Page 13 of My Beastly Duke

“Will you… kiss me?” Marina stood on her toes, tilting her head slightly back as she ran the tips of her fingers over his chest.

The duke ran his hand up her arm, gripping her chin before running his thumb over her jawline. “I will be the one calling the shots, Kitten. You will purr for me when I tell you to. Kissing will not be necessary for consummating this marriage.” His voice sent shivers of pleasure over her skin as her nipples hardened even further, pressing into his chest as her breasts rubbed against his muscles.

Her lips drew closer to his as she pushed herself up on her toes, wanting his lips to consume hers with every fiber of her being.

Running his fingers down her neck, he paused at the base of her throat, gently drawing a line over her collarbone before encircling her neck with his thick fingers.

Why do I suddenly want him so badly?

Her core ached with desire as she pressed her body into his. None of the fear or questions that had been plaguing her mind seemed to matter anymore. Not when she gasped beneath the tips of his fingers as his free hand reached her breast.

She was about to respond when his lips came crashing down on hers, kissing her passionately as his tongue explored the depths of her warm mouth.

The confusion that his contradicting statement and action had created was soon washed away by pleasure as his hands hungrily moved over her body.

Her lips parted willingly, welcoming him in as he placed his hands on her hips and lifted her legs around his waist. She felt herself being carried backward before Aaron allowed her to fall onto the bed. Her body bounced slightly off the mattress as he quickly positioned himself between her thighs. Placing his hands on her hips, he roughly tugged her down until his body was pressing into hers. A gasp of pleasure escaped her throat when she felt his erection pressing into her most intimate parts. A whole new world was opening to her as she lifted her hips, wanting the duke to make her his wife.

“Your Grace, I…” Her voice trailed off in ecstasy when the fill weight of his body rested on hers.

Gripping her wrists, he tangled his fingers in hers before placing her hands on either side of her head. The unexpected gesture sent a rush of pleasure up her thighs as the pit of her stomach knotted furiously with a strange fluttering sensation of desire.

Moving his hand down her side, he gripped her buttocks and pulled her body closer to his with a deep groan that emanated from his chest.

“Please…” she whimpered as the aching between her thighs became almost unbearable. She wanted him to take her then and there without hesitation.

Aaron’s body suddenly froze, stiffening above her as he paused with his mouth beside her ear. His hot breath ticked her skin before quickly turning to an icy chill.

“That is enough for now. We can continue this some other time.” He pushed himself off of her body leaving a void that suddenly felt too empty.

Did I do something wrong?

Her chest rose and fell with every breath when the duke hovered over her for a second before, adding to the already overwhelming confusion.

“Your Grace, what…?”

“I shall not like to repeat myself. Good night.” His voice was cool and distant.

Marina could hardly catch her breath as the duke turned away and shut the door behind him.

Had she not responded to him in a way that made it clear that she wanted him? Shame filled her chest as she thought of her hands eagerly snaking around his neck when he had lifted her. Had she seemed too eager? She had not planned on respondingso intensely, yet her body had betrayed the fear she had harbored earlier in the evening.

Turning over, she shimmied her body up the bed and lay on her pillows. Her heart ached with confusion as she gripped the pillow and pulled it down to her chest, clutching at the only form of comfort she could find.

“What did I do to put him off?”

Chapter 7

Marina’s eyes opened as she stared at the ceiling in groggy confusion.

He left me alone last night.

The crushing confusion came back to her all at once as she recalled the way his body had stiffened above hers. Had he found her repulsive or lacking in certain ways?

Her mind reeled with questions that she did not know how to answer.

“Good morning, Your Grace. I hope you slept well.” Isolde came bounding into the room before Marina could finish her thought.

The girl's mannerisms and sense of propriety certainly needed work, but there were far more pressing matters for Marina to deal with at present.