Bewitching the Duke

“Hmm?” He nibbled on the side of her neck as his hands lifted the hem of her shift.

“I feel like I’m drowning.”

“Good,” he whispered.

Good? She should feel like her breathing was out of control? As if every breath might be her last?

He pulled the garment off her until she was naked, save her stockings. When had she lost her shoes? As his mouth covered her breast, she realized it didn’t matter.

Selina arched against him and moaned softly. Gooseflesh rippled along her skin. Her body ached for something unattainable, something she didn’t even know existed before now.

His hand skimmed across her stomach, delving lower until he split her folds. She let out a slight gasp as his hard fingers touched her so intimately. His thumb found her tight nub and rubbed until she couldn’t think, much less breathe.

“Colin,” she moaned.

“God, Selina, you’re so moist and warm for me.”

“Please,” she begged for relief.

“Yes,” he whispered against her breast. He moved quickly away from her to remove his trousers.

While she’d seen men without clothing, she’d never seen a man’s cock like this before. It was long and hard, and she wanted to touch him. He pulled her closer to the edge of the bed until she thought she might fall off.

Then he was there, probing her entrance. With agonizing slowness, he entered her until he reached her maidenhead.

“Oh God, I wasn’t positive you were a virgin,” he said with a groan. “This might hurt.” He withdrew slightly before pushing deep inside her.

“Oh,” she cried out.

“God, no,” he shouted. He thrust inside her one more time. “No.” He collapsed on top of her. “I’m sorry,” he mumbled. He quickly pulled out of her and dressed. Staring down at her, he said it again. “I’m sorry.”

And then he left.

Selina stared at the closed door. Anger, frustration, and emptiness filled her. Why had he left her so quickly? Perhaps her inexperience had annoyed him. Slowly, she dressed and left the room, wondering if that was really all there was to making love. She knew it wasn’t. Mia had told her about the pleasures a man’s body could bring to a woman.

Maybe she wasn’t as good at this as his late wife. The pain of that thought sliced through her like a knife. She couldn’t compete with a dead woman.

Colin stormed into his study and locked the door behind him. He’d never embarrassed himself as he did with her. He poured a large glass of brandy and gulped it down. She must think him some kind of adolescent who’d never been with a woman. He didn’t think he’d been this horrible at making love since his first time. Now he’d ruined her first time.

He could not imagine facing her again.

In fact, he wouldn’t. She would only stay the night and then be back at Hartsfield Hall. As soon as Kate felt ready to leave, he would depart too. And he’d never return.

He poured another glass of brandy and shook his head. He would have to apologize to her again. His conscience would never allow him to leave without an explanation. But the idea of talking to her about what just happened only made his anger grow. He hurled the glass at the fireplace in frustration.

He sank into a chair and closed his eyes. Why hadn’t he just left her alone? Because from the moment he met her, he’d desired her. His guilt had increased when he realized days ago that he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted Mary. He had wanted Selina’s wildness. Her passion.

And instead of showing her the wonders of making love, he’d selfishly pleasured only himself. He’d left her unsatisfied. When he should have departed only after he knew she would never want another man other than him.

He walked back to the decanter of brandy and poured himself another glass, wanting nothing except to forget he ever met Selina.

Selina peered inside Kate’s room. After leaving the bedroom, she’d had no idea where to go. She couldn’t stay in that adjoining room. And she couldn’t risk him finding her in the room where she’d been hiding for days.

“Would you like some company?” Selina asked.

Her patient smiled over at her. “Please, I’m dreadfully tired of my mother’s companionship.”

Selina looked around the bedchamber. “Where is your mother?”