs.
A soft sound that was suspiciously close to a stifled scream of completion left her throat, muffled though it was by the upholstery.
“Damn.” That was much more satisfying than finding release in the bath.
And since he didn’t know if she was still of childbearing age or if she could carry a child, he did what he could to prevent pregnancy, for he wasn’t certain he wanted a child in this world with the way it was now, the way he was.
As she shivered, he couldn’t help his grin. Perhaps he was a bastard after all. Then he put that from his mind. She was a means to an end, and if they found companionship along the way, all the better. He wouldn’t die alone.
The idea that had percolated earlier swam once more into his mind’s eyes.
After easing off her, he put his clothing to rights.
“I want you to marry me at the first opportunity.” A nuptial ceremony would draw out his quarry, for he would make certain she invited her husband’s best friend.
Perhaps the conclusion of this mission would go quickly.
“After this?” Evangline squirmed off the bolstered end of the sofa, and rather awkwardly tumbled to her feet, swaying a bit.
She lifted her angry gaze to his. “After your pompous arse thinks you can take whatever you want from me merely because we had a bit of fun earlier?” With a shake of her head—a tendril of blonde hair escaped from a pin to tumble to her shoulder—she yanked up her bodice and shook out her skirting.
The poor thing probably felt quite uncomfortable with his seed making her shift stick to her skin. “You are quite mad.”
He waved a hand then eased his weak arm back into the sling. “I never claimed I wasn’t.”
“You are demented. Perverted. Arrogant. Manipulative.” She spat out each word as if they were bitter pills in her mouth.
“You have no idea, but yes, I’m guilty as charged.” It was essential that she didn’t think of him as a hero, for that was something he’d never be. “Choose a day and I’ll secure the license.”
“Are you not listening?” Propping her hands on her hips only called his attention to that part of her, and damn, he wished he’d rendered her naked. “I already had a husband who thought he could dictate every aspect of my life, who took me against my will.”
“Yes, but did he send you flying as many times as I did in one night?” Clearly, he was different from Marklesfield in that regard.
Her eyes narrowed. A blush stained her cheeks. “That is beside the point.”
“Is it, though? I’d rather think it is a point in my favor.”
“Prick.” Evangeline shook her head. “Why the devil would I willingly take another husband who has similar traits?”
Ah, so being claimed without consent was the reason for her fear.
How… odd that it didn’t directly stem from him.
But perhaps that would work to his advantage.
“I am nothing like him, so therefore, this union will prove different.” Of course, he didn’t know her first husband but that wasn’t the issue here.
“Also, because I’m a damned duke and I’m demanding it. ”
Immediately, her expression turned into a thundercloud. “Go to hell, Your Grace.”
As much as he admired her pluck, he shrugged.
“What makes you think I’m not already there?
” This life had already become a trial. There was nothing for him here, and once he concluded his mission, perhaps he could end everything.
Go home to Cornwall. Walk into the angry sea and never come out.
He’d leave Evangeline a very wealthy and well-connected woman.
As a sort of payment for her part in all of this, but she would want for nothing.
“You can stay here. I’ll order your things packed and brought over.
We’ll marry in two days. Three if there is a delay with the license. ”
“Oh, you are the most aggravating, ogre of a man!” With a cry of rage, she picked up a silver candlestick from a nearby table and hurled it at his head.
Of course, he dodged the projectile, for it was heavy and her aim was a bit off. It fell to the carpet with a dull thud. “None of that, Evvie. It isn’t proper behavior for a soon-to-be duchess.”
Her eyes were more green than brown in that moment, and were quite arresting. “Why are you doing this? I won’t be kept like a prisoner.”