Tall, Duke, and Dangerous (Hazards of Dukes #2) - Megan Frampton Page 0,98

without breaking the kiss.

He would not take the time to point out how remarkably talented he was.

Because he was kissing her. And she was kissing him back. Fiercely.

She slid her hands over his shoulders, down his chest, tugging at his shirttails to pull the cloth out from where it was tucked into his trousers.

And then she drew back as she yanked the shirt up over his head, a satisfied expression on her face as she regarded his bare chest.

“Do you suppose we should lock the door?” he said in a ragged tone.

Her lips curled into a wicked smile. “I am tempted not to, but I don’t want us to be interrupted.”

He nearly grunted in response, then spoke. “I will see to it,” he said.

She trailed her fingers over where his erection tented his trousers, and he stifled a groan as he rose, making quick work of the lock and returning to her.

She had risen from her chair, and she smiled at him, then turned and presented her back. “Undo me, please.”

His fingers fumbled at the buttons, and she shot him a few impatient glances over her shoulder. Finally, however, he was able to slide her gown off, and she stepped out of it, clad only in her chemise and corset.

And then it was just her chemise.

And then he had his hands at the hem of her chemise and was drawing it up, over her luscious curves and then her head, flinging it past her shoulder to land on one of the tables that flanked the doorway.

He knelt back down, holding his hand up to assist her. She took it, sliding her naked body down to sit beside him.

“Thank God you appreciate the use of carpet,” he said.

She laughed, which lit up her entire face. Then one eyebrow rose and she gestured toward him. “How is this at all fair? Get yourself unclothed, Ignatius.”

He grinned, his hands going to the placket of his trousers. He undid them, then lay flat on the carpet, pulling the trousers down until they snagged at his boots.

Damn. He’d forgotten he was wearing them.

He sat up, undid them, then tossed them with an audible thunk to the edges of the room. That obstacle out of the way, he quickly removed his trousers and smallclothes, leaving them both naked.

In a locked room.

“Ana Maria,” he said, feeling the emotion well up yet again, “I love you. You understand that, don’t you?”

She nodded, her hand reaching toward his chest, her fingers gliding over his skin, her eyes lit up with curiosity and desire.

“Since we are in agreement, I want to know if I have your permission to entirely compromise you?”

Her eyes met his. “Please do.”

An hour later, they emerged from the salon, looking only slightly more disheveled than when they had entered it.

Only to stop in surprise as they faced Sebastian, Thaddeus, and Jane, with several interested faces peeking from around corners and abovestairs.

“Well?” Thaddeus said, folding his arms over his chest.

Ana Maria glanced at Nash. “He deserves me.”

Nash took her hand, raising it to his lips to kiss. “I do.”

An Excerpt from A Wicked Bargain for the Duke

Keep reading for a sneak peek at

A Wicked Bargain for the Duke

The next book in the Hazards of Dukes series by Megan Frampton

Coming soon from Avon Books

Chapter One

Ducal Duties

(to be accomplished within a year of assuming the title)

1. Learn the names of the upper staff. Learn the names of the lower staff within a year and a half.

2. Survey the properties and assess their efficiency.

3. Acquire a civilian wardrobe. No pastel colors.

4. Make connections in Society. Avoid any who seem to require a set strategy for dealing with them.

5. Secure the dukedom with the addition of a suitable wife and subsequent heir.

Thaddeus Dutton, Duke of Hasford, leaned back in his chair and folded his arms over his chest, glaring with dissatisfaction at the list he’d written.

Not that it was the list’s fault; it was his entirely. The list was proper, in correct order, and comprehensive. Disciplined.

Like him.

Boring, his cousin Ana Maria had once said in reaction to his respectable wardrobe—she would far prefer he wear fashionable pastels, for example—but he knew her opinion went beyond that at times. Particularly when he was managing her.

He felt his lips curl into a rueful smile and drew out another sheet of paper, plucking a pen from the surface of his built-entirely-for-efficiency desk. He’d ticked off all the proper items on the list; he had hopes that accomplishing #5 would invigorate both himself and his