Read Online Thawing A Duke's Heart (Faces of Love Series #1) by Jessie Bennett - Free Book Online Page A

frustrated that he couldn’t see it himself. The simple thought of this woman brought so much emotion into him; I couldn't understand that he didn’t see that it was the loss of love that he felt.
    I was just as stubborn and willing to dig my heels in as he was though. “Just because you have suffered at the hand of love, Your Grace, doesn’t mean you need to ruin it for everyone else. Your heartache is understandable, but that doesn't mean you need to be such a…such a rotten man toward everyone else! You shut everyone out, you put every small bit of happiness down as naught. You are so rude and unfeeling to a whole gender because of one woman. You have taken all your emptiness and made others around you suffer for it. Dunlop told us because he cares about you. So many care about you and would do anything to see the real you, the one that is happy and smiles and laughs, but you won’t let anyone into your heart!”
    I was practically on my tiptoes, doing my best to raise myself up to my full height in squaring off with him.
    “I’m sorry that I care so much for my friend that I won’t let him make the same mistakes I did. I have resigned myself not to marry, and yes, it is because I no longer have faith in your sex. But Dunlop has insisted upon it, that is his choice, but I will not let him go into it without the full knowledge I have received from such endeavors. I can’t expect you to understand.” We were practically nose to nose now.
    “Why? Because I am some temptress woman incapable of any real purpose or feeling without alternative motives?” I wanted to scream and wring his neck in frustration. How could one woman rattle him so?
    He moved back from me for a moment and seemed to ponder this. Then his mouth split into a wicked grin. He took a step closer to me, closing the small gap between us.
    “I bet you have never been kissed before.”
    I took a step back from him. I couldn't believe he was asking me that. I flushed red and refused to answer. Of course, I had never been kissed before.
    He nodded in understanding and stepped forward again.
    “How do you feel about me right now?”
    “Honestly,” I said. “I would like to box your ears, Your Grace .”
    His grin widened even more, and he slipped his hands around my waist, pulling me hard against his chest. I pushed against his chest with no success. He looked down at me, ignoring my futile tempts to release his grip.
    “You see, I am probably the last person in the world that you could find yourself falling for. You can’t stand me. But with a simple kiss, I could change all of that. It is emotions and nothing more. Love is the name we give to that animal desire to procreate. And just as fleeting as it is for our animal brothers, so it is for us. Love suggests a commitment and eternal bond. It is impossible and nonexistent.” He wrapped one hand completely around my waist so as to keep me from escaping while he brushed my cheek with the other. He lifted my chin again to look him in the eyes.
    “I will scream,” I protested.
    “No, you won’t,” he said before cupping my cheek and dipping his head down to mine. He lightly brushed his lips against mine. It was a feather touch. My heart started to pound and race. I stopped pushing his chest and instead gripped it to keep steady. I involuntarily tilted my head. I could feel the smile of satisfaction to my reaction on his lips as he brushed mine again.
    “Why do you insist on being so stubborn? No matter. I will enjoy proving this to you.”
    Then he kissed me. Soft and delicate. I couldn't help but reach up to his neck, and urge more from him. I parted my lips and let him explore my mouth. I let my hands explore his hair while he pulled me harder against him. A small moan escaped as he released my lips.
    He was looking down at me in a wild wanton manner. I imagined my expression was much the same. He was doing his best to control his heavy breathing. Luckily, he kept his hands tight around me.