Page 73 of The Duchess He Couldn’t Resist

The atmosphere turned heavier, as it was almost every time that he was around her. He looked upon her face, flushed as she was from her enthusiasm and her laughter, and he really wanted to make her glow for a completely different reason.

He just could not control himself anymore. Could not stop. He really wanted to have her. All of her. It must have been evident in how he looked at her because her eyes softened too, her lids half-closed.

“You have done so well today, Marigold,” he said. “Such good behavior needs to be rewarded.”

He could feel the heat radiating from her body, and he saw the sudden flutter of her pulse on her throat upon hearing those words. His little wife knew exactly what kind of reward he had in store for her.

“Do you think so? Do you think I did well?” Marigold asked, almost breathless.

Brandon shifted even closer and cupped her face.

“You did very, very well.”

“Are you pleased with me?”

He looked down at her with his dark look. Marigold was doing this on purpose, spurring him on, claiming what she desired. And who was he to deprive her of that? Brandon leaned in, and his breath made small curls on her neck tremble.

“Yes, Marigold. I am very pleased,” he purred. “Do you want me to show you how pleased I am?”

“Yes. Yes, please.”

He traced his thumb along her lower lip.

“Come with me, sweetheart,” he said and offered her his hand.

Without hesitation, she let her hand nest in his. She was trembling slightly, but it was more anticipation than fear. Brandon led her out of the study and up the stairs towards his bedroom.

She followed at his heels, and they did not speak. They did not need to speak. And yet that silence between them was full. They reached his room, and he opened the door. He turned and pulled her in before closing it behind her.

“I am going to ask you this once, Marigold, and I want you to think before you answer.” He kept his distance, looking at her in the fading evening light that streamed through his curtains.

“I’m listening.”

“Are you ready, Marigold?”

Brandon needed to hear it. He would not even make a move until she said so. The question was suspended mid-air. It felt as if time had stilled as he waited for an answer. Marigold looked at him. It was the first time in his life that Brandon felt the utter need to be worthy.

Then Marigold took one light step, and Brandon tried to be patient and wait for her. If she was not ready, he was going to escort her to her room and wish her a good night.

“Finally!” Marigold said.

He laughed. He genuinely laughed, one of the rare laughs that he reserved for special occasions, such as his tiny little ladies becoming audacious.

“Is that a complaint or an accusation?” he asked.

“All I am saying,” Marigold placed her hands on his chest, “is that I have been ready for a while.”

“Then I am inexcusable for not attending to your needs.” He drew closer.

“And there is also the other part of our agreement that I have to abide by.”

Brandon frowned slightly. Something was clenching inside him once she brought up the agreement. It was as if this agreement was made a lifetime ago, before…

“Agreement?” He struggled to sound light.

“I am to provide you two things,” she said.

She drifted so close that she had to arc her neck to look him in the eyes. Her scent invaded his nostrils, and he momentarily forgot what they were even talking about.