Read Online Dark Duke by Sabrina York - Free Book Online Page A

“You were gone when I
awoke.”
    “Of course I was.” He pulled her into his arms. “I left at
dawn. Had to go, although I didn’t want to. The servants were beginning to
stir.”
    “You didn’t want to?” Ah. That made her smile.
    “I wanted to do this.” He settled his mouth on hers for a
quick kiss. It became something else. She wrapped her arms around his neck. He
pulled her flush against him. Groaned as she wriggled.
    How delightful.
    They were alone, secluded in his private bower, in the
chamber where he had just written a sweltering scene where the young Fiona, who
had been captured by a highwayman, had succumbed to his swarthy charms.
    He was highly aroused.
    “Kaitlin. You are incredible.”
    “Thank you, Your Grace.”
    “Although…” He studied her.
    “What?”
    “This needs to go.” He plucked the pins from her bun,
reveling in the heavy fall of her hair as he freed it. “Ah, yes.” He fisted it,
brought a thick skein to his nose. “Lovely.”
    “Edward, that took some time to arrange.”
    “It’s a sin to waste time in pointless pursuits.”
    She laughed.
    “Why do you wear it up? It’s so annoying.”
    “Annoying?” She blew out a breath. “It’s necessary.”
    “Why?” He buried his face in her neck. Nibbled. She shivered
and rubbed against him.
    “It drives men to mischief, I’ve found.”
    “Never say it.” Mischief, hell. It drove men mad.
    “Edward, do stop. I’ve come to ask you a question.”
    He pulled back, a frown on his brow. “I thought you came to
give me the rest of my kisses.”
    “Ho! I think you had plenty of those last night.”
    “Not a bit of it. You owe me at least twenty more.”
    She smacked him lightly on the shoulder and spun away.
“Clearly you weren’t paying attention.”
    “I was.” He had. In minute detail. The encounter was burned
on his brain and would linger there until he was in his dotage. He was inclined
to repeat it. Here. Now. He followed her across the room.
    When he grabbed her and molded her bottom to his groin, she
squealed. “Edward! Stop that. I have a question for you and it’s serious.”
    Blast. He let her go. Best get this question out of the way.
Then he would seduce her. He wanted nothing more than to finally know her. He
cast about. There was a divan in the corner. That would do beautifully.
    “Edward?”
    He blinked, wrenched from his strategizing, and found her
observing him with an impatient look on her face. Her fists were propped on her
hips. “Yes?”
    “Are you listening?”
    “No.” Best be honest. “I was thinking about seducing you.”
    Her lashes fluttered. She licked her lips. “Edward—please.”
    “I would love to please you.” He stepped closer. It bothered
him that she thought lovemaking unpleasant. Though that she hadn’t enjoyed it
with that other man—that stupid, inept bungler—gratified him immensely. She
would like it with him. She would love it with him. If he died trying.
    She attempted to fix a stern expression on her beautiful
face although she didn’t quite succeed. “Be serious.”
    “I am being serious.” As serious as hell.
    “I have an important question. About the book.”
    He stilled. “The book?
    “Yes. I’ve read this section again and again and I simply
cannot understand, when Asha feels the lick of the lash…”
    She had his attention now. All of it. “What can’t you
understand?” Oh, do tell.
    She looked away, suddenly shy. Something flared in his gut.
“I don’t understand why she enjoys that .”
    That flare became a fist. A tight, gripping, clenching fist.
    Ah. Glory. He knew giving her that book had been brilliant.
    He let his voice drop an octave. Maybe two. “What don’t you
understand, sweet?”
    She flicked a look at him. Her eyes widened. She shivered.
Her mouth opened and then closed again. “Edward?”
    “Yes?”
    “That tone in your voice?”
    “Yes?”
    “I don’t understand that either.”
    Of course she didn’t. She wasn’t an