Free The Dangerous Duke by Arabella Sheraton Page A

out her hand to him. Devlin took it and raised her fingers to his mouth. He bit gently on her soft skin. A thrill ran through her body.
    What was the matter with him? Too much drink? That was not a problem. He had come to her drunk before and she had coaxed a most satisfying performance from him. In fact, he looked quite sober. Lady Penelope fumed behind her alluring smile. Her perfume floated around him, heady, intoxicating, and seductive…as was she. To her relief, he slid his arms around her.
    It was nothing ; maybe the drink .
    He bent his head and nibbled her lower lip, slipping one hand back to her breast, tweaking and rubbing her already hard nipples. She sighed and relaxed into his arms. She was safe. He was himself again. Lifting her in his arms, Devlin carried his mistress over to the bed and laid her down. Her hair spread out across the pillows like a golden fan. He knelt beside her and slowly parted the flimsy gown. He bent his head and encircled a rosy nipple with his hot tongue. The tiny nub spasmed with desire as his tongue teased it…then the other. Her heady perfume, mixed with the womanly, musky scent of her arousal, rose from her tingling skin.
    Penelope was wanton, wild with desire. She could sense the thrill of animal lust that rippled through Devlin’s body as his manhood rose fierce and demanding. His throbbing erection, still trapped in his breeches, nudged against her thigh and she arched her back in excitement, parting her legs. She longed for his hot tongue to explore her secret place, for his sleek, hard penetration thrusting into her, for the inevitable fiery climax…but that would come soon.
    Devlin shrugged off his clothes and lay down against her. Her flesh was warm, her skin soft and satiny. Penelope was panting hard with desire. Behind her pleasure, her thoughts were churning feverishly. She knew he must make love to her in order to drive away this demon of doubt, this flicker of uncertainty. Whatever or whoever her rival was, Penelope would see her in Hell first.
    * * * *
    Devlin gazed down at her lovely face, sensing her impatience. She was a sensual woman and her lustful demands were a pleasure to him. He bent his head closer to hers to kiss her lips. He could feel his hardness pressing even more urgently against her side. Soon he would love her with his tongue, bringing her to a tumultuous climax before penetrating her in a frenzy of passion. Desire thrilled through him as he imagined the next moments of pleasure. As their lips touched, an image flashed into his mind. Another pair of trembling red lips, huge violet eyes, warm skin, that tingling, electric feeling …
    He sat back.
    “What is it, my love?” Penelope whispered through stiff lips.
    “It…it’s nothing!” Devlin’s tone was rough. All feelings of desire had disappeared. He swung his legs over the side of the bed. Confusion whirled in his brain. What was wrong with him? It was as if that blasted woman had bewitched him. He got up and began to dress.
    “What are you doing?” Penelope cried sharply. “What’s wrong?”
    “I must leave!” he muttered, hating himself. He was embarrassed and bewildered.
    “Leave?” she screeched in indignation. Penelope sat up and pulled the gown around her body. Her mouth was a hard line and her face an ugly mask of blazing fury. “You cannot leave!”
    “I am afraid I must,” Devlin said, now in control of his emotions. “It is impossible to explain and I apologise for this unpardonable slight. Your servant, madam.” Now fully clothed, he bowed and turned to exit the room.
    “You will not leave!” she howled as she launched herself at him, fingers outstretched and nails ready to plunge.
    With lightning speed, he grabbed her wrist just inches from his cheek.
    “You forget yourself, my lady,” he spat, holding her in a vise-like grip. She sank to the floor, weeping piteously. As the door closed behind him, Penelope leaped to her feet and shrieked like a wild animal. A