Dark Duke by Sabrina York

know what it means when a woman
says no?”
    “I…”
    “It means fucking no .”
    “Oof.”
    Heavens. There was no call for Edward to sink his
fist into Malcolm’s belly.
    Well, perhaps there was.
    Kaitlin tried very hard not to enjoy the sight.
    The boy doubled over, but Edward yanked him up by the scruff
of his neck. “I deplore bullies. Especially little lords who take advantage of
helpless women.”
    Really. She was hardly helpless. Still, she appreciated the
sentiment.
    “If I ever hear that you have been harassing the staff, I
will personally put you on a boat for the colonies. Do you understand?”
    “I…”
    “Edward gave Malcolm a little shake. “Do you?”
    “Y-yes.”
    “Yes what?”
    “Yes, Your Grace.”
    “That’s right. I am Your Grace. I am a duke. And do you know
what dukes can do?”
    “N-no, Your G-Grace.”
    Edward leaned in and hissed, “They can make people
disappear.” He shoved Malcolm toward the door. “Now go. And if you so much as look at Kaitlin wrong, I’ll have you gelded.” His eyes narrowed. “Dukes can do that
too.”
    Malcolm gave a little “ eep ” and covered his privates
with one hand, wrenching the door open with the other. He skittered out of
sight, yanking the door closed behind him. As though that could protect him
from Edward’s wrath.
    Kaitlin gusted out a breath she wasn’t aware she’d been
holding. “My,” she said. “That was impressive.”
    Edward glanced at her and rolled his sleeves back down. “Was
it?”
    “Three threats in such a short span of time?”
    “I was angry.”
    “I noticed.”
    Edward sat on the bed and thumbed a tear from her cheek.
Odd, that. She wasn’t aware she was crying. “Are you all right?”
    She nodded. “I am now. Although I thought—”
    He snorted. “So did I. Thank God I came back. I’d considered
waiting in my suite for you to come to me.”
    “I? Come to you?”
    The smile he sent her was sinful. “It is your debt.”
    “I would never presume to appear at your chamber door, Your
Grace.”
    He tsked. “Now, Kaitlin. I thought we’d dispensed with such
formality this morning.” Heat rose on her cheeks at the reminder. “However, be
advised, you are always welcome at my chamber door.” He glanced at the book on
the bedside table. Picked it up. Riffled the pages with a thick thumb. “So,
where are you?”
    She fixated on the sight. “I’m, um…Asha has just, um, cared
for the Grand Vizier.”
    “Has she? Did you enjoy that?”
    “It was…interesting.”
    “Hmm.”
    “And now she is being prepared for her first audience with
the sheik.”
    His eyes glinted. “A charming scene. One of my favorites.”
He tossed the book aside. “I fancy having you read it to me. But we’ll save
that for later. Right now we have business to conduct.”
    “B-business?”
    “The matter of a debt of kisses. You knew I would hold you
to it.”
    “Yes. I knew.” She didn’t know why she dipped her head.
Didn’t know why sudden shyness overcame her. She was a brave girl, a brash one
at times. She was hardly an innocent.
    He tipped up her chin. “How shall we proceed, Kaitlin?”
    “You’re asking me?”
    “Yes.” He surveyed her somberly. “I meant what I said to
Malcolm. I deplore men who take advantage of unwilling women.”
    “That’s not precisely what you said.”
    “Regardless—you are…willing. Aren’t you?”
    Heaven help her. She was. Still, she couldn’t meet his eyes.
    “Kaitlin?” A whisper.
    “Yes.”
    “Are you willing? Because if you aren’t, I will still
require those kisses…” When her gaze snapped up, he smiled. It was a tender
offering. “But they will all be on my sore, sore lips.”
    She couldn’t help it. A laugh bubbled out. He was
irresistible. And charming. And, heavens, so handsome.
    He waited patiently for her answer. So she decided to make
it worth his while. She set her palm on his cheek and turned his head, just so,
and brushed her lips over his. “One,”