Lady Vivian Defies a Duke - By Samantha Grace Page 0,74

she imagine Luke being able to live with himself.

“You could never shoot a man for my sake,” she said, making light of his assertion.

He tipped her chin up, his intense eyes holding her entranced. “I could and I would if anyone tried to hurt you. Have you any idea how precious you are to me?”

When he kissed her, she could taste promise. His ardent conviction shook her. How had he come to feel so strongly for her in their short time together? It was true she had fallen in love with him, but Luke was more to her than she could ever be to him. He was her path to freedom. All she could ever become to him was a dutiful wife, one who never embarrassed him or cast a shadow on his reputation. And she wasn’t even certain she could be that for him.

If he wanted her to accept Miss Truax’s assistance, she wouldn’t defy him.

She broke their kiss, but he took the opportunity to nibble on her earlobe. “I don’t want to let you down, Luke.”

He brushed her hair from her eyes and cradled her head. His thumb drew circles on her neck and sent a shiver down her spine. “You are incapable of letting me down, Viv.”

His eyes bore into hers, as if he could see inside her.

“B-but I could. It wouldn’t be my intention, but that would hardly matter. I don’t want to cause trouble for you or your family.”

“Then don’t.” His mouth on hers silenced her.

If only everything was that simple. As his lips moved over hers, she tried to hold on to her thoughts, the things she wanted to say to him, but her head felt foggy and soon she had to let it go. Only for a moment. For now she just wanted to drink in his kisses and breathe in his scent.

He parted her lips and flicked his tongue into her mouth. His teasing made her want him even more, and she pressed her body closer to his. He stood with a moan and cupped her bottom, dragging her against him. His hardness no longer surprised her or sparked her curiosity. She knew what she would find in his breeches and how touching him could bring him pleasure. What she didn’t know was if she could carry him over the edge as he had done to her at the lake.

The image of him writhing in ecstasy with a bit of coaxing from her fingers made her heart hammer. She burned with the desire to pleasure him this time.

Creating a space between their bodies, she eased her hand down his rippled stomach and burrowed beneath his waistband. The tips of her fingers brushed the rounded head of his cock, and he grunted.

She looked up into midnight blue eyes and held his gaze, daring him to stop her, then circled him with her fingers. His black lashes fluttered closed and his nostrils flared. Emboldened, she explored the length of him, noting the husky groan deep within his chest. “Do you like when I touch you this way?”

His Adam’s apple jerked. “Yes.”

She smiled, but when he grabbed her hand to still it, she sighed. “What am I doing wrong?”

His eyes flew open and he blinked as if trying to bring her into focus. “Nothing.”

“Then why are you stopping me?” She stroked him again and was rewarded with a sharp hiss. He liked her touch as much as she enjoyed touching him, but he stopped her again, pulling her hand from his breeches.

“This is still new for you. I can’t allow you to do such things.”

“Even if I want to?”

He laughed softly, but she wasn’t joking. He had escorted her into a world of unimaginable bliss their last time alone. Didn’t men feel everything the way women did? “I want to make you feel good, too.”

His grip around her wrist tightened when she tried to wiggle her hand free. “You are… Viv, I can’t—”

He most certainly could if he wanted. “Fine.” Hooking her other hand around his neck, she pulled him toward her for another kiss. She would share this experience with him whether he thought he could allow it or not. Shrinking violets had delicate sensibilities. Vivi was no shrinking violet.

The meeting of their lips ignited a fire in her belly. His fingers slid into her hair, and he slanted her head to delve his tongue deep into her mouth. Brandy lent his breath a fiery, sweet scent that was both familiar and exotic. Their