Defying the Duke: Their Wicked Ways Book Two by Ari Thatcher

Author:Ari Thatcher
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Aspendawn Press
Published: 2023-08-17T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 8

When Dinah heard a key in the lock of the office door, she expected Mr. Bickley had come early to make his deposit. Her eyes widened when she saw Abingdon enter. He hadn’t come to the office since he’d finished documenting the discrepancies the week before. Her belly warmed at the sight of him, which should have flustered her, but for some reason, it didn’t. She stood. “Good afternoon, Your Grace.”

“Good afternoon. Sit, please. I don’t wish to interrupt your work.”

“And yet you know that by coming here, you’ll be doing exactly that,” she said, smoothing her skirts and sliding back under the desk. She picked up her pen but watched him rather than returning to her task.

He strolled to her side and looked down at the ledger and papers neatly stacked beside it. “Have you found any more entries of concern?”

“No. Having the guard positioned at the door around the clock has solved the problem.”

“Yes, well, it might also prevent us from catching the thief if it keeps him from coming here. And I really don’t like the idea of having a man there indefinitely.”

She nodded. “It’s quite the dilemma.” Watching his expression, she wondered why he was there. The missing money didn’t seem to be the real reason.

Abingdon looked different today. She noticed that his waistcoat was a deep brown, making his hazel eyes greener than normal. The tension lines around his mouth had softened as if he had less to worry about lately. Obviously, he hadn’t learned the thief’s identity, or he wouldn’t ask about more thefts. What had changed?

He settled against the edge of the desk, his thigh nearly touching hers, and folded his arms across his chest. “I trust you’ve been well?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Good. And your sister and grandmother? They are well?”

“Yes, we are all in good health, Your Grace. Thank you for asking.” She found his behavior very odd. He never exchanged niceties with her.

Uncrossing his arms, he brought his hands to the desk on either side of him, essentially blocking her ability to read the lefthand pages of the ledger. All she wanted at that moment was for him to kiss her the way he’d described, the way he had the other day.

Dinah looked up at him, searching his features for clues to his thoughts. She should say something witty, but words escaped her.

Her breath left her, too, when she saw the fire burning in Abingdon’s gaze. It lit something in her, passion and hunger swelling within her chest. She sucked in air, and his gaze went to her breasts.

He brushed a knuckle over her hardened nipple, and she thought she’d shatter at the ripple of pleasure coursing through her. His hand left her breast to palm the back of her neck, his thumb resting on her pulse. “Your heart is racing.”

Dinah closed her eyes, focusing on his gentle touch. She should stop him, but she wanted more. She sensed his nearness just before his mouth found hers. He was gentle this time, then he nipped her lower lip with a growl.

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