Bewitching the Duke

“Yes, now,” she whispered. “Please now.”

He laid her on the bed with her legs dangling off it and then pushed up her layers of skirts. Her eyes widened as she realized his intent. A sensual little smile curved her lips.

He pulled down his trousers and in one swift move, pulled her legs up against his chest and entered her tight wetness. “God,” he groaned.

“Colin,” she said breathless. “Please now, I need you moving inside me.”

He replied to her whispered demand and slid out quickly and back inside. Her legs curled around his back, drawing him in even farther. He could feel her pulse against his shaft and knew she was already close to the edge. He increased his rhythm, faster and faster until she clenched his cock and shook with her climax.

“Colin,” she screamed.

Hearing her call out his name as she reached her orgasm brought him over the edge. “Selina,” he moaned repeatedly as he spilled his seed into her.

He looked down at the beautiful woman and was lost. This slip of a woman, who had no idea of Society or propriety or any of the harsh rules he had grown up with, had taken his heart. How had she done that? He had been so certain no one could fill the void left by Mary. But Selina had not only filled that void but had opened him to an even stronger feeling of love.

She had shown him the importance of his ancestors’ lands and the value of the tenants. The look on tenants’ faces after she’d been at their homes was something he wanted to see more often. He wanted to show her and them that he could do better than he had. He wanted to be a better person for her.

He wanted to marry her.

She blinked open her eyes and smiled up at him before quickly masking the raw emotion on her face. That was the first time he’d ever seen her do such a thing. Normally, she was so easy to read.

“Are you all right?” Perhaps he had been too rough with her. Although, she had certainly acted as though she’d enjoyed herself.

“I’m fine, but you should go,” she said, pushing at his shoulders to move him off her.

“Why?”

“Someone might discover you here,” she said with a light tone to her voice that didn’t match the pain on her face.

“That didn’t seem to bother you the last time. Did my stepmother speak to you?”

She shook her head. “Ever since I took care of Kate, the duchess has treated me very well.”

Colin slipped a handkerchief between them as he pulled out of her. He dragged his trousers back up and buttoned them. She straightened out her skirts and rose from the bed. Watching her every movement, he knew something was bothering her.

“Selina, I’m not leaving until you tell me what is wrong.”

She pressed her lips into a tight line. “I have to leave.”

“What do you mean?”

“I don’t belong here. I only stayed because Kate needed me. Well, she is healthy enough that I can return to Mia’s house now.”

Oh, dear God, he couldn’t let her leave yet . . . ever. But he also sensed telling her that he loved her would not be well received at the moment. “Please stay,” he whispered, staring into her emerald eyes.

“I cannot.”

“At least tell me why.”

“This”—she motioned between them—“is . . . was wonderful. But it’s not real. It was only a fantasy and I can’t continue living in a fantasy. My life is here on this estate as the wise woman. Taking care of the tenants and the servants. That is my lot in life.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” he whispered.

“Yes, it does.”

Hearing the firm tone of her voice, he knew she would never change her mind tonight. Something or someone had forced her to make this decision and he was bound to find out who. In the meantime, there was only one way to keep her on the estate. “Then move back into your cottage.”

Her full lips gaped open. “Are you serious?”